Rising Stars: Meet Gary Gibson of Mid Wilshire

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Gibson.

Hi Gary, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As an interior designer based in Los Angeles for the past 45 years, I’ve had the privilege of working on projects across the country. In addition to our design work, we operated a retail store at our previous location for 25 years—an extension of my passion for vintage objects, art, lighting, and furniture.

We recently relocated to a new, more intimate space at 7374 Beverly Blvd. This move represents a shift in pace for my career. While we continue to actively take on interior design projects, the new showroom allows me to maintain the retail component—which has always been more of a passion project than a business necessity—in a way that feels more personal and sustainable.

The new venue reflects my desire to focus more intentionally on both design and the curated experience of the store, all while preserving the approach and aesthetic that have brought us success over the years.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible design clients for over 45 years.

My journey began as a painter right out of school, which evolved into a career in interior design. Like many artists, I felt the need to expand creatively, which led to the opening of our retail store. The blend of interior design and retail has been deeply fulfilling—each side enriching the other in unexpected ways.

Running a small business comes with its share of challenges, but I’ve found that the support of our loyal clients and store followers has been the foundation of our success. Their enthusiasm and trust have made the work incredibly rewarding.

At the core of it all is my passion and drive as an artist. I’ve never been afraid to take risks, and I believe that willingness to evolve and stay true to my creative instincts has been key to sustaining both my business and my love for what I do.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The heart of my store lies in its curation—an eclectic mix of objects that don’t follow a specific genre or trend. Everything in the space is chosen simply because I like it. That’s why I’ve always considered the store more of a hobby than a business—it’s a personal expression, not a formula.

From the beginning, I didn’t want to be like every other store. This has always been something deeply personal to me. I’ve followed my instincts rather than catering to what’s expected, and in doing so, I’ve been able to introduce people to new ways of seeing and using the pieces they find at Gibson.

The curation is what makes the space unique. Each object is something I genuinely connect with, and part of the creative challenge—and joy—is making those pieces desirable and meaningful to others.

I believe a big part of success is being willing to take that risk—to do something different. When you stay true to your passions and people respond to that authenticity, that’s where real success happens.

How do you think about luck?
I believe success is more about timing than luck.

You have to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. That means doing the work—putting in the time, honing your skills, and preparing yourself for what’s to come. There’s no shortcut around the hustle: it takes networking, constantly learning, and developing both technical abilities and personal qualities—like your personality, sense of humor, and how you connect with people.

There are so many layers to growth in this field, and much of it comes down to building a strong foundation so that when the right moment arrives, you’re ready to meet it head-on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.garygibson.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopatgibson
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopatgibson
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-gibson-92984210/