With the pattern on the glass platter, can you really even notice the black stuff unless you are sitting right next to it and looking for it? Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong one, but if it's the one I have, the pattern is so intense that I don't know if anyone would ever actually see any flaws. And I LOVE the tall vase; indeed, I almost wish it was bigger! It's a statement piece, IMO, and it is better bigger than smaller. I can't comment on the clothing, but I am a big fan of the glassware.