An inside look at the studio of Jean Pelle.
Years down the line, a career as an architectural designer in California and New York made way for an opportunity to work with her hands. During two heady weeks in 2008, she quit her job, found a studio and applied for a business license. Jean Pelle, the company, was born.Here's what Pelle would say to that: Pick it up. Get it dirty.Golfers and PGA fans will be able to shop for golf apparel and merchandise while browsing a historical display of the Bob Hope Classic Golf Tournament in a new Old Town. Patrons of the store, which is operated by Lumpy's, will be able to purchase discount tickets at the store for the 51st annual event being held January 18-24.Visiting Pelle's studio today, you see what she does have: a distinct vision of simple and refined forms that translate to an unhurried and timeless beauty. The curves of her Tod candlesticks are unadorned, except for the wink of a thin stretch of 24-karat gold leaf tracing one ring of exposed wood grain. Clear glass orbs combine into a chandelier that successfully mimics champagne bubbles.Today, Pelle runs a growing business that fills in the blanks left by a missing childhood chandelier, creating graceful objects for the home.As a toddler, Pelle created beauty from the simplest stuff around - dirt - and found her calling. "[In Korea,] I would play in this gardening area my mom had, and I would mix up mud to make fake ddeok. ... I'd make them the way the older women would make it, and stuff the cakes - everything made out of mud."Even more real estate expertise is moving into Old Town with the addition of Windermere. "We are very proud and excited to open our newest office in Old Town La Quinta and we especially look forward to networking with our fellow business owners," says Bob Deville, owner of Windermere Coachella Valley. "The Old Town office is going to be a wonderful addition to our 13 offices throughout the Coachella Valley - and it will also be a fun and vibrant place to work. Old Town merchants enjoy the reputation for their social events and activities, and Windermere looks forward to being part of it all."The loss of the chandelier compelled Pelle to take matters into her own hands and begin creating her own visual representation of a home. It was a prescient nod to her future master's degree in architecture.When Pelle was 5, her family moved from Korea to Los Angeles, where she became familiar with the struggle between wanting to make art and needing to make a living. Kwang Hwee Kim, Pelle's father and biggest influence, ran his own studio there for more than 20 years, creating sculptural prototypes for manufacturing forms. Pelle helped as an assistant in his studio.For distinctive gifts that will impress, Old Town's newest home accessories store isFor cosmetics and skincare needs, Kanvis - one of the hottest lines on the market - is now carried at Just Boni at Home. Makeup artist and beauty guru, Kenneth Higgins, offers makeup applications and private lessons, and also consults clients on the best choices for them. Clever beauty bags, travel accessories, luxurious body products and tools of the trade are in stock, as well. "Kanvis Makeup Company has emerged on the Old Town streetscape offering a user-friendly and comprehensive range of makeup and skincare from all around the world," said Kenneth Higgins, co-creator. "Our philosophy is to offer products to suit the lifestyle here in the desert."If you are shopping for real estate, now is a great time to buy. Harvey Katofsky, a highly respected leader in the real estate industry, brings a dynamic new concept to real estate - focusing on customer service, superior agent services and advanced technologies. Some of the best agents in the region are working out of HK Lane's Old Town La Quinta office.Pelle laughs, then pauses: "It really mattered to me. It was so important to me at the time."Caldi. Featuring casual yet refined items for the home, this boutique offers a rare collection of chandeliers, bedding, pillows, throws, porcelain, candles and various other items from select designers and artisans.Then the economy shifted. Specialized labor began moving overseas to China, where everything was cheaper. Economic hardships affected Pelle's family - and, ultimately, created the circumstances that spurred Pelle to design her first house at age 12.Her studio is luxe in a manner that allows character and class to trump ornamentation and braggadocio. You want to pick up and touch items - but don't, for fear of getting fingerprints on them."I didn't realize how much I really wanted to do it until I was working years and years behind a computer, at a desk, and felt it wasn't really me. I really wanted to go back to my roots. That's what really defines me, this making stuff."For more information about Old Town La Quinta, visit www.OldTownLaQuinta.com.Han Pham is Hyphen's Takeout editor.
Han Pham is Hyphen's Takeout editor.
Author: Pham, Han
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