XGATML TycoLL iiLOAABB Ellen Degeneres Blue Love 8 in Mixed Plates, Set of 4, Collection by Royal Doulton

I've been building a set of everyday as well as holiday dishes around this pattern and am thrilled with the quality and uniqueness of the pattern and dishes overall. They go through the dishwasher like a dream.

I ordered this accent plate set from a big box bed and bath store online, and got them for half the price currently listed on Amazon. I have a collection of mismatched blue and white dishes, and I thought they would make a lovely edition to my china hutch display, and was needing more salad / dessert sized plates for holiday use.I looked at this set on multiple websites before deciding to order. In every photo I found, the plate pattern looked dark blue, in the indigo or navy or dark royal spectrum. I excitedly anticipated these arriving in the mail. When they arrived, I eagerly opened the shipping box right away. The Royal Doulton box was great quality and had a photo of the plates on the outside. In the photo on the box, the plates looked dark indigo blue. I open up the box and pull out plates that are BRIGHT PEACOCK BLUE. What?!Even in my mismatched collection next to a variety of blues, this set is significantly brighter than anything else. The pattern and quality of the plates are good, but the color is not as advertised.Another surprise: the dishes have an embossed glazing texture. The blue pattern has a rough texture, surrounded by the raised glossy white glaze. I’m not sure I care for it. It doesn’t seem practical for use. If you’re only using these for display, you might not care, but I had planned to use them for special occasions. I don’t think I would like scraping a fork across the textured surface while eating dessert or appetizers off of these plates. Imagine enjoying a delicious cheesecake and not being able to properly scrape the last creamy bite off the plate. I have pieces from other Royal Doulton collections that are smooth and glossy (none of the other Ellen sets).Sadly, I am returning the set.