OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND EDITION APRIL 16 – 22, 2011
OPEN HOUSE GUIDE
INSIDE / PAGE 6
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from INSIDE OUT
Conversations on Interior Design
Made in L.A.
SHOPPING LOCAL IS GOOD FOR YOUR HOME AND YOUR HEARTH By Adele Cygelman | www.domain-la.com
Shopping local for your home has never been more rewarding. For one, Southern California is overflowing with skilled artisans who handcraft everything you need—furniture, tile, ironwork, lighting, flooring, fabrics, glass and every accessory in between—for all tastes and every budget. Working closely with a designer allows you to be part of the creative process—plus you get something unique and long lasting. And increased competition from overseas markets has made local designers more accessible—where once everything was to the trade only, many designers now want to reach consumers directly. Even the Pacific Design Center opens its doors to the public on select Saturdays where you can purchase directly from showrooms or just browse for ideas. Some designers, like Marcie Bronkar, choose a retail store as a way to connect with their customer base. “Our shop makes it possible for anyone to have beautifully made, high-quality fabrics directly. We offer a full-service interior design studio and very small minimums on custom colors of our wallpapers and printed linens, which is very rare,” says Bronkar who has been designing fabrics and wallpapers for years but only recently opened Marcie Bronkar/Home Couture to carry her lines called, appropriately, Cloth & Paper. Kevin Kolanowski, whose firm Fuse Lighting offers couture light fixtures, credits L.A.’s diverse talent pool for improving his product. “Between appointments I sometimes drive through commercial and manufacturing districts looking for inspiration,” he says. “During a recent drive, I stumbled
upon a warehouse where I met a glassblower who did astonishing work. I immediately knew that we needed to collaborate on the new London chandelier.” Both Bronkar and Kolanowski understand that clients want fast delivery. Kolanowski offers Short Fuse, a quick ship option on his website, with a rotating inventory comprised of his most current and popular designs. “The option allows consumers to have high-end handmade products within about 2 weeks,” he says. “Customers can even have a degree of customization, such as specifying the particular gem or shade on their fixture.” “Our turnaround time is fast,” says Bronkar. “Custom drapes can be made and installed in two weeks, upholstery as well if the fabric or wallpaper is in stock. To print a special color, add another 3 to 4 weeks. All printing is local and, with the exception of our Belgian linens, all fabrics are made in the U.S.” Now you can have access to exclusive design, quality and expertise without lowering your standards or your vision. So instead of fretting about the economy or carbon footprints, get off your custom couch and do your part to support our local design industry. Pacific Design Center 310.657.0800, www.pacificdesigncenter.com Fuse Lighting 310.652.2411, www.fuselighting.com Marcie Bronkar/Home Couture 128 ½ N. Larchmont Blvd., 323.336.5626, www.marciebronkar.com