If you want to spend three days in LA or you have a stopover and you are interested in all things design and furniture then this might be the guide for you. I take you through the very route I did when exploring all the showrooms and art galleries of interest to me in LA.
Quick LA guide
Day 1
- Pacific Design Center
- Melrose Ave Showrooms
- Melrose Place
- Almost all of the Beverley Blvd furniture showrooms
- Architectural Exploration
- Morning at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
- The Broad
- The Museum of Contemporary Art
Detailed LA Guide
In Feb we stopped in LA for two days on the way to our other adventures and on the way back we had a third day to fill before jumping back on the plane to return to Australia. This is how we maximised our time.
Day one:
Start your morning with a coffee from the Urth Caffe on the corner of Melrose and Westmount Drive.
A stones throw away from the Pacific Design Center on the corner of Melrose and N San Vincente Blvd. The building is spectacular and sitting with coffee watching the sun bounce off the shiny coloured facade is a must. Inside you will find a mix of businesses, when combined in this way offer any design enthusiast a wealth of access under one roof. This destination incorporates everything including: fabric, leather, kitchens, accessories, lighting, flooring, and wall-coverings. It is even home to Dedon, Janus et Cie, David Sutherland and many more.
Back on Melrose, you'll find Design Within Reach, who are the local representatives for Cassina, Carl Hansen, Bassam & Fellows, Emeco, Flos, Gubi, Artek, Hay, Kartell, Knoll Muuto, Roll & Hill, Tom Dixon, USM, Stella Works, Moooi, Vitra, and Herman Miller. Their showroom spans two levels, it's light and airy and even though it would be impossible to showcase all their brands they have a lovely collection of commercial and residential essentials.
Also along this stretch is Restoration Hardware, I know this brand due to its use in international hotel projects I have been involved over the years through local Australian Designers, who play in the global project realm. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was speechless, although the style is not one I would consider my own their level of detail and displays are nothing but immaculate. From the architecture to the cutlery, there seemed to be no detail overlooked. The building itself is grand as are the enormous sweeping displays, there were moment I wondered if I'd walked into a luxury hotel. RH doesn't have the feel of a showroom and if it wasn't for the price tags you really couldn’t be sure. One grand room blends into another where the details alters slightly but not in a disrupted way, you feel immersed in their brand and I think that that is very much the idea here. The staff here are very accommodating but also give you the time & space to wander freely, to explore all the levels offered. My favourite would have to be their expansive rooftop. It is like a Hollywood movie set, rows of trees separate the vast furniture offering as the sun beams down on the pavers. It’s bizarre, working in the furniture industry makes me focus on the product, but here it was about the experience, as if I was at a project doing the final walk through before the owner moves in.
Next stop Soho Home an eclectic mix of all things textured. Set in a vast space with beamed ceilings, layered sections and decorative surfaces. This soothing gem combined material finishes and colours like a bohemian beach shack which was then layered with glamorous glass chandeliers, boucles and ornate timber carved furniture. It was like restored vintage mixed with Hollywood glam. A wonderful third stop.
Following Melrose we were enamoured by the fashion on this corner you have Wolf & Badger, The Real Real as well as various other boutiques. Across the intersection of La Cienega Blvd, Melrose Ave continues into Fashionville. Row after row of branded stores each neatly neighbouring one another. Each store has its own identity, a little different from the next.
On the Left, you will see the famed Paul Smith Building, pink for all the world to see. Nestled in between some of these global brands are comedy clubs, walls hidden by Ivy, art galleries, street art and architecture hidden amongst the lush green trees that seem to dominate some of the facades.
The architecture is low lying and the trees are plenty. It's a calm stroll around some of the world's most highly thought-of fashion brands. Walking along the streets, potholes and all there is something about the walk that doesn't seem to align with the shops. We continue to walk until Melrose Ave bores us & the trees become less frequent - this bit is not required. My suggestion would be to stop when the shops become less familiar. Our walk up Melrose took us further than anyone else needs go, but my curiosity wouldn't let me turn around. As the street turns into more of an industrial feel we turn and head back towards the cute boutiques we were drawn to hours prior.
There is a charming little pocket as you head along Melrose Place where the stores are beautifully manicured and the street is somewhat of a living breathing social media frenzy. Balmain were filming their latest story as a model struts on by. This was stunningly contrasted by a fashion blogger filming to the rear near some dog mess and the bins, using nothing but smoke and mirrors to keep the LA dream alive. This turned out to be one of my favourite memories. We watch as these contrasting realities play out, wondering which one would get the most interactions on their selected platform.
Each boutique in this pocket does its utmost to draw you in. The treelined street and the impressive window displays capture attention, making you feel like you are in a different world. Valet parking, small toy dogs and expensive cars are all present ensuring all the LA ingredients. This is what I think of when I picture LA, and it delivered. Each store holds its own identity, making this pocket really lovely, it somehow combines boutique and quaint.
