Antiquing in Santa Monica, CA
Last week, a group of us from the company, went to Los Angeles, California to present our new line of Martha Stewart Living products available exclusively at the Home Depot. This Home Depot Managers meeting was held at the new Marriott in Santa Monica. We had a three-hour break between that presentation and an upfront dinner for advertisers held at the Montage, in Beverly Hills. Robin Marino, our CEO, and I decided to take the time to explore some antique stores and to scout around in Santa Monica. We went to Wertz Brothers Antique Mart, Inner Gardens, and Mary Steenburgen’s Rooms and Gardens. Here are some photos of what we found. Also, don't forget to check out Kevin Sharkey's blog Home Design With Kevin Sharkey for more photos from our L.A trip!
1 The first stop on our antiques jaunt - Wertz Brothers Antique Mart - a wonderful antiques mall
2 We were given a warm greeting as we entered - he was very happy to see two New Yorkers with 'big eyes.'
3 This is a typical booth at Wertz - chock full of stuff!
4 Fire King is still really hot.
5 There are many, many cases full of all kinds of treasures - jewelry, porcelain, dolls, glassware, etc., etc.
6 I saw many things I would have bought, such as this outdoor planter encrusted with small conch shells - perfect for my East Hampton place.
7 A closeup of the shell covered urn - it is quite extraordinary!
8 I was very much drawn to the étagère stand in metal - I thought this would make a good plant stand.
9 At Wertz, I discovered this beautiful two tiered cart with glass shelves - If polished, it would be perfect for my daughter's new apartment
10 Another view of the cart - I did not purchase it yet.
11 Silver was available in quantity at Wertz - lots of napkin rings.
12 I started a collection of old baby dishes years ago - this one was not in perfect shape, so it stayed in California.
13 Another view of the baby's dish and saucer - it was engraved with the name, Janice, on the bowl and on the saucer.
14 Engraved with nursery rhymes, these childrens' silver items are really cute and beautiful.
15 I collect old taxidermy and this river otter caught my eye at Wertz - it was a little mangy, however.
16 At Inner Gardens - This wrought iron tree is a two-part sculpture in the shape of a tree, which has holders for live potted plants - I love its size and form.
17 A better look at the tree plant stand - it has a long provenance and is very, very lovely - it was priced at $15,000!!!!
18 The plantings at Inner Gardens are just phenomenal - this old yellow planter contains beautiful orchids and succulents.
19 These unusual bronzy bromeliads were planted in faux bois tabletop containers.
20 Air plants will do just fine in an arid planter, like this - this is a very pretty example.
21 Another fine example of arid loving plants
22 At Inner Gardens, old iron shelving is newly transformed into giant, very heavy, dining tables - very beautiful!
23 I loved these wicker chairs, painted a nondescript shade of gray - they were comfortable and sturdy.
24 A low, wide, prostrate aloe planted with echevarias, in an incredibly lovely stone planter.
25 A stone terra cotta colored planter filled with succulents
26 An amazing ancient cactus - well-planted in an iron container
27 The only artificial thing in inner gardens was this very lifelike bonsai tree.
28 Three ponytail palms planted in a large Chinese pot
29 Shapely bronze dishes at Inner Gardens created by a sculptor
30 Another shapely dish
31 At Rooms and Gardens, the lovely shop owned by Mary Steenburgen, I found a pair of over-sized lanterns - these can be used indoors or out.
32 A closeup of the iron hanging lanterns, which I loved. Mary's shop has an eclectic assortment of home furnishings, ranging from lamps, wicker, candles, linens, and dishes.
Hello Martha!
I love the conch shells planter ... it has a fabulous decor look.
Are you talking about the Academy Award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen?
It feels like spring has arrived early this year in Maine. Sunny, sunny, sunny and no snow in sight. Time to dig out the garden tools!
