Archive for the ‘Local Businesses’ Category
Interview With Celebrity Stylist Denis De Souza
I recently interviewed celebrity hairstylist Denis De Souza over on Hair On The Brain. Denis is the hair color whiz behind Rachel Bilson’s gorgeous brunette locks. He can be found expertly painting on high and lowlights at Andy LeCompte Salon in West Hollywood. Denis was kind enough to answer some Take Sunset questions about his transition from native Brazil to Los Angeles, his favorite LA hot spots, and more. Check it out!
Take Sunset: How do you like living in LA?
De Souza: I’ve lived in big cities like Sao Paulo in Brazil, London, and now LA. I’ve been in LA for 10 years now, and I think it is fantastic! Not only do we have the best weather, but in a two hours, we have the desert, the beach, the mountains, the snow… We are really blessed.
Take Sunset: Since moving to LA, where have you lived?
De Souza: When I first moved here, I lived in Hancock Park. Now I live in Beverly Hills, but right on the border of West Hollywood.
Take Sunset: How do you like that area?
De Souza: I’m in a very quiet and safe area, but it’s just blocks away from all the shops, cafes, and restaurants on Robertson. And even better, I’m only a few blocks away from Andy LeCompte Salon where I work. It’s convenient and quiet. I love it! At the moment I rent there, but I’m hoping I can buy something next year.
Take Sunset: Do you gravitate toward a particular interior design style?
De Souza: Because I rent at the moment, I haven’t really gone all the way with a design that I like. I pick things I like and enjoy having at my apartment, but when I get my own place, I will trick it out just the way I want it to be! I love Kelly Wearstler, and I’d like to have a Hollywood Regency style mixed with a more contemporary look and simple lines.
Take Sunset: I love Kelly Wearstler! I miss Top Design. What’s your favorite LA restaurant?
De Souza: There are a few restaurants I love in LA, and that I go to often with friends, clients, or even on a date, like Cecconi’s, Sur, The Little Door, Mozza, and The Soho House, which I love!
Take Sunset: What are your favorite places in LA to shop for clothes?
De Souza: For clothes I like Opening Ceremony, Church, Maxfield…
Take Sunset: Where do you go for housewares?
De Souza: I like to browse at Cassina and all the design shops between Robertson and Beverly to get inspiration for when I’m ready to decorate my new home.
Thanks for answering all my questions, Denis! For more information on Denis De Souza, visit his website at denisdesouza.com. Or go see him in person at:
Andy LeCompte Salon
616 N Almont Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(310) 273-4100
Lake Boutique In Silver Lake
When I noticed a new shop going in near us on Silver Lake Boulevard, I got very excited. A new place to shop within walking distance! What would it be? Turns out it was Melissa Lovoy’s Lake, which originally opened in Silver Lake on Rowena Avenue back in February 2007. But now that Lake has moved right to Silver Lake Boulevard near my other favorite spots, like Lawson-Fenning, Grace Ellay, Yolk, LAMILL Coffee Boutique, and the 711, it’s in dangerous territory…
Lake is a small, casual shop, but Melissa’s background in clothing design gives her a great eye when picking a nice well-edited mix of women’s clothing and accessories from designers like Cynthia Vincent, Earnest Sewn, Elizabeth & James, Genetic Denim, James Perse, and Rag & Bone. Lake also carries an assortment of apothecary products, most of which are handcrafted by small manufacturers.
But I was most curious to check out Lake’s home collection, which includes textiles, ceramics and gifts, some of which are handmade. There are vases by Jonathan Adler, textiles by Kerry Cassill, ceramics by Coe & Waito, decoupage paperweights and plates by John Derian (want), porcelain by Mud Australia and Middle Kingdom, and more.
When I last stopped in, I couldn’t resist a beautiful Jonathan Adler and Middle Kingdom vase that went perfectly together. Which is why I’m going to have to limit my trips to Lake. If I go, I buy!
Lake
1618 1/2 Silver Lake Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 664-6522
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday & Monday: 12 pm to 6 pm
Happy Mid-Show Reception
Happy, one of my favorite stores in Los Feliz, is having a mid-show reception featuring work by Karen Frimkess Wolff (left) and Carlos Ulloa (right) this Friday, July, 2 from 6 to 10 pm. Fix Coffee of Echo Park will be on hand with treats. If you can’t make the reception, the exhibit will be on view at Happy until July 31st. Store hours are Monday – Saturday 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm. And Happy now has an online store.
