The Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Showroom will help you bring your creative vision to life. It’s an inviting, collaborative space built to inspire you throughout your kitchen project – from planning with our product experts and your designers to making delicious memories in your home.
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RUSTIC, REIMAGINED
Farmhouse living with a contemporary twist, this vacation property near Santa Barbara is the perfect retreat for a busy family
ARCHITECTURE: BRANDON ARCHITECTS
INTERIOR DESIGN: BLACKBAND DESIGN BUILDER: PATTERSON CUSTOM HOMES 66
An Encinitas home is transformed by embracing the lush landscape that surrounds it
INTERIOR DESIGN: LAURA BROPHY
74
A waterfront home in Laguna Beach blends comfort together with splashes of edgy urban design
ARCHITECTURE: RICHARD KRANTZ
INTERIOR DESIGN: LISA MCDENNON 82 JEWEL BOX IN THE SKY
The jaw-dropping view of Los Angeles has plenty of competition from the lavish interiors in this one-of-a-kind penthouse
INTERIOR DESIGN: MATTHEW BOLAND
The delight of indooroutdoor living. 21
DETAILS
New finds, hot trends, our picks 28 CULTURE Explore, imagine, experience 32
HOME Design inspiration, curated style, new discoveries 36
REAL ESTATE Southern California's housing hot spots 39
A look at the talent that fuels the SoCal design scene
A celebration of the season’s hottest hue
GARDENS
Lush landscapes, inspiring design, peaceful retreats 50
GOING PLACES
Golden State destinations and the world beyond 56
DINE + DESIGN Form, function, and food
GREATER GOOD Care, serve, contribute
ever hearing the phrase “indoor-outdoor living” when I was growing up, which isn’t much of a surprise given that I was raised in Minnesota, where frigid winters reigned more than half of the year. So when I moved to Los Angeles in 2008, I had to massively recalibrate.
It quickly became apparent to me that Southern California is almost an embarrassment of riches: a vibrant and diverse community, lush terrain that stretches from mountains to ocean, and glorious weather that allows for … that ubiquitous indoor-outdoor living.
Not surprisingly, these elements are reflected in the region’s unique design sensibility. I spent several years at Architectural Digest, where I was privy to the most exciting design projects in the nation, and found myself drawn to SoCal’s incredible range of talent. So I’m thrilled to helm a magazine that will highlight inspirational design projects across the region: San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara—and undiscovered gems in between. We want to celebrate the designers who translate Golden State style into unforgettable living spaces, from concept to completion. And we’re always on the hunt for incredible furniture, art, and accessories—all with signature SoCal flair.
The region’s diversity is also one of its greatest strengths, with rich cultural history that’s reflected in all aspects of design. This issue spotlights incredible behind-the-scenes artisans and designers committed to using their skills for good, such as Michael Lehrer, who has built a new residence for unhoused veterans.
SoCal now has my heart, and I hope you find inspiration in these pages. Our corner of the world has some of the most incredible design on the planet.
Nichol Nelson Editorial Director nnelson@socaldesignmag.comNICHOL NELSON is a veteran journalist and design enthusiast who has worked for national magazines including GQ, SELF, Gourmet, and Architectural Digest. Originally from Minnesota, she now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children.
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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1. SoCal Design is published quarterly by Los Angeles Magazine, LLC. Principal office: 10100 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. Postage paid at Los Angeles, CA, and additional mailing offices. The one-year domestic subscription price is $19.95. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SoCal Design, 1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071. Not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or other materials, which must be accompanied by return postage. SUBSCRIBERS: If the Postal Service alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year. Copyright © 2022 Los Angeles Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved. SoCal Design® is a registered trademark of Los Angeles Magazine, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. SUBSCRIBER SERVICE: 866-660-6247. GST #R133004424. PRINTED IN THE USA.
The Joy of Living. Unique. Non-conformist. Authentic. For unconventional and romantic spirits, for the wild and the style-conscious, for birds of paradise and all those who cast off all constraints when it comes to furnishing their home.
VINYL IS BACK IN A BIG WAY, and while old-school turntables deliver classic sound, they’re not exactly beautiful to look at. Enter Wrensilva’s modernist hi-fi record consoles, showstopping pieces that meld high-quality sound with top-tier design. Founded in 2016, the San Diego–based company uses North American hardwoods to craft their consoles, which feature traditional vinyl turntables as well as Sonos Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.
The 2022 collection includes the M1, their flagship model, as well as the Standard, their most popular console. For those with limited space, the company has rolled out the Loft line—consoles designed to deliver big sound in a smaller package. The Club Series has additional touches like mother-of-pearl inlays and tweed detailing. Sound plus style? Yes, please. ■
The Volo pendant is a celebration of natural materials; solid hardwood, metal, and leather play a distinct role in the form and function. The indirect LED light source emits a beautiful quality of light that bounces off the shade’s metal interior.
AFTER SHUTTERING TREILLAGE, the garden antiques shop she ran with her husband, John Rosselli, from 1991 to 2015, Bunny Williams launched a collection of al fresco furnishings that play on the original atelier. This time around it’s not one-off pieces, but contemporary furnishings inspired by history (pagoda-form planters, a Versailles-style bench) and crafted with rattan, stone, metal, and sustainably harvested teak. There are accessories, too, “inspired by things that I own and use constantly,” says the designer, noting cachepots and lanterns. Designed to flourish in gardens of every zone, the Treillage Collection is available through Williams’s new showroom at the Interior Arts Building in Manhattan and at William Laman in Montecito. bunnywilliamshome.com
GRAHAM DINING TABLE
Henry Jacques Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills California
T: (310) 928-9222 www.parfumshenryjacques.com
ACTOR-TURNED-ART COLLECTOR Cheech Marin is behind the recently opened (in June 2022) 61,420-square-foot, two-story museum, The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. The space is dedicated to Chicano art, in what was originally the Riverside Public Library. Housed in a historic New Formalist-style building designed in 1964 by Moise, Harbach & Hewlett, and renovated by renowned firm Page & Turnbull in collaboration with architect Kulapat Yantrasast from WHY, the museum, affectionately nicknamed “The Cheech,” showcases works by pioneers and game-changers. Among these American artists of Mexican descent are Carlos Almaraz, Margaret Garcia, Wayne Alaniz Healy, Judithe Hernández, Frank Romero, John Valadez, and Patssi Valdez, to name a few.
“What I’ve learned over the years is that Chicano art reveals the sabor (flavor) of the community,” says Marin. “Being a Chicano has always meant being in the middle—being an American but also being proud of your roots. Everybody is different, and we all have to learn to get along. Being a Chicano means forging your own path.”
Since the mid-1980s, Marin has been developing an impressive private Chicano art collection, which comprises over 500 works as of today. Made possible thanks to a partnership with the City of Riverside and the Riverside Museum, this project was born out of Marin’s goal to introduce Chicano art to a wider audience.
“The term ‘Chicano’ is in flux,” he says. “We live in flux times and we want to talk about that. [The Cheech] will be a place for exploration and innovation of art and culture … a place where these things get discussed, and I want the experience to be inclusive.”
Created from the 1800s settlement of Napa’s founder, Nathan Coombs, the Meteor Vineyard Estate is a rare prestigious offering: an architecturally significant residence and an esteemed, 22.5 +/- acre ultra-premium vineyard that some call the Grand Cru of the Coombsville region. This 34 +/- acre oasis is anchored by a 13,250 +/- sq ft residential compound designed by Cutler Anderson—an impressive landmark comprising a main home, second dwelling, and studio. OFFERED AT $35,000,000
Created from the 1800s settlement of Napa’s founder, Nathan Coombs, the Meteor Vineyard Estate is a rare prestigious offering: an architecturally significant residence and an esteemed, 22.5 +/- acre ultra-premium vineyard that some call the Grand Cru of the Coombsville region. This 34 +/- acre oasis is anchored by a 13,250 +/- sq ft residential compound designed by Cutler Anderson—an impressive landmark comprising a main home, second dwelling, and studio. OFFERED AT $35,000,000
THE ORANGE COUNTY Museum of Art’s new home will be an artwork in and of itself. The museum’s move to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus in Costa Mesa doubled the size of the former location in Newport Beach. Set to open in October 2022, the new building designed by architecture and design firm Morphosis—founded by Pritzker Prizewinning architect Thom Mayne—will be spread over 53,000 square feet, including nearly 25,000 square feet of gallery space. Flexibility and functionality are at the core of the concept for this museum that aims to present modern and contemporary artworks in a wide range of mediums and by artists of diverse backgrounds.
While the upper level will include administrative areas, the main floor is where the show will take place, starting with the sculptural wing hovering over the lobby
The museum will showcase modern and contemporary artworks in a wide range of mediums
atrium, creating a prominent location for the educational hall that can be either a black-box theater or a light-filled architectural space. Equivalent in size to 70 percent of the building’s footprint, the roof terrace will be the perfect place for installations, a sculpture garden, outdoor film screenings, or any other type of events, depending on the museum’s evolving program.
