Javier’s at Crystal Cove

By: Erika De La Parra

 Galina Nitaeva

 

As we drove south on Pacific Coast Highway on our way to Javier’s restaurant on Crystal Cove, we were in awe of the beautiful costal setting that this popular, high-end Mexican restaurant is situated on.  In addition to an exquisite menu, the atmosphere and ambiance is well worth the drive.  Thanks to the kind managers at the Crystal Cove location, Susie Sosa and Adan Serratos, we were able to tour the restaurant one Saturday morning to inspect materials, furniture and décor up-close and personal. 

Javier’s at Crystal Cove is the second restaurant that opened about 5 years ago as part of a holistic development of a newly branded expansion.  Javier Sousa, owner, and his family have been in the restaurant business for over 30 years.  About six years ago, with a new venture partner, he joined forces with designer Dodd Mitchell of Dodd Mitchell Designs (DMD) to create an elevated brand of Javier’s restaurants.  As we write this blog, the doors to the newly inaugurated Las Vegas location inside Aria Hotel and Casino have just opened. 

As we walked through the arch entrance, the first thing one notices are the big, round black metal pendants.  To the right and left are lounge areas with an open-flame fireplace.  The use of light is a big component of the design at Javier’s, and its no surprise since Dodd Mitchell has received several awards for his use of lighting.   At Javier’s this includes big candles, backlighting, filigree metal pendants and big fire burning pipes that represent pipe organs used inside churches – an area of intrigue for Mitchell.

 

We know this because we had the opportunity to speak to Mitchell himself over the phone to ask him about his design inspiration and use of materials.  Mitchell let us know first that Mother Nature is his primary inspiration and being able to use natural materials is important to him.  Secondly, he continues to use many of his “camera tricks” that he learned during his years as a stage and film art director to create theatrical spaces that play with human curiosity.

 

And curios we were; wanting to know all about the materials chosen starting with the stingray leather wall covering used for one of the fireplaces.  Surprisingly, this product is very strong, fire resistant and easy to clean.  But the texture and luster of the leather is truly what makes it irresistible to the touch. 

[Lighting_Image.001]

 

Another breathtaking wall covering feature is the Rainbow color, black chip and mother-of-pearl mosaic tile used on all walls of the private room.  This natural product is easy to wipe-down with no gaps.  The way light reflects around the room one feels like you are inside a jeweled box with diamonds all over.

[Picture of Mother-of-Pearl Walls:  Image.002]

The Spanish-Moorish décor that defines Javier’s “makes you want to reach for your passport” as described by Forbes Travel Guide correspondent Cindy Pearlman. In part its due to the materials used that include dark leather drapery, traditional Mexican furniture, chunky wood beams and banquettes, large black slate tiles and hardwood floor that were specially cut into short tile-size.  All these materials are original and seem to be faring well, although Serratos told us that they have needed to replace several of the hardwood planks due to wear-and-tear and possibly due to weathering from being close to the ocean, so weekly maintenance is required to keep floors clean and buffed.  Yet, Mitchell let us know that they did not let the issue of weathering deter his vision, so several of the material have been treated with a semi-gloss sealants and fire-retardant treatments. 

 [Floors: Image.003]

 

 

As for the ceiling inside the dining area, they are covered with wood sticks to allow dapple lighting to stream through from the MR-16 lights, to give the impression of being outdoors while being indoors.  When you are looking at the ceiling, one cannot miss the enormous ceiling fans that do work, on occasion. 

 

 

 

[Ceiling: Image.004]

The walls throughout the building were either stucco with a thick swirl coarse finish or smooth concrete wall that matched the floors, primarily in the outdoor areas.  Both materials are fire resistant and the concrete is easy to maintain.  The stucco walls originally had a glittering treatment that made them sparkle at night with the light, but it has lost some of that with the years, according to Serratos.  

