Archive for the ‘Interviews’ Category
Interview with Grace Ellay Owner
Since we moved around the corner from Grace Ellay in Silver Lake, I’d been warily eyeing the boutique. I knew if I ventured inside, I’d wind up buying something. Grace Ellay had that look. The look that said: money is going to disappear from your wallet the minute you walk in because you’re going to see things you can’t live without. And when I visited Grace Ellay, I did purchased something, but it didn’t put as much of a dent in my wallet as I expected! The prices are remarkably lower than comparable boutiques, but the quality is super high. The owner, Ramey Arnold, has a great eye for unique clothing, jewelry and art. Ramey was super helpful and friendly, and even agreed to answer some questions about Grace Ellay and her experience owning a boutique in Silver Lake. Check it out!
Take Sunset: When did you open Grace Ellay?
Ramey Arnold: Grace Ellay opened in September 2007, and I have loved every single moment since.
Take Sunset: Why did you want to open your own boutique?
Ramey: I dreamed of opening my own business for almost ten years. I let the dream change and evolve until it took the right shape. Fundamentally, I knew I wanted to open a place that would attract like-minded people. I wanted all of the right elements to be involved, everything that I love: fashion, art, accessories, people, good conversation, wine…
Take Sunset: How would you describe Grace Ellay?
Ramey: I would describe it as a friendly and fashionable neighborhood gem. It’s a place to stop by and chat, pick out clothes that you look and feel good in, fall in love with a piece of art or an accessory, grab a gift for a friend, or just a treat for yourself. I love boutique shopping. So, I really wanted to give people a more affordable boutique option than they are used to. You know, go ahead, treat yourself and don’t feel guilty!
Interview With Designer Meredith Kleinman
Since establishing her own interior design and event styling studio in 2005, Meredith Kleinman has certainly made her mark in the Los Angeles design community. Her award-winning residential projects have been featured on Design Sponge and Apartment Therapy while attracting celebrity and other high-profile clients who are drawn to her creative and affordable work.
Kleinman took some time out of her schedule to talk about what inspires her – both in L.A and out:
Take Sunset: Where do you look for inspiration when you take on a new project?
Meredith Kleinman: I let the space tell me what it needs — when was it built, how it is situated in the land, if the circulation makes sense, and so I have ideas that stem from this. Then I let the client tell what they need (if they can) and who they are as people. Everything starts happening pretty fast after this.
TS: What are you biggest design and artistic influences?
MK: R.M. Schindler, Le Corbusier, anything Japanese, Tony Duquette, Giotto, Wary Meyers, William Morris, the sets on Pedro Almodovar’s films, and a thousand others.
Interview With Yardlift’s Janet Pace
Living in SoCal we have the luxury of year-round sunshine to help make our gardens grow, but transforming or updating an outdoor space into something truly special can often require the help of a professional.
Janet Pace knows all about the challenges homeowners face in keeping their gardens and outdoor space looking attractive. In order to turn her passion into a business, Pace, a longtime lover of outdoor environments, started Yardlift to help bring her clients’ visions to life.
Pace was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule and offer some tips:
Take Sunset: What do you like most about what you do?
Janet Pace: I love to create outdoor living spaces to mimic the indoors. By doing this you are giving you client a chance double their entertainment areas.
TS: What are your favorite types of projects to work on?
JP: I have become a huge fan of the “Drought tolerant” plantings they have such depth and texture. I still love my annuals and perennials. Building a garden really has to come from what the client desires to achive.
TS: What tips would you give a new homeowner looking to upgrade their outdoor space with a small budget?
JP: Clean it up! Take away all dead or over grown plantings. If you haven’t sat on it, enjoyed it or used it in the last year then it goes. This way you can go in and do a quick planting and mulch and you have a brand new yard. I use this on all my sites it gives the “lift” you need.
Interview with Bobbie Boutique Owner
Newly opened Echo Park boutique, Bobbie, carries cool, affordable lines like Mink Pink, Motel, BB Dakota, Jack by BB Dakota, and more. Bobbie’s owner Kate Moore was sweet enough to chat with Take Sunset about Bobbie, why she decided to open a boutique in Echo Park, and some of her favorite spots in the area.
