Blue Door Magazine | Issue 28

Coastal Gems

BY WAY OF THE JOHN STANALAND GROUP

34 Boulder View | Irvine

$21,995,000 | 7 BEDROOMS, 7 BATHROOMS, 3 POWDER ROOMS

APPROXIMATELY 9,202 SQUARE FEET OF LIVING AREA

APPROXIMATELY 23,566 SQUARE FOOT LOT

There are luxury homes—and then, there is pure architectural bliss. Nestled inside Shady Canyon, on the 6th hole of the Tom Fazio golf course, this masterpiece of designer living by architect Rob Sinclair and builder Bob Close Homes has everything to take your lifestyle to the height of perfection. Enter to find a light-filled space brimming with custom features and numerous panoramic windows and sliders opening up to the lush exterior grounds, ideal for indoor/outdoor living. This estate offers the pinnacle of luxury.

Web# LG24043194

11 MONTAGE WAY | LAGUNA BEACH

$37,700,000 | 5 BEDROOMS, 6 BATHROOMS,

2 POWDER ROOMS

Commanding a front-row position at the world-famous Montage Laguna Beach Resort with incredible ocean views, this impressive contemporary estate defines luxury living. Web# LG22224699

2342 MESA DRIVE | NEWPORT BEACH

$32,000,000 | 5 BEDROOMS, 5 BATHROOMS,

1 POWDER ROOM

Available for the first time and set on an approx. 2.7-acre gated equestrian lot adjacent to Back Bay, this property features privacy unparalleled by any other offering in the area. Web# LG23145801

Detailed Architecture Overlooking the Pacific Ocean

230 MORNING CANYON

Corona del Mar | LP $12,750,000

Thoughtful Transitional Contemporary Design Coming Soon

314 EVENING CANYON Corona del Mar | $11,995,000

1233 BAYSIDE, CORONA DEL MAR SOLD

REPRESENTED SELLER | OFFERED AT $17,995,000

It’s with great pride that I share with you the successful sale of 2033 Bayside Drive. This sale was particularly complex, but immensely rewarding. Representing the sellers of such an exquisite property was an immense privilege.

The journey to this accomplishment was paved with dedication, strategic negotiation, and a deep understanding of our unique market dynamics.

The real estate market today presents a myriad of opportunities, and positioning yourself effectively is more critical than ever. Whether you are considering selling, buying, or simply exploring your options, I am here to provide you with the insights and guidance you may seek to make informed decisions.

I would be honored for the opportunity to discuss how we can best position you in today’s market.

Anthology Interiors is a full-service interior design firm that serves residential clients and delivers homes designed from the inside out, focusing first on function, then on design, and delivering within budget and on time. Our homes have a timeless modern design and we design in a client-centric manner so that each home is as individual as the clients within.

JOSH BUSTOS PHOTOGRAPHY

“Once you live with good art, you’ll never want to live without it.”

— SCAPE Client

BE ART INSPIRED

Art has the power to transform spaces and moods, enhancing and enriching the design and architecture of a home.

To place special artworks that reflect the personalities of the home and its owners, we work closely with our clients to collaborate in accessing their personal tastes and objectives.

WHEN TO THINK OF US

– For guidance with fine art acquisitions

– For art layout and art installation services

– For fine art framing

– For art collection management

– For art value updates for insurance purposes

– For art packing, transportation and storage

– For virtual presentations of art placement

– For art expertise and connoisseurship

88 Real Estate Gallery

Exclusive OC real estate listings from Blue Door Magazine members.

108 Exquisite Bayfront

A Newport Beach gem epitomizes luxury living.

112 Maximizing Market Trends

Five factors to selling on Lido Isle.

114 Tour of Beauty

A creative design and real estate team creates a premium stop on the Corona del Mar Home Tour.

118 Building Dreams

Regal Construction is crafting spaces that reflect homeowners’ dreams.

120 PS, We Love You

BlakeHaus was a love letter to Palm Springs Modernism.

128 Hilbert’s New Home

The art and architecture of OC’s newest art museum at Chapman University.

142 Harlem Lights

The Met highlights the creativity of the Harlem Renaissance.

152 Caftan Couture

Cameron Silver’s homage to the global garment.

ON THE COVER

A visitor to The Honarkar Foundation in Laguna Beach admires a work by Tony DeLap, one of the most influential artists and arts educators in OC history.

Tony DeLap | A Survey of Works: 1960s-2000s at The Honarkar Foundation featured more than 50 paintings, sculptures, and drawings and offered an opportunity to witness the evolution of DeLap’s vision.

Next at The Honarkar Foundation: Peter Alexander.

Photograph courtesy of The Honarkar Foundation.

thehonarkarfoundation.org

EDITORIAL

editorial@bluedoormagazine.com

ART DIRECTOR

Randi Karabin

randi@bluedoormagazine.com

SENIOR EDITOR

Jenny Reed

COPY EDITOR

Carrie Lightner

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Jenn Woolson

CONTRIBUTING

PHOTOGRAPHER

Hugo Landa Garcia

CFO

Jan Super

208.721.7926

jan@bluedoormagazine.com

FOUNDER

Justin Williams 208.720.2142

justin@bluedoormagazine.com

FOUNDING

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/

EDITOR EMERITUS

Kedric Francis

Blue Door Magazine is published by Aspect Media LLC

Copyright © 2024 Aspect Media LLC

All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by the authors and contributors to Blue Door Magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.

Pure Design House works at the forefront of innovation in both style and practice. We’re constantly exploring cleaner materials, techniques and technologies for interior architecture and design. We’re creating a future of healthier custom spaces with fewer toxins created to inspire, comfort, and become a sanctum of happiness, health and wellbeing for our clients.