With so many hard surfaces throughout the space, acoustics was a topic we discussed with Mitchell and he said that there was no attempt to bring down the noise factor (although he confessed that he personally dislikes it a lot).  The reason is that the owner prefer to keep the energy levels high, which seems to suite the “on the go” clientele of Newport Beach.  Normally, Mitchell said he would have added waffle foam underneath the tables and above the ceiling to keep the noise emission down.

The energy is kept high as well with one of most interesting pieces in the place:  the huge metal sculpture that covers the entire back wall of the bar called the “Tequila Tree.”  When asked about it, Mitchell said the concept for this sculpture grew from two points of inspiration:  One, he does not like to use shelves; and two, it’s a tribute to one of his favorite children’s book The Giving Tree. 

[Tequila Tree: Image.005] 

And Javier’s will continue to keep on giving...delicious Mexican cuisine, beautiful ocean vistas, and an enchanting space for people to enjoy good times with family and friends.  Staying true to Mitchell’s priority when referring to his designs, “my job is to make people feel better.”

Written by Erika De La Parra and Galina Nitaeva on October 31, 2013
Photographs by Erika De La Parra and Galina Nitaeva

BLOG REFERENCES:

INTERVIEWS

Designer Dodd Mitchell; phone interview on November 1, 2013
On-Site Tour by Manager Adan Serratos on October

ARTICLES AND BLOGS

“What is the interior design of Javier’s?” by Cindy Pearlman, www.forbestravelguide.com
“Elevating Mexican Cuisine” by Larry Thomas, July 09, 2013,www.coastmagazine.com/articles/javiersosa
“Cover Story:  Meet Dodd Mitchell”, www.doddmitchell.com/press/articles/04.01.08_Boutique_Design

MATERIALS RESOURCES (Similar or exact products as those mentioned in the blog):

Black Slate Tiles:

Otile, www.otile.com

Stucco:

Central Virginia Stucco, www.centralvirginiastucco.com

Concrete:

http://concretekelowna.ca/blog-kelowna-concrete/concrete-resurfacing-6-hot-decorative-ideas-to-create-a-new-look-on-a-budget-2/

Stingray Leather:

Tom Barrington Exotic Leather Accessories, www.tombarrington.com

Rojo Leather, www.rojeleather.com

Black Mother-of-Pearl Mosaic Tiles:

Foshan Connfly Decoration Materials Co., Limited, www.connflymosaic.cn

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118 Degrees BLOG

 

By: Sophie Rothe & Song Ngo

 

ABOUT: Located at the Camp on Bristol St. in Costa Mesa CA, an eco friendly restaurant and retail center with all walkways outdoors. It is the first-known environmentally sensitive retail campus in the United States and was designed by Lab Holding, LLC.  Shaheen Sadeghi  is the developer and owner of the Camp as well as many other large businesses. The Camp includes green building materials in the construction and existing green aspects such as the live green rooftops of grasses and succulents. There are places to eat, exercise and shop for a healthy lifestyle.

 

 118 Degrees is a Raw foods and Vegan lounge and juice bar. They are not only green in the exterior construction and interior designing but in the foods and processes as well. All stores and studios inside the camp are committed to sustainable practices, utilizing recyclable and reusable products, selecting sustainable building materials and supporting eco-friendly and waste disposal programs. The look is industrial, seemingly unfinished with exposed beams and screws. The entire center is concrete, wood, glass and metals.

 

OUTSIDE CONSTRUCTION: The outside is simple construction of wood, concrete, and rusted metal for an aged and rustic look. Large floor to ceiling, energy efficient windows cover the entire front of the restaurant allowing a ton of natural light. There was barely any lighting inside during the daytime. The only decorations or curb appeal is fresh herbs and hanging succulents.  Thing, tall grasses and succulents are eco friendly with their low water intake.

INTERIOR DESIGN: The floor is concrete; this is green since they did not use any labor and resources such as wood, tile, or carpet to cover the raw flooring.  It is also a green choice because materials that are in concrete would otherwise end up in landfills. Lastly, it is green because the aggregates in concrete can be recycled into new concrete. These floors can be cold in the wintertime but for commercial use cement is acceptable.  Besides the cold factor, this was a great choice in materials for the overall rustic and industrial look of the place. It seems to be acid stained due to the variation in colors from red to brown to green.

