Shopping Melrose Avenue’s thriving design district

The pink Paul Smith building on Melrose was inspired by the work of Mexican architect Luis Barragan.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Limited-edition Hans J. Wegner chairs upholstered in Paul Smith stripes include, from left, Shell chair, $4,750; CH28 lounge chair, $5,700; and the CH445 Wing chair, $11,400.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

At Paul Smith, Annie Leibovitz’s limited-edition “Big Book” of photographs is sold with a Marc Newson-designed tripod table, $2,500 for the pair.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A pair of limited-edition Hans J. Wegner Wishbone chairs for Carl Hansen in striped Paul Smith fabric, $855.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Vintage chairs upholstered in Maharam fabric at Paul Smith, $6,000.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Thomas Goode china teapot, $425; creamer, $145; and teacups, $145 each, at Paul Smith.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Colorful pillows at Paul Smith are $175 apiece.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A pooch curls up on a Mrs. Godfrey chair, $1,595 at Jonathan Adler.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The Talitha console cabinet at Jonathan Adler, $2,500, is made from nickel-plated metal.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The new Puzzle chandelier at Jonathan Adler, $1,950.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Pop candles, $38 at Jonathan Adler, come in cucumber, grapefruit, orange and bubble gum scents.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Fred Segal, a destination store for fashion and accessories, opened on Melrose Avenue in 1965.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Against the blue exterior of TableArt on Melrose, a model strikes a pose.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A dramatic Saint-Louis chandelier, $37,565, with Venetian-style blown crystal hurricanes, hangs in front of linen samples at TableArt.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Handmade bowls by Italian ceramicist Rina Menardi start at $300 at TableArt.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Pasadena-based Cisco Home relocated to Melrose Avenue from La Brea Avenue two years ago. It plans to open a new showroom at the South Coast Collection in the fall.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Hand-blown glass pendants, made in Los Angeles, decorate the Cisco Home showroom on Melrose Avenue.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Among many unique repurposed goods at Cisco Home: Rotor glass-top side tables starting at $495.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

New Midcentury Modern-influenced Montauk chairs at Cisco Home are $2,480 apiece. Dyed grain-sack pillows are $195 each.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

An industrial ring mirror with chain, starting at $1,275 at Cisco Home.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Bo Nuage pastry shop co-owner Audrey Shachcar says she wanted the interior, done in black and white, to feel “like a jewelry box.”   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A copper pendant makes a statement at the French pastry shop Bo Nuage.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Colorful cloud cakes made of flavored meringues stand out against the black-and-white decor at Bo Nuage.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A modern living room vignette at Blu Dot includes the Bank sofa, $2,199; the Stilt floor lamp, $499; Turn tables starting at $249; and Laika pendant lamp, $399.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

At Blu Dot, the Skiff outdoor furniture line includes a rectangular glass-top table, $1,299; bench, $999; and stacking chairs, $299.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Tessa Breeden stops for lunch at V-Cafe on Melrose Avenue.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

The Rug Co. showroom is at 8202 Melrose Ave.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

At the Rug Co., sales representative Kara Marks shows an Alexander McQueen “Monarch Fire” rug ($280 per square foot).   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

In addition to designer rugs and inexpensive cotton dhurries, the Rug Co. sells vintage Turkish rugs, displayed here.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Janet Zimberg, owner of Weidman Gallery, talks about the David Weidman retrospective that was mounted for his 93rd birthday. Weidman is her uncle.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A retrospective of signed works by David Weidman is on view through July 31 at Weidman Gallery, which specializes in vintage posters and custom framing.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Celebrity baker Duff Goldman of the former Food Network reality show “Ace of Cakes,” opened Duff’s Cakemix, a bakery and a do-it-yourself decorating studio, on Melrose in 2012.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Interior designer Kari Whitman decked out the new L.A. Juice bar with black plaster walls and floors, copper panels and an island covered in recycled brown belts.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Kelly Wearstler’s flagship store is on Melrose Avenue at Croft Avenue.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

American designer Kelly Wearstler’s flagship clothing and home store on Melrose is a glamorous mix of Italian Memphis style and Art Deco.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Goat hair souffle chairs at Kelly Wearstler, $18,000.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Hand-carved “Head Trip” sculptures at Kelly Wearstler. They can be special-ordered for $12,500 each.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Kelly Wearstler’s “Kiss” accessories, 8-by-4-inches, come in solid bronze, marble or a variety of semiprecious stones, starting at $795.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A gemstone bronze frame at Kelly Wearstler is adorned with hand-set stones, $3,800.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A fun foot stool made of curly lamb and solid bronze cast feet, $3,200 at Kelly Wearstler.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

A shopper takes a smoothie break alongside the Liquid Juice Bar’s whimsical wall of cats.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)