L.A.’s Top Designers Name Their 9 Top Shops

This story first appeared in the Oct. 4 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. 

TRADITIONAL

? Carter Truesdale

The Boston-based design firm opened its East Coast-influenced furniture showroom in West Hollywood earlier this year and is a favorite of designer Mary McDonald, whose clients include Renee Zellweger and Ryan Murphy. 8748 Melrose Ave., 310-855-1050

? JF Chen

Joel Chen’s massive empire includes everything from rare Eames pieces to 18th century Italian blue-chip antiques. Clients include Barbra Streisand and James Franco. Says designer Oliver M. Furth (Arianna Huffington, Joan Rivers), “I get what I didn’t even know I wanted there.” 941 N. Highland Ave., 323-466-9700

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? John Nelson Antiques

A designer staple for a huge range of antiques, the store has recently added a La Cienega location, attracting designer Tommy Clements (Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Aniston), who says it’s a must for “that one killer piece that puts a room over the top.” 921 N. La Cienega Blvd., 310-652-2103

? Nickey Kehoe

Interior designers like Kristine Kamenstein head to Amy Kehoe and Todd Nickey’s shop for its boho-chic mix of Edwardian settees, industrial lighting and rustic-luxurious new finds. 7221 Beverly Blvd., 323-954-9300

? Galerie Half

The hyper-curated showroom spotlights pieces by Jean Prouve, Arne Jacobsen and Charlotte Perriand. Owners Cameron Smith and Cliff Fong (DeGeneres, Murphy) have a following that includes Diane Keaton and Jeffrey Alan Marks (Gillian Anderson, Paul Reiser). 6911 Melrose Ave., 323-424-3866

 

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? Twentieth

One of the city’s best sources for the very latest in cutting-edge design, Twentieth is a fave of designer Jeff Andrews (Ryan Seacrest, Michael C. Hall). “It’s my go-to for contemporary furniture, and the selection of contemporary lighting is unsurpassed,” he says. 8057 Beverly Blvd., 323-904-1200

? Ralph Pucci

Some of the world’s top contemporary design is found at Ralph Pucci. Among designer James Magni’s (Judith Light) current obsessions is the Piercing Console by Parisian designer Herve van der Straeten. “It’s on my hot list.” 8687 Melrose Ave., B203, 310-360-9707

? Gray Gallery

Design titan Michael S. Smith has frequented the ceramics-centric shop that features massive wall reliefs, statement-making lighting and a host of hard-to-define biomorphic objects. 8751 Melrose Ave., 310-854-0091

? Blackman Cruz

The quirky, opulent and offbeat showroom is a hit with designers and rock stars alike for its unusual mix of gothic-cool finds. Think skull lamps and spiked “bean bags” and gilded Crown of Thorns mirrors, many of which have five-figure price tags. “Everything is unexpected … but yet simultaneously classic,” says designer Wendy Schwartz. 836 N. Highland Ave., 323-466-8600