December 5, 2011
Lifestyle Store and Café MOTIF to Open in Los Angeles
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Los Angeles, CA - Poised to become a "go-to" destination for interior designers looking for that perfect, one-of-a-kind piece, lifestyle store Motif celebrates its Grand Opening on December 6. Showcasing home d�cor and furniture items that are timelessly elegant, sometimes fanciful, and often hard-to-find, Motif also offers high-end clothing, jewelry and accessories that appeal to the diverse and discerning tastes of Angelenos. The ultimate two-for-one, Motif's complement is Caf� Motif-also celebrating its opening-serving locally-sourced food and beverages made from the freshest seasonal ingredients.
Sisters Elishia Bolour and Sasha Shokrian form the dynamic duo behind Motif. With a degree in hospitality from Cornell and MBA from Southern Methodist University, Elishia has a deep interest in interior design. Opening a store was always an ambition of hers, so she began acquiring collector furniture pieces and designer home items while traveling, which are now part of the store's inventory.
Sasha, meanwhile, studied at UC Davis, where she had learned about organic farming at the campus co-op; the caf� falls under her jurisdiction. Inspired by the college town's homey cafes and health conscious atmosphere, Caf� Motif is an inviting neighborhood spot where people can meet with friends, use the free wifi and indulge in the wide variety of flavorful vegan, seasonal and organic options on the menu.
The retail side of Motif showcases an inspired and eclectic selection of 21st Century consignment designer clothes, home goods and accessories. The furniture ranges from 17th century antiques to mid-century pieces. Designers include prestigious names such as Chanel and Hermes, and the furniture ranges from Marche aux Puces finds to a wealth of Milo Baughman.
The sister duo are constantly seeking out up-and-coming designers and vendors to showcase, contributing to the cutting-edge atmosphere. Explaining the concept of Motif, Elishia says, "The pattern is that there isn't a pattern. People who come here can expect the unexpected. Motif is not simply a furniture store, or jewelry store or clothing store; there will always be a new treasure to be discovered."
Upon entering, customers are greeted with a deliberate contrast in styles, colors, textures and time periods. A quirky collection of Texan deer taxidermy trophies are juxtaposed with Regency style chairs. Lighting pieces include a rare hundred-year-old Daum chandelier as well as acrylic chandeliers from the 1970s. Materials found throughout Motif range from sleek Lucite, chrome, and glass, to rustic hand-carved wood and iron. With an eye to building an international collection, Elishia regularly takes shopping trips around the U.S., as well as to Europe, South America and Asia to source pieces for Motif.
Caf� Motif has an open, airy feel that is reminiscent of a Parisian caf�. Evocative touches include reclaimed wood floors, European inspired seating and Carrera marble counter tops. Caf� Motif's lively al fresco sidewalk patio seating features eye-catching purple bistro chairs under a dramatic striped awning.
Caf� Motif's full menu utilizes seasonal, local and organic ingredients for its health-conscious customers, and features freshly-squeezed juices and smoothies, healthy sandwiches and salads, and daily vegan soups. Dressings are made-from-scratch, specialty breads and pastries are delivered fresh daily, and there are beautifully packaged treats to go.
Favorites items among customers include the quinoa-arugula salad composed of local greens, chopped mint, garbanzo beans and cucumbers; Cranberry Kale Salad with dried cranberries and golden raisins in a Dijon citrus dressing; and Chicken Curry Sandwiches with fresh basil, golden raisins, celery, scallions, lettuce, and tomatoes on sourdough. Catering is available and high-profile clients include The Hollywood Reporter and FOX.
Motif is a lifestyle store and caf� located at 930 S. Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90035. The store offers high-end designer clothing and accessories, jewelry, home d�cor, furniture, design services and more. Not only a retail space, Motif offers interior design services as well as custom pieces. Information about these services can be found on the website, as well as images of additional inventory.
The adjacent caf� features organic coffee and tea, smoothies, soups, sandwiches and salads, using seasonal and local ingredients. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Saturday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm. There is free parking for patrons in the building.
Visit www.motifla.com
Follow Motif on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/MotifLA or twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/#!/motifla
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
