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Storing My Wedgwood

I love using my Wedgwood on a weekly basis and I take great care in cleaning and storing it in my home. If you’re like me and like to mix and match your china patterns for table settings, then you probably have a good idea of what a ‘collector’ goes through when displaying and using what one has.  When I say collector, I mean it in the lightest sense.  Although I do have a good amount of certain items, like china & silverware, I wouldn’t say that I’m a devoted collector of one thing.  


The several dozen pieces of Wedgwood that I do own are among my favorite types of china patterns.  When it comes to this china I make sure to keep it protected at all times whether it’s being used for a no-fuss lunch or a gussied up dinner, or being stored in a cabinet.  My love affair with Wedgwood china stems from its inherent beauty in the clean lines of each piece and its practical virtues.  I am always on the lookout to add to my existing collection.  Just about any table setting looks good with it and the fact that you can mix certain patterns makes it even better.


Recently I decided to put a few patterns up in storage so that I could make room for other types of china in a glass-fronted cabinet.  When I say ‘put up in storage’, I actually mean storing it for a long period of time in the attic or basement, away from any place where it might get damaged.  It’s a sort of slumber that I subject my china to every once in awhile.

Long ago (over a decade ago) when I first bought my collectible Wedgwood, I kept every single box that came with each place setting, because I knew they would come in handy in the future.  I'm glad I had this foresight and kept all of those boxes.  To me, they are essential in keeping my Wedgwood china for generations to come.  

If you’re not sure of what I’m talking about I'll show you in a moment.  At Wedgwood, they not only take great pride in their china manufacturing & design, but they also pay close attention to how their gorgeous pieces will arrive to their customers.    

This is a typical place setting from Wedgwood.  A teacup, saucer, bread & butter plate, salad plate and dinner plate can be used to create a marvelous table.  The creamy-ivory color of Queen's Ware makes it suitable for just about any occasion.  What I love most about this pattern is the 'dip' on the rim of each plate.

As you can see, whether I'm using it for a light lunch or for afternoon tea, a piece of this British china is never far from the table.

This is the box I was telling you about.  I'm not sure how long Wedgwood has been making these boxes for their place settings, but they are ingenious.  The insides are compartmentalized so that every single piece fits just so.

I always begin by placing the dinner plate in the lower chamber.  Next, I open up the divider and place the salad plate just above it.

After those two pieces have been placed, the others go facing in the opposite direction.  The compartments for the bread & butter plate and saucer occupy triangular spaces.  I place those in there so that they have a snug fit.  At no point do I jam the plates in there.  

Last but not least is the tea cup.  A small half-moon shape piece of cardboard gets slipped into its place and the teacup simply nests there.  Done!

Before I close and secure the opening to the box I make sure nothing is shifting and nothing is scraping.  Everything fits perfectly.

Thank You Wedgwood for creating such precise boxes for storage!

A box with eight place settings is now packed and ready to get stored away.

Enjoy using your Wedgwood for generations to come.

◆ ◆ ◆
David 

Comments

  1. How lovely kitchen cabinets you have - and beautifully organized! I like Wedgewood too. I just completed one set of china, and has laid my eyes on the Wedgewood Polka Dot Tea Story next. It's very pretty, and perfect for afternoon teas.
    Your classic pieces are beautiful too! And great for mixing with other patterns :) You were right to keep those boxes. They're even good looking!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Anette! I'm intrigued by the polka dot tea story set you mentioned. I've never seen it! Just about any Wedgwood is good for tea. :)

    Ha, I like the boxes too!

    Let me know if you do get those pieces and don't forget to share photos of them!

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  3. I recommend googling Wedgwood Harlequin Collection, and enjoy the images. Polka dot tea story is my favourite part of that collection, though I like all of it. And they come with their own gorgeous Harlequin boxes as well :) I'll keep you posted!

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  4. Excellent. I'm going to look for that pattern!

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  5. Why I'm so bad at organization?! I'll try to use you as an inspiration to make my kitchen looks better. And I'm following Anette's idea for googling Wedgwood Harlequin Collection

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  6. I have to say - my husband and I packing our house to move, were fighting about how our Wedgwood setting would fit back into the boxes. Your how-to guide to pack Wedgwood definitely saved a lot of arguing!! Hehehe thanks :)

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  7. That's great Erin! I'm glad you kept the boxes too! :)

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  8. Thank you for posting how the wedgwood dishes are packed. I store my china in a hutch but saved all the original boxes for moving. I struggled to figure out the proper way to repack the boxes for an upcoming move. Your post has saved me time and hopefully broken dishes.

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  9. Thank you so much for this Wedgwood repacking lesson! After many years of having my Wedgwood on display in my hutch I had forgotten how to repack it. Now I can feel confident that my India pattern is secure in its original boxes for our move. Very much appreciated!

    ReplyDelete

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