Shrines of the time
For years, Kim Gordon Low was known in design circles for her faux-finish painting and was almost famous as the answer-giver for the “What’s Your Problem?” segment on HGTV’s “Awesome Interiors.” Now the artist is transforming antique cases into profoundly beautiful altar pieces -- folk art with the dazzling sophistication of fin de siecle jewelry, for sale from $2,800 at Jean de Merry’s atelier in Los Angeles. Gordon Low is drawn to odd figurines, religious symbols and flea market trinkets. “I am haunted by where they originally came from and what memories they may hold,” she says on her website, www.kimgordonlow.com. De Merry chose 15 of her sculptures for the showroom he opened in March. “They remind me of the 18th and 19th century curiosity cabinets that Europeans made for holding exotic specimens and rare decorative items,” he says. “Each one of them has a story.” 927 N. La Cienega Blvd.; (310) 289-0991.
*
OPENINGS
An unusual arrangement
Looking for a bouquet in a generic glass container? Ariana Lambert-Smeraldo, owner of the West Hollywood floral emporium Lily Lodge, soon will have you making other arrangements. “I assume that everyone already has at least one beautiful unused vase,” says Lambert-Smeraldo, who opened her inviting boutique last month. She sells flowers by the stem, packaged in those romantically outlandish gift boxes stage door Johnnies once lavished upon chorus girls. If that isn’t your style, Lily Lodge also has a dazzling collection of mint-condition vintage vessels from $75 to $2,500, such as 1960s Murano glass bud vases, Lalique crystal and 1970s Tapio Wirkkala-designed paper bag pottery, shown here. Not bad for a former West Coast director of fashion boutique Bottega Veneta whose only botanical experience “was buying a lot of flowers.” 644 N. Robertson Blvd., (310) 360-9400.
*
INNOVATIONS
A handle on style
Red carpet queens aren’t the only stars to rock Missoni, the Italian fashion house known for its exuberant patterns. Philippe Starck used three Missoni fabrics to upholster the Mademoiselle plastic chair, $717, available for order in late summer at Kartell in Los Angeles, (310) 271-0178. At the recent Design Week in New York, Missoni exhibited a collection of floral rugs, striped candles and string drapery panels that will be available later this year. Need a fix now? The company’s vibrant designs in summery terry cloth are suitable for bed, bath and beach and include oversized pillows, totes and towels with an optional leather carrying strap, $50, shown here. At Diva in L.A., (310) 278-3191.
*
MADE IN CALIFORNIA
Sitting for a portrait
Think of it as furniture for the wall: classics like this Russel Wright metal folding chair captured in oil-on-canvas by Los Angeles artist Kelly Reemtsen, who has “a true obsession with vintage design.” Her nostalgia-laced paintings of chairs, dinnerware and other home decor from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s form the inaugural show of De Soto, a gallery opening Saturday in the Higgins Building downtown. “What endears me to the chairs I paint is that they’ve made it this long, that they’re still around, in all their glory,” says Reemtsen. “RW Red Patio Chair, Circa 1950” ($7,200), shown here, is a 4-foot-square canvas. Another piece in the show is composed of 42 panels, each 6-by-6 inches, depicting different chairs at various angles -- “almost like a vintage catalog, like something circa 1960 from Herman Miller.” Does Reemtsen have a favorite piece of furniture? “Daily,” she says with a laugh. Through July 9 at 108 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles; (323) 253-2255.
