Commune Community Shop
by Julie Wolfson
Opening their workspace in West Hollywood two afternoons a week, Commune Community Shop is multidisciplinary design collective Commune's first retail venture. What's for sale reflects the group's neo-boho aesthetic—natural textiles, Native America craft, unique ceramics and metal sculpture—seen in their own collaborations with the likes of the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs and the Heath Ceramics' L.A. store to Opening Ceremony in Tokyo. (Check out their holistic approach to developing projects in their design log.)
Even finding the Robertson Boulevard shop speaks to the group's ethos. First, walk past the glitzy new Christian Louboutin boutique and look for the doorway marked by a small rectangular bronze sign. The doors open on a giant inspiration board on the left and reception desk with spaces displaying artists work on the right. Continuing into the space, you see Steve Halterman's stained glass fixtures hanging about, workspaces, a pile of Commune's killim pillows and a tent filled with more art and home accessories.
Ceramic artist, April Napier lives and works in Los Angeles, transfering photographic images of the surface of the moon onto her delicate stoneware. Greybull Nation is a collections of vintage jewelry and accessories handcrafted by Native Americans. The pieces are hunted down by photographer and master collector Lisa Eisner.
Born in Utah, Allen, designer of the bronze lobby door handles and stools for the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, moved around the U.S. before settling in Joshua Tree to build his home and studio. His works in wood and metal can be found around the world from Tokyo to New York. With extensive commercial and print experience, set designer and prop stylist, Steve Halterman learned the art of stained glass making from his mother. These stained glass lanterns are lit by candlelight.
Robert Lewis' Lovelight floor and table lamps are based on custom light fixtures he created with Commune.
Designed by Commune, these one of a kind pillows are made in Los Angeles from reclaimed kilims and vintage fabrics. The backs of the pillows are stitched with Commune’s signature stitch detail.
The Community Store in Palm Springs will open in January 2010 and feature the same artists as Los Angeles, plus Free City clothing, L’Oeil du Vert fragrances, Kathryn Bentley jewelry and more.
See more images after the jump.