Favoring a strong relationship between indoors and outdoors, the grand al fresco public staircase will not only dialogue with the monumental sculpture Connector by Richard Serra at the heart of Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and link the museum to the Argyros Plaza and adjacent performing arts venues; it will also become a gathering space for all passersby. Visitors will be drawn to the building as much as they are to the art.
interior design business, she and partner Andrés Ibarra produce a portfolio of boutique wines using grapes sourced from La Presa Vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Now Rideau has collected her years of experience wearing multiple hats as a designer, wine professional, and consummate hostess into a book. Caren Rideau: Kitchen Designer, Vintner, Entertaining at Home (Pointed Leaf Press) stands out for its warmth and candor. Rideau shares personal stories, showcases her own Mid-City L.A. bungalow and a selection of favorite client projects, documents her favorite recipes, and offers tips for wine pairings and insight into the kind of relaxed, convivial, and stylish gatherings she and Ibarra host.
"Through being a vintner and a kitchen designer, a lot of that overflows into our social life," she says. "It's a natural thing that we entertain a lot." In addition, the book is a celebration of community that she has further articulated through projects such as the brightly hued Frida cabinet collection, which she describes as being "inspired by the colors of my culture, and being a Latin and a brown-skinned woman."
BY JESSICA RITZFOR CAREN RIDEAU, honing her kitchen design expertise is an expression of her worldview and lifestyle.
"I can make any kitchen look beautiful, but my favorite is designing a kitchen for someone who loves to cook," Rideau observes. This perspective makes perfect sense, given that she is an avid home cook and a vintner whose life and work are closely intertwined. Since establishing Kitchen Design Group in Pacific Palisades 25 years ago, she has been responsible for some of the most stunning—and extremely functional—cooking and gathering spaces in the Los Angeles area, as well as in other cities. In addition to running a thriving
In a world of complex gadgets and state-of-the-art appliances, Rideau still likes to keep things classic and timeless. When undertaking new work, "I always say, 'Focus on what you're going to use and how you entertain, and stick to that.'" And oftentimes the trust she establishes with her clients leads to her transforming other spaces, too. That said, the kitchen remains the heart and soul of Rideau's design practice and passion.
"I think if you cook, you understand kitchens at a completely different level," she says. Integrating the technical devil-is-inthe-details process with setting the scene for physical and emotional nourishment requires a deft hand, creative mind, and open heart. "You can always tell the kitchens that are designed by a kitchen designer," Rideau adds. ■
WITH MORE THAN 30 YEARS of experience in the real estate market, and as the Coachella Valley’s number-one individual RE/MAX Desert Properties agent for ten years running, it’s safe to say that Elaine Stewart is an expert on Palm Springs and the surrounding areas. We asked for her thoughts on the state of this desert jewel.
How has Palm Springs changed over the last ten years?
It has become the number-two place in the United States for vacation rental—which is a way to invest for short-term rental. An increasing number of people are choosing this area for a second home or have been moving here full-time.
How has the pandemic affected the market in general?
It actually made it better because people don’t travel as much by plane anymore. They prefer to drive to their resort destination, and Palm Springs is ideally situated: It's only two hours from San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles.
How competitive is the high-end market?
Our biggest, fastest-selling, and most desirable market is $1 million-plus. But overall, properties under $600,000 have always been a sweet spot in the desert for people purchasing second homes. Homes in this range represent around 85 percent of buyers.
Are there any hot areas for 2022?
There are several of them: the neighborhood where the Kelly Slater surf park will be built, which is called Andalusia; and the Madison Club, which is a favorite for movie stars and athletes— the Kardashians, for example, have several homes there. These areas are both in La Quinta, near a PGA Tour event, the Coachella music festival, and the Indian Wells Masters tennis tournament, which makes them highly sought after. In Palm Springs, I would say they are Old Las Palmas, Indian Canyons, and the Movie Colony, as well as anywhere in the city with midcentury modern, architecturally significant homes.
There are a lot of gated communities in Coachella Valley that don't allow stays less than 30 days to avoid feeling like hotels. So the city of Palm Springs has the most Airbnbs. The busiest season is November to April (due to the weather, of course!).
First of all, I would recommend going with a veteran realtor— someone with many years of experience—who is working full-time. Then, be aware that if the realtor has more than one assistant, they may connect with you first and then put you in touch with somebody else. It is important to have the choice to work with a team that you like.
The network of agents is also key, in particular when the sellers are marketing their home in order to get as much exposure as possible. I work for RE/MAX, the number-oneselling real estate company in the world, and we have a large network of agents, so we all work together. Finally, check testimonials on the agent’s website. You want to make sure you will receive good service throughout the whole process— whether it is for buying or selling. ■
NOT ONLY IS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA full of visionary talents who dream big, but the region is also home to a vast array of highly skilled makers and craftspeople. Collaborating with diverse builders and artisans truly allows the work of architects and designers to shine. Ask design professionals if just about anything can be made locally, and they likely will answer in the affirmative. Here are some masters of their respective fields working behind the scenes who help bring special spaces to life.
PINKYS helps facilitate that quintessentially Californian experience of bringing the outdoors in, and vice versa, thanks to its beautifully fabricated windows and doors. Vic Der began hand-forging iron in the late 1970s in his native Iran, where he was also a professional jazz drummer. After arriving in L.A. in 1987, he found a new creative outlet in fabricating custom iron doors, windows, and architectural elements, an effort that eventually led to him establishing his own bespoke ironworks studio. Vic's sons Dion and Arin took the reins in 2014 and continue to evolve the family business, which includes new visual branding by Brian Roettinger of multidisciplinary firm Perron-Roettinger. PINKYS products are available through its e-commerce platform and at its Vernon showroom, which is currently being reimagined by interior designer Jeremiah Brent. Counted among its other clients and fans are Nate Berkus, writer/producer Ryan Murphy, and actress Vanessa Hudgens. pinkysirondoors.com
THESE CRAFTSPEOPLE AND TRADE MASTERS MAKE SOCAL DESIGN MAGIC HAPPEN BEHIND THE SCENES
Alejandro Sarabia founded Master Granite and Marble in 2006, specializing in natural and engineered stone installation. From the Anaheim workshop run by his sister, Reyna Sarabia, the team crafts custom edges, finishes, and other precise details for discerning contractors and designers throughout Southern California. "Reyna listens, thinks through the limitations, and offers suggestions," says in-demand L.A. interior designer Natalie Myers of Veneer Designs, a regular client. "I trust her and her team to get it right every time. So much so that I feel empowered to try more creative expressions with the stone details." Another advantage for Master Granite and Marble customers eager to peruse slabs is the many stone yards conveniently located nearby.
mastergraniteandmarble.com
Roberto Pedraza Custom Furniture is another proud Los Angeles family affair. Pedraza started his own Vernon studio after working for other custom carpentry and furniture operations for over a decade. He's expanded past his original niche of making frames for custom upholstery shops and has the capability to make a range of custom furnishings, including
building hardwood tables and case goods for designers such as Hermosa Beach–based Kate Lester, and collaborating with maker Bea Furnishings in Santa Barbara. Pedraza, who immigrated from Mexico at the age of 17, is grateful to be a part of the region's unique design community as a result of his own dedicated ethic and "the abundance of work in this industry and city," he says. @robertopedrazacustom
A quick glance around Dynasty Upholstery's workshop on Washington Boulevard in L.A.'s Arlington Heights neighborhood and it’s clear that Cesar and Victor Negrete are extremely busy. In fact, they have enough projects awaiting completion for designer clients such as Kelly Wearstler and Studio Shamshiri, and collectible vintage design galleries like The Window on Melrose and Peter Blake Gallery in Laguna Beach, to merit moving into an even larger space. The Negrete brothers left Mexico City for L.A. to apprentice with their uncle, an upholsterer, before striking out on their own in 2005. They relocated from their original location nearby four years ago to accommodate the growing numbers of coveted 20th-century design classics they restore, along with custom projects. "We learn on the way," Cesar says, pointing to a corner packed with the cardboard templates they've amassed that are used to painstakingly recover and repair iconic furnishings, whether it's a Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia that's come back into vogue or a Papa Bear chair designed by Hans Wegner. dynastyupholstery.com ■
DYNASTY UPHOLSTERY Cesar and Victor Negrete’s upholstery skills are in high demand across Los Angeles
At Shor + Perez we have over 30 years of experience in the Los Angeles real estate market. Our team is built on sincerity and integrity - where passion for what we do leads to unparalleled success for our clients.
At Shor + Perez we have over 30 years of experience in the Los Angeles real estate market. Our team is built on sincerity and integrity - where passion for what we do leads to unparalleled success for our clients. 100%
100% of our listings have sold over the asking price. On average, they have sold for 17% above the asking price in just 12 days.
