John Nelson
West Hollywood Magazine has featured the La Cienega Design Quarter in a 10-page article in the Summer 2016 issue. The article provides an anecdotal history of the LCDQ and its annual LEGENDS event, recounting stories from the 1950s to present.

Iconic designers such as Elsie de Wolfe and Billy Haines spent time in the LCDQ, and Greg Firlotte, who wrote the article, states that those legendary designers would feel right at home among the shops, showrooms, and galleries present today.

The Quarter’s identity was forged in the 1950s as designers moved into the area, with residences upstairs from studios and shops at street level. The area began to expand in 1960 when Paul Ferrante moved his showroom to Melrose Place. John Nelson Antiques followed suit in 1965, and soon enough there were a multitude of shops and showrooms in one design destination, a major appeal to shoppers. Today, the LCDQ offers a wide breadth of design, particularly antiques, high-end contemporary furniture, custom hardware, textiles, lighting, art, rugs, tile, fountains and architectural from around the world.

Several merchants in the Quarter shared their reasons for becoming a part of the LCDQ community in the article. According to one of the first antique shop owners to hang a shingle in the quarter, John Nelson, the La Cienega Design Quarter “was full of charm, and most of all, there was activity happening there.” Noted design dealer Richard Shapiro, who just opened a new showroom on La Cienega this past January, said, “I wanted to be in the heart of the district, and this corner storefront provided exactly that.” Other merchants such as Robert Willson of Downtown, Gina Berschneider, Lee Stanton, Katie LaBarge of Marge Carson, Patrick Dragonette, and Peter Dunham of Hollywood at Home were also quoted in the article.

To view the full article in West Hollywood magazine, click here.