Do you like these dishes, or not?

[testkitchen45]

I love these dishes, but my DH isn't crazy about the artwork. What do you all think, honestly? Hoping both guys & gals will pipe in. Am I nuts for liking these, or are they pretty? We see so much wildlife on our Colorado vacations, which is why I like the dishes--they remind me of many wild animals we've seen, plus a few where I just like the design. Maybe my fellow BBers can tell me if they're pretty, or if they're "old-ladyish" as DH says. (No offense meant to any older ladies on the boards! ) Here are some pictures (and I'll include a link b/c there are so many animals represented on the different pieces; can only upload 5 pix):

Deer:


Bear:


Cougar:


Eagle:


Turkey:


One Net link for more pictures if you want to look (the Web has many dealers & photos, but these seem bigger/easier to view):

http://www.dinnerplates.com/asp/show...asp?XnID=14431

Thanks for sharing your opinion!

ETA, IN RED B/C IT WON'T LET ME ADD A POLL OPTION: What about just for an appetizer service only, not for dinner? (Either way, for entertaining only, not for every day.)

[Hammster]

2 questions came to mind.
What is the decor in your house? Will they go with the decor?


Well, I like the filigree around the border, but not with the animal in the center.
So, they look like formal camping wear. Or formal cabin/woodsy dishes.
A real mixed message IMO.
I think it were just the animal or just the filigree I'd like them, depending on decor of course.

[lindrusso]

Sorry, but I don't like them. I just don't like animals - or people - on household decor (or clothing). No toile for me, thanks.

I also like very simple designs, so even the design on along the rim would not be for me.

I have china pattern with a very delicate floral theme around the rim and I would love to trade it in for something more plain and simple. I'm considering putting the set on eBay.

Sorry, it seems harsh to give that answer, but you did ask, right?

[lisas3575]

Everyone has different tastes, so I doubt you'll find a consensus here. How strong is your DH's opinion? Would he live with them anyway if you love them to death or would it be better to find something you both like? My DH doesn't care about stuff like pictures on our plates.

FWIW, they are not my style at all!

[aggie94]

Meh. Not at all my taste, but if you like them, you should get them! DH and I don't always have the same taste in stuff like this either, but I know if there were a set of dishes that I really loved, he wouldn't tell me not to get them even if he didn't love them.

[lindrusso]

but if you like them, you should get them!

Yes! I should have added that statement as well. It really doesn't matter at all what WE think - you should get what pleases you.

[PAMMELA]

Meh. Not at all my taste, but if you like them, you should get them! DH and I don't always have the same taste in stuff like this either, but I know if there were a set of dishes that I really loved, he wouldn't tell me not to get them even if he didn't love them.

Ditto.

[Molli526]

They aren't my taste either, but like Eva said, if you like them, get them.

[testkitchen45]

Sorry, but I don't like them. I just don't like animals - or people - on household decor (or clothing). No toile for me, thanks.

I also like very simple designs, so even the design on along the rim would not be for me.

I have china pattern with a very delicate floral theme around the rim and I would love to trade it in for something more plain and simple. I'm considering putting the set on eBay.

Sorry, it seems harsh to give that answer, but you did ask, right?

Not harsh at all; that's why I'm trolling for opinions! I'm not offended by much. If someone doesn't share my taste, well, that's why there are a zillion patterns out there, right?

Thanks; keep the opinions coming! I am trying to separate my "vacation-keepsake" viewpoint (i.e., we see much of this wildlife on our family vacations) from my "is this a pretty pattern?" viewpoint. My SIL loves this pattern also; in fact, she brought it up to me during our shared vacation this month, swaying me to the "pro" side a little bit . . . My tastes are very traditional but not usually this florid; however, I love the reminders of wildlife seen when out in the middle of nowhere, so that's coloring (or forming) my opinion of the plates.

The reason I posted the poll is that the main reason I'd use special dishes is to entertain, and of course we all buy what we like, but I'd hate to pick a pattern that is generally thought of as "ugh."