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, ME | March 17th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Ahh yes, there are some places that enjoy mild weather but our 'antique' shopping for tag sale treasures season is limited in Dakota. Just waiting for the start of those great days filling up the car for only a few cents even if there is hardly room to organize the many I have gathered. JOY
Posted by: ann | March 17th, 2010 at 8:21 am
The planter with the conch shells looks like something easy to make but not quite as large! Lots of good ideas for container/dish gardens. The container with the yellow orchids looks like Frankoma. I have lots of pieces of Frankoma if anyone is interested!
Posted by: Barbara Chasse | March 17th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Everyone in my cousin's office in Atlanta went to the Home Depot sales meeting last week except her! I wondered if that was where Martha was as she wasn't live on TV that day. Good guess!
Posted by: Barbara Chasse | March 17th, 2010 at 9:27 am
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ANTIQUE TAXIDERMY----
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Martha, I have a beautifully perched stuffed pheasant from my great grandfather's forest hunts across the river.
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It's for sale in our charity shop. Please buy it for Francesca and Sharkey to bark at!! My bird dogs have had 12 years of imaginary hunts, following it from fireplace mantle to window shelf!
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I'm also looking for a TOP NOTCH TAXIDERMIST, interested in working with an animal charity.
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If you or anyone would cast me a recommendation, it would be much appreciated.
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Thank you,
ajs
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Posted by: National Cancer Society for Animals | March 17th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Some great stuff! I love stuff!! Does Mary own the Rooms and Gardens in Santa Barbara as well...it's always on my 'must go' list when i vacation there.
Posted by: sherey | March 17th, 2010 at 11:33 am
Hi Sherey,
Rooms & Gardens, in Santa Barbara, was opened in 1993 by Eric and Jami Voulgaris. In 2006, the couple joined forces with actress, Mary Steenburgen, and opened Rooms & Gardens in Santa Monica. Both are really great shops filled with really great stuff.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | March 17th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Love the new line of Living products. My husband is a Home Depot employee at headquarters here in Atlanta, and everyone there is hoping you'll come for a visit!
Posted by: Kristen | March 17th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Thank you, Martha!
It seems that Mary is a very busy lady like yourself.
That is probably the secret to staying beautiful.
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, ME | March 17th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Hi Martha!!!
Just wanted to shout out a big hello to you and your assistant Robin! I was busy working on my booths at the Antique Mart that afternoon and low and behold to my surprise when I turned around there you were…standing in front of me!! It was a thrill to meet you and I hope you had an enjoyable and memorable time in Sunny Southern California! You certainly made my day…oh and thanks for taking a photo with me!!! Please fell free to stop by the Mart anytime!!!! Everyone at the Mart was excited to see/meet you. Be well and wishing you all the best!!! Mike
Posted by: Mike Seratt | March 17th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Hi Martha,
I really enjoyed visiting Santa Monica a few
years back!! I could spend a lot of time
in that antique mart.
I also wanted to tell you that I really like
your Macy's Frat House video! The air horn
is a riot!! GREAT, Great commercial.
Happy St. Patrick's Day,
Janis
Posted by: Janis | March 17th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Wow! I work very close to the Wertz Antique Mall. I go to JoAnn Fabric right next door on my break sometimes!
Posted by: Melissa Klotz | March 17th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
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Lions in Sight
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The jungle has a moments silence after the lion roars,
Slowly little whispers commence as the eagle soars.
Then, it's time all should take warning, here comes the pride,
And on the trot, the delicacies disperse and try to hide.
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Many, at the dawning of this lovely tranquil day,
Hoped they would not become something else's prey.
But from the beginning, the stark reality is then, again
The law of the jungle prevails; I've known this since I was ten.
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When animals are born free it's inherent, that they learn
Well the pecking order for any day can become their turn.
Carivores reside at the top of the food chain, their jaws
Move up and down, teeth are blades that cut what escapes the claws.
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Lionesses hunt in teams to bring down large prey,
Stealthily they spread out; no escape is the order of the day.
