One of the most special opportunities we have worked on this year was designing a window at the Janet Yonaty showroom for the LCDQ’s Legends event that took place this past week. Every May, the design community descends on Los Angeles for three days of inspiration. Forty interior designers are invited to design showroom windows inspired by this year’s theme: Legendary: Icons of Design presenting their homages to legendary interior designers of the past. We were VERY pleasantly surprised to WIN the contest for “Favorite Window!” Heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for us and to all of the amazing vendors, artists, and craftsmen (listed below) that brought our vision to life. A special thank you to Tamar Mashigian for inviting us to participate in this incredible event!
Eight weeks and counting until my favorite design event of the year! LEGENDS is a 3-day celebration of design in the La Cienega Design Quarter that brings together thousands of design and architecture enthusiasts, tastemakers and editors from across the country and around the world. VIP Passes are on sale now by clicking here.
Opening with the prestigious LEGENDS GALA, the design festival features receptions, panel discussions, book signings, trunk shows, personal appearances and social events from dawn to dusk. Here are some highlights from 2015…
LEGENDS GALA – at a new and spacious location, Fig & Olive, Melrose Place.
Hosted and sponsored by Coldwell Banker Previews International and Fig & Olive
Blogger Breakfast and Legends 2016 Kick-Off
Hosted by Anna Brockway, co-founder, Chairish, and Newell Turner, Editor in Chief, Hearst Design Group and Metropolitan Home
Keynote
Identity Theft: Maintaining Personal Identity in a Professionally Designed Home
Moderated by Linda O’Keeffe, Author, Creative Director and Journalist
Keynote
Putting Social Media In its Place: Are You Social Media Elite or Are You Too Elite for Social Media?
Power Lunch with the movers and shakers in the design world
Hosted by Michael Boodro, Editor in Chief, Elle Decor
Keynote
The Age Factor: Integrating Objects From the Past into Current Design
Moderated by Pamela Jaccarino, Editor in Chief, Luxe Interiors + Design
Keynote
Celebrity Status: Who is the Celebrity? Designer or Client?
Moderated by Stephen Drucker, Design Journalist and Former Editor in Chief of House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living
and Town & Country
Cocktail
Celebrating the new Richard Shapiro Studiolo showroom and a book signing for the designer’s recently published “Past Perfect: Richard Shapiro Houses & Gardens”
Tribute Party honoring 2016 window designers, moderators and panelists
Wake-Up Call Breakfast
Hosted by Jenny Bradley, Design and Lifestyle Editor, Traditional Home
Keynote
The Well-Travelled Home: Cultural Diversity in Private Spaces
Sponsored by OneFineStay.com
Moderated by Jenny Bradley, Design and Lifestyle Editor, Traditional Home
Keynote
When Disaster Strikes! An honest appraisal of bad clients, bad business and how to avoid making the same mistakes,
over and over
Moderated by Madeline Stuart, Architectural Digest Top 100 and Elle Decor A-List Interior Designer
LEGENDARY Lunch
Celebrating the memorable moments and highlights of LEGENDS 2016
Hosted by Pamela Jaccarino, Editor in Chief, Luxe Interiors + Design
Discussion
Creating an Exit Strategy: Buying, Designing and Building a Dream Life in Mexico
Followed by a book signing for Annie Kelly and Tim Street-Porter’s “Casa Mexico: At Home in Merida and the Yucatan”
Keynote
Collected: Living With the Things You Love in A Well-Curated Home
Moderated by Nate Berkus, Author, Interior Designer and Television Host
Group book signing featuring:
• Will Taylor, “Dream Decor: Styling a Cool, Creative and Comfortable Home, Wherever You Live”
• Eddie Ross & Jaithan Kochar, “Modern Mix: Curating Personal Style with Chic & Accessible Finds”
• “Tricia Foley Life/Style: Elegant Simplicity at Home” with the author
• Danielle Rollins, “Soiree: Entertaining with Style”
Keynote
Outdoor Living Redefined
Moderated by Andrea Stanford, Design & Interiors Editor, C Magazine
Cocktail
Moore & Giles cocktail party with Hearst Design Group, and book signing for Ike Kligerman Barkley
Finale Party – a toast to a legendary week in the LCDQ
SHOP THE LEGENDARY LA CIENEGA DESIGN QUARTER
Get to know the shop and showroom owners and managers and discover the treasures behind the doors of each of the 56 members of the LCDQ.
