The Scout

The Scout — a.k.a. Times staff writer David A. Keeps — brings you the coolest design innovations and shopping scoops: Michelle Weaver, a set designer and prop stylist, and Chelsea Iovino, a wardrobe manager for the likes of Janet Jackson and Pink, have partnered to create the home fashion boutique Mercado in Silver Lake. The women define their look as “restrained opulence,” with a fine selection of ceramics and glassware (including the apothecary jars shown here, from $82) alongside imported home fragrances, bath products and candles from the French firm Côté Bastide, as well as Egyptian stainless steel lanterns.

The Scout — a.k.a. Times staff writer David A. Keeps — brings you the coolest design innovations and shopping scoops:

Michelle Weaver, a set designer and prop stylist, and Chelsea Iovino, a wardrobe manager for the likes of Janet Jackson and Pink, have partnered to create the home fashion boutique Mercado in Silver Lake.

The women define their look as “restrained opulence,” with a fine selection of ceramics and glassware (including the apothecary jars shown here, from $82) alongside imported home fragrances, bath products and candles from the French firm Côté Bastide, as well as Egyptian stainless steel lanterns.  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times)

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The Scout— a.k.a. Times staff writer David A. Keeps — brings you the coolest design innovations and shopping scoops:

mercado

“Michelle is a minimalist, and I’m an ethnic magpie,” says Iovino, who adds that she’s obsessed with West African block prints.

The duo uses the prints for a line of pillows (from $95) and reupholstered vintage finds, such as an armchair ($1,150) covered in a crazy-cool chicken and egg design. 3517 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 662-2600; www.mercado-store.com.  (Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times)

Marra

Paul Marra characterizes his Fringe fixture, based on a light he found in a grand Pasadena estate, as “English Arts & Crafts style with a Gothic influence.” Yet with its quatrefoil steel ring, ornamental chain and flapper-style tassel canopy, it’s suitable for a host of early 20th century architectural styles found in Los Angeles, including Spanish Revival and Art Deco.

The fixture is 18 inches in diameter and nearly 2 feet tall, with a faux marble acrylic diffuser and rayon-blend tassels. The piece is also available in an oil-rubbed bronze finish. It’s $3,500 at Paul Marra Design, 868 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 659-8190; www.paulmarradesign.com.  (David A. Keeps / Los Angeles Times)

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Soured on that old decorating trend of Granny Smith apples in a bowl? For something more indelible, if inedible, these hand-blown fruits with contrasting-color glass stems make a great coffee table accent when deployed individually.

Grouped together, they’re a refreshing alternative to pumpkin and cornucopia fall centerpieces.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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The golden pear, purple plum and green apple, each nearly a foot tall, are $245 apiece at 655 Home, 655 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood; (310) 289-6868; www.655home.com.

The alabaster grapes start at $150 and are from the nearby store Harbinger, 636-A N. Almont Drive, West Hollywood; (310) 858-6884; www.harbingerla.com.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)