The base molding is a reclaimed oak wood with a dark, splotchy stain. There are many previous nail holes and scuffs on the wood from prior use and deconstruction. The style matches well with the rest of the interior and it seems like it was a cheap, efficient, and green solution to specify for the base molding.

Many natural elements are used in the space is which also eco friendly since synthetic materials were not used. For example, wood, suede, metal, and leather are used for the furniture pieces of the interior space. The chairs and tables were about the only newly manufactured thing in the place even a lot of the artwork was recycled. The counters where you can order food to go and sit at a bar is made of wood and metal sheets with exposed bolts. The recycled metal sheets are all different sizes and colors. Many of the colors of the interiors vary since they are recycled and natural materials.

The ceiling is a hammered tin design from panels and painted white; this is sustainable since maintenance is very easy with this kind of ceiling. One small area can be fixed at a time instead of having to replace a part of the ceiling; a panel can be removed and put back.  Removing these panels is easy since they are so light in weight. Tin is recyclable since it can be melted down and reused.  The ceiling looks like that of an old building with the decorative panels. The tin roof is sustainable since tin is very durable and recyclable. There is no crown molding, the painted walls go straight to the tin roof with a small space in between that is noticeable.

 

The bathroom was all slate tile besides the ceiling, which was painted.  Slate is a green product since it is all natural and installation does not include harmful chemicals. Also, using the same product for the walls and flooring is cheaper and easier than using two different materials. The look and feel of the overall room was great, it felt as if you were in a spa.

 

Works Cited

 

1.      http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/9/prweb11171458.htm

2.      http://www.travelcostamesa.com/shop/costa-mesa-shopping/the-camp/

       3.      http://articles.dailypilot.com/2007-08-20/news/dpt-polposition20_1_sustainable- 

             building-carbon-footprint-council-members

      4.      http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/lab-holdings-llc

 

 

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Biola University – Talbot School of Theology East Building

By: Beth Esh

            On October 14^th, 2011, Biola University dedicated its newest building on campus, the Talbot School of Theology East Building, known as Talbot East.  After seven years of planning, fundraising and construction the building is now a fully paid for, thriving part of Biola’s graduate and undergraduate programs.

            After raising 70% of the funds necessary for Talbot East, construction began with the ground breaking in June 2010.  Originally planned to finish construction in July 2011, one hiccup in the construction pushed the project out to October 2011 instead.   The overall building cost $18.2 million, broken down roughly to $17 million in construction costs and $1.2 million in soft finishes.  Gensler Architects designed the four-story, 30,617 square foot space to include 34 offices, 8 classrooms, 2 conference rooms, one prayer chapel, and one large multipurpose room.
            Talbot East is Biola’s first LEED certified building with a LEED Silver Certification.  The collaboration of the Gensler design team and Biola’s staff with theologically based thinking to incorporate into the building design resulted in very interesting and unique finishes throughout the space, with LEED qualities that support Biola’s value of creation stewardship. 
            Beginning with the exterior of the building, finishes were specified to reduce the need to repair and replace the completed façade.  The incorporation of three main materials, brick, glass, and Trespa complete a beautiful aesthetic for the building.  Brick provides a durable exterior finish that also looks great and adds color.  Brick is a great classic material that lasts a lifetime.  Translucent opaque glass, possibly 3form, is used as the walls of the conference rooms on the main level.  The curved feature of the glass walls is the only part of the building not rectilinear which creates interest and excitement.  The glass walls are beautiful but when the sun shines on them at certain times of the day it can really heat up the interior of the conference rooms.  The same glass material runs on the exterior of the building into the interior creating a unique continuous look through the glass wall/window separating the inside from the outside.
              Trespa is the third material used on the exterior of the building.  It is a unique material made from recycled paper and wood pulp mixed with a resin.  Trespa is strong, rigid, and long-lasting.  The unique finish of the Trespa changes different shades of grey as the sunlight changes throughout the day.  One of the best things about Trespa is that the sun enhances the look but does not damage it; Trespa has a high classification for UV-resistance and color stability as well as being practically impervious to other weather conditions including acid rain.  To maintain the exterior of the building with Trespa, brick, and glass is as simple as pressure washing, meaning no wasted resources and time resurfacing or painting.

