Villeroy & Boch - The Standard in Dinnerware

Villeroy and Boch became the supreme dinnerware company it is today when two rivals Francois Boch and Nicolas Villeroy merged their two companies to form one company in 1836 in order to survive. Today the company is world renowned for its future thinking designs of dinnerware, glassware and cutlery.

Francois Boch originally started producing ceramic dinnerware - plates, cups and pots – in 1748 in the small village of Audun-le-Tiche, by hand. In 1809 he bought Benedictine Abbey and set up, designed and invented many production machines for use thereby laying the ground work for a transition from ceramics made manually to industrial manufactured dinnerware. In 1829 his factory in Mettlach invented a new type of dinner war called Porcelain Stoneware which is bright white and extremely hard.

Nicolas Villeroy started in dinnerware manufacturing in 1791 with his factory in Vaudrevaneg. His factory produced dinnerware using a copper plating system for serial production.

Villeroy & Boch have achieved success for over 260 years through inventiveness, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit. They offer a large range of products from their two main product sectors "Bathroom and Wellness" and "Dinnerware".


You can visit the Villeroy & Boch Discovery Centre in Mettlach, a walk through park, which costs $4.75 for the day to enjoy, you can see their cultural influence display as well as displays about what they envision in the future for “home and living”.

One of the most popular displays is the Tableware World of Discovery which takes you into realistic settings of beautifully arranged dinnerware sure to inspire you. Or, you can take in The Museum of Ceramics which has a wonderful display of ceramics from the late Baroque period till today, including the chamber pots of nobles.

But Villeroy & Boch, the company is not just focused on the past they have a well planned out strategy for the future.

Their goal is to become the top lifestyle brand for all interior furnishings. They plan to offer architects and interior designers as well as end consumers, solutions for decoration and design under specific areas.

The current "House of Villeroy & Boch" will be broken down to the following categories, “well-laid table” for dinnerware and cutlery, "single-source bathroom” for bathroom fixtures such as tubs and commodes, and the "tile for living-areas and the construction-project sector” for decorative tiles and other construction related material.
Their exquisite products are of the highest quality and are designed to brighten the everyday lives of people through-out the world. The Villeroy & Boch brand stands for quality and style.

You can see the full line of Villeroy & Boch Dinnerware at DinnerWareDepot.com your best source for dinnerware on the web.

Lennox China - The Dinnerware of Presidents

Lenox was started in 1889 by its founder Walter Scott Lennox. Born in Trenton NJ in 1859, the foremost center for the American Ceramics industry in that time, Walter Lennox combined his interest in drawing and clay and began working at a pottery plant as a designer and decorator at 16 years old.

When he turned 22 he became joined Ott & Brewer as their design director. Ott & Brewer eventually folded a few years later and that’s when he decided it was time to go it on his own.

A mere seven years after taking the design director position Walter Lennox was starting his own company the Lenox's Ceramic Art Company opening it’s doors in 1889. Walter created his ceramics as an art and even positioned his new company as an Art Studio instead of a factory. Most of his early productions were one-of-a-kind made of ivory china.

The Lenox China was originally made buy only 18 employees and consisted of a line of vases, pitchers and tea sets. Since he had laid the groundwork for his productions to be consider art they were picked up by the most elite shops of the time. In 1897 even the Smithsonian Institution showed a collection of Lennox China.

In the early 1900’s fine home dining came into vague and Lennox was quick to transition his company to handle the new dinnerware needs of the country. He began offering full sets of dinnerware to very exclusive families in early 1902, fighting the European control over the fine china trade.

As America’s demand for Lennox China continued to grow he changed the name of the company to Lenox Incorporated to reflect his reversal of philosophy from the Ceramic Art Company to more of a mass production company.

The company’s first large scale productions of Lennox China came in 1910 and were patterned with transfer prints that were then colored by hand. In 1917 Lennox China went to full color lithographic designs. The original two designs, Mandarin and Ming, were popular in America for over 50 years. These decals made sure every piece of dinnerware was decorated exactly the same and created a type of trademark look. Hosts were excited to have the new patterns on their dinner table that were easy to recognize so their guests knew they could afford Lennox China.

Lennox was becoming known as the china to have in the United States. In 1918 the white house ordered 1,700 pieces for official state services. Lennox China was the first American china to be used at the white house and has remained that way since.

Walter Scott Lennox dies in 1920 having succeeded in his quest for "perfection of American porcelain."

You can see the full line of Lennox China at DinnerWareDepot.com your best source for dinnerware on the web.

Halloween Dinnerware

Well, believe it or not we are heading into the Spook-tacular season of Halloween! I realize that the season is about costumes, candy, cake doughnuts and cider…but you know me, Mr. Dinnerware and I’m thinking about the coordinating dinnerware for this scary holiday!

While most of you are pondering the awesome Halloween parties you will be throwing or attending I’m thinking about the food that will be served and what it will be served on! In fact I came across the coolest recipe brownies a few years ago on Betty Crocker’s website. My kids and I had a blast making them and we actually won the cookie contest at a neighborhood party we attended! And aside from being fun to make and obviously well received by our friends, they were delicious…mmmmh!

Here is a link to this fresh and scrumptious brownie recipe!

