Shop for decor, then buy the place

Property and cutlery may not seem like natural roommates, but in Palm Springs, two L.A.-based businesses are giving it a go. Deasy/Penner & Partners, a real estate firm specializing in midcentury architecture, and modern design retailer Fitzsu Society recently opened shop in a 2,000-square-foot space designed by Albert Frey. The Fitzsu portion of the glass-fronted cube is museum-store minimalist, focusing on sleek contemporary home accessories by Alessi, Vitra and Rosenthal. The realty office is a bit on the corporate-modern side, but looky-loos will want to browse through property prospectuses in the lounge, which is done to the nines with swiveling cork-covered armchairs and other furnishings by Studio City designer Reza Feiz. And, yes, those swank seats are for sale too, by custom order. 875 N. Palm Canyon Drive; (760) 320-8811 for Fitzsu, (760) 864-3222 for Deasy/Penner.

-- David A. Keeps