Fact: I have a weakness for earthy stoneware. I fantasize about running my fingers over stacks of them, piled neatly on rustic open shelves in my someday kitchen. Also a fact: translating this glamorously casual, bohemian fantasy in real life isn't cheap. In fact, it's deceptively pricey. Take cult favorite Heath Ceramics [1], for example. The California brand is synonymous with cranking out covetable collections of informal but expensive earthenware. And while the quality of their pieces are heirloom-worthy (my parents haven't broken a single piece from their wedding set), a single dinner plate will set you back $35-$140. Do the math and you'll realize that accumulating enough for a table setting, including bowls and salad plates, is the equivalent of paying rent for a lot of people.

When I discovered that Urban Outfitters carried affordable stoneware that looked like it cost a fortune, I had to place an order to check out the quality for myself. I ordered a handful of these Speckled Dip Bowls [2] ($10) and audibly gasped as I pulled them from the packaging. Aside from having a nice weight, the handmade details, like the organic shape, ombre base, and speckled pattern make them feel really special — certainly more special than the $10 price would allude to, but who's complaining? The large, shallow shape makes them ideal for rustic dishes like hearty soups, salads, and pasta — not so much for cereal.

I was so pleased that I took a closer look at the rest of Urban Outfitters' stoneware offerings and realized you could get a 16-piece Speckled Stoneware Dinner Set [3] for under $100! While I have absolutely no need for this set, I'm tempted to upgrade my Ikea dinner plates and bowls. If the speckled stoneware bowls I purchased and the 5-star reviews for the set are good indicators, this could be the deal of the decade.