A vintage inspired floral afternoon tea with Villeroy Boch.

I was absolutely delighted when Villeroy & Boch approached me to style an afternoon tea for for the blog using the beautiful Rose Sauvage range. Why?! Well, as a thoroughly modern girl who still has a penchant for the past (I have both a history degree and MA in my pocket), my old fashioned heart loves the ritual of a traditional English afternoon tea. It has a special place in my heart, the tradition, the nostalgia, the civilised conviviality.

I think your style of afternoon tea will indicate something about you. For example, if you could be in a period novel which setting comes to mind? I would instinctively always choose inter-war Britain, perhaps a Dorothy Whipple novel, or Elizabeth Bowen, or Rosalind Lehman. English afternoon tea conjures up images for me of Agatha Christie novels, Lyons tea houses, the strand, understated class that belies assumptions, cloche hats, things that have their proper place. And there is nothing more proper than having afternoon tea in pretty porcelain cups served on beautifully elegant plates. There is an oft’ told scientific fact that tea actually tastes better from porcelain. I have a theory that it tastes better (and sets the scene for a relaxed convivial get-together) when served from porcelain with vintage-inspired design.

I picked several designs within the the Rose Sauvage range for this piece from Villeroy & Boch and they really couldn’t be prettier! As a 270 year old family-run business, who produce the largest number of ceramic wares in the world, Villeroy & Boch know a thing or two about beautiful classic teasets with the longevity of quality. Each piece feels both solid and dainty, as well-made china should and are perfect for a charming, floral English afternoon tea.

I love the painted florid pieces from this range, which feel unashamedly traditional, from the colour popping framboise colourway which is absolutely joyful, to the simple and assumed class of the Blanche design which is timelessly elegant. My favourite is the hot fuscia pink of Framboise, in a hand painted rose and leaf design, it feels both bold and cheeky, but utterly classic too.

Alongside the teacups I selected serving plates with the painted Rose Sauvage design and some understated pieces including the very pretty white breakfast plates which have a raised floral design around the rim to mirror the rest of the set. The pink on the table really sings, but the white items play their part in the storytelling of the setting too. This is such a pretty collection to bring out for tea with family and friends for many years to come, in fact I think my mother has her eye on a set for herself having spotted them in my home.

As the china is so pretty, I have kept styling pretty minimal, with simple but well made Marble Blue napkins from the Villeroy & Boch trend Collection, they are knotted in twine for a rustic feel and decorated with some end-of-summer Hydrangeas from the garden which are beginning to turn pink and mirror the tones on the tea cups.

For the floral centrepiece I went for something more blousey, and as this is an English afternoon tea I couldn’t resist some roses! I absolutely love the Light & Flowers hyacinth vase, its delicate fluted glass design opening from a solid base, rather like a flower, is so simple and pretty. I chose two tealights from the De-light range, one in pink and one in green and they add a perfect touch of colour with the curved undulations in the glass mirroring the vase.

Now obviously tea is traditional in these settings, but as we’re celebrating who fancies a gin with elderflower presse? These Miss Desiree glasses are real stand out items for me, the goblets are heavy and well made and the retractions from the leaf thread cutwork on them is delightful on a sunny day.

I have celebrated many milestone in life with friends over afternoon tea in town (The Wolseley is a personal favourite, and highly recommended if you ever get the chance!). High tea is a great way of getting lots of friends with busy lives together, it feels more of an occasion than lunch or dinner, and the accompanying cake gives a suitable air of indulgence to a catch up! I think it is most charming when homemade, but I will level with you, I have become a very lazy baker of late, so whilst my tea is celebratory and within a relaxed atmosphere I have an Ottolenghi store to thank for the beautiful cakes used to illustrate this pretty china. Although I love tradition (and I have kept the cucumber sandwiches because I refuse to believe it’s high tea without them!) I’ve used Ottolenghi cakes as they feel like real conversation pieces in themselves (Blackberry & Star Anise Friand, Banana tea cake with Dulce de leche, Persian Love Cake, Fig and blackberry Clafoutis for heavens sake!) and bring a feeling of ceremony to this much loved tradition. I am all for the regular relaxed fika of a toasted teacake and cup of tea of an afternoon, but when the serveware is this special the contents placed on it it deserves some attention (they were all yummy by the way!). Do you have any afternoon tea traditions? Fail safe recipes? What’s your favourite piece from this collection? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

To celebrate Villeroy & Boch’s 270th anniversary they are currently offering 270 (yes, you read that right!) prizes. The first prize is an amazing trip to Villeroy & Boch’s very own castle, Saareck Castle, in Germany, for more details and to enter click here.

This post is sponsored by Villeroy & Boch. I only choose to work with brands that I find interesting and hope you will too, as ever all thoughts are honest and my own.