Category Archives: Architecture

Architecture, Travel

The Pearl Resort in Fiji, a place to call home

June 21, 2016 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

The Pearl Resort, Fiji, Photo Romi Cortier

The Pearl Resort in Fiji, what a wonderful place to call home. Several of my friends recently stayed at this stunning waterfront resort for over a month while filming a new FOX reality TV show called Kicking and Screaming. Ok, lets get real, the crew and executives stayed at the resort while the contestants had to survive in the jungle… after all, that’s what makes it reality TV.

I joined everyone on June 5th, the day after they’d wrapped, and had an amazing five full days. From LA it’s an eleven hour direct flight to Nadi, and then a two hour drive to the resort. There’s nothing more welcoming than to reach your destination and walk into a three story atrium, as the balmy south pacific breeze surrounds you. Being a modernist, I instantly fell in love with the super chic white design of the recently built resort. Our room was top notch and beautifully appointed. It included a flat screen TV, a spacious shower for two with one of those huge square shower heads, privacy doors made of frosted glass for both the shower and toilet, ambient lighting under the cabinets, and a bevy of other design details that I’d love to have in my own home. Our third floor balcony, seen above, had a fantastic view of the harbor.

The resort offers a huge complimentary buffet breakfast that included everything from omellets, to scrambled eggs to various meats & cheeses, as well as an assortment of pastries and juices. After that, you can set sail on the harbor, grab a canoe, sit by the pool, or just walk along the sandy beach.

The staff at the resort greets everyone with an amazing warm hearted smile, and they’re always more than happy to help you with any request. The big surprise about the Fijian staff is their amazing singing voices. The GM Natalie Marletta surprised me with an amazing bon voyage gift as I was preparing to depart the resort… listen below to hear the sound of angels.

Until we meet again Fiji….

The Pearl Resort

Architecture, Interior Design

1280 Angelo Drive in Beverly Hills

May 3, 2016 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

1280 Angelo Drive, Beverly Hills, Photo Romi Cortier

Imagine someone sends you a text and asks you to meet them at 1280 Angelo Drive in Beverly Hills, because they need your help ‘staging’. My mind wanders… is it a photo shoot? A video shoot? Something for TV? Knowing my friends, it could be anything. I happily showed up on the steps of this stunning home, ready for an adventure. Never in my mind did it dawn on me that I’d be helping stage a home for a private VIP Preview that would be happening just a few days later.

Now lets be honest, it was really more about ‘editing’ than it was about staging, because the home was already spectacularly furnished. You know the old saying, less is more, which is what was needed to expose the glorious details of this remodeled modernist compound, complete with 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, a pool, 3,000 square feet of patios on multiple levels, and over 7,500 square feet of interior space.

My primary goal in the main living space was to create an opening from the front door, all the way out to the large patio with the panoramic city views, thus drawing the guests right out onto the patio. Normally, this would be a feng shui no no, as it’s important to keep the chi of the home, in the home. A straight path from door to door would allow the chi to keep moving out of the home. But, since the home is for sale, I wanted the guests to be drawn right out to the view with absolutely no obstacles. Therefore, you’ll notice that the two white leather sofas on the ice blue silk rug have been separated and pulled apart. My tweak for the dining room was quite simple. I removed the chairs at either end of the table and placed them in the corner of the room, making the table feel more inviting. Ten high back chairs around a table can be a little bit off putting, making you feel like you’re not welcomed… and we wanted our guests to feel very welcomed.

As for the master suite, the bed had a lot of conflicting patterns going on. I reversed the large pillows to hide the Versace inspired print that was conflicting with the duvet cover, utilizing their softer yellow side. We brought in an ottoman for the foot of the bed, draping it with a faux fur throw and matching pillow, all from the guest bedroom.

As we began rolling up rugs and taking away excess furniture, I noticed how remarkable the floors were. I realized that the same materials had also been used on all of the patios, the only difference being that the exterior surfaces had been honed as opposed to polished. What a superb way to marry the interior spaces with the exterior, especially once the floating glass walls to the patio were rolled away. There’s nothing I love more than cohesive design.

As of May 1, 2016 the home is currently listed with Sotheby’s International Realty. Visit the link below to see current photos, and if you’re in love with the home and would like to make an offer, feel free to contact Ferdinand Prinz von Anhalt at 714.260.7697 or Catherine Marcus at 310.795.8521 of Sotheby’s International Realty. (ferdinand.anhalt@sothebyshomes.com/catherine@catherinemarcus.com) I’m sure they’d be more than happy to arrange a private viewing for you. www.1280angelo.com

Oh, and one last detail… the home is listed for $17,000,000. Welcome to Beverly Hills darling.

