At Home With: Limbo Decor

James Markel’s Limbo Decor showroom features an eclectic mix of vintage and antique pieces that he sources from California to Colorado. “I’m actually newly back,” Markel says. “I had a vintage store with Rachiel Macalistaire … called Macalistaire 1850 in Laguna. She really amped me up for being in this business.” Markel also offers his design services out of the space, which is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment. 

How did you first get into product sourcing?
In college, I would go to garage sales in Fullerton, and at the time midcentury modern wasn’t really big or reproduced yet. I had a garage sale and someone asked, “Do you know how much this stuff is worth?” I had no idea, so I looked it up, and I was like, oh my gosh, this could be a business. So I just never stopped. 

How did you decide on a location?
I lived a couple different places, but I really missed the coast, so I wanted to spend a lot of time in Laguna. I found this spot on PCH that I had always loved. My neighbor here, Molly English who owns Camps and Cottages, has been a friend of mine for a long time. Kathleen next to her at Melange, I’ve known (for a long time as well). There was a “For Lease” sign, so I called them both and asked how they felt about another antique shop on the block, and they were both ecstatic. Melange focuses on Asian and European antiques, and Camps and Cottages is more California and early American cottage aesthetic. And then I’m all over the board, so Limbo says it all. 

What can people expect when they come into your showroom?
I have a lot of accessories—small tables, lighting, pottery bowls, art. It’s a great place to come when you’re trying to fill a bookshelf or decorate your kitchen cabinets. Something that’s interesting that we recently started within the past year has been representing queer artists. 

What services do you offer?
I offer design consulting, interior decorating, and interior styling, which is most of what we do. It’s taking someone’s collection and adding to it, removing from it, making sure that the home is looking gorgeous, and the art is hung correctly, and everything is cohesive. 

What do you look for when you’re sourcing?
I look for a lot of texture. I’m always looking for things that are interesting and intriguing; items that stand out … and things that have a story. I love pieces that are handmade; anything that shows craftmanship, authenticity, and character. 

How do you approach consulting for a space?
I always like to get to know the customer first. I think the biggest thing for me in this business is that at the end of the day, this is all just stuff. Having a beautifully curated space is so important to our mental health and making sure it feels right and that you identify with it. How can we make sure that when you get home you feel happy? Because you only get one life to live. So for me, it’s a bit of a holistic approach.