The Art Of Dining: A Guide To English Dinnerware Brands

English dinnerware brands have a long and distinguished history, with some dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. These traditional brands, such as Wedgwood, Spode, and Royal Staffordshire, are known for their elegant and intricate designs, often featuring hand-painted scenes, floral motifs, and whimsical patterns. Today, there are also modern English brands, such as Denby, that offer simple yet stylish dinnerware sets made from durable materials like stoneware and porcelain. Whether you're looking for antique charm or contemporary sophistication, English dinnerware brands have something to offer, with their sets gracing tables for generations.

Blue and white porcelain sets

Blue and white porcelain dinnerware sets are a classic choice for those looking to channel a whimsical, dainty aesthetic. The style's popularity boomed following the import of Chinese porcelain into Europe in the 17th century and has since been a staple in English dinnerware.

Spode Blue Italian Collection

The Spode Blue Italian collection offers a bread and butter plate, a handled basket, and a 12-piece dinnerware set. Each piece is dishwasher and microwave safe, making it a convenient option for everyday use. The collection features the brand's signature Blue Italian pattern, a beautiful and intricate design.

Gibson Home

Gibson Home offers a range of blue and white dinnerware sets, including the Soho Lounge Round Reactive Glaze Stoneware Dinnerware Set and the Elite Mayfair Bay Embossed Double Bowl Dinnerware Set. Both sets are suitable for four people and are dishwasher safe. The Soho Lounge set has a unique, eye-catching glaze, while the Elite Mayfair set features an elegant embossed design.

Selamica Ceramic Dinnerware Set

The Selamica Ceramic 12-piece dinnerware set is a vintage blue and white set, including dinner plates, dessert plates, and cereal bowls. The set is dishwasher safe and features a simple yet elegant design.

Blue Bay 12-Piece Dinnerware Set

The Blue Bay collection offers a unique set with textile-inspired patterns and organic shapes. The set includes dinner plates, dessert plates, and bowls, all of which are microwave and dishwasher safe. The pieces have a thin gold line accent and come in a pretty Robin Egg blue box, making them an excellent choice for gifting.

Johnson Brothers Willow Blue 4-Piece Place Setting

This blue and white dinnerware set by Johnson Brothers is a classic choice, featuring a simple yet timeless design. The set includes dinner plates, dessert plates, and bowls, perfect for everyday use or formal dinners.

Portmeirion Blue Indigo Dinnerware Set

The Portmeirion Blue Indigo set is a beautiful porcelain set with a floral design. It includes dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls, and mugs, serving four people. The set is microwave and dishwasher safe, making it a convenient and elegant choice for any table.

Floral and botanical designs

Botanical and floral motifs are a common feature of English dinnerware. These designs often incorporate a variety of vibrant colours, with patterns ranging from a botanical wreath at the edge of a plate to a single flower in the centre.

One example of an English dinnerware brand that uses floral and botanical designs is Portmeirion. Their Botanic Garden collection features "pretty botanical illustrations" on durable earthenware, including side plates, dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and a meatloaf dish. The collection was designed by Susan Williams-Ellis and was inspired by early 19th-century illustrations.

Another brand that incorporates floral and botanical motifs is Royal Albert. Their Vintage 1960's 5-Piece Place Setting in the Old Country Roses pattern is available on Etsy.

Spode is another brand that uses floral and botanical motifs. Their "Chinese Rose" dinnerware is sold individually on Etsy, and their Blue Italian 5-Piece Place Setting features a "silky" feel and is available on Wayfair.

Other brands that feature floral and botanical designs include Royal Staffordhire, Wedgwood, and Johnson Bros.

Stoneware

Denby

Denby is a well-known English brand that has been producing stoneware since the 1950s. Their popular dinner sets are known for their weighty and sturdy feel. The Denby Halo Speckle Coupe Set is a 12-piece collection that includes four dinner plates, four side plates, and four cereal bowls. It features a speckled glaze finish and coupe-shaped plates to prevent spills. This set is also microwave, dishwasher, oven, and freezer safe.

Jono Pandolfi

Jono Pandolfi is a ceramicist who founded his eponymous tableware brand, creating stoneware that is now used in top restaurants and TV shows like "The Bear." The Jono Pandolfi Coupe Collection is a robust and elegant set of stoneware with a sophisticated look. The set includes a range of pieces such as dinner plates, salad plates, cereal bowls, and mugs, all with a dark brown clay body and a rounded, smooth edge. This collection is dishwasher and microwave safe.

East Fork

East Fork is a stoneware brand based in Asheville, North Carolina, founded by Henry Matisse's grandson. Their stoneware has a simple yet elegant aesthetic, elevating everyday meals. The East Fork "You're-All-Set" Set is a comprehensive 7-piece collection that includes a mug, dinner plate, side plate, cake plate, breakfast bowl, everyday bowl, and a bitty bowl. Their pieces feature ultra-pigmented hues with a contrasting rim and subtle speckling. This set is dishwasher and microwave safe.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn is a go-to brand for durable and timeless tabletop pieces. Their Nico dinnerware set exudes classic elegance with a subtle grey and brown glaze. The set includes dinner plates, salad plates, and soup bowls, all with a slight lip to prevent spills. This collection is both dishwasher and microwave safe.