60+ legendary windows in the LCDQ imaginatively transformed by designers from across the country and around the world, including:
Alisa Moffett – Hollywood Sierra Kitchens
Alison Davin of Jute – Remains Lighting
Amy Meier – Janet Yonaty
Andrew Brown – Dragonette
Antonio Buzzetta – Dragonette
Beth Webb – Harbinger
Bill Ingram – Kristen Buckingham
Brian Pacquette – Cote Jardin Antiques
Cari Berg – Reborn Antiques
Christina Karras – Marc Phillips
Christina Rottman – Paul Ferrante
Christos Prevezanos – Farrow & Ball
David Desmond – McKinnon & Harris
David Netto – Hollywood at Home
Delta Wright / Curated – Mehraban Rugs
Elizabeth Dinkel – Serena & Lily
Erinn Valencich – George Smith
Espace Design – Tufenkian Artisan Carpets
Hallworth Design – Fuller &Roberts
James Magni of Magni Design – Stark
Jamie Bush – Richard Shapiro
Janice Francois – Natural Curiosities
Jay Jeffers – Arteriors
Jeff Andrew – Mansour Modern
Jeffrey Alan Marks – Jonas
John Turturro – Antique Rug Co./Rug Affair
Kate Stamps of Stamps & Stamps – Claremont Fabrics
Kay Kollar – Jamal’s
Ken Kehoe – Reborn Antiques
Kim Alexandriuk – Downtown
Kim Colletti – Mehraban Rugs
Kirk Nix – Janet Yonaty
Lonni Paul – Gina Berschneider
Mark D. Sikes – Mecox
Malcolm James Kutner – Harbinger
Mark Cutler – Gina Berschneider
Marmol Radziner – Marc Phillips
Marjorie Skouras – Downtown
Mark Cunningham – Dessin Fournir
Melinda Ritz – Hollywood at Home
Michelle Workman – Baker Furniture
Molly Leutkemeyer – Harbinger by Hand
Natalie Kraiem – JD Staron
Nate Berkus – Lee Stanton
Nicole Gordon Studio – Maine Design
Nina Campbell – Hollyhock
Pamela Jewell – Woven Accents
Parker Kennedy – Barclay Butera
Platner & Co. – George Smith
Ramey Caulkins – Elizabeth Eakins
Robert Stilin – Lee Stanton
Ryan Brown of Brown Design Group – Marc Phillips
Ryan White of Quigg – Waterworks
Sam Allen – Barclay Butera
Sebastien Leon – Jean de Merry
Sheldon Harte – Jamal’s
Studio William Hefner – Renaissance Design Studio
TagFront – Sherle Wagner
Tammy Connor – Hollyhock
Tommy Chambers – Reborn Antiques
Vance Burke – Nicky Rising
Vincent Jacquard – Compas
Windsor Smith – Laurel & Wolf
For more design inspiration, please follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to Bespoke Banter. Thanks for reading!
I have ranted and raved to all of my design collesgues that LEGENDS is by far the most spectacular design event in the universe! If you are still on the fence about whether or not to attend, take a peek at these videos which will surely help you make up your mind…Trust me, once you have attended “Designerpalooza”, it will become an annual pilgrimage every year!
I was thrilled to be an Ambassador for last year’s event with these talented design folks. To read more about our expericences, please click on images below for a full recap of the events!
Be sure to check out LCDQ website for more videos from all of the keynote speakers and for updated information on speakers and special events for next year!
For more of my design inspiration, please be sure to follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and subscribe to Bespoke Banter. Thanks for reading and please come back again!
The final day of LCDQ certainly inspired all of us to keep the fight going….I was looking forward to some of my favorite showrooms hosting events and taking in all the incredible sources that LCDQ has to offer. The new showroom of Hollywood at Home is a feast for the eyes. Peter Dunham’s gorgeous space makes shopping an absolute delight. We were greeted by the new fabric collaboration of adorable Amy Meier and Peter Fasano. The first lecture of the day included LA designers Jamie Bush, Nickey/Kehoe, Amy Meier and Christos Prevezanos discussing creating custom fabrics for their projects with particular reference to Peter Fasano. The always entertaining Robert Leleux, editor in chief of Domino, led a lively conversation with his usual panache.
The front of the showroom houses fabrics lines organized by designer and the back contains one of the chicest special event spaces I have ever seen.
One of the most highly anticipated keynotes was “The Art of Authenticity” sponsored by Milieu at the sublime showroom McKinnon and Harris. Interiors editor Leslie Newsom Rascoe and renowned interior designers Nicky Haslam and Nathan Turner discussed the definition of enduring interiors in the context of short lived nature of decorating and why some spaces transcend time.
The boisterous banter between these three was highly entertaining. Leslie cleverly dubbed the presentation “The Nick and Nate Show” and the two designers shared their advice and even entertaining tips with the group. Nathan compared the role of a designer as that of a captain and the importance of maintaining control of the ship. Nicky elaborated to never compromise your own design aesthetic because that is why the clients hire you in the first place. He also gave his secret to a great party, “Too much to drink and chocolate pudding.”
Equally as entertaining was Nathan’s precious chocolate lab Nacho, who he referred to as an “attention hound.” Nacho charmed the crowd with his personality and even had the last bark at the end of the presentation.
Next, a picnic lunch at Woven Accents complete with Moroccan rugs in lieu of picnic blankets and dueling DJs to entertain the crowd.