Twenty percent of the charges are violent and successful,
First to eat is king of beasts the rest of the pride is grateful.
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Pride females care for the cubs, hunt and eat together,
Defend their hunting grounds, no matter what the weather.
Male cubs are driven out after the age of two years,
Hopefully they can team up with several others and reduce fears.
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A small group of these young male lions is called a coalition.
Goal is to take a pride's females from the resident males by attrition.
Inevitably the bloody fight is on; to the winner go the girls.
The stronger, more powerful and faster, slashing, gnashing rapid whirls:
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When the dust settles the wounded losers leave, the dead don't roam.
The wounded winners assume the resident duties and mark their home.
Lionesses court with the coalition, offer a few cheek rubs,
Working together the females try to protect their little cubs.
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Luckily I don't suffer from blood lust, or by curiosity driven
To witnessing the beautiful creatures in the raw, trying to keep livin';
When all is said and done we humans have our own cross to bear,
We wantonly kill one another, not for sustenance, we just don't care.
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"Bless the beasts and the children,light their way when darkness surrounds them" I love this song - Smile if you want.
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Hope everyone has a good St.Patrick's Day.
Posted by: celia stock | March 17th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
Martha ur great!
Posted by: Shamika Hardy | March 17th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Hi Martha, What a magnificent photos gallery of your visit to the Santa Monica antique shop and the garden and room shop. Did you get that fantastic 2 tierd cart for Alexis?! I'm sure she would love it. How fun that you found a cute silver baby dish and saucer with my name on it! I would love to buy that! The floral containers and the succulent plants were really beautiful. Loved your episode on the "Today Show" this morning. Had to laugh at how much trouble Merideth (sp) had trying to cut off the top of that vegetable! Your St. Patrick's Day TV Show was really fun today watching Colin, Darina and Bill make such delicious Irish foods! Loved the Irish Tenors, also. You had a wonderful 'Ask Martha' show today on Sirius Radio. All three things really made my day!!! Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 17th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
An amazing excursion. How great to be able to slip away and discover such great shops. You must be such a great travel companion. Thanks for sharing your great finds!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | March 17th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
OH MY, I loved,loved your TV show today. The recipes all looked soooo good. Hope I can find the Irish Lady's Cookbook and where her tour is going to be. Martha looked like she was really enjoying her guests and the foods. Such a great show! Thanks, you all made my St Paddy's Day special!
Posted by: BARB (ladybirdlvr) | March 17th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
I cannot imagine how you contain yourself when shopping in these fabulous stores....I would buy everything in site! Thank you for sharing your finds with us.
Posted by: Jennifer White | March 18th, 2010 at 1:59 am
How about the ferocious teeth on that river otter!
Posted by: Penny | March 19th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Hi Martha,
We (from King Arthur Flour) enjoyed meeting you all in Hollywood, CA over pizza. Ironic that east coast bakers meet on the west coast! Love John's new book.
Robyn Sargent (Baking Education Center)
Posted by: Robyn Sargent | March 19th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Martha,
I am writing to thank you for all your ideas on designs for rooms. For over 25 years I have been cooking in a kitchen that was not feasible for all the people in my huge Italian family. Every holiday I would be in my kitchen with everyone milling around and I would declare "I need a Martha Stewart kitchen". Well in 2009 my dream came true and I got my dream kitchen. I have two ovens which is great when preparing food for 30+ people every holiday and I splurged and bought my two-drawer dishwasher to add along with my existing diswasher. Thank you for all your little ideas...and thanks to my mom who passed away before I got my kitchen. She and I talked before she passed and she said I should use my inherited money and get my new kitchen. Of course the kitchen was costing more than my inherited money but I know she is smiling down on me whenever I cook on my new 6 burner and oven. She used to tell me you would guide me in my planning by watching your show since I was and still am a big fan. Thanks again Martha for all your indirect guidance. Sincerely, K.P.
Posted by: Kathy Psota | March 20th, 2010 at 8:40 pm