Buffet vs china cabinet?

[DotAndBuzz]

We're probably going to order a real grown-up dining room set this month.  We went to Ethan Allen and found a beautiful set that we kind of love, except for one thing (well, one thing for me).  It is a buffet instead of a tall china cabinet.  In my mind, I have always always ALWAYS wanted a full cabinet.  I love my china and want to look at it after being boxed up in my childhood closet at my parents' house for nearly 9 years.  We also have a gorgeous antique set coming to us that was H's great grandmother's and I would like to have that out too, if possible.  But H said he's just as strongly opposed to a china cabinet because it is "old," and people our age are doing buffets.  So, here's the buffet we'd get:

www.ethanallen.com/product?productId=5113967

There's a china cabinet in a similar style, but it is 2x as much, not as wide, potentially too tall, and we need width to fit the space it will go into.  Height is also an issue for the space it will be in.  Because of the layout of the room, there's really only one spot to put the buffet or cabinet. 

So.

Is it really dumb of me to hold out on this, knowing that H is so strongly opposed, and that I do reallyreallyreally like the buffet?  It is, isn't it.  I love everything else we chose, and the other stores we looked at to do custom pieces all felt boring/"meh" in comparison to what we picked at EA.  Is there some other way to do this that I'm not thinking of?  I mean, it isn't a show room, so having 6 place settings just out on the table is dumb. 

[tulip]

I would do the China Cabinet over the buffet. But I own a bunch of glass & I have always wanted one.

Since you are waiting on the cabinet, could you get the buffet and then put it somewhere else? I have seen buffets in entryways, halls etc.

[puppyluv]

Could you put up ledges above the buffet and show off some of the dishes that way. Kind of like art work on the wall

[tulip]

Wait, are you getting grandmas china or cabinet?

If it's china then I totally would buy the Cabinet.

[snorky]

Is your H opposed just because he thinks that the china cabinet is too old? Personally, I like both a buffet and a china cabinet. If you really want the china cabinet, stick to your guns.

[Wrath0fKuus]

You could get this set, and keep your eyes peeled (like, estate sales and whatnot) for an old Oriental-style china cabinet, like a corner one or something, to add to it.

[Deleted]

buffet + plate racks/shelves above to display plates. when using them (how big is your set?), replace with other attractive small things.

walla.

ETA:  full disclosure, i'm biased because i both dislike china cabinets and have a built in butler's pantry for displaying any glassware i want to display.  it's currently full of cookbooks and pitchers since "our" china is my husband's grandmother's china AND MY MIL WON'T SHIP IT because she's afraid it will break.  even though we've offered to pay for it and insure it.  so it sits in her garage across the country, totally unused.  18 place settings.  and it it was HER mil's china.  this makes no sense to me.  i've been married for 8 years, and owned property and furniture sufficient to hold the china since 2006.

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

I have both a china cabinet and a buffet. If I had to pick one, I would do the buffet. For when I have buffets. I like having extra tabletop space for serving.

[partiallysunny]

I really love that buffet.

If you really want someplace to display you china, I think you need to get a china cabinet. But it's not one of the other. You could get this buffet and keep your eyes peeled for a nice china cabinet somewhere else. As long as you have the room, of course.

[DotAndBuzz]

grandma's china. New cabinet/buffet/whatever.

My other big concern is that it won't hold enough. But the china cabinet is nearly 2x as much. :\

[spankswife]

I would want a china cabinet for sure! I swoon over this look (specifically pic #4):

www.potterybarn.com/products/tucker-wall-unit/?pkey=cbar&

[Wrath0fKuus]

How about a small corner curio, bottom to top glass display, for the china?

[KKD]

I don't even have fine china, and I am still holding out for a china cabinet. lol.

cville's idea sounds nice but I wouldn't want to deal with the dusting, let alone the fear that my kids would somehow cause any pieces to fall.

