West Hollywood's 10th Annual Art & Design Walk, benefiting Inner City Arts, had style and substance for all attendees. The “Chairing Styles” exhibit, crafted by FIDM students, was particularly eye-catching.

The 10^th Annual Art & Design Walk in West Hollywood to benefit Inner-City Arts left no furniture or food enthusiast behind.

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 2^nd, the extravaganza showcased the seemingly endless array of art galleries, high-end furniture and lighting retailers, fashion boutiques, eateries, and everything else to be found on the trendy “Avenues of Art and Design.” And there was plenty of free food, too.

Over 200 establishments opened their doors for the event, and browsers were rewarded with hors d’ oeuvres, wine, and champagne at nearly all of them. Newcomers to the area were in for a pleasant surprise by its specific and unique focus. The majority of attractions were along Melrose Ave., Robertson Blvd., and Beverly Blvd., surrounding the iconic blue Lego-like Pacific Design Center (often called the “Blue Whale”). The area is home to countless stores specializing in upscale couches, tables, glassware, and lamps for one’s home –or in most cases, one’s dream home.

Free admission and free parking made the event very user-friendly. Combined with live jazz on the sidewalk, a silent auction, Inner-City Arts children’s choir performances, free massages, and an abundance of other attractions in the vicinity, the walk offered an opportunity for any remotely artistically inclined Angeleno to spend an afternoon in the lap of luxury.

As is common in the design world, a strong Italian presence emanated throughout the majority of the furnishing, glassware and illuminative offerings. Showrooms such as Armani Casa and Minotti Los Angeles represented the finest in modern, luxurious interior design, filled with plush tones of black,

Lighting offerings at the recently opened Bang & Olufsen

white, and beige, while companies such as Jules Seltzer Associates offered some funkier and more bold, colorful options for decorating one’s home. Contrasting to the generally modern design feel was Foundry, a traditional European lighting store featuring the finest Italian and Spanish imports. A step inside and one was immersed in an ocean of old-fashioned chandeliers and outdoor lights that resembled an ancient castle, which could be taken in along with complimentary desserts.

Kreiss, a family-owned interior design company, was showcasing its new line created by Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, entitled the “Agassi Graf Collection.” Design Director Demitri Sgourakis described the style as a “California interpretation of modern and historic classics.” With the wonderful aromas of rich leather and fine new cloth, walking through the displays of model living rooms elicited visions of a future dream estate.

One of the most visually striking design stores was Unici, featuring beautiful and colorful handcrafted glassware and lighting. Although most of the three year-old business’ glass sets are hand-blown in Italy, some of their products come from Israel as well. The island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon is especially famous for its glass-blowing, which could be seen on video while sipping a glass of champagne at La Murrina.

Italian stylists were not the sole presenters – a brand new line of Asian furnishings called “Sakura” was unveiled at Ann Sacks, accompanied by delicious sushi, sake, and a delightfully welcoming atmosphere. The line was accented by striking bathtubs, elegant faucets, and other bathroom furniture and decoration. Sheila displayed styles specifically for women and children, crafted in Australia and Europe.

Other forms of art were also bountiful. A particularly eye-catching display entitled “Chairing Styles” was presented by the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), in which students from three separate majors (fashion design, interior design, and textile design) collaborated to create uniquely shaped chairs coupled with mannequins clad in matching gowns. Andy Warhol fans could not only witness his special “Factory or Fiction” exhibition at the Hamilton-Selway Fine Art gallery, but could also view limited edition Andy Warhol sneakers at Kitson Men.

For those less interested in enhancing their home or viewing fine art, one could find tarot readings, free massages at both Pierce Martin and Relax the Back Store, a tour of the snazzy and breathtaking Emerson Hall Fitness center, and not to be forgotten, heaps of free food. Kids were not to be left out either; storytelling, balloons and free cookies and popcorn were provided at Bel Bambini, a boutique for babies and children. Outside the Pacific Design Center was an event called Tables of Ten, where renowned designers and chefs treated diners to the finest in ambiance and culinary expertise.

Perhaps the most exciting item for movie and celebrity followers could be found at Le Bra Lingerie & Swimwear, the only store in the world to carry the swim shorts worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. The shorts were also acquired from this very store for Sascha Baron Cohen by his fiancé Isla Fisher, and other celebrities such as Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have been known to stop in for a browse.

For anyone with a few hours free, this year’s annual Art & Design Walk was a slam-dunk for enjoyment and the opportunity to view some of the finest in all forms of visual art. Both amateurs and aficionados could find beautiful displays and products to enhance their house, their life, or their dreams.

The Art & Design Walk takes place each year in early June in West Hollywood.