A Guide to the Best of Southern California : DESIGN : Cultural Exchange

BUCK AND JUDY Skelton named their design store/gallery Kikuyu, after the tenacious grass that grows in countries bordering the Pacific Ocean. They decided to concentrate on Pacific Rim design, according to Judy, because of the great influx of people into Los Angeles from that part of the world. The store features items from Japan, Korea, Latin America and the United States.

Every couple of months, Kikuyu holds a reception for such new artists as Jim Cullen (sketches), Raegene Vavra(ceramic sculpture) and Craig Zehms ( raku pottery). “We like to choose art that’s not too overwhelming, not intimidating,” Judy says. “Yet everything in the store, whether new or based on centuries-old designs like the Japanese fish plates, fits into the themes of primitive motifs with modern sensibilities.”

Look for Colleen Crosby’s acid-etched-on-silver jewelry, based on pre-Colombian designs, and Guatemalan artist Patricia Paiz’s jewelry and wind chimes made of uniquely finished clay beads. The collection of contemporary housewares and decorative accessories are all modern interpretations of ancient designs.

Kikuyu, 3459 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale; (818) 957-2283.