Souleiado Closes Doors in Brentwood After 17 Years

After 17 years for a professional interior designer in Brentwood getting creative with displays at her French boutique, buying, selling, globetrotting, as well as being a small entrepreneur, it's time for a change.

Monica Sandstede, owner of Souleiado at 11969 San Vicente Blvd., has decided to close the French interior design and fashion store. She's holding a final sale up until the last day, July 30, where additional discounts will be applied to store items.

Sandstede first posted the notice of her closing on Brentwood Patch's announcements board. She tells Patch she's moving to Florida with her husband to start a new chapter.

"I will use my extensive experience in interior renovations and he will use his craft in technical home repairs," she said. "So this way I am saying good by to my loyal customers."

Souleiado has other stores worldwide, according to the company's website. The Brentwood store opened in Sept. 1996 with a complete French country inventory, Sandstede said.

"I was a neighbor to Dutton's Bookstore and my clients were practically his clients," she said. "The store was a haven to Francophiles."

During the first 12 years, Sandstede travelled extensively to Paris and Provence in search of one of a kind antiques, home accessories and the complete line of Provençal goods manufactured in Tarascon, South of France.

"The Souleiado fabrics are prints with a distinct style," she said. "Picasso wore shirts made by Souleiado and Maria Callas the full skirts."

When the recession hit in 2008, Sandstede said she started buying in New York, as the look switched from all French to global chic.

"The buying became more Artisanal, concentrating in finding objects with character and the emphasis always in good design," Sandstede added.

She noted the customers appreciated her buying and dedication to detail, as well as her knowledge of French interiors and fashion.

Included in the final sale at Souleiado are custom-made display pieces that could be used to display placemats, napkins, china and glassware, as well as gift items.

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