A Guide to the Best of Southern California : DESIGN : Interior Motives

Pascal Giacomini is something of a Renaissance man when it comes to interiors. “I work as an interior designer,” he says, “and pretty often I do some remodeling, then I design, and build everything in the process. I’m a cabinet maker, a wall finisher and a sculptor.”

In the process, Giacomini creates functional art: a desk that’s a fish tank, a sconce ($350) that resembles a primitive mask, a silent valet ($275) that looks like a sculpture sans vest, all designed to meld with a client’s taste and surroundings.

His philosophy about making necessary items into works of art is simple: “You need a shelf for a telephone. Either the shelf is boring, or you make something cute. It’s a nice way of using things.”

Pascal Giacomini, by appointment only; (213) 876-6919.