Today we’d like to introduce you to Tawnya Warren.
Tawnya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, I was fortunate to start selling jewelry at Barneys New York and quickly was recruited into the buying office. That’s really where I learned every aspect of the fine jewelry business: selling, buying, wholesaling and retailing. I worked there for many years until I fell in love with California. I sold everything I owned, took only two suitcases with me and started anew. It worked out well because I was offered a job once again at Barneys New York at their Beverly Hills location. Never one to shy away from evolution, I eventually opened my own jewelry store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica called Ateshi Gallery. Also, I sold my first piece of my Zoe collection to Barneys New York and sold there exclusively for over a decade. In the most unlikely of times for many brick and mortar places, I opened my new shop blueview ATELIER in December of 2020. The shop is a stone’s throw away from the ocean on West Channel in Santa Monica. We are perched on the second level of a 1930’s building where the sea breeze drifts in and you can shop while you wait for your table at one of the famous eateries below.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The obstacles are the attributes we feel with the obscure second-floor location not having a street-level window or presence. Clients must be peeked into curiosity to climb the stairs and discover what lies behind. Upon reaching the top, they are greeted by a mysterious solid wood door with an ornately detailed tiny iron door rather than a peephole, reminiscent of the speakeasies of the bygone era. Word of mouth is how people find the atelier, friends gladly showing one another the way and this hidden gem. Inside, you find a balcony with white water ocean view of crashing waves, in the rear a garden visited by butteries and hummingbirds enjoying the lavender, jasmine, Japanese white wisteria and avocado tree. Scattered throughout are vintage obscurities, one-of-a-kind artisan goods, and curated items made exclusively for the atelier.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Blueview ATELIER?
A concept store by Barneys NY designer Zoe of curated goods for body, home, and soul. Ayurvedic toothpaste to Fermob indoor outdoor furniture and rechargeable lighting can be found in the Blueview ATELIER located at 145 west channel road Santa Monica, CA 90402. Fine jewelry that was sold exclusively for over 13 years at Barneys New York by Zoe consisting of platinum oxidized and 18kt rose gold pieces combining a Georgian esthetic with modern day understand charm. Textiles of recycled saris made into scarves and sarongs, European Linen dresses and curtains, Turkish Kaftans and robes to blankets for the home. Group of 7 Candles based on the chakras made with food-grade coconut oil and essentials oils that double as massage oil. Luxury vegan skincare products leveraging science and nature; eco-friendly, cruelty-free, gluten-free, paragon-free, sulfate-free, silicon-free and talc-free. All products take into consideration being eco-friendly to our planet, humanity and oceans.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We collaborate with local Santa Monica Canyon and Palisades artists on curated items for Blueview ATELIER. Stay tuned and sign up for the newsletter to hear about the community events. The most recent was Fluer + Jardin with paintings by Mary Kinzelberg in the garden behind the shop. The curated group emphasized the hidden meaning of passing flowers to lovers in the Victorian Era. Ceramists Moye Thompson is working on a special mediation ball exclusively for the shop and will be the next launch event. The theme is based on Posey ring sayings popular from the 15th through 17th centuries in England and France as lovers’ gifts. The Rustic Canyon Recreation Center jewelry-making class is represented in the shop by Julie Starr Dresner, Helen Bookin, Lori Sater, Cathy Rodriguez, Sue Klein, and Shannon Dittbrenner. The space is forever evolving and changing just like the rhythm of sunrise and sunsets over the ocean waves.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://blueviewatelier.com
- Instagram: @blueviewatelier
- Facebook: blueviewatelier
- Yelp: blueviewatelier
Image Credits:
Tawnya Warren
