The Annieglass Story:  Table Art with Exceptional Durability.

Limited Edition Cone Vase
Shown in Gold. Platinum also available.

Annie Morehauser, creator of Annieglass, took her inspiration from Santa Cruz where she first saw glass blown on the beach.  Now over 30 years ago, that convergence of art and ocean proved life-changing.  The young art student set down roots in Santa Cruz and founded the luxury tableware company known as Annieglass.

Annie’s original tour de force was a piece called “Roman Antique,” a glass plate with a widely painted gold rim.  At a tradeshow back in 1983, she astounded the country’s retailers with this entirely new look.  Fusing the precious metal into the glass made it tarnish free, chip resistant and even dishwasher safe.  This combination of art and durability was a real breakthrough for her business. 

Today “Roman Antique” is an oft imitated industry icon that is sold by luxury retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Barney’s New York, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdales as well as leading hotels and restaurants.  Private collectors include celebrities such as Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Christina Aguilera, and John Grisham.  Roman Antique is the “starter elegant set” for many brides.  It is enormously popular with Southerners who have been mixing china and glass for a long time. 

Annie adheres to the Japanese expression, “Dining should be a feast for the eye as well as the stomach.”  She believes that delighting your guests with a beautiful presentation before the food arrives puts everyone in a festive and receptive mood.  In her blog, Annieglass Blog, Mix & Match 7-30-13, she suggests using plates that don’t match or varying each place setting slightly. “Mixing and matching can add fun to the table.  It’s a way of more closely reflecting your personality and allows you to indulge in your love of tableware without feeling guilty about buying multiple patterns.” The following tricks can give a cohesive quality to the look:

·        Embrace the chaos with confidence.  You can make it work by seeming 100 percent intentional.

·        Have a unifying theme.  Maybe a color theme or accent color like a metallic trim on the plate. 

·        Plates for each course should be of similar weight.

·        Tie it together with an accent for a more unifying, harmonious look.

Ultramarine Bowls

In a recent interview with Diane Dorrans Saeks, The Style Saloniste Blog, Style Alert:  Heart of Glass - Annieglass 7-15-2013 , Diane posed the question “What was the most dramatic response you ever had to a new design?”  Annie:  “The Smithsonian asking for two pieces to become part of their new museum; having one of my pieces sent to the Pope as a gift was pretty awesome; customers making sinks out of my ultramarine blue bowls; seeing one used as a baptismal font was pretty impressive.  Some of my customers recently bought my new limited edition cone vase sight unseen.  That was dramatic.” 

Annieglass is sold in more than 500 stores worldwide including Chelsea Passage at Barney’s New York, Gump’s in San Francisco and boutique retailers like LCR.

Artist Michael Aram: The Core of his Vision is a Deep Attraction to Nature

Ocean Coral Napkin Holder by Michael Aram

Michael Aram has built a reputation creating high-quality, crafts-based pieces largely inspired by nature.  On a trip to India in the early 80s, he discovered a metalworking tradition that was largely untapped.  He quickly set up shop in New Delhi.  Turning his attention to crafts-based design, his work bridges the oft overlooked gap between artist and artisan.

In Hindi, the word “aram” means “gently, with peace, love, and care.”  A daily mantra to his craftsmen, his success resides in the creation of high quality work, work that makes a personal statement while retaining universal appeal. 

The core of his vision is a deep attraction to nature and in particular, its fascinating variety of trees and plants.  This is reflected in many of his signature pieces, including the charmingly twisted “Sleepy Hollow” collection, his “Twigware” cutlery, and the “Fantasy Bloom” serving pieces, which have all brought a new whimsy and elegance to the American table.  He also has collections inspired by the ocean and solely by the artistic process. 

Ocean Coral Photo Frame by Michael Aram

His work has a soulful quality and energy – which is only possible with handmade work.  No two pieces are alike.  His pieces work well with both contemporary and more classic interiors. 

