Crush
Photo of the entrance to the larger private party room, “French Room,” at Crush ‘wine Bar in 'West Hartford, CT.
Hi friends, clients and lovers of all things design! My name is Kerri-Lee Mayland and I’m an interior designer for LCR Interiors.
For years, I’ve worked with Massachusetts’s Bean Restaurant Group, bringing holidays to life at both Union Kitchen and the former Wurst Haus in West Hartford’s storied Center. I loved creating their seasonal packages that were cozy, inviting, and something their patrons would love to enjoy on a chilly December night. Hanging wreaths, stringing garlands, and trimming Christmas trees— the end result was so magical!
Photo of the main sitting area at Crush Wine Bar in West Hartford, CT.
But then I got a call from the restaurant group last January; and this ask was for something quite different.
A neighborhood wine bar, inspired by cafes and bistros in Europe— notably France and Italy— and they wondered if I might be able to create something like this in the former Wurst Haus space sooner rather than later? Challenge accepted! My colleagues at LCR Interiors were also onboard and soon we found ourselves in the throes of creating WeHa’s newest “next best thing” in the restaurant world.
Fast forward several months and we started to see our vision come to life. The overall idea for CRUSH was to create different spaces that guests could enjoy in a variety of ways— sitting at a stylish bar with French bistro rail and glass shelving showcasing the choices of bottles and beverages of Sommelier and General Manager Vish Badami. Meeting friends to watch foot traffic pass by on LaSalle Street while sitting in chic leather chairs in front of cocktail tables with moody lighting. An Italian scenic lined one of the walls with padded sage leather upholstery and sconces for a moody experience. High tops with chargers nearby for those trying to get some work done in the afternoon, a reading nook with books about wine, and a place to take a load off for just a minute.
Photo of the “French Room,” a private party room at Crush Wine Bar in West Hartford, CT
We made two private spaces for larger parties and one for smaller groups and both are so different you have to see them to really appreciate them. The staff calls the larger room the “French Room” so we leaned in heavily to French inspiration from lattice walls as seen in Versailles, to a Bibliotheque breakfront imported from the South of France, to soothing shades of cream, white and sage green.
Photo of the “Grand Cru Room,” a private party room at Crush Wine Bar in West Hartford, CT
The smaller private room needed to feel special, so I decided to go dramatic and moody and black walls and velvet needed to be in the mix. Elegant chairs, a stunning piece of art, and some unexpected accessories from a panther to a fuchsia potted Orchid and a sweeping drapery wall (to cover up a fire door and an air conditioner.)
CRUSH was a project that used all of our skill, stamina and resources and we are thrilled that the Bean Restaurant Group is elated with the results! It’s officially open and now you can let us know what you think. Cheers!
You can now visit Crush at 37 LaSalle Rd, West Hartford, CT 06107