Jennifer Shor Rowen and Madeleine Perez have cultivated strong relationships over the years and created a partnership known for tenacity, finesse and unmatched savvy. Our skills and reputation give our clients a huge advantage - there’s a reason our team gets so many referrals and repeat business. Client focused and results driven, we take real estate to a higher standard! DRE 01985156 | 01824888 Jennifer: 310.699.9155 | Madeleine: 818.318.7353 Shorperez.com | Shorperez@compass.com
Jennifer Shor Rowen and Madeleine Perez have cultivated strong relationships over the years and created a partnership known for tenacity, finesse and unmatched savvy. Our skills and reputation give our clients a huge advantage - there’s a reason our team gets so many referrals and repeat business. Client focused and results driven, we take real estate to a higher standard! DRE 01985156 | 01824888
Jennifer: 310.699.9155 | Madeleine: 818.318.7353 Shorperez.com | Shorperez@compass.com
01824888.
The Chemosphere is one of the best-known houses in L.A.
WHILE ARCHITECTS Frank Escher and Ravi GuneWardena are renowned for their exteriors, they are just as interested in what happens within the buildings themselves. “We look for projects about larger issues that allow us to explore questions beyond simply the square footage and costs,” says Escher. “We continue to be extremely interested in those things.”
The duo have been working together for more than two decades, carefully selecting projects that combine a passion for architectural history, cultural topography, and art. They’ve worked together on a number of historic preservation projects in the Los Angeles area, including the iconic residences of John Lautner and Paul R. Williams. They were also behind the showroom for the contemporary rug makers at Woven near the Pacific Design Center. Recently, they started on a complete restoration of the 1929 modernist Richard Neutra Lovell Health House.
One project that has them buzzing is a recently completed restoration of the Church of the Epiphany in Lincoln Heights, the oldest existing Episcopal church in Los Angeles and an important center for the Chicano civil rights movement.
The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 2021. “It’s important for the church to be nationally recognized as a monument and a place of social justice,” says GuneWardena. “There are very few places on [the Registry] from the Latino community, so the recognition meant a lot.”
The Los Angeles Conservancy was a key source of support and funding for this endeavor. “It’s about celebrating the last decade and the next generation,” said GuneWardena. “While they have done wonderful work in the past, it’s an ongoing effort and struggle.”
The pair got involved with another vibrant community
when they helped create St. Michael’s, a 50-unit affordable housing community in Riverside. With phase one scheduled to be completed this fall, phase two will include offices for supportive services, an urban farming program, a garden, a church, and a space for Native American spirituality outdoors.
“This land had belonged to the Episcopal Diocese,” says Escher. “It’s a model of what the church can do.” The project was a collaboration with the Mercy House organization and a female priest working with the homeless and Native American community. He added, “It was incredibly interesting to work with the Native American ethnobotanist on the landscape.”
Shifting to the arts, the architects have also collaborated with artists from Mike Kelley to Rose Mendez and are building a new studio for artist Christina Quarles.
This October, they will revive Pauline, an opera they wrote based on the life of Pauline Schindler, wife of legendary architect Rudolph, which was first produced for the MAK Center, located at the Schindler House in West Hollywood, in 2013. The opera will be restaged as part of the centennial celebrations for the Schindler House on Kings Road.
Escher and GuneWardena felt that Pauline Schindler, as a woman ahead of her time, was underrecognized as a great proponent of architecture, contemporary art, and music in SoCal, as well as being influential in her husband’s success.
According to Escher, “Before meeting Rudolph, she imagined this house as a center to congregate, where artists could meet from all social, political, and economic backgrounds.” Adds GuneWarden, “She was also instrumental in saving the home and known for her act of preservation, and it makes sense to celebrate her contributions now.” ■
IT’S PROBABLY FAIR TO SAY that Anne L’Esperance will never take winters in Palm Springs for granted. The founder of An Ellipsis Design is a native of northern Minnesota, where temperatures frequently dip below zero between November and March. She’s been living in one of California’s most unique desert towns for five years now and she says she isn’t going anywhere.
“Palm Springs is very unique and design-forward,” L’Esperance says. “The influence with the midcentury modern architecture here can also be found from furniture to lighting design places which are great to source from. It’s just so inspiring.”
L’Esperance studied architecture and worked in Portland, Oregon, with John Janulis, founder of Lightning Bar Collective, whom she later partnered with on several Palm Springs projects. She launched her company, An Ellipsis Design, in 2019, spanning architectural, interior, landscape, lighting, and furniture design.
Recently, she has worked on a diverse range of projects: the historic Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, the National Exchange Hotel in Nevada City, as well as boutique gems like Azure Sky in Palm Springs.
The pandemic brought new life to a city that has been hot on and off since the Rat Pack era, L’Esperance says. Remote work gave people in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ventura the option to test-drive a new town.
“It’s easy for them to pop over and work here for a few days and then they discover that the area has much more to offer than just pools and affordable hotels,” she says. “There is great design with boutique hotels, restaurants, and a bar-lounge scene that allows people to get out of the heat and gather.”
The designer’s next project is a refresh of Villa Royale, a boutique hotel that opened its doors in 2018. “We’re going to elevate and enrich the rooms and mature it ever so slightly,” she says. The original remodel of the property brought its share of challenges. “The 38 rooms are all different, and the main building was once a house,” she explains. “So, a unique layout doesn’t always translate into the most functional hotel. But you make it work and add amenities that everyone would want.”
Comparatively, the 14-room Azure Sky—just a block away—was a breeze, she says. “My favorite thing about Azure Sky is the lobby and entrance,” she raves. “Coming in with a lattice screen wall is such a grand entrance and gives you a sense of arrival. And the wood and mirrors feel like a living room.” The team purchased some of the midcentury lobby furniture and art locally, while other key pieces in the guest rooms were custom-made.
Currently, L’Esperance is looking into redoing a home of her own in the area. Come December, when temps in Palm Springs hover around 70 degrees, she’ll no doubt be checking the weather in Minnesota with a smile. ■
OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, Jessica Nicastro has quietly risen to claim a spot among Los Angeles’s most trusted firms. The Encino-based designer pulls from her past experience as an events planner—always ready for the unexpected—when tackling a project. Recently, she has worked on a wide spectrum of homes, from a Tuscan transformation in Cheviot Hills to a guest house addition to a Santa Monica abode. As the world slowly emerges from the pandemic, we wanted to know: How have client priorities changed?
Post-pandemic lockdown, how do people want to live now? People are really taking pride in where they live. Homes are so multipurpose now, and they’re seeing the importance of feeling comfortable in a space. Many of our clients who used to go to an office full-time now work from home, and we’ve seen our homes become schools and offices. People need a sanctuary, a place they’re proud of.
Do you have any tips for creating a realistic, livable space? Invest in pieces that matter. Don’t just put a Band-Aid over the space. If you’re going to embark on a project, invest in one great piece, like a well-made sofa, and then sprinkle in some inexpensive pillows. Also, make sure that any material you put
in your home is going to last. If you have young children, use performance fabrics. If you’re into cooking, make sure that you’re okay with marble being patinated or having a scratch, or find a porcelain or material that will work with your home in the next few years.
Also, as we’re dealing with inflation and increased lead times these days, be patient with the process. I always caution our clients to not just buy a piece because it’s available—it should be one that you love. It’s worth waiting to do it properly. Sprucing up your space is an investment at any budget, so make sure that you’re being conscious and cautious.
I have two young children, and I’m proud to still be able to have a dinner party with adults! The house has both form and function. You walk in and it looks beautiful, but no room is too precious for someone to sit in. Even the formal living room is not so formal— my kids can play in any space. My goal is to be the house where everyone wants to be. I grew up that way, and I want our house to be where my kids’ friends want to be. We have pool parties all the time, and our friends come over on Saturday morning for bagels and board games. It has that really relaxed feel to it. ■
During the summer,
has found a perennial resource in Santa Barbara’s public gardens, and exploring everything from city buildings to luxury resorts has given her an acute understanding of what thrives in the area. “You can see what goes and grows together,” she says, encouraging fellow plant-lovers to do the same in their own regions to better understand their unique growing conditions.
Working with her husband, Chris, who launched their designbuild firm, Montecito Gardens, in the 1970s, the award-winning duo have become known for residential gardens that celebrate native plantings while supporting their clients’ interests. (Niche requests have included mow-able meadows, “tea gardens” for daily brews of freshly snipped herbs and flowers, and nontoxic gardens to keep pets and children safe.) “It’s all about getting people outside, making a destination,” she says. And many of the backyard destinations she has created are rooted in her jaunts around town.
“There’s so much nature to be indulged in here,” she continues. “The Santa Barbara aesthetic is a joyful expression—it’s laid-back and friendly—and you can really see it at some of the hotels. Look at El Encanto or the new Miramar—they’re gorgeous treasures. Or have lunch at San Ysidro Ranch and wander the garden; it’s quintessential Montecito style.” But Cullen is also quick to suggest visiting the area’s orchid nurseries—especially Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, Cal-Orchid, and Gallup & Stribling—which are open to the public.