            On the south side of the building are two large windows, known as the “scripture windows.”  These laminated glass windows feature scripture that is readable from both inside and outside the building.  The way the sun catches the windows causes brilliant shadows to cast the scripture into the building on the walls and floors, symbolically bathing the building in God’s word.  The material used to put the scripture on the glass helps to make these large windows to become energy efficient, shielding light and heat from penetrating the building.  This really is a unique and meaningful way to combine LEED points and spiritual values together.
            Also on the exterior of the building, above the first floor is a living roof garden, named Riady Gardens.  This area not only creates a pleasant environment for students to relax and a space to be used for small reception events, it also insulates and cools the building while collecting rain water. 

            Inside the Talbot East building you will find more interesting finishes as well.  The most unique finish on the interior (that is also used in the exterior sunken courtyard) is Jerusalem stone.  Being a University devoted to Biblical teaching, there is rich history in Israel and Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.  The stone used in Talbot East was quarried just outside of ancient Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac are buried, and cut in Jerusalem then shipped to La Mirada, California and installed by City Tile.  The dynamic natural cut stone is used as a wall finish in the elevator lobby of each floor as well as in the exterior sunken courtyard as a wall finish and the backing for a fountain.  The stone has a gorgeous color variation and the natural cut creates a texture that draws you to imagine standing next to a stone wall in ancient Hebron.

            The heart of the building is the Fred and Ruth Waugh Prayer Chapel.  This space, designed to reflect more on the ancient catacombs than on modern day churches, is a place where faculty and students can escape the busyness of the campus and come and kneel at God’s feet.  The finishes throughout the chapel truly are spectacular from floor to ceiling.  The carpet, a natural fiber carpet made from bamboo and banana leaves was taken into careful consideration knowing those coming to the chapel may being kneeling down to pray, is plush and well-padded to fit the occasion.  The benches are appropriately designed for sitting or assisting in kneeling.  The reclaimed cedar and olive wood, harvested from Biola’s own olive trees, creates a beautiful wavy ceiling.  Small stained glass squares of various colors reflect low light into the space and a humble cross at the front draws those who enter to reflect on Christ’s love.

 

In conclusion, the Talbot East building is a great new addition to Biola University and the Talbot School of Theology.  The University can be proud of its first LEED Certified building beautifully executed to exemplify creation stewardship and cutting edge design.  After two years of use, the finishes are holding up great and the building is being well used and well-loved.  It is an inspiration and just the beginning for more LEED building to come in the future of the University.

SOURCES:
Interview 10/22/13 with Jody Spicer, Construction Manager, Biola University
http://magazine.biola.edu/article/12-winter/inside-talbot-east/
http://www.biola.edu/news/construction/talboteast/
http://now.biola.edu/news/article/2011/oct/14/biola-dedicates-new-talbot-school-theology-buildin/
http://www.talbot.edu/watch-live/talbot-east-construction/
http://www.talbot.edu/sundoulos/winter-2011/lead-article/
http://www.trespa.com/us/product/trespa%C2%AE-meteon%C2%AE-fa%C3%A7ades
http://www.citytileandstone.com/gallery/biola-talbot.html
http://www.gensler.com

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Terroni

By: Karina Rivas and Sarah Bonar

        Terroni is LA’s hottest new restaurant located at the intersection of 8th and Spring in Downtown LA. The restaurant was under construction for a year and has been transformed from a long vacant 6,000 square foot space into a modern    

        Italian themed restaurant. The space was once LA’s National City Bank headquarters that was built in 1924. The owners, Shereen Arazm and Max Stefanelli, thought the historic building was the perfect space for their restaurant. It has soaring high ceilings that make the room feel grand. A red sculpture hangs from the ceiling modeling the Autodromo Nazionale Monza racetrack in Milan, Italy.