[sporky]

I have both, but if I had to choose just one piece, it would be the cabinet. I like to display all my china and crystal.

[Deleted]

Well...I think displaying china and crystal is kind of an older generation thing.

I can't see your photo, but we have an Ethan Allen buffet with glass doors that I loooove.

(we use it as a tv stand and keep the cable box and play station etc. in it, though)

[auntie]

Jun 4, 2013 15:29:46 GMT -5 DotAndBuzz said:

We're probably going to order a real grown-up dining room set this month.  We went to Ethan Allen and found a beautiful set that we kind of love, except for one thing (well, one thing for me).  It is a buffet instead of a tall china cabinet.  In my mind, I have always always ALWAYS wanted a full cabinet.  I love my china and want to look at it after being boxed up in my childhood closet at my parents' house for nearly 9 years.  We also have a gorgeous antique set coming to us that was H's great grandmother's and I would like to have that out too, if possible.  But H said he's just as strongly opposed to a china cabinet because it is "old," and people our age are doing buffets.  So, here's the buffet we'd get:

www.ethanallen.com/product?productId=5113967

There's a china cabinet in a similar style, but it is 2x as much, not as wide, potentially too tall, and we need width to fit the space it will go into.  Height is also an issue for the space it will be in.  Because of the layout of the room, there's really only one spot to put the buffet or cabinet. 

So.

Is it really dumb of me to hold out on this, knowing that H is so strongly opposed, and that I do reallyreallyreally like the buffet?  It is, isn't it.  I love everything else we chose, and the other stores we looked at to do custom pieces all felt boring/"meh" in comparison to what we picked at EA.  Is there some other way to do this that I'm not thinking of?  I mean, it isn't a show room, so having 6 place settings just out on the table is dumb. 

Maybe it's me, but the everyone our age is buying a buffet sounds like the logic of a 15 year old girl. 

Part of why younger people buy buffets is because they're less expensive and more versatile if you haven't moved into your forever house.

I like a buffet if you have the space for both that and a breakfront or a pair of corner china cabinets. And I like an open hutch for less formal rooms.

If I had to pick one, I'd go with a proper glassfronted china cabinet. I love mine for a couple reasons. Firstly it allows me to display my china sets. I have a number of sets,  and swap them out through the year. Right now I have my aunt's old wedding china- a turquoise and platinum rimmed mid-century china that's fresh and reminds me of her. At Christmas, I have a set of Lenox Holiday and sometimes I have my own very traditional Royal Doulton on display. I also have my cut crystal on display. At night when I light the interior it's just gorgeous. If it's what you want, hold out for it. 


The buffet you listed is fun, but it doesn't really look like a dining room piece.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

I dislike china cabinets because putting my china/glassware in them seems so fussy. Plus, when it is in use, you have to put something else in there or it looks kind of silly. Add in the extra dusting, etc. Blech. I much prefer to have a buffet and hide away all the stuff and to not have to redecorate whenever I use that stuff.

[Moe]

Team Buffet.

But not that buffet.

Ha.

And because I saw it WITH MY OWN EYES in an art fair two weeks ago, I swoon over this:



It's $2200.

I WANT IT.

But I don't even have a house and I'm tired of buying furniture then having to let it go with the next move.  

[DotAndBuzz]

Moe, that is lovely, and i appreciate the craftsmanship, but not anywhere close to our style at all. Sorry! But There is an art fair coming up here that we'll probably check out before we order anything.

[kelle017]

I actually prefer the buffet. I have china, but I like things to be out of sight and clutter free. I like the suggestion of maybe getting some ledges about it and displaying a few pieces that way.

[cereal K]

I went buffet. I liked the cleaner look and the opportunity to use the top of it for service. I'm also not a huge fan of total furniture in most cases.

[noodleoo]

Personally, I think china cabinets are dated. I get you on not displaying the china, that kind of sucks. But I prefer buffets. How will you and H decide who wins if he really doesn't want a cabinet and you do?