“Let’s get excited about our gardens, let’s reconnect with nature,” she adds. “The best part about Santa Barbara and Montecito is that they’re so accessible."
wealth of public
gardens, such as Lotusland, o er natural inspiration
Fancy a special day out? Cullen has no shortage of historic gardens to recommend, but plan ahead, as all are ticketed.
BELLOSGUARDO This fall, the famously abandoned estate of copper heiress Huguette Clark opens to the public for the first time in its history. bellosguardo.org
CASA DEL HERRERO A 1920s Spanish Revival–style home by George Washington Smith with gardens that reflect the home’s lavish history. casadelherrero.com
LOTUSLAND The famed 37-acre Montecito estate of opera singer and plantswoman Ganna Walska. A favorite spot of Cullen’s is the lemon arbor. lotusland.org
SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN Pathways weave through a range of California landscapes, including a redwood canyon and desert environments, with a shop that sells propagated native plants. sbbotanicgarden.org
WITH A DUO OF NEWLY REVITALIZED LANDMARK HOTELS IN GRASS VALLEY AND NEVADA CITY, NEVADA COUNTY GOLD COUNTRY IS YOUR NEXT HISTORIC CALIFORNIA DESTINATION |
BY JESSICA RITZ
RIOTOUSLY MULTICOLORED FALL FOLIAGE and blankets of winter snow. Walkable streets filled with architectural treasures ranging from funky vernacular nineteenth-century saloons to stylized Art Deco landmarks. Pageantryfilled Cornish- and Victorian-themed holiday celebrations. These scenarios might sound like visions conjured by a Hollywood production designer, but these features and much more make up Grass Valley and Nevada City's character.
The history and myths associated with Nevada County's Gold Country are less likely as known to Southern Californians as their counterpart Golden State denizens further north. A short flight to Sacramento followed by an hourlong drive makes this destination easily accessible and yet completely transportive.
"Grass Valley and Nevada City are such amazing escapes where people want the charms of small towns," says Anthony Jones, general manager of the National Exchange Hotel in Nevada City and a passionate custodian of local history. Miners themselves mostly lived in and around Grass Valley, whereas the ownership class resided in Nevada City's showboat Victorian homes. Jones notes how this region "tells a story" to visitors. Get ready to explore its irresistible appeal and deep well of intrigue.
The recently completed major renovations of two jewels in Nevada County's crown make the case for adding these towns to your travel list. The Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley and the National Exchange Hotel in Nevada City are less than 10 minutes apart along CA-49 and share 170 years of history.
Sherry Villanueva of Acme Hospitality, the group behind multiple popular Funk Zone venues in Santa Barbara, spearheaded the formidable restoration effort. Thanks to the collaborative interior design work of Bri Ingram, Anne L'Esperance, and Doug Washington, these two landmarks that were built to service the Gold Rush boom are both firmly rooted in history and cleverly updated to current tastes.
Grass Valley visitors Mark Twain and multiple United States presidents rubbed shoulders with far more rugged types at the Holbrooke Hotel (212 W. Main St.). Its 28 guest
rooms and public spaces keep this Western spirit alive with decor touches and antique finds, featuring generous amounts of taxidermy, local stone, and leather-covered surfaces. The Purcell House at the back of the property originally was a livery station for the town and now contains 11 additional rooms with nods to its equestrian-focused past.
The National Exchange Hotel (211 Broad St.) has stood proudly on Nevada City's main drag since 1856. Today its idiosyncratic character is layered with fresh interpretive flourishes. Lush floral wallpaper patterns originally designed or inspired by British decorative arts hero William Morris emblazon the interior walls, and original guest registers on display in the lobby stairwell. The 38 guest rooms are coordinated in a brighter palette that contrast with some of the National Exchange's moodier corners. Largely female
local historic figures—as well as traveling theater troupes who regularly passed through Nevada City and added to its flourishing bohemian culture—maintain a presence through the vintage photographs on display.
The Golden Gate Saloon at the Holbrooke has been reimagined as a spot where you can saddle up to the bar to order a stiff classic cocktail and then enjoy chef Zachary Ahrenholtz's culinary creativity. (The venue dates back to 1852 but was rebuilt following fires in the 1850s and 1860s.) Dishes such as birria short rib and hominy with mole estofado incorporate Mexican ingredients and techniques with local ingredients, referencing California's multicultural origins. After dinner, slip into the Iron Door speakeasy located beneath the Holbrooke for cocktails
served with mining era–atmosphere and tall tales.
In downtown Grass Valley, Marshall's Pasties (203 Mill St.) expresses the town's Cornish immigrant history with its beloved version of the traditional meat-filled shortcrust savory pastry associated with Cornwall, England. The candy, ice cream, and artisanal chocolate offerings at Lazy Dog Chocolateria (111 Mill St.) indulge sweet-tooth cravings and nostalgia.
Lola at the National Exchange pays homage to the legendary nineteenth-century performer and courtesan Lola Montez. Sumptuous turquoise banquettes and sculptural lighting blend a retro and modern aesthetic that complements chef Tom Bevitori's French-inflected menu with Californian moments. Starting with the impressive collection of cocktail shakers that adorns the entrance foyer from the street, lavish design elements and the stellar craft cocktail program at the National Bar go for dramatic impact.
Elsewhere in town, locavore-oriented Heartwood Eatery and its newer Annex (237 Commercial St.) run by former Chez Panisse chef Scott Weidert make for a buzzy pocket at the end of Commercial Street alongside neighbor Three Forks Bakery & Brewery Co. (211 Commercial St.).
Stroll downtown Grass Valley's primary drags Main and Mill Streets, the latter of which has been converted to a pedestrianonly strip full of indie businesses. Try on milliner Jacqueline Miche's bespoke handmade hats at her boutique Mill and Main (201 W. Main St.). Peruse the shelves at independent retailers the Book Seller (107 Mill St.) and Booktown Books co-op (107 Bank St.). Follow the neon spire to the end of the street to take in the Art Deco splendor of the Del Oro Theatre (165 Mill St.).
The Empire Mine State Historic Park (10791 E. Empire St., Grass Valley) gives an up-close look at the Nevada Country's signature industry. Go deep (literally) to learn about the mechanics of the facility that extracted gold until 1956.
Hiking and nature exploration opportunities beckon in these parts. The Buttermilk Bend Trail at South Yuba River State Park (17660 Pleasant Valley Rd., Penn Valley) is a gentle option; a bonus is the recently restored 1862 Bridgeport covered wooden bridge that leads to the scenic path.
Gold Rush lore and social history are far more nuanced than dominant romanticized Wild West narratives suggest. The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus fraternal organization's bronze and stone marker plaques dedicated to Grass Valley's eradicated Chinatown placed in 1969 and the Ladies of the Evening in Nevada City in 1972 point to less visible histories related to gender, race, and sexuality.
The Uba Seo Gallery (225 Broad St.) and Nevada City community space operated by California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project presents multidisciplinary exhibitions and installations that spotlight the struggle for the Nisenan tribe's land rights and recognition.
Take in Nevada City high vibrations at Kosmos Spa(ce) (426 Broad St.), where owner Rachel Budde, an artist and herbalist, welcomes guests into the hybrid spa, wellness boutique, and cafe that serves house-made gluten-free and vegan treats.
Nevada City's robust shopping scene includes multiple bohochic emporiums. Kitkitdizzi (231 Broad St.) and Tysa the Store (300 Spring St.) share a California-centric ethos. Good Morning Supply Company (211 Broad St.) tucked into a storefront at the National Exchange carries all things sundry. Check out Tiger Alley (400 Broad St.) for its groovy selection of vinyl and vintage goods. Browse Atra Nova by Sheila B. (219 Broad St.) for everything from Moroccan rugs and statement jewelry to another category of items commonly spotted around these towns: crystals and spiritual tools. ■
IN NORMAL TIMES, what would have been major news in the luxury travel sector—that Hawaii’s famed Mauna Lani hotel had reopened as an Auberge Collection resort to the tune of $200 million—caused barely a ripple. That’s because this was 2020, with pandemic lockdowns implemented, released, then put into effect again. By August 2021, after Hawaii took some baby steps toward normalcy, Governor David Ige again was begging people to stay home, albeit voluntarily, due to a spike in the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Restrictions were lifted in March 2022, so it’s finally time to celebrate the Auberge Collection’s first Hawaiian hotel. The brand that discreetly began as Auberge du Soleil in 1981 now encompasses two dozen properties, one as far-flung as Santorini. But reimagining a beloved resort on the Big Island was a massive undertaking.
The recently reopened Mauna Lani hotel is the Auberge Collection’s first Hawaiian property
Meyer Davis, one of the top interior design names in the luxury hospitality world, was more than willing to step up to the plate.
“The design team was tasked with a unique challenge: change everything and nothing,” says principal Will Meyer. The 334-unit oceanfront property is an icon, with many of the same families returning for nearly 40 years. In every decision, refinement had to be balanced with authenticity.