Dear Readers,

As we embark on our journey into the sixth year of Blue Door Magazine 's existence, I am filled with gratitude for the vibrant community we serve and the incredible growth we've witnessed together. Since our inception, Blue Door Magazine has not only mirrored the prosperity of our community, but has also contributed to it in meaningful ways.

Our magazine's unique focus on storytelling within the realms of art, architecture, design, real estate, and coastal living has granted me a profound understanding of the aesthetic and values that shape the lives of our readers. It's a privilege to celebrate these stories with you, aiming to entertain, inform, and inspire along the way.

This month marks an exciting chapter in our journey as we unveil two new platforms of content for your enjoyment. I am delighted to introduce our new YouTube Channel, where meticulously produced short films will showcase Coastal Orange County's most exquisite listings, innovative interior designs, architectural wonders, inspiring artworks, and the latest trends shaping our region's aesthetic landscape. Additionally, I am thrilled to present a filmed podcast featuring insightful conversations with prominent figures in real estate, design, architecture, and the arts scene. These platforms aim to provide a deeper understanding of our coastal community's dynamic tapestry.

In this issue of the magazine, you can expect our usual deep dive into art, architecture, and culture with stories on the beautiful new Hilbert Museum of California Art in Orange, Laguna Art Museum’s Quinn collection exhibition, and the Tony DeLap show at the incredible Honaker Foundation for Arts & Culture in Laguna Beach, among others.

Thank you for being a part of our journey, and I hope you enjoy the exciting new content we have in store for you.

Justin Williams Founder

208.720.2142

BLUE DOOR MAGAZINE LAUNCHES INSPIRING FILMS & PODCASTS

Blue Door Magazine proudly presents the launch of two captivating additions to our platform, offering a multi-dimensional experience for our audience.

Introducing our new YouTube Channel, showcasing meticulously produced short films highlighting Coastal Orange County's most exquisite listings, innovative interior designs, architectural wonders, inspiring artworks, and the latest trends shaping our region's aesthetic landscape.

We're also thrilled to introduce a filmed podcast featuring insightful conversations with prominent figures in real estate, design, architecture, and the arts scene, providing a deeper understanding of our coastal community's dynamic tapestry.

Whether you prefer to watch our films or read about them, Blue Door Magazine has you covered. Dive into our print editions to explore these fascinating stories in detail, or access them conveniently online and via our social media platforms.

Simply scan the QR codes below to enjoy this enriching journey with us!

Instagram @bluedoormagazine

YouTube @bluedoormagazine

Scan to sign up for our newsletter

FOR THE CHILDREN

Childhelp’s 38th annual “For the Love of a Child” Fashion Show and Luncheon sponsored by South Coast Plaza drew more than 250 guests at the Balboa Bay Resort. Co-Chairs Julie Adams, Patricia Ford, and Kelly Haugen and Honorary Chair Patti Edwards organized the Orange County Chapter’s spring fundraiser, raising over $550,000 for Childhelp’s lifechanging programs for abused and neglected children.

After a welcome by Orange County Chapter Co-Presidents Gina Van Ocker and Pam Pharris, guests were treated to a stunning showcase of spring fashions from top designers

Photos by John Watkins

at South Coast Plaza. The fashion show was presented by the incredibly talented Shannon Davidson and her production team. Honorary Chair Patti Edwards presented the Inspirational Award to the founders of “Christmas is Not Cancelled,” Ale Boggiano and Jen Lilley, for their dedication to children in need.

The event was a success thanks to the support of South Coast Plaza, and underwriters, volunteers, and donors, including Stardust Donor the Madeline & Marvin Gussman Family Foundation; Diamond Donors Terry and George Schreyer; Emerald Donors Olivia Abel, The Crean Foundation, Patti and Jim Edwards, and Nancy and Art Youngman; as well as generous Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Donors.

Childhelp is proud that85 cents of each dollar raised is invested into serving children in need at three group homes in Costa Mesa and the Childhelp Merv Griffin Village in Beaumont. childhelp.org

1. Hailey Womack

2. Kelly Haugen, Rosalie Puleo, and Debra Violette

3. Desiree Brown, Mary Allen Dexter, and Betty Volk

4. Ale Boggiano and Jen Lilley award recipients and Patti Edwards

5. South Coast Plaza’s Stephanie Rogers, Co-Chairs Kelly Haugen, Patricia Ford, and Julie Adams, and Honorary Chair Patti Edwards

6. Beverly Cohen and Joan Ashton

7. Michelle Arena of Bally South Coast Plaza and Katherine Meredith

Shannon Argyros 9. Madison Arnett and Pam Pharris

The ChildHelp Fashion Show from South Coast Plaza brands and boutiques Bally, Lanvin, MaxMara, Missoni, Michael Kors Collection, Monique Lhuillier, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

LET’S SAVE LIVES GALA

Photos by Tony Lattimore

An enthusiastic crowd of 250 gathered at City National Grove of Anaheim for Kure It Cancer Research’s Let’s Save Lives Gala. BALLY South Coast Plaza dressed board members and supporters for a fashion show prior to the event’s dinner and program, and the live auction included a South Coast Plaza package with a Bally gift certificate, and dinners at Knife Pleat, AnQi, and Calo Kitchen + Tequila.

The gala focused on Kure It’s dedication to the community. Speakers shared how Kure It has been a beacon of hope for them and their loved ones after a cancer diagnosis.

City of Hope physician Dr. Danny Nguyen spoke about City of Hope’s advanced lung cancer treatment with clinical trials geared to have personalized treatments for each person.

