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Since the 1980s, this artsy enclave has been in the throes of a rebirth, with renegade shops springing off of the more well-known, trendy Melrose Avenue. Golyester, the vintage fashion stalwart owned by Esther Ginsberg, is one such transplant, having relocated from Melrose to La Brea a decade ago. “La Brea has become a big deal,” Esther says. “While other areas specialize in shops for tourists, this street is about provenance. A large part of my business is the designers who come through: costume designers for films, as well as fashion designers from the East Coast, Italy, and France. They’re all looking for inspiration, and they find it on La Brea.” In a neighborhood filled with Art Deco and Spanish Revival buildings, it’s only
natural that home furnishings and antiques shops should flourish. “We have our
own style, such as taking a daybed, upholstering it in linen, then adding a back
to create a sofa,” says Lewis Keister of East Meets West. “Our clients comment
that innovative displays show them how to see old things in new ways.” At East Meets West, the “Eastern” reference is to Pennsylvania, New England, and New York, where owner Lewis Keister looks for American folk art and furnishings. (a) A wall of vintage pillows dominates the mind-boggling mix. (b) Centuries’ old gin bottles with a folksy old dollhouse. (c) Get pleasantly lost in the vast aisles of Diamond Foam & Fabric. You’ll find interior designers, film set decorators, and do-it-yourselfers prowling for textiles. Many are reproduced from vintage upholstery, drapery panels, and scarves. (d) Golyester stocks vintage and couture clothing, not to mention museum-quality textiles. (e) Standing over 10 feet high, a French 1920s Eiffel Tower is among the mix at Little Paris Antiques, a favorite prop source for the film industry. (f) La Brea Antique Collection has a stunning cache of mid-20th-century glassware. (g) European treasures on view at Eccola, where a chalkboard explains the inventory. Renovators adore Liz’s Antique Hardware for its selection of period-perfect switchplates, hinges, mail slots, and other functional doo-dads. (h) Founder Liz Gordon among the doorplates. (i) Vintage plastic pulls and knobs. (j) Lighting becomes functional sculpture at Bourgeois Bohème.
Teardrop-shaped pendants, sconces, and multibranched chandeliers are among the
offerings. |
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East Meets West Antiques largest American folk art and country furnishings emporium on West Coast 160 North La Brea Avenue (323) 931-0500; emwantiques.com Eccola Italian owners specialize in European imports and
custom contemporary pieces 326 North La Brea Avenue; (323) 932-9922;
Liz’s
Antique Hardware doorknobs, hinges, doorstops, sconces, switchplates from 1860s
to 1970; reproductions, too 453 South La Brea Avenue; (323) 939-4403;lahardware.com Dine Maison Midi French cafe in rear of Euro-inspired housewares store 148 South La Brea Avenue; (323) 935-3157 Rita Flora mostly organic fare served all day long, including plenty of salads; flower shop next door 468 South La Brea Avenue; restaurant (323) 931-9900; flower shop (323) 938-3900; ritaflora.com La Brea Bakery original store for national artisan bakery
specializing in wide selection of breads and baked goods; inventive sandwiches
624 South La Brea Avenue; (323) 939-6813 |
