Los Angeles Times

A design showroom with an eye on L.A.

- — Jessica Ritz Hammer and Spear | 255 S. Santa Fe Ave., Suite 101, Arts District; (213) 928-0997, www.hammerands­pear.com.

From a corner of Santa Fe Avenue and East 3rd Street, interior designers Kristan Cunningham and Scott Jarrell have had a special vantage point from which to observe the drastic changes happening in the downtown Arts District since they opened Hammer and Spear in March 2013.

Nearly two years later, Cunningham and Jarrell took the leap from occupying 1,500 to 6,000 square feet on the ground floor of a historic brick-clad building opposite SCI-Arc and the newly completed mixeduse One Santa Fe developmen­t. Hammer and Spear reopened in March with room to accommodat­e broader inventory along with offices for their busy interior design firm.

“The more time we spent here and met more amazing people,” Cunningham explained, the showroom “became more representa­tive of L.A.-based designers” and less about being vintage-focused. “We want to help support all these artists we believe in,” she noted. That includes Arts District resident Jonn Coolidge, who once mentioned he makes ceramics when he can find time between his profession­al photograph­y assignment­s. Cunningham and Jarrell work closely with local makers such as (Wh)ore Haüs Studios by Meyghan Hill, a model-turned-welder. Designer Sabin Ousey’s Sabin furniture is another favorite, with many of his pieces integrated into the shop’s intensely neutral palette.

The store’s antique display surfaces and new shelving are stocked with an array of otherwise hardto-find apothecary items, stationery, barware and edible goods. Some constants remain as Hammer and Spear continues to expand, however. Whether it’s finding a new home for 1980s Gae Aulenti sofas and chairs, stocking a line of grooming products, or championin­g work by emerging local talents, “We take the storytelli­ng seriously,” Cunningham said.

 ?? Photog raphs by Jonathan Ventura ?? HAMMER AND SPEAR grew from 1,500 to 6,000 square feet in the downtown Arts District.
Photog raphs by Jonathan Ventura HAMMER AND SPEAR grew from 1,500 to 6,000 square feet in the downtown Arts District.
 ??  ?? THE STORE’S broad inventory features items old and new, including tubs, sofas and chairs, grooming products, stationery and edible goods.
THE STORE’S broad inventory features items old and new, including tubs, sofas and chairs, grooming products, stationery and edible goods.

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