Day 2:
Nothing but showrooms!
Start by making your way to Beverley Blvd you will find yourself surrounded by furniture, kitchen and design store. This happens to be my happy place. We started our morning with Blu Dot at 8751 Beverley Blvd, it's on the right-hand side as you make your way into the hub of this area. (If you are coming in from WestHollywood) It’s a great showroom to wet your beak, with vaulted ceilings and a polished concrete floor, the showroom showcases some of Blu Dot’s clean design aesthetic. With a lighthearted Scandinavian design influence, this showroom is light, airy and approachable. Born in America in 1997 this brand feels somewhat European in its origins. The perfect way to start our showroom day.
Next, we visit Boffi somewhat of a more serious space than the previous. Its impressive kitchens anchor the showroom in this Design precinct. Dark finishes make you feel like you could be somewhere else, the cool atmosphere is a welcome break from the heat of outside. Spanning two floors this showroom offers any designer access to a very well-imagined kitchen, bathroom and furniture paradise. Each area is sectioned to feel like its own version of home, helping to envisage the product in a project.
We skipped past DOM Interiors as it wasn't open however looking in from the outside is well worth a visit if you are looking for Kitchen ideas, as is Eggermans.
Flexform was just up N Robertson Blvd on the right-hand side. The industrial exterior is beautifully contrasted but the soft and soothing interiors. Dark ceilings with light timber walls dividing each space as you move around the showroom. The finishes are muted and the furniture is approachable if not a little conservative. Their latest outdoor collection dominated the window and was the first display upon entering, exploring teak and cream textures for the year round summer just outside. The colours are soft and earthy and you know you are in a mono-brand store, every section leads on cohesively from the last.
Next door is Knoll in what from the outside looks like a fashion store, its light terrazzo stone-clad exterior and golden features really capture your attention. This seemingly small space surprisingly spans two floors combining both commercial and residential offerings. The space is carved up with brass frames which are dressed with delicate linen curtains in soft grey and sage. The ceiling is dressed in the same curtains but as if it were sails mirroring the curves that sit neatly in each window. The furniture is layered against a backdrop of golden mirrored walls, atop light oak herringbone flooring with golden accessories. Using feature fabrics from the likes of Kvadrat each area has its draw card. Exploring the varying textures that help to move through each area.
Almost opposite you have the Maxalto showroom, in a simple brick building painted black ,the vast windows with minimal branding catches the eye. The open space is painted black with a light grey oak floor. The furniture is sectioned with the use of rugs and storage as well as vast light-boxes. The tones are earthy, mostly brown and grey. Each area is dressed with accessories and layered with lighting from Flos. The darkened walls allow for the furniture to be the hero in the space, as with other Maxalto showrooms I have visited across the world, I felt like I was being transported to a post-war Parisian apartment, as is Antonio Citerio’s intention.
Next door on the corner of N Robertson Blvd and Beverley Blvd you have a Diva Group B&B Italia / lighting showroom, we enter via the lighting room. A mix of emotions as we are surrounded by Bocci, Flos, Ingo Mauer & Louis Paulson. The small space is dominated by a large semi-rigid 73.19 chandelier from Bocci which physically stops me in my tracks. It’s stunning, and I had never seen one on such a scale. This part of the showroom is logically laid out, showcasing various lighting types grouped for ease of the customer. Moving through the space it opens up and the size of this showroom becomes clear. There is a large footprint of the B&B Italia outdoor collection, it is dressed with lightboxes depicting the desert, tall plantings and as in their sister showroom Maxalto, dark painted walls with white painted cutouts to add depth and interest to the space. The ceilings are high and painted white with simple track lighting. Each outdoor collection is mixed with its predecessor showcasing the encouraged mix of designs. Allowing for the imagination of collecting these pieces over time to be a reality for the buyer. Moving to the back of this immense space is their indoor collection. Divided as with all B&B stores of this time the copper screens. Each area is dressed as if it were a home, with lights, side tables, art and accessories. Colour is used to anchor each space and is not feared in this showroom. It adds fun and texture which is what this brand is known for. The depth of product is vast and they have pieces that I have not seen for many years, in finishes that seem appropriate for the LA customer, it reminded me of the variations possible in all the options a B&B Italia selections.
Back on Beverley Blvd on your right, you will see Maddox Gallery and Cassina’s showroom, at the time of my visit they were showcasing the Modular Imagination by Virgil Abloh in their window and it was powerful. Exploring the true sense of modularity in furniture this collection is made up of two simple shapes that can come together and be broken down just as easily at the end of their life cycle. It felt more like an art installation but that may well be to honour the man behind the design. The Showroom itself is dark and secluded. Each area is dominated by the product selection. The display of pieces was cleverly curated and as I have never seen before, outside of Italy. The showroom covered all eras, mixing old and new. The floor plate was carved up with timber panelling and cleverly placed rugs, the colours used were organic and mindfully put together.
