It's interesting what will pop up when you're focusing on something. Is it serendipity? Law of attraction?
During last month's Restoration Hardware deconstruct, something was certainly abuzz. And in the midst of the emerging conversations about Restoration's new look along with Tile Envy's posts reviewing that look, my design compatriot (and architect extraordinaire), Ann Bool, took me on a field trip to her favorite shopping destinations in Napa country. Wine, spa's, design- if you haven't been lately- you are missing some of the best stuff in the US right now.
However, not only were the shops incredible- (Ann has a super-hip aesthetic) but something was looking awfully familiar. These pioneers of design/retailing -part art gallery, art happening and retail bonanza- must certainly have been fuel for the fire currently blazing the design trail over at RH. See what you think-
Erin Martin is a world-class designer who also happens to have a world-class design showroom in St Helena. Not bad work if you can get it. Erin surely got it because her vision and fearlessness in selecting sculpturally stunning and texturally challenging wares makes her shop one of the best reasons to tour the wine country. And did I mention that I've personally invited Erin to join Cle' by designing her own line of tiles? Life has started getting very, very fun!
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First there's Axel- the jolly 8 month old bull dog mascot. Then there are the individual business cards featuring childhood photos of each sales associate. And those were just two of my favorite details. My immediate affection for Dave Allen's swoon-worthy Artefact Design & Salvage is mostly due to his attention to detail. A visit to Allen's sprawling indoor/outdoor Sonoma setting can take hours. I could barely pull myself away as I walked off with silver-plated skulls, healing olive oil lotion, and outdoor lights. That's a good shopping day.
(click photo collage for showroom tour!!)
