Aris shopkeeper Trey Russell calls upon retail tricks to spruce up his Laguna Beach apartment
In writing a profile of Laguna Beach retailer Trey Russell, Times Staff Writer Barbara Thornburg found that Russell truly lives what he loves. His second-story garden apartment is right behind his gift shop-boutique Aris, set in a former 1950s Volkswagen dealership in north
Edde, the store mascot, greets a new customer at Aris. The shop is a mix of home furnishings, high-end fashion, consignment clothing, jewelry, teas, chocolates and fresh seasonal flowers. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
I treat each accessory as a piece of art in a small space you want everything to be important, Trey Russell says. Shown is a delicate glass decanter available at Aris. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Russell sits with his Chinese pug, Edde, in the garden behind his shop where he serves mimosas and strawberries on Saturday mornings. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Russell says of his gardening taste: “I like to cut stems off flowers and just float the heads. Dahlias are particularly spectacular that way. I don’t particularly like long stems exept in French tulips. Succulents in concrete or ceramic planters are also a favorite. They require the lowest maintenace of any flower, and, if you forget to water them for two weeks, they are still alive and beautiful they thrive on neglect. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Russell’s apartment is just as well-edited as his shop: a dark dining room table contrasts with soothing lilac-gray walls. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“When you are living in a small space you have to come up with creative ways to store things in an attractive way,” Russell says. “I like to hide my clutter in a series of different-sized wood boxes. They’re great for holding my DVDs, playing cards, remote controls anything small.” The set of 5 boxes is $95 at Aris. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“Theres no reason a one-bedroom apartment cant be just as stylish as a 5,000-square-foot home, says Russell, who most days dresses in a smart, casual attire of white Gap jeans, Polo tee and a jaunty, custom-made linen hat. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Russell’s apartment decor exudes a pared-down, modernist aesthetic. Here, drink coasters and an African letter opener sit on an ostrich tray on his acrylic coffee table. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Russell used Pottery Barn shelving to showcase his collection of black-and-white photographs as well as taking advantage of floor space. It’s like a mini-gallery. I can move pictures around easily without wrecking the walls, he says. Espresso-hued West Elm bookcases, lined with art books (sans jackets) and various objects, create a focal point for the living room. Book jackets just get torn anyway, you might as well get rid of them. It creates a more monochromatic, less chaotic look. It’s easier for my eyes to focus on black-and-white. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Stacks of jacket-less books and a porcelain rhinoceros keep each other company in Russell’s apartment. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
If you have a small room, consider taking out the closet’s doors and replacing them with a handsome drapery on rings that slide along a track,” Russell suggests. “I used a light-gray, Belgian linen for my drapery panels. They make the room look so much softer and give you more room. Let friends think you have a drop-dead ocean view behind them nobody will know it’s a closet unless you tell them. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Russell thought of another use for vinegar decanters: “Think creatively about how to use accessories. I recently bought a pair of small glass decanters for holding balsamic vinegar and olive oil for the shop. But at home, I fill them with Jo Malone body oil. I swim so often my skin dries out, so after a shower, I drip a few drops of oil on myself to hydrate my skin.” (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Russell says: “I think a dog is essential for the home whether they are color-coordinated or not. My Edde ... with his creamy coloring and black mask fits the monochromatic look I love. But a dog no matter what color they are will add warmth, texture and love to your home. How can people live without them?” (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)