6021 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
ph 310 842 9777
fx 310 842 9750
by chance or
by appointment
7918 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
ph 323 634 7323
fx 323 634 7325
Mon to Sat 11-6
Sunday 12-5
We occasionally buy furniture or unusual objects. If you have a piece you think we may be interested in you must Email Michael with a picture, description and price.
If you are looking for a specific piece that we don’t currently have in stock please Email your request with as much detail as possible. We will notify you if we find what you are looking for.
Empirics founder, Michael Towey completed a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Seattle University in 1988. For ten years he practiced as a Mechanical Engineer for companies like Boeing, Puritan-Benett and Sony where he lead a team of engineers developing the 8.6” retracting video displays seen in the overhead compartments of most Boeing 757, 737s and Airbus A320 aircraft.
Michaels first foray into lighting and interior design was a successful bid to design the complete overhead passenger service units for the Saab 2000 aircraft in 1992. The project included hundreds of custom made parts, the development of a new halogen light bulb to run on the unusual aircraft voltage and the familiar eye-ball air outlet for which Michael holds a U.S. patent.
Empiric evolved out of a printmaking studio opened on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1996. We specialize in combining modern twentieth century interiors with highly functional institutional furnishings like steel bookcases and desks. The majority of our clients are trying to create a practical environment in which they can do creative work; useful and elegant.
The name Empiric came from the word Empirical; “capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment”. The intent was to apply analytical and rational values to the often elusive, vague and ambiguous world of furniture. Determining the merit of a particular piece of furniture would focus on observable qualities like materials, construction quality, functionality, condition and value. Fashion and feng shui would take a back seat. The observation and experiment theme is taken one step further by filling the store with vintage scientific objects and tools of measurement. Laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware, scales and microscopes become decorative accessories.
The result is an always changing eclectic mix of vintage and new modern furnishings. Many items are designed, manufactured and sold exclusively at the Empiric stores. We are proud to sell carefully restored objects made from beautiful American hardwoods that are scarce and expensive today. There are always dozens of great pieces available made of Walnut, Cherry, Mahogany and other slow-growth hardwoods. Each table, credenza, desk and dresser is examined in detail to confirm that it will fully satisfy the needs of its future owner for years to come.
The digital printing studio is still operating out of the Washington Boulevard address making beautiful large format continuous tone images on French and British watercolor paper. The images, mostly based on 20th century ephemera, are individually printed in small quantities. To see a sampling of the images, visit the prints section of our web site.
To download complete press kit: press.kit.002a.pdf
7918 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
ph 323 634 7323
fx 323 634 7325
Mon to Sat 11-6
Sunday 12-5
6021 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
ph 310 842 9777
fx 310 842 9750
by chance or
by appointment
Annie Crowninshield is a Boston native who was born into a family of pioneering modernists. Trained as an artist in France and Mexico she eventually entered the world of interior design.
After starting her own online sofa company in 2005 she
partnered with Michael, contributing to Empiric’s growing
line of custom furniture and overseeing the opening of their newest location in Culver City.
A collection of rugs launching in 2008 is her latest conception.
Max Gough moved to the west coast in the spring of 2000, leaving behind him a fledgling New York City dance career and long east coast winters. Inspired and reinvigorated by the beauty of Southern California he went on to earn separate degrees in Photography and Interior Design. At the start of his career he had the good fortune to work with notable designers such as Gary Gibson, D. Crosby Ross, and Martyn Lawrence Bullard. After several years of mentorship he was ready to strike out on his own.
Maximillian Designs was born out of a cross breed of different influences and worlds which now enable him to create unique and sumptuous spaces. “ I feel my own style is discovering what makes my clients happy and pushing them even further to make it the work or living space of their dreams. “ He has completed projects in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.
Max joins Empiric as our in house design service as well as part time sales associate.
Leslie Landis is one of those rare native southern Californians. After studying both fashion and architecture, she split the difference and fell in love with interior design. This came as no surprise to family members who remember the frequent redecorating of her childhood dollhouse.
Likes: things that are shiny, moleskin notebooks, vintage mopeds, yellow, green and grey
Dislikes: white walls, too small rugs, lights with out dimmers, mini coopers
