Dining and Decorating

There’s good news and bad news about the Furniture Cafe, a unique hybrid of restaurant, art gallery and furniture store that’s only the latest example of coolness springing up in the NoHo area.

The good news is that if you’re a kill-two-birds-with-one-stone sort of person, the place will allow you to do double duty, dining and decorating at the same time. The bad news concerns those of us who have shopping issues.

Unfortunately, shopaholics who have made New Year’s resolutions to avoid the mall might think the Furniture Cafe is safe.

It offers coffee and food in a pleasant atmosphere. The live music played on Friday nights and Sunday mornings will soothe your jones for overspending, so you can just sit down with your java and relax in a great yellow damask chair that also happens to be on sale for a bargain-basement $112. . .

Uh oh, danger ahead.

Co-owners Penelope Branning and Sue Braden clearly anticipated such reactions when they were brainstorming two years ago for an original business concept.

“I had an idea for an art gallery and also knew all about estate sales,” explained Branning, who is also a veteran actress. “Sue grew up in the nightclub business and knew food--and things fell into place when this space became available a block from where I live.”

Soon, the place was filled with an eclectic batch of finds that just keeps growing--antique headboards, 1970s couches, black-and-white photography by a local artist and a vintage Zephyr radio. The menu expanded from simple cafe fare to include freshly baked breads and six-course evening meals.

And what was a happy accident for Branning and Braden became something of an addiction for locals. Shann Dornhecker, 29, of North Hollywood eats her weekend eggs Benedict on the premises and also brings in business clients during the week.

And, yes, Dornhecker has lately spent too much money on the Furniture Cafes furnishings. “I own three pieces from her so far, and I’ve got my eye on a few other things when I get my paycheck,” said the producer, who was sitting on a wicker-and-iron patio chair marked $150 for a set of two.

Furniture-buying fever must be catching: The guitarist working the joint admitted he’s already bought a few pieces from his employers.

For her part, Braden is glad to be of service to eater / shoppers everywhere: “‘Our joke is that we’ll sell the couch you’re sitting on--but we’ll let you finish your food first.”

BE THERE

Furniture Cafe, 10644 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Mondays. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served. Full beverage menu includes French-press coffee. Live music Friday nights and Sunday mornings. Reservations recommended. (818) 762-6140.