A Guide to the Best of Southern California : HANDMADE : Art of Illusion

At first glance--in fact, at second, third and fourth glances--it looks like a stack of suitcases. But look closer and you’ll see it’s a chest of drawers painted to look like luggage. “I should have done this years ago,” says nurse-turned-craftsman Joseph Somers, who transforms naked furniture into spectacular--yet functional--artworks.

Very little of Somers’ collection is standard stuff. The “suitcases” are right at home with an armoire (painted to look like a cow pasture) and a table (painted to look as if there’s a Navajo rug and keys on it). Prices range from $65 to $1,800.

He takes requests--”only if I can do it.” Otherwise, when he sits down to a blank piece, anything can happen, says Somers, who started his second career 1 1/2 years ago when a friend asked him to work part time in her furniture shop. With time on his hands, he started painting unfinished furniture--some for the rich and famous. But success hasn’t spoiled Somers: He has since set up his own shop inside a store that rents party supplies.

The Final Touch, 3806 Bagley Ave., Los Angeles; (213) 559-7952.