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On Entertaining, with Isabelle Von Boch

Who better to ask for table setting advice than a member of the founding family of European dishware empire Villeroy & Boch? We spoke with the eighth-generation Von Boch, Isabelle Von Boch when she was in Vancouver for the opening of the brand’s stor
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Who better to ask for table setting advice than a member of the founding family of European dishware empire Villeroy & Boch? We spoke with the eighth-generation Von Boch, Isabelle Von Boch when she was in Vancouver for the opening of the brand’s store in South Granville. Here, she shares the trends to inspire your dinner party decor this fall.

Old World Meets New

The Audun Ferme Collection, which features French farm scenes in black and white with buttercup yellow detailing is vintage chic at its finest. While the images on the line’s teacups, plates, soup bowls and other items are a nod to yesteryear, the black and white colour is very of-the-moment. For a pop of colour, layer a yellow Audun Fleur dinner plate under a more traditional
Audun Ferme Soup Bowl.

Form and Function

Very on-trend are Villeroy & Boch’s sleek, modern pieces boasting interesting shapes and functional details. The Pasta Passion Large Spaghetti Plate features an elegant indentation that makes pasta slide effortlessly onto utensils and provides a convenient spot for diners to rest their forks. Finish the meal with dessert and coffee served in the New Wave Cafe Espresso Set, “the only cup style in the world made in one piece,” Von Boch said.
 

Colourplay

Von Boch encourages hosts to have fun with colour. Pantone has released its colour of 2019 lookbook with an array of deep fuschia and teal hues taking centre stage. Placing one of Villeroy & Boch’s many colourful table linen placemats under a white porcelain dinner plate can transform the look and mood of a table, said Von Boch.

Mix and Match

Whether you change up dishware colours or mix different styles of stemwear together, Von Boch encourages hosts to break any preconceived place-setting rules. The Boston double old-fashioned smoked glasses would look beautiful mixed with wine stems from the Purisimo line.

At the end of the day, Von Boch believes hosts should choose styles that make them happy. Picking up a bone china cup and saucer on display at Villeroy & Boch’s South Granville store, she said, “If you drink your tea in this, for the next 30 years it’s going to make you happy. I think that’s what it’s all about.”.