Posts Tagged ‘Hollywood’
Commune
Commune is the Los Angeles-based design firm behind the amazing Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs (pictures above and below). Commune was founded in 2004 with a diverse staff of interior designers, architects, and graphic designers. Using a collaborative mindset, they assemble a team for each project, whether it’s a residence, commercial space, retail environment, website, or corporate identity.
Aside from the Ace Hotel, Commune’s past commercial spaces include Heath Ceramics in San Fransisco, Oliver Peoples in Malibu, Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, retail design for the Standard Hotel in New York, and many more. Commune has designed residential spaces throughout LA, as well…
Gold’s Gym Hollywood
When I move to a new neighborhood or city, I’m not settled in until I have my nail salon and my gym. I know, priorities, right? It took me a while to pick my LA gym, but I ended up with Gold’s because, well, there wasn’t much option on the East side for a decent, reasonably priced gym.
Overall, I’m happy with my choice. At Gold’s there’s always a machine to hop on, even during peak hours (around 6 pm on weeknights and during mid-morning on the weekend). This is a bodybuilding-friendly gym, so there are tons of free weights and machines. In fact, on the first floor there is a whole room just for free weights. There’s also a main room with weight machines and small room for stretching and work with BOSU balls and balance boards. On the second floor there are classrooms for yoga, Pilates, and dance, and room with stationary bikes for cycling classes. Most of the classes are free. Plus, there are tons of treadmills, bikes, and elliptical machines, which each have their own TV–a must for any gym, in my opinion!
The parking is convenient. You get a parking pass when you sign up and there is a huge lot next door to the gym. Gold’s sells smoothies and other pre-packaged healthy snacks and meals, as well as some cute gym attire. I got some Hardtail leggings there that I wear to death. The gym is very clean, and the machines are in good condition and are fixed fairly quickly when they break. The locker room is basic: No frills, generic shampoo, body wash, lotion and q-tips. I wish they supplied higher-end products and towels, but I guess you have to pay more to get the good stuff. Gold’s recently discontinued their tanning services and replaced it with a water massage bed, but I have not tried it.
More of my Gold’s Gym review after the break, including the one thing that really bugs me about it.
James Franco’s Sunset Strip Home For Sale
8222 Marmont Lane
Los Angeles, CA 90069
3 BR, 3.5 BA
$3,695,000
Actor James Franco is selling his Sunset Strip home located just a hop, skip and a jump from local celeb-hangout the Chateau Marmont. I’ve enjoyed Franco in the few movies I’ve seen him in (Pineapple Express, Milk) and I enjoy is his taste in architecture and design as well (except for those bearskin rugs…hmmm…)
The house has a nice open floor plan, a Chef’s Kitchen with a La Cornue stove, and city views. Much of the design is classic Hollywood which I think is fitting for a house located on Marmont Lane.
Franco purchased the house in 2006 for $2,325,000 so he’s hoping that his upgrades pay off nicely. Overall I think it’s a pretty classy property that will make some lucky owner happy, but it might be a little overpriced. What do you think?
For the rest of the photos and more info, click here.
Tamarind Ave Deli In Hollywood
When I moved to Los Angeles one of the first things I searched for was a deli to get a good sandwich. Sure there was Canter’s but what I really wanted was a local sandwich shop to pop into on a Saturday afternoon and get an Italian sub with a bag of chips and an orange soda. I searched and I searched but nothing fit what I was looking for.
Then one day I was heading west on Sunset Blvd and I saw a sign that said simply: “Tamarind Ave Deli”. At first I thought it was too good to be true – could this really be what it proclaims itself to be? Was this a film set posing to be Chicago or New York? Was this truly a simple, no frills deli? The answer, to my shock and excitement, was YES.
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…
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