Happy
4675 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 661-2200
Art Objects by Kelly Lamb
You may be familiar with Kelly Lamb’s work and not even know it–she designed interiors for Malo Restaurant and Lounge in Silver Lake, the Echo nightclub in Echo Park, TenOverSix boutique in West Hollywood, as well as interiors in New York City and upstate New York. Kelly is a multi-media artist as well as a designer, and some of Kelly’s smaller works of art are for sale, like this Geo-birdhouse. There is something soothingly ultra-modern about this bird house. I like how it sticks out, yet oddly compliments its natural surroundings. Inspired by the geodesic dome popularized by architect Buckminster Fuller, the round ceramic shape makes an ideal nesting place for all sorts of small birds. It’s available at areaware.com for $95.00.
Kelly also designs these great off-center geo-planters, perfect for the succulent in your life. They are handcast in concrete. The large is approximately 15″ in diameter for $195.00. The small is 9.5″ in diameter for $80.00.
She also designs and sells powder coated, metal and glass terrariums for $400. And you know how I feel about terrariums… In fact, Lauren’s comment on my original terrarium post is what led me to find Kelly Lamb in the first place!
To purchase the geo-planters or the terrarium, contact Kelly Lamb at kelly@kellylamb.net.
Terrariums!
I’ve always been strangely fascinated by terrariums. And the tiny moss and glass worlds are popping up everywhere lately. Just a few days ago, the New York Times even declared, “Terrariums Make a Comeback“, as if they’re the hot new fashion statement for summer.
I’ve been frustrated by caring for my hanging terrarium; watering them is an issue since there is no bottom drainage. But today I read some helpful advice on Botany Factory, explaining that my little guy only needs to be watered once every few weeks with a light spray from a spray bottle. Hopefully, it can be salvaged! I bought my hanging terrarium at Kelly Green Design in Silver Lake near Sunset Junction. It’s a cute shop that sells eco-friendly design and home products that are environmentally friendly and quite beautiful. I think Gillyflowers, also in Sunset Junction, sells terrariums too.
And if you have a super green thumb, you can make your own terrarium. Check out this how-to video from Sprout Home:
Image Sources: Twig Terrariums, Botany Factory
Barbrix In Silver Lake
I’ll admit it; sometimes I complain about eastside restaurants. But never about Barbrix. Since it opened in spring of 2009, Barbrix has been a favorite of Silver Lake residents and beyond. The simple, Mediterranean-inspired menu seems to be exactly what I’m always in the mood for. And Los Angeles Magazine recently named Barbrix one of the city’s ten “best new restaurants”.
Barbrix serves small plates, so you can taste many different things over the course of one meal. Some of my favorites are the pan seared sea scallops; the spring farro salad; the roasted cauliflower salad with chickpeas, green beans & charmoula dressing; and the deviled eggs (love these). The wine selection is stellar and reasonably priced for a bottle or a glass.
The ambiance at Barbrix is fantastic too. It’s a great place to go for a date or to relax and people watch. Just remember to make reservations if you go on a weekend.
Barbrix Restaurant and Wine Bar
2442 Hyperion Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 662-2442
Photo Source: Barbrix
Woolly Pocket: The Good Life Grows in Pockets
Rob and I are getting hitched in a scarily soon amount of time (invitations are coming, we swear) at Marvimon in Los Angeles, owned by Miguel Nelson who also owns Woolly Pocket, a company that makes flexible, breathable, modular gardening containers. Woolly Pockets comes in two styles: ones for horizontal surfaces and others to be hung on walls for vertical gardening. They can be used indoors and outdoors and have built-in moisture barriers to help protect furniture, but are durable enough to holdup outside. They’re perfect for LA where we often have space to garden, but no land to garden in.
Woolly Pockets are perfectly designed for vertical gardens–or living walls–which are an organized system of plants that grow vertically up a wall, fence, or other vertical surface. Vertical gardens are a beautiful way to show off plants, cover an unsightly wall, or create privacy in a courtyard. They can be installed by anyone and are uniquely easy to install, completely modular, and easy to maintain. Purchasing information and how to plant, water, and maintain your Woolly Pocket, is all available on their site.
