GLOBETROTTER
DESIGNER AMBER LEWIS TELLS US ALL ABOUT VENICE, LOS ANGELES
Designer Amber Lewis on how to live like a local in Venice, Los Angeles
the signature style of interior designer A mber Lewis effortlessly encompasses authentic California cool, and her debut book Made for Living (£32, Clarkson Potter) shows how we can achieve this laid-back look on this side of the pond. We snatched five minutes with Amber to ask how we can live like a local in Venice, Los Angeles.
First things first, where should we
stay? W hen you land at L A X, head to Hotel June (thehoteljune.com). It recently opened up in a mid-century building given a modernist makeover in West LA and looks great – though you might be tempted to spend all your time by the outdoor pool!
Best place for a smoothie? The Greentastic smoothie from Kreation Organic Kafe & Juicery (kreationjuice.com) is my favourite – it’s delicious and healthy, too. It’s made with orange juice, banana, avocado and almond milk.
What’s your favourite local eaterie?
I’d suggest you head to Felix (felixla.com) where all of the focaccia and pasta is made in-house. The menu changes seasonally, but I always order the sfincione focaccia when it’s available – it’s so light and airy – and the rigatoni all‘amatriciana is one of my favourite pasta dishes.
Where would you go for a shopping
moment? Check out Gjusta Goods (gjustagoods.com) at 324 Sunset Ave – the sister shop to the café and bakery. Pick up a copy of the Gjelina: Cooking from Venice,
California by Travis Lett. Oh, and don’t forget their seeded honey while you’re there.
Best spot for the ’gram? The Venice Canals are great for a stroll – modelled after Venice, Italy, this mini Californian version has picturesque bridges and walkways.
App to download before we go?
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop has an app called G. Spotting – it has good recommendations for places to eat and things to do.
The LA fashion label to note? Christy Dawn (christydawn.com) makes all her dresses sustainably from deadstock fabric repurposed from larger fashion houses that would otherwise go to waste.
Best for vintage finds? The Mart Collective (themartcollective.com) is great for vintage treasure. From art to furniture, it is stocked with many different sellers so you never know what you’ll find.
Don’t leave without visiting? The beach, of course! A bike ride along the boulevard is a must.
Last word on Cali... I’m transfixed by how you can fly an hour in one direction, or drive five hours in another, and you find yourself in completely different worlds. I love that I can jump from snowy mountains to forested lakes to some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, yet I always know I’m in California. This notion – consistency without uniformity – is the cornerstone of how I approach putting rooms together.