Our Interiors Team’s Guide to Sourcing in Los Angeles

Rip & Tan: How do you approach a sourcing trip? Do you go in with a clear plan or leave room for discovery?

Linnea Schooley: A little bit of both! We always go into a sourcing trip with a list of the things we are looking for, but like to leave space for something surprising to catch our eye.

Rip & Tan: What kind of research or preparation goes into planning a sourcing day?

Linnea Schooley: First, we make a list of everything we’re sourcing for to quickly reference in our notes app when we’re out and about. Then we make a list of every spot we want to visit to map out a plan for the day based on location to make sure we’re maximizing our time! In LA, that usually means starting west in Beverly Hills and heading east from there.

Rip & Tan: Do your sourcing destinations change depending on the client or project?

Linnea Schooley: Yes absolutely! While some vendors are our tried and true for most projects, each client’s space is unique and requires a different finishing touch to bring it to life.

Rip & Tan: In your experience, what are the pros and cons of sourcing in-person versus online? Do you have a preference?

Linnea Schooley: Sourcing in person is always ideal in order to fully understand scale, finish, color, etc. all of which can be sometimes misconstrued online. However, in-person sourcing is much more limiting and time-consuming! We tend to do more furniture sourcing online and accessory sourcing in person, but there’s always room for exceptions!

Rip & Tan: What are each of your go-to vendors known for? Any specialties we should know about?

Linnea Schooley: Most of our favorites are known for vintage, antique furnishings and accessories, though we also love to source new production, local and handmade furnishings and decor.

Rip & Tan: Walk us through a typical day of sourcing—what does it look like from start to finish?

Linnea Schooley: I typically do admin work in the early morning since I won’t have the chance to be at my computer for most of the day. I always grab a coffee somewhere on the way to the showrooms! We often start at Orange and work east, so I like to grab a coffee at Maru Beverly Hills on the way. We like to start at the first showroom as soon as they open (usually around 10 am), and hit as many spots as we can before steam starts to run out and need a boost of energy in the afternoon. Get a delicious light lunch that will give us energy to power through the rest of the day. Close out showrooms on the east side. Head home to go through all my photos from the day and start sorting through final selects.

Rip & Tan: Any top tips for making the most of a sourcing day?

Linnea Schooley: I recommend taking photos of absolutely everything you think you might be interested in and measurements if needed. This will help to revisit when you get back to the office and can look through everything with a clear head. When taking photos of objects, take photos closer up and farther away so you can reference scale when you’re revisiting.

Rip & Tan: What do you always have with you on a sourcing trip—what’s in your bag?

Linnea Schooley: A measuring tape, always! Any material samples that would be helpful to reference, A snack, My computer to reference and plug things into CAD on the fly!

Rip & Tan: What’s one item you always say yes to?

Linnea Schooley: An amazing vintage lamp! You can always find a place for them and they add so much to a space.