Ginna Christensen, Denise McGaha, Tami Ramsay, Jennifer Mehitidash
After lunch, the next keynote was “Entertaining:The Home as a Social Stage” sponsored by California Homes at the Janet Yonaty showroom. Susan McFadden, editor of California Homes led a panel with Kathryn Ireland, Lulu Powers and Russ Diamond and how contemporary entertaining styles have changed including the extinction or comeback of the formal dining room, chef inspired kitchens and indoor outdoor entertaining.
That afternoon, a flurry of book signings took place along Melrose and La Cienega. Windsor Smith, the Brentwood based design powerhouse, hosted a meet and greet to unveil her new collection at Arteriors.
Mecox Gardens hosted a group signing including design icon Charlotte Moss (Garden Inspirations), Jane Scott Hodges (Linens for Every Room and Occasion), Justina Blakeney (The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes) and Anthony Iannaci (Design in the Hamptons)
The final keynote of the day featured some of my all time favorite design talents. Hosted by the Claremont showroom, “Chasing the Muse” featured designers Celerie Kemble, Schuyler Samperton and Hutton Wilkinson and was brilliantly moderated by Stylebeat founder Marisa Marcontonio. Using the 2015 LEGENDS theme of “Where Muses Dwell,” the designers discussed where they go to find find inspiration and if modern day muses still exist.
Lindsay Fleege, Holly Phillips, Julia Buckingham, Me. Elle Toler, Rafi and Josh of Form LA, Tami Ramsay at Harbinger
Joe Lucas of Harbinger certainly knows how to throw a party especially when he combines forces with Moore & Giles and the Hearst Design Group. Harbinger is another LCDQ favorite. The showroom is always beautifully designed showcasing the latest and greatest from many bespoke fabric and furnishing lines. We always need to stop by at least twice…once to shop and once to socialize.
Holland and Sherry Rugs
Thomas Callaway Fabrics
Hearst Design Group, Harbinger and Moore & Giles Teams in front of the celebrate Moore & Giles Airstream
California Homes sponsored the Finale Party at the loft like Marc Phillips showroom.It is amazing everyone was still on their feet and showing no signs of slowing down!
Jennifer of The Proper Poppy, Danielle Rollins, Paloma Contreras
The last stop on the whirlwind LEGENDS LCDQ tour was attending an intimate dinner at the home of Kathryn Ireland. This was certainly a “pinch me” moment because I have long admired her Santa Monica home and hilarious personality. Every single space from the outdoor seating areas to the guest house to the cozy nooks in the main house made you want to linger all night. Chateau Domingue hosted a stunning alfresco evening complete with craft margaritas, a mariachi band, and an amazing Mexican feast.
And to cap off a perfect night, we had a the chance to meet a favorite character from Million Dollar Decorators, Jacqueline, Kathryn Ireland’s chic confidante and right hand!
For more of my design inspiration, be sure to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook , Twitter and subscribe to Bespoke Banter. Thanks for reading and please come back again!
Photography by JL Photography unless otherwise noted.
3 days & 30 events…To give a sense of the incredibly content packed schedule at LCDQ’s LEGENDS event, I thought it would be fun to take you through one of the 16 hour days to see just how much creative energy you can absorb at this spectacular event. The logistics behind this event are mind boggling…not only do the organizers recruit and manage multiple speakers at various venues throughout the week, but they also throw amazing parties, each with their own distinct atmosphere. Designers are by nature a very tough crowd to impress and the LCDQ hosts never disappoint.
The La Cinega Design Quarter was founded in 2007 to promote the burgeoning antiques and design neighborhood on one of LA’s oldest thouroughfares. Since the 1950s, it has been the design destination for legends such as Billy Haines, Elsie de Wolfe, Tony Duquette, and Frances Elkins. These creative spirits seem to permeate the atmosphere…especially during LEGENDS.
Scott Meachum Wood, Me, Denise McGaha, Tami Ramsay, Will Taylor, Jennifer Mehditash
Our first official day began at the beautiful Renaissance Tile showroom for the Blogger Breakfast sponsored by Luxe Magazine. Knowing most of the crowd had very late nights, I was pleasantly surprised to see everyone bright eyed early in the morning to greet us.
With fellow ambassadors Jennifer Boles & Paloma Contreras
The first keynote speech was sponsored by Veranda at the Jonas Showroom. Entitled “Page Turners,” editor-in-chief Clinton Smith led a panel with designers turned authors and the highs of lows of publishing. Discussing the creative and business sides of publishing their monographs, they elaborated on how they translated their individual points of view onto the printed page.
Clinton Smith, Markham Roberts, Winddor Smith, Brian McCarthy
Next keynote, “Not Your Mother’s Traditional sponsored by Traditional Home at George Smith. Senior Design and Lifestyle Editor Jenny Bradley discussed the new meaning of “traditional” with entertaining panelists Elizabeth Dinkel, Madeline Stewart and Thomas Callaway.
