La Cienega Design Quarter - Form & Function

LaCwalking — oversized garden statuary outside one store

La Cienega is the destination for designers and collectors alike…albeit those with deep pockets.

I enjoyed strolling La Cienega Boulevard design quarter and was pleasantly surprised by how friendly everyone was, though I’d been warned otherwise. From the shop girl who attended a small North Carolina college to Jamie from South Carolina to discussing politics with another, I made some connection in each store. Of course, Mr. F&F says I could talk to a tree and make a connection. Tis true. But sometimes I attract the crazy (more on that later with story of Getty Museum visit).

Anyway, even though I wasn’t dropping a wad, I got private tours of the showrooms and enjoyed meeting folks in the design business out here. Very inspiring and most of the stores I visited carried antiques or vintage finds. Great to see what’s trending here in L.A. which confirmed some of what I’m doing and inspired me to try new things.

First stop in La Cienega: Galerie XX, a museum quality treasure trove of mid century and deco pieces.

LaCXX5 — incredible dining set with caning intact

LaCXX4 — these are more comfortable than they look

LacXX2 — beautiful leather inlay on this desk

LaCXX — more Nakishima…couch and coffee table…tens of thousands of deniros

Todd Alexander Romano has a lovely showroom.

LaCRomano2 — wonderful upholstery and accessories with beachy California vibe

LaCRomano — trying to figure out how I can make this tufted velvet mirror

Spent the longest time in Reborn with their vast collection of lighting, both handcrafted and American made along side vintage pieces and beautiful handmade lampshades.

LaCReborn4 — blown glass inside handcrafted metal lamps

LaCReborn3 — beautiful handmade lampshade…looks like caning

LaCReborn — wish I had all these spanish options back home

Too much talking again in Paul Marra, so I only snapped one photo of a divine Italian marble coffee table. I don’t, however, think it will fit in my carry-on luggage.

Off The Wall lived up to its name with quirky, some oversized, fun pieces.

LaCotw4 — mr. f&f would love some Elton John pinball…and it belonged to Nic Cage

LaCotw — aluminum piano made for cruise ships

Mecox had a lovely old California style vibe.

LaCmecox — i have a table similar to this…

The textiles were so inspiring at Pat McGann.

LaCMcGann4 — beautiful pillows and art at McGann

LaCMcGann — textiles add so much to a room…

Lee Stanton Antiques was beautiful and pricey (as were they all, frankly), but I loved his vignettes and fun European finds.

LaCLS4 — i’ve never seen metal glove molds

Downtown and its sister store, Outside Downtown, were probably my favorites. I loved their vibe and their styling.

LaCdowntown6 — LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this vignette of things

LaCdowntown 4 — every girl needs a place like this

And finally, The Collection, the only store on the street that represents multiple dealers in one space, kind of like what I’m doing, only much more la-di-da.