         There is great wood paneling behind the bar that adds warmth to the space. Right across the bar are chairs that are modern with a retro feel. The chairs for the dining seating are original Thonet chairs also adding to the theme of the restaurant.

 The structural columns add to the European atmosphere and carry the eye up. The intricate ceiling is made of burgundy red leather adding to the luxury of the space.

Leading to the

upstairs one will find a mosaic tile displaying an Italian saying and once reached at the top of the stairs is a private wine cellar and dining room.

 

         One of the best features of the restaurant is that it is filled with natural light during the day thanks to the floor to ceiling arched windows.

 

          A chandelier relocated from Stefanelli's grandmother's house in Bologna, Italy, make Terroni feel like home, even though a rather sizable and majestic place to lodge.

 

          The materials and products used for this space compliment each other well and make for a very well designed space.

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Emporia

By: Denice Sil

 

A recently finished commercial shopping center, Emporia, now stands in Malmo, Sweden. This project was finished on October 2012 and is only a part of an extensive project which hopes to combine residential, work, and shopping environments together (e-architect). The modern, sleek look is the basis of the design seen by the complex curvature in the middle. The color palette of the exterior is mostly neutral colors, dominantly brown, and the interiors is unique to each level. The tinted glass façade that it is covered by gives it a shiny and sophisticated look. The name of the shopping center is plastered with large, fancy letters across the front giving it a strong presence, like a brand. This is the look that is presented to the shoppers that enter. However, they play with the glass look in the parking structure using a colorful array of panels. This gives the building a more relaxed feel. Glass was a good material chosen for the shopping center because it is a common material for large mall areas and also for allowing a lot of natural light in which counts as a sustainable product.

 

Credit: Tord-Rikard Sodestromhttp://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/sweden/emporia-shopping-center-w270613-t4.jpg

(Image 1, front view)

        The building has a strong presence and although the negative space in the middle gives an appearance of openness, it is a wide building. The overall structure of the building is supported with a concrete core. Concrete is a very stable, strong material for a large building like this one. Concrete is also a good material to use with large parking structures that this building provides because it need to withstand the weight of 2500 cars it can hold (e-architect). It is also durable and low maintenance.

 

  Credit: Tom-Rikard Sodestrom

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/sweden/emporia-shopping-center-w270613-t11.jpg
(Image 2, Parking Structure)

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/sweden/emporia-shopping-center-w270613-t12.jpg

(Image 3, Parking Structure)

              Before entering, the detail of the design is immediately noticeable with the cast glass door handles provided. The inside of Emporia is covered by terrazzo and parquet flooring. The neutral palette of the outside continues with these floors since the terrazzo is in the shades slowly changing from white to graphite, while the wood continues to provide the brown color (e-architect). Terrazzo floor is a good choice for commercial use, not only because of the classy look that it brings but also because it is durable, low maintenance, hygienic, and contains no VOCs (T&M). This is important when a material is going to be under heavy use and not necessarily having proper care. In order to go up and down to the different levels of the shopping center, there are several stairways and escalators spread throughout the building. The stairs though are in the theme of the levels that it leads up to. There is beautiful ironwork that can be seen and the tinted glass sides continue the sleek design. However, the detail was taken so far on the stairs, that it includes leather wrapped handrails (e-architect). The problem with leather is that it is susceptible to discoloration with constant exposure to light and might change the aesthetic of the look. It is also going to be damaged by the constant use it will go through and will have to be wiped down constantly for hygienic purposes.