The Elle Decor Power Lunch at the stunning Compas Showroom is always one of the most elegant events. The courtyard setting beautifully adorned with abundant flowers is breathtaking every year.
Robert Rufino, Michael Boodroo and Guest
Catherine Connelly, Celerie Kemble, Roxanne Hanna, Joe Lucas and Rebecca Dane
The Egg and Dart Showroom hosted “Branding Beyond the Candle” with interior and product designer Christopher Kennedy, photographer turned fashion designer Jonathan Skow (aka Mr. Turk) and moderated by the delightful Kelly Lee of Kelly Golightly. They shared their secrets of building a brand that appeals to a broad audience while staying true to their creative visions.
Matching ensembles with Mr. Turk
Complete with live mermen, the Tufenkian windows were some of the most visited during LCDQ. They hosted “Makers as Muse” moderated by Pamela Jaccarino, Editor in Chief of Luxe Magazine. She lead a conversation with Molly Luetkemeyer, Joe Lucas and Betsy Burnham on the artisans and craftsmen that serve and inspire them and what fuels them to keep their designs fresh and forward thinking.
The final keynote of the day “The Art of Upcycling” was held at the gorgeous Woven Accents showroom. Led by Domaine’s creative director Mat Sanders, actress and Honest Company founder Jessica Alba, Ginna Christensen of Woven Accents, Chairish.com’s Anna Brockaway discussed innovations in green living and the perks of up-cycling in interior design today.
Next up the parties! House Beautiful and the Stark family hosted a cocktail party welcoming Sophie Donelson, the new Editor in Chief in the stunning stark showroom. The gorgeous rugs provided a beautiful backdrop for another insanely attractive crowd!
Lovely Sophie Donelson taking center stage
Sophie Donelson with Nate Berkus
With Tony Buccola, Holly Phillips and Shaun Smith
The Sherle Wagner showroom hosted the Tributes party complete with live jazz, crafted cocktails and hilarious scenarios for photo ops with their products.
Victoira Larson, Amy Meier, Tami Ramsay and Patrick Dragonette
Danielle Rollins and Bill Ingram
Kerry Joyce, Michael Boodroo and Chuck Comeau hosted the official LEGENDS After Party at the exquisite Therian showroom. Knowing that the crowd had experienced and overload of visual stimulation during the day, they made sure to come up with some imaginative and exciting entertainment to capture everyone’s attention.
Fire eating performers…
Dueling musicians perched above the crowd….
And the grand finale…Cirque du Soleil inspired performance artists to cap off an epic day.
And was just the first day! Be sure to check back to read about the final day of LCDQ which was equally as inspiring and entertaining. For more of my design musings, be sure to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter. Thanks for reading and please come back again!
Photography by JL Photography unless otherwise noted.
Before LCDQ, ELLE DECOR asked us about our favorite summer design trends. Read below for everyone’s most anticipated trends paired with the gorgeous images from Elle Decor.
The ambassadors for this year’s La Cienega Design Quarter (LCDQ) Legends event know a thing or two about design. Here, they share the trends we can look forward to in the warmer months.
“As summer approaches I am most excited about incorporating patterns reminiscent of warmer climates into my designs and wardrobe, such as Balinese batiks, Guatemalan textiles and Indian ikats. I am also leaning towards palettes evocative of fruity cocktails such as chartreuse, citron, and coral, beckoning the carefree days ahead…hopefully to be spent in the sun, surf and salty air!”
“It’s nice to see wicker being used in more sophisticated ways. A lot of the wicker furniture I’m seeing has a high-style, mid 1970s feel to it.”
“India is a great source of ideas, inspiration and design. I love and celebrate fine Indian craftsmanship. I love the delight and surprise of embellished and handwoven Rajasthan fabrics. The randomness and inherent beauty of handcrafted Ikats and sari silks gives rooms character and a charming connection to the past. I’ve just returned from India, which is now the world center for handcrafted fabrics, rugs and weaving, jewels, block-printing, wood carving, quilting, metalwork, and so many centuries-old refined techniques. I love the tradition of exquisite hand embroidery, like those from the Jean-Francois Lesage studio in Chennai. Many American, English and French designers are working on textile design and new product in India now.”
“Summer means a carefree laid back lifestyle, and I am looking forward to entertaining with all the incredible sea-life inspired tabletops and accessories that are made with coral and fish prints. And color, of course! All the vivid bright colors come out in the summertime and stand up to the brighter, longer days and relaxed tome that summer brings. I love the details found in traditional summer settings-rose covered cottages of Sconset in Nantucket, the charming beach escapes along the East Coast. I am ready to enjoy a sandy feet getaway filled with American charm and lots of casual, easy entertaining.”
“I am ecstatic about the return of bold color. It is back with a vengeance with the return of wallpaper and pattern. Say goodbye to neutral walls. My theory exclaiming “beige is boring” has never been more true. Embrace summer with the bold colors of every sunset and sunrise.”
