In Angelo Surmelis' kitchen remodel.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Featured Designer Max Gough
INTRODUCING MAX GOUGH
Empiric's part time sales associate, offering design services
Max Gough moved to the West coast in the spring of 2000, leaving behind him a fledgling New York City dance career and long east coast winters. Inspired and reinvigorated by the beauty of Southern California he went on to earn separate degrees in Photography and Interior Design. At the start of his career he had the good fortune to work with notable designers such as Gary Gibson, D. Crosby Ross, and Martyn Lawrence Bullard. After several years of mentorship he was ready to strike out on his own.
Maximillian Designs was born out of a cross breed of different influences and worlds which now enable him to create unique and sumptuous spaces. " I feel my own style is discovering what makes my clients happy and pushing them even further to make it the work or living space of their dreams. " He has completed projects in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
If you want to meet Max and discuss your project, he is currently working Wednesdays and Saturdays at Empirics Beverly Blvd showroom. We recently sat down with Max to dish design.
Annie: What is a common misconception about designs services?
Max: That they have to be expensive! I am able to enter someone's home and, in a 3 hour window, aid them in color consultation and space planning. I can offer suggestions for window treatments, fabric, and lighting or help with design dilemmas that have their progress at a stand still.
A: What is the cost for your 3 hour consultation?
M: The consultation is $375 and should they decide to proceed with additional services this fee is absorbed into the larger vision.
A: What do you think makes you stand out in the design world?
M: I believe I am unique in that I'm not a designer that comes in and stamps the same style on every project. I have the ability to listen to the clients needs and wants for their space and give them the room of their dreams or better than what they imagined. The places we live in have the power to make us feel differently about ourselves. I love completing a project and hearing a client say, "I never thought I could live in a place like this". Often this is achieved by rearranging their existing furniture and adding color for an inexpensive change.
A: What are a few of your favorite spaces in LA?
M: Pali House, which coincidentally features many items from Empiric. I wasn't aware of this until I started working with Empiric and feel our finding eachother was kismet. Another is Maison 140 in Beverly Hills. You walk in and feel like you're entering a place outside of Los Angeles. Really sexy! Also, Terroni on Beverly Blvd where the designers did a fantastic job of blending old and new features that are unexpected and really exciting. Plus they have great pizza and a nice wine selection.
A: What are your favorite pieces currently in the Empiric showrooms?
M: Our new Williams Sleeper Sofa. Ask any designer how difficult it is to find a beautiful sleeper sofa! With this piece there is no compromise between form and function. We recently got in a stunning vintage George Nelson Dresser. It's classic, understated, and with its new finish, extremely chic. Also, a pair of MonteVerdi Young black leather chairs that are a handsome addition to any sophisticated room. Of course all of the unusual objects that fly in and out of the store daily are a decorators dream to add the final interesting touches to any project.
Maximillian Designs was born out of a cross breed of different influences and worlds which now enable him to create unique and sumptuous spaces. " I feel my own style is discovering what makes my clients happy and pushing them even further to make it the work or living space of their dreams. " He has completed projects in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
If you want to meet Max and discuss your project, he is currently working Wednesdays and Saturdays at Empirics Beverly Blvd showroom. We recently sat down with Max to dish design.
Annie: What is a common misconception about designs services?
Max: That they have to be expensive! I am able to enter someone's home and, in a 3 hour window, aid them in color consultation and space planning. I can offer suggestions for window treatments, fabric, and lighting or help with design dilemmas that have their progress at a stand still.
A: What is the cost for your 3 hour consultation?
M: The consultation is $375 and should they decide to proceed with additional services this fee is absorbed into the larger vision.
A: What do you think makes you stand out in the design world?
M: I believe I am unique in that I'm not a designer that comes in and stamps the same style on every project. I have the ability to listen to the clients needs and wants for their space and give them the room of their dreams or better than what they imagined. The places we live in have the power to make us feel differently about ourselves. I love completing a project and hearing a client say, "I never thought I could live in a place like this". Often this is achieved by rearranging their existing furniture and adding color for an inexpensive change.
A: What are a few of your favorite spaces in LA?
M: Pali House, which coincidentally features many items from Empiric. I wasn't aware of this until I started working with Empiric and feel our finding eachother was kismet. Another is Maison 140 in Beverly Hills. You walk in and feel like you're entering a place outside of Los Angeles. Really sexy! Also, Terroni on Beverly Blvd where the designers did a fantastic job of blending old and new features that are unexpected and really exciting. Plus they have great pizza and a nice wine selection.
A: What are your favorite pieces currently in the Empiric showrooms?
M: Our new Williams Sleeper Sofa. Ask any designer how difficult it is to find a beautiful sleeper sofa! With this piece there is no compromise between form and function. We recently got in a stunning vintage George Nelson Dresser. It's classic, understated, and with its new finish, extremely chic. Also, a pair of MonteVerdi Young black leather chairs that are a handsome addition to any sophisticated room. Of course all of the unusual objects that fly in and out of the store daily are a decorators dream to add the final interesting touches to any project.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
David Beard's Home
David is a fun and friendly client that can see the modern pieces we sell outside of the context of our more scientific feeling showroom. As you can see in the pictures below, he has created a beautiful, classic and comfortable space that is not a cliche. Many of the pieces came from Empiric, can you guess which ones?
