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Los Angeles has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around LA that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.
Image via Mondette
Sarah Ellquist DeBlanke is a musician, writer and L.A. party go-er. She fronts the band ROBOTANISTS, is an avid supporter of L.A.'s local music scene and runs the Silver Lake-based label Overhead Records. We spoke with the lovely gal on the go about French General, her favorite spot in Silver Lake for just about everything.
"Inspiration comes in many forms, and a visit to the French General in Silver Lake is a perfect place to get inspired. Being from New Orleans, I have an undeniable love of music, and for anything that holds a little French history in its heart. I'm easily dazzled by delicate odds and ends, vintage greeting cards and ephemera, and the French General is an amazing little jewel where you can find all of the above. It's the sort of place I love to go to and sort through piles of French country fare and beautiful fabrics. Walk up, ring the door bell and enter into a room full of choice antique and inspired fabrics, vintage linens, buttons, ribbons, jewelry-making parts, books, quilting kits, handmade home goods and so much more, most one-of-a-kind, all hand-selected and ready to transform with your own heart and hands."
"What's even more amazing about this place is that it's not just a store—it's a crafting community center. The owners whisk patrons away on an annual crafting getaway to a chateau in the South of France (yes, it's that serious), there's the Botanical Charm Club where you make bracelets from vintage beads and notions with crafting gurus and novices alike, and there always seems to be a crafting get together on the books (next up, a French Woad dying techniques workshop/country luncheon). Even if you're not inclined to make things by hand, you should pop in to the store, check out the goods, and let yourself be inspired—you never know, you might end up learning the how-to's of crafting in the South of France, from the folks who know it best."
· French General [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked LA]