To Kemper Hyers, chief creative officer of Auberge Resorts Collection, Meyer Davis’s effortless style was the perfect fit for the setting and this landmark of hospitality. “They are modernists at their core, and part of our goal was to expose and exploit the amazing modern building that was buried in the old design of Mauna Lani,” Hyers says. “They’re also experts at making spaces feel warm and intimate, which was critical for a building with a strong architectural presence.”
Under the direction of Will Meyer and his partner Gray Davis, spaces took shape through the use of reclaimed teak screens and decorative lanterns— both elements detailed with patterns inspired by Hawaiian canoe lashing. In the common areas, the murals, designed by artists Herman Piikea Clark and Sue Pearson, and painted by Kamea Hadar, were conceived as a celebration of indigenous design and traditional printmaking.
The guest rooms, meanwhile, feature handmade elements including woven wool rugs, weathered teak, rope artwork, macrame pillows, and grasscloth wallcovering. “All upholstery, drapery, even the books on the shelves were sourced from local vendors,” Meyer says.
A sense of place and history had to be honored. After all, Meyer explains, “This is where ancient Hawaiians mastered the art of aquaculture and where King Kamehameha came to work in the fish ponds.” ■
A new downtown L.A. destination, The Art Room is a multiuse space with a restaurant, an art gallery, and a design studio
TO BRIAN WICKERSHAM, The Art Room—a multiuse space that houses a restaurant, an art gallery, and a design studio—is more than a building. It’s a tangible investment in downtown Los Angeles. Wickersham, the founding partner of AUX Architecure, believes the space will serve as an integral space in the rapidly changing urban center.
Downtown L.A. has seen its share of tumult, but Wickersham sees The Art Room as a catalyst for renewal. “We had the National Guard in downtown Los Angeles two years ago,” Wickersham recalls. “It feels like a long time ago, but at that moment there was a lot of uncertainty about what was going to happen here.”
He and his partner made a conscious decision to invest in a downtown renewal. “We were going to build this project, not just the restaurant, not just The Art Room, but our own offices next door, because we believe in the city center; we believe in walkable cities,” he says. “It felt like a risk at times,
but it also felt like the right thing to do.”
The hybrid venue, located on South Olive Street, houses three tenants. The century-old brick building is divided among The Art Room restaurant, overseen by former Mar Vista chef D. Brandon Walker; Seasons LA gallery; and AUX Architecture studio. You must enter the restaurant to access the gallery, which opens up possibilities for collaborations between the two—exhibitions in the restaurant, private dining in Seasons LA.
The building’s exterior is comprised of metal screens that allow the business owners to play with various configurations. Each screen is perforated with irregular rows intended to be an abstract riff on sheet music, and the effect is both enigmatic and practical. “The screens offer security and control light, creating something dynamic,” Wickersham says.
At its core, the space is an homage to urban living, and Wilkersham is all-in. “Somebody has to be the first to put the money in to change a neighborhood,” he says, “but if you believe in investment and believe in design, sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is.” ■
With its high ceilings and window-paneled walls, the main single-level home comprises communal areas in an openconcept layout
et in the Santa Barbara countryside, among the hills of Santa Ynez Valley, the vacation compound of Patterson Custom Homes owner Andrew Patterson and his family is an invitation to relax and enjoy the panorama.
“There is a large, standalone oak tree at the front of the property that reminded the homeowners of their grandfather,” remembers Christopher Brandon, president of Brandon Architects. “It was important to have this impressive oak be a focal point as you arrive at the property, surrounding it with lush grass and outfitting it with a charming swing inscribed with a line from Shel Silverstein’s classic book The Giving Tree, which reads: ‘And the tree was happy.’”
This sense of happiness and tranquility was the starting point of the project that captures California living at its best. Making sure the house was sited properly to take advantage of the view, maintaining privacy, and not disturbing too much of the natural landscape (through the architecture’s low-lying forms) were some of the biggest challenges for the Brandon Architects team.
With its high ceilings and window-paneled walls, the main single-level home comprises communal areas in an open-concept layout, with the bedroom wing and guest rooms separated on either side of the main living area by glass corridors, allowing a connection to the outdoors with views of the hills and openings to enjoy the pool and outdoor patio. With its exterior in western red cedar, the separate barn acts as a guest house.
“The connection between the garage/bunk room and the main house is a unique feature with floor-to-ceiling glass and views of the southeast,” says Brandon.
Natural colors and materials were used throughout, such as smooth coat stucco, western red cedar, and the standing seam metal roof. Tumbled palomino limestone wraps from the exterior to the interior. “We wanted the project to become a part of the rich history of the hills,” the architect says.
For the interior designers, too, the visual connection between inside and out was a key element that continuously guided them. It was particularly true at the moment of defining the colors that now truly “complement Mother Nature’s surrounding beauty,” as described by Wendy Blackband, owner and designer at Blackband Design. The team opted for a soft, earthy palette with rich jewel tones and sophisticated rustic charm—from olive greens and sunkissed oranges to marigolds and indigo blues.
“Even the white walls offer a subtle warmth compared to a bright, stark white seen in more coastal designs,” adds Rachel Azzolina, designer at Blackband Design. Several pieces of furniture were custom designed by the studio—including the dining table and
i Much like the rest of the home, the kitchen features a soft, earthy palette
j The family enjoys time together away from the couple's busy careers
k Even the bathtub offers sweeping views of the surrounding hills
sectionals, for example—while others are by the likes of Noir Furniture and GJ Styles.
Aptly called “The Farm,” this project was created as a refuge for the homeowners, providing a reprieve from the everyday hustle. “This is a place where time stands still,” says Brandon.
The calming spaces are indeed ideal for slower, soothing routines. The atmosphere is characterized by a multidimensional yet understated mix of modern finishes, which contribute to the overall sophisticated charm with rustic touches.
“Being in the home industry, this was a passion project for the Patterson family to express their creativity and showcase their craftsmanship in their own dream vacation home,” says Blackband. “With that being said, we were given a lot of creative freedom to take the Pattersons’ intentions for the home and execute elevated designs that surpassed their expectations. The project reflects an organic, contemporary farmhouse with approachable spaces that feel inviting and not overdesigned.”
With outdoor exploration at the center of the family’s lifestyle at The Farm, the choice to install expansive sliding doors and oversized picture windows came naturally. “Our goal was to keep rooms open (to each other and the exterior) and offer lots of seating to admire the views without feeling closed off,” says Blackband. “The interiors are a retreat from the sun that still offer an appreciation for their surroundings.”
While the bar was set high, both the architects and the interior designers unquestionably delivered with this project that subtly establishes a dialogue between architecture and nature. ■
i The Patterson family lovingly refers to their dog as “Magical Maggie”
l Built-in bunk beds create a welcome refuge at the end of the day
Table: Classic Home, Vernon
Front Door Hardware: Rocky Mountain Hardware, Hailey, ID
Counter Stools: Dovetail, Los Angeles
Cabinetry Hardware: Rocky Mountain Hardware, Hailey, ID
Backsplash (Moroccan glazed tile): Mosaic House, New York, NY
Pendants Lights: Allied Maker, Glen Cove, NY
Faucet: Waterworks, Los Angeles
Backsplash: Walker Zanger
Rangetop: Dacor
Refrigerator: Sub-Zero Dishwashers: Bosch
Coffeemaker and Ovens: Miele
Table: custom, designed by Blackband Design, Costa Mesa
Chairs: Noir Trading, Inc., Gardena
Buffet: GJ Styles, High Point, NC
Vases (leather-wrapped): Made Solid, Los Angeles
Sectionals: custom, designed by Blackband Design, Costa Mesa
Coffee Tables: Custom Furniture, Los Angeles Ottomans (zebra): Oly Studio, Los Angeles Rocking Chairs: Noir Trading, Inc., Gardena
Console Tables: GJ Styles, High Point, NC
Lamps: Jamie Young Co., Gardena Trunk: vintage, sourced by Blackband Design, Costa Mesa
Sink: Stone Forest, Sante Fe, NM
Faucet: Waterworks, Los Angeles
Wallcovering: Phillip Jeffries, PDC, West Hollywood
Toilet: TOTO
Countertops (quartz): Caesarstone
Faucet: Waterworks, Los Angeles
Light Fixture: Lostine, Philadelphia, PA
Floor Tile: Artistic Tile Cabinetry Paint: “Pigeon” color by Farrow & Ball
Bedding: Matteo, Los Angeles Rugs: Loloi Lamps: Currey & Co Countertops (quartz): Caesarstone
Light Fixtures: Worley’s Lighting, Rock Hill, SC Mirrors: Rejuvenation, Los Angeles
Cabinetry Paint: “Light Gray” color by Dunn-Edwards
Cabinetry Hardware: Rejuvenation, Los Angeles
Lamps: Regina Andrew
DEN
Chairs (leather saddle): Lee Industries
Sectional: custom, designed by Blackband Design, Costa Mesa Rug: Fibreworks, Louisville, KY Console: etúHOME
Light Fixture: Palecek, Los Angeles
Bed: custom, designed by Blackband Design Lamps: Noorside, High Point, NC Bath Tile (Moroccan): Mosaic House, New York, NY
Light Fixture: Stahl + Band, Venice
Woven Art: Dovetail, Los Angeles
Kindness Art: Sugarboo & Co, Dania Beach, FL
Light Fixture: Nickey Kehoe, Los Angeles
Canopy Bed: Custom Furniture, Los Angeles
Bench: RJ Imports, San Juan Capistrano
Bedding: Matteo, Los Angeles
Rug: Hemphill’s, Costa Mesa
Tub: Native Trails, San Luis Obisbo
Light Fixture: custom, designed by Blackband Design, Costa Mesa
Plumbing Fixtures: Waterworks, Los Angeles
Ladder: Lostine
Rug: one-of-a-kind vintage; Stockpile
Vanity Stool: Arteriors Mirror: Electric Mirror, Everett, WA
TWIN ROOM
Bedding: Matteo, Los Angeles Nightstand: Gabby Home Lamp: Ralph Lauren Rug: Stockpile Hanging Chair: Two’s Company, Elmsford, NY
The outdoor patio and pool area give the family a place to gather and dine al fresco
GUEST BATH
Cabinetry Paint: “Wells Gray” color by Dunn-Edwards Tile: Ann Sacks, Los Angeles Tub: Victoria & Albert Stool: Made Goods, West Hollywood
BUNK
Bedding: Matteo, Los Angeles Chair: Noir Furniture, Los Angeles
GARAGE BATH
Tile: Artistic Tile
THROUGHOUT
Paint: “Whisper” color by DunnEdwards Flooring: Gaetano Hardwood Floors, Huntington Beach
e design off the environment and the architecture, so I really enjoy working in new areas and with differentstyle homes,” says Newport Beach–based interior designer Laura Brophy of Laura Brophy Interiors. “It keeps us challenged.” So she was excited to receive a call about a home in Encinitas, a beach city just north of San Diego that was unfamiliar to her. “My first impression was that this area was beautiful,” Brophy remembers. “And the house is very private. The views are amazing. You’re so high up, you feel like you’re in the trees.”
