City of Angels: Blackman Cruz

Studded Safe, BC Gentleman's Wing Back Chair, BC Salamander Sconces look gorgeous with a spot of red from the snake skin Windsor Chair

Blackman Cruz. One cannot help running across furniture or light fixtures from this iconic Los Angeles store when flipping through a magazine. Elle Decor, AD, Met Home, you name it....they've been there. I have been following the unique and offbeat offerings from Blackman Cruz for years. Not a stretch to imagine it was one of the destinations on my list when visiting LA a few weeks ago.

It was not a disappointment! Adam Blackman and David Cruz founded the company in 1993 with the thought that they were not alone when it came to a passion for the strange and curious treasures unearthed in their travels around the world.

Blackman Cruz Salamander Wall Sconce

It was not long before they began creating their own furniture and lighting designs, like the Salamander Sconce above.

Dark Grey Paneling sets the tone for Drama with the BC Crown of Thorns Mirror, Brass Ball Series Lamps by Lika Moore and Bergeres.

The furniture, lighting, art and accessories have always captured my imagination. So it was an extraordinary experience for me to see the vignettes that were put together in the shop itself. The vision of the owners became very clear, and I loved it.

In 2008, the showroom moved to a larger space formerly occupied by Probe, an infamous gay nightclub popular in the 70's and 80's. Blackman Cruz took great advantage of the the dramatic, somewhat Gothic, woodwork creating fabulous backdrops for their exotic offerings. The dark gray color is a perfect foil for the buttery linen Bergeres in the vignette above. This is an idea that could be reproduced by any of us!

Blackman Cruz Crown of Thorns Mirror

This mirror is another example of the creativity behind this dynamic duo that is Blackman Cruz.

Ornate Gilt Chair with Red Velvet looks beautiful with Italian Poliarte Sconce circa 1960

Italian Iron Altar Candelabra c 1840 is placed with Art Deco Lounge Chair, Limited Edition Bronze Prana Hand Andirons sculpted by Adam Kurtzman, and sconce BC Theater Sconce

Closeup of Prana Hand Andirons by Adam Kurtzman

1960's Brutalist Coffee Table and Brasilia Chair and Ottoman with one of a pair of Bronze Architectural Lamps c 1870 and a grouping of glass domes.

BC Harlow Throne in Persimmon with the BC Screening Room Daybed with Hidden Compartments (I love hidden compartments!) and BC Screening Room Coffee Table

How fun is this Hanging Pod Chair?! Christian and I had fun swinging in this one!

Leather sling chairs looked very cool below the round wall opening

One of a Pair of English Arts and Crafts Benches, a series Black and White Nudes c 1920's and a Gianni Vallino Table Lamp.

Set of Four Neoclassical Style Klismos Chairs around a gorgeous metal game table. Glass Case holds many one of a kind art objects.

Love this BC Hanging Rattan Lounge next to the vintage Nailed Leather Top Table. BC 3-Squared Sconces in Nickel

Thonet Rocking Bentwood Lounge, Austria c1880 and Italian Cast Iron Chimera Fixture, 19th Century

Collection of Vintage Dog Collars. The collector in me went crazy for this idea.

Stunning Gothic Tracery Mirror with what appears to be "Apollo" Sun Lamps

XIX Century Bronze Repousse Torso on Wood on top of a Chinese Root Console

BC Horny Lamp with antique wood Mannequin....seems to have lost his head!

Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Chaise 1958, Arturo Pani Steel and Brass Trim Pedestal Table

BC Minotaur Club Chairs look so handsome on this red, black and mustard striped rug!

So there you have it.....Blackman Cruz. One of the most unique and ground breaking showrooms in this City of Angels. This showroom combines the serious and the oh-so-not-serious, the brilliant and the dark, the handsome and the curious, traditional and modern to create a new vision, that in the blogger's humble opinion is....sublime.

A big THANK YOU to my friend Christian May of Maison 21 for squiring me to Blackman Cruz!!! A better guide I could not have had.