“This summer, I am looking forward to embracing classic design elements that work both indoors and outdoors. Think natural fibers like straw, seagrass, and rattan; blue and white stripes, and pops of vibrant green. These are elements that work as well poolside as they do in a tabletop setting, bedroom or living space. You can’t go wrong with timeless design staples.”
“This summer I am looking forward to a lot of dinner parties on the porch; I’m loving the new enamel flatware that seems to be everywhere. It’s great for casual indoor/ outdoor entertaining.”
“I’m excited about what I’m seeing being done with wood finishes– we’re going back to the classic techniques and finishes of yesteryear and using them in conjunction with more modern shapes and forms. Cerused/ limed oak wood finishes (which originated in England in the 16th century) are becoming even more dramatic with contrasting and non-traditional colors, and are being used in furniture, floors, and wall finishes. Marquetry, the art of applying small pieces of wood veneer in varying wood species and finishes to create a decorative pattern or picture is another summer trend I am looking forward to. The marquetry seen today takes a classic art form and translates it using modern, geometric shapes so that it is relevant to the way we live today. Even though the forms may not be classic, the techniques used to achieve what we are seeing and bringing into our homes are. This goes to show that the past continues to influence the future of design.”
“I’m excited to see blue and white reinterpreted for the 2015 summer season. Influences from Dutch ceramics and classic Chinoiserie are going to be seen alongside graphic geometric patterns, a bold and fresh take on a a classic color combination for a high-summer look.
For more of my design inspiration, please follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to Bespoke Banter. Thank you for visiting and please come back again!
A creative tsunami is the best way to describe the La Cinega Design Quarter’s LEGENDS event. Imagine having your entire design tribe in one spot…all of your favorite designers, vendors, artists and editors combined with the perfect mix of educational, inspirational and social events in sunny Los Angeles. Often referred to as the “Coachella” or “Fashion Week” of design, LEGENDS broke records this year with over 10,000 RSVPS coming from design aficionados representing 6 countries and 24 states in the US. The 3 day affair brings together VIPS and tastemakers from the worlds of interior design, decor, art, fashion, and architecture for receptions, keynote panels, cocktail parties exhibitions, book signings, personal appearances and special events. This year I was honored to be an ambassador covering the events for social media and mixing and mingling with all of the attendees.
Design fans are constantly seeking beauty and Los Angeles is the perfect backdrop to find inspiration with its stunning scenery, gorgeous showrooms and interiors, and insanely attractive Angelenos. I arrived a day early with my “blonde” (using that term loosely!) brigade/ travelling partners in crime: Tami Ramsay of Cloth & Kind, Julia Buckingham of Buckingham Interiors and Holly Phillips of The English Room who found us our amazing, yet dangerous house in the Hollywood Hills for our west coast adventure. While it may seem that it is “all play / no work,” it is quite the opposite. The ongoing conversation is a design think tank…linked to what inspires us, how to manage our respective practices, and how to troubleshoot different aspects of our businesses. I could not be more grateful to have this trusted group of confidantes. From Paris to High Point to LA, these girls provide constant entertainment and creative energy wherever we go.
Of course, we like to hit all of the LA hot spots to absorb everything LA has to offer. The Ivy is always the first stop with its bold colorful setting, amazing food, and hopes of always seeing a celebrity. Sighting #1: Lisa Vanderpump / Fedora Sightings : 2
Our spectacular view from our house nestled up in the Hollywood Hills.
Next stop…Palihouse in West Hollywood for a Viyet LA launch party sponsored by Traditional Home and Benjamin Moore. Viyet is a luxury consignment site for designer furniture and accessories.
Last year for LEGENDS we stayed in the iconic Sunset Tower Hotel.What amazed me about the setting was how the hotel transformed from day to night. The terrace and views are spectacular during the day, but the atmosphere at night above the twinkling lights of Los Angeles and the dramatic lighting is something to behold.
“Designed in 1929 by architect Leland A. Bryant, the Sunset Tower was a trendsetter from the moment it opened. Its dramatic setting on the Sunset Strip and elegant Art Deco styling, together with its proximity to famous restaurants and nightclubs of the 1930s & ’40s, contributed to its landmark status. West Hollywood has always catered to celebrities wishing to draw attention to their star power. The Sunset Tower embodied these aspirations, counting among its former residents Howard Hughes, John Wayne, Billie Burke, Marilyn Monroe, Errol Flynn, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Paulette Goddard, Zasu Pitts, and even gangster Bugsy Siegel. The Sunset Tower is a Hollywood landmark. Up to the 1950s it was as much a tourist attraction as the Hollywood sign itself. It has appeared in a number of films, including The Italian Job, Get Shorty, The Player and Strange Days. Its first literary mention was in Raymond Chandler’s Farewell, My Lovely (1940). The film version of that novel, Murder, My Sweet, released four years later, was its first screen reference.” – Sunset Tower Historian
Star Sightings: Supermodel Janice Dickinson and General Hospital’s Jack Wagner and of course Hollywood’s most famous Maître D’ Dimitri Dimitrov. Fedora Sightings: 0 (thank goodness)
Presiding over the Tower Bar six, sometimes seven nights a week, Dimitri makes everyone who walks into the bar feel like they are important. With his signature move of palms in front of his chest and a slight bow, he graciously took care of us during cocktails and dinner and even gave us a fabulous table next to his favorite spot, the curved banquette in the corner with the best view of the Hollywood Hills. Hotel owner Jeff Klein hired Dimitri 11 years ago after Tom Ford slipped him Dimitri’s name on a coaster during dinner. A special treat during LEGENDS was to hear an interview with Jeff Klein by Becky Birdwell for the Design Leadership Network hearing the history and legacy of the hotel.
