Tag Archives: Los Angeles

Architecture

Gore Vidal’s Hollywood Hills Estate Listed for Sale

November 19, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com 1 Comment

Gore Vidal Living Room on the evening of his memorial. Photo Romi Cortier — Gore Vidal Living Room and Ceiling Mural on the Evening of his Memorial. Photo Romi Cortier

Gore Vidal Dining Room on the Evening of his Memorial. Photo Romi Cortier

Gore Vidal Door Detail of Dining Room, Evening of his memorial. Photo Romi Cortier — Gore Vidal Door Detail of Dining Room, Evening of his Memorial. Photo Romi Cortier

Gore Vidal 2nd story Stain Glass Window on the Evening of his Memorial. Photo Romi Cortier

Gore Vidal Dining Room Chair from the Set of Ben Hur Photo Romi Cortier — Gore Vidal Dining Room Chair from the Set of Ben-Hur. Photo Romi Cortier

Gore Vidal Memorial at his Hollywood Hills Home, Photo Romi Cortier

Gore Vidal’s Hollywood Hills Estate just hit the market for $5,695,000. Clearly the above photos are not from the MLS, but rather photos I took on my iphone while attending Gore’s memorial service at the home a couple of years ago. I never intended to share these photos, but now that the home has hit the market, I find it fascinating to see the current incarnation of the home. I will also say that I felt very lucky to be invited to the memorial, even though I never had the pleasure of meeting him.

Each piece of furniture had a story, like the chair shown above from the set of Ben Hur. The walls previously soft yellow, cast a yellow glow in each of my photos, nearly impossible to color correct. From what his family members told me, that’s the way everyones photos in the house turned out. Now, the home has been white washed to look clean and modern. All of the furniture has been put into storage, for possible auction at a later time, and the home beautifully staged. I recently renovated a property in Palm Springs, and did the same thing with my rental property there, going from soft white to Ultra Pure White. It’s clean. It’s fresh. And it’s blank canvas for anyone coming in who might want to put their own stamp on the home.

This Mediterranean villa was built in 1929 and measures in at 4,782 square feet, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as a self contained guest house. Original architectural details include terra-cotta floor tiles, hand-carved fireplaces, scrolled wrought iron accents and thick plaster walls. The two story foyer features an exposed beam ceiling, a paneled library with glass fronted bookcases as well as a separate den with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Up on the hillside behind the garage and guesthouse, is a secluded swimming pool surrounded with trees.

The home is quite extraordinary, and loaded with history. I hope the next occupants of the home will embrace its richness, and not erase it, as so often happens in Los Angeles.

Learn more here

Window Display

Diptyque – Fragrances for the Home and Body.

October 6, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Diptyque, 202 N. Larchmont, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

The artistry of Diptyque works on so many levels. Aromatic. Theatrical. Black and white packaging that makes me think of Aubrey Beardsley. Beautiful window displays. In store vignettes layered with meaning.

Those of you who know me, know that I’m currently obsessed with black and white decor. So when I passed by Diptyque’s store front window on Larchmont Boulevard last week, I simply had to slip in and savor all of their visuals. It’s a feast for the eyes, and of course, a feast for the nose. To much fragrance will assault my senses and send me sneezing out the door. However, in this store, that’s never a problem. Leave it to the French to find the perfect balance, with fragrances that entice without overwhelming.

As I discovered on their website: www.diptyqueparis.com their 3 founders had backgrounds in interior design, painting and set design for the theater. Voila! It makes complete sense when you look at the images above. The window boxes are miniature theaters designed to tell a story… the story of fragrance for the home and body. Founded in 1961 in Paris at 34 boulevard Saint-Germain, the trio created a stylish bazaar that included fabrics and wall papers, as well as stylish goodies for the home honed from their travels. And in case you were wondering why they chose the oval shape for their labels, it’s a nod to an 18th century medallion, suggesting the shields of ancient Rome.

The next time you’re strolling down Larchmont Boulevard in LA’s Hancock Park, pop into 202 N. Larchmont and savor the refined luxury of Diptyque, or give them a call at 323 962-3622. You won’t be disappointed.

Decorative Arts

The Clocks of Bullocks Wilshire

September 11, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Art Deco Clock, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Industrial Era Clock, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Modernist Clock, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier — Cubist Clock by Jock Peters, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Art Deco Clock, Cactus Room at Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Clocks. They represent the many faces of time. And what could be more elegant than these Art Deco clocks seen throughout the interior of the former Bullocks Wilshire department store. While these six stood out for me, research indicates that at least 30 of them were custom made for the many nuanced theme rooms in this cutting edge modernist masterpiece built over 85 years ago.

