Waterford

Waterford Opens New Visitors Center

Filed under: Decor

Waterford Crystal welcomed in a new era with the official opening of the House of Waterford Crystal on the Mall in the heart of Waterford City in Ireland this week. The new compound includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, visitor center and a retail store. It has been 18 months since the former company plant at Kilbarry closed its doors after the brand went into receivership. The new center offers over 100 jobs for employees. The Irish Independent reports that it is hoped that at least 200,000 visitors will come to the new Waterford center rising eventually to equal the numbers for the old plant at Kilbarry. Much of Waterford's crystal is now created in central and eastern Europe but the new plant will produce around 40,000 pieces and will serve as a central hub for the brand's designers.

This new center is the result of an agreement between WWRD Holdings Limited , the luxury goods group which now owns and operates the Waterford Crystal, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton brands, and Waterford City Council (as shown above, the Irish, American and British flags fly outside the center). The new facility represents more than just a new place to showcase Waterford, it shows that the brand hasn't given up, that the tradition lives on. The House of Waterford is located two miles from the city center on the N25 Cork Road in Waterford, Ireland. Factory tours are open to the public all year round, Monday to Sunday and guided tours are also available seven days a week. For more details on scheduling a visit, www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com

Tags: crystal, ireland, waterford, waterford crystal

Wedgwood: Quintessentially English

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Wedgwood is a nominee for a Luxist Award for best dishware.

Quintessentially English, Wedgwood has a long tradition of innovation, quality and craftsmanship and its designs are widely acknowledged as timeless, elegant, classic and understated.

The Wedgwood Company was founded in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood, who is considered to be the "Father of English Potters". In 1765, Wedgwood developed a unique cream-colored earthenware that so pleased England's Queen Charlotte that she gave her permission for his gracious innovation to be dubbed "Queen's Ware". He put fine earthenware within the reach of all and his success was immediate worldwide.

The most famous of all Josiah Wedgwood's innovations, however, was Jasperware, which was unglazed vitreous fine stoneware, that could be stained blue, green, lilac, yellow or black to provide a suitable background for white classic-inspired reliefs or portraits. To this day, Jasperware is still recognized around the world as the Wedgwood signature collection.

In recent years, the company has established exciting design partnerships with fashion designers, Jasper Conran, Vera Wang and artist Robert Dawson to develop contemporary and stylish ranges that appeal to the younger consumer.

In 1986, the Wedgwood group became and division of WWRD Holding Limited, which also owns such world class brands as Waterford Crystal, Royal Doulton and Royal Albert.

Tags: decor, decor-awards, dishware, luxist-awards, Royal Doulton, RoyalDoulton, Waterford, Wedgwood, winners-decor, WWRD Holding Limited, WwrdHoldingLimited

Waterford Wedgewood Goes Into Administration

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

The latest luxury company to hit trouble is Waterford Wedgwood. The Dublin-based company announced on Monday that 10 British units and four businesses in Ireland have been placed into administration after running out of money and failing to find a buyer. The NY Times reports that the other subsidiaries in the U.S., Germany, Canada and elsewhere are not affected. The company has been in talks with lenders for months while a suitable buyer was sought. After takeover talks failed on Friday a group of lenders decided to suspend a covenant that is part of Waterford's loan agreement. Waterford is famous for their crystal and for making the ball that drops each New Year's Eve in Times Square. Waterford Wedgwood was created in 1986 when the Irish crystal maker Waterford acquired the British ceramics company Wedgwood. Wedgwood was founded in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood and Waterford was founded in 1783 by the brothers William and George Penrose. Sales for the year ending in April 2008 were down 9.4 percent from a year earlier and the company posted a loss of 231 million euros, up from 71 million euros.

