Empiric evolved out of a printmaking studio opened on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1996. We specialize in combining modern twentieth century interiors with highly functional institutional furnishings like steel bookcases and desks. The majority of our clients are trying to create a practical environment in which they can do creative work; useful and elegant.
The name Empiric came from the word Empirical; "capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment". The intent was to apply analytical and rational values to the often elusive, vague and ambiguous world of furniture. Determining the merit of a particular piece of furniture would focus on observable qualities like materials, construction quality, functionality, condition and value. Fashion and feng shui would take a back seat. The observation and experiment theme is taken one step further by filling the store with vintage scientific objects and tools of measurement. Laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware, scales and microscopes become decorative accessories.
The result is an always changing eclectic mix of vintage and new modern furnishings. Many items are designed, manufactured and sold exclusively at Empiric. We are proud to sell carefully restored objects made from beautiful American hardwoods that are scarce and expensive today. There are always dozens of great pieces available made of Walnut, Cherry, Mahogany and other slow-growth hardwoods. Each table, credenza, desk and dresser is examined in detail to confirm that it will fully satisfy the needs of its future owner for years to come.
The digital printing studio is still operating in house and making beautiful large format images on French and British watercolor paper. The images, mostly based on 20th century ephemera, are individually printed in small quantities. To see a sampling of the images, visit the prints section of our web site.
Anne Lockwood
Crowninshield, V.P. Sales and Marketing, hails from a
family of pioneering Modernists outside Boston MA. The Crowninshields are
famous
for, among other things, building the first pleasure craft to cross the
Atlantic, Cleopatras
Barge in
1816. With a spacious and luxurious Mahogany and red velvet cabin,
nearly half the budget for the craft was spent on furnishings…leading us
to
think, “maybe it’s genetic?”
Annie
studied fine art in France and Mexico before turning to her interests in
design
and interiors. She owned and operated her own on-line upholstery
company
in Los Angeles before joining forces with Empiric in 2007.Her
on-line experience benefited
Empiric right away as she built our first dynamic web-site expanding our
reach
beyond the borders of Los Angeles county.With her special interest in textiles, Annie also introduced
Empirics
first rug line in 2009. Read more about upcoming projects on her lifestyle blog www.relishsmallpleasures.blogspot.com.
Empiric's founder, Michael Towey, completed a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Seattle University in 1988. For ten years he practiced as a Mechanical Engineer developing products for companies like Boeing, Puritan-Benett and Sony. At Sony, Michael lead a team of engineers developing the retracting video displays seen rotating out of the overhead compartments of many mid size Boeing and Airbus aircraft. And if you travel much, it is likely that you have touched a product designed by Michael: The patented air flow valve (in the image above) is installed above nearly every seat in mid size Airbus aircraft.
For over twenty years Michael has been a student of the many different aspects of product design; From Value Engineering to Statistical Process Control, tool and die fabrication to Quality Function Deployment. This thorough multi-disciplined experience allows Empiric to focus on adding value for our discriminating customers.
Michaels first foray into lighting and interior design was a successful bid to design the complete overhead passenger service units for the Saab 2000 aircraft in 1992. The project included hundreds of custom made parts, the development of a new halogen light bulb, and the familiar eye-ball air outlet for which Michael holds a U.S. patent. Watch for new lighting products at Empiric coming soon.
Empiric's full time Sales Associate, Melissa Licht, grew up in LA
frequenting the LA County Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum and
taking classes at Barnsdale Art Park. After
getting her BA in Art History at the University of Vermont, Melissa
moved to Boston where she earned a Certificate of Decorative Arts at
The Boston Architectural College.
When Melissa recently moved back to LA to pursue a career in Interior Design, Empiric was lucky enough to hire her.
