You know the brand Villeroy & Boch, but did you know there is actually a family behind the name? The world-famous tableware company is over 260 years old and is still a family affair, with Isabelle Von Boch, an eighth-generation Von Boch, serving as the company’s spokesperson. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Isabelle many times; in fact, Weddingbells editor-in-chief Alison McGill and I have been toured around Villeroy & Boch’s New York showroom on several occasions by Isabelle on our visits to the city for the biannual tabletop market. We always walk away inspired by Isabelle’s passion for her company and her joie de vivre. Elegant, chic and so in the know, Isabelle has so much knowledge to share about what’s hip and haute for the home, I wanted to share it with you! I recently chatted with her by phone from her home in Carmel, California, where she dished about everything from family dinners and entertaining to individual luxuries.
Weddingbells: What is your idea of a well-set table?
Isabelle Von Boch: “One that suits your individual needs. If you are drinking wine and not serving tea, you don’t need to use cups and saucers. Keep it simple. Never have containers on the table. I don’t like that at all.”
WB: What do you mean by containers?
I.V.B.: “In North America, people always put ketchup and salad dressing bottles on the table! Take the time to pour them into small dipping bowls and present them in a more pleasing way. I believe it’s the little details that make the difference.”
WB: What’s your pick for a must-have registry piece?
I.V.B.: “First of all, before the bride and groom choose their individual pieces, they need to fall in love with a pattern. It should speak to them; they should just love that pattern. As far as individual pieces, I love bowls. Large multi-purpose bowls are fantastic because you can use them for so many things. You can put salads, soups or vegetables in them, or you can have them out as decoration. Dipping bowls, soup bowls and dessert bowls are all great, and you can use them again for so many different things. Any sort of transitional, multi-purpose dinnerware is good.”
WB: Do you really use your good china every day?
I.V.B.: “Absolutely! It starts from the moment I wake up. It’s about treating yourself well. You will have a better day if you have your morning coffee from a china mug. It says something about you. It says that you are worth it, that you value yourself, not just that your good china is good enough for friends and special occasions, but it is what is nice for your family and yourself—that’s what’s most important.”
WB: What is your idea of a perfect evening in?
I.V.B.: “First of all, no cooking! I love takeout, and when it comes through my door, of course I set the table and serve it on my best dinnerware. I love a relaxed, low-stress environment for entertaining. You can also cook and prepare ahead. The most important thing is not to try and be perfect. Be relaxed, light lots of candles, and enjoy your company. Never get up and start to clear the dishes in the middle of a meal. Enjoy your wine and conversation. It is OK to look at a stack of dishes.”
WB: Villeroy & Boch is such an innovative company. What exciting things can we expect in the future?
I.V.B.: “We have both Vivo and Urban Nature to look forward to. These designs are really transcending everything we have seen at this point. We are raising the bar with the designs, and they will really allow the customer to individualize their table. Customers will find a real emotional connection to these products. They’re beautiful and innovative.”
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