Meet Tobi Tobin, the rock 'n' roll Martha Stewart

Perched on an antique cast iron Empire daybed clad in tufted black patent leather, above, interior designer Tobi Tobin cuts a stylish figure that's a little more Sunset Strip than Sunset Plaza, where her store keeps company with cafes and designer fashion boutiques. Look around the shop and you'll spot furniture, sculpture and books, as well as Tobin's signature bedding, stone flooring, carpets, candles and vintage jewelry. There's even an authentic Parisian confectionery display case laden with handmade chocolates.

"I'm Martha Stewart with a rock 'n' roll twist," says Tobin, who once manned the velvet ropes at L.A. nightclubs.

Working with clients in the music and film business, Tobin has also had the opportunity to develop her own California-casual upholstery, "It's definitely chic, not shabby," she says.

One such design is the Belgian linen-covered Dane (as in Dane Cook), chair, $3,600, shown at right. It has a low and lounge-y profile and deftly updates an Asian wishbone chair silhouette with Danish modern simplicity.

Behind the Dane chair: a painting by Edward Lentsch, who will be feted by Tobin during an public reception Tuesday () from 6 to 9 p.m. at 8601 Sunset Blvd.

Lentsch's stark canvases and Tobin's custom designs mix easily with the rest of her merchandise: Old World metal chairs, midcentury classics by designers such as Arne Jacobsen and Gio Ponti, and industrial pieces. 

"It's timeless and educated and doesn't dictate a style," Tobin says of her aesthetic. "That's what I'm all about."

One thing she isn't about: color. If it isn't black, white or the color of wood, metal or stone, Tobin isn't interested. "I never work with primary colors," she says.

The store has a strong masculine appeal but is not without a softer side. There's a glamorous candle closet that stocks 10 different fragranced candles that sell for $85 each, and an upstairs loft offers a full line of plush made-in-the-U.S. Turkish terry cloth towels that run from $15 for a face cloth to $95 for a bath sheet. 

See them, and that irresistible chocolate counter, after the jump.

 
Above: The chocolate bar. Below: The candle room, left, and the Tobi Tobin towel collection, available in the four colors shown. 

-- David A. Keeps

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Photo credits: Stefano Paltera / For The Times

 

 

Comments

[Curious Dave]

Tobi, Too much flash on that website. In dire need of a do-over me thinks. Yep.

[john]

yawn.

[Karen]

I LOVE your styling, Tobi! There are a dozen things in there I want, including the patent day bed!

[Lisa]

A chair named after Dane Cook? Really? Really?

[Jana]

First, Tobi is an amazing designer with an incredible eye. Her line of bedding is beyond fabulous. I've purchased it for all of my homes and thrown out all of the old linens. Her candles are lush, rich and fragrant. The simple act of picking out a candle from her candle room is such a rich sensorial experience. It seems as if she wants customers to experience and feel something when they walk into her store. Your experience and how you feel during your visit should be as important and as memorable as that final purchase. Tobi Tobin manages to relay that intention beautifully the moment you step foot inside.
Second , to the person that wrote about the "Dane Chair"......Designers name their designs after clients and friends ALL THE TIME! Maybe Dane is a personal friend and/or client of hers. So....either your just stupid or very very jealous! And to comment on your use of the English language.....REALLY?.... is that REALLY all you could come up with?

[Ali]

I've been to this store - its absolutely beautiful and there is nothing boring about it. She isn't just selling a lot of really expensive furniture - most everything in their is a custom work of art.

[Tim]

I was in your store today and actually had money to spend, but was put off by the lady that followed me to every section of the store as if I was going to walk out with something. You have a lot to learn about customer service. Once you learn that, perhaps you'll move to Beverly Hills --- where I actually made my purchases today.