Spring Ahead at LCR West Hartford

Spring is right around the corner, at here at LCR West Hartford that means the introduction of lots of fresh, new product. After 3 days of shopping at the New York International Gift Fair last week, we are excited to introduce new vendors along with the latest product from our most popular designers that we currently carry in the shop. Some of our favorites include the new expanded Molten collection by Michael Aram, and the aqua & platinum Como collection by Michael Wainwright. We’re also looking forward to introducing new product in our shop and on our website by Rogaska Crystal, Diane Markin, Annieglass, and Nambe.

One of the most exciting things about visiting the NYIGF is discovering new vendors. We’re especially excited about the acquisition of Waylande Gregory, soon to become an LCR exclusive. Waylande Gregory was one of the most influential ceramic sculptors of the 20th century, who had helped to shape the Art Deco period in America. His pottery line, which is still family-owned, is reminiscent of the fun 1940s and 50s American style. His playful patterns feature stylistic animals, prints, and abstract designs trimmed in gold or platinum. Objects include everything from lamps and garden stools to bowls and mirrored trays, amongst a vast array of other tabletop items. He is truly a fashion force of nature – we are looking forward to featuring his product in our shop and on our website in 2012.

At LCR West Hartford, we are delighted about the introduction of new product for the new season. Be sure to check our online shop, as the latest designer collections arrive weekly for your home.

LCR West Hartford Welcomes the Fall Season

Fall is right around the corner, and at LCR West Hartford that means setting new fall tabletop! After days and nights spent eating al fresco over the summer, we are all ready to head back indoors to warmth and comfort food.


When designing our fall table we started with the china; Solonge by Gien. With a forest animal motif in warm browns, grays and hints of green, Solonge is reminiscent of the fall season. We then decided to keep the tabletop muted; instead of bringing out the greens and yellows as we could have easily done, we kept within a neutral palate, playing up those very browns and grays that you see on a cool, cloudy fall day. Because we were able to layer these tones, as well as utilize texture and shine through our accessories we kept the table looking rich and warm rather than dreary and dull.

For table linens we turned to our favorite line in our retail shop, Kim Seybert. We’ve always loved her capiz shell placemats and found the gray ones seen here to be stunning. The luster of the capiz shell is a wonderful contrast to the motif on the china. We added in Kim Seybert’s “Brushstroke” Napkin, which incorporates both the gray and tan that we wanted to pull out of the china and then added in a flower napkin ring in the same gray as the placemat. The flower juxtaposes the more masculine images on the table to add visual interest. The final touches for the place setting are a cordial and flute by Saint Louis, both in a smoke gray.

We again combined our two colors for our candles, using latte colored candles in our L’Objet Platinum Evoca Candlesticks. Other accessories on the table include Nest Bowls, also by L’Objet, which add to the nature motif we’ve drawn from the china, as well as bring in a bronze finish which goes well with our coffee and gray colors. Lastly, we added Poppy Salt and Pepper Shakers from Michael Aram. By carrying the bronze finish throughout the table, as well as keeping within our natural theme, they proved to be the finishing touch for our fall table.


To purchase any item, please visit:
www.lcrcollection.com

or feel free to contact us at:

LCR West Hartford
981B Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06107
(800) 878-9446
(860) 231-7742

info@lcrcollection.com

Colorful and Creative Gifts at LCR West Hartford

LCR West Hartford is pleased to announce our most recent addition to our website, Diane Markin. Diane Markin, an American artist, currently lives and works in California where she is busy transforming ordinary elements such as glass, jewels, recycled materials and metal into unique works of art. In our retail shop, Diane Markin is most well known for her many frames, but her line extends far beyond them to include everything from clocks, ornaments and garden accessories. Just about everything in Diane’s line is bright, colorful and whimsical, making them perfect gifts for a fun-loving friend.


