Crate & Barrel Launches Line of Fine China

Crate & Barrel has long been a go-to destination for couples registering for china and just about anyone in need of a salad plate. But this year the home goods retailer will finally have its own exclusive, fine china patterns.

The new patterns will arrive in Crate & Barrel stores mid-January and should be available online soon. Crate & Barrel worked with world-renowned china manufacturer, Nikko, to create three fine bone china patterns. Nikko is a more than hundred-year-old company based in Japan. The results are classic Crate & Barrel: Crisp and contemporary, yet not over-the-top modern.

Ranging from $79.95 to $89.95 for five-piece place settings, these dishes are well-priced for bone china. We wouldn't be at all surprised if Crate & Barrel has a real winner in these new patterns.

Above: Kensington, 5-piece place setting: $89.95
This versatile, feminine pattern comes in two colorways: Pearl and Slate Blue – both are soft and subtle.

Tuxedo, 5-piece place setting: $79.95
The Tuxedo pattern offers a more masculine look in a cool palette of black, white, gray and platinum. Tuxedo's wide-bordered salad plates give the set a bolder, more graphic look.

Regent, 5-piece place setting: $79.95
A bright turquoise blue (Pantone's "it" color for 2010) is accented with a gold rim in the Regent pattern. We imagine these Tiffany blue plates would Holly Golightly's pick.

Want to learn more about fine china? Take our quiz to find out what china pattern is right for you or learn what the top five china patterns are.

Craving something other than classic china? Check out these glitzy plates by Kelly Wearstler for Pickard or this graffiti-inspired bone china from Lovegrove and Repucci.