Take Sunset: When did you open Bobbie?
Kate Moore: November 27, 2009.
TS: Why did you want to open your own boutique?
Kate: I had been a buyer/manager for four years at a store called Wolfgang in Florida. At 21, I decided to quit and move to Los Angeles alone to kind of do the whole get as far away from home as possible thing. After not working and living in downtown LA for about a year, I decided I missed the shop life, but I did not miss working under someone. So I decided to make my own shop, and here I am.
TS: How would you describe Bobbie?
Kate: Bobbie is affordable fashion forward clothing for everyone. Bobbie has something for everyone, and pieces that are versatile so you can wear them more than one way. I also try to get new stuff in frequently so that people have something new to look at every time they come in.
TS: Why did you want to open a boutique in the Echo Park/Silver Lake area? Read more…
Interview with Oou Owner Nina Galbert
While doing a little last minute holiday shopping, I popped into Oou in Los Feliz. I had been to the shop a couple times before, but honestly I try to keep my shopping to a minimum because I’m bad at browsing. When I shop, I like to shop. Oou has a fantastic mix of reasonably priced new items, vintage finds and higher-end pieces. It’s the perfect spot to find something special–a cute dress for a night out, an interesting piece of jewelry, or a vintage top. I ended up snagging a ridiculously cute Marc Jacobs lookalike handbag for $70 on my “holiday” shopping trip. The bag is gorgeous! And I hooked up an interview with Oou owner Nina Galbert.
Take Sunset: When did you open Oou?
Nina Galbert: I opened Oou with a former business partner August 8, 2000. So oou has been around for about 91/2 years! Hard to believe that it has been that long.
TS: Why did you want to open your own boutique?
Nina: I moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco and had dabbled a bit in retail. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so I suppose I’ve always wanted to have my own business. I love clothing so my own clothing shop made perfect sense!
TS: How would you describe Oou?
Nina: Oou to me is really reflective of how I (and many of my friends) approach fashion. It’s an eclectic mix of contemporary clothing with vintage, masculine/feminine and high and low prices.
TS: Why did you want to open a boutique specifically in the neighborhood of Los Feliz? Read more…
The Hive
Since moving to Los Angeles, I haven’t quite found my hair salon. Every salon I’ve tried has been really good, but still… None of them have been the one. I drive by The Hive all the time, since it’s right off Sunset, so I finally decided to check it out. Plus, the reviews on Yelp are fantastic. I was not disappointed. Lissa, The Hive’s owner, expertly trimmed my layers and agreed to answer a few of my questions, as well.
Take Sunset: I’ve been impressed by the small, boutique hair salons around Los Angeles, where prices are really reasonable. Can you speak about that phenomena?
Lissa: There are some really cute salons all around the city and seems all have their very own touch and twist to offer. I think we live in such a creative community and people really like to feel like they’re stepping into a space that’s more than just a hair shop, more of a meeting space where if you wanted to hang out all day you could. Silver Lake especially is a very cozy creative area of the city, so you definitely get shops that resemble that.
Take Sunset: Is that why you wanted to open a salon in Silver Lake specifically?
Lissa: I’ve lived on the east side for over five years and have always felt the most comfortable here, so it was only natural to want a shop that resembles my personality. Walking to work isn’t that bad too.
Take Sunset: Do you have some favorite restaurant or shops in the neighborhood?
Lissa: Wow, there are so many to name! I’m such a foody. I’m addicted to Mexican food, and Silver Lake is Mexican food capital. Siete Mares has great fish tacos, Alegria has really fresh, good Mexican food too, as well as Malo for a little LA twist. Also, for amazing atmosphere and food Cliffs Edge, and the bar at Edendale Grill are my top favorites. Casbah Cafe has amazing coffee and pastries and Pazza Gelato across the street is delicious too…. The list can go on and on. Other than work it’s mainly eating, I guess.
