After 32 years of marriage, I am FINALLY getting to pick my own new set of dinnerware! I have fallen in love with stoneware, but after bringing a set home have discovered the back of the pieces are rough and scrateches my cherry wood dining table that has a "soft" glaze not a thick, tough one. Any suggestions on solving this problem or do I need to take them back and look at "dishes."? I do not want to leave a tablecloth on my beautiful table in order to use them and a placemat is fine for the plate but not large enough for salad bowl, cup etc.

You could you use 'charge' plates under your dinner plates. I use a matching plate under salad bowls. Runners would work down each side, as long as they are not too long to hang off the ends and get caught.

Yes, stoneware is lovely. There are just so many combinations, but my table is rough hewn to suit my settings so don't have to worry about the scratches. It is already distressed naturally.

I hate to say this though, libbylou, but stoneware does not belong on a well polished cherrywood. You should have fine china only and a lovely linen tablecloth.

A quandary, yes.

Tick