A few months ago I was honored to be invited by Veronika Miller of Modenus to attend Blog Tour Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany. While it is the largest consumer goods show in the world, we were able to celebrate a few intimate moments with incredible design manufacturers such as Villeroy & Boch. We dined with the family and company team members, toured their gorgeous showroom and toasted their new additions to the incredible line, too. During my conversations with the family, I was told there was one person I must interview, again and again. Not only because she lives in California like me, but because of her design sense and what she contributes to the family company. What a pleasure it was to interview Isabelle von Boch—here is our Q&A.
Good design is___
Good design is beautiful, functional and balanced. A passion to better the lives of others through good design and to inspire them to incorporate and enjoy beautiful, practical design in their living spaces has been a core driving factor at Villeroy & Boch for more than two-and-a-half centuries.
The quickest, easiest way to update your table top is___
The quickest, easiest way to update your table top is to add color, texture and nature. You can transform a table’s entire look by restyling its accoutrements. Simply accessorize with colorful candlesticks or chargers, and textured damask linens or wicker placemats for a fresh new look. Create an instant centerpiece that’s seasonally relevant by going to your garden and picking flowers, vegetables or fruits that will give vibrant, natural life to your setting.
I understand the need for good product design because___
I grew up in a family where design and product development were part of our everyday conversations. We were constantly talking about quality design concepts and thinking of innovative ways to improve people’s lives. My sister Helen was involved in designing numerous top selling patterns for the brand and my brother actually ran the company for years. Growing up in a family where we were all allowed to express our artistic desires, and collaborated to improve each other’s ideas, fostered my love for interior and lifestyle design tremendously. This is how I realized my calling to share with others the delights of embracing a family dining culture.
My design style is___
My design style is clean, simple and casually elegant. This meshes very well with the Villeroy & Boch brand, as its very existence stands for a continental European, stylish, relaxed way of life.
A favorite design of mine is___
For me, it is all about what I connect to emotionally, so it’s hard to have just one favorite. I love Amazonia because the vibrant floral pattern makes me happy. I love Artesano because it is inviting, warm and has an organic, hand-crafted vibe that makes me feel very calm and comforted. I love the Audun toile series because it connects me deeply with memories of childhood and tradition. I have to have an emotional connection with something, and these very-different designs elicit different, wonderful emotions that inspire me every day.
Upcoming projects for me include___
Upcoming projects for me include a global tour as the Villeroy & Boch brand ambassador. I will be traveling through Australia and Central America, which are both especially fun destinations as these two places have exciting and important dining cultures that inspire well-lived lifestyles. I very much enjoy meeting brides and loyal fans of our product who incorporate our style into their very-important family routines.
Growing up in the Villeroy & Boch family could be described as___
Growing up in the Villeroy & Boch family could be described as being steeped in energetic creativity. The artistry of my family is unbelievable, spanning ten generations of drawing, photography, design and more- so there was never lack of inspiration.
Travel influences my designs by___
Travel is a wonderful inspiration. I reflect an appreciation of international experience on my own table designs regularly. It is so exciting to share with my guests all of the exciting trends from fashion worldwide that have influenced our products. So, a stylish geometric pattern inspired by Morocco, or a vintage garden-inspired print with French provenance can be displayed on a table in the USA immaculately. It is amazing!
Our Villeroy & Boch products support interior design by___
Our Villeroy & Boch products support interior design by providing a wide range of styles. We offer modern and traditional collections with an array of patterns so that people can mix products based on what they connect with in order to create their own, eclectic or themed designs.
Anything else you would like to add?
Whatever you choose for your home you should emotionally connect to. Listen to your intuition- good design will speak to you.
Thank you Isabelle—we wish you safe travels and look forward to following your brand ambassador journey!