We admit it: we're not averse to occasionally accepting a compliment or thank you. So we were more than a little proud when local store owner Kristen Taylor of
Juvie recently contacted us to inform us that Apartment Therapy was a noted resource and guide in shaping the decor of her newly opened Silver Lake children's clothing and wares shop.
I wanted an overall designer glam 70s vibe to the store, to remind parents of the way things looked when they were the age that their kids are now. If I could have sprung for lots of Milo Baughman and Pierre Cardin I would have, but small businesses have small budgets, so I just accented with Lucite and chrome wherever possible. From The Hip (August 18th post) had two great stools that we use behind the register and for parents waiting outside the dressing room. Theres another Lucite stool in one of the fitting rooms (eBay).
I knew I wanted wallpaper, so I started by mining the vintage wallpaper links here and there. Not so easy goingit was hard to find a large enough volume of anything (the wall is 27 long and 12 high). There were a couple companies in Europe that had quantities of what looked like great vintage rolls, but I couldnt risk the shipping time and potential disappointment of getting real-life colors that were completely different from the computer monitors after all that time and expense. The July 14 post on Walnut Wallpaper was a lifesaver! What a treat to have access to that gorgeous paper. I chose a new design by Osbourne and Little called Volte. Its actually a re-do of one of their 70s designs, updated in fresh colors.
I painted the rest of the walls Benjamin Moore China White (well, actually, that was mostly Francisco Sanchez and his crewuntil he moved on to painting John Teshs house). I cant find the post that sang the praises of this Benjamin Moore pre-mixed white with the tonal depth of porcelain (maybe it was ATNY). But it was perfect when we painted the house a year ago, and it was just right for the store now. Its bright, neutral, and yet has some warmth.
After seeing Project Runway contestant Laura Bennetts kids swinging on those hanging chairs in her audition video, I knew I had to have one for the store. I have a lounge area with trashtastic magazines on a whale-shaped coffee table (eBay), a Fatboy lounge (April 20), and a chrome tube and canvas chair (eBay again), and the hanging chair was the last piece. So, I posted the question, and AT came through within an hour. Thank you, Turquoise! I must not have been the only one with this idea, because the chair wasnt in Burbank, Tustin, Carson, or Covina. They must not watch PR in Costa Mesa, because that warehouse was fully stocked.
And thanks to AT as well for teaching me to not be afraid of Ikea any more. I made my first Ikea purchases in the 80s when the quality was sketchier, and hence wrote them off. About a year ago (hey, is that when I started reading AT?) I gave them another look, and now I know that Ikea does some things better than anyone else. And besides, can there be a Silver Lake gift/clothing/lifestyle emporium without an Expedit bookcase? I think its in the zoning. Thanks, AT! See you at Juvie.
Sincerely,
Kristen Taylor
Owner, Juvie
2395-C Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
323.667.0344 T
Juvie. Cute name, great store design! I think the white wall behind the cash register could look even cooler with some kind photomural wallpaper. But, hey, that's just me...
Slightly unrelated, but hows that sumo sack working out? (It is a sumo right?) I was thinking of getting one, but wanted someones testament to its comfort, and durability...
oh I didn't read, thats a fatboy lounge?
Hi Tai--That is a Fatboy, and it's very comfy, and cleans easily with a damp cloth. It's been skated on, tossed around and otherwise abused with no signs of wear yet. But it doesn't have the same squish factor of the more expensive love sac.
Hi Enrique--Thanks for the props. You know how there's "done," and then there's "done?" Emily Wagner, another AT denizen, is doing some kid portraits for that very blank wall. Art takes time...
Kristen. That should look great. Good luck with the store.
I love JUVIE and most importantly, my kids love it too. Absolutely unique and extraordinarily hip. Best of luck Kristen!
Kristen. Very cute...if I may ask, who manufatures your pole mounted hanging fixtures? I live in a loft and am looking for a closet system. Good luck with your store!
Jaye: I don't know whose pole-mounted fixtures those are, but I can recommend the ones from issdesigns.com - they sold me some poles etc for bookshelves a few years ago, and then when I moved into a loft they sold me extensions for the extra height. They have all sorts of stuff - and they're really nice people, on the phone, too.
Hi Jaye: The system is from Ikea. It's the Stollen line. You'll want the catalog to get the specs, and I highly recommend doing a detailed drawing and listing your necessary components before hitting the store; there's no "planning tool" available there. Good luck!