[armel]

The most important thing is that you like them. And you could have pretended that you thought everybody else did too . . . but now you have a poll.

[cminmd]

To me these look like display chargers you would put up on the wall. They seem a little too busy to eat off of them.

[lindrusso]

The reason I posted the poll is that the main reason I'd use special dishes is to entertain, and of course we all buy what we like, but I'd hate to pick a pattern that is generally thought of as "ugh."

Ah, well for entertaining, I think it makes sense to get something quite plain and use other things on your table for decorations. If you have plain plates, glasses and silverware, you can use them for any occasion, using a centerpiece or other decorative items to make things festive. This is why I want to get rid of my blue floral patterned china - it just doesn't look so hot come the holidays with the other decor. And I don't have room to store different sets of dishes for different occasions. If you do, that's different.

I think I also like a plain plate because I find it weird to eat off such a busy pattern - almost as if it distracts me from the food or interferes with it or something. Is that weird?

I was once considering getting some fun, colored wine glasses, but then I realized that I enjoyed seeing and evaluating the color of a wine. I didn't want my lucious red wine to be obscured by a green glass, etc.

[Hammster]

The reason I posted the poll is that the main reason I'd use special dishes is to entertain....

You and I have had a lot of discussion regarding other subjects (Turkey comes to mind ) and I think we sort of "get" each other. Entertaining with these dishes....bad idea IMO. I like the center of my plate clear of distractions as much as possible. I like to see my food clearly and not be distracted by what's under it. I know I said that the animals would be ok if by themself but that was before I knew you wanted to use them for entertaining. I was considering more like for a sandwich if it was just the animal in the center.

But, as others have written, ultimately it's up to you and your personal taste and I agree with that.

[AvrilH]

I think it's funny you're considering dishes your DH doesn't like. I would NEVER do that, just to avoid the YEARS (and it would be YEARS) of my DH shaking his head in disdain every time he had to use one. He's really stubborn that way!

But if your DH will be livable about it, then get the durn things!

ETA- these plates are so unusual they would be a great conversation starter at the dining room table. To me, that is always a good thing.

[testkitchen45]

I think I also like a plain plate because I find it weird to eat off such a busy pattern - almost as if it distracts me from the food or interferes with it or something. Is that weird?

Not a hijack, b/c it's my own thread . . . at least they're not the cat plates once sold by Sur La Table, with a clearly defined, ahem, exit part revealed by the raised tail. ("No, not hungry at all; thanks.")

Maybe a set of just small plates & mugs could be a good appetizer or dessert service . . . unless the pattern's still a bad idea for that? I get what you all are saying about the clash b/w the colors & textures of foods, with the colors & textures of the images (and I guess you'd still occasionally be eating off the animals' behinds--mmmmm ). Our other dish sets (yeah, I'm a dish junkie ) are fairly simple, & don't fight with settings or menus as these might.

Edited after reading AvrilH's post--No, I'd never consider something that DH would strongly oppose. We spend our money & decorate our home as a team. He's just not nuts about these dishes, but he said "get them if you want." However, since they're quite unusual, I wanted to get a broader view of whether they're generally considered pretty or not, among people like us BBers who take a huge interest in cooking and presenting food. If we were all going to Sam's Club for most of our entertaining, I might get different answers . . .

[Hammster]

ETA- these plates are so unusual they would be a great conversation starter at the dining room table. To me, that is always a good thing.

I think Avril is on to something. A small amount of redecorating (if they wouldn't work with current decor) and maybe use them as wall art or in a nice hutch or buffet for interest that way. (Just don't eat from them. LOL )

And those cat ones, yikes!!

[LakeMartinGal]

I think Avril is on to something. A small amount of redecorating (if they wouldn't work with current decor) and maybe use them as wall art or in a nice hutch or buffet for interest that way. (Just don't eat from them. LOL )

Ditto this... I wouldn't want to see animals on the plate, under the food... I think decor is a better use for these.

[testkitchen45]

Sorry, but I don't like them. I just don't like animals - or people - on household decor (or clothing). No toile for me, thanks.

