Showing posts with label crockery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crockery. Show all posts

1/06/2025

Maxwell & Williams White Basics Diamonds 3-Tier Cake Stand (Gift Boxed)

I wanted a simple but elegant stand for a gathering at home without having to spend a lot. This seemed perfect, as it looked great on the photo, is from a brand I usually trust, and was heavily discounted.
 
After delivery, I have mixed feelings about this stand. On the one hand, the porcelain is good quality and the relief diamond pattern is elegant and classy. Once mounted, the stand looks fabulous.
 
My main issue with the stand is the mounting system. Actually, the mounting system is OK; it's the screwing system. Despite the assembly instructions being quite good, it took me several attempts to get the stand to stand firmly on the table. By the way, I recommend starting from the bottom dish up and not the other way around.
 
Secondly, the white plastic protective washers aren't the best quality and can be easily damaged. Besides, the box doesn't come with any spare part. This being the case, if you lose any of the washers or they get broken, the stand cannot be used anymore because, if we apply the metal washers directly onto the porcelain, they scratch it and stain it. What's more, the plates would not stand firm and straight at all.
 
Thirdly, the metallic bar handle isn't stainless steel. Why not?!!! The packing box doesn't say which material they're made off, something that really annoys me. Also, this metal leaves some sort of "soot" (to call it something) on contact with the porcelain if not using the washers and when unscrewing the metallic parts.  

Only hand wash, and you must dismount the stand first and be careful that you don't lose any washer.
 
In short, the finesse of the porcelain is wasted by the poor quality of the metallic parts and screwing system.  I only paid $18. However, the product is back to its usual $28 and I think that I wouldn't want to pay that for this stand. 

12/07/2024

Maxwell & Williams Teas & C's (Silk Road Aqua) Side Plate 19.5cm

Designed by New-Zealander ceramist Gabby Malpas, this is a gorgeous side plate that I find perfect for breakfast or cake. The design is a mix of modern romantic dinnerware with a hint of those nonna's plates that we all love. I prefer the white background version, but this blue one is still very pretty.  Great quality porcelain, that I usually wash by hand; however, it is dishwasher safe. It is also microwave safe, but I haven't used it in the latter.  This is part of a tea set with an equally stunning teacup and saucer, but I bought this separately at reduced price. Perfect of gifting as it comes in a pretty and sturdy box.
Good value for money, at least when I bought it. 

10/30/2024

WHJY Blue & White Ceramic Bowl Gift Set (Sakura, 10 oz)

I use this set of bowls all the time mostly as side dishes, to store small quantities of leftovers, and also to serve fruit, ice-cream and deserts. Beautiful porcelain and motifs perfect for everyday use but still fun and beautiful. The set comes beautifully packed, so it's perfect for gifting.These ceramic bowls are microwave and dishwasher safe.
 
My only complaint is that the blue colour in the photos and the colour of my set is completely different. The one in the photos is a light Mediterranean kinda blue. The one I got is more an Indigo blue; still beautiful but not as much as the one in the product page photos.