As cofounder of Block Shop in Los Angeles with her sister, Lily, Hopie Stockman knows a thing or two about bold, beautiful design. Her studio employs a multigenerational team of artists and craftspeople that celebrate the heritage and history of handmade textiles. Everything at Block Shop is drawn and designed in-house before being produced in small, family-owned workshops and studios in India, Italy, and the U.S. From apparel to décor, curiosities and printing kits, the company’s lovingly made merchandise has earned a cult following. Here, Stockman shares a few of her go-tos for simple, stylish entertaining.

“One of the great joys of living in Los Angeles is the abundance of overgrown flora, which makes a quick, loose table arrangement a possibility even if you don’t have a garden. Plant Material, my favorite L.A. nursery, turned me onto ARS garden snips from Japan. They’re lightweight, sharp as heck, and the best present for the green thumb in your life.”

“This serving platter from L.A. artist and ceramicist Michelle Blade’s company, Good Kind Work, is so charming and whimsical it makes even the dullest of roasted veggies look dynamite on the table. And, it’s food and dishwasher safe.”

“Throughout the pandemic, our friend and DJ Jihaari Terry has been releasing a series of excellent playlists called Black Peace Strategies for the Future of Humankind. This one is my favorite for a chill dinner mood at home. It’s dedicated to Lorna Simpson on the occasion of her 2021 exhibition Everrrything at Hauser & Wirth here in Downtown L.A.”

“The treasures just keep on coming from the orchard and gardens of Flamingo Estate right here in the hills of Northeast L.A. Their Heirloom Tomato candle truly does smell like the leaves of a garden tomato plant at the height of summer. Now my mom is hooked on all things Flamingo Estate. His soaps are also heaven-scent (sorry, had to!)”

“This giant toleware strawberry candle holder is truly what the heart wants. These chic strawbabies plus Hawkins New York taper candles in every color bring me immense joy. Irresistible!”

“Our friend said three things should always come with ruffles: pillows, roses, and potato chips. Block Shop is doing its part in collaboration with In Casa by Paboy. Think rococo frills meets maximal ’80s interiors. Each pillow is hand-stitched by Paboy—a Gambian designer and refugee seeking asylum in Italy—from Italian cotton found in local markets combined with our sumptuous linen block prints. These heavenly ruffled pillows are a genuine conversation starter.”

“This insanely adorable apron is the bright, beautiful brain meld between two women-run brands I love, Diaspora Co. and the Delhi-based Norblack Norwhite. It makes me happy as soon as I put it on.”

“Hands down the best bottle opener is designed by our wonderful friend, the lighting designer Brendan Ravenhill. The prototype was a single bent nail on a broken Maine mooring cleat back in Brendan’s commercial lobsterman days. Comes in a million colors, and a nifty magnet keeps the bottle cap from flying across the room.”

“I’m always trying to get my mitts on a bottle of this truly delicious, unfiltered, wild orange wine from Sicily that I learned about from someone with a dual-zone wine cooler. Such a treat.”

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