Founded in 1899 by Herman Bergdorf, the 5th Avenue luxury goods department store was later owned by Edwin Goodman, and later his son Andrew. It has been at its current location on the west side of 5th Avenue, between 57th and 58th streets, since 1928. Its mens store has been on the east side of the street since 1990. But it’s those famous window displays on the west side of 5th avenue that lure me there, regardless of the time of day… or night.
Last spring while visiting New York, I drug my sister by there at about 1:00 am on a Sunday night. There was hardly a person on the street, and the stillness made us feel as if we were attending a private gallery opening. We luxuriated at the lushness of the details, and the grand scale of the windows. It was her first visit to the big apple, and this was the icing on the cake. Sure, we have Neiman Marcus here in Beverly Hills, but it can’t hold a candle to the creativity of Bergdorfs. Who would think to create ‘Locker Room Chic’ for Chanel, or commission original paper mache objects by artists like Mark Gagnon? It’s like standing in front of a painting, trying to absorb every last brushstroke. And who is the man responsible for all of this? David Hoey. Equipped with an arsenal of artisans who help bring his visions to life, the stakes are high for the team because every week over one and a half million pairs of eyes will take in what they’ve created. They take merchandising and marketing to an entirely new level. I think the words legendary and iconic are fitting, but don’t take my word for it. Go. See. Inhale. Luxuriate in the 3D art form that has made the Window Displays of Bergdorf Goodman world famous.
Stahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22, Photo Romi CortierStahl House aka Case Study House #22,, Photo Romi CortierMrs. Stahl of the Stahl House, Case Study House #22, Photo 2009
The Stahl House, also known as Case Study House #22, is without a doubt one of the most famous homes in all of Los Angeles… and maybe the world. Built in 1959 as part of the Case Study House Program, it’s probably one of thee most photographed homes ever.
The late Julius Shulman made the residence famous with his iconic black and white photo of the home which featured two elegant women lounging in the home at dusk, as the city sparkled behind them. This happened in 1960, and the home has been on a roll ever since. Movies, editorial fashion shoots, tv commercials… I guarantee you’ve seen this home and it’s stunning panoramic view more often then you realize.
I was beyond excited when I was able to join an architectural tour to see this home in ’09. While it appears larger than life in photos, the square footage is in reality only about 2200 Square feet. It’s the balanced proportions that makes this residence looks so massive. Designed by Pierre Koenig for Buck Stahl and his family, the modernist glass and steel constructed home has become one of the most iconic mid-century homes in southern California.
Located in the Hollywood Hills above the Sunset Strip, the house was declared an LA Historical Cultural Monument in 1999. While the homes address is easy to find, 1635 Woods Drive, LA Ca. 90069, you’ll need to think twice about doing a drive by to catch a glimpse of it and the remarkable views. I learned when I visited the home that it’s on one of those gated private roads. But, if you’d really like to see the home, you can schedule a private tour that is remarkably affordable. For as little as $60, one person in one car, can have access to the home for an hour. Why not bring your significant other, a picnic basket and a bottle of wine, and sit and chill by the pool at dusk. I guarantee you it’s a ‘date night’ either of you would soon forget.
FYI The 2010 Documentary Visual Acoustics revisited this home with Photographer Julius Shulman, where he briefly talks about what it took to create his iconic image at the Sthal House.
Lot 224, Vapor Drawing, Larry Bell, 1978, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 154, Cat Person #1, Fritz Scholder, 1978, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 258, Phenomena Byron’s Hunch, Paul Jenkins, 1978, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 407, Untitled, Edmond Kohn, 1950’s, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 374, Balloon Dog (Blue) Jeff Koons, 1995, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 524, Untitled (Boat) Raimonds Staprans, 1963, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 362, #7, Karl Benjamin, 1986, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 377, Platter, Takashi Murakami, 2007, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionsLot 364, #18, Karl Benjamin, 1983, Image courtesy Los Angeles Modern AuctionLot 75, Double Standard, Ed Ruscha, 1969, Image Courtesy Los Angeles Modern Auctions
There’s another hot Art Auction coming up at Los Angeles Modern Auctions on October 12, 2014. I’ve been shopping at art auctions for over a decade because they’re an amazing way to add to a collection, plus they’re also a great opportunity to find items that are rarely on the market. Yes, some items are rather pricey, but others can be a relative steal, especially when compared to gallery pricing. An educated eye can easily spot the good stuff, even if it’s not expensive. The more you look at art, the more refined your eye becomes. Line, shape, color, texture, nuances in the thickness of the paint, it all adds up. And if all else fails, then trust your curator. And in this case, your curator would be Peter Loughrey.