Kure It Board Chair Todd Perry welcomed guests and introduced new board chair Julie Alai. He explained that Kure It directly funds

researchers targeting underfunded cancers, and provides grants from $50,000 to $250,000 to help get an innovative idea off the ground until more significant funding can be secured to take the research to the next level.

Perry introduced Larry Zeiber, City of Hope of Orange County’s Vice President of Philanthropy, who said that City of Hope is the only cancer specialty hospital studying integrative therapies, with more than 800 clinical trials working to do so. “Thank you, Kure It, for bringing hope to our community,” Zeiber said.

Kure It’s close relationship to the researchers they fund allows them to connect their network of donors to the best care in a timely and personal way. Kure It has raised nearly $15 million for cancer research since it was founded by Barry Hoeven in 2007.

kureit.org

Sponsor

4. Traci and Mike Brady, COO Westport Properties 5. Jessica and Daniel Bovee 6. Longtime supporters

1. Gemma Cooper, Jaime Hoeven, and Jennifer Johnson

2. Sponsor Jenny Smyth, board member Paul McDonald, sponsor Julie Alai

3. Board member and

Drew Hoeven with wife Jaime

Linda and Burton Young 7. Board Chair Todd Perry modeling Bally

It was the fabulous 50th anniversary of the CdM Home Tour, sponsored by VALIA Properties and Barclay Butera and was attended by many friends and neighbors who provided incredible support and rallied behind local schools. Their presence helped to provide much-needed resources and support for CdM Middle School and CdM High School, helping to shape the future leaders of tomorrow.

The tour is an annual full-day event that includes breakfast, tours of stunning homes, lunch with pop-up boutiques, and an after-party. The day could not have succeeded as it did without event chair Gina Jaha, the CdM Home Tour team and all the volunteers; the CdM PTA Executive Board; principals and school board leaders; school cheerleaders, drumline, and jazz ensemble. The generosity and unwavering commitment to the community inspired everyone to continue making a positive impact.

cdmhometour.com

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

CdM High School Drumline

Presenting Sponsors, VALIA Properties –Steve Sergi, Sarah Gaulke, Adisen Little, Randy Kershaw, Jason Foreman, Simon Duyungan

VALIA Properties – Sarah Gaulke, Dugally Oberfeld- Natasha Hogan, Laura Brophy from Laura Brophy Interiors

Presenting Sponsor Barclay Butera Interiors – Barclay Butera

CdM Home Tour Committee – Brooke Hutchinson, Missy Link, Brigid Cianfrani, Carrie Potter, CdM Home Tour Chair Gina Jaha, Stacey Day, Stephanie Walsh, Becky Chanawatr

6. Alexandra Taylor and Deena Nichols

7. Happy Dad Ambassadors with Happy Dad Sr. Director of Sales Joe Sandoval

8. Mother’s Market team members Han Trinh and Michael Lino handed out Mother’s new Organic Cold-Pressed Juices and Non-GMO Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites.

9. Miranda Morton and Michele Kafer from Luxe Design

10. Vinny Giovenelli, Stephanie Peterson, Justin Williams, Gian Mandelli from Tidelli 11. Laura Brophy from Laura Brophy Interiors, Justin Williams

Installation view of Tony DeLap | A Survey of Works: 1960s-2000s at The Honarkar Foundation of Arts & Culture in Laguna Beach

ICON OF ART

Tony DeLap may be Orange County’s most important visual artist.... ever. Explore his work at the The Honarkar Foundation for Arts & Culture, a once-secret space in an historic Laguna Beach building

Tony DeLap (b. 1927, Oakland, CA; d. 2019, Newport Beach, CA) was a pivotal figure on the West Coast and was at the nexus of significant art movements throughout his six-decade career. Recognized as a pioneer of West Coast Minimalism and Op Art, DeLap’s influence extended to the development of hard-edge painting, the California Light and Space movement, and site-specific installation.

Tony DeLap | A Survey of Works: 1960s-2000s at The Honarkar Foundation features more than 50 paintings, sculptures, and drawings and offers an opportunity to witness the evolution of DeLap’s visionary oeuvre, from his pioneering “floating” sculptures of the 1960s to his mesmerizing explorations of form and illusion in the 2000s. Spanning decades, the exhibition highlights DeLap’s iconic geometric forms, meticulous craftsmanship, and intriguing optical illusions, offering insight into his early studies of perception and space, as well as his later explorations of color, shape, and material.

Founded in 2019, The Honarkar Foundation is a cultural organization dedicated to supporting and promoting arts, culture, and education in Laguna Beach. The Foundation envisions a world where the arts and humanities are not exclusive privileges, but rather resources that inspire, empower, and connect.

Launched in 2023 and situated within the historic former post-office building where reclusive millionaire art collector Gerald Buck stored his collection, the expansive 4,200-square-foot exhibition space is dedicated to showcasing a rotating series of curated shows, with a specific focus on Southern California artists. The space will also play host to a diverse range of public programming and collaborations, including performances, screenings, and discursive events.

The Foundation’s overarching mission is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where art becomes a conduit for dialogue, exploration, and community engagement.

Pocus, Tony DeLap, 1968

Tony DeLap’s influence extends far beyond his own artwork. As a founding faculty member and esteemed teacher at the University of California, Irvine, he inspired subsequent generations of artists and scholars, leaving an indelible mark on the contemporary art landscape.

UCI played a pivotal role to the development of contemporary art. In 2011-2012, the Laguna Art Museum exhibition UCI and the Development of Contemporary Art in Southern California, 19641971took a look at UCI’s formative years.

