You’ll Want Every Last Piece from CB2’s New Lawson-Fenning Collection
Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning bring their signature cool, contemporary style to CB2. And the extensive collection is a surprisingly accessible ode to California modernism.
Courtesy of CB2
CB2 approached Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning, the furniture design duo and retailers behind one of the most beloved and influential home decor shops in Los Angeles, to collaborate on a collection at the perfect time. It was the fall of 2020. Lawson was “holed up” in upstate New York, waiting and wondering when the world would open up again. And Fenning was doing the same at home in Los Angeles. There was plenty of thumb twiddling, and an itch to create during an uncertain time.
“We’ve always been fans of the brand,” says Fenning. “And when a mutual connection introduced us, we were really excited to get to work.”
The CB2 creative team recognized the appeal of California living to the rest of the world. And Lawson-Fenning, with their deep appreciation for West Coast modernism and love for the state where they’ve been working and designing since they were art students in Pasadena over 20 years ago, knew how to make that happen. The result is CB2’s largest collaboration to date, spanning indoor and outdoor furnishings, decorative objects, tableware, wall art, planters.
Courtesy of CB2
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“We wanted to create a cohesive collection with all categories included: the couch, the pillows, the rugs, the vase in the corner,” says Lawson. “We said, ‘As much as you’ll take from us, we’ll do.’”
“They gave us carte blanche,” adds Fenning. “There was no resistance.”
The resulting pieces are an ode to the landscape and culture of California in multiple ways. The various collections are named for favorite beach towns, for starters—Ventura bookshelves, Half Moon dining chairs, a Refugio day bed, a Humboldt leather stool. And the color palette was taken directly from the state’s unique topography.
“We love the idea of the beach and the mountains, and how those areas work together up and down the coast,” says Lawson. “We looked at topographical maps and aerial photographs and took texture and color from the actual geography of California. We Panto-matched those photos and used the blues, greens, tans and reds, the gradation of neutrals in the landscape, in the color palette.”
Courtesy of CB2
For the design partners, it was an intriguing opportunity to take their designs to a nationwide, direct-to-consumer client, after spending most of the last decade working with designers and primarily “to the trade,” as they say. And anyone who has longed for a little slice of their design magic but balked at the cost will be pleased with the price tags. For example, the Anacapa Saddle Leather Lounge Chair is $1,599, the elegant Refugio daybed is $1,999, a Strand Brass Table Lamp is $299, and a Patio Leather Drinks Caddy is $89.95. But the highlight may be the outdoor furniture collection, which looks just as great indoors.
“It was important to us to create an outdoor furniture collection that worked with all sorts of architecture,” says Fenning. “Some of the pieces were made in both indoor and outdoor fabric and materials. They have a mid-century modern vibe, but would really work in any contemporary as well.”
The collection is live on the CB2 site now. Resist the temptation to put everything you own out on the curb and start from scratch.
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Lounge Chair, Two Ways
The Sentinel Lounge chair is designed with teak and iron, and will work indoors or out.
Attention to Detail
Lawson-Fenning spared no details when they designed this comprehensive collection—even down to the leather Fallon office waste can.
An Ode to California Modernism
This carved Drakes Bay Accent table is one of the many tributes to California’s modern design legacy, a kind of homage to sculptors like J.B. Blunk.
Mid-Century Inspiration
Inspired by mid-century California studio pottery, the ceramics in the collection include plates and vessels, like this Del Mar planter.
