Review: Tangerine Fiestaware
Homer Laughlin's new Fiestaware color for 2004 is tangerine. We received an advance copy, and
tell you about it here.
by Patricia Mitchell
I have a great job. I love food and cooking and all the things that go with those topics which, when you
think about it, covers a lot. Because part of my job involves doing book and product reviews, people
occasionally send me things to evaluate and report on, and that is how I came to own a set of Fiestaware
(service for eight, so far).
Allow me to emphasize that I was not sent eight place settings to evaluate.
I received one five-piece place setting of Fiestaware in the new color, Tangerine. It was well packed
and arrived in perfect condition. I admired the beautiful simplicity of the design, the fine glaze, the
heft of the pieces and, of course, the color. If Fiestaware Tangerine were a voice, it would have to be
a soprano - clear and high.
I put the five pieces in my cupboard with my other dishes, which are a perfectly serviceable and
attractive green and white pattern. I mean, what else can you do with one place setting? I suppose
I thought the pieces would work their way to the bottom of the various stacks. It did not happen that
way. First of all, the Fiestaware pieces just would not blend in. Every time the cupboard was opened,
all you could see was those five glimmering Tangerine pieces. I found myself competing with my husband
over the cereal bowl. He wanted it. I wanted it. Same thing with the dinner plate.
So I decided to buy another place setting so we could each have our own Fiestaware. I had Turquoise
in mind. I went online to order a Turquoise four-piece place setting (we are coffee mug
people, as opposed to cup-and-saucer people), and made my selection. However, the price was so
reasonable and the other colors so beautiful, I had no difficulty whatsoever in talking myself
into ordering three place settings instead of one. So I found myself in possession not only of
Tangerine, but Turquoise, Persimmon and Sunflower.
Soon I was fretting because my little service contained more warm colors than cool. I'll spare you
the details, but let's just say that I've added Periwinkle, Plum, Cinnabar and Cobalt to the mix, and
I even sprang for a piece of the discontinued Juniper I had been pining for - the 64-ounce Large Disk
pitcher - on Amazon's Marketplace.
Fiestaware is made by the Homer Laughlin Company. They initially invested a place setting in me, and
I'd say it paid off for both of us. Everything about these dishes appeals to me - the graceful design,
the jewel-like colors and, notably, the reasonable price. And, of course, they are dishwasher and
microwave safe. Oh, I suppose that if your taste runs more to rosebuds than art deco, Fiestaware
won't be your cup of tea. But, personally, I can't imagine a better combination of beauty and
practicality. This is a product that has withstood the test of time for good reason.
View Tangerine Products