To offset the late nights and nonstop cocktailing, Runyon Canyon is a necessity on our visits.
Star Sightings: 1…We think this little guy may have made a cameo in Caddyshack. Fedoras: 0
Of course we hat to hit the Chateau Marmont which has been described as “touched with scandal, commemorated in literature.” This was my virgin voyage to the Chateau and it did not disappoint. I cannot wait to see it under nightfall on my next trip.
“Hotels are the stuff of stories, of mini dramas, a world unto themselves – we leave our lives behind and become who we want to be. Arriving at Chateau Marmont you surrender yourself to a grandi-loquent environment, an infamous hideaway and the perfect getaway in the center of one of the world’s most exciting cities.Modeled after an infamous royal residence in France’s Loire Valley, Chateau Marmont is a fantastical folly in the land of make believe. While in residence you become part of a highly discriminating, international clientele desiring an experience at once luxurious and unique.
Chateau is the perfect co-conspirator; as Harry Cohn, founder of Columbia Pictures said in 1939, “If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.” You can be yourself or, better yet, be whomever you want to be; don’t be surprised if your visit brings out your inner Howard Hughes, your Greta Garbo, your Jim Morrison. As public or private as you wish – there are those in residence who are desperate to be seen and others who choose to remain anonymous.The eccentric and highly personal history of the place, its luscious rich past, its tarnished patina are all part of the charm. This great castle on the hill is the set of a film waiting for someone to call action – this is the place where things happen. Checking in is like turning up in the middle of an ongoing party at a European country estate – there is always someone you know staying here. Mindful of its history – but always in the moment – it is contemporary as tomorrow morning – there is great comfort here. Sit in a wicker chair on the veranda writing post-cards imagining you are in an exotic outpost-far far away.
And when the dusk of evening settles, put on some smoky jazz and get lost – sink into the aphrodisiac of the deep couches, take your paramour on an elevator ride – at night everyone comes to Chateau Marmont – this is the pageant and parade that evening brings, they come for the martini, for the sex appeal, to make the deal–naughty or nice, everyone is your darling. And after hours – there is the Bar Marmont – an outpost for the foreign correspondent you’ve become – all hotel guests are insiders – there is no velvet rope here. You are on liberty, sabbatical, furlough from your familiar life, you feel the heat, the sweat, the late night lust that is LA. This is the place you can most be yourself and it is the only grand hotel you can call home.”- A.M Homes
Star Sightings: 0 Fedora Sightings: 5
Next stop…a visit to Julia’s fabulous Slim Aarons-inspired window for The Rug Company. Aaron’s iconic “Poolside Gossip” at the Kaufmann House was reinterpreted 45 years after with the original models Helen Dzo Dzo and Nelda Linsk as “Poolside Reunion” by Palm Springs based photographer Fred Moser. Wife Kelly Lee of esteemed Kelly Golightly makes a cameo in the shot
Amanda Reynal. Marisa Marcontonio and Joe Lucas
Chad Graci, Fab photographer Sarah D’Orio, Danielle Rollins, and Bill Ingram
Julia Carr Baylor and John Bossard
Lindsay Fleege and Ellen Toler of Urban Electric
Young Huh, Shaun Smith. Mercedes Desio, Alberto Villalobos
Where is Julia? With Holly Phillips and Tami Ramsay
Final stop….Soho House with gal pal Lizzie Wibbelsman of Holland & Sherry. A perfect end to a perfect day with all of my favorite people!
Star/ Fedora Sightings: Boy George wearing a Fedora!
15 minutes of fame…attaching our mug shot to the photo wall!
For more of my design inspiration, please follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to Bespoke Banter. Thanks for reading and please come back again!
*Gala Photographs from JL Photography
Mark your calendar for the most highly anticipated design event this spring….La Cienega Design Quarter’s LEGENDS, a 3-day extravaganza of keynote speakers, cocktail parties, open houses, exhibitions and networking with the top design editors, writers and bloggers from throughout the country. After experiencing LEGENDS for the first time last spring, I knew I had to make it an annual creative pilgrimage! I am thrilled to an ambassador for this year’s event and look forward to sharing coverage of all of the events in just a few short weeks.