In 1964, John Coplans was appointed director of the University Art Gallery. One of the first art professors Coplans recruited was Tony DeLap. UC Irvine was a hotbed of creativity and experimentation in the 1960s and early ’70s, a hub of innovation where exceptional teachers such as DeLap, Robert Irwin, and Vija Celmins taught talented students like Alexis Smith, Chris Burden, and Nancy Buchanan

This exhibition was part of Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA 1945-1980. The event was a collaboration of more than 60 cultural institutions across Southern California that came together for six months beginning in October 2011 to tell the story of the birth of the Los Angeles art scene and how it became a major new force in the art world.

PST ART (previously known as Pacific Standard Time), the largest art event in the United States, will return for its third edition on September 15, 2024, engaging audiences throughout Southern California with the theme of Art & Science Collide

With the support of nearly $20 million in grants from Getty, dozens of cultural, scientific, and community organizations will present more than 60 deeply researched exhibitions and an extraordinary spectrum of public programs over the course of five months, all exploring the intersections of art and science—past, present, and in the imaginable future. Topics of the unprecedented initiative range from biotechnology to sustainable agriculture, from ancient cosmologies to Indigenous sci-fi, and from artificial intelligence to environmental justice.

Dr. Q 1967, brushed stainless steel, lacquer

Orange County exhibitions during PST 2024 will include Transformative Currents. The collaboration between Oceanside Museum of Art , Orange County Museum of Art, and Crystal Cove Conservancy examines the historical causes and ongoing effects of the cultural and environmental devastation of the Pacific Ocean and harnesses art’s potential to enact positive ecological change, both local and planetary.

In many ways, the evolution of the OC art scene since the 1960s in addressing world-changing topics can be traced to the influence of Tony DeLap. The exhibition at The Honaker Foundation for Arts & Culture not only celebrates DeLap’s remarkable achievements but also pays homage to his enduring legacy and ongoing impact on the art world.

Tony DeLap | A Survey Of Works: 1960s-2000s Through May 4, 2024

The Honarkar Foundation for Arts & Culture

298 Broadway Street Laguna Beach thehonarkarfoundation.org

Left: Asconio, 1986, acrylic on canvas, wood

Right: Subterfuge in Blue, 1991, acrylic on aluminum, wood

Iconic SoCal art from the Joan and Jack Quinn Family Collection at Laguna Art Museum

ON THE EDGE

Portrait of Joan and Jack, 1983, by Jim McHugh. Courtesy of the Quinn Family Art Collection

Joan and Jack Quinn represent a crucial moment in art history, as Los Angeles came to symbolize an innovative and prolific brand of creative freedom. On the Edge: Los Angeles Art from the Joan and Jack Quinn Family Collection, at Laguna Art Museum through September 2, 2024, explores the vital role the Quinns played in both documenting and contributing to the story of Los Angeles art.

The exhibition highlights the family’s collection, primarily amassed from the 1960s to the 2000s. Works in the exhibition will explore what have become today’s mainstream themes in art movements and highlight how the Quinn family has formed friendships, ansupported and promoted major artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Larry Bell, Lynda Benglis, Vija Celmins, Billy Al Bengston, Kenneth Price, Frank Gehry, David Hockney, Carol Caroompas, Ed Moses, Astrid Preston, Ed Ruscha and many more.

Generously sponsored by Bank of America, Christie’s, and JHM Foundation, On the Edge promises an enriching and immersive encounter with the diverse expressions of Southern California art. The exhibition showcases the Quinn family’s pivotal role in shaping the Los Angeles art scene and emphasizes the dynamic evolution of artistic styles over the decades.

In the early 1950s, a 17-year-old Joan Agajanian met the brash young Billy Al Bengston while both were working at Desmond’s department store on Crenshaw Boulevard. Bengston was Joan’s initial connection to Ed Kienholz, Ed Moses, Ken Price, and others. Those artists were a close-knit group affiliated with the Ferus Gallery.

Joan met Jack Quinn at the University of Southern California where she was studying to be a teacher, and he was a law student. They were a happily married couple for 56 years until Jack’s passing in 2017. Together, they raised identical twin daughters, Amanda and Jennifer. Collectively, the family has amassed artworks by Los Angeles’ most prominent artists that document the development of contemporary art in the area, and uniquely, the family itself.

Above: BV#3, 1974/1975, by Ed Moses. Courtesy of the Quinn Family Art Collection.

Right: Jack, 1998, by Don Bachardy. Courtesy of the Quinn Family Art Collection.

The Quinns’ home became a meeting place for their diverse group of friends ranging from the arts, the social set, and the legal community. Joan, who notoriously had a camera in tow, documented these gatherings where friendships were deeply established and patronage of the arts was encouraged.

In 1978, Andy Warhol asked Joan to join his Interview magazine as its West Coast editor. She also became the LA Herald Examiner society editor known as “Culture Cween” and wrote for national and international publications. Jack actively championed their circle of artists by connecting them with the legal community. Artist Joe Goode once said the Quinns were a “primary support system for artists in L.A. at a time when you could count the city’s art dealers on one hand.”

Joan, called one of the most painted, sketched, and sculpted women alive by W Magazine , has been a subject for artists such as David Hockney, Shepard Fairey, Claire Falkenstein, Steven Arnold, George Hurrell, Yolanda Gonzalez, Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Newton, Robert Graham, and Matthew Rolston, to name a few. The exhibition includes over 25 portraits of Joan and the Quinn family, a poignant representation of friendship, appreciation, and respect.