In addition to creating new objects from the raw materials she so enjoys working with, Diane reuses objects like antique silver plate flatware, “tortures” them, and transforms them into something special. Our favorites are the clocks and serving pieces, like the vertical napkin tray (shown). Other creative and useful recycled items are the garden stake knives, decorative garden accessories made out of glass, jewels, and wire attached to antique silver plate dinner knife, which, according to Diane, makes the perfect garden stake. They are available in dragonfly, butterfly, daisy, heart, sparkler.


Any piece from Diane Markin’s line makes an excellent gift, especially when given to those who have the same love of colorful, cheery and handcrafted items as Diane. Her entire line is made by hand here in the United States, by Diane herself or a member of her team. Many of the pieces are made out of recycled materials making them great gift choices for the Earth-conscious friend as well.

Decorating with Neutrals

Many times we talk about adding a ‘pop of color’ to a room to make a space more exciting and appealing. But, can you still have a room with visual interest without the addition of color? The answer is yes. If done properly, a room designed in a neutral palette can be soothing as well as rich, luxurious and aesthetically pleasing. To achieve this look special attention must be paid to texture.
Even when color is used in a design scheme, texture still plays a big role; once it is removed, texture becomes the focus. Texture should be kept in mind even before furniture and accessories enter a room. In lieu of painting a wall, papering in a grass cloth or other wallpaper can serve as the perfect backdrop. Grass cloth is something that our designers at LCR West Hartford use quite often; it doesn’t have a pattern, and therefore doesn’t compete with other patterns throughout the room, yet has more depth than paint. Carpets are also a great way to add texture. A frieze area rug is not only incredibly durable but also warms up a hardwood floor nicely.

After the foundations are complete, attention can be turned to fabrics, furniture and accessories. Using a multitude of fabrics in a room is a very simple way to add texture, as well as add depth with different neutrals. When designing with neutral scheme it is also best to vary the shades slightly; for example, instead of using tans, vary the palette to incorporate cream, sand, camel and caramel. The way to achieve the combination is to make sure they are all of the same tone; keeping with either a cool or warm scheme, for example. Fabrics then can be found that incorporate any and all of these shades; they will help to add the depth and warmth needed for interest. Mixing different types of fabrics; from damask to velvet, woven chenille to silk, easily adds texture and interest all while keeping within the scheme.

Lastly, add in accessories. Look for special pieces that speak to you, and accessories will soon become the easiest way for you to make a room unique. Lamps can easily add texture and interest, as well as much needed light, and many vases do have a special finish or texture to them that will add to a space. Not every room needs color to be interesting and fun, a gorgeous space can be created with a neutral scheme, all you need is creativity and imagination.

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Cobra Candlesticks

At LCR West Hartford we see our fair share of crystal candlesticks. They come in an array of sizes and shapes, styles and prices. There are so many beautiful candlesticks to be seen, however, when there is one so gorgeous that it stops us in our tracks we can’t wait to tell the world.

While on a recent shopping trip we saw, and promptly fell in love with, the new Cobra Candlesticks by Rogaska. The design of these candlesticks is inspired by the movement of a Cobra; its upward twists and turns are reminiscent of a snake rising up, ready to attack. They are available in five sizes (5 ½”, 8 ¼”, 9 ½”, 10 ¼”, and 11 ¾”). Traditionally candlesticks are displayed in a pair of the same size, but our favorite way to show these off is in a grouping of either 3 or 5 candlesticks in varying sizes. It is a more modern way of displaying them, and is sure to add drama to any room.

They are a perfect gift for anyone who loves clean lines and great design. While they could be at home in any style of décor, we at LCR West Hartford recommend them as a gift to someone with a modern or eclectic taste. We can’t wait to see them get gifted as a wedding or anniversary present; that is if we don’t buy them first for ourselves!