Find out about Woolly School Garden, after the break. Read more…
Shag Apparel
You are probably familiar with the Orange County artist Shag, even if you aren’t aware of the name. His kitschy artwork portraying mid-century modern lifestyle has been put on everything from mugs to stationery to mouse pads to salt and pepper shakers. And next month, Shag is entering the fashion world with a men’s line that will include jackets, blazers, sweaters, T-shirts, button downs, pants, and hats.
Kevin Rheault is the president and creative director of the Long Beach-based Shag Apparel label, which has licensed Shag’s artwork for the line. He told the L.A. Times that his goal for the label was to “have people look like they’ve jumped out of a Shag painting.” Clearly, the look is vintage inspired, but the there’s also an updated, slim silhouette. Retail prices range from $34 up to $350. The line will be available beginning in June at R & R Menswear in Palm Springs, Disney Vault 28 in Anaheim, and Hansen Surfboards in Encinitas. The collection will also be sold online through Posterpop.com and at Shag Apparel’s own site by mid-July.
For those of you who would rather collect Shag art than wear the clothes, Shag: The Store in Palm Springs sells exclusive products and artwork not available online. And the store is having a grand opening party this Saturday, May 8th at 6pm.
Katherine Heigl in Los Feliz
Katherine Heigl and her husband Josh Kelley purchased this $2.55 million, 3,690-sq-ft, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home on N. Berendo Street in Los Feliz, back in 2007. Maybe she thought living on the Eastside would keep her out of the media spotlight?
Well, she was wrong. In hunting around for photos of her latest hairstyles for my other blog, I’ve seen paparazzi photos of her at all sorts of Los Feliz spots, including my favorite nail place in all of Los Angeles—Fancy Nails! So when I was there today, I had to ask the owner all about it.
She told me that Katherine has been coming to Fancy Nails for years– way before she was famous. But now when Katherine comes in to get her nails done, the paparazzi stays outside the entire time with their cameras pressed against the glass, clicking away and yelling questions–even climbing on the roof to get to another window. Crazy!
Eastsiders take note: Fancy Nails is seriously the BEST. I’ve tried a million places, but this nail spot is super clean, reasonably priced, and they do a great job. Just be sure to call ahead to make an appointment, bring cash, and wear comfortable shoes for paparazzi dodging, of course.
And for a little more information on Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley’s digs: The updated Southern Colonial style house was built in 1922. It has high ceilings, dark wood floors, and large crown molding. It boasts a large living room with a fireplace, and a formal dining room–both surrounded by lush gardens. It has a cozy den with a built-in entertainment center and French doors that open to the veranda. There is a gourmet kitchen with industrial appliances and breakfast area. French doors open to a private, well-planted grassy yard with a splash pool and spa. There is a gated drive and a two-car garage. Also, there is easy access to Katherine’s BFF, T.R. Knight, who also lives in Los Feliz. (Aw.)
Fancy Nails
2048 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 668-2019
Amsterdam Modern
I recently posted about the Sam Kaufman Gallery and promised to post about more of the great mid-century modern furniture stores in and around Los Angeles. Amsterdam Modern is another great example. It sells mid-century modern and beyond furniture and household items shipped directly from Amsterdam and purchase from both retail stores in Holland and directly from collectors.
Amsterdam Modern mainly targets dealers and retail stores, so most items are sold in original condition and not restored, but individual shoppers can find some unique pieces at reasonable prices. It’s located in a 5,000 square foot warehouse in Van Nuys, shared with Nationwide Classics, which sells classic and vintage cars exported from Europe. What’s better than checking out cool furniture and vintage Mercedes and Jaguars in the same day? You need to call ahead to make an appointment: 818-590-9100.
I love these birch Dutch modernist dining chairs with skai upholstery and nail head design. I particularly like the bold color blocking. There is a set of six dining chairs with two bent wood arm chairs and four side chairs.
This huge mid-century walnut dining table was custom made for an architect and his family. It extends to seat 12-14 and comes with 3 x 24″ extension leaves.
And how cool is this mid-century multi-arm brass chandelier? It has 18 arms, all in original condition. it needs some cleaning but it works!
Amsterdam Modern
14123 Bessemer Street
Van Nuys, CA 91404
818-590-9100
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