Oregon Travels: British Route Sign Designs

British Route Sign Designs at Home Economics

As you know, I and the significants were up in Oregon during Spring Break in the town of Grants Pass, which is situated on the Rogue River. There was scant time to explore as much as I would have liked, especially the antique shops in town. What with kids, husband and hyperactive canines in tow, there was not a lot of opportunity.

More Home Economics

If I had, I would have found the very cool shop, Home Economics in the H Street Antiques Collective. And then I would have discovered British Route Sign Designs. DeWayne Lumpkin is the proprietor of this company that celebrates the graphic quality of vintage British transfer route bus signs, reproducing the designs onto fabrics. He offers fabric yardage, pillows, drapery panels, unique upholstered pieces, tabletop accessories and bed skirts.....and of course, the signs themselves!

DeWayne Lumpkin relaxing at Home Economics

Lucky for me, I have a very savvy SIL who knows me all too well. She sent me an article from the Grants Pass Daily Courier showing DeWayne relaxing in one of his Wing Back chairs. Not two minutes later, I was emailing away to connect with DeWayne to ask more about his product line. A nicer guy, you would be hard pressed to find. He sent me some photos to share with you,

British Route Sign Design Wing Back Chair

Columbia Pillow

Vintage Chairs with British Route Sign Design Fabric

More Vintage Finds

Home Economics Store in Grants Pass Oregon

Already, the products can be found at gift shows and high end retail shops. You can find a list of retailers in your area HERE. But if you are ever in the neighborhood of Grants Pass, Oregon....be sure to stop in and say "hello"!

It is only a matter of time before the knock-offs artists will be snapping at the heels of British Route Sign Designs. DeWayne predicts "two strong years before this look is over".

But keep an eye peeled for this design maverick....he is already two bus stops ahead in planning his next project.

City of Angels: JF CHEN....NEVER Redundant!!!

Faux Bois Table and Chairs, Antler Chair Gilt Mirror and Display of Ice Tongs

When in LA...there are certain things one must do. Top of the list? Shopping! Some might assume Rodeo Drive might be the ultimate shopping destination, but when I was visiting, there were a list of places a bit off of Rodeo that were much more important to this design blogger. JF Chen was part of that list. Christian May of Maison 21 was the ultimate LA host, squiring me to and fro and being very patient while this newbie ooo'd and ahhh'd. You see...he had been here many times before, most recently with Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic.

Both Christian and Heather took photos at JF Chen....and then I come along a few days later and join the party. I think it is very interesting to see how we each "see" a place..what captures our imagination and how our minds work. Design stars like Kelly Wearstler and Michael S. Smith, as well as movie stars like Robert Downey Junior all find their individual voices here. Perhaps you will find our differing blogger viewpoints interesting as well!

Porcelain Crow in a Wire Cage

Christian and I began our tour through the fabulous wonderland of JF Chen in the rooms upstairs, where there is almost an overwhelming amount of stimuli to take in. Upon first sight, it takes your breath away. As I was filtering through the numerous photos I had taken, it struck me that I kept coming back to those I had taken in the huge exhibition space on the first floor. JF Chen hosts events in this space that is at once urban warehouse, and at the same time, another world that is quiet and almost mystical with it's ethereal play of light through the massive paned windows. I felt transported.

Soul Catchers on Metal Console with Tin Mirror

Most recently, JF Chen had hosted an event which included the art work of internationally acclaimed artist, Michele Oka Doner, which no doubt contributed to my sense of magic. Her work, entitled Soul Catchers, is based on the primitive practice of forming raw materials into skull like forms, which were thought to prevent one's soul from leaving this life prematurely. You can see her soul catchers on the console above, with a cache of wind blown leaves rustling below.

Biedermeier Couch with Root and Stone Stools and Gilt Chandelier

The space was almost cathedral-like, ancient and modern, both. There was room for each piece of furniture, sculpture and vignette to stand on it's own. Less a "shop" and more a gallery...which is certainly the intent for this very different space.

Italian Marble Table with row of White Porcelain Antlers and Sculpture of Jesus

Antlers Entwined on (what looks like) Train Model Turf!

