Let me tell you a story. It's about a set of china. I saw it in a magazine and fell instantly in love. I put the picture in my dream book. I saved up for it. I visited it in the store. Finally, I decided to take the plunge. It was then that I discovered that the pattern had been discontinued.
I was sharing this story with a friend the other night. She looked at me. "Why didn't you just buy a piece or two at a time instead of waiting to buy the whole thing?" A light bulb went off in my head. Of course! Just because something is a set (sheets, china, glasses to name a few) doesn't mean you can't start small. Two glasses, a cup and saucer, just the pillowcases. It's a small investment that will give you the pleasure of using it now instead of waiting for some moment in the future.
Have you done this before? Is there something large that you started to buy in small quantities? Share your slow-acquisitions in the comments.
Image: Nilsson dinnerware, recently discontinued by Crate & Barrel
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wait til target comes up with a knockoff and buy it then
Buying a piece at a time can still leave you without the whole set though- it might get discontinued to fast to finish off the set! But then- at least you get to have a couple pieces I guess. :)
Check out replacements.com They carry so much & just may have it.
Duh. Replacements, Limited (www.replacements.com). They carry EVERYTHING, and, if they don't have it, call them. They've tracked things down for me in the past.
Abby, what dishes were you hoping to buy?
In this day and age, someone will inevitably sell the set on ebay or craigslist and a google search will turn something up.
I had some that got discontinued and then found lots on ebay for a better price than they were before.
We do not need a set of 8, 12 or 16 for all our dinnerware either. We may be pleased with owning a kit just for a romantic dinner.
As for buying a little at a time, it works if you plan it well. You need to be sure that if it's discontinued before you acquire the entire set, you still can use the pieces you bought.
If something is going to be discontinued that quickly, then chances are that by the time you'd saved up enough to buy it it would be going out of style and/or your design tastes would be changing. Or they would be shortly thereafter. If it's anything like what's in the picture on this post, I'd say that's absolutely the case - it's hot, it's trendy, and it's ephemeral (until 40-50 years from now, when the cycle repeats).
If I see a big-ticket item or collection like that that I can't afford, I'd much rather spend my time and effort searching for a cheaper alternative that I can afford right now. That way I can enjoy it in the moment.
I disagree that your tastes will change. When I fall for something, I fall hard--even if it's an ephemeral trend for everyone else.
And then I buy it sometime around the time that the Target knock-off goes on clearance. And everyone thinks it's a fresh and new idea because they forgot about the trend. :)
I actually like when this happens - it usually means it's not something I would've wanted a year or two down the road.
Unless it is a staple item that you can easily fit with other styles, etc. (like, neutral, high quality bedding or towels) - then it's totally worth it to buy it in pieces when you have the funds.
When my sister was a small child she fell in love with the Fransiscanware Dessert Rose pattern. We lived in a neighborhood with a lot of older people who had that pattern. She liked it all her growing up years, so when she was in college we started buying pieces for her -- a place setting for Christmas, a platter for her birthday. Pretty soon she had all the pieces she needed. 30 years later she still uses it everyday.
The china we'd registered for for our wedding was discontinued the day after the ceremony. Thankfully, we'd asked the store to hold everything rather than ship it a piece at a time. I wouldn't have wanted a few pieces here and there; I wanted a whole set.
So, I then had to fight the store tooth and nail to get a refund, but got it, eventually, and we chose a set that I love even more. And the second time around, we thought much more carefully about whether or not this china would likely be around and available in years to come, and whether it would be easy to find things to match it to. (this is what we chose the second time around.)
In general, I'm a fan of the idea of collecting what you love... chances are, you'll find some way to work it into your life over time. But with china, or anything else where you're trying to acquire a matched set, it might be worth thinking about how much you value a matched set -- because discontinuations are all too common.
I don't have the exact quote with me, but in the Japanese classical text on aesthetics, 'Tsurezuregusa' (Essays on Idleness), it says something along the lines of:
"Only vulgar people want to have a complete set of everything. It is much better to leave a set incomplete. It gives the sense that there is room for improvement."
I wish I had splurged on some Christian Dior "Casablanca" china that I saw in Gump's years ago. It was discontinued in 1999 and I'm sure even Gump's doesn't charge what it would cost to buy now ($500 a place setting).