“The area’s very secluded,” notes homeowner Wendy Johnson, who relocated her family here from Utah in 2019. She loved the bones of her new home. “It’s very open with lots of windows,” she says. “The previous owner had done a fantastic job with the pool and the backyard.” But the interior, with its heavy beams and travertine flooring, needed work.
After Johnson struck out with a number of interior design firms, her hairdresser suggested that she check out Brophy’s Instagram page. “I scrolled through and thought, ‘Oh, this is so my taste,’” Johnson says. That first impression was confirmed when Brophy and her team showed up. “I just loved everything she suggested,” she remembers. “I was adamant that, whatever the cost, I wanted her.”
Brophy was originally hired to update the kitchen. She reused the dark cabinets, washing them with a soft
Wsage hue. “The exterior is very green and we wanted to bring that feeling inside,” Brophy says. She redesigned the large, awkward island and hung a dramatic custom light fixture. To create a playful backsplash, she used a wide selection of WOW Pottery’s rectangular tiles, including pieces from their Gold and Cosmic collections. She also ran open shelves along one wall, lightening the feeling of the entire space. Once she swapped out the room’s cold tiles for warm oak flooring, sourced from Unique Hardwood, it was clear that her work would move well beyond its original focus, spreading throughout the entire first floor.
“You know how it is with remodels. One thing leads to another,” says Brophy, laughing. Johnson nods. “You’d see this beautiful room, then it’s next to something that then feels out of date,” she shares. Chad Cammack of Noble Craftsmanship, who was originally brought on to refurbish the kitchen’s cabinets, agreed to take on contractor duties as the work spread out to encompass the formal living room, the family room, the dining nook, and the downstairs bathrooms.
“Laura and I do a lot of projects together,” Cammack explains. “The beauty of her work is that she can tastefully update a space without having to rip everything out.” The sleek formal living room, for example, belies its former appearance. “The previous owner had created a stacked stone wall to one side of the fireplace,” Cammack remembers. “It had a water feature which Johnson was using as a planter.” It was replaced with an in-wall shelving unit that Brophy filled with natural-toned accessories that play with texture and size and balance the room’s dramatic sweep of windows. The fireplace, which formerly sported a clumsy brick facade, was plastered to a smooth finish
"MY FIRST IMPRESSION WAS THAT THIS AREA WAS BEAUTIFUL, AND THE HOUSE IS VERY PRIVATE. THE VIEWS ARE AMAZING. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN THE TREES!"
j Brophy relaxes with the homeowner in the living room
l The living room features in-wall shelving units that Brophy filled with natural-toned accessories that play with texture and size and balance the room’s dramatic sweep of windows
k Brophy created a colorful backsplash in the kitchen with WOW Pottery’s rectangular tiles, including pieces from their Gold and Cosmic collections
i The dining area boasts a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape
that emphasizes its simple, timeless shape. Four sculptural chairs sit just in front of it, surrounding a lissom coffee table from Brophy’s line with Faustine Furniture.
The family room’s fireplace also received an update. Brophy created a striking tonal mosaic using WOW Pottery’s Chateau tiles, and added a simple mantel. In a nook, Phillip Jeffries’ St. Barts Serenity wallpaper in Sun Drenched helps soften the presence of a flat-screen TV. The addition of the Pompano coffee table from Brophy’s furniture collection and new pillows reinvigorate the family’s favorite sectional.
Like the sectional, not everything in the home is new. The dining table was another piece that Johnson already owned and wanted to use. Brophy added her line’s woven leather Tahoe chairs; the pairing modernizes the substantial table.
“It was a project where we went in and took the things she already had and liked and freshened them up with new pieces,” says Brophy. “She really trusted us to update her home in a way that would improve it so she can do the rest of the home. You don’t have to do it all at once.” For the next phase, Brophy will dive into the home’s primary suite and exterior, and it’s likely that Johnson will be just as happy with the results. “It was a wonderful experience,” she raves. ■
Wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries, PDC, West Hollywood
Fireplace tile: WOW Design EU, Anaheim
Backsplash: WOW Design EU, Anaheim
Counter stools: Laura Brophy Collection, Faustine Furniture, Long Beach Island sink and faucet: Dornbracht at Pirch, Solana Beach
Island countertop: leathered quartzite slabs
Perimeter countertops: slate neolith
DINING AREA
Rug: Amber Lewis x Loloi, Shoppe Amber Interiors, Newport Beach
Chairs: Laura Brophy Collection, Faustine Furniture, Long Beach
Coffee table: Laura Brophy Collection, Faustine Furniture, Long Beach
Stone planter (with giant bird of paradise): Vintage Rug: Nordic Knots, nordicknots.com
Flooring: Bedrosians Casablanca Collection, San Diego Sconces: Arteriors, West Hollywood
The great room is anchored by a steel staircase and a custom-designed, two-story graffiti wallpaper mural
A wide range of metallics were used interchangeably throughout the home.
—with their three children, Grace, Clayton, and Camryn, plus their two dogs—know they were very lucky to find a 9,321-square-foot lot in Orange County’s coveted Emerald Bay. On the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway, it’s just a stone’s throw to the beach. “It allowed us to build a good-size threelevel home of 7,690 square feet with privacy and space for a pool,” says Lauren.
To bring their project to life, the two successful professionals (Trace founded a design-build construction company while Lauren works in publishing) turned to architect Richard Krantz, who found unique design solutions for some of the property challenges—namely, noise pollution.
“To block out highway noise, we installed a large, tall vertical stone-clad element to shield the
The
corner,” says Krantz. “The dramatic, broad cantilevered roof deflects sound flowing from above while also shielding the sun’s rays.” He also designed a curved courtyard wall to provide privacy from the homes across the street.
Krantz opted for smooth exterior plaster with crisp corners, while the stone helps to separate and accent the different geometric shapes. “The broad horizontal cantilevers with anchoring vertical masses—which are carefully arranged in a modern sculptural expression—are similar to Frank Lloyd Wright homes and the admired Schindler Lovell Beach House,” he says.
The home’s layout—an L-shape with all of the main windows facing the pool courtyard and the ocean—is designed to showcase the view without losing a sense of place. The five-bedroom, five-bathroom house is arranged in an open-plan main level comprising the kitchen, dining room, and living room. Sliding glass doors open both inside corners of the inner courtyard and pool area, blurring the lines between the indoors and outdoors. A perpendicular wing contains the family room, home office, and guest suite, while the bedrooms are situated upstairs. The lower level houses the garage, a wine cellar, guest suite, and laundry area.