Peter Loughrey is the Director of Modern Design & Fine Art at LA Modern Auctions. As a prominent figure in the L A art and design community, he’s been responsible for curating several gallery shows and is a member of the Decorative Arts and Design Council and Contemporary Friends. Therefore, when it comes to Los Angeles Modern Auctions, you can have faith in the quality of their lots. They’re very careful about vetting their pieces… I know because they’ve even refused a few of my own items, items that I thought were worthy. Fortunately they have strict guidelines to protect their collectors. The price point of this upcoming auction ranges from $1,000 – $100,000. I’m sharing a few of my favorite pieces here, simply because they appeal to my eye. I haven’t seen them in person, nor do I have a vested interest in their sale. I hope to attend the preview which runs till October 11, 2014, from 10am – 6pm, at 16145 Hart Street, Van Nuys, Ca. 91406.
Lot 224, Vapor Drawing by Larry Bell, Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000. I love this image because it reminds me of the corrugated metal fence at my home in Palm Springs. I’ve always wanted to do an oil painting to capture the reflective nature of the metal, however, this remarkable image has already done that.
Lot 154, Cat Person #1 by Fritz Scholder, Estimate: $6,000 – $9,000. At first glance this image looks like an abstract, but then the ears come into view. Plus who doesn’t love the sumptuous use of red with the chartreuse green accents.
Lot 258, Phenomena Byron’s Hunch by Paul Jenkins, Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000. Cool amorphous tones in violet and blue, with hints of magenta, a green flame glowing in the center with a contrasting Yellow rising sun. Pure joy.
Lot 407, Untitled by Edmond Kohn, Estimate: $800 – $1200. I just love this little midcentury gem. The line work of the bodies, the muted palette of green and orange tones with hints of salmon and apricot, it practically leaps from the canvas.
Lot 374, Balloon Dog (Blue) by Jeff Koons, Estimate $10,000 – $15,000. #1965 of 2300 MOCA Editions. I simply love any of Koons Cast Porcelain pieces with their lush reflective finishes, and if it comes in blue, even better.
Lot 524, Untitled (Boat) Raimonds Straprans, Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000. I love the use of black in this 1963 beauty, with accents of blue and orange. There’s such a graphic quality to the image that it reminds of Francoise Gilot.
Lot 362, #7 by Karl Benjamin, Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000. I’ve been a fan of Karl Benjamin since I discovered his work at ‘Birth of the Cool’ in Orange County about a decade ago. I’d love nothing more than to add one of his paintings to my collection, but they’re a bit out of my reach.
Lot 377, Platter by Takashi Murakami, Estimate $800 -$1200. Made on the occasion of the artist’s gala opening at MOCA in 2007, which was an amazing show and my first exposure to his work.
Lot 364, #18 by Karl Benjamin, Estimate: $12,000 – $15,000. I love how Benjamin has juxtaposed these bold geometric shapes in bold colors, married together with such a warm gray. I think I see the word LOVE being repeated…
Lot 75, Double Standard by Ed Ruscha, Estimate $50,000 – $70,000. It’s hard to imagine a screen print being valued at this price point, however, this is no ordinary screen print. It’s an 11-color screenprint on paper. I’ll presume that the white is the paper, plus there are 2 shades of blue for the sign. That leaves about 9 shades of orange, brown and black to create the gradation of tone in the sky.
Aria, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierCrystals Ceiling, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierThe Shops at Crystals, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierCrystals Staircase Detail, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierConcierge for the Shops at Crystals, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierGlacia Public Art Installation, The Shops at Crystals, Las Vegas, Photo Romi CortierCityCenter Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier
Crystals Shopping Center in Las Vegas has the most sublime architecture of any Shopping Mall I’ve ever seen. With over half a million square feet of high end retail space and clean breathable smoke free air with the subtlest scent of fragrance, Crystals sets the bar for high end shopping at a ‘mall’.
