Some of the most popular features on AT include our round-ups of items from chain stores. Today's LA Times Home & Garden section sets Phillippe Starck, Kelly Wearstler and MOCA curator Brooke Hodge loose in Big Lots, Cost Plus World Market and Tuesday Morning, respectively, where they round up the items from these chain stores that catch their eye, at a price we can all afford. There are also round-ups of gifts for the gardener, inspired by nature, and Judaica pieces for your home. More, pics and links, after the jump...
Phillippe Stark goes shopping at Big Lots Phillippe Starck's advice on shopping the big box stores? “You must be very rigorous," he says, adding, "Try to find the essence, the most iconic or simple representation of a thing."
Brooke Hodge shops Tuesday Morning: Brooke Hodge's advice to choose “Clean, simple lines made from materials that look more expensive than they really are,” goes a long way in bringing home the cream of the crop from off-price outlet Tuesday Morning.
Shopping at Cost Plus World Market with Kelly Wearstler: Kelly's rule for high end style at a low end price? “Go for the simple and understated. Bright colors and wild patterns can tend to look on the cheap side.”
Holiday Gifts inspired by the garden: A roundup of gifts for the gardener that are a far cry from the usual including a salad bowl that you grow and eat, a garden of colourful water concious blooms and gilded leaves.
Judaica pieces for the modern home: Menorahs and other items some of which can be used year round.
Lofty transformation for the Masonic Temple: The Masonic Temple in downtown Long Beach has been transformed into livable lofts through adaptive reuse, which preserves the facade and other historical elements. Residents carve out unique living quarters while maintaining the integrity of the building.
[image: Al Seib for LAT; Al Seib for LAT; Al Seib for LAT; Gourmet Mushroom Pro; Glenn Koenig for LAT; Stefano Paltera for LAT ]
What a great idea. I'm going to have to dig up last weeks newpapers from the recycle bin to read this.
view Comicgeek's profile
How about the notion of (gasp!) CONSUMING LESS and working with what we already own?
view Gideon's profile
How fun! I know Apartment Therapy has expressed dislike for Starck in the past, but face it...he's the greatest designer of our era.
view starckmad2's profile
Great suggestion, Gideon. It's amazing the things stuck away in drawers and cabinets that can be brought out for a second life. I find rotating decorative items really helps keep the apartment fresh, and it's always such a simple pleasure to bring out something you forgot you had and get excited again.
However, I must admit that Big Lots can be amazing. I've found wonderfully gaudy treasures to add to the mix ;)
view dhyana's profile
and regarding the temple lofts... i looked at their site last night and was so overwhelmingly inspired that i dreamed about being there!
these are great for so many reasons-- historic preservation, re-purpose/recycle/lowering our "footprint", and yet another example that condensed urban living can be so incredibly attractive.
i just wish the market could get flooded with this type of housing so that it becomes more affordable to those who most desire it.
view dhyana's profile