Hennessey + Ingalls
If you’re anything like me, a good art exhibit or book store will keep you occupied, entertained even, for hours on end. Hennessy + Ingalls is reminiscent of an art gallery in and of itself, with the quality of titles and the inate visual aspect to its wares that only an art and architecture bookshop could contain. As such, I could spend days among the shelves, if only the lights were not dimmed at closing time.In addition to the flagship store, located in Santa Monica, Hennessey + Ingalls has opened a second location in the heart of creative Hollywood, at Space 15 Twenty. Founded in 1963, Hennessy + Ingalls has become the largest art and architecture bookstore in the western United States. There is a relaxed atmosphere with no pressure to purchase as I discovered when spending an obscene amount of time on a perfect weekday afternoon perusing the heavy, but beautiful coffee table prize pieces. In addition to the unique and fabulous books on design, I discovered that Hennessey + Ingalls also carries a wide variety of moleskin notebooks (my personal favorite), as well as interesting collection of travel guides (including the trend-setting Wallpaper* City Guide series). Additionally, there is a plethora of tongue-in-cheek greeting cards – just right to go along with that perfect gift to a book-loving artophile.
In addition to acting as the official supplier of books to several large academic art libraries and schools, Hennessey + Ingalls maintains a small publishing division, with title releases including the likes of Power in Buildings: An Artist's View of Contemporary Architecture and Screen Deco: A Celebration of High Style in Hollywood. For anyone interested in art, architecture, photography, design, or landscaping, Hennessey + Ingalls is a must visit!