We're going to explore LA's design enclaves. We'll start with our discoveries on Third Street, working our way west from LaBrea to Robertson.
The Brendan Barry Collection is tucked onto the quiet part of Third Street that sits between LaBrea and Martel, east of the Grove. It's a year old newcomer to an area undergoing a substantial growth spurt. Although we've zipped by it in the car many times on the way to our Trader Joe's, this time the two giant giraffe sculptures outside the door beckoned us to come in...
While sister store Barong, on LaBrea, is emphasizes fountains and garden furniture, here the spotlight is on modern furniture and Asian accessories, primarily from Indonesia. The store's offerings are hand picked by owner Brendan Barry and offered for sale at reasonable prices. We especially liked a crackled glass divider and smaller versions of the wooden tripod lamp we've seen elsewhere for double the price. More than just a furniture showroom, however; Barry, who's been seen on the now defunct "Designer's Challenge," also provides home design and custom furniture services. He promises that upholstered furniture, in your choice of fabrics, will be in your home in two weeks. He's someone to talk to about turning that dream piece, a picture of which you tore out of a magazine so long ago it's now creased from being in your wallet, from a wish into a reality. 
The use of Buddhas (or any icons of worship, for that matter) as decoration and embellishment is really offensive in my opinion. I have seen Thai altars used as a footstool as part of an interior showcase in a local mall and Taoist religious paraphernalia to create paper lamps. Terribly distasteful.
Nevertheless, some of the items in the store do look really good...
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