A PAIR (portrait of Joan & Jack)1980, by Alexis Smith. Courtesy of the Quinn Family Art Collection.

On the Edge: Los Angeles Art from the Joan and Jack Quinn Family Collection Through September 2, 2024

Untitled (portrait of Joan Quinn), 1984, by Matthew Rolston. Courtesy of the Quinn Family Art Collection.

SPRING STYLE

South Coast Plaza is home to the world’s best-of-the-best brands and boutiques. Look no further for fashion and home inspiration, including the hottest items for this season as well as iconic items to last a lifetime.

Balenciaga, South Coast Plaza

Pleated drape dress.

Maison Margiela, South Coast Plaza

Loewe, South Coast Plaza

Polo dress. Flamenco Purse. Ease sandal.

Ferragamo, South Coast Plaza Forest green coated linen short-sleeve cargo shirt. Black natte wool tailored trouser. Forest green leather bag. Black loafer.

Baccarat, South Coast Plaza

Clear and black Louxor round vase. Louxor catch-all. Lucky butterfly.

OC IS SET FOR BRUNCH

Popular Newport Beach hotspot SET

Steak & Sushi at Pendry Newport Beach debuts a weekend brunch menu.

“I believe brunch is a lost art,” says SET Steak & Sushi Chef James Jung. “SET is the perfect setting to kick off brunch and to bring new and old friends together. We will set a new standard in the market for food, energy, and atmosphere. Guests will experience some of my favorite brunch dishes like the Mixed Berry French Toast and Loaded Smoked Salmon Bagel.”

Other highlights of the new brunch menu include Maine Lobster and Chorizo Scramble, the Cali Benedict with Serrano ham, poached egg, and lemon hollandaise, and the Clever Caviar Fox, which includes Osetra caviar, blinis, egg, onion, and everything crème fraiche. Of course, fun specialty cocktails and bottomless mimosas are available too! Guests can dine inside in the ultra-luxury yacht-inspired lounge or alfresco on the lush, garden-inspired patio.

SET Steak & Sushi

Pendry Newport Beach

690 Newport Center Drive

Newport Beach setnewport.com

MEET ME AT République

The magic in a morning café rendezvous

By Elyssia Koulouris

It’s 8:30am on a foggy Los Angeles morning, jasmine is in full bloom, trees are no longer bare. The mornings have a chill, afternoons offer a taste of summer, and evenings are for cozying up with a novel.

It’s your favourite time of year, spring. On this particular chilly morning, you decide to take yourself out for a treat. But treats taste better when they’re shared, don’t they? You remember an old friend of yours is in town, someone you’ve known since you were a teenager. You’re on the brink of 30 this year. He’s an old school friend with whom you’ve never crossed the boundary, that’s basically why you can still be friends. You smirk to yourself at the stupidity of that idea.

Old friends like that will always be frozen in innocence, in a snapshot of life barely starting, in a feeling of wanting to turn 16 because that somehow felt mature to you—house parties, pretending to be drunk, first kisses, and bike riding on summer nights. You remember when you studied French in eighth grade and the teacher caught you drawing inappropriate interpretations of her in your diary; your friend took the blame and got detention.

He’s a keeper, you thought at the time. Would it be weird to ask him to join you?

After all, he rarely visits Los Angeles; it would be nice to catch up. As an adult, you don’t really need to live out of each other’s pockets to appreciate one another. You’ve kept in touch over the years; he’s always there cheering you on. You’ve seen

him cycle through partners, succeed in jobs, and reach out if the road gets too rocky. He’s seen you move countries, comforted you in times of need, and expressed his curiosity about your new life.

You decide to call him. Why not? Breakfast is designed to be shared.

“Hello!” He knows who it is and you can feel the delight on the other end of the phone.

“Hey! How are you?” you ask.

“I’m good, how are you? It’s early,” he declares.

“I know, I know. But I’m an early riser these days,” you brag.

“How long are you in town?” you ask.

“Until the end of the week…Sunday I think. I have to double-check the flight info,” he says.

“Well, I was calling on a whim, but I’d love to see you this morning if you’re free? One of my favourite cafés is open early and I’d love to show it to you....” Your excitement takes over.

“I’d love that,” he replies.

“You can get dropped off at my place and we can walk there”

“Sounds great. I can be there in 15,” he says.

“Perfect,” you say.

As you hang up you are reassured at the ease of this person. You are reminded of your sentimentality, which is sometimes a hindrance to you; it prays on your sensitivity. But not with him. He brings familiarity and comfort, that friend who never judges but offers advice and an ear when needed. You want to show him your favourite LA spot. It’s been a while since you’ve visited, it almost feels like the first time, which makes it even more thrilling. You are fortunate to live within walking distance of this gem of a place. A brisk 10-minute stroll and you’re there.

***

Frozen in the year 1928 is the utterly charming République Café Bakery & Bistro in the historic Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles. You’ve heard that the building was originally built by comedic genius and filmmaker, Charlie Chaplin, and designed by renowned architect, Roy Seldon Price. A Spanish revival enthusiast yourself, you bask in the beauty of the 1920s and buildings like these. The outdoor area and its details transport you to a time where mouldings, vibrancy, and elaborate details were romanticized, cherished. Spanish tiles, a three-tier fountain, and spiral columns frame the entryway.

Immediately you are in the throes of history.

You hope he appreciates the romanticism of this place as much as you. You open the glass door, step onto the black and white tiles, and are seduced by the smell of buttery pastries, espresso, and freshly baked sourdough. This place feels like that sweet welcome from a grandparent who is delighted to see you, feed you, and make you feel at home. One step into that familial warmth, and you can’t help but feel at ease in this environment.

