The dishes are a notch above basic in terms of their design- that was a selling point for me as I like a little bit of interest but not too much- I didn't want flashy colors, gold rims, or all-over embossing- The single ring of hobnail is perfect for my taste. I LOVE the replacement of mugs (which I don't need) with the wide, shallow bowls- they're infinitely more useful and perfect for large salads, stews, and rice/pasta dishes. We use those the most. I have not had my china for very long, but so far no chips or cracks and they did fine in the dishwasher. They do get warm in the microwave, but not so hot that they would burn my skin. My only slight complaint is that the undersides of the dishes- on the raised part where they are unglazed- is rough; wood surfaces will need to be protected.