Romi Cortier, Skyler Campbell, & Recio Carrington Young at 1280 Angelo Drive, Beverly Hills

Architecture, Interior Design

Mid Century Restored at 203 N. Monterey Road, Palm Springs, Ca.

April 30, 2016 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

I’ve owned this home at 203 N. Monterey Road in Palm Springs for over a decade. When I bought the home it was still reeling from a 1980’s south western themed interior that included a rust and turquoise color palette with saltillo tile, wooden chair rails, and sand textured walls with rope trim. Yep, it was that bad. I mean no disrespect to the previous owner who was into horses and favored a more eclectic vibe, but mid-century is in, big time! It was time for a rescue job.

Exterior renovations included: an entirely new driveway, the replacement of a dilapidated eight foot high wooden fence with chic corrugated metal fencing, the addition of corrugated metal fences where none existed, a pool re-plaster (that included filling in the old ‘pit’ where the pool equipment had been, and relocating the equipment behind the home), a new pool heater, the removal of patio siding that made the home look like it belonged in a trailer park, and lots and lots of landscaping. Colored sand, rocks, trees, bougainvilleas, 3 x 3 concrete pavers, a 12 x 12 concrete pad in the backyard, and a sprinkler system.

Interior renovations included: new gray tile floors throughout , a new kitchen, a new master bath, the replacement of both sliding glass doors, new interior doors, new closet doors and hardware, new copper plumbing, new gas lines, the removal of a victorian themed front door, the addition of matching metal blinds throughout the home, new ceiling fans, improved lighting, a simple color theme that shifted the focus from the interior to the midcentury pool behind the home with the spectacular San Jacinto Mountain views.

203 N. Monterey Road, living room pre-renovation

203 N. Monterey Road, kitchen pre-renovation

203 N. Monterey Road, kitchen after renovation (different POV)

203 N. Monterey Road, great room after renovation

When I renovated the master bath, I removed what I believed to be the original tub and vanity. In its place, I used the new gray floor tile, cut into thirds to repeat the brick pattern around the fireplace, tiling the wall up to the ceiling so as to accentuate the height of the room. Because the footprint of the room is so small, the only way to make the space feel larger was to play up its verticality.

203 N. Monterey Road, master bath pre-renovation

203 N. Monterey Road master bathroom after renovation

One of the bedroom floors was raw concrete, so naturally I carried the new gray tile into that room, to help unify that room with the rest of the home. It also helped to add colorful artwork to the rooms to bring them to life. The Red Ball paintings seen below were inspired by photos I actually took around the pool several summers ago. These paintings can also be seen in my new book The Art of Romi Cortier.

203 North Monterey Road guest bedroom before renovation — 203 N. Monterey Road guest bedroom before renovation

203 North Monterey Road guest bedroom after renovation. — 203 N. Monterey Road guest bedroom after renovation.

203 N. Monterey Road master bedroom before renovation

203 N. Monterey Road master bedroom after renovation

Here’s a great shot of the back yard with the mid-century pool. The corrugated metal fence was previously the wooden fence that was literally falling down. It just goes to show how much beauty can be found in the simplest of details.

203 N. Monterey Road pool after renovation

This home has been a labor of love for over a decade, and now it’s time for a new owner to take the helm. If you’re interested in this home please contact Carl Borey at 760 285-1281. The home is currently listed at $579,000.

MLS Listing

Architecture, Fun

Stampd Puma Hosts Launch Party on Roosevelt Rooftop

April 22, 2016 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Grauman's Chinese Theater, Photo Romi Cortier — Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Photo Romi Cortier

Roosevelt Hotel Sign, Hollywood, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

Roosevelt Hotel rooftop view of Hollywood Boulevard, Photo Romi Cortier

Roosevelt Hotel Sign, Hollwyood, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

Roosevelt Hotel Sign seen from Roosevelt Hotel Rooftop, Hollywood, Photo Romi Cortier

PUMA STAMPD Launch Party, April 2, 2016: Ferdinand Prinz von Anhalt, Dustin Walker, Skyler Campbell, Recio Carrington Young, Guest, Romi Cortier (left to right) — STAMPD PUMA Launch Party, April 2, 2016: Prinz Maximilian Ferdinand von Anhalt, Dustin Walker, Skyler Campbell, Recio Carrington Young, Jay Denton, Romi Cortier (left to right)

I recently attended the STAMPD PUMA launch party on the roof of Hollywood’s iconic Roosevelt Hotel. We arrived a bit late to the event and were denied access in the Lobby, as the party was at full capacity. We texted our host on the roof to pull some strings… her suggestion: take the stairs. Climb thirteen floors, in leather pants and boots? Well, ok. We ducked into one of those doors labelled ‘EXIT only’, with cameras everywhere. Up and and up we went. Would security stop us half way up, or worse yet, at the very top? Of course the door to the roof was locked, but 2 texts later our host gave us entry, and there was no security to kick us out. We’d made it!

