Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Visiting The Plant Provocateur

I met Hank (the provocateur himself) briefly during the 2013 Garden Blogger's Fling in San Francisco. As with every "Fling" there were so many new faces that it was hard to put a name to every single one. However, there are always a few people who stand out and he was one. Stylish and very knowledgeable, yet not boastful or boorish. His blog, The Plant Provocateur, became a quick favorite simply for the way he looked at things. I think I'm fairly detail oriented but he takes it to a new (incredible) level.

Then I started to read things on Facebook about a shop – he was opening a retail location – how very interesting. My heart is in retail (it's a sickness, I've been infected) and I am always curious about how people approach it. Thus it was a given I would be visiting his shop (at  3318 W. Sunset Blvd - Los Angeles, CA) when we were in L.A. in December. See that tiny slice of green across the street? That's where we're headed...

I do appreciate consistency in branding and immediately recognized the green color and the font from his blog.

"Botanical Inspiration"...that kind of says it all, doesn't it?

I think this is the point where some might turn back: what? It's back there? Where? However as a long time lover of The Pink Door, in Seattle's Post Alley, I know this long pathway means things are going to be interesting...

Yep.

Courtyard seating with a fabulous painting on the rear wall...

This space is used for classes like a Japanese Woodcarving workshop, a Kokedama 'Japanese String Garden' Workshop, and a Gourmet Pop-Up Shop. Not to mention it looks to be an incredible space to just hang out in.

There's so much to look at outside I almost forgot to go inside.

Fun way to use fallen Monkey Puzzle branches...

But I did, eventually, go inside...

And I kind of want everything.

Hank has a way with flowers...

But it doesn't stop there...

And can you even imagine how much I loved this print? And how much it stabbed me in the heart later when Andrew said, "I thought you would have wanted to by that print back at that shop..." What? Yes, I loved it! And why didn't you tell me that was up for discussion (I thought our walls were maxed out)? Why?!!! (sigh...)

Who me? Yes...you. I love you still. And I loved visiting The Plant Provocateur...

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

20 comments:

  1. Some really inspiring stuff there, and what a courtyard!

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  2. What a fabulous little shop.

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    1. Indeed, and with a coffee shop just next door I could see myself spending lots of time in that courtyard.

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  3. A shop as wonderful as its creator! I remember him fondly from the SF fling and also enjoy his blog. Thanks for this tour of Hank's fab shop.

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  4. Now I KNOW you are regretting passing on Peter's monkey puzzle haul. The tiny slice of an entrance belies the wealth of treasures down that long walkway but the artistic signage would have urged me on too. My mom used to paint everything green. It took me a long time to recover but man, do I love those green walls.

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    1. Actually I did bring home a whole bag of brown ones, I just didn't take any of the fresh fallen green branches. That's a good green isn't it?

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  5. I once worked in the alley (an old driveway) adjacent to an antique store. In the summer the owner filled it with garden items and Victorian wicker furniture. Best place to hang out. Hate when our partners don't speak up in time to make that critical purchase. Our rule is we have to agree on any art purchase which is one way of keeping things from getting too out of control.

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    1. Yes! That's just it. I never in a million years would have thought he liked it as much as I did. Live and learn.

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  6. Why don't we have places like this in Washington, DC???

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  7. It's cool to see what Hank is up to. And now I'm musing over your statement that your heart is in retail. I *really* want to see the Danger Garden shop.

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  8. Wow! What a cute little store, and so many fun treasures. I love that hang-out/class area.

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  9. I see some plants I'd be happy to take home with me. And I love that eye tree mural.

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    1. Isn't that mural fabulous? Reminds me I need to encourage Andrew to paint on the dining room wall...

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  10. What a fun place! Thanks for taking me on it with you. Did you ever get the print?

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  11. Lori! Thank you so much for your posting! Thank you for coming by and checking out what I've been working on for a few years! It is truly a labor of love. It's definitely a lot of work but I have to say...I love going to work, being with plants, and getting people excited about plants. This is only just the beginning...

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