You both stand in line.

Of course a place of such beauty has a line, you say to yourself. He doesn’t mind; he is busy being seduced by the place.

You notice expressions of patrons gushing over the cabinet of baked goods, it rubs off on you, he does the same. You both gaze in awe at the croissants, custard tarts topped with fresh strawberries and blackberries, pies, brioche, the ultimate comfort. You watch as iPhones are pulled out of pockets to capture the abundance. You are delighted that he does the same. Maybe to send back to his family or post on his Instagram story. It doesn’t matter. The overwhelming scene of the morning rush, the sound of

the coffee machine...your heart pounds as you wait for your turn to order. Sitting on top of the cabinet is the extensive menu. It doesn’t make your choice simple, as it’s peppered with meals that range from Chia Seed Pudding to your personal favourite, the Croque Madame. This place moves efficiently; in a matter of minutes you’re toward the front of the line. To your left is the entirety of the space, wooden tables, a chic bar in the distance that comes alive in the evenings, grandiose ceilings, and loaves of bread displayed on tables sprinkled in flour.

“Look up!” you gesture.

“Wow,” he looks at the skylight, the morning sun peeking through and coating the space in a honey light.

It’s your turn. You’ve barely glanced at the menu, and he is standing besotted by this place. You haven’t even had time to inspect every single delicious pastry when a man appears from behind the cabinet.

“What can I get for you two?” He smiles.

You go for a classic croissant, whole milk latte, and French omelette. He goes for the Croque Madame and a double espresso. It’s going to be a great morning.

République is one of those perfectly tucked-away places in Los Angeles where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner and can expect timeless tastes and surroundings. The interior is almost like an artists’ commune with long rectangular tables under an A-frame ceiling, framed by windows and shutters above where dinner guests gather in the evenings. Lights and lamps hang above you and create this cozy environment.

“This feels like France; it’s unlike anything I have ever seen,” my old friend says to me as we sit down at one of the long wooden tables.

It is a casual, cool, modern space with a formal twist in its beauty. The main aspect I enjoy about République is that it isn’t like typical chain restaurants or just one of many destinations you find in touristy areas on Rodeo Drive or Sunset Boulevard. It stands alone, protected by its uniqueness and longing to be discovered by locals, travellers, or revisited by longtime lovers. Whether I am in the mood for a double espresso, take-away loaf of bread, need to sit and work at one of the benches, have a glass of wine with a friend at night, enjoy Dover sole for dinner, or want to impress, this is the place to visit.

République

624 South La Brea Avenue

Los Angeles

republiquela.com

CRAFTING SUSTAINABILITY

Tidelli’s Organika Collection Redefines Green Living

Giancarlo Mandelli, managing partner of Tidelli Outdoor Living, emphasizes the brand’s commitment to sustainable design. “At Tidelli, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the cornerstone of everything we do,” he explains, his passion evident in every word. “From sourcing eco-friendly materials to minimizing waste and optimizing efficiency, we’re committed to redefining green living.”

As Tidelli celebrates 35 years in business with a worldwide reach, Giancarlo envisions a pivotal role in promoting sustainable living practices and fostering a deeper connection with nature. “In regions like California, where outdoor living is integral to lifestyle, our sustainable outdoor furniture serves as a catalyst for embracing nature and enhancing outdoor experiences,” he asserts.

Eco-friendly materials form the backbone of the commitment to sustainability. Giancarlo elaborates on the strategic utilization of materials such as recycled aluminum and locally sourced Brazilian hardwood, emphasizing their contribution to product longevity and reduced environmental impact.

Integrating sustainable design principles into both aesthetics and functionality is paramount. “Each piece is meticulously crafted to not only enhance outdoor spaces but also to promote a healthier living environment,” highlighting the seamless fusion of form and function.

Amidst these discussions, Giancarlo introduces the latest addition to the lineup—the Organika Collection. Inspired by the shapes of nature, these outdoor furniture pieces feature aluminum support, wooden legs, and granite tops. Built to last, the Organika Collection extends product lifespan through thoughtful design, manufacturing processes, and top-quality materials. The investment before launching any collection considers every aspect from design to ergonomics, lifespan, transportation, and material use. It can take up to three years of development for a line to come to life.

The commitment to sustainability extends beyond product design to vertical operation. With a focus on sustainable and optimized manufacturing practices, the best materials for outdoor furniture are used, prioritizing local outsourcing whenever possible and investing in local human capital.

Recycling materials, such as high-grade aluminum, and reducing material use are central to the sustainability efforts. Through heavy investment in design and

manufacturing optimization, leftover materials are leveraged to create new accessories and support nonprofit initiatives like the Tidelli Instituto.

In the face of imitation, Giancarlo emphasizes the importance of buyers, especially designers and professionals, not purchasing copy furniture. As a leader in outdoor furniture with heavy investment in innovation and technology, the work cannot be replicated in terms of quality or durability.

As the company continues to innovate and evolve, Giancarlo reaffirms dedication to shaping a greener future. “Through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, we are not only redefining outdoor living but also inspiring a global movement towards a more eco-conscious lifestyle,” he concludes, a glint of determination in his eyes.

Jeff Silverstein, CEO, and Noah Taft, Chief Marketing Officer

CALIFORNIA FAUCETS

Crafting Luxury, Defining Design

Nestled within the coastal charm of Huntington Beach lies a hidden gem of a family-owned business, California Faucets—a beacon of innovation and artisanal excellence in the world of luxury design. Innovatively led by Jeff Silverstein and Noah Taft, and inspired by the pioneering spirit of founder Fred Silverstein, California Faucets has transcended the ordinary, redefining industry norms and setting new standards of elegance and sophistication.

