COAST Magazine June 2008

ARTISANCE REVIVAL
The name is the same as it has been for 16 years outside this jewelbox of a décor boutique tucked away in a corner of Laguna Beach, Inside, it’s a completely new story.

Seven months ago, designer Angela Tesselaar and a business partner bought the store, then gradually transformed it to reflect Tesselaar’s signature spare sophistication. To do that, she scours the world - from Asia to Europe - for the kinds of coveted objects rarely found elsewhere in Orange County. Take the masks visible from outside the window of the boutique. Each is one-of-akind, hand-hewn from coral to ward off eveil spirits. Such artifact-like pieces are mixed with artisanal items such as Edwina Hunt lamps with white sculptural bases, nature-inspired objets d’art by Eduardo Garza, silver pitchers by Air del Sur, and Ochre lighting - all on the modern and elegant side.

Almost everything in a classic hue, whether it’s black or white, taupe or cream, because Tesselaar is not big on color. She’s all about textures, understatement and incontrovertible quality. The litmus test for anything she carries in the store is whether she would choose it hor her house. “If I just like it, I won’t buy it,” she said. “I have to love it.”

She fills the boutique with accoutrements for fine living, such as subtly fragrant candles and the venerable Margriage Freres teas from Paris. There are luxury coffee table books from Taschen, including the art edition of Valentino Garavani: una grande storia italiana, of which there are only 1200 copies - all signed by Valentino - at $1,500 each.

-LISA LIDDANE