Lindrusso, I picked you b/c your "against" opinion seemed strongest (but all other BBers' answers are welcome also) . . . would you feel funny (or grossed out) about eating off animal-themed dishes for appetizers only, w/o the main table being loaded with them? I wouldn't want any guest to have an "eeewwww" reaction; I would want the dishes to be an interesting thing, not an "ick" thing.

ETA: I see that others have already posted, and I see a trend here of "decor, but no food, please!"

[Chefzhat]

I would get them for dessert service - I think they would be great!

My dh would love them, but he's a great white hunter if there ever was one.

[lindrusso]

Lindrusso, I picked you b/c your "against" opinion seemed strongest (but all other BBers' answers are welcome also) . . . would you feel funny (or grossed out) about eating off animal-themed dishes for appetizers only, w/o the main table being loaded with them? I wouldn't want any guest to have an "eeewwww" reaction; I would want the dishes to be an interesting thing, not an "ick" thing.

If I were a guest eating off of those plates, I might notice them, but it certainly wouldn't cause me to enjoy a nice evening or good food any less! I'm not THAT against them.

Now, the cat plate you described.........um, yeah.........

[wallycat]

For everyday, they would start to bother me...a bit "too much" going on and too much co-mingling with food-stuffs.
Occasional use, I could see it, but again, not everyday.

[Jazzmatazz49]

I don't think they're ick, I just don't like wildlife pictures in general. I think they might be cool in a lodge or hunting camp, but they don't speak to me personally. You would probably cringe at the rose patterns on my grandmother's old platters that I display on a little running shelf all around my kitchen.

[Robyn1007]

I'm not a fan but one thing that always comes to mind for me with heavily decorated plates is that for most of the time you have them they are either covered with food or bits of food or in a cabinet. I think I'd get some gorgeous wildlife art of another type to remind you of your trips (and I understand why you would want to be reminded of them. ) and let these go.

[kima]

I'm not a fan but one thing that always comes to mind for me with heavily decorated plates is that for most of the time you have them they are either covered with food or bits of food or in a cabinet. I think I'd get some gorgeous wildlife art of another type to remind you of your trips (and I understand why you would want to be reminded of them. ) and let these go.

My DH is/was a pretty famous wildlife artist for over 25 years (he now paints landscapes exclusively). His publisher has sold his images to calendar companies, puzzles and plates. We find everything but the calendars to be pretty tacky and his work is of the highest quality.(if I do say so myself )
I have to agree that animal images on plates just isn't my taste.

(if you google Ron Parker wildlife artist you can see hundreds of my DH's paintings ...just in case you are wondering what his work looks like).

[testkitchen45]

WOW, Kima--I did Google & your DH does beautiful work. (So where are his plates, anyway? )

I edited my original post b/c it won't let me add a poll option: Would you consider these for appetizers only, or let them go?

Keep those opinions coming . . .

Robyn1007, you're right; I do like the reminder of wildlife seen but maybe something else could do--I wish a big serving piece had all the images on it or something (just one piece needed, then).

[Hammster]

Strongly in the let them go camp. For food, that is. For decorations, they'd be great!

[kima]

Ron's plates were done by the Bradford Exchange and they are decorative plates that you hang on the wall.

We dont' own many. We asked them not to send us any more after the first few samples.
They aren't our thing...but the bit of money we get from them is nice.
The calendars are nice- they are done by Pine Ridge and can be found in Hallmark stores.
Thanks for the compliment-I of course can take no credit for his talent.

[Angelina]

I must be the only one here...I like them! I would use them on specific occasions, like a brunch or a themed tea party. They remind me very much of the type of dishes and mugs my family in Holland would use. So I guess they bring back childhood memories.

Angela

[Cookin4Love]

I voted "no," but that's based strictly on my personal taste. I love square white plates, or very simple blocks of color, possibly organic shapes (like leaves). With that said, though, there is a set of flatware on Amazon's Friday sale with game birds on it that I really like.

[fstrpstr]

These plates would be lovely for a theme dinner party, however for everyday I would pick something else.