Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Emily P. Wheeler is known in many collector circles as a uniquely creative mind who is deeply inspired by interiors, photography, and other artistic mediums.
Look closely at her work and you’ll see the influence of Mexican architect Luis Barragan and 1980s-era surf culture iconography, to name just two. Her most coveted pieces incorporate bold, graphic concepts—including a statement necklace inspired by Marie Watt textiles—in a beguiling palette that hovers somewhere between The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Lisa Frank’s whimsical sticker designs.
So when it came time to establish a palette and mood for the interior of her recently opened Beverly Hills showroom, Wheeler had no shortage of inspiration to draw on, her jewelry collection being just one among many touchstones used to establish the look and feel of the space.
Emily P. Wheeler tubogas bracelet with gradiant-set sapphires
“Our jewelry is for the woman who appreciates the finest craftsmanship while simultaneously being drawn to playful pieces that burst with color,” says Wheeler. “The idea was to create a space that truly embodies who we are.”
To realize her vision, Wheeler sought the expertise of Theresa Silva, former senior director of windows for Barney’s New York, and currently the founder of creative consultancy Output Visual Design.
The shop's interiors nod to Wheeler’s core collections, including Signature Ombré, which bold jewels set with pastel-to-vivid sapphires, and I Heart, which casts the beloved shape as a sparkling, bezel-set gem and candylike beads. In fact, there's a Verner Panton Heart Chair in Wheeler’s office, a small, sun-drenched enclosure that also includes a curvy acrylic pink desk by Litfad.
Wheeler’s office is pretty in pink (and blue), thanks to the Litfad desk and Verner Panton Heart Chair
Emily P. Wheeler, seated on her favorite piece in her new showroom
Wheeler would be hard pressed to choose a favorite jewel from her collection, but when it comes to the showroom furnishings, one piece stands out as particularly special: “I purchased the Togo sofas before I even found the studio space,” she says of the low-slung design by Michael Ducaroy for Ligne Roset. “There’s no shortage of pink in my collection—it just felt so me.”
The Togo seating also provided a starting point for Silva, who went on to fill the space with color-saturated, Mid-Century Modern and Memphis Design-inspired décor elements including a custom purple floor-length mirror and a cream coffee table by Swedish maker Gustaf Westman.
The iridescent side table next to the Gustaf Westman mirror is from Glass Italia. Lighting fixtures consist of unique aluminum pendants, a material Wheeler often utilizes in her designs, while a series of irregularly shaped and colorful rugs handmade in India tie everything together.
“I instantly connected to Emily’s style, spirit, playfulness and aesthetic, and knew we would be a perfect match,” says Silva. “My early love for bright and unique oddities started with my fascination with the Pee Wee’s Playhouse set. It was my first exposure to color blocking, oversized furniture, graphics, texture, and Memphis Design style. The 1985 Alice in Wonderland miniseries further enhanced my interest in grandiose decor, pops of color, and moments that appear almost out of place. All of these elements served as inspiration and came into play when collaborating with Emily on the showroom.”
Colorblocking, which Wheeler favors in many of her designs, can be seen throughout the space, including in a Tavolo2 Fango table by Pulpo in the center of the showroom with a green base and light-pink glass top. “The new showroom is full of personality and joy and serves as the perfect backdrop to showcase our collection to guests and clients in an impactful way,” says Wheeler. Wanting to create an “Instagramable” moment for guests who visit the space, Silva incorporated 3D “EPW” lettering on the wall to create the perfect photo opportunity.
Custom upholstered cream bouclé chairs were sourced to accompany the Pulpo table
A Cloud Bench from Bend Goods amidst rosier furnishings
While the showroom will be used primarily for appointments with retail buyers, stylists and VIP clients, it will also function as Wheeler’s design studio. Free of electronics (besides computers) for limited distractions, it will provide a quiet and immersive setting for dreaming up new collections. The latest: new versions of the Flora necklace in pink sapphires and diamonds and a trio of elegant tubogas bracelets set with ombré sapphires and diamonds.
