Decision made. Dinnerware ordered. Thanks to everyone who helped me think through an expensive purchase on something I will live with for years. For someone like me who processes best by writing out my thoughts to weigh pros/cons, this forum is an invaluable resource. I re-read all the posts before I went to bed and slept on it. When I woke up this morning, although I was still drawn to the Denby Linen & Antique White Mikasa, I knew the VB Audun was going to be it. I collected my lakehouse Switch 3 pieces over a couple years' time and got many pieces at a nearby VB outlet. Every time I went in I "visited" the Audun display. I was just charmed by it. When re-reading my posts I realized I was concerned about the busy-ness of some of the Ferme & Chasse pieces. So, I ended up choosing my larger pieces in the Promenade pattern, which is a more subtle black/white trellis pattern. I accented the set w/ Ferme teacups and cereal bowls, which I know will make me smile every morning. Eventually we plan to retire to the lakehouse and I think the black in it will look really nice w/ my soapstone island & countertops. My dining set there has a rubbed black finish. It will be a nice fall/winter pattern in the wooded setting up there. I know I like the feel, look and durability of the VB. Yes, I'll miss the flexibility of plain white, but since many of my other decorating choices are so "neutral" this pattern will add some punch and personality to my home. Probably more than you wanted to know..but when I've contributed to helping someone on GW, I always like to hear what choice they went with. Knowing why they chose one thing over another sometimes helps me w/ my own decorating decisions down the line. I did a lot of searching, and DinnerwareEtc.com had the best prices on VB, hands down - plus free shipping. My local outlet store didn't even come close, and they beat out all the offerings on Ebay, as well. Since it's just DH & me day-to-day, I decided to start with 4 sets w/ 6 peices, rather than 8 settings w/ just a plate/bowl/mug. I will collect additional settings over time as my budget allows. Thanks again, everybody!

I too have debated this issue. At original meeting w/PB, we had him quote the overall master plan. PB quoted with white plaster but gave us a price sheet with the upgrade-should we want to go with a differnt finish, SAM lights etc. When we got the quote back, we were surprised that the whole plan was in our budget to do as is. Now that sticker shock has worn off, what is another $1600 for quartz added to plaster, or $$3161 for sunstone colored plaster, or $4578 for aggregate finish? Unfortunately, we have other expenses, about 10k already not in the pool bid (fence, electric reroute, paver deck). Where does one stop spending when money is an object? Of coarse, my DH put it to me like this. If none of these other finishes existed, would I still love my pool? Both my neighbors have white plaster finishes (built by the PB I am using)and they are beautiful. My PB showed me photos of 14 different pools all with differnt "colors" to them. Come to find out, they were all white plaster. Depending on surrounding vegitation, cloud cover (or not) shadow/shade, sun location, can effect the color of a pool dramatically. We are going with white plaster afterall. If somewhere down the road I really hate it, I'll save up for it and get it re-done. If it is in your budget, go for it. If not, your pool will still be beautiful.

Ikea has dinnerware of differing quality. Ikea 365 is feldspar porcelain, we haven't any chips after a dozen or so years. The "line" keeps its name, but shapes change. As its all white, I like to add new designs. I can't ever seem to have enough simple white dishes. It doesn't craze, and doesn't develop greyish staining like stoneware often does. Love it. I also combine it with some of their "Oftast" series. Ikea's version of Corelle, but the Oftast has a nicer look imho. Stockholm is quite a bit more expensive, and is bone china. It has round dishes and square, it's quite elegant. Most of the colorful and some of their white dishes are stoneware. Stoneware easily chips.

I’ve used Gorham Melonbud 18/10 flatware for the last 26 years. It has left TONS of gray marks on our 1) expensive Mikasa stoneware, 2) Target Threshold porcelain, and now 3) Mikasa bone china. The only surface this 18/10 flatware hasn’t destroyed is a newer set of 4 Target Threshold porcelain salad plates that I bought to replace some of the original set that broke. Got others in that style thinking I’d found the perfect match … nope, only those 4 can defend against the Melonbud. I’m giving up. It must be the flatware but that goes against everything out there that says 18/10 is the “hardest” and shouldn’t leave marks. Might switch to plastic, lol. ;0)