To see more Rogaska Crystal, visit Nambe on our website, lcrcollection.com and browse their crystal pieces, as all Nambe crystal is made by Rogaska. At the moment these amazing candlesticks are not available online, but if you have any questions or would like to make a purchase, please call or email us at:

1-800-878-9446
1-860-231-7742 (Local)

info@lcrcollection.com

LCR West Hartford Designer Bios: Peter Robbin

LCR West Hartford, Connecticut is an interior design firm and retail shop owned by lead interior designer Peter Robbin. Peter has a Bachelors of Fine Arts and a Bachelors of Interior Architecture, both from Rhode Island School of Design. After he graduated, Peter worked in Paris for 6 months before heading to New York City. There, he gained experience working for three well-known interior firms. Then, in 1987, Peter moved to Connecticut and purchased what is now LCR from interior designer John LaFalce.

Peter’s design philosophy is based in tradition. As a classically trained interior designer, he enjoys designing a room in a classic/eclectic mix, working to incorporate classic pieces ranging from Traditional to 20th Century Modern, to Asian to French. In a classic/eclectic mix Peter feels that because of the juxtaposition of the different styles, their best features are then highlighted; the curved leg of a Louis XV chair is highlighted and more visually appealing when it’s against a hard line of an Asian end table. Then, Peter uses proportion, materials and color to tie everything together and give the room a cohesive look. Texture is also a tool Peter uses in his interiors, using it to give the room a warm and friendly feel. When different textures are found throughout a room it feels more comfortable and inviting- the room says come touch, not look and don’t touch.

For Peter it is important to get to know his client before starting to scheme for his design. He observes how the client dresses and presents him or herself and uses that information to design a room that best suits their personality and style. He also takes time to find out how the room will be used and how it is naturally lit; two important factors in his design.

Peter Robbin is a designer who’s interiors are based in tradition but always stylish. He turns away from current trends in favor of a design that is timeless and will never go out of style, using classics from an array of periods to give a room a cohesive and beautiful design, only adding new style that will become tomorrow’s classic. There is so much currently stylish that is dated in a few short years.

Peter’s designs have been featured in publications such as Colonial Homes Magazine, Metropolitan Home Magazine, House Beautiful, and Hartford Magazine.


To Schedule An Appointment Please Contact:

Peter Robbin

LCR
981B Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06107

(860) 231-7712 ext. 300

pcrobbin@lcrcollection.com

Tamara Childs: The Perfect Gift

Finding the perfect gift to give can often be an arduous task. Our clients at LCR West Hartford always have one request when we help them pick out a gift; it has to be special. Gifts should be just as exciting to give as they are to receive, whether it’s a small thank you gift or something larger for a special occasion. It should be unique, and a piece of art. When we find a line that fulfills all of these requisites, we can’t help but share it and get excited ourselves.


We first brought in Tamara Childs glass pieces into our retail shop about two years ago, and it has recently been added to our website. Tamara Childs is a Seattle native; there she works with fine sheets of metal leaf to create masterpieces on a wide variety of glass pieces, most of which are exclusive designs. Tamara’s glass pieces are available in eight different color-ways, three of those being Gold, Silver and Copper. To achieve the remaining colors, Tamara mixes the metals in true artisan fashion. What we are left with are Sunset, a brilliant mix of gold and copper that radiates light and warmth; Northern Lights, a cooler color with hints of purples and greens just as one would see in the Aurora Borealis; Variegated Blue and Variegated Green, both with a marbled effect in their respective colors, over a gold ground; and Moss, her newest color, a soothing mix of gold and silver.


In each of these colors, Tamara creates different patterns; swirls, zig-zags, and slashes accent a wide array of glass pieces. Because of the many color-ways and patterns this line truly has something for everyone, regardless of their personal decorating tastes or color preferences. Whether it be gold, silver or color; contemporary or traditional, we can attest that everyone can find a piece from this fabulous gift line. Because the pieces range from small pieces such as vases or soap dishes, to large trays or bowls, the perfect gift can be discovered for any occasion; housewarming to wedding, and everything in between.