Now in its seventh consecutive year, the event has attracted over 60,000 guests and all funds raised go towards Habitat for Humanity and the La Cienega Design Quarter Beautification Fund. The LCDQ was established in 2008 to promote the flourishing antiques and design community in one of Los Angeles’ oldest thoroughfares. Since the 1950s, it has been a shopping hot spot for designers such as William Haines, Else de Wolfe, Tony Duquette and Frances Elkins.
Don’t miss the video below which captures the essence of LEGENDS in sunny Los Angeles…
Sixty-seven talented designers from around the country will transform the windows of the LCDQ member shops, showrooms and galleries on the theme of Where Muses Dwell. The designers have been asked to present to the design aficionados who throng the LCDQ during LEGENDS where their muse dwells. The designers have been asked to bring their muses to life and show guests WHO, WHAT, WHEN or WHERE inspires them most.
1) A spirit or source that inspires an artist
2) Greek Mythology. any of the Muses
a) the spirit that is thought to inspire a poet or other artist; source of genius or inspiration
b) Now Rare, a poet
I asked some of my favorite design muses what made the LEGENDS event so special….enjoy!
“LCDQ is a unique event that unifies the design community. It seems all facets of our industry participate, from shop owners, to decorators,magazine editors and bloggers. It makes it all the more fun!”
“I love LCDQ because it’s an event that it brings together the design community like no other. There is a sense of inclusiveness unique to LCDQ. Interior designers, showroom owners, magazine editors and design enthusiasts mingle, learn and share in the joy of design. To quote Patrick Dragonette, it’s like spring break for the design community! It’s positive,fun with a “design for all” ethos.”
“I am always excited for this time of year, spring and the LCDQ Legends event! The opportunity to meet so many talented people associated with the design industry. Our lives are so busy day to day, it is a delight to share ideas, see old friends, and make new ones. I am looking forward to another year of incredible windows, great talks, and happy gatherings!”
“LCDQ is engaging, experientail,intimate and exceptional. We love to meet and greet with new friends and old, hear terrific speakers, and persue la Cinega’s wonderful design outposts. All of this in LA’s heavenly weather.”
“Legends of La Cienega has become one of the premier design events in the country. As a designer, it is absolutely THE place to be! Los Angeles has become a major destination for designers. Its vibrant culture and growing design community makes it an amazing place to draw inspiration from. Legends of La Cienega gives designers the opportunity to interact with one another and to realize how different, yet similar, the design industry is across the US. I am so looking forward to the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new friends, and see what’s fresh and exciting in the design world!
Alexandra Loew – Jamal’s
Amanda Richards – JD Staron – Edith Piaf
Amy Meier – Marc Phillips – My Mother’s Workroom
Annette English – Downtown – A Guiding Genius
Barondes Morris – Egg & Dart – Gustav Eiffel
Betsy Burnham – Mecox – Wild Animals
Cami Wright – Sherle Wagner – The South/ Texas
Christina Rottman – Mansour
Christopher Kennedy – Marc Phillips
Cliff Fong – Dragonette
Commune Design – Remains – Viennese Secession
Curated – Downtown
Elizabeth Dinkel – Nicky Rising – Julia Morgan
Gary Gibson – Lee Stanton –Sculptor Martin Puryear
Geoffrey de Sousa – Tufenkian
Hallworth Design – Lee Stanton – Mother Nature
Hammer & Spear – Woven Accents
Jason Oliver Nixon/Madcap Cottage – Baker
Jeff Andrews – Fuller & Roberts – Movement
Jeneration Interiors (Jennifer Dyer) – Ralph’s Antiques
John Wooden – Mansour
Julia Buckingham – The Rug Company – Slim Aarons
Kate Lester Interiors – Hollywood Sierra Kitchens – Father Time
Katie & Jason Maine – Jean de Merry
Ken Fulk – Therien – The Movie Inside My Mind
Kendall Wilkinson – George Smith – Blondie
Kerry Joyce – McKinnon & Harris
KM Nelson – Egg & Dart – Pauline de Rothschild
Konstantin Kakanias – Jasper
Kylee Shintaffer – Hollyhock
Larry Rizkowsky – The Rug Affair – Bank Vault
Laura Kirar – Baker
L’Esperance Design – Dragonette – The World of Cartier
Mark Sikes – Hollywood at Home
Matt O’Dorisio – Cote Jardin – Yves Saint Laurent
Maxime Jacquet – George Smith – Andy Warhol
Maya Williams – Marc Phillips – Women of Rock
Michelle Workman – Mehraban – Starlettes & Set Decorators of the 1940’s
Natasha Baradaran – Claremont – La Dolce Vita
Nathan Turner – Serena & Lily
Patrick Ediger – Gina Berschneider – Marie Antoinette & Thalia
Philip Gorrivan – Harbinger
Platner & Company – Stark – Rose Cumming
Ryan Saghian – Janet Yonaty – Iran
Sam Allen – Hollyhock
Scot Meacham Wood – Mehraban
Scott Mitchell – Jonas
Stephen Shutts Design – Sherle Wagner – Eden
Studio Tim Campbell – Elizabeth Eakins
Susan Cohen – JD Staron – Coco Chanel
Tag Front – Renaissance – Maria Felix
Thomas Allardyce – Janet Yonaty – Euterpe (Greek Goddess of Music)
Tim Barber – Waterworks
Timothy Corrigan – Compas – Jean Charles Moreux
Todd Nickey & Amy Kehoe – Hollywood at Home – Wes Anderson
Vance Burke – Reborn Antiques – Albert Hadley
Windsor Smith – Arteriors – Renee Perle
Young Huh – Harbinger
For coverage of last year’s LCDQ LEGENDS event, click here.
