Founded in 2007 by Michaele Simmering and Johannes Pauwen, the showroom is a beautifully staged space for their small-scale production furniture pieces.
Simmering says a friend with a small brand on the East Coast, moved by the unfolding news, sent products for them to distribute as needed. Realizing their furniture wouldn’t be of immediate help to displaced individuals, Kalon pivoted to create a free shop.
“We’re a furniture design studio, and while that is necessary, it’s not necessary for people with nowhere to live,” says Simmering. “What we do have is this space. We just started to mobilize.”
Kalon’s sales lead, Rene Petersson, organized a team of volunteers, while Simmering and Pauwen reached out to brands offering carefully curated products designed to last, ensuring dignity for those affected by the fires.
“Dignity is really important — it’s a primary focus for us,” says Simmering. “We’re not a retail space, but we’ve tried to make it as much of a retail space as possible. We keep it quiet with mellow music; we let in one family or two people at a time. We have people who will walk with them and help them with sizing, like a personal shopper, and try to take the trauma out of it.”
Where you’d usually find high-end sustainable furniture, those who have been affected by the fire will be able to shop brand gender-neutral new clothing, work wear, baby and children’s items, skincare, shampoo, diaper bags, coolers, water bottles, sunglasses, office products (to help with organizing insurance filings) and more.
Address: 3559 1/2 W. Casitas Ave., Los Angeles
Shopping hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Jan. 21
Details: Kalon Studios is sending email updates of what it has in stock if you sign up on its website. Watch Kalen Studios’ Instagram stories for updates as well.
