LA LOVE: DAY 3

Almost reaching the summit with Julia Buckingham Edelmann
The overarching theme to our Design Trust conference was learning the tools to thrive in a well balanced personal and professional life. We read Thrive by Arianna Huffington to get us in the proper mindset for our conversations during the trip. The author focuses on how we measure success beyond the metrics of money and power.  Her “Third Metric” consists of the four pillars of well-being, wisdom, wonder, and giving. We unintentionally began our day with “well-being” by going on a fabulous hike in Runyon Canyon.  When we were not grasping for breath, design pal Julia Buckingham Edelmann and I chatted about the trials and tribulations of the design business and what we do to keep us going.
Runyon Canyon
Our keynote speaker for the morning was Kate Kelly Smith, Publisher and Chief Revenue Office for Hearst Publications. She led our discussion on Thrive  and how she had applied its principles to her own life. Our own well-being is essential…getting enough sleep, finding techniques to be still, fully present and connected with yourself, and discovering ways to re-energize ourselves are crucial to avoid burnout in our overconnected lives.
Kate Kelly Smith

The pillar of wisdom can be summed up in the serenity prayer, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  By listening to our inner wisdom, it helps us to reconnect to our creativity and and intuition.

In the book the third pillar of wonder is described as “not just a product of what we see-of how beautiful or mysterious or singular or incomprehensible something may be.  It’s just as much a product of our state of mind, our being, the perspective from which we are looking at the world…Nature and art are two of the most fertile grounds for experiencing wonder…We need to take the time to wonder at the world around us, feel grateful for the good in our lives, and overcome our natural bias toward focusing on the negative. And in order for it to “take”, we must slow down and let wonder do its job, at its own pace.”
Ariana Huffington rounds out her “Third Metric” be defining giving with this quote by Rabindranath Tagore,“I slept and dreamt that life was joy.  I awoke and saw that life was service.  I acted and behold, service was joy.” As individuals, we grow spiritually by giving to others.  Living with these intentions leads us to thrive and live our own lives more fully. These words could not have been more appropriate for all of us looking to recharge our batteries, reconnect with one another, and be inspired by the marvelous opportunities we experienced while in Los Angeles.
Elle Decor Lunch in the Comaps Courtyard

After our delightful morning, we were off to experience La Cienega.  Elle Decor sponsored an event hosted by editor Micheal Boodro at the gorgeous Compas showroom.

Next stop, a quick lunch at Fig and Olive before heading to Nathan Turner‘s charming shop for a book signing for friend Jane Scott Hodges of Leontine Linens.

Fig & Olive
The charming and dapper Nathan Turner
Founded in New Orleans in 1996, Jane Scott created this luxury line that has become the “haute couture” of linens. Her gorgeous new book is the ultimate guide to living and entertaining with fine linens. Along with Jane Scott’s expert advice for decorating and using fine linens, she has also included contributions from leading designers and style mavens such as Charlotte Moss, Mary McDonald, Nathan Turner, Amanda Nesbit, Alexa Hampton and many many more. Be sure to order the book by clicking here.
Jane Scott Hodges with Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Then, we were off to a private tour of Ennis House, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built by his son, architect Lloyd Wright.
Built in 1924 for retailer Charles Ennis and his wife Mabel, the house is the last and largest of the elder Wright’s four Los Angeles-area “textile block” houses which feature patterned and perforated concrete blocks that give a unique textural appearance to both their exteriors and interiors. The house and chauffeur’s quarters span roughly 6,200 square feet and were constructed of more than 27,000 concrete blocks; all made by hand using decomposed granite extracted from the site. What struck me the most about this architectural masterpiece was the philanthropy behind it.  Ron Burkle purchased the house with the intent to restore it to share with the public.  He has no intention to live there, but wants to preserve this iconic work of art.
Ironwork Detail
Dining Room
Ironwork Detail
Living Room
Fireplace Detail
Dinner at The Little Door

We could not have asked for a better day to exemplify the pillars Arianna Huffington writes about in her book.  We began the day focusing on our well being, then experienced wisdom from Kate Kelly Smith, wonder at the sites of LCDQ and Ennis House, and an inspiring example of giving from Ron Burkle and the legacy he has left for Los Angeles.

Nightcaps at The Sunset Tower Hotel
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