A well-decorated space leads to a happier outlook and all-around better health. That’s just science — researchers have studied the effects of living and work environments on our well-being and productivity levels for decades. So curate your surroundings with intention. Discover furnishings, art, accessories, and endless interior inspiration right here on El Paseo.
“I’m inspired every day,” says Patrick Dragonette, owner of the antique and midcentury showroom DRAGONETTE LIMITED. After more than 20 successful years operating in Los Angeles, the collector and interior designer relocated to Palm Desert and opened his 5,000-square-foot design house in January 2020. He specializes in hard-to-find vintage curios and has a particular fascination for work by William “Billy” Haines. To sweeten the deal, Dragonette can tell you the backstories about most of the items in his store.
“I love sharing the stories about things,” he says. “People like that aspect of coming in here to buy something because they don’t just walk out with a Billy Haines sofa. They start to understand the whole idea of who Billy Haines was and how he designed and what he designed and who may have sat on the sofa and all of those fun things.”
For histories that stretch back even further, MAISON FELICE, established in 1998, focuses on furniture and objects from the 18th century to the art deco period — think Louis XVI-style gilt mirrors, exquisite cabinets made of exotic woods, and chairs carved out of marble.
Of course, vintage isn’t everything. Sometimes it’s better to be the original owner. Discover contemporary lines at INTERIOR ILLUSIONS, a leading Southern California design firm whose client roster includes Adam Lambert, Celine Dion, Justin Bieber, and Ru-Paul. With an established presence in West Hollywood and Palm Springs, the brand expanded to El Paseo in July 2021.
The eclectic interior design and retail boutique FIG + NASH also debuted a new location on El Paseo in 2021 to branch out from their flagship store in uptown Palm Springs. The luxury nesting shop, which opened in the fall, vends a selection of decorative furnishings and unique gifts that appear to be curated from faraway excursions around the globe.
Rounding out the fleet of home and design stores that sprouted up in 2021 is contemporary Danish retail giant BOCONCEPT, which opened in November.
This rise in home and design offerings is exciting for existing retailers like Dragonette to see. “People are saying, ‘I’m so glad we have a store like this now,'” he shares. “I’m happy to lead the way. It’s nice to see this sort of resurgence here.”
SPOTLIGHT:
Deck the Walls
Art delights the senses. Find your inspiration here.
A GALLERY FINE ART: Contemporary paintings, sculpture, functional art furniture, jewelry, and glass art.
CODA GALLERY: Notably, American Art Awards recognized this contemporary gallery as the best in California.
DAWSON COLE FINE ART: Contemporary and modern sculpture, drawings, prints, and works on paper by masters including Matisse and Picasso.
ELENA BULATOVA GALLERY: Celebrating art with bold color.
RAMEY FINE ART: Multidimensional art by a wide range of mid-career artists.
SPOTLIGHT
Score A Stylish Hostess Gift
Let’s be real: The thought doesn’t always count.
1 FOR THE EPICURE: Williams Sonoma has you covered with gourmet foods, professional cookware, and chic tabletop décor.
2 FOR THE LOUNGE LIZARD: A cashmere throw or a plush cotton robe from Between the Sheets will ensure time spent at home is always cozy.
3 FOR THE COLLECTOR: The objets d’art at Trestle will make a bold — and perhaps cheeky — statement on a desk or bookshelf.
4 FOR THE AESTHETE: You’re sure to impress with an exquisite vase or curio from Baccarat, the world’s leading purveyor of high-end crystal since 1794.
5 FOR THE FREE SPIRIT: Find a mix of vintage and globally inspired décor and furnishings in a dusty desert palette at House of Lolo.
6 FOR THE BAR FLY: Give the gift of unique barware, like a Carrol Boyes decanter, from The Upper Crust — pair it with a tub of the store’s housemade cheese spread.
7 FOR THE GARDENER: Alongside their selection of interior offerings, Pottery Barn produces patio-friendly furnishings and accessories, from outdoor linens and lawn games to planters and gardening tools.