I don't really need china, but I still kind of wish I'd bought it.
Buying a few pieces at a time is a great idea if you can count on the pattern being available for a long enough period. Usually you can't.
I used to have some pricier dishes for special dinners but as they got chipped and broken over the years, I finally gave up. I got rid of them and bought some inexpensive-but-nice Russel Wright knockoffs at Target. I love them! And when I no longer have a full set due to breakage, I'll take the remainder to Goodwill and buy another set at Target!
If it helps, the C&B Nilsson pattern was either made by, or looks shockingly similar to, a Swedish company called Hoganas Keramik. Might not be available in all the same colors (they change periodically), especially here, but hopefully this helps you in your search!
http://www.hoganaskeramik.se/web/hoganaskeramik.nsf/en/home
mdorothy, your sister's story made me chuckle because if I wanted the Desert Rose dishes, an entire set would be thrust upon me immediately (seems like the entire paternal side of my family has these dishes).
I'm in love with jadeite glassware. Doesn't matter if it's the original Fire King or late reproductions. I still kick myself for not realizing that Martha Stewart had a line of it until it was too late. So, now I just collect a piece or two of it whenever the price is right.
I've been slowly buying Sophie Conran pieces to add to my set. I think it's more fun that way too!
Just an idea...how about doing some sort of lay-away, if the seller agrees? I've done that myself, and most people will work with you.
I take this a step further and buy a piece at a time at Goodwill. I almost created an entire set once this way too! (True story. More of a game, but still.)
credit cardddddd............
would do this with china...but not with bedding.
after using it for awhile, it would turn out looking somewhat dull compared to new pieces I would 'phase' in.
agree with 'veronicainla' - we registered for things and never received them...but after scouring goodwill and craigslist, i have been able to put together the whole set of pots/pans in great condition, for about 10% of the actual retail cost.
All this fuss over CHINA! I just don't get it. Somehow my mother has accrued 5 sets of china: 2 from my great-grandmother, 2 from her mother and my other grandmother, and her own wedding china. When I get hitched I'm gonna be china-RICH. She keeps talking about what kind of pattern I'll want one day, but seriously... I'm not adding to the collection! I'm going to put it to use!
I agree with lauren84. When one encounters something so beautiful that it takes your breath, you get weak in the knees or have any other visceral reaction BUY IT! Okay, maybe out of practicality wait 48 hours-but if you know yourself and trust your taste-BUY IT or you run the risk of life long regret.
Yikes. I would be crushed if I saved and saved and then missed out on my dream set of china. As others have said, check replacements.com!
I like my full set of china (because we actually use it daily), so I wouldn't be one to buy a little at a time. We received a few settings for our wedding, and bought as many as we could with our registry discount immediately afterwards. That was over two years ago, and since then, my lovely family has been kind enough to buy us a setting or two for Christmas/etc. We're up to ten settings, and hope to get twelve before the set is discontinued!
Many of you have mentioned Replacements, Lmtd.
Get ready to be jealous...
I LIVE 5 MINUTES FROM THE REPLACEMENTS, LMTD. SHOWROOM! It's GIGANTIC, and I pass it every day when I go to work.
(And as for the "starting small." I've been considering buying one expensive curtain panel at a time until I can get all 4 that I need.)
This is how we're developing our Reidel stemware collection. Two glasses here, two glasses there. The ultimate goal: service for 8 of Montrachet, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cuvee, Chablis, port, and single malt whiskey glasses. We're about a quarter of the way there.
My Grandma had me pick out a china pattern when I was 15. The first thing she bought me were two teacups. Surprisingly, I still love it 11 years later. It's really grown with me. I started just having high tea with my sisters (borrowing my grandmother's silver service to supply pieces I didn't have) and now I throw the occasional dinner party with my 8 place settings. 3 years ago it was discontinued. It shows up frequently online, often in mint condition with unopened original packaging. My mom buys me serving pieces every year for Christmas. If I ever find it hard to get pieces I need, I know I can find something very simple and similarly shaped that will compliment it and fit in nicely.
not a huge fan of sets. too matchy and sort of an antiquated idea. i like the idea that things can just "go" together without. however, i would certainly say my home is pretty casual so maybe i have no need for sets. also, whenever i have had a complete set of, say, interesting glasses and then one breaks it's sort of gut wrenching. take the pressure off and just buy pieces you like and enjoy them!
oh and i just wanted to mention that when i find something i love and buy it i seem to always love it even years after...my tastes don't seem to change as much as evolve (or at least i think so :)
Buying a few pieces at a time is how I managed to get a set of crystal by the time I was 22 -- Kosta Boda's Gold Line (12 water, 12 red wine and 12 champagne flutes).