Lisa McDennon, founder of Lisa McDennon Design, approached the interiors with a creative mindset. “Trace and Lauren were looking for someone to think about this beach house from ‘outside the box’ and with an artistic, eclectic eye,” she says. A lot of time and effort was dedicated to the custom finishes; McDennon even developed a signature hue for the Venetian plaster for the walls: a chalky neutral with just a hint of lavender. “We labored over creating colors for the cabinetry and other wall finishes in the same way,” she says. “We
were intentional in incorporating all ranges of metallics; black, silver, and gold were all used interchangeably throughout, and we accented with pops of color.”
The main flooring material is an oversize charcoal gray limestone that was meant to look like concrete, while upstairs, McDennon softened the feel by adding wood floors.
Among some of the most eye-catching elements in the home are the sculptural blackened steel stair and Lauren’s favorite feature, a wallpaper that McDennon and Trace created with the textile artist Diana Garreau.
“It’s very vibrant and sets the tone for the house,” Lauren says, noting that it has a rock-star quality.
McDennon agrees that the wall covering serves as a visual anchor. “The wallpaper creates a story and changes composition and mood as you ascend, drawing you in. The concept was to mix together luxury goods and finishes with industrial elements to create an edgy, urban feel,” she adds. “The house is sexy and rich, but without any obvious flash—there is a sophistication within the subtle layers that creates an interwoven tapestry of textures, colors, and sensations.”
The resulting aesthetic is a wonderful mix of downtown flavor and an approachable atmosphere needed for family living. Call it beachy with a side of rock ‘n’ roll. ■
EXTERIOR
Outdoor furniture: Perennials Sutherland, LDC, Laguna Niguel
Coffee table and ice trough: Stone Yard, Inc., Carlsbad
Table: Minotti, West Hollywood
Chandelier: Lindsay Adelman, Los Angeles
Chairs: Liaigre at Thomas Levin, LDC, Laguna Beach
Side chairs: Roche Bobois, Costa Mesa
Wallpaper: Designed by Lisa McDennon and Diana Garreau, Laguna Beach
Countertop: Calacatta marble
Pendant lights: Jean de Merry, PDC, West Hollywood
Chaise: Ironies at Kneedler Fauchére, PDC, West Hollywood
Sconces: Jean de Merry, PDC, West Hollywood
Wall coverings: de Gournay, Los Angeles
Chandelier: Ochre at Perennials Sutherland, LDC, Laguna Niguel
Artwork: Nicole Landau, Los Angeles
Chandelier: Lindsey Adelman, Los Angeles
Chandelier: Designed by Lisa McDennon, Laguna Beach
Wallpaper: Hermès at Kneedler Fauchére, PDC, West Hollywood
Vanity: Custom bronze, marble, and Anigrê; designed by Lisa McDennon, Laguna Beach
POWDER BATH & ENTRY
Vanity: steel marble and glass; designed by Lisa McDennon, Laguna Beach
Pendant light: Apparatus, Los Angeles
Artwork: Original guest list pages from Studio 54
Leather chairs: Lara Kirar Collection at Baker Furniture, Los Angeles
Coffee tables: Baker Furniture, Los Angeles
Artwork: Marco Lorenzetto, Los Angeles
Rugs: Custom designed, made in Nepal
This home could only be in L.A.,” says interior designer Matthew Boland of the penthouse he recently completed for an art- and antiques-loving client. “But it’s also a style of living that not everyone appreciates today. This city’s past is formal—the glamour of old Hollywood—but since the 1980s, life here has been much more casual, and more about the indoor-outdoor lifestyle.” That change came to define Southern California style, but as the pendulum of design swings ever backward and forward, could this home, set high atop Century City, herald a revival of verve?
THIS IS THE FIRST HOME my client has built for herself,” says Boland, whose firm, MMB Studio, is based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The homeowner, a widow, had started house hunting in Beverly Hills, but it wasn’t until Boland proposed the ease of high-rise living that the duo toured a floor-through unit in one of the world’s most luxurious condo buildings. “It was a concrete shell—just exterior windows and air-conditioning units—so we sat at a folding table and started to work through how we could make it feel not like a loft, but like a home in the sky.” The owner’s interest was piqued. Her primary request: “I wanted wow!” she recalls.
Over the course of several years— this was an entirely custom project, never mind pandemic delays—Boland realized the interiors with contracting team Maya Lexa, R. Craig Stevens, and Kurt Roessler of I-Grace. “This was a passion project and those take time,” Boland says. Not someone to sit on the sidelines, the client eagerly embraced the creative process, inviting Boland to “shop” her collection.
“She had a warehouse of antiques that she’d collected over a decade! That was one of the most exciting parts of the project,” he reminisces. “She suggested we go and cherry-pick pieces, and she’d tell me the stories behind them. It gave me such a view of what she was attracted to, and why.”
Chandeliers were uncrated, as was a mother of pearl–inlaid bedroom suite from Syria. But the biggest thrill came when the homeowner saw—for the first time—the marble figural sculpture she had commissioned years ago from French artist Emmanuel Fillion. At nearly 3,000 pounds, it required specialized installation, but they both agreed it was time to bring her home.
k The massive vintage chandelier is a 1960’s Verner Panton 8DM
j The guest room's whimsical four-poster bed once belonged to Cher
j A 3,000-pound marble sculpture by Emmanuel Fillion required custom installation
Key to Boland’s interiors was comfort, but that didn’t mean casual. “This client likes things a little fancier,” he explains. To that end, he opted for Art Deco–style ornament inspired by Bullocks Wilshire, and polished finishes, such as the elevator vestibule’s gold-leaf ceiling and the Macassar ebony–lined hallways that conceal storage for tableware, which needed to be easily accessible. “That’s an important part of this story,” he continues. “She uses everything, every day—silver dishes, couture, jewelry— she doesn’t think of her things as precious.”
In the great room, a central living area with two 11-foot projection screens is flanked by a lounge and an onyx-clad bar. Working with Jason Voorhees of home-technology firm Cantara, Boland ensured the space was ready for movie nights and even guest DJs.
The dining room features twin tables for large gatherings, but there are also more intimate dining options, including a cozy nook for two with a racy collection of nudes by German photographer Ellen von Unwerth. “The client wanted something shocking for that area,” explains Boland.
The owner, an avid entertainer, wanted plenty of spaces designed for socializing
i The entry hall features an inlaid marble
floor designed by MMB and a table custom-made by Erika Brunson
l A central living area is flanked by a lounge and an onyx-clad bar
l Boland created an intimate dining space in the living room
Smiling, the owner points out several artworks in the living room, adding, “I said if we’re going to have church in there, let’s have some soft porn in here.” (Boland was right—only in L.A.)
Aside from her cloudlike bedroom suite, designed almost as a self-contained flat, there are two whimsical guest bedrooms. A portrait of a dog in Elizabethan dress by Czech artist Zdeněk Šorf presides over one, while the other boasts a four-poster bed that once belonged to Cher, its posts carved to resemble palm trees. “This client loves interesting things and the stories behind them,” says the designer. Outside (just because you’re nearly 500 feet up doesn’t mean you can’t have a garden), terraces that run the length of both sides of the penthouse were planted with olive trees and agaves by landscape designer Scott Shrader.
“Does a home have to fit a mold?” posits the owner. “I don’t think I fit a mold.” But the most important takeaway, as Boland will tell you, is that it’s never too late to realize your dream. “Find what you’re passionate about,” he implores. “Create your own nest, but also your own culture.” And in L.A., anything is possible. ■
PATIO
Furniture: Allen Knight limelight lounge chair, coffee table, Van Ness sofa - J. Robert Scott, Los Angeles
Furniture: chairs - client’s own with bespoke fabric; twig center table with mirrored top - Erika Brunson, West Hollywood
Lighting: brass chandelier - John Salibello, New York, NY Textiles: sheer - Kravet, PDC, West Hollywood Window Treatments: drapery - J. Robert Scott, Los Angeles; bespoke trim - Janet Yonaty
Artwork: plinth (entry) - D & J Custom Benchworks, Los Angeles; plinth (living room) - Stone Art and Allaire Inc., Scottsdale, AZ; sculpture - client’s own, Emmanuel Fillion
Cabinetry: Chinoiserie on gilt wood stands - John Nelson Antiques, Los Angeles
Furniture: Gran Louis XVI fauteuils, slant edge sectionals, Josephine curved sofa, Eve swivel lounge chairs - J. Robert Scott, Los Angeles; cocktail table - Allaire Inc., Scottsdale, AZ; panels - polychrome, partial-gilt mosaic, Bernd Goeckler, New York, NY
Lighting: French lost wax bronze lamps - Therien Mirror (Venetian): Newel, New York, NY
Rugs: Tia Ping Carpets, PDC, West Hollywood
PIANO AREA IN LIVING ROOM
Cabinetry: Chinoiserie on gilt wood stands, John Nelson Antiques, Los Angeles
Lighting: Murano glass Soleil chandelier - Glustin Luminaires, Saint-Ouen, France
Furniture: antique rock crystal sculpture table - Galerie Canavèse, Paris, France; chairs - client’s own
Accessories: Chinese temple jar with Dore bronze baseJohn Nelson Antiques, Los Angeles
Furniture: Paris low back barstools - Axis Furniture, Los Angeles; nightstands - Allaire Inc., Scottsdale, AZ; Lamps: Lalique at Main Dish, Scottsdale, AZ
Mirror (sunburst): Roberto Rida at Bernd Goeckler, New York, NY
Rug: Tia Ping Carpets, PDC, West Hollywood
Wallcovering: Stratum Textiles, Denver, CO
Window Treatments: drapery - Nobilis Textiles; Zimmer + Rohde
Furniture: St. James sofa and lounge chairs - J. Robert Scott, Los Angeles; cocktail table - clients own, antique
Lighting: chandelier - client’s own, Verner Panton
Rug: Tia Ping Carpets, PDC, West Hollywood Wallcovering: Élitis, PDC, West Hollywood
Window Treatment: Woven drapery - Kravet
Art Deco details give the penthouse the glamour of old Hollywood
167 Technology Dr., Irvine 888.675.0776
3dayblinds.com
3 Day Blinds has been transforming homes for more than 40 years with custom blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery. The nation’s leading manufacturer and retailer of custom window coverings offers outstanding service, superior value, unprecedented delivery time, and a broad range of fashionable products. With more than 300 local design consultants, 3 Day Blinds guides you to the perfect product solution, handling every detail and helping you select the best window treatments for your style and budget.
