These expertly curated design boutiques need to be on your radar
With many shops across the country opening up following lockdown orders, IRL shopping excursions are starting to become possible again. And designer-owned home decor stores and specialty design boutiques are the exact types of retailers that very much need customers right now—whether for a socially distanced shopping session or an online order. With the spirit of supporting small businesses in mind, AD PRO has rounded up the best home decor stores across the United States, selected by the editors of AD with the help of several trusted designers. Bookmark for a post-quarantine trip and prepare to discover something new from the expert shopkeepers who run them.
Nickey Kehoe, Los Angeles Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe are the talented duo behind one of Los Angeles’ most popular resources for decorators. Designer Catherine Kwong notes, “When I shop in L.A., they are always a must-visit as the store is curated from an interior designer’s perspective.” The new space, which opened in March, features work from Plain English, Howe London, and the Urban Electric Company, in addition to the furniture, home furnishings, and vintage jewelry for which the shop is known. nickeykehoe.com
Block Shop, Los Angeles
The textile brand and creative studio Block Shop has its own retail space, where shoppers can immerse themselves in the colorful Bauhaus-inspired world of the brand. One might find vibrant textiles and cushions block-printed in India, as well as rugs and other home furnishings. The shop features custom furniture from brands that Hopie and Lily Stockman, Block Shop’s cofounder sisters, love. blockshoptextiles.com
Lawson-Fenning, Los Angeles
Lawson-Fenning is a Melrose Avenue staple championing aspirational and attainable design rooted in California modernism. L.A.-based designer Kevin Isbell often looks to Lawson-Fenning for interesting finds. “They collaborate with emerging artisans and craftspeople for a distinct perspective that is wholly their own,” he says. “Their selection of pottery is a personal weakness.” lawsonfenning.com
Garde, Los Angeles
After its Los Angeles flagship expansion, Garde has solidified its presence as an indispensable resource for designers looking to score unique pieces by talented artists. Founders Scotti Sitz and John Davidson present pieces by Pierre Gonalons and ceramics by Jojo Corväiá, Julie Nelson, and John Born, among other treasures. gardeshop.com
The Gilded Owl x Voutsa, Los Angeles
Andy Goldsborough offers a tasteful mix of home furnishings at the Gilded Owl in Los Angeles, which shares a storefront with fabric and wallpaper studio Voutsa. The space is favored by AD’s own West Coast editor, Mayer Rus, who says: “The giddy delight of Voutsa’s lavish fabrics and wallpapers, coupled with the extraordinary vintage and contemporary furnishings curated by the Gilded Owl, make a fantastic contribution to the L.A. design scene.” thegildedowl.com
March, San Francisco
Located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, March has long held the hearts of discerning shoppers interested in sourcing something special. Look out for beautifully hand-painted Brickett Davda platters, Vincent van Duysen ceramic storage jars, and sculptural basketry to layer into a space. marchsf.com
*An Architectural Digest Excerpt. Click here for more stores around the US.