EMBRACING THE FLOW: CALIFORNIA FAUCETS’ UNCONVENTIONAL JOURNEY

California Faucets weaves a tale of familial bonds, entrepreneurial spirit, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. At its helm are Jeff Silverstein (CEO) and Noah Taft (Chief Marketing Officer), custodians of the company’s legacy and visionary leaders. In an intimate conversation with Blue Door Magazine, Noah delves into the captivating narrative of California Faucets, tracing its roots from humble beginnings to its esteemed position in the industry.

Fred Silverstein, affectionately known as Uncle Fred to Noah, was the architect of California Faucets’ inception. His entrepreneurial journey commenced in the late 1980s within the halls of Plumbing World, a modest plumbing supply house in Long Beach. Amidst the challenges of erratic deliveries and

Fred Silverstein, founder of California Faucets

INNOVATION: REDEFINING INDUSTRY PARADIGMS

In the ever-evolving landscape of decorative faucetry, California Faucets stands as a beacon of innovation, challenging industry norms and redefining design paradigms. Noah sheds light on the pivotal role of innovation in shaping the brand’s identity.

“Fred’s legacy of innovation is ingrained in our DNA,” Noah asserts. “His willingness to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of design continues to drive our pursuit of excellence.”

A quintessential example of California Faucets’ bold approach lies in its pioneering creation—the StyleDrain. Conceived as a solution to mundane shower drains, the StyleDrain revolutionized the concept of functional beauty, earning prestigious design awards and solidifying California Faucets’ reputation as an industry trailblazer.

sparse customer service, Fred discerned an emerging market for premium fittings—a market ripe with untapped potential.

“Uncle Fred was a trailblazer,” Noah recalls fondly. “He saw beyond the limitations of the industry and envisioned a future where craftsmanship and innovation would reign supreme.”

Fred embodied the essence of seizing opportunities, navigating uncharted waters with resilience and unwavering determination. His journey epitomized the ethos of California Faucets—flexibility, customization, and a relentless pursuit of customer satisfaction. Despite the industry’s nascent stage, Fred’s spirit knew no bounds as he ventured into new territories, laying the groundwork for California Faucets’ philosophy.

“No challenge was too daunting for Uncle Fred,” Noah reflects. “His unwavering commitment to quality and innovation continues to inspire us to this day.”

As the saying goes, the apple did not fall far from the tree, as Fred’s son, Jeff, took on the leadership helm as president in 2005. Under Jeff’s tenure and passion for forward-leaning design, the company brought a myriad of award-winning products to market, including multiple “Best of Year” awards from Interior Design magazine.

Navigating the delicate balance between growth and preserving cherished values posed a formidable challenge. Noah reflects on Fred’s legacy, underscoring the importance of maintaining the company’s culture amidst rapid expansion. Through a meticulous recruitment process and fostering an environment of empowerment, California Faucets thrives as a testament to Fred’s enduring legacy.

“As my cousin and partner, Jeff, likes to say, ‘Innovation is not about following trends, but setting them,’” Noah notes. “The StyleDrain epitomizes our commitment to reimagining everyday essentials with creativity and ingenuity.” Aided by a talented engineering team, Jeff brought StyleDrain to market during the height of the 2008 recession. “It really put us on the map,” Noah recalls. “People began to realize that beautiful showers deserve beautiful drains, and StyleDrain was the perfect solution.”

As competitors emulate California Faucets’ innovative designs, Noah remains optimistic about the future—a future shaped by authenticity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

CRAFTSMANSHIP: ELEVATING ARTISANAL EXCELLENCE

Beyond revolutionizing functional beauty, California Faucets remains committed to artisanal craftsmanship—a hallmark that sets it apart from conventional mass-produced counterparts. Noah sheds light on the company’s innovative production techniques and its enduring commitment to quality and authenticity.

“Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything we do,” Noah emphasizes. “From the meticulous hand-finishing of our products to the unparalleled attention to detail in our manufacturing processes, we believe in the value of artisanship rather than mass production. One exudes humanity, the other does not, and we believe you can see it and feel it in the final product.”

In an industry dominated by mass-produced offerings, California Faucets stands apart as a beacon of authenticity and craftsmanship. By prioritizing artisanal techniques and meticulous attention to detail, the company ensures unparalleled quality—a testament to its commitment to excellence.

New Jalama Series with quad spout in Satin Brass and Antique Brass finishes

DESIGN EXPLORATION: PUSHING CREATIVE BOUNDARIES

As consumer preferences evolve and design trends shift, California Faucets remains at the vanguard of innovation, constantly pushing creative boundaries and reimagining design possibilities. Noah unveils the company’s latest ventures into innovative product design and texture experimentation, echoing Fred’s spirit of bold exploration and relentless pursuit of excellence.

“Uncle Fred always encouraged us to challenge the norms,” Noah reflects, ensuring that California Faucets remains a pioneer in the world of design.

With a rich heritage steeped in innovation and craftsmanship, California Faucets continues to chart new territories, driven by a passion for excellence and a commitment to creating products that transcend the ordinary.

The commitment to bringing exciting new products to market continues, as the company just released two new faucet series, San Elijo and Jalama, which like all California Faucets series, derive their names from California beach towns. San Elijo (pictured)

introduces teak wood handles to accent the brass, bringing a playful melding of different materials and yet another creative option to the faucet design. The Jalama (pictured) similarly experiments with form and texture by introducing five distinctly different cylinder handles, including smooth, knurled, hammered, pinstriped, and rivulet. All are available in any of the company’s 27 artisanal finishes.