Aram’s empathetic and holistic worldviews have made him a popular speaker and he has remained philanthropic throughout his career.  A partner in SeaWeb’s Too Precious to Wear Campaign, Aram donated some of his treasures to raise awareness of the global threat to coral reefs.  Taking time out to talk to SeaWeb about what inspires him to use his art to raise environmental awareness:

• On the design industry as a whole:  “I believe that there is presently a deeper commitment and heightened awareness of conservation and environmental stewardship.” 
• On coral as inspiration:  “Using coral as inspiration offers an endless variation of shapes, textures, forms, and even colors.”
• On his message:  “Rather than use endangered natural resources in the final product, use them as inspiration.  This promotes artistry and richness of thought while preserving natural resources.”
• On consumer buying decisions:  “Buying prod
  
  ucts that are timeless, of high quality, and made through a sensitive process – enhance both cultural and natural resources.  Ideally, purchase heirloom pieces rather than disposables destined for landfills.”
• On life in India:  “My life is beautifully organized between work, home, and friends.  India is the heart of the organization, NYC its brain.”
• On his leap to India:  “It wasn’t even a decision.  I just immediately started doing what felt right.”

Ocean Coral Centerpiece Bowl by Michael Aram

His flagship store is located at 136 W. 18^th Street in Manhattan.  In addition, there are several “shop-in-shops” in Bloomingdales, Niemen Marcus, Saks, and select Macy’s stores.  In sum, his work is sold in 600 major department stores and specialty boutiques including LCR, worldwide. 

Jewels, Beads, and Roses: Mary Rose Pottery has Glamour Appeal!

If a sense of whimsy and love of vivid color appeal to you, Mary Rose Pottery certainly fits the bill.  Founded by its namesake, Mary Rose Young, her pieces are noted for their sense of fun; she is adept at blending beauty and humor.  While a student, her trademark pieces were sculptural.  Realizing she needed something glamorous to brighten up an old farmhouse she moved into after college, she tried her hand at the potter’s wheel.  Apply the bright color that she had achieved in her artistic pieces, she achieved the look she was hoping for.  Mary Rose Pottery was born!

Her earliest designs included the rose motif (after her name) and the humorous, frantic chicken.  The rose motif became three dimensional.  Her rationale:  since flowers were needed to make a vase work, why not design a vase with its own bunch of flowers.

Her career catapulted after she exhibited at the Chelsea Crafts Fair, exposing her to American and European buyers.  Soon, Barneys New York came beckoning.  No longer destined for obscurity, she relocated her pottery studio to her refurbished home called “Oak House,” located in England and open to the public.  She lives and wears the amazing colors of her art every day, as every surface of her home is alive with color.

While her rose design is still  popular, her art continues to evolve with new shapes and designs.  In her look, “Jewelled and Beaded,” she uses gold luster to create pottery that resembles a pirate’s treasure.  She has licensed some of her ideas to larger giftware companies, so you may occasionally encounter some of these mass-produced pieces on High Street or as we say in the U.S., on Main Street.  She displays her newest pieces annually at the New York City Gift Show, held in August.  To celebrate the recent birth of his Royal Highness Prince George, she has introduced a pair of baby cups and saucers.

Mary Rose’s art can be purchased at select stores in the U.S. (including LCR) and on her website.  Her work has attracted its share of celebrity buyers, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, the British Royal Family, Mika, Lilly Allen, Burt Reynolds, Steven Tyler, and Demi Moore.  In 2007, her art attracted media attention after Ozzy Osbourne’s Mary Rose Young teacup and saucer fetched $1,650 in a charity auction of his possessions.

Welcoming Spring with Fresh New Product at LCR

Here at LCR, spring has always been one of our favorite times of the year. The beginning of spring means the introduction of fresh, new product and fun, exciting displays put together by our team in our retail shop. Each January, we spend a weekend shopping at the New York International Gift Fair, and by spring, most of the product we ordered at the show has arrived.



Various shapes and designs by Flowers Under Glass



One vendor whose products are perfect for spring is Flowers Under Glass. Each platter, bowl or tray features flowers that have been hand-picked from the artists garden, right here in Connecticut. Each piece is a unique work of art and captures nature’s beauty. They make great long-lasting gifts for that person who loves flowers, nature or gardening.