308 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood 310.424.5460
33sixty.com
Composed of understated upholstered pieces that can be combined in various ways, the modular Perry seating system heralds a new way of designing living spaces, creating original arrangements that lend to a more dynamic flow and a more casual look. Soft shapes, generously padded in goose down, calibrated proportions, sophisticated tailoring details, like the piping that outlines the silhouette of the upholstered pieces, are some of the distinctive features of the unconventional design.
1919 Bay St., Los Angeles 213.947.3784
billingsauction.com
BILLINGS offers live in-house auctions of modern art and design at its brick-and-mortar space in the heart of downtown L.A.’s Arts District. Representing a wide range of American and international art and design, its catalog is often heavily weighted in mid-century modern selections with offerings from the 1960s through the early 2000s. Those unable to attend in person can bid online by registering at liveauctioneers.com.
Multiple locations 888.336.9707 californiaclosets.com
Founded in 1978, California Closets is the leader and design authority in premium space management, delivering customdesigned organizational solutions and exceptional service. The company believes home is more than just a place—it should be a source of creativity, comfort, and connection. From beautiful walk-in closets and entertainment centers to versatile pantries and home offices, California Closets designs custom storage solutions that add value to your life and home by making space for what belongs.
22892 Glenwood Dr., Aliso Viejo 949.715.1534 cernogroup.com
Cerno designs and builds original lighting products in California with the finest craftsmanship, authentic materials, and an aesthetic that intersects modernism and contemporary design. To make this possible, Cerno advocates for creativity and ingenuity in every step of the process—a philosophy grounded in the utmost respect for the materials, the craftsmanship, and their entire team.
8764 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood 310.620.6084 cosentino.com
Located in the West Hollywood Design District, Cosentino City is the perfect environment for architects and designers to interact with the latest innovations in hard surface installation. The 2,200-square-foot space features a library of materials to find inspiration and develop all kinds of projects. With social spaces, digital design tools, and an expansive patio, Cosentino City showcases limitless possibilities that leading brands like Dekton can provide for outdoor spaces.
8687 Melrose Ave., Ste. B188, West Hollywood 310.388.4721 dedon.de
DEDON was founded on innovation, beginning with its groundbreaking fiber—luxurious yet weatherproof. What followed was a revolution in outdoor living as the company engaged world-renowned designers and built zero-waste furniture production facilities in Cebu, Philippines. For more than 30 years, the company has been traveling the world, discovering people, places, and stories that inspire. The classic DEDON design is transformed, and traditional craftsmanship expresses its energy as it interacts with creative freedom.
28341 Marguerite Pkwy., Mission Viejo 949.220.0656 pirch.com
PIRCH brings you the best in kitchen, bath, and outdoor design from the world’s most coveted brands. Their showrooms allow you to fully experience a vast array of products, so you can be sure you make the right choices. With the guidance of expert sales consultants, you can discover kitchen appliances, plumbing, hardware, and outdoor appliances that stretch your imagination.
3323 Hyland Ave., Ste. G-1, Costa Mesa 949.448.9627 roomscapes.net
Roomscapes is a full-service remodeling firm, specializing in kitchens and baths. The showroom features full displays of many products, giving you great examples of their design and installation talents. Their expertise in the industry does not stop with kitchens and baths—many clients use Roomscapes for full home remodels and interior design services. Their in-house team of designers, installers, and project managers will help you achieve the project of your dreams.
68929 Perez Rd., Ste. B, Cathedral City 760.464.0205 scoutpalmsprings.com
SCOUT Palm Springs is the newest addition to the Perez Art & Design District in Cathedral City. Created by the founders of San Francisco-based HEWN showroom, this new 3,000-square-foot retail concept offers a thoughtfully curated collection of new and pre-loved home furnishings and accessories culled from trade-only resources and top California interior designers. Partnering with gallerist James Bacchi, a well-considered selection of fine art is available from influential California artists.
655 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa 657.269.5874 subzero-wolf.com
Begin at a Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove showroom: Sub-Zero, the preservation specialist; Wolf, the cooking specialist; and Cove, the dishwashing specialist. You will be paired with a dedicated consultant to help you through every phase of your project— from gathering initial inspiration to getting the most out of your carefully selected appliances once they are home. The showroom will provide everything you need to start, ensuring the entire experience is catered specifically to you.
3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa (at South Coast Plaza), and three other locations 949.284.1811 uakc.com
Established in 2000, Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center is one of the largest premier dealers of brand name appliances, plumbing fixtures, bathroom vanities, and accessories in the U.S. With four showrooms throughout Southern California in Studio City, Calabasas, Costa Mesa, and the South Bay, the company employs an expert staff of product professionals with an average of 15 years of experience.
Snyder Diamond Pasadena’s historic showroom set the stage for a special night with local interior designers who were introduced to JennAir’s bespoke NOIR™ and RISE™ Collections, alongside GRAFF’s exquisite Vignola Collection.
MICHAEL LEHRER isn't one to hold back when speaking about the power of design. "In my own work, whether I do a multimillion-dollar home in West Los Angeles or a shelter on Skid Row, it is exactly the same human activity," the architect says. "The work is elevating the human experience."
For Lehrer, this mandate is of utmost importance when addressing the region's housing and homelessness crisis. "The difference is when you do it for people who have nothing, then you realize how incredibly important our work is and our mission is," he says. The Harvard Graduate School of Design–trained, Silver Lake–based architect has become increasingly engaged with thinking about and designing practical responses to help remedy the most dehumanizing effects of homelessness— combined with big-picture, proactive thinking. The Downtown Homeless Drop-In Center in L.A.'s Skid Row neighborhood that opened over two decades ago proved to be a particularly seminal experience. For Lehrer, "the idea that beauty is a rudiment of human dignity" and should be accessible to all walks of life is a key tenet of his practice and personal code.
And yet this isn't an abstract, conceptual exercise. Lehrer has studied the issue and potential solutions from multiple
perspectives. He has served on the board of directors of the nonprofit Homeless Healthcare Foundation, and designed multiple forms of shelters and affordable housing that holistically consider this economic and social challenge that's only become more severe and complex. "There's very little that's intuitive about how to deal with the house-less population," Lehrer explains. "The continuum of housing begins with the untended-to on the street, then the tended-to." There's no one-size-fits-all fix. Lehrer Architects has become adept at navigating governmental bureaucracies and creatively harnessing resources.
The firm designed the Aetna Street Bridge Home, a project that was part of Mayor Eric Garcetti's 2018 A Bridge Home emergency program to place temporary shelters for people experiencing homelessness in all of the city's 15 council districts in partnership with service providers. Permitting and various approval processes were streamlined in an attempt to speed up the building process, too. Between February 2021 and January 2022, the firm completed five so-called "tiny home" villages composed of eight-foot-wide square individual units manufactured by Washington state–based Pallet that confer a greater degree of privacy and safety to residents. Lehrer's team uses a bright, bold color palette to establish distinctive visual identities and place-making elements in every location—a design tool that's both impactful and budget-minded. The most recent project for the County of Los Angeles is the Willowbrook permanent housing development for veterans, which contains seven apartments combined with supportive services, ample outdoor space, and a shared community room.
While Lehrer's professional skill set clearly qualifies him for this particular work (he was awarded the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles in 2020), it's arguably his community-minded ethos and reputation as a mensch that's equally important to his role. "When you're talking to a community," he advises, "you've got to come with zero judgment." ■
