Home to roost
MICHELLE WEAVER, a set designer and prop stylist, and Chelsea Iovino, a wardrobe manager for the likes of Janet Jackson and Pink, have partnered to create the home fashion boutique Mercado in Silver Lake. The women define their look as “restrained opulence,” with a fine selection of ceramics and glassware (including the apothecary jars shown here, from $82) alongside imported home fragrances, bath products and candles from the French firm Cote Bastide, as well as Egyptian stainless steel lanterns. “Michelle is a minimalist, and I’m an ethnic magpie,” says Iovino (pictured in front of Weaver), who adds that she’s obsessed with West African block prints. The duo uses the prints for a line of pillows (from $95) and reupholstered vintage finds, such as an armchair ($1,150) covered in a crazy-cool chicken and egg design. 3517 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A.; (323) 662-2600; www.mercado-store.com.
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MADE IN CALIFORNIA
Light on the fringes
Paul Marra characterizes his Fringe fixture, based on a light he found in a grand Pasadena estate, as “English Arts & Crafts style with a Gothic influence.” Yet with its quatrefoil steel ring, ornamental chain and flapper-style tassel canopy, it’s suitable for a host of early 20th century architectural styles found in Los Angeles, including Spanish Revival and Art Deco. The fixture is 18 inches in diameter and nearly 2 feet tall, with a faux marble acrylic diffuser and rayon-blend tassels. The piece is also available in an oil-rubbed bronze finish. It’s $3,500 at Paul Marra Design, 868 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 659-8190; www.paulmarradesign.com.
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SEEN
Garden of stone paves the way
Made entirely from stone tiles, the 20-by-10-foot mosaic rug in the entrance of Waterworks’ new Los Angeles flagship was rendered from a vintage photograph of dogwood and is estimated to cost $50,000 to $60,000. The 10,000-square-foot showroom is for neither the cheap nor the indecisive: Among the galleries is Aqua Linea, a new group of intricate water jet-cut tiles available in 144 types of stones, plus gleaming shower heads, towel racks, luxury bath linens and soaking tubs costing $10,000 to $40,000. As if that weren’t enough, the sink section features nickel and marble basins with brass and bronze faucets that actually run water. 8580 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; (310) 289-5211; www.waterworks.com.
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FINDS
A ripe, new look
Soured on that old decorating trend of Granny Smith apples in a bowl? For something more indelible, if inedible, these handblown fruits with contrasting-color glass stems make a great coffee table accent when deployed individually. Grouped together, they’re a refreshing alternative to pumpkin and cornucopia fall centerpieces. The golden pear, purple plum and green apple, each nearly a foot tall, are $245 apiece at 655 Home, 655 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood; (310) 289-6868; www.655home.com. The alabaster grapes start at $150 and are from the nearby store Harbinger, 636-A N. Almont Drive, West Hollywood; (310) 858-6884; www.harbingerla.com.