Le Creuset

Le Creuset is a renowned brand known for its premium stoneware. Their 16-piece dinnerware set includes pasta/cereal bowls, dinner plates, salad plates, and mugs. The pieces feature a timeless design with a thin three-ring pattern and vibrant enamel glazes. This set is dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and oven safe up to 500°F.

Tudor England

Tudor England offers fine porcelain dinnerware with an affordable price tag. Their sets feature an elegant British style with attractive patterns and colours. The Tudor England Royal Impression Porcelain China Dinnerware Set is a 24-piece collection that includes dinner plates, salad plates, rice bowls, and mugs. This set is dishwasher and microwave safe.

Bone china

Mikasa

Mikasa offers a wide range of bone china dinnerware sets in various designs and sizes. The Delray collection, for example, includes 16-piece and 40-piece sets, while the Trellis White collection offers square 16-piece and 36-piece sets. Mikasa's bone china is lightweight and chip-resistant, making it a practical choice for those looking for elegant yet durable dinnerware.

Wedgwood

Wedgwood's bone china dinnerware features bold and beautiful designs, ranging from neutral to floral patterns. Their collection includes dinnerware sets, plates, bowls, and serveware, allowing customers to mix and match pieces to create a unique table setting. The brand also offers a guide to bone china on their website, providing information on how to choose and care for bone china tableware.

Macy's

Macy's offers a variety of bone china dinnerware sets from different brands, including their exclusive Hotel Collection. The sets range from casual dinnerware to more formal options, such as the Vera Wang Wedgwood collection. Macy's also offers sets with platinum-rimmed patterns and modern designs, catering to a range of customer preferences.

Bloomingdale's

Bloomingdale's features several well-known brands, such as kate spade new york, Royal Crown Derby, and Wedgwood. They offer a range of bone china dinnerware, including dinnerware sets, bread and butter plates, rim and soup bowls, and tea cups with saucers. Bloomingdale's also frequently has sales, making their luxury dinnerware more accessible to customers.

Amazon

Amazon provides a vast selection of modern bone china dinnerware from various brands. The options include embossed, gilded, and lightweight designs, as well as sets with unique patterns and colours. Amazon also offers customer reviews, making it easier for customers to make informed decisions about their purchases.

Dinnerware for special occasions

Dinnerware is an essential component of any dining experience, and when it comes to special occasions, the right dinnerware can elevate the entire event. Whether it's a formal dinner, a festive gathering, or a sophisticated soiree, here are some English dinnerware brands to consider for those memorable moments:

Royal StaffordshirE

A well-known name in English dinnerware, Royal Staffordshire offers a range of elegant and sophisticated options. One of their standout pieces is the Clarice Cliff collection, which features vibrant colours and unique designs. The brand also carries more traditional options, such as the Antique Copeland Spode Chinoiserie Side Plates, perfect for a classic and refined table setting.

Wedgwood

With a rich history dating back to the 18th century, Wedgwood is synonymous with quality and craftsmanship. Their dinnerware collections exude elegance and sophistication, making them ideal for special occasions. From their Vintage Small Lidded Creamware Melon Tureen to the iconic Pink Nautilus Pearlware Scallop Shell Dessert Dish, Wedgwood's attention to detail and timeless designs will impress your guests.

Spode

Spode is a renowned English dinnerware brand, especially known for its Blue Italian collection. This stunning range features a delicate blue and white colour palette with intricate patterns. The 5-piece bone china place setting is a perfect example of their craftsmanship, including a dinner plate, salad plate, bread and butter plate, teacup, and saucer. Each piece is a work of art, adding a touch of luxury to your table.

Royal Crown Derby

For over 250 years, Royal Crown Derby has been crafting exquisite dinnerware, favoured by royalty and heads of state worldwide. Their antique 1820s Imari Porcelain Plates showcase a unique blend of bold colours and intricate patterns. The brand also offers a range of dinner plates, soup bowls, and dessert dishes, ensuring you have a complete set for your special occasion.

Lenox

Lenox is a brand that exudes sophistication and elegance. Their French Perle 4-piece place setting is a perfect example of their craftsmanship. This stoneware set, available in white and ice blue, features a textured design on the rims and a hand-applied finish. While it may show marks from cutlery, it is easy to clean and extremely durable, making it a great option for formal dinners and special occasions.

Villeroy & Boch

Villeroy & Boch is a renowned brand known for its dynamic and sculptural dinnerware designs. Their NewWave Dinner Set stands out with its unusual forms, adding a touch of modern elegance to your table. The set includes four dinner plates and four soup bowls, perfect for a sophisticated dinner party or an intimate gathering with your loved ones.

When setting the table for a special occasion, these English dinnerware brands will undoubtedly enhance the experience. Remember to consider the overall ambiance, mix and match pieces to create a unique tablescape, and don't be afraid to add a pop of colour to make your event memorable!

Frequently asked questions