Full Shot of the Beautiful Bird Cage

Carefully Edited Pieces for the Exhibition. I can imagine a large party going on in this room for the art opening....the people and voices still had a faint echo.

Red Metal Phoenix Coat Rack and Massive Armoire

One of a Pair of Blackamoor Busts

Wise Porcelain Owl stands Watch

It wouldn't be fair if I didn't jump back upstairs to show you what I found most fascinating....there was truly so much, it was hard to narrow it down. So, I am showing you some things that are a bit different from the recent blog posts from Christian and Heather (although many of my photos were of the same things!) There was so much to see...I think we did not overlap by much!

Bronze and Wood Chair. Chest of Drawers by Charles Eames and Herman Miller. Rare Greta Grossman Cobra Reflector Table Lamp by Ralph O. Smith.

I wanted to show you the room which looked to be the office of Joel Chen. It was more Mid century Modern than other spaces, although Mid century abounds throughout JF Chen.

Bender Madsen Armchairs, End table: Jean Prouve Round Wooden Gueridon

If only I had had more time to learn more about each and every piece! I wish knew more about the very cool leather sofa in this vignette, as well as the butter colored leather wing back chair.

White on White

There was so much to see, and so many ways it was all displayed. It is such a laboratory for mixing it up. I am always drawn to white on white. I loved the forms in this collection of vessels, the crude wood stands, the lamp and serpentine chest.

Venetian Glass Mirror, Murano Glass Leaf Sconces, Greek Key Metal Chairs

Quite a departure from the "white on white", this vignette shows a more formal side with the huge Venetian Glass mirror, sconces and beautiful chairs.

Painted Screen, Chinese Fretwork Chair and White Porcelain Lamp

Beautiful Crystal Chandleier, Goatskin Screen, Collection of Wish List Accessories

Tufted Leather Faux Bamboo Chairs, Venetian Glass Mirror, Mirrored Console and X Bench

Tony Duquette Clam Shell Stand, Pairs of Chairs

Joel Chen was able to obtain a number of items from the estate of Tony Duquette, one of which was this three tiered giant clam shell stand. Perhaps one of my favorite items in the shop!

Bobbin Turned English Rosewood Armchair, Murano Glass Torchere, African Mud Cloth Pillows

Stoneware Sculptures by Joanna Patterson, Green Silk Rope Chairs

Assortment of white modern sconces, Mid century Buffet

Masculine "Study" Vignette with French Bistro Club Chairs, Nail head Leather Armchair

There are so many wonderful design ideas to be found here. My mind races every time I revisit these photos. I loved this vignette of a very masculine desk area with the black leather chair with nail head trim, and the black and white objects on the desk.

Another example of how varied the inventory is at JF Chen. This area shows a collection of Danish Modern , and I love the glass bubble light fixture!

Jean Royere Style Sconce, Duquette-like Red "Coral" in Shell Vases

JF Chen Light Fixture

JF Chen not only offers furnishings,lighting, art and accessories from all over the world, they also offer custom light fixtures of their own design, like the Beehive Lantern above. Gorgeous, no?

Greek Key Mirror works beautifully with the Honeycomb Patterned Chest. Gourd Lamp.

It was a bit of a thrill when Christian and I were about to leave, Joel Chen came in and met with us. We chatted for a bit about the state of the economy and how it has affected the antique business, about his recent travels to Northern Europe to find the best for his shop, recent shoppers like Robert Downey Junior (who was buying a group of very cool industrial sconces!). Joel was very kind, and wealth of knowledge. A big "Thank You" to him for taking the time to chat!

I think what struck me most about JF Chen was the pure exuberance in how different periods and styles were displayed. It showed such a creative talent and interest in so many art forms. Never static, always interesting.. JF Chen inspired me to experiment and not be shy about presenting unexpected ideas to my clients.

I could have stayed for hours...but the hour was getting on and I had a long drive back up north ahead. But I left with many ideas and much inspiration for my trip home.