1. Habitat - £49 for 24 pieces
Available in a mirror or matte finish, the stainless steel Milo collection from Habitat is simple and modern. Nicely weighted and reasonably priced, it's a good all-rounder.
www.habitat.co.uk;
0870 411 5501
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2. David Mellor - £72 for 44 pieces
The “Chinese” cutlery set revives a Seventies design. Stainless steel and resin, it’s also available in black and white, but I love this vivid green.
www.davidmellordesign.com;
01433 650 220
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3. Robert Welch - £184 for 42 pieces
Silversmith Robert Welch has been making stylish tablewear for over 50 years and his skill as a craftsman shines through in every piece of this gorgeously curved stainless steel set.
www.welch.co.uk;
01386 840 522
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4. Villeroy & Boch - £6.95 per item
Gold-plated cutlery might sound a little brassy but the Ella Gold design is anything but. Elegant and modern, each piece has an minimal profile and is tipped with a hint of gold.
www.villeroy-boch.com;
020-8875 6060
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5. Open Air - £85 for 24 pieces
Dutch designer Maarten Baptist’s knives, forks and spoons are chunky yet airy – hence the name. Despite this, they’re reassuringly heavy and come in a chic Perspex case.
www.dutchbydesign.com;
0844 884 2340
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6. Ravello Baroque - £141 for 44 pieces
The twisted handles of the Baroque knives, forks and spoons are pretty to look at and surprisingly comfortable to use. The stainless-set comes with a 25-year guarantee.
www.cookware.co.uk;
0870 070 7172
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7. WMF - £20 for 5 pieces
Specially designed for little fingers, these dinner-table beasts are perfect for over-threes. Buying your child cute cutlery might not make them clear their plate, but may help.
www.amazon.co.uk
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8. Debenhams - £12 for 16 pieces
Sweet and cheap, this gingham cutlery set is an absolute bargain. Also available in red, it would look right at home in a country kitchen and is dishwasher-proof.
www.debenhams.com;
0844 561 6161
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9. Laguiole - £220 for 32 pieces
Famous for its hand-crafted folding knives and corkscrews, Laguiole also makes exquisite cutlery. This set comes in a beechwood box and would make a wonderful wedding gift.
www.johnlewis.com;
0845 604 9049
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10. Villeroy & Boch - £8.50 per item
The Altfaden-Montgelas collection is a bit of a mouthful but stunning. Classic without being old-fashioned, the price-per-piece approach means you can acquire in stages.
www.villeroy-boch.com;
020-8875 6060
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10 March 2008, Chosen by Rebecca Armstrong
