Coming along handsomely… by the looks of these pics, Handsome Coffee has come a long way with their new headquarters in Downtown LA. There are some finishing touches in place already, but, also some majors that are waiting to happen. All in all, things are looking really good for an opening (hopefully) in the next several weeks. If not a hard opening, I know some parties are in the works. I know that we talk about Handsome alot, but, you know, when you get to know these guys and their coffee, you’ll understand.

Here is a pic of the front of the cafe currently. Down at the bottom of the post, is a “before” pic from November of last year.

While all of this is happening, Jesse and Lisa are holding down the fort serving up their blend of espresso in the back of the cafe. Jesse is a master. Lisa here is learning the craft. A former lawyer turned barista, she is chasing her dream of a creative life in the coffee biz. We love dream chasers, Lisa rocks.

Matt is the GC… going through the very complex blueprints for the Handsome operation.

I wish I knew all of the details of this roaster… but, what I do know is that it’s a 1956 Probat UG22 roaster that they tracked down (after a long search) in Belgium, restored, and imported over here. Like Handsome Coffee, it has the reputation to be the best, of course.

Details like this smoking pipe are laser etched in the surface of the walls of the cafe… one of many identity icons for the Handsome brand.

Here is the “before” pic of the Handsome storefront a few months back. They’ve come a long way.

Yes, I’m springing for coffee! Lets just say, I always enjoy my morning cup. Could be from Handsome Coffee if I’m at the studio, or Stories Books and Cafe if I’m walking Nori around the hood, or possibly Spring For Coffee if it’s a quick morning meet up with a friend. Spring For Coffee in Downtown is a great little spot, they serve Intelligentsia and Stumptown, the cafe has just enough room to order and then sit outside on the curbside tables. A tiny little place, but, perfect for the locals… and dogs!

The wide, bright, green Spring Street bike lane is always a plus too.

Last week we launched our wrist watch collaboration with Canadian design studio, Furni. There has been an incredible response over the watches and for good reason; The studio makes awesome design objects, especially in the time arena. Meet Mike Giles, the proprietor, desinger, maker, mover and shaker of Furni.

Tell us about Furni, what do you guys do, what’s the Furni philosophy?

We’ve been designing and manufacturing design-driven goods ever since we saw space in the market about 6 years ago… since then we’ve also chosen to team up with other like minded businesses to offer cool collaborative products that allow us to keep on creating relevant stuff.

Tell us about the space, are you designing and making there? Describe your studio for us.

Right now “espace 215″ is Furni’s home, we founded the workspace about 4 years ago with some other friends, currently we share the space with a number of graphic designers, a product designer and a pair of interior designers. It makes for an awesome working atmosphere as well as allows us all a group space where we can share resources and bills!

What does a typical day look like at Furni?

Well as of Jan 1st I became the sole proprietor of the company (up until that point I shared the business with a friend who has decided to focus his time on contract work) so it’s quite interesting as I report only to myself…. having said that as I’ve always been one to “hussle” so I am always busy!  Most days I get to the office about 9am and work will about 1pm at that point I head home to have lunch with my girlfriend and 10 month old daughter….then the afternoon is usually spent in my home office e-mailing and working on design and logistics…

Currently on the playlist?

Really liking the Cults album and was also recently turned on to Malvina Reynolds, she was a folk singer back in the 50′s (she was actually born in 1900 and only discovered her love of music when she was 40!)

You live and work in Montreal. I’ve only heard amazing things about the city, but, haven’t been yet. What are some favorite places, where would we go if Angie and I came over?

I always ask friends who visit what kind of experience they would like while here, basically there is something for everyone…. shopping, dancing, design, adventure you name it. Personally I like to take people to quaint little restaurants and some of the less “travelled” landmarks here, most of the architecture in the subway system is from the 60′s and every station was designed by someone different, so on a cold day you can ride underground and look at some cool stuff! In summer we’ve got festivals up the yin yan, comedy, jazz, then there’s the Francopholies (French music) as well as fireworks twice a week at the theme park “La Ronde”.

On the same island as the theme park is the Expo 67 Dome that is by Buckminster Fuller, it’s a rad landmark. If people are down for a bike ride you can go around an check architecture and see some forgotten buildings like the Esso gas station by Mies van der Rohe!

Three words that describe our collaboration together, The Colorparty Watch…

pure unadulterated fun.

Check out the Poketo x Furni watch here.
More from Furni at FurniCreations.com

Nice to see former Chinatown gallery, The Box, move into the Arts District. Again, more proof that the Arts District of Downtown LA continues to become a destination spot for restaurants, bars, cafes, retail, and of course, art. I popped in and met proprietor, Mara McCarthy. Only a couple weeks old in this new location, The Box has a great music and performance exhibition with the Los Angeles Free Music Society.

The LAFMS has been around since 1973 and from what I gather is a rotating group of musicians that are more like sound and performance artists. When you walk into the space, you’ll find motion triggered sound sculptures, long tables of abandoned toys and junk that have been used as instruments, and walls of photographs and ephemera that documents the Los Angeles Free music Society’s long history.

The Box is planning on monthly exhibitions, and from the looks of this first show at this new space, they are aiming to push alternative forms of art and media. Learn more and check out their schedule here.

Proprietor of The Box, Mara McCarthy