Ligne Roset, hidden behind a huge tree is a triple-fronted showroom home to all things French. In contrast to the showrooms already visited this one was white painted with low ceilings and light oak floors, the product was colourful and inviting. A mustard Toga filled the front window. The layout was a little illogical but I liked it, it felt less serious and I never knew what I would find around the next corner. The showroom felt like it was missing something, but the product is incredible and made up for it. There was little layering to the space but every chair invited me to sit in it.
Just passed Art Angels and Mass Furniture (which we didn't go into) there is a large Minotti Showroom, another example of how Mono brands can have the upper hand sometimes. This showroom was positioned as a one-stop shop every inch of it managed to work back upon itself seamlessly. It was carefully curated with layering, texture and finish. The floor rugs that separated the spaces were enormous cleverly pulling in the attention of a customer with a huge home. It was pared back, not too fussy, simply detailed for a feeling of ease.
In vast contrast, there is Roche Bobois who leads with colour and intense patterns, this was a refreshing change of stimulus after the showrooms that preceded it. I admire its brashness. We spent time here with a sales consultant that delighted to tell us the story of the brand. I would recommend him (he was the most engaging of the day.) The shiny finishes mixed with the textures and wild colour pallet was an education in colour and bravery. It's not my natural taste but the showroom is an incredible example of what this brand does best. COLOUR!
Poliform was the next stop, high ceilings, muted organic pallets and kitchens to die for are what we expected and what we got. This showroom is a level of elegance that you can live with. the showroom is highly tailored and spacious with Japanese ceiling lanterns to soften the light, while highlighting the featured collection. The finishes were precise and each one called for touching. The spaces are divided by their vast joinery range. Poliform is a timeless aesthetic that is a calm luxury for all project types.
Edra and Baxter share a showroom under the Diva Group here in Los Angeles. The showroom is divided clearly down the middle with Edra monopolising the attention as you enter. The space was more of a gallery of pieces rather than a well-imagined home setting, which is fairly common for Edra’s extravagantly unusual designs. There was no shortage of iconic pieces including the boa in purple and the polar bear taking centre stage in the window. More featured pieces were displayed atop smoked mirrored plinths, not for sitting in but for admiration. As you pass the sales team you enter the second half of the showroom via the back of Baxter, which in this showroom was soft in tone, decorated with elegant lighting and laid out in the traditional home settings. There were stand-outs in amongst each settings to showcase what was new. Texture stole the show in the Baxter showroom, with everything needing to be stroked, the depth of leather and finishes was outstanding.
Day 3:
Our third day was on the way back to Australia but I see no harm in attempting this after or before the above.
We walked through Pershing Square, past the Angels flight cable car to Grand Central Market, it was too early for the full atmosphere to have arrived but the coffee was incredible at G&B Coffee. Fuelled up for the day we walked (uphill) to S Grand Ave where The Broad by Diller Scofidio + Renfor stopped us in our tracks. What incredible architecture, which is only made better by being neighbours to the mind-blowing Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Ghery. We spent the morning wandering around this incredible structure alone, not a tourist in sight. Every edge and angle was examined from the ground. I fell in love with this building 10 years ago when I drove past, but the gardens in the morning light, oh I couldn’t leave. We went inside and imagined how special a performance would be here.
We walked along Grand Ave to explore the architecture of the Music Center, the Dorothy Chanler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre and then crossed the bridge to investigate an unusual building in the distance. It was the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual Arts - it was a fascinating structure. This short detour also took us past The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels which is an unexpected example of brutalist architecture, on further research this structure is conflicted by its interior. These few buildings were not in our itinerary they were simply things we noticed on our wanderings. #lookup
The Broad very quickly became one of my favourite galleries. As you enter through its central escalator you are transported into what I think feels like a different universe. The curves and organic nature of the entrance is altered into an open square space that is unmistakably naked but the shape of the ceiling panels. It’s like being inside something organic and covered in scales. The art was extensive at the top of this theatrical entrance you are met with Koon’s Tulips, the colours unexpected in this clinical but organic structure. To see more of the art we saw - head to Art in Los Angeles
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) like The Broad is an Artist-founded Museum, its architecture is not as impressive but its history and exhibitions are just as powerful.
Other Galleries - we didn’t get to (this time):
- The Future Perfect
- Los Aneles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- Getty Center
- Hammer Museum
We spend hours on our feet walking from place to place letting each area show us what it needed to. This was my second LA visit and I must say that a focused and directed visit is far preferred over the haphazard approach we took 10 years prior. The city itself is divided into easy to navigate pockets. Choose the pockets that most interest you and stay in that frame of mind for the day. There were many places recommended to me that would have made all of the above seem rushed. I decided to just put these other must see places for the next visit. LA was far more enjoyable when I slowed down to its pace.
