CHIC NOMAD
A STYL I ST ’ S GUIDE REVELLING IN THE MOVIE STAR ALLURE THAT PERMEATES LA AND BEYOND, STYLISTA SIBELLA COURT PICKS HER FAVOURITE PLACES TO HANG OUT IN THE CITY OF ANGELS.
Sibella Court cruises around the design hotspots of LA.
LOST & FOUND Everything you need for yourself, your children, and your home is here. Each piece feels curated – by owner and visionary, Jamie Rosenthal. Think handmade, global materials to mix and match. I was coveting handmade leather shoes, everything in the home store, a leather woven bag... The main store is manned and you can request which other ones (there are six) you would like to browse. I bought embroidered, smocked and patterned clothes for my daughter, jeans and sweater for myself and an African cotton dyed blanket for home. lostandfoundshop.com
RESTORATION HARDWARE HQ Just the thought and expense behind this fit-out is impressive, showcasing RH furniture in a residential setting. It is as though you are walking through an impressive house or 5th Avenue apartment. This is architecture blurred with the retail experience. I was green with envy at the terrace and wanted to invite my friends over for an afternoon of lounging around playing ping pong and pool and drinking rosé under the ancient olive trees, and lighting the fire pits as the sun sets. restorationhardware.com/ thegalleryonmelroseavenue
RAG & BONE Even if you don’t feel like clothes shopping, pop into Rag & Bone on Melrose Avenue for the shop fit-out alone. I could definitely move my home or office in here. Sandblasted herringbone joists line the ceiling, and there is beautiful metal work on the doors, stairs and signage. I couldn’t resist the espadrilles. rag-bone.com
IMOGENE + WILLIE (UNDISCLOSED) This place is amazing, selling handcrafted, tailored to fit jeans. It is only open on certain days, so check before you go. It’s a shared space with a motorcycle detailing company among others. A cavernous place with the shop part cleverly defined by an authentic Berber tent sitting in the middle – an incredible visual blast. imogeneandwillie.com/undisclosed
OBSOLETE This place just makes my heart skip a beat. Edging on the side of curated museum, it’s full of ever-changing vintage curiosities, lighting, artwork and furniture displayed as installations in ways that make you smile. This old warehouse is a must and don’t miss the garden with silver birch, bonsais and an outdoor dining room. obsoleteinc.com BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART This is a one-stop shop that has some of my favourites including James Perse, Pippa Small and Calypso Home with a Farmshop, designed by Home Studios. Serving goodness all day long with seasonal Californian food. brentwoodcountrymart. com/shops
MISTER FREEDOM A treasure trove of vintage clothing from the 1850s. This is the place to find great clothes and books or shop their twice-yearly collections for pieces based on historically original clothing that never go out of fashion. Check out the visual merchandising and tags – they alone make me buy things! misterfreedom.com
NICKEY KEHOE Helmed by Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe who have great taste and are curators of thoughtful design. Not only can you gather inspiration from their shop, you can also hire them to transform your home. nickeykehoe.com
BLACKMAN CRUZ I remember my first visit to BC about 20 years ago and being impressed by an original baby blue velvet settee that fabulously sat with the expertly curated vintage lighting, objects, furniture and art that Blackman Cruz is known for. To visit this cavernous galleryatelier-emporium is an afternoon well spent. blackmancruz.com
COUNTY LTD If you love 20thcentury design and the likes of Isamu Noguchi, Carl Auböck and Barbara Hepworth, this is the place for you. Furniture, objects, pottery, books and cool stuff. The consignment store next door, Gift of Garb, makes it well worth the trip. countyltd.com; giftofgarb.com
GARDE New wares for the home orchestrated by Scotti Sitz and partner John Davidson, who has an eagle eye for great design by local and global exponents. gardeshop.com