Now to my favorite part…what to server your Halloween treats on! The above brownies are being served on a Waechtersbach (pronounced “Vecter-spock”) Kiwi plate. It’s a beautiful German dinnerware line that comes in a dizzying array of colors that can brighten any day. The nice part about using a Waechtersbach solid color serving piece is you can use it year round.

However, Waechtersbach also has serving pieces that absolutely scream Halloween! These items are great for serving fall favorites like cake doughnuts and warm cider, popcorn, cookies and candy. The big bowl is perfect to load with candy and use it to server all scary ghosts and goblins that show up at your door!

Whether you are a homebody and you are going to stay home answering the door and handing out candy or a social butterfly hopping from party to party in your awesome costume I hope your Halloween is filled with fun, laughter, food, decadent treats and of course dinnerware! Happy Halloween!

Remember, it’s not what you server, but what you serve it on…and anything can look marvelous if it’s on the right piece of dinnerware!

Catch you next time!
Mr. Dinnerware

Housewarming Gifts That Your Friends May Actually Like

Have you ever been put in the awkward situation of buying a housewarming gift for a neighbor or acquaintance? I know I have.

You never really know what to get them. You don’t want to put too much effort into it, but at the same time no one wants to see their purchase be rejected or - much worse - “regifted” down the line (Seinfeld aficionados will understand what I’m talking about).

Anyway, with age, I’ve gained wisdom (at least I like to think so). Now, instead of buying plants or other novelties, I give serveware.

It just makes sense. Once they’re settled in, they’ll probably be entertaining guests at their new place. Those cheese and crackers and teeny tiny cocktail dogs have to go in something.

I found some great serveware the other day by American Atelier. They have it all – cheese trays, hostess sets, coffee and tea sets. They even have a buffet warmer.

I’m personally fond of the six section “chip ‘n’ dip” server that’s reminiscent of an artist’s palette.

All of American Atelier’s serveware is white, so the recipient doesn’t have to worry about it clashing with their new décor.

Check out American Atelier's You're Invited serveware here.

The best part of giving serveware? They’re going to have to invite you over in return and, hopefully, they’ll be serving some delicious food in it. Yum!

Mr. Dinnerware

Fiestaware's New Baking Bowls Come Out This March

Fiestaware’s highly-anticipated line of baking bowls is debuting this March. Not familiar with the term “baking bowls?” Well, for those of you who aren’t in-the-know, baking bowls are similar to mixing bowls but they have unique glazes that make them oven and microwave safe. These glazes are more tolerant and allow you to use these bowls in the freezer and oven!

The colorful three-piece set will be able to meet all of your mixing needs. Plus, the vibrant colors and attractive contours of the bowl will make them a welcome addition to the dinner table. The color line-up for Fiestaware's baking bowl will be White, Cobalt, Sunflower, Shamrock, Scarlet, Tangerine, Peacock and Evergreen to start.

These aren’t your mother’s mixing bowls. The smallest bowl has a serving capacity of two quarts and the large bowl can hold five quarts. Whoa! And these bowls are ready for any occassion too, they are freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher safe - just what you want from your Fiestaware.

If you’re like me, you pre-ordered your set in November. But, if you haven’t gotten around it yet, Fiestaware’s baking bowls are still available for pre-order.

Cheers!

Mr. Dinnerware

Fitz and Floyd Seaboard brings the Ocean Home

Recently, I stumbled upon a pattern I had not seen before Fitz and Floyd's Seaboard. This fun dinnerware caught my eye as soon as I saw the creative and fun accessories.

Check these the butter dishes and sauce server:






This is perfect for eating seafood whether you live at the beach or in the Midwest. It really says fun, enjoy and dig in!

The color palette for this dinnerware is a beautiful ocean blue and it uses nautical elements to pull the dinnerware together.

Check Pricing:
Fitz and Floyd
Seaboard Dinnerware

You'll find plates bowls, mugs, table accessories, platters and even figurines!

Enjoy, Mr. Dinnerware

To Late To Give Dinnerware?

Well that depends on what type of dinnerware and where you buy it.

I like most men, do my Christmas shopping in days and sometimes in a daze and wait til just about the last minute. Yes, I started and almost finished my Christmas shopping last night.

But what happens if dinnerware is on your Christmas list, maybe you need to find Fiestaware or Lenox or Pfaltzgraff what is a shopper to do?

First Question: Will the dinnerware be used on Christmas Day?
If yes - Then you are going to have to shop and buy locally. (if possible)
If no, then you can shop online but you need to have something under the tree.

Second Question: How we gift recipient react if the real gift is not undeer the tree?
a. Happy becuase they know that they will get something that they want
b. Sad, they don't like to wait for gifts

If the person your buying for will be happy receiving a late gift, here are a few tricks so you have something under the tree.

1. If it is part of the China pattern, wrap one of the plates from your China and include a photo of the new item.
2. Hang an envelope on the tree and write a little personal note as to why they are special and that Santa was so busy with the getting presents for the kids that he is making a special late December delivery just for you.

And with that little tidbit of information, I wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season!

And if you forgot something for your table,
Pick it up at Dinnerware Depot

Happy Holidays - Mr Dinnnerware