Yorkshire Hedgerow collection by Caskata



Many new Caskata tableware pieces also tie in to the spring theme. Dramatic, graceful designs featuring flowers, rabbits, or butterflies are just the thing for this time of year. A porcelain vessel candle or a set of six canapé plates make a great gift - or, update your own table with dinnerware or a serving platter.



Tablesetting by Annieglass in Platinum & Gold



This spring, we are also excited about the products we’re featuring through two trunk shows in our shop. Annieglass is one of our mainstays here at LCR, and in celebration of the company’s 30th anniversary, an expanded range of product is currently on display through April 7th. Glass dinnerware and serving pieces rimmed in either gold or platinum make for an elegant yet functional table setting, perfect for Easter or Passover. Complete with a custom engraving offering, this trunk show is one of our most exciting yet. Also currently being featured in our shop are lacquer trays and other luxury home accessories by J. Fleet Designs. With some great contemporary designs and new color combinations for spring, there is sure to be something for everyone within this trunk show.

 

Assortment of lacquered trays by J. Fleet Designs



Be sure to check our online store for new product additions as spring continues, and if you’re local to Connecticut, come check out our trunk shows and new displays in our retail shop in West Hartford Center!



LCR West Hartford Shops for Fresh New Spring Product

Now that the busy holiday season is over, the attention of the staff here at LCR West Hartford shifts to searching for new accessories and giftware to feature in our shop. Each January we spend a few days at the New York International Gift Fair, shopping thousands of square feet of product by designers, artists and artisans from all over the world.

This is a very exciting time of year for us, as we get to see not only the newest product from our favorite vendors, but also discover new lines to introduce in our shop. We’re always trying to refresh and expand our offering, keeping up with the latest trends and newest designers, while also maintaining the designer lines our customers have known and loved for years.

Check back with us in the upcoming weeks to hear about our trip to the New York International Gift Fair and get a preview into the new product & artists we discover!

LCR Welcomes You To The World Of Skyros

LCR West Hartford is delighted to offer you a simply exquisite collection of tabletop and decorative accessories from Portugal called Skyros Designs. Portugal is a country where the ceramic industry continues to strive to manufacture some of the finest ceramics in the world, all which are reflected through Skyros Designs products. Skyros’s tabletop collections are

made of stoneware which is extremely chip and heat resistant. Most of the dinnerware and accessories can go into a 500 degree oven as well as the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. Skyros dinnerware is made to endure, perfect for everyday use, and be enjoyed for years to come. The Cantaria line from Skyros is an LCR West Hartford exclusive and is available in 7 stunning color ways that complement each other perfectly. Be creative and have fun mixing these gorgeous colors to capture your own unique style. The hand painted subtle patina edge enhances the beauty of every piece. The affordability of Skyros is also makes it attractive. At $59.00 for a pitcher and $95.00 for a large centerpiece bowl, Skyros offers a practical solution for giving a new sense of Old World warmth and excitement to your tabletop !

LCR and The Town That Cares

During our Michael Wainwright event, LCR Design and Decoration of West Hartford was proud to partner with local charity, The Town That Cares of West Hartford. The Town That Cares is a special fund established by the Town of West Hartford’s Department of Human and Leisure Services. The fund assists residents experiencing a crisis situation hindering their ability to pay for utility bills, food, shelter costs, medical expenses and other critical needs. It is funded 100% by contributions from generous individuals, businesses and community groups. In addition, each year The Town That Cares provides subsidies to a variety of seasonal activities administered by the Town. These include Thanksgiving food distribution for low-income families, Thanksgiving hot meal delivery for homebound elderly/disabled, holiday children's party & gift card distribution for low-income families, and back to school backpack and school supplies distribution for low-income families. Proceeds of our our Michael Wainwright Event sales have benefited this charity and we are still accepting donations. You may also send a check payable to The Town That Cares to: West Hartford Human Services 50 South Main Street, Room 306 West Hartford, CT 06107