L’Objet and Chelsea Gifts – a match made in style heaven!

Chelsea Gifts is an upscale boutique known for carrying only the highest quality items, so when it came to choosing L’Objet as one of our featured lines, the answer was a resounding “Yes!”. With a mix of ancient artistry and modern techniques, L’Objet has a style that will stand the test of time.

L’Objet was created in 2004 by experienced traveler and accomplished interior designer, Elad Yifrach. With a distinct love for the Mediterranean area and it’s people, Elad spent years honing his work in porcelain with the help of a select few artisans. Through his love of the craft and the evolution of his techniques, a style was created that earned him respect and a loyal following throughout the global world of design.

Works of Art with the Highest Degree of Excellence

With a focus on technique and the use of the highest quality materials, L’Objet was an obvious choice for Chelsea Gifts to bring to its customers. While the L’Objet line started with porcelain pieces, the entire collection has grown to now include, dinnerware, serveware, and home decor. Chelsea also carries the L’Objet line of 24k or platinum plated jeweled frames that include Swarovski crystals and leather backing.

Select The Perfect L’Objet Setting for Your Home Dining

Chelsea features lines like the Byzanteum Collection which was developed using refined molds that only produce a finite number so each piece is unique. We also carry the Metal Collection which uses fine jewelry techniques to create intricate patterns and elegant designs. L'Objet believes in producing items that integrate beauty with design, while at the same time maintaining a commitment to artistic integrity and material innovation. Chelsea strives to provide our valued customers with the best quality items from the best designers.

At Chelsea Gifts, our professional staff will help you select the piece, or pieces, right for your style and home. We even have gift and wedding registries for those special occasions. Whether you’re looking for the perfect serving pieces for the big party or just looking for the right gift for a special friend, Chelsea Gifts is the place to go. Visit our boutique in The Grove at Shrewsbury, or browse the full line of L'Objet dinnerware and home décor. Follow our L’Objet home dining Pinterest board.

Chelsea Gifts Presents: Miss Ellie

Trunk Show and In-Store Appearance!

Chelsea Gifts is proud to announce that jewelry designer Miss Ellie will be returning to our store on April 23rd for an in-store appearance! Make your plans now to attend this fantastic jewelry spotlight from 12-4pm and choose your own one of a kind piece.

Being an upscale boutique carrying luxury giftware, home decor and fashion jewelry, Chelsea Gifts knew it was the perfect place to feature Miss Ellie Designs. At Chelsea, we strive to offer the highest quality designer gifts and jewelry items with cutting edge looks in both contemporary and classic styles. Bringing in Miss Ellie and her collection of vintage inspired jewels are just one more way for us to bring the best to our customers. Come into our store located in the Grove at Shrewsbury on Thursday, April 23rd, and let Miss Ellie help you customize your new piece and make it the unique show stopper that will have people talking. While you’re at Chelsea Gifts, make sure to enter to win a Miss Ellie bracelet with the purchase of $150!

About Miss Ellie Jewelry

Miss Ellie founded her line in 2007 with the help of her husband, John Mathias, who is an artist and musician in his own right. A southern-born beauty, Miss Ellie believes that “buying vintage and/or American is the best way to support our environment and our community”. Using only American made parts and raw materials, Miss Ellie is able to create new, inventive pieces with an old world, vintage feel. Every patina, irregularity and subtle nuance in each Miss Ellie jewelry piece is intentional and part of its design and character.

Miss Ellie’s mission is to make “remarkably romantic jewels that weather the test of time”. Chelsea Gifts mission is to bring the highest quality jewelry, home decor and unique gifts to our customers. Together, they are an obvious match made in style heaven. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this fantastic event. Contact us today at 732-693-0001 or visit https://www.chelseagiftsonline.com and pick the pieces that are right for you. Don’t forget we also specialize in bridal and gift registries.

How to Care For Your China

If you are anything like me, you probably have several different china collections in your armoire ranging from priceless heirlooms to exquisite pieces from your favorite designers. Unfortunately, china is easily stained and damaged when it is not handled, cleaned, or stored properly. Therefore, proper care of your china is crucial in ensuring that it will last for generations to come while maintaining its beautiful sheen.

Of course, you should always follow manufacturer's instructions to ensure the longest life for your dinnerware, but here are some helpful tips for cleaning and storing your prized china.

Cleaning

Southern Living Magazine notes that food is china's number one enemy and "the longer food sits on a plate, the more acid eats away at the glaze. If you don't plan on doing the dishes immediately, give your china a quick rinse to remove as much food as possible." This also eliminates dried on messes that are difficult to clean.

Never use a scouring pad or steel wool. The scraping is bad for the glaze and makes your china vulnerable to scratches, stains and unsightly metal markings. If necessary, use a rubber spatula to scrape food off of fine china dinnerware.

