Being a total snob when it comes to interior design the thought of buying something from LLadró, the infamous porcelain figurine company, is rather dèclasé to me. I know in my heart that they are beautifully executed but something about them just leaves me flat. Add to this that I also know that several of their pieces go for a lot of money and people collect them all over the world…not to mention that a piece of LLadró is included in the St. Petersburg Museum in Russia…you would think I could get over it.  Well, I finally have!

 

 

Enter the new LLadró…the LLadró of the 21st Century and especially the LLadró being overseen by the marvelously talented Jaime Hayon.  Hayon is a multi-talented artist who creates some of the world’s most intriguing sculptures, as well as home furnishings galore.  I am a big fan of Hayon and now he has made me a huge fan of LLadró!

 

 

 

 

The change over in the artistic focus of the company started in the 2000’s and took a quantum leap after 2010 when Hayon came on board.  Today Lladró produces lines for bathrooms, lighting, mirrors, table top , fragrances and jewelry. You might actually say, “What don’t they produce?”

 

 

I am totally smitten by their Belle de Nuit Collection of lighting. Replacing porcelain pieces where classically you would find crystal,  each fixture is a dream concoction ranging from multi-colored to clean all white porcelain chandeliers.

 

 

Then there is newly reconceived “Lithopane Collection” by Diseño y Decoración, where the porcelain shades are semi transparent and etched in various marvelous designs and then clustered in contemporary arrangements hanging from the ceiling…très chic!

 

 

The Lladró lighting fixtures are like mini porcelain sculptures.  I find the use of porcelain adds a new dimension that is not found in other lighting…flowers, leaves, fairies…all very sophisticated in execution and concept.

 

 

The “Equus Collection” by Bodo Sperlein has THE MOST fabulous dishes integrating horses heads and legs. I am totally in love and dying for the whole set! AND the Niagra Chandelier…another outrageous Sperlein design… is composed of a collection of tiny fairy-like creatures with elegant wings hanging from different heights from a center structure. This is really mystical and fantastic to view, with or without the light being on.

 

 

Hayon designed a piece  for the “Fantasy Collection”  called the Conversation Vase which is pure creativity mixed with surrealism and enchantment.  Then their is “The Guest” series, which is a somewhat comical/space-cadet porcelain figure, designed by Hayon and then decorated by an assortment of different designers. Truly wild and wonderful!

 

 

The list goes on with the new dinner service plates and objects under the heading of “Naturofantastic”…a wonderful grouping of vases, candlesticks,  serving platters and serving accoutrements that will simply steal your dezign-heart away.

 

 

So, my friends, it’s most definitely time to take another look at Lladró and discover how this company, started over  66  years ago, is reinventing itself to keep pace with the changing taste of interior decorating today. Trust me, you will absolutely find something you’ll love to have in your home.

 

        

 

Ciao, ciao ’til next time!