SHOPTALK with Susanna Salk
Photograhpy by Sam Frost

outside Downtown
“We must be crazy doing this,” says David Serrano of the just weeks old shop he and partner Robert Willson decided to launch in addition to their bustling ode to vintage fabulousness, Downtown, just five doors down from their new shop on La Cienega. “When the opportunity came we did hesitate,” said Willson, “but then we saw the wonderful old stone floors in the space and it reminded us of one of those gorgeous homes in the South of France or the Hamptons that is so easy to take care of. That's what triggered the theme of Outside Downtown.”

THE WHOLE MENTALITY HERE IS A VACATION-STATE-OF-MIND,”EXPLAINS SERRANO
who hails from Baja California and knows a thing or two about serene spaces. “Here are pieces that are for relaxing, whether it’s in your second home or in your pool house. Because of the climate here in Los Angeles, the lines between indoor and outdoor rooms are seamless. Inspired by West Coast designers, Kelly Wearstler and John Saladino who are constantly celebrating this with their work, we wanted to create an environment dedicated to that philosophy.”
THE 1,500 FOOT SPACE IS NOW AN
environment that encourages ample reposing (with feet up, of course) on one of the many splendid antique chairs. There is no music and often just candle light. A chiseled stone driveway has been turned into a quiet garden of native plants. “It’s mellow here,” says Serrano, “and we want our pieces to reflect that. We kept the color palette to a minimum and bleached more surfaces to allow the wood to come through.” While Downtown will feature a lacquered Parzinger cabinet from the 1950's, at Outside Downtown, the lines are older and simpler –and patina as welcome as a long lost friend who doesn’t mind basking in the radiant Southern California sun. Fabrics here of washed leather or linen are sure not to spoil the delight of outdoor entertaining.

ART, CHOSEN FOR ITS COLOR, NOT
lineage, offers ideal companionship to the vintage furniture, along with linen rugs, ceramics glass, and vintage sculptures of wood that are meant to touch. “People come-in with a different mentality here,” says Willson. “They are looking for items that have no pretension.” Inventory is replenished by “shopping” trips to their 10,000 square foot Los Angeles warehouse where they store the fruits of their many years of collecting. “We have no agenda in keeping everything,” admits Serrano. “Nor do we have egos when it comes to what we do. Robert is a scholar when it comes to knowing the history of a piece and I just go by the seat of my pant and buy what I love.
A TYPICAL DAY HAS SERRANO AND
Willson driving to work together but now with two stores, the gentlemen part company at Downtown’s doorstep where Serrano heads over to helm the new venture. But despite the separate locations, this twenty year partnership is as united as ever. “We speak constantly about whatever is going on and needed in both places,” says Willson. And at the end of the day, they head back to their circa1939 home near Hancock Park where Serrano, (a self-described surreal artist), might paint and Willson (a former professional chef) might whip up a feast for two or twenty. No matter the menu, one thing is almost always certain: the meal will be savored in their home, outside.
ADDRESS:
735 N. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90069 |Phone: 310.854.1880 | Fax: 310.854.1881
Email: outsidedowntown@SBCGLOBAL.net | Website: http://www.downtown20.net/