City of Angels: Blackman Cruz
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Studded Safe, BC Gentleman's Wing Back Chair, BC Salamander Sconces look gorgeous with a spot of red from the snake skin Windsor Chair
Blackman Cruz. One cannot help running across furniture or light fixtures from this iconic Los Angeles store when flipping through a magazine. Elle Decor, AD, Met Home, you name it....they've been there. I have been following the unique and offbeat offerings from Blackman Cruz for years. Not a stretch to imagine it was one of the destinations on my list when visiting LA a few weeks ago.
It was not a disappointment! Adam Blackman and David Cruz founded the company in 1993 with the thought that they were not alone when it came to a passion for the strange and curious treasures unearthed in their travels around the world.
Blackman Cruz Salamander Wall Sconce
It was not long before they began creating their own furniture and lighting designs, like the Salamander Sconce above.
Dark Grey Paneling sets the tone for Drama with the BC Crown of Thorns Mirror, Brass Ball Series Lamps by Lika Moore and Bergeres.
The furniture, lighting, art and accessories have always captured my imagination. So it was an extraordinary experience for me to see the vignettes that were put together in the shop itself. The vision of the owners became very clear, and I loved it.
In 2008, the showroom moved to a larger space formerly occupied by Probe, an infamous gay nightclub popular in the 70's and 80's. Blackman Cruz took great advantage of the the dramatic, somewhat Gothic, woodwork creating fabulous backdrops for their exotic offerings. The dark gray color is a perfect foil for the buttery linen Bergeres in the vignette above. This is an idea that could be reproduced by any of us!
Blackman Cruz Crown of Thorns Mirror
This mirror is another example of the creativity behind this dynamic duo that is Blackman Cruz.
Ornate Gilt Chair with Red Velvet looks beautiful with Italian Poliarte Sconce circa 1960
Italian Iron Altar Candelabra c 1840 is placed with Art Deco Lounge Chair, Limited Edition Bronze Prana Hand Andirons sculpted by Adam Kurtzman, and sconce BC Theater Sconce
Closeup of Prana Hand Andirons by Adam Kurtzman
1960's Brutalist Coffee Table and Brasilia Chair and Ottoman with one of a pair of Bronze Architectural Lamps c 1870 and a grouping of glass domes.
BC Harlow Throne in Persimmon with the BC Screening Room Daybed with Hidden Compartments (I love hidden compartments!) and BC Screening Room Coffee Table
How fun is this Hanging Pod Chair?! Christian and I had fun swinging in this one!
Leather sling chairs looked very cool below the round wall opening
One of a Pair of English Arts and Crafts Benches, a series Black and White Nudes c 1920's and a Gianni Vallino Table Lamp.
Set of Four Neoclassical Style Klismos Chairs around a gorgeous metal game table. Glass Case holds many one of a kind art objects.
Love this BC Hanging Rattan Lounge next to the vintage Nailed Leather Top Table. BC 3-Squared Sconces in Nickel
Thonet Rocking Bentwood Lounge, Austria c1880 and Italian Cast Iron Chimera Fixture, 19th Century
Collection of Vintage Dog Collars. The collector in me went crazy for this idea.
Stunning Gothic Tracery Mirror with what appears to be "Apollo" Sun Lamps
XIX Century Bronze Repousse Torso on Wood on top of a Chinese Root Console
BC Horny Lamp with antique wood Mannequin....seems to have lost his head!
Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Chaise 1958, Arturo Pani Steel and Brass Trim Pedestal Table 
BC Minotaur Club Chairs look so handsome on this red, black and mustard striped rug! So there you have it.....Blackman Cruz. One of the most unique and ground breaking showrooms in this City of Angels. This showroom combines the serious and the oh-so-not-serious, the brilliant and the dark, the handsome and the curious, traditional and modern to create a new vision, that in the blogger's humble opinion is....sublime.
A big THANK YOU to my friend Christian May of Maison 21 for squiring me to Blackman Cruz!!! A better guide I could not have had.
