The moody glamour that accompanies most of Apparatus’ furniture and lighting pieces may seem very much a reflection of its New York base, but in fact, the West Coast and California has long been a touchstone for its founders, Jeremy Anderson and Gabriel Hendifar, who moved from Los Angeles to New York seven years ago in order to establish the studio.
This month, the studio celebrates a homecoming to California, with the opening of its new Los Angeles showroom in Hollywood. Well placed on McCadden Place with creative stalwarts like JF Chen, Blackman Cruz, Ralph Pucci and Regan Projects as neighbours, the 5,000 sq ft warehouse space, which was formerly a prominent television production studio, has been transformed into an evocative, sun-drenched environment that casts Apparatus’ collection in a distinctly West Coast light.
Hendifar, a native Los Angeleno, says, ‘The West Coast has always informed the sensibility of the studio. Here, we had the chance to interpret the brand through a specifically Southern California lens. We found the perfect opportunity to bring Apparatus full circle, back to our roots.’
The showroom channels Giorgio de Chirico, from whom its perspectives are inspired. Photography: wichmann+bendsten. Styling: Helle Walsted
The showroom is a sensual mix of desaturated sunset tones and Giorgio de Chirico-inspired perspectives. Natural light streams through the space through a row of clerestory windows, located 15 ft above ground, while expressed in-hand trowel plaster walls bring an undercurrent tactility that’s also emphasised by stone and veneer architectural elements and three tons of gravel that have been discreetly placed all around.
Hendifar adds, ‘We wanted to distil the dreamy quality of De Chirico’s paintings. It feels so right for Los Angeles and the times we’re in.’
Presented against such a backdrop, Apparatus’ full collection of furniture, lighting and objects couldn’t be more appealing. To celebrate their joining of LA’s art and design community, the studio has also selected pieces from the JF Chen collection for display in its new home, alongside works by local artists Robert Moreland and Amir Nikravan in a true show of Californian hospitality. §