 

Credit: Tom-Rikard Sodestrom
http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/sweden/emporia-shopping-center-w270613-t15.jpg(Image 4, Stairway)

                 When it comes to the ceilings of the building, the materials used are common with modern design. The ceiling is decorated with a mixture of metal cassette panels and corrugated plastic (e-architect). Metal was most likely chosen because of its sleek look and also because it very durable. It allows for light to reflect from the panels and therefor use less light. However, not much energy is used when it comes to artificial lighting because they have plenty of LED light fixtures throughout (e-architect). These lights give out a lot of light but use a minimum amount of energy. The corrugated plastic on the ceiling gives an appearance of texture to an otherwise smooth structure.

 

Credit: Tom-Rikard Sodestrom

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/sweden/emporia-shopping-center-w270613-t8.jpg

(Image 5,Terrazo floor, plastic ceilings, LED lights)

                 Overall, this building is an amazing display of architectural and interior design. I can’t wait to see the final look of the project.

Resources & Images

e-architect. Emporia, Sweden. Emporia mixed-use development, Sweden design, Swedish architecture. Oct. 4, 2013. Online article.

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/sweden/emporia.html

Terrazzo & Marble Supply Company (T&M). Terroxy Resin Systems. Online Article.

http://www.tmsupply.com/terroxy-resin.html

 

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Greenleaf Chopshop

October 29, 2013

 

By: Brittany Behr

 

If you haven’t already been, you should check out this beautifully crafted, green eatery right in our own backyard. With two restaurants up and running in Hollywood and Century City, Greenleaf has come to Costa Mesa in a 4,200 square foot space that is reflective of the “modern farm stand” atmosphere. 

Owner Jonathan Rollo took cues from his healthy and eco friendly lifestyle to create this warm, inviting space; fit with a market, wine bar, indoor and outdoor dining and on-site chef’s garden. This restaurant is a designer’s favorite place to eat, serving delicious food all while enjoying it’s unique style elements. This office turned restaurant has kept the integrity of the building, inheriting beautifully crafted windows, concrete floors and a quaint courtyard that seems made for the restaurant. They’ve taken these wonderful existing elements and added many of their own personal touches. The exterior is simple but well thought-out to create an earthy, natural look. As you walk up you notice the beautiful landscaping that adds to the design. From their abundance of succulents to their wine barreled lemon trees that line the walkway to the market, every detail is noted.

The building is completely surrounded with gardens. The impressive quantity of trees, flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables, and even drought-resistant succulents don’t just add beauty but a “green look” to the design. They are also used in the menu! They are literally out there every day clipping herbs and picking fresh Meyer lemons for their daily menu creations. Talk about sustainability! This totally eliminates the need to import many of the greens they use in the restaurant, which helps to save money and also helps to save the environment from unnecessary transporting emissions. As you enter the restaurant you notice many of the reclaimed elements. Throughout the dining room you will see reclaimed wood beams running across the ceilings. This architectural element adds interest and character to its reclaimed theme.

You will also notice the old, antique dining tables and décor.  Much of the furniture and décor components are family heirlooms or from antique stores. They even use the owner’s grandmother’s table as one of their family dining tables.

Many of the design elements incorporate reclaimed, recycled and compostable materials. The knick-knacks and accessories that have been gathered by the owner and handed down through generations are actually for sale, for the right price! So, if you decide you can’t live without his grandmother’s colorful painting of farm pastures, make an offer! The owner himself designed decals that are adhered to the concrete floors. The decals are made to look like vintage produce labels, and are inspired by, and designed for his staff! The decals against the cracked and worn concrete floors add authenticity to the overall feeling of the space. Owner Jonathan Rollo gets his hands into every aspect of his growing chain of restaurants. His desire to create a sustainable and eco-friendly restaurant extends even into the kitchen’s ventilation system. Greenleaf uses something called a vent-less hood system. It is basically a self-contained system that filters out pollutants, grease, and other emissions first and recycles them, rather than just sending it out the side of the building. As you proceed throughout the space you will notice the beautiful white marble countertops at the kitchen counter where patrons can dine and watch on as chefs prepare their meals in the exhibition kitchen; another design feature that adds to the restaurant.