The view from the roof was so spectacular. Looking down on Hollywood boulevard from such an amazing vantage point and seeing the world famous Mann’s Chinese Theater made me giddy. Of course, it makes sense, this is where so many of those vintage photos of Hollywood had been taken. Having a cocktail under the splashy neon sign was also super cool. And to be honest, probably my favorite thing about the party…. that, and meeting Ferdinand. No, I’d never seen Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker, so I wasn’t familiar with his quest to find a bride. He just seemed like a cool guy from Europe with an interesting story. Eventually the name of his dad and step mom came up: Frederic Prinz von Anhalt and Zsa Zsa Gabor. He’s also a lawyer and realtor, who’s also in the process of shooting a reality show. This is what makes Hollywood, well, Hollywood.

There were also plenty of gorgeous young people at the party, of which none looked familiar. And where was the product placement? Shouldn’t there be some kick-ass shoes on display somewhere? I’m guessing the party was way to cool for that, or I’d just arrived a bit to late. Whatever the case, those folks we’d seen lined up downstairs in the lobby an hour ago were finally being allowed upstairs, a sign that it was time to wrap things up and head out. Bougie, me? Maybe just a little.

Architecture

Frank Gehry Architectural Models @ LACMA

March 25, 2016 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Frank Gehry at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Photo Romi Cortier — Frank Gehry Model, LACMA,, Photo Romi Cortier

rank Gehry Model, Prospect Place at Battersea Power Station, 2013 - present, LACMA, Photo Romi Cortier — Frank Gehry Model, Prospect Place at Battersea Power Station, 2013 , LACMA, Photo Romi Cortier

Frank Gehry Model, Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, 2009, Photo Romi Cortier — Frank Gehry Model, Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, 2009, LACMA, Photo Romi Cortier

Frank Gehry Model, 8150 Sunset, West Hollywood, 2015, Photo Romi Cortier — Frank Gehry Model, 8150 Sunset, West Hollywood, 2015, LACMA, Photo Romi Cortier

Frank Gehry Model, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, 2006, LACMA, Photo Romi Cortier

Frank Gehry Model, Beach House, 2014, LACMA, Photo Romi Cortier

Frank Gehry Model, Experience Music Project, LACMA, Photo Romi Cortier — Frank Gehry Model, Experience Music Project, Seattle, LACMA, Photo Romi Cortier

Frank Gehry Model, LACMA, Photo Romi Cortier

Frank Gehry just wrapped up a remarkable exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. I managed to squeeze in the day before it closed and was wowed beyond belief. I found myself feeling completely giddy, like a grown kid in a candy store. I absolutely wanted to touch everything and feel all of those amazing textures under my fingers, but I refrained.

Having built architectural models during my interior design studies at UCLA, I have a tremendous respect for what it takes to create these massive pieces by hand. It’s an art form, in and of itself. Looking at Gehry’s six decades of models, you can see both the evolution of his work, as well as the evolution in the types of materials used. I love how crumpled up green and red construction paper was used to represent trees. Foam core, balsa wood and sheets of plastic were also used in increasingly sophisticated ways as the exhibit evolved. And Seattle’s Experience Music Project was a stunning replica of the original, with exterior high gloss paint used as a nod to the guitars of famous musicians.

While walking through such a large scale exhibit, it proves the point that only so much computer rendering can be done to see how a proposed building will fit into its surroundings. With an actual built model, you can walk around it and see it from multiple points of view. As light shifts, nuances in the structure will reveal itself. This will allow the architect and his team to make observations, and then make adjustments prior to the start of construction. This is very relevant when millions of dollars are at stake. I’m guessing that many of these models were made after some of the buildings were built. That said, there were several architectural models created for structures that were never built. This would at least give their design team a sense of satisfaction to see their concept realized in some form. It also works as a fantastic selling point when making presentations to communities that might be unsure of the need for a ‘Gehry’ building in their neighborhood.

Below is one of the models I made for my Drawing and Drafting class at UCLA. I was so excited about what I’d created on paper, that I simply had to build a scale model to present to our final class. I don’t think it was in any way required, I was just so enthusiastic that I built it. You should have seen the look on the other students faces when I walked into class that day. Yep, I got an A+ for my extra effort. Not an easy feat for a UCLA design class. #Winning

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