Dealing in Classical and Whimsical

When you spot the giant metal prehistoric bird overlooking the corner of Burbank Boulevard and Denny Street in North Hollywood, you’ll know you have arrived at Tradewind, a complex full of deals on a variety of hand-crafted items.

Actually, there are four separate operations under the umbrella name of Tradewind--makers of pine and iron furniture, a carver of carousel horses and an exotic plants greenhouse.

Ken Petersen, a native of Sweden, lends his talent to reproductions and custom country pine furniture. He will custom-make furniture in any dimension, antique the wood or provide any other custom finish. A very deep custom pine entertainment unit was $1,500--a reasonable price for a quality, made-to-order piece.

Iron furniture and accessories are customized and manufactured by Peer Martin for his company, Martin Iron Design. This is a full line of wrought-iron pieces ranging from the classical to the whimsical. One whimsical chair design titled “Moonstruck,” featuring a crescent-shaped moon in the center of the back, sells for $575 but would retail for around $850. A Mediterranean table and four chairs sell on Melrose Avenue for $3,045 ($525 per chair and $945 for a 48-inch round table). At Tradewind, the table and four chairs are $1,355. Soon to be added to Martin’s worked-iron inventory are beds and chandeliers.

The Art Carvers arm of Tradewind is operated by Art Sluis, a loquacious gentleman who will spin tales of his colorful past for a willing audience. Sluis hand carves carousel horses in the manner of European masters such as Carmel, Looff and Daniel C. Mueller, who all arrived in the United States in the late 1890s. Sluis’ Ponderosa pine horses can be custom-painted. They range in size from the traveling model with 48-inch rockers that sell for $850 to the largest, a standing lead horse (the outside row on the merry-go-round) for $3,500. These are handsome, beautifully made and sold wholesale to the public.

This is an unusual set-up where you move from an indoor greenhouse to an outdoor patio where you may happen upon a craftsman perfecting a creation. The day I was there, one woman was painting a carousel horse, another completing a tabletop. The participants are jolly, warm and talented.

Dianna Diels, a dead-ringer for actress Katherine Ross, assumes the role of hostess and nurtures the greenhouse collection of exotic orchids and bromeliads, which cost about 40% less than they would at the local florist.

For the most part, you are dealing directly with the artisans at Tradewind, which accounts for the excellent prices.

Tradewind, 10726 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. MasterCard and Visa accepted. (818) 760-3636.

Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Thursday in Valley View. Questions about shopping may be sent to her, in care of Valley View, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Letters will not be answered individually, but topics of general interest will be discussed in future columns.