Gallery: Brands in Trouble

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Tags: waterford, wedgewood

Say 'I Love You' with Crystal

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Jewelry

If you're still looking for that heart-shaped gift but don't have a big budget for Valentine's Day these crystal pieces might be the right fit for you. Whether you choose a Swarovski crystal heart, Vera Wang With Love Toasting Flutes, Waterford's Heartfelt Stem Vase or other passion-inspired keepsakes, this selection of sparkly sentiments is affordable and still brings a little bling to the occasion. Don't forget a heartfelt note to go with that gift and have a Happy Valentine's Day.

Gallery: Say "I Love You" with Crystal

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Tags: crystal, heart, swarovski, vera-wang, waterford

Waterford Bar Trunk

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Waterford Crystal has created the ultimate bar in a box. Their bar trunk has brass latches, leather trim and a rosewood interior with drawers for your tools and racks for both wine and spirits. Inside the trunk is stocked with crystal stemware, barware, canape plates and sterling silver bar tools. The trunk sells for $16,000.

[via Liquor Snob]

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Tags: bar, barware, cabinet, trunk, waterford

Waterford Times Square Collection

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

New Year's Eve 2007 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball drop and Waterford Crystal , which creates the ball each year has created the Waterford Crystal Times Square Ball 100th Anniversary Collection. The collection includes a votive, disk ornament, footed hurricane, toasting flutes, martini glasses, a crystal globe that sells for $15,000, and the ball ornament shown above. The ball ornament has an LED light in the cap that operates on a sensor. It sells for $98.

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Tags: crystal, glass, ornament, times square, waterford

Marc Jacobs Waterford Crystal Flowers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Last fall I mentioned that Marc Jacobs was planning a home decor collection with Waterford. Now the collection is available on line. It includes glass flowerpots, champagne saucers, fine china decorated with a toss of colorful flowers, crystal bowls and decanters all named after his favorite friends. The most interesting pieces are the Clare glass flowers, the set of three intricate flowers complete with crystal stems and leaves sell for $165.

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Tags: crystal, glass flowers, marc jacobs, MarcJacobs, waterford

Waterford Precious Gems Ornaments

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Another entry into the crowded category of gorgeous glass Christmas ornaments comes from Waterford. We've already seen their crystal ornaments. These latest, whcih are created by Waterford's design director Jim O'Leary. the Precious Gems collection is inspired by the gemstone colors and are made of optic glass decorated with gold glitter and topped with gold-plated caps. The ornaments sell for between $40 and $60.

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Tags: christmas, ornaments, tree, decoration, waterford

Cheers Shot Glasses

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

These would make a fun hostess gift to bring to a party with a bottle of your favorite tipple. The set of six shot glasses is from Waterford and are engraved with six different words for cheers in six different languages. The set sells for $49 and is part of Waterford's lower priced Vintage Collection, a set of home basics for building your bar.

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Tags: entertaining, glassware, holiday, shot glasses, waterford

Waterford 2006 World Series Commemorative Baseball

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports

During the season, every sports fan wants a crystal ball - preferably one that will help them pick the winners for the rest of the year. This crystal ball does not have those powers of prediction, but it might be even better if you are a St. Louis Cardinals fan. Made of fully-leaded crystal from Waterford, the St. Louis 2006 World Series Commemorative Baseball celebrates the team's victory over the Detroit Tigers. A limited number of the hand-carved balls will be made, and each will be individually numbered and packed with a certificate of authenticity. Price $165.

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Tags: baseball, sport, sports, st louis, StLouis, waterford, world series

Waterford Candles

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Cosmetics and Fragrance

I've mentioned Waterford's efforts to spice up the line, the latest is their edition of candles. The candles are gift boxed and come in five fragrances. Each candle comes in a tumbler with a two-toned lid that keeps the scent fresh. The five scents are: brilliant- a lemongrass and verbena scent; luminous- a jasmine and rose scent; opalescent- a peach and citrus scent; radiant- a currant and cedarwood scent; and reflection- a sandalwood and vetiver scent. Basic candles and tealights sell for $8 and the large candles in glasses sell for $36.

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Tags: candles, fragrance, home decor, home scent, waterford