I'm sort of on both sides of this fence. As one of the world's great klutzes, I have boxed and stored my mom's Waterford and other very fine, very breakable crystal and china. It's not my style, and it probably wouldn't last long if I used it. Ditto a complete set of handpainted china she bought and I just plain don't like. But I am using her very nice everyday Noritake and other things, including a set of purple "Lotus" pattern dishes that came to her from someone in the family. There's stuff here that's antique (Haviland, Haviland/Limoges, etc.) and not my style. Then there's my own stuff. I pretty much use what I feel like using at the time. I don't really have company, so I don't have to think about that too much.
Mother Dragon , I hope you really enjoy your nice things -- that's what makes life happier, right?
Mother Dragon , I hope you really enjoy your nice things -- that's what makes life happier, right?