My favorite part is that David clearly enjoys the process. Well done.
My favorite part is that David clearly enjoys the process. Well done.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Empiric Products
In addition to our revolving door of high quality, unique, vintage pieces Empiric offers a line of furniture designed by Michael Towey, manufactured in Los Angeles, and sold exclusively in our stores. Here are just a few of our featured designs.
Empiric barstool. Available in 4 finishes; chrome, raw, black, white. Two seat styles can be made in fabric, vinyl, or leather. With or without swivel. Height 31" or lower. Starting at $295 ea.
Nickel plated cold rolled steel. Available in a variety of fabrics and leather as well as C.O.M. starting at $675 ea.
Empiric offers two styles of bench both of which can be made in custom dimensions and the finish and fabric of your choice.
Empiric Lounge Chair. Cold rolled steel with cherry wood arms and matching ottoman. Chair available C.O.M. for $1273.
Empiric barstool. Available in 4 finishes; chrome, raw, black, white. Two seat styles can be made in fabric, vinyl, or leather. With or without swivel. Height 31" or lower. Starting at $295 ea.
Nickel plated cold rolled steel. Available in a variety of fabrics and leather as well as C.O.M. starting at $675 ea.
Empiric offers two styles of bench both of which can be made in custom dimensions and the finish and fabric of your choice.
Empiric Lounge Chair. Cold rolled steel with cherry wood arms and matching ottoman. Chair available C.O.M. for $1273.Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Comparative Shopping - Monteverdi-Young Chair
Vintage Leather Tufted Monteverdi-Young ChairMeasurements: 28"w x 29"d x 39"h
Materials: Leather and Wood
Condition: Very Good
Blend Interiors Price: $3750.
Empiric Price: $1325.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
Magic Lantern Light Boxes
Griffith Park Observatory
The Moon
Alcoholic Heart
Birds
Egypt PyramidWednesday, July 30, 2008
Comparative Shopping - Saarinen Table
54" Eero Saarinen Pedestal TableMeasurements: H 28.25" Diameter 54"
Materials: Cast aluminum with rilsan finish; MDF with bevel-edged laminate.
Condition: Slightly Used
DWR price $2148.
Empiric price $1775.
Empiric price $1775.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
We have a great deal of respect for the designers that have come before us and their work. From time to time we will point to some people that inspire us in the area of furniture design under the heading "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants".
There are countless hundreds of thousands of chair designs out there. Some designers try to make their mark with a revolutionary design. Three legs, cardboard, whatever. Some take what is obviously great already and try to make it just a little bit better. Edward Wormley is a designer with a healthy appreciation of classic design as you can see below.
“Modernism means freedom—freedom to mix, to choose, to change, to embrace the new but to hold fast to what is good.” -Edward J Wormley
In 1926 he went to study briefly at the Art Institute of Chicago. Funds ran out and he went to work as an interior designer for Marshall Fields & Company department store. During the Depression, Wormley was introduced to the president of Dunbar Furniture Company of Berne, Indiana, who hired him to upgrade their product line.
His eye for quality and the exacting craftsmanship at Dunbar made for furniture that was elegant, understated and exceptionally well-made. Wormley was never really at the forefront of Modern design. Instead, he took the best elements from classical, historical design and translated them into Modern vernacular. The result was furniture that was sophisticated, yet mainstream and very successful.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Comparative Shopping - Deep Low Arm Sofa
Empiric's Audrey Sofa
measurements: 38" x 32" high
materials: kiln dried hardwood frame and apron stained, sinuous spring system
100% customizable
lead time: 14 days
Priced starting at $1639.
William Sonoma's Harrison Sofa
measurements: 39" x 36" high
materials: kiln dried hardwood frame and apron stained, sinuous spring system
lead time: 45 days
Priced starting at $3050.
Pottery Barns Seabury Sofa
measurements: 41" x 35" high
materials: kiln dried hardwood frame and apron stained, sinuous spring system
lead time: 70 days
Priced starting at $1799.
measurements: 38" x 32" high
materials: kiln dried hardwood frame and apron stained, sinuous spring system
100% customizable
lead time: 14 days
Priced starting at $1639.
William Sonoma's Harrison Sofa
measurements: 39" x 36" high
materials: kiln dried hardwood frame and apron stained, sinuous spring system
lead time: 45 days
Priced starting at $3050.
Pottery Barns Seabury Sofa
measurements: 41" x 35" high
materials: kiln dried hardwood frame and apron stained, sinuous spring system
lead time: 70 days
Priced starting at $1799.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Empiric
Empiric; derived from the word Empirical meaning "capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment".
We evolved out of a print making studio on Beverly Blvd opened in 1996 and 12 years later are celebrating the anniversary of our second location in the Culver City Arts District. Our specialty is combining modern twentieth century interiors with highly functional institutional furnishings resulting in creative and practical spaces for our clients which are both useful and elegant.
In addition to our carefully restored vintage objects we also design and manufacture pieces sold exclusively through our stores.
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