the
MAKER’S MAP
los angeles

In my 20 years as an interior designer in L.A., I’ve had the pleasure of working with some amazing artisans, crafting everything from furnishings and tableware to sculptures and lighting.

Here, I’m sharing my favorites—and where you can find them.

Hyunuko
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Hyunuko

The artist’s inventive use of color and beautiful finishes are really what make these tables stand out. They have a really earthy, organic, inspired-by-nature look, which I love.

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Earth & Element
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Earth & Element

This beautiful ceramic tableware puts an inventive spin on your grandmother’s China. Inspired by traditional shapes and patterns, the raw materials shine through for a modern twist. I particularly love the braided mugs!

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Mansi Shah
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Mansi Shah

Here is another artist who uses color, finishes, and textures really beautifully. Her palette, a mix between primary gold and pastels, is really unique and beautiful. I adore her delicate sculptures, small enough to hold in my hands.

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Kalon Studios
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Kalon Studios

Fans of Japanese minimalism will fall in love with this spare, sculptural seating collection. They make everything locally and sustainably, too, which is an extra bonus.

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Megan Reed
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Megan Reed

I’m so drawn to these whimsical sculptures, which showcase colors you wouldn’t necessarily put together, but which actually work perfectly in harmony. Reed’s eye for color is really unique, and results in some beautiful, interesting work. I can’t stop looking at her sculptures!

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Community Mfg
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Community Mfg

I work with this company for a lot of my upholstery, and in addition to their standard line, they’re also doing beautiful customization. They always have great ideas and are eager to help designers communicate their vision. I’m also in love with the fact that all their pieces are manufactured here in L.A.

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Rachel Shillander
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Rachel Shillander

Shillander’s lounge chairs are just so cool. I love the balance between organic, earthy, natural materials and glamorous references. It’s such a beautiful, unexpected mix, and would add a really fun element into an environment.

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Ian Collings
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Ian Collings

What I love most about this Ojai-based sculptor’s work is his reference to the natural world. In his pieces, you can see the intricate details of the graining and marbling. They almost feel like objects you might find on a walk in nature. If you were really lucky!

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Christopher Norman Projects
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Christopher Norman Projects

Handcrafted by trained architect Christopher Norman, these extraordinary wooden works of art double as furniture. They make a striking and sculptural statement.

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Dan John Anderson
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Dan John Anderson

Anderson’s wooden objects, sculptures, and furniture pieces represent an artisanal, earthy-modern look that’s very quintessential California. His stools are functional pieces of sculptural art. I’d love to use one in a garden.

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The Haas Brothers
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

The Haas Brothers

The Haas Brothers are geniuses, infusing their work with humor and childlike whimsy. I’ve always been drawn to animal representations and figurines, and their fantasy creatures are just the best…they remind me of Fraggles. If only I could have a house filled with their things…one day!

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Heather Levine Ceramics
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Heather Levine Ceramics

Our kids went to preschool together, and before I knew what she did for a living, the lovely Heather invited me to her home for a playdate. As soon as I walked in, it was obvious a real artist lived there! I quickly became obsessed with her gorgeous, earthy work, which reminds me of what I love most about L.A.—the canyons and the water.

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Bari Ziperstein
Carolyn Thomas Carolyn Thomas

Bari Ziperstein

Artist Bari Ziperstein’s glazed ceramics and housewares are so completely original—any one of her offerings would be a great way to bring extra life and personality into a room. I especially love the way she plays with shape and color

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