Interior Designer Jennifer Ridel has set up shop in West Hollywood under the banner Community & Co., a name carefully selected to reflect her mission for the business.

Community Minded

The idea behind Community & Co. is literally to provide a “community space where art meets home” and a “salon-style home interiors experience,” not to mention what is sure to become a go-to space for hip events. And with neighboring showrooms including those of Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Kelly Wearstler, Ridel is certainly in the right company.

Ridel wants visitors to her showroom to have a complete design experience and to leave with a lasting appreciation and enthusiasm for design and decoration.

“It really is the ability to manipulate space and curate environments with design and the overall atmosphere that changes your mood immediately,” Ridel said. “It’s my goal that each person feels that change when they walk into the space, and then wants to transfer that to their home.”

Artistic Influences

Designers are most often brought to their profession as a result of the creative work that has come before them, work that inspired them, excited them. Everyone has their influences and hints of those influences often peak through in each designer’s work.

Ridel points to design greats such as Gio Ponti, Antoni Gaudi, Tony Duquette and Marcel Wanders, for having an effect on her own sense of style and adornment. Step inside Community & Co.’s enormous bright green doors and you will find all these influences and more living happily together.

“Original handcrafted, heirloom quality furnishings, decorative objects and art -- each of which has a story -- are paramount to the eclectic showroom,” said Ridel of her vision for the space. “A chair is not just a chair, it’s a chair with a past, a history, and a soul.”

Exclusive, Eclectic Assortment

The mix carried here includes new and vintage furniture, an array of home accessories, fabric lines and art. Included among these items are new and vintage pieces from Charles Hollis Jones. The award-winning American artist and furniture designer selected Community & Co. to be the only sanctioned L.A. retailer for his line. Hollis Jones has supplied custom pieces to the likes of Frank Sinatra and President Barack Obama.

But that’s not all. Ridel also struck exclusive deals with Eskayel, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based design studio where original paintings meet with interesting ends, and with Modfire, a company taking gathering around the campfire to a whole new level.

At Eskayel, owner/designer Shanan Campanaro’s paintings serve as source material for bespoke wall coverings, textiles, pillows and ceramics, all sourced and made in the Northeastern U.S. Modfire is a line of modern outdoor fireplaces created by designer/artist Brandon Williams and fabricated by steel artisans. This isn’t the first bit of attention Modfire has garnered: the company netted the award for Best Furniture and Accessory Design at the 2011 Dwell on Design show in Los Angeles.

The showroom will also offer Fenix, an eclectic line of functional, sculptural art pieces designed by Ridel; Foundation, Community & Co.’s line of upholstery staples manufactured in Southern California; and a globally-sourced roster of additional designers and product.

Beyond Product

Ridel believes the betterment of a community is a group effort and is intent on creating a space that will serve as “an inviting salon to all.” As such, frequenters will also find an ongoing list of events ranging from art shows and book signings to musical events and community gatherings happening at co/co gallery, space dedicated within the showroom to events that inspire via design and the arts.

Ridel also continues to consult and design homes. Community & Co. offers in-house design services for residential, hospitality and commercial projects. Her products also have appeared in films, TV shows, photo shoots and commercials.

Community & Co.
8259 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, Calif.