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This story appeared in the Summer 2017 issue; see more summer stories here and subscribe now.
“I love LA because it’s very laid-back—but people still get dressed up for dinner and wear great shoes,” says Jennifer Mankins. The owner of the much-coveted Bird boutiques, with four shops in Brooklyn, Mankins opened her latest outpost in Culver City earlier this year.
[In the lead image: Banda wallpaper by Eskayel]
Now the ladies of Los Angeles have a new go-to for independent designers, hard-to-find accessories, and the perfect printed dress. As Mankins sees it: “You can still be smart and serious, but you don’t have to wear black and gray all the time.”
[In this image: Cherry Bombe Cage Chandelier by Lindsey Adelman; AJ Eklipta Wall Light by Arne Jacobsen at Louis Poulsen; Glazed Tiles from Heath Ceramics; Rose Petal paint by Benjamin Moore; Citron paint by Benjamin Moore]
The 5,000-square-foot space reflects her mastery of color. Inspiration for the palette of cream, pink, and chartreuse, with hints of blue, came from a variety of sources—like the historic artist hangout La Colombe d’Or hotel in southern France and a vintage advertisement for Acqua di Parma perfume.
[In this image: Brass hat stands from All Roads]
“To my painter’s chagrin, I chose a different color for every door,” says Mankins, laughing. When she contacted Heath Ceramics in San Francisco to order custom oversize tiles, the owners suggested using reclaimed ceramic kiln shelves, which had developed a rich, patinaed surface. “Each one is singular,” says Mankins. “They represent what I think about fashion—it should be individual, organic, and all about the person wearing the piece.”
To outfit the store, she drew on her circle of female friends. Shanan Campanaro of Eskayel created a grass-cloth print for a feature wall, Lindsey Adelman designed custom cherry bomb light fixtures, and Janelle Pietrzak of All Roads crafted the polished brass fixtures.
Skylights, Douglas fir walls, and vintage furniture round out the space. “I wanted to capture color in a design that’s still minimal” says Mankins. “We ended up with a palette that’s warm, inviting, and inspiring.”
[The dressing room doors are painted in Rose Petal and Citron by Benjamin Moore.]
Read more from the summer issue:
Editor’s Letter: The Inspiration Behind the Summer 2017 Issue We’re Calling It: Yellow Is the Color of the Summer Dive Into Our Summer Issue With Glossier
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