Known as CityCenter, or CityCenter Las Vegas, it’s makes me think of what Frank Gehry might have designed if he were ever enticed to create a shopping center, hotel and casino all in one. The conceptual master plan was actually designed by Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architects, with almost 17 million square feet covering 76 acres. At a cost of over 9.2 billion, it took roughly 5 years to construct.
I first discovered this remarkable complex on 11.11.11 when I joined my sister in Las Vegas for her wedding (along with about 20 thousand others couples). I’d heard about this ‘modern’ shopping center from a client of mine whose husband is an architect. Obviously it would have been impossible to miss this extraordinary presence on the Las Vegas Strip. It tantalizes everyone of your sense, from its stunning silhouettes, to its contrasting textures and tonal values. There’s even 5 water features with sounds to sooth your ears, including the remarkable ice sculpture Glacia. With thirteen Ice Pillars rising 15 vertical feet, the core of each Pillar is maintained at a constant minus 5 degrees fahrenheit to keep them frozen. It also takes up to 36 hours for the columns to re-freeze, which is no small feat when you considered it’s located just 50 feet from the entrance. We all know how hot and crowded Vegas can be, and when you step from the strip into this slice of heaven, you never want to leave. My senses are booth soothed and invigorated from the moment I walk in. It’s a reprieve from the riff-raff and re-defines modern luxury. You don’t need to have deep pockets to walk into this mall and chill out, but it sure helps if you do. Tom Ford, Valentino, Prada, Van Cleef & Arpels, Lalique, Gucci, Miu Miu, Cartier, Balenciaga… names, names names darling. I feel like Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous as those lovely words roll off my tongue. Pack your Black Amex and meet me in Las Vegas at Crystals, it’s time for some retail therapy.
Dress worn by Shakira, Lobby of Hard Rock Hotel, Photo Romi CortierDress worn by Lady Gaga, Entry of Hard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel Entry, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi CortierHard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, Photo Romi Cortier
The Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs is loaded with designer eye candy. Rock and Roll is the obvious theme, with some pretty amazing garments from rock legends like Jimi Hendrix, to an over the top lampshade owned by the king himself, Mr. Elvis Presley.
Reviews for the hotel during it’s first six months (it opened March 2014) have been great from the party crowd, but not so great from the vacationers looking for a family friendly hotel. Additionally, there seems to be tremendous issues with room security in the hotel, cleanliness, and the lack of amenities such as a place to eat after 2 p.m., or ice in the ice machines. Many have also complained about the constant party atmosphere, which shouldn’t really be a surprise since it’s billed as a Rock and Roll Hotel. That said, I’ve never been to any of their other HRH (Hard Rock Hotel, not Her Royal Highness) locations, which seem to have more favorable reviews.
When I think of Palm Springs, I don’t think Rock and Roll, I think Sinatra, The Rat Pack, and lounging poolside with martini’s. Therefore, there may be an underlying conflict regarding the purpose of this hotel in the city. I recall how excited the city council and some of the residents were about the Hard Rock bringing it’s brand to the desert. I wasn’t onboard, and consequently stayed away. It was during this past weekend that I finally wandered into the hotel to see what it was all about. I have to say that I really love the atmosphere that was created, which far exceeded my expectations. Although as you can see from my photos, the hotel was fairly empty on a Monday morning.
From a design point of view, the Hard Rock Hotel has plenty to offer. The rich use of red is very stimulating and creates a sexy atmosphere that might be best suited for young adults, not the family crowd. The tufted gold banquettes in the ‘cocktail pit’ also scream sit here, get cozy, and make new friends. Again, not a place I’d even consider bringing the kids. The images on the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs web site are remarkably inviting and also accurate, billing it as The Entertainment Destination in the California Desert. I’m not sure the hotel has reached the pinnacle of its mission statement just yet, but I’m hoping the guys at corporate will take a closer look at what has and hasn’t been working at the hotel, and pull it all together. And one last design note, why do I need to see the word FUN with a big period after it? Good design and good customer service make that a given, I don’t need to be told how to feel or what my experience should be. Either it’s fun or it isn’t. Period.