For more of my design inspiration, please follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to Bespoke Banter….Thanks for reading and please visit again!
Almost reaching the summit with Julia Buckingham Edelmann |
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Runyon Canyon |
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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.
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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.
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Fig & Olive |
The charming and dapper Nathan Turner |
Jane Scott Hodges with Martyn Lawrence Bullard |
Ironwork Detail |
Dining Room |
Ironwork Detail |
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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.
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Nightcaps at The Sunset Tower Hotel |
A trip to Los Angeles is not complete without a visit to The Getty Center which is truly heaven on earth. It is rare when a highly anticipated experience actually exceeds one’s expectations and the museum did just that!
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Aerial View of The Getty Center Photo courtesy of The Getty |
J. Paul Getty viewed art as a civilizing influence in society and strongly believed in making art available to the public for its education and enjoyment. He established his own museum to provide public access to his personal collection out of a small ranch house in Malibu in 1954. At that time, the collection was comprised of Greek and Roman Antiquities, 18th century French furniture, and European paintings. Mr. Getty passed away in 1976 and this personal estate passed to the Trust in 1982.
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The Getty Center Entrance |
His lifetime of philanthropy enabled the construction of the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades and the Getty Center seen here. The Getty Center incorporates the modern design of Richard Meier with stunning gardens and sweeping views of Los Angeles. The hilltop setting is comprised of 110 acres and contains 1.2 million square feet of Italian travertine. Meier chose this material because it represents the qualities the Getty celebrates: permanence, solidity, simplicity, warmth and craftsmanship. The curved lines of the architecture contrast with the natural grid the travertine blocks create.
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The Getty Villa Pacific Palisades |
Here are a few highlights from our morning at The Getty Center…
Mural by Jackson Pollack, 1943 Oil and casein on canvas |
The above painting by Jackson Pollack will be getting an entire blog post due to its fascinating history. It has been undergoing a meticulous restoration at the Getty and this is the first time its has been seen by the public. It is considered one of the most iconic works of the 20th century.
Irises, by Vincent Van Gogh, 1889 Oil on canvas |
It is hard to believe Van Gogh painted this masterpiece when he was recuperating from a severe attack of mental illness. Its theme of the healing powers of the earth expresses the artist’s deeply personal belief about the divinity of art and nature.
Dancer Taking Bow (The Star) by Edgar Degas, 1877 Pastel and gouache on paper |
This work by Degas was revolutionary at the time for his new methods in working with pastels. He combined gouache with pastel and experimented with stumping and moistening the pastels to achieve textures and unusual effects.
Detail of Spring by Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1894 Oil on Canvas |
Rembrandt Laughing by Rembrandt, 1628 Oil on copper |
Detail: Fruit Piece by Jan van Huysum, 1722 Oil on panel |
A detail from this Dutch still life shows the realism of the Dutch old masters combined with the bright colors of the Rococo style of the 1700s. The artist would not let anyone visit his studio for fear they would learn his technical secrets and copy his work.
In front of Marino Marini’s Horseman |
The Cactus Garden on the South Promontory |
The central garden was created by Robert Irwin and is a revolving work of art.There are more than 500 varieties of plant material used in the landscaping.
All materials were selected to accentuate the play of light, color and reflection. Irwin’s statement, “Always changing, never twice the same” is carved into the plaza floor.
Bougainvillea Arbors |
Bronze Form by Henry Moore, 1985 |
Alfresco Seaside Lunch at Nobu |
After our fabulous day at the Getty and jaunt to Malibu, we convened with the rest of our Design Trust group to take in more sites. The camaraderie of the group is unlike any professional group I have experienced. Every designer is so willing to share their experiences (both good and bad) to enable everyone else to run a successful design practice and fuel their creative energy. Our official program began with a picnic overlooking the LA skyline from high atop Elysian Park.
View from our Picnic Dinner in Elysian Park |
Another delightful ending to a perfect day was a visit to the Griffith Observatory, the spectacular landmark high above Los Angeles offering unparalleled views of the city.
Bright Lights, Big City View from the Griffith Observatory |
The days kept getting better and better and LCDQ had not yet begun!