Funny thing is, because I never bought china and crystal all at once, my patterns don't match -- the china I have most of is Meissen's Blue Onion from my grandmother.
Plus, the Gold Line has since been discontinued, and is so thin-walled and fragile, I am loathe to use it... I think I need to mix it up with some more traditional and casual patterns...
I am usually pretty constant with respect to the things I love, and I didn't buy the Meissen (just fell into it), but it does help to have a well-constructed plan, at least with respect to tableware.
We kind of did this by buying one setting of cutlery in a design we kind of liked but wanted to try actually using. Then we got distracted by life and didn't get any more so we are still using the IKEA cutlery we got for about £2.50 back at University. Oops.
get married! that's how we got the dish set pictured in the blog post :)
My fear would still be the sets being discontinued and then having only one saucer or one fork!
Target and other less expensive stores make really nice things, but won't break the bank.
Ever since I was around 12 I've been in love with the Fiestaware dishes. I was always afraid they would discontinue them. When I turned 18 my grandparents and great grandmother started buying me one place setting in one color every Christmas. I've got four sets now in four of the colors I love and I don't have to worry about them being discontinued or registering for them when I get married. It's great!
Zhahira, my mom also has several sets of china and everyday dinnerware. None of it was from the family, she just likes to have different sets. I think after moving cross country twice my parents have thinned out their collection.
I also get fiestaware. My mom loves buying it for me for christmas and birthdays cause its what she ate off of as a child. I've got way more than I need cause it's always on sale (and you know moms can't resist a sale at macys) but it just looks so bright all stacked up on open shelves in the kitchen!
Patterns are discontinued all the time, and it's not because they are "trendy." Everything is trendy, except for maybe basic white and basic white with a silver stripe. Someone can love something that is not currently "in style," so in response to that poster, if you love classic stuff, that's great, but some people don't.
Unfortunately the just-beyond-my-reach item I'm coveting is the DwellStudio chinoiserie duvet. It's $280 just for the duvet and shams, which only come together...so no buying a piece at a time for me. SIGH. Someday!
Well DUH! That's how my Fiesta Ware collection is getting so big! :)
I'm a thrift store goddess when it comes to matching stuff. I've been buying blue and brown pottery dishware/accessories for years now and have a wonderful set of unique kitchenware. Most of it is handmade and one of a kind, too. I love giving someone's castoff ceramic class project a new home.
Amberto, not fair. People keep telling me to wait to buy things for my kitchen til I get married, and what bunk. If I want them and I scrimp and save and troll Slick deals for a year, why yes, yes I will buy a Kitchenaid mixer.
I agree with the fun of thrift-store hunting to complete sets. I'm currently doing the space-agey baby blue "Blue Heaven" for my younger brother:
<a ref="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32637333@N00/3865566993/">Blue Heaven</a>
Blue Heaven
Have you followed the link at the bottom of the post? You can still actually purchase items from this set - it's just that supplies are limited. (I actually have this set myself and should really stock up on some extras before it disappears totally).
@verily - I ALSO love Jadeite, and have teacups/saucers and luncheon plates for 6.
Don't worry that you missed out on Martha Stewart's version - most of her items (cookware and china at least) are not well made. I had a roommate who bought M.S. pots/pans, and they rusted in the dish drainer overnight, the very first day he brought them home!
Stick to trawling antique shops for the good stuff!
I've done the few pieces at a time thing-a very special combination of french porcelain and modern glass bowls. The store closed that carried them and I've thought of finding a way to fill-in; but, I always hesitate because I reflect on the memories and the time of purchase. It was a special time in my life and a quaint and small home I inhabited at the time.
A new found love of a line of plates at anthropologie.