Luxury L.A. Interior Design Showrooms
Staying on top of the latest furniture designs is one of the most inspiring parts of our job as interior designers! I recently returned from a sourcing trip to Los Angeles where I visited some of Niche’s favorite luxury furniture showrooms, including Ralph Pucci, Apparatus Studio and Carpenters Workshop Gallery. Each design showroom has its own unique vibe and style; the common thread is handmade, bespoke, luxury furnishings and lighting.
Ralph Pucci
Ralph Pucci is one of Niche’s top destinations for designer collaborations and a mix of distinctive furniture styles – a must-visit on every trip to Los Angeles. Ralph Pucci has an illustrious history deeply intertwined with the evolution of luxury interior design. Founded in 1954 by Ralph Pucci’s parents, the company initially focused on mannequin production, quickly establishing itself as a leader in the industry. However, it was Ralph Pucci’s innovative vision and keen eye for design that propelled the company into the realm of luxury furnishings and art. Under his leadership, Ralph Pucci International expanded its offerings to include furniture, lighting, and sculpture, collaborating with renowned artists and designers to create pieces that redefine the boundaries of contemporary interior design.
The roster of designers represented by Ralph Pucci spans a spectrum of styles and disciplines. Renowned names such as Vladimir Kagan, Jens Risom, and Patrick Naggar are celebrated for their contributions to modern design, while emerging talents like Chris Lehrecke and Paul Mathieu bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the table. I was drawn to the newly installed Patrick Naggar collection which features sculptural upholstery and casegoods as well as some incredible statement lighting. Naggar is a celebrated furniture designer renowned for his elegant and timeless creations that seamlessly blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Naggar’s multicultural background is reflected in his diverse body of work, which draws inspiration from art and architecture.
Naggar’s furniture designs often feature clean lines, luxurious materials, and subtle detailing, resulting in pieces that are both strikingly modern and timelessly elegant. Whether crafting bespoke pieces for private clients or collaborating with renowned furniture brands, Naggar brings a distinctive perspective to his work. With a career spanning over three decades, Patrick Naggar continues to captivate audiences with his refined aesthetic and unparalleled craftsmanship, leaving an indelible mark on the world of contemporary furniture design.
Apparatus Studio
Located next door to Ralph Pucci is the newly renovated (and incredibly inspiring) Apparatus Studio showroom. Stepping inside Apparatus felt like stepping into another (much more sultry) world. Founded in 2012 by Gabriel Hendifar and Jeremy Anderson, the studio began as a passion project born out of a shared love for art, design, and craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as antique textiles, industrial machinery, and natural forms, Apparatus Studio crafts lighting fixtures that transcend mere functionality to become works of art in their own right. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted in the studio’s New York City workshop, where traditional techniques are paired with modern technology to achieve unparalleled quality and precision.
Apparatus Studio has garnered widespread acclaim for its evocative collections that blur the boundaries between art and design. From the ethereal Cloud collection, inspired by celestial forms and constructed from handblown glass and brass, to the architectural Trapeze collection, which reimagines geometric shapes in unexpected configurations, each collection showcases the studio’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of lighting design. Embracing a philosophy of constant evolution, Apparatus Studio continues to explore new materials, techniques, and inspirations, ensuring that its collections remain at the forefront of innovation in the world of contemporary design.
Carpenters Workshop Gallery
With its global presence spanning across London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles, Carpenters Workshop Gallery serves as a beacon of innovation and craftsmanship in the world of contemporary art and interior design. Founded on the principle of merging traditional craftsmanship with avant-garde design, the gallery offers a curated selection of exceptional pieces that blur the lines between art, interior design, and functionality. Each creation within the gallery’s walls is a testament to the dedication and skill of the artisans and designers behind it, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and a deep appreciation for both heritage techniques and cutting-edge technologies.
I was excited to see the Vincenzo De Cotiis exhibit, which featured a stunning sofa that we recently puchased for a San Francisco interior design client. Vincenzo De Cotiis is an Italian architect and designer renowned for his distinctive approach that blurs the lines between art and design. His fascination with the intersection of art and design led him to explore diverse creative avenues, including interior design, furniture design, and sculpture. Influenced by the decay and patina of urban environments, De Cotiis developed a signature aesthetic characterized by a juxtaposition of raw, industrial elements with luxurious materials, resulting in pieces that are both visually arresting and emotionally resonant.
De Cotiis’s work spans a wide range of disciplines, from furniture and lighting design to interior architecture and art installations. His creations often feature salvaged materials, such as distressed metals, oxidized brass, and cracked resin, meticulously crafted into one-of-a-kind pieces that exude a sense of history and timelessness. With a keen focus on texture, form, and proportion, De Cotiis imbues his designs with a sense of poetry and emotion, inviting viewers to contemplate the beauty of imperfection and the passage of time.