Modern, with Filipino flair
MIXING contemporary American art with
Manila modernism is the mission of Kana Manglapus. The former New York City gallery curator opened Bahay last month in Culver City, complementing bold, mixed-media canvases such as Chad Attie’s “Mum” ($12,500, left) with sleek mahogany furniture made in the Philippines, including the open-backed, velvet Scarlet lounge ($1,799 as shown here with Manglapus, left) and a version of the oxbow Chinese chair in vibrant red ($599, right). Bahay also stocks vintage Filipino tree trunk furniture, bone-inlaid benches, carved daybeds, bamboo and paper animal-shaped lamps, woven abaca poufs and colorful Capiz shell dishes and trays that start at $9. All floor samples are currently 20% off. 3825 Main St., (310) 836-2181, www.bahayhome.com.
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INNOVATIONS
Light in the palm of your hand
Just wave a hand and it’s lights out with the Airswitch, from the design studio Two Create. The lamp is manipulated by movement: Raise your hand above the fixture to brighten the room, and lower your hand to dim the light. The Airswitch TC ($95, shown here) is made from mouth-blown glass and is available in six colors from London-based Mathmos, www.mathmos.com/usa/erol.html. The Airswitch 1, a frosted white edition that resembles a science lab flask ($84), is available at Zipper in Los Angeles, (323) 951-0620.
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FINDS
Vases that snuggle together
Indochine lacquered vases, which can be stored inside one another, give a Southeast Asian spin to the Russian nesting dolls known as matrioshka. The five graduated vessels start with a small, pale blue container and grow to a deep teal vase about 2 feet tall. Designed by Francesca Keck for the accessories firm Kenshoma, Indochine has an undercoating of silver leaf that lends a metallic iridescence. The vases, also available in gold tones, are $35 to $120 each at Accessory Preview on North La Brea Avenue, (323) 931-2050, and Sueno in Silver Lake, (213) 483-7300.
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SAVE
Clearing the Rm.
Almost a decade ago, two enterprising Art Center College of Design students opened Rm. 107, a vintage furniture store in Pasadena. Now better known for their eponymous Beverly Boulevard storefront, interior and furniture designers Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning are closing their first retail space. Rm. 107’s high-style 20th century designer pieces and floor models of Lawson-Fenning’s current collection are 20% to 60% off. Among the bargains shown here: a suite of six Glenn of California dining chairs, originally $1,500, now $800; a custom Lawson-Fenning Avalon dining table, originally $2,600, now $1,350; and a Capiz chandelier, originally $950, now $500. 174 S. De Lacey Ave., Pasadena; (626) 432-4867; www.rm107.com.