Do not over soak your china. If dishes soak for too long, the glaze can be compromised. This sometimes happen if your dishes are soaked in a harsh chemical solution. Once the glaze is compromised, the dishes are more likely to scratch or stain.

When washing your china by hand, use a mild detergent in warm water and line the bottom and sides of the sink with a soft towel or rubber mat to prevent scratches and dings.

After washing and rinsing, drain dishes in a plastic or wooden drying rack and wipe dry with a soft cloth before putting away.

If you insist on using the dishwasher use a very mild non-lemon-scented detergent that does not contain bleach on a gentle cycle. Never use the normal settings on a dishwasher because the extreme heat of the normal cycle may fade the gold or platinum bands and any colored decorations. Avoid overloading the washer and stack the dishes so that none of the pieces can knock against each other during the cycle; pay special attention to cup handles and other protruding decorations.

Storage

For many of us, china tends to be kept in storage for most of the year and brought out only on holidays and special occasions but while it’s not in use china needs to be well protected.

China is made to be used & enjoyed and storing it in areas where temperature and humidity levels can't be controlled will have adverse effects. If you don't use your dishes often, it is a good idea to wash them at least once a year to keep impurities from damaging the glaze.

If plates are to be stacked, make sure it is no more than four high and for extra protection add a cushioned layer, like a paper towel, coffee filter, felt, or fleece between each piece. The Tea House Times suggests using doilies of lace or fine crochet under your china collectibles to add texture and complete the setting.

Never stack cups when storing your china as it can weaken the rim and cause cracking and chipping. The handle position also causes coffee cups to awkwardly nest within one another so that the stacks often become top-heavy and tip over. Instead, consider storing cups in a cup rack or on hooks for easy separation.

Alternatively, hanging fine china on the wall is a great way to enjoy it all year long but only use hangers with clear plastic tubing over the wire ends to provide padding and prevent scratches.

Caring for your fine china is not as difficult as you may think and with my super helpful tips it can be simple. The most common china issues are stains and surface crack but armed with the proper cleaning and storing techniques your fine dinnerware collections will shine as it is passed down from generation to generation.

Don’t forget to check out the many designers and dinnerware collections available at Chelsea Gifts Online when adding to your sets.

Ciao,

Chelsea

Vietri Flatware

I don’t talk about Vietri Flatware often, so please allow me to introduce you to this gorgeous flatware designer.

Vietri is the passionate result of the Gravely sisters, Susan and Frances, who were first captivated by the San Pietro Hotel’s colorful, handcrafted Italian dinnerware. On their trip to Positano, Italy, the southern sisters visited a nearby factory in Vietri sul Mare where they watched as artisans carefully painted, glazed, and fired each piece by hand. They returned home with a variety of "mix-and-match" pieces featuring cows, horses, rams, flowers and fish where it did not take long for friends and family to begin coveting their unique pieces.

Excited that others were equally enthralled by their uncovered, the Gravely women decided to import the dinnerware and flatware to sell in retail stores across the United States. Thus Vietri was born and named as a tribute to the town where it all started and a play on the phrase "tre vite," Italian for "three lives."

Thirty years later, Vietri maintains its vision of celebrating handmade, heritage-inspired collections that support the history of Italy while adding a bit of Tuscan charm to your dinner table. Each piece is authentic and unique, born from the earth and inspired by Italy; a true work of art to be treasured for its one of a kind characteristics.

Vietri flatware comes in a variety of styles ranging from flatware with acrylic, stainless steel or pewter handles. There is even a collection produced specifically for children, but whichever style you choose, you are sure to receive finest quality flatware.

My favorite collection is the Vietri Aladdin flatware. The flatware collection comes in Antique, Brilliant, or Gold Fleck and feature elegant pearlized handles with the strength of high-grade acrylic and 18/10 corrosion resistant stainless steel. The Aladdin Flatware is dishwasher safe allowing you to bring quintessentially Italian serving pieces to the table without the hassle of hand washing and tedious cleanup.

Chelsea Gifts Online also offers the Vietri Martellato Flatware collection. The hammered detail on the handle makes this by far the most popular Vietri flatware collection. Forged by hand using 18/10 stainless steel in Lumezzane, Italy, by the Bugatti family, Martellato flatware is a well-balanced, weighty flatware that you are sure to love.

The Vietri brand combines the richness of European culture with a sophisticated American spirit by creating fashion forward, yet classic, Italian home accessories designed to complement the good life and celebrate Italy and all that it encompasses.

Chelsea Gifts Online believes in and is proud to carry the Vietri brand whose mission to inspire the celebration of life with family and friends through the joy of handcrafted Italian designs for the table, home and garden has remained the same for the past 30 years. To learn more about Vietri flatware or the brand visit Chelsea Gifts Online or stop by our store.

Ciao,

Chelsa