Christofle lab on Melrose goes for Paris polish

Known for its distinctive silver work and tabletop pieces, the Parisian firm Christofle has established Studio Christofle on Melrose Place in Los Angeles as the international brand’s sole concept store. The interiors of the boutique, which opened in 2013 and are re- imagined annually, have become something of an event for home decor enthusiasts.

“It is a one- of- a- kind design laboratory, which will be constantly evolving,” says artistic director Stephane Parmentier, who oversaw the latest transformation of the boutique into a setting inspired by Parisian apartments and the architecture of Baron Georges- Eugène Haussmann, whose urban planning transformed the French capital in the mid- 1800s.

To soften the contemporary design of the gallery- like space, Parmentier installed custom velvet panels imprinted with a trompe l’oeil pattern inspired by paneling and molding found in Haussmann- designed apartments. He decorated with locally sourced antiques and midcentury pieces, including a $ 15,000 pair of armchairs that Hollywood decorator William Haines customized in a bold pink for actress Ann Rutherford.

A double- shelf 1860s mahogany console displays Christofle’s flatware, including the new Perles II stainless steel cutlery collection, and candelabra, such as Marcel Wanders’ intricate hand- engraved Jardin d’Eden pattern. And, in a departure from traditional retailing, other items are displayed on contemporary furnishings that are for sale to the public.

And though the 185- year- old Christofle, which was silversmith to royalty, has its share of luxuries, it also has more affordable indulgences. Its first foray into the scented candle, the classic hostess gift, is $ 60.