The writing on the wallpaper
THE 12-foot triptych gracing the front window of furniture gallery Emmerson Troop might look like loopy pen-and-ink doodles, but “Untitled” by 2001 San Francisco Art Institute grad Ryan Kewie Donegan is actually an innovative wall covering. Unlike traditional wallpaper -- 3 feet wide, with a pattern that repeats every 2 to 3 feet -- Donegan’s design comes in 4- by 12-foot rolls and a choice of three distinctive but coordinated laser-printed patterns based on the artist’s drawings. “It’s all about connectedness,” says Donegan, left. “You can use the rolls in the order I intended or make up your own pattern.” The custom paper is $350 per roll; view it for free at Emmerson Troop, 8111 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 653-9763.
*
TRENDSPOTTING
Beauty, a case study
Fashion-forward flowers or prom corsages gone wrong? The Scout’s unscientific survey resulted in a split decision on this orchid jewel box created by the floral designer for Harry Winston in Beverly Hills. Walter Nicolas, who creates the in-store centerpieces for the Beverly Hills jeweler, is marketing what he calls a minimalist Valentine’s Day alternative to the usual red roses: a translucent box filled with cymbidiums that Nicolas says will last up to two weeks without water. For $67 (plus shipping), your special someone gets fresh blooms from Hawaii encased in acrylic, wrapped in French ribbon and graced with a personalized, embossed card. Diamonds not included. Nicolas Flowers & Events, (310) 289-1967.
*
OPENINGS
In Pasadena, a shop with timeless pieces
Cary Pasternak calls Pasadena “the world capital for Craftsman bungalows,” which explains why, after 20 years of running a successful antiques business in Houston, the Craftsman devotee left Texas and opened Pasadena Architectural Salvage. The 3-month-old store is aglow with stained-glass windows and etched glass doors. Quarter-sawn white oak mantels share the floor with other treasures big (Corinthian columns) and small (cast and stamped brass door knobs), most dating from the 1880s to the 1930s and all meticulously cleaned, organized and clearly priced. 30 S. San Gabriel Blvd.; (626) 535-9655; www.pasadenaarchitecturalsalvage.com.
*
REDISCOVERED
Elkins’ Loop comes full circle
As one of the architects of 20th century eclectic decorating, Frances Elkins earned her stripes with a fearless use of color and a mix of period pieces and modern designs. Her Loop chair -- a pared down, white lacquered update of a mid-18th century English lace-on-steroids chair -- was frilly and functional, and it became an Elkins signature. The designer put high-profile Chicago and Los Angeles clients into the Loop in the early 1930s, and variations of the chair have recently begun to land on showroom floors of manufacturers, including Henredon, as well as on the cover of magazines such as Metropolitan Home. In Los Angeles, the 20th century furniture gallery Dana John, (323) 965-0400, unearthed a bunch of the chairs, right, and is selling each for $2,680. Downtown, (310) 652-7461, has contemporary reproductions for $1,800 to $2,300.