One of the nicest features of Greenleaf are the rays of light shining through the double hung windows and large casement window, creating natural light and stunning views of the gardens and courtyard .

So, are you excited to check it out yet? Choose your seat! There are so many great options to choose from: There’s the 40 foot custom built farm table inside, the white marble bar from where you can watch your meal being prepared, or outside at a repurposed breakfast table or school desk from Chef Rollo’s own childhood home. Or, if it’s a very special occasion, the private dining courtyard on the back side of the building. You will love the bright, airy space, the welcoming and unpretentious design, and the heritage and “back home” feeling of the accessories, just as much as you will enjoy their delicious menu of fresh California cuisine!

-Brittany Behr & Kelly Haslund

Resources: 

-Greenleaf.com

-Manager at Greenleaf Laurie Koss

-Dailypilot.com

-Greer'soc.com

-Ocregister.com

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Lumière du Soleil

By: Simona Ghita & Vivian Nguyen

 

Light of the sun, is what came to mind when we stepped in the 8,100 square foot waterfront designer boutique, A’maree’s, in Newport Beach, California. Nestled along the Pacific Coast, the boutique is a modernist building designed in 1961 by architects Thornton Ladd and John Kelsey. The space was initially designed for various restaurants, but had been vacant for thirteen years before A’maree’s moved into the building in 2010. The company has been family owned for over thirty-five years and is currently operated by sisters Dawn Klohs, Apryl Schaefer, and Denise Schaefer, who we had the pleasure of meeting. A’maree’s features a mix of new and renowned designer labels such as Lanvin, Céline, and Balenciaga.  

 

Upon entry we stepped on polished poured concrete and were pleasantly surprised by handcrafted Shinola bicycles and ornate brass chandeliers hanging from the 18.5' ceiling. A’maree’s promotes handcrafted exclusive products, which is quite evident in their design choices.

 

Walking further, on the left wall, a two-piece grand painting sums up what A'maree's is about: elegance, enchantment, and relaxation. White on white, the painting is a modern twist to wall art and allows merchandises to stand out. The texture is appealing to human senses and creates a beautiful contrast in between the whitewashed walls. The clever shoe display not only helps customers to easily select, but also contributes to the design. The intentional varied shoe heights, style, and colors create a playful touch to the eye while also strategically creating a one-of-kind shoe display.

We were immediately drawn to the juxtaposition of an ethnic sculpture in the modern space. Upon close examination, the arched posture of the sculpture reiterates the curves of the structure and patterns carried out storewide—a subtle way to create harmony. We particularly observed the goat feet facing forward that reminisce with the furniture style of ancient Egypt. Injured warrior or relaxed faun absorbing the sun? Either way, the piece is a conversation starter.
 

The three-sided windows of the structure allow copious sunlight to pour into the space. We admired how the sunlight casts curved shadows on this glass and metal jewelry stand replicating the arched windows and ceilings. The ceramic metal halide lighting fixtures complements the modern structure. Gazing up, tall round arches and narrow columns support shallow domes, an architectural element inspired by the Gothic Cathedrals in the 12^th Century.

 

In this corner, rough against smooth textures create balance and bring a welcoming environment for clients to convene and chat. The giant bowl in the center is thinly sculpted in wood and polished with sand paper. The finish, along with furs, rugged coverings and wooden benches, give the space a rustic feeling while soft curves of each piece add grace. Overall, the atmosphere combines casual elegance with a sophisticated twist.

 

A’maree’s delivers impeccable attention to detail that makes it a truly unique experience. Each corner of the boutique tells a story. We have selected our favorite corners of the store, now we urge you to explore the space and share with us your favorites.

 

References:

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/14/image/la-ig-amaree-20101114

http://www.archdaily.com/208960/amarees-paul-davis-architects/

www.amarees.com

www.amarees.com/images/Contract.pdf

http://www.amarees.com/images/Architectural_Record.pdf

 

Photographs by Vivian Nguyen

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