Hernandez Furniture is one of the most fiercely guarded resources for mid-century decor in LA. The story behind this retro wonderland is one my favorites ever because it combines steely eyed trend spotting with hard work and chutzpah.
Way back in the 80s, Papa Hernandez opened a shop to sell used appliances procured from landlords overhauling apartment rentals. Occasionally, along with cast off refrigerators and stoves, these landlords also dumped off leftover furniture in the mid-century style.
It’s hard to imagine but, at the time, the mainstream design world was cuckoo for flowery traditional or slick Memphis looks so pieces from the 60s and 70s were often considered throwaways (gasp! I know).
Enter the owner’s smarty pants 10 year old son, Ivan, who noticed that a small but growing group of voracious mid-century loving outliers snapped up these modern gems as fast they could unload the truck. Spying a business opportunity, little Ivan and his dad started stocking up and hit the books to learn more about the Mid-Century movement and makers.
That was 18 years ago. Today the world has gone mad for mid-century much to the delight of the now 28-year-old Ivan. And Hernandez Furniture has quietly become a secret supplier to LA’s shmansiest furniture galleries and top interior designers.
The good news for the rest of us is that Hernandez is now selling on Chairish so we can all access their treasures from just about anywhere. I recently sat down with the prescient, kind and ambitious Ivan to talk about his very American story and, of course, their fabled merchandise.
What sort of inventory do you typically stock?
We aim for accessibly-priced pieces by designers like Adrian Pearsall, Frank Gehry, Glenn of California, and Lou Hodges but we also think there’s good value in vintage pieces with great style—even if their creators were anonymous.
Any advice for first time visitors?
Check the sidewalk since some of the best stuff is there! Most of our pieces are in original condition, so they’re prime candidates for re-upholstery (which is another service we offer at competitive prices). Once you’re in the shop, stuff is stacked high to fly so dig around!
Any notable clients?
We supplied many of the props used in the set design for first season of “Mad Men.” It seems like that show helped create a wider appreciation and demand for mid-century looks, so it actually helped our business grow—which was a nice plus.
What’s hot in vintage right now?
We see an incoming trend for the Nostalgic Future style—especially molded plastic and space age looks.
Was there a piece that broke your heart to sell?
There was a Gio Ponti dining set that we were tempted to keep but we ended up selling it to a major dealer who recently listed it for three times what he paid us for it! Should have kept that one!
Do you have a favorite piece in your inventory right now?
There’s a Fletcher Desk that is purported to have originally come from the estate of Howard Hughes. It has a cool boomerang shape—very cool!
