BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:Furniture design of the times

NEWPORT BEACH — Lynne Langjahr and Jose Ahamirano perused the fairly new Ligne Roset store in Fashion Island on Friday in search of new lighting for their Newport Beach home.

But it wasn’t their first time in the store. Two or three times before, they came in search of light.

Langjahr and Ahamirano are just two of many residents who have perused the store since it opened in June. After just five months at the Atrium Court, store manager Anne Chung said the business has attracted young and old customers alike with its modern designs that marry form and functionality while keeping clean, sleek lines.

“We like the spare designs rather than something very ornate,” Langjahr said. “It’s just more adaptable.”

In 1860, Antoine Roset founded Ligne Roset in France and made and sold bentwood walking sticks.

The company’s come a long way from French walking sticks to modern furniture design. The company continues to thrive as it settles in as one of the chic furniture-design stores at the shopping center.

Before the store opened in June, Orange County Ligne Roset customers had to make the trip to Los Angeles or San Diego to visit a furniture showroom. But the company didn’t open its Orange County store until it felt it was the right time.

“Modern design has finally hooked on to the masses. It’s not just something only 30% of people know about or are interested in,” said Cher Gersch, director of stores in Southern California. “Now it’s everywhere, in every magazine, on every TV channel.”

Two years ago, Ligne Roset opened its San Diego store, and Gersch said that then the company felt Orange County wasn’t quite ready, but it worked toward preparing residents for its arrival. Gersch said executives looked at opening in both South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, but after falling in love with the Newport spot, they set up shop. The store is in the Atrium Court, with a window facing Blue Coral Seafood & Spirits, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar and Roy’s Restaurant. This prime spot attracts customers as they walk by the store at night, Gersch said.

“We couldn’t have asked or chosen a better location,” she said.

The store is just starting to see its first orders trickle in — all furniture orders can be customized to a degree and take about four months to arrive from a French manufacturer.

Employee Rick LeBlanc said it’s been exciting for him and other employees to be able to call their customers and tell them to get their room ready for the new piece of furniture.

Much like Langjahr and Ahamirano, customers of the Newport Beach store have been enamored with the Ligne Roset lighting options, Chung said.

The furniture is proving to be popular, as well, as more urban-style high-rise buildings are popping up in the areas surrounding the store.

Every piece is fashionable, but they all have twists: Lights that can stand high in a room that sink down to become a reading light, coffee tables that rise to become a dining room table and other such designs are all over the store but are not for everybody.

“It’s the city lifestyle,” said Irvine resident Steve Lee as he and friend Chris Nagamoto walked around the store. “I can definitely appreciate it all, but I wouldn’t be able to use it in my house unless I redesigned.”

Not to worry. Ligne Roset also offers interior design services to match the right piece with any lifestyle, Gersch said.

“Our furniture is fashion, too,” Gersch said.