Dinner Services, ideas and thoughts...

I've been researching elegant dinner services, lately... not because of any immediate need, but more that I like to know what is available and be prepared for when I do decide to purchase. Partly because of this, I thought I'd bounce some ideas of things I like off of my readers to see if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on this matter.

I personally want something highly elegant, formal, but simple and not over the top. If it hurts to look at, it's not what I want. Good taste requires in my opinion that the design not be so simple that it is non-existant or overly modern... but at the same time, there should be a certain refinement to it. I also think some natural patterns, geometric shapes, or flowers/fruits (or a combination of these) would look nice. Preferably I would also want gold or platinum on the dishes too. The material should also be of good quality. (This is something I don't know much about as I am just starting my research.)

I've noticed that the brands that are most easy to find on Amazon (I always start my research on the internet, especially during snowstorms) are Lenox and Noritake. (Royal Albert seems well featured too, but there is a very limited selection on Amazon... and there are plenty of other companies too, but I know nothing of them)

A couple of patterns I liked that are still being made: (photos from Manufacturers' websites or Amazon)

Noritake Manassa...

I like how there is the platinum band, not too many colors, simplicity in the design, and a decently elegant pattern. I am not hugely fond of the design as drawn on the middle plate. I think it should have more flowers and less leaves. Otherwise, I really do like this.

Noritake Sweet Leilani...

I like the simplicity of this pattern... not too many colors, a nice floral pattern to go with it, elegant platinum stripe at the edges... but I don't quite like the angular cut of the cup. I also think it might not be lively enough and perhaps almost too many angular shapes in the pattern.

Royal Albert by Royal Doulton: Baroness...

Once again I'm quite predicable... I like the simplicity of the design, there's not much going on... and it's classy. However, I almost think I would prefer some sort of a natural element mixed in... it's almost too mechanical as it were.

Royal Albert by Royal Doulton: Countess...

This is basically the same pattern as the Baroness, but in a different color. I tried to zoom in so you can see the pattern better, but you had better go to their website and see it. Like I said about the Baroness, this pattern is almost too simple, but at the same time it is sufficiently elegant, I think for its role.

Royal Albert by Royal Doulton: 100 Years of Royal Albert Collection, 1930's Polka Rose...

This one is worth mentioning, even though it isn't worth buying as it is a one-off collectors item... I like the colors and the simplicity... but I think overall it is too plain. I would have at least made the center of the plate another color and the rim would have a more orderly set of polka dots arranged such that they were set up as rays from the center of the plate, rather than a grid. However, I think this design does speak well for not overdoing a design while still having one. I also like the 1960's Golden Roses design and the 1980's Holyrood design. They also have a very nice set of figurines in this collection... I wonder if they would work as centerpieces on the dining table?

Lenox: Pearl Innocence...

This pattern is interesting, in that it uses raised dots to add texture. However, I don't like the shape of the cup very much... and overall, it doesn't really have what I'm looking for. I found the Lenox sets either too plain, too boxy, or in some cases even gaudy. They seem to have more the modern consumer in mind, which is probably good for their bottom line, but not helpful to me.

Lenox: Butterfly Meadow...

This is actually from their casual dinner collection... I must confess though, that I do like these dinner plates. If they took some of the themes on them and integrated them on a formal dinner service, I might find myself tempted. I like the colors, the shape is interesting, and there is something of the natural order depicted. :)

And some discontinued items I like...

Noritake: Brookhollow...

I love this pattern! My only complaint is that they should have drawn the pattern a bit more formally. It looks too much like a pencil drawing. The colors are just right and notice how the plates have texture to them and the gold edge...

Noritake: Nottinghill...

I dare say I like this one quite a bit too... I just think I would have liked it more with a gold band rather than black on the edges.

Noritake: Shenandoah...

My thoughts on this are basically the same as for the Nottinghill pattern, but I think this one may be a bit on the girlish side... otherwise, I do like it... with a gold edge, of course... ;)

So what do you all think? I believe there is much more out there to see (and a number of other designs which I find nice and yet I have probably forgotten to mention here), so any suggestions would be wonderful. I'm quite the perfectionist, so what I'm looking for probably doesn't quite exist, lol!