Yes, 1929 was an entirely different world. A world that didn’t include iphones or apple watches. It was a time when the automobile was the newest and most remarkable invention, along with the idea of air travel. Everything had to be done with great style. It was a bold new world that celebrated the joyous movement of speed. Remember as a kid how the comic strips made cars look like they were moving fast by drawing a couple of parallel lines behind the bumper? That in essence is what inspired the graphics of this particular era. While the 50’s and 60’s had the boomerang shape to represent the atomic age and the art nouveau era had its sinewy lines of curling opium smoke to thank for it’s graphic inspirations, the deco era of the 20’s and 30’s was rich with parallel lines representing speed. It translated beautifully to graphics like the clocks above, as well as large scale design lines on building exteriors. I’m constantly spotting hidden gems around Los Angeles that go completely unnoticed, desperately in need of good period paint jobs and some TLC. Streamline modern is so easy on the eyes because it’s all about scale, balance and simplicity. A little one story building can look sleek and magnificent, while something much bigger and spacious can look clunky and heavy. There was nothing cookie cutter about this era. Everything was a ‘total work of art’ born out of pride of craftsmanship, with an emphasis on beauty.

When I look at these clocks, I become lost in time, quite literally. Studying the curve of each number and the thickness or thinness of each line, I wonder what the artisans sketches and drawings might have looked like with each incarnation. I’m so thrilled that these little masterpieces still exist, and I hope their artistry inspires future generations.

Art, Decorative Arts, Interior Design

The Coco Chanel Room at Bullocks Wilshire

September 3, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com 4 Comments

Entrance to Coco Chanel Room, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Coco Chanel Room, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

George DeWinter Mural,1929, Coco Chanel Room, Bullocks Wilshire, Photo Romi Cortier

There’s so much to love at Bullock’s Wilshire, including the stunning Coco Chanel Room. Initially it housed ‘fine accessories’ and was known as La Chinoiserie, later becoming the famed Chanel Room guarded by her trademark bronze monkey’s. I was particularly smitten with the 4 delicate wall murals painted by George DeWinter. They’re so exquisite that I have to wonder if they’re ever been restored, or if they’re completely original.

Built in 1929, the Bullocks Wilshire Department Store was the premiere Art Deco shopping destination in Los Angeles until it was converted into the Southwestern Law School in 1994. The building is not open to the general public, however, once a year the building is open to the public for a special open house. And that, is when I made my entrance, scouring every corner of the building during the course of several hours. You’ll see several posts during the coming weeks from my tour. I regret that I couldn’t get this post published to celebrate Coco Chanel’s recent birthday on August 19th, but I’ve been in the throws of moving to a new residence… and we all know how daunting that can be.

This room is Stop #20 on the Self-Guided Tour, and is described as French Rococo Design. I have to take argument with that statement, as I think the room is actually French Neo-Classical Design. Everything about the room is so delicate, from the thin gold trimmed wall panels, to the very refined garlands above the mirrors. Rococo design is much heavier in overall appearance, with an emphasis on asymmetry and shell like curves. That said, Chinoiserie (Chinese-like) was popular during the Rococo era, so I can see why that association was made. Regardless, the Coco Chanel Room is what dreams are made of. Can you imagine your own walk-in closet with this sort of remarkable craftsmanship, it would be the epitome of refined elegance.

Interior Design

A June Celebration at The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica

July 1, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com 1 Comment

The Huntley Valet, Santa Monica, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier — The Huntley Hotel Valet, Santa Monica, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

The Huntley, Santa Monica, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier — The Huntley Hotel, Santa Monica, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

The Huntley Patio, Santa Monica, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier — The Huntley Hotel Patio, Santa Monica, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

I was recently invited to a dinner party at The Penthouse in The Huntley Hotel , for a very special surprise 90th birthday celebration. The guest of honor for this intimate sit down dinner was none other than June Lockhart. Since I arrived early, I took the opportunity to explore the Hotel which I’d never been to before. I have to say that I really loved their interior spaces, especially the tented garden patio on the second floor. I can see why this chic destination was chosen for our dinner.

Ms. Lockhart was born in June of 1925 after her parents were introduced by Thomas Edison… yes that Thomas Edison, inventor of so many things including the light bulb and the motion picture camera. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that June is one of the most vibrant women I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. When her granddaughter Christianna walked her into the bar at The Penthouse where 15 guest were eagerly awaiting her arrival, she lit up like a christmas tree and screamed with joy. Guests included architect Harry Gesner, her son and his wife, daughter June who organized the soiree, her trainer Linda with whom she’s worked out 3 days a week with for at least 2 decades, loyal family friends, and myself, her occasional hairdresser when her regular gal is out of town.

Our hostess, daughter June, had reserved us a table at the end of the restaurant by the massive picture windows, giving us a magnificent view of Santa Monica. Name cards were in place, and our specially designed menu was already taken care of. Hors d’ oeuvres came out platter after platter, the wine was poured, and we enjoyed our salads and entrees during the coming hours. I thought our 6:30 reservation would easily have us out by 9:00 … wrong. It was 11:30 before we all rolled out into the lobby of the hotel. It was one of those magical evenings that no one wanted to end. And I feel so lucky to have been included.

Did you know that the Lockhart family has 5 stars on Hollywoods Walk of Fame? June’s father Gene Lockhart has 2, one for Motion Pictures, the other for Television. Her mother Kathleen Lockhart has one for Motion Pictures, and June has 2, one for Motion Pictures, and the other for Film. June made her stage debut at 8, and has been making a living as an entertainer for over 80 years as she so eloquently told me at the salon one day. What a truly inspirational woman.

Where Art Inspires Beauty