Browse Tag: china

The China Museum

A while back, my dear friend Elena asked me if I had registered for fine china before getting married. After replying that I had, she asked me if I intend to use the china I received in the near future. I said “absolutely” and she, herself a bride-to-be, agreed that china bought/owned/gifted ought to be china used at the dinner table. She explained that she and her mother don’t see eye to eye about it because her mom is of the mindset that one shouldn’t use the fine china. We both laughed about it, and it made me think about my own mother who received a lovely set of china from her wedding forty-two years ago. Not only is this set stunning, but it is also stunningly unused and remains the cornerstone of an old mini-museum in the midst of suburban South Florida.

What causes this mini-museum syndrome in so many households? You know, the china that sits on display for four or five decades. The stuff that gets taken out of the cabinet every now and then just to get cleaned, so it can go back on display dust-free. The stuff that’s reserved for ultra-special occasions…that never come.

I asked my mom why she doesn’t use that particular set of china, and she gave me an unbelievably long convoluted response that boiled down to “I hate washing china.” I sat and thought about it, and just to make sure I had it right I asked her point-blank, “So you don’t use the china because you don’t feel like washing it when you’re done?” Defensive reply : “I don’t want to prepare a big meal and then have to wash the china afterwards.” Fair enough.

The lovely Autumn pattern by Lenox, first introduced in 1918, comprises one portion of my mother's museum exhibit.

Elena’s mother’s reason for not using the good china: “It will break.” Isabel, another best friend: “No, we didn’t register for any [fine china]. We each had plate sets, and we decided we didn’t want to make people spend money on china if we already had plates. We actually just use a set of four that Mike’s mom left at our house that are these thin, inexpensive ones that won’t break if you drop them.” I spoke to another bestie, Maria Alejandra: “Ale, did you get fine china? Do you use it?!” She responded that she was eager to use her silver platters and trays and such, but being that they had temporarily moved to another state where they didn’t know anyone, there wasn’t much opportunity for entertaining. “But I don’t see the need for ultra-fancy plates because I think [you and I] are just too young for that.”

One day on Facebook, months later, Elena announced that she wouldn’t be registering for fine china after all. So with my ultra beloved set of vintage-inspired, toile-patterned china, it seems I’m fast becoming the dinosaur in my bunch.

Musings: my favorite coffee cups

I’ve always had a great appreciation for china, stemware, things of that sort. I value both the functionality and beauty that they bring to my meal and drink. I had this one favorite latte/macchiato glass that I would use to make beautiful coffee drinks in the mornings. One day, I heard the unmistakable sound of broken glass. I came into the kitchen to find my coffee glass shattered and an expression of guilt and horror on my husband’s face. I reassured him that it was alright, that I would get a new one sometime soon.

My beautiful glass before it broke, holding something delicious.

Months went by and some mornings, I really missed my glass. ‘It’s just coffee,’ you may say, but as someone who tries to celebrate each meal and drink, it’s not just caffeinated black water for me. It’s good coffee that deserves to be served in a beautiful vessel. One day recently, I decided that I would replace my glass and get a few extras, so I went onto the Nespresso website to buy some and was sorely disappointed–no more of their signature latte glasses. And none on ebay or Amazon either.

Fortunately, I’ve acquired many beautiful cups over the last few years and they bring a smile to my face every morning as I admire the artistry that went into their design. A couple of them are pictured below:

Espresso cups by Konitz
Bloomies espresso cup by Villeroy & Boch
A colorful New Wave cup and saucer by Villeroy
Cups by Konitz-- a wonderful gift from dear friends
Evening coffee
My favorite regular mug
The cup I drink from when I'd rather be on a farm in France.

As is obvious, I have a thing for coffee cups and teacups. I have many different kinds, and love collecting them; I consider them little pieces of art. There’s one particular set of cups and china that I’m happiest to have acquired, mostly through different auctions: a vintage collection of the Acapulco china by Villeroy & Boch, designed in 1967 (pictured below). The Acapulco line’s pieces are covered in groovy vibrant bird and flower artwork, inspired by Mexican art. Villeroy re-introduced this lovely look a few years ago in a more modern form–they applied the Acapulco pattern to their popular New Wave china for a masterful blend of sleek and artful. But I like the old collection better. It’s incredibly charming and I feel that the colors pop more. I often drink my coffee out of these pieces. I love that the old run of Acapulco yielded lots of oversized/in-between sized cups, which means I have cups that are perfect for espressos, but also ones that are perfect for lungos, cappuccinos and whatever else I make. Since I like to add whipped cream to all my coffee drinks (because coffee rocks a little harder with whipped cream), I like to use these bigger cups to run one or two shots, and there’s still plenty of room left for the whip without it overflowing. Some of my pieces are from the ’60s, some are from the ’70s. I ended up loving the cups so much that I’ve bought several different pieces here and there through auction– trays, teacups and saucers, plates, trivets, coffeepots, teapot, egg holders, teabag holders, ashtrays (I don’t smoke, but these ended up being bundled in with other pieces I liked, so I’m glad to have them anyhow) and I’ve amassed a great collection.

Some Acapulco cups

For our anniversary, my husband presented me with a big, heavy, beautifully-wrapped box. Inside was a set of beautiful latte glasses. These particular coffee glasses (pictured below) are tall ones by Villeroy, with removable stainless steel handles in the curved New Wave shape. The glass is a classic, pretty window to the drink; the steel gives a funky modern finish. So, I pine no more for long-lost coffee cups as I’ve been given this lovely set of replacements. I’m happy.

Villeroy New Wave Latte Macchiato glass
Something yummy on my balcony