The Hive
1402 Micheltorena St
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 665-1028
www.thehive.la
Interview With Steve Jones Of bettershelter
If you keep your eye on the local real estate market or simply like to check out open houses on Sundays, chances are good you’ve come across the work of bettershelter. The brainchild of Steve Jones and Peter Zehnder, bettershelter’s goal has been to fill a void in Southern California’s housing market by providing affordable housing with a design aesthetic set in SoCal modernism (see their 1.7 Ocean homes in Costa Mesa for example).
The boutique real estate company based in Newport Beach first popped up on my radar when I read about this flip. Since then I checked out some of their other projects and they all impressed me just as much. Jones took some time out to answer a few questions about design, affordable housing and some of his local faves:
Take Sunset: What made you want to start bettershelter?
Steve Jones: We started bettershelter because we didn’t like what we saw in the market place and thought we could do better, most homes for sale were ugly! bettershelter started in Orange County, where most new homes are master planned communities with little character. A whole audience of home-buyers were being completely ignored.
Interview With Locali’s Melissa Rosen
A few months ago on my way to Gelson’s in Franklin Village I decided on a whim to stop and check out the little store I had driven by so many times called Locali. I had always been curious what this shop was all about and I had read a few things about it online, but since moving here from Chicago I had yet to get down with the West coast way of living organically and sustainably. Perhaps now was the time to start?
The self proclaimed “sustainable neighborhood market,” Locali aims to provide its customers “conscious convenience” – and it succeeds with that on many levels. With healthy and eco-friendly versions of most everything you’d find at a neighborhood convenience store, Locali gives Franklin Village and nearby Hollywood and Los Feliz residents an environmentally-friendly place to shop for everyday needs. They also serve up delicious salads, sides and sandwiches (The Franklin Phenomenon is my favorite).
Locali’s co-owner Melissa Rosen (herself a Franklin Village resident) was kind enough to answer some of my questions about how Locali got started, where it’s headed and what it all means.
Take Sunset: How do you feel Locali fits in with the local community?
Melissa Rosen: Locali’s aim is to provide delicious food and planet-friendly products to our community. I think the fact that we have garnered such wonderful support from our customers (and remarkably daily patronage from many) is not only a testament to the services we’re providing Franklin Village, but also a testament to the community-mindedness of Franklin Village residents. We are humbled by our customers spending their hard-earned money at a true mom and pop shop.
TS: What do you like about the community (Franklin village)?
MR: I know everyone says this, but t’s a real neighborhood. You run into the same people all the time. You have wonderful shops. Counterpoint Records & Books is one of the best places in L.A. to spend free time. Tailwaggers has one of the nicest staffs in the city. The proximity to Griffith Park doesn’t hurt either.
Read more…
Interview With Laurie March
Closing escrow and getting the keys to your new home is one of the most exciting moments of your life, but the duties of home-ownership that come next is where the real work begins. Laurie March started Laurie March Design to help her clients balance this crazy world of designers, contractors and construction and to help them achieve the main goal: creating a home that truly feels like home.
I was able to get the busy project manager to take some time out of her schedule and answer a few questions about her projects, design, and Los Angeles, as well as advice for first-time homeowners:
Take Sunset: What do you like most about what you do?
Laurie March: I’m a problem solver. I love the challenge of a home, the hidden history, the unreached potential, and the things you can do to make your surroundings support your life better. The busier we get as people, the more expectations we have of our home and how we want to feel in it at the end of the day. Contrarily, we become less able to do much of the maintenance necessary to upkeep a condo or home ourselves, regardless of what HGTV shows would tell you. I love helping homeowners feel like they are taking great care of their biggest investment, and that they are living to its full potential.
TS: What are the biggest challenges you face on a daily basis?
LM: One of the biggest challenges my company faces is working through the negative feelings homeowners have about contractors. Often people have been burned in the past by a disastrous working experience in a remodel, and they bring these emotions and expectations into working with the next guy. We work to educate homeowners every day about the process of a remodel, the costs, the steps, and expectations. Everything goes smoother when both sides have clear goals, know the milestones and language, and can get excited together about the progress.
Read more…
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