“The textures are especially intriguing when it comes to light,” observes Noah. “The reflections of light bring the handles to life and change according to the lighting in the room. It really highlights the beauty and richness of the metal.”

New San Elijo Series with teak lever handles in Satin Nickel finish

CURATING HOME AND LEGACY

Anna-Marie Claassen’s

Personal Haven and Professional Journey in Interior Design

In Corona del Mar, where the sea breeze whispers and coastal beauty intersect, Anna-Marie Claassen has created a serene sanctuary. Her home reflects not just her personal style but also her journey as an interior designer.

As she reflects on her vision for the house, Anna-Marie muses, “This home was designed for my busy family of four with two now teenagers.  Most of our clients are families with kids and I can really relate to them in a lot of ways. Our home was designed as a family home, not just a reflection of my own design style.”

“The vision was to keep it clean, pretty, and not too wild at the base layer. Everything in the home has a place, so we don’t feel too cluttered or crowded,” she says. “We used materials like black marble and white cabinets, aiming for a modern, European style with flat cabinetry.”

She describes the desire for a timeless yet comfortable space where family and friends can gather, emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere. Describing the architectural features of the house, Anna-Marie reflects, “This is a house built in 1960 with cool eaves, skylights, and vaulting.” She highlights the abundant natural light and unique character, showcasing how its mid-century charm influenced her design.

“We entertain in smaller groups. Our dining table fits up to ten people, and that’s perfect. We mostly dine outdoors in the big barbecue area,” Anna-Marie explains, emphasizing their outdoor lifestyle.

In describing her kitchen, Anna-Marie reminisces, “We kept a basic layout during the remodel. It made sense with the architecture. The open layout and ocean view from the sink and living room are highlights.”

Detailing the design elements, Anna-Marie shares, “We have ample outdoor space and use the pool often. We envision retiring here, creating a timeless and welcoming space for family and friends.”

Anna-Marie’s creativity shines through as she discusses outdoor living, saying, “The large yard allows for greenery all around, reflecting our family’s lifestyle and promoting relaxation and connection with nature.”

Reflecting on the challenges of designing her home, Anna-Marie confides, “Designing one’s own home is tricky. We found an imperfect home on a really great lot, in a really great neighborhood in Corona del Mar and transformed it into our dream home.” I think this might be reflective of most peoples’ home journeys—any home

can be transformed into a dream home even if it doesn’t begin that way. Anna-Marie’s favorite feature emerges amidst the discussions of design elements, “The book-matched black marble fireplace is my favorite. It adds a touch of elegance and is a standout feature in our home.”

But Anna-Marie’s journey extended beyond the confines of her own home. Inspired by her personal design odyssey, she ventured into the world of interior design, founding Anthology Interiors, a boutique firm dedicated to crafting spaces that mirror the unique stories of their inhabitants.

“When I started Anthology Interiors, I wanted to encapsulate the essence of storytelling in design,” Anna-Marie explains. “That’s why

the name ‘Anthology’ resonated with me. It’s like a collection of stories, each space with its own narrative waiting to be unfolded.”

With a small yet devoted team of designers by her side, AnnaMarie approaches each project with a blend of creativity, passion, and authenticity. “We’re a pretty tight-knit team,” she notes. “I have two designers who share my vision, and together, we bring our clients’ dreams to life.”

Anthology Interiors specializes in large-scale projects, ranging from ground-up new home builds to extensive remodels, infusing each space with a timeless allure and modern sophistication. “I’m drawn to projects where we can make a genuine impact,”

Anna-Marie emphasizes. “Whether it’s a sprawling estate or a cozy retreat, our goal is always the same: to create spaces that resonate with our clients on a deeply personal level.”

As she gazes out at the sun-kissed horizon, Anna-Marie reflects on her design journey. “I find inspiration everywhere,” she muses. “From the pages of magazines to the scenes of movies, from the rugged landscapes of Montana and the serene beauty of nature, and with every trip I have taken all over the world, inspiration is all around us. It’s simply a matter of opening your eyes and allowing yourself to be inspired.”

“And as for my team and the future,” she adds with a smile, “I may grow somewhat but will always keep a small team so that I can be a primary point of contact to my clients. I’m not aiming to become a firm with 12 designers where I’m sporadically popping in to see clients. That’s what sets us apart. I’m committed to maintaining a small, personal approach focused on our clients’ needs.”

Anna-Marie Claassen

Anthology Interiors anthologyinteriors.com

949.375.1751

Instagram: @anthologyinteriors

Above: In the kitchen, Anna-Marie designed a pattern of vertical handglazed ceramic tile from Clé and designed custom pendant lights in her favorite royal blue. The barstools were custom upholstered in a channel pattern with easy-towipe faux leather on the interiors.

Right: The primary bathroom is Anna-Marie’s favorite retreat, with its black Victoria and Albert tub and Cambria Rose Bay quartz backsplash and counters.

CLEANING HOUSE

Pure Design House brings non-toxic building materials to light

Almost five years ago, Deana Duffek, owner and principal designer of Duffek Design and Pure Design House, was exposed to toxic mold while living in a rental in Laguna Beach. She suffered from mold toxicity which left her with debilitating headaches, a severely weakened immune system, extreme sensitivity to chemicals, and a litany of other health issues. Having to face this health crisis ultimately sent her on a mission to uncover anything and everything within her industry that was adding to poor health. A new awareness and desire to research alternative, healthy building materials, building practices, and furnishings that would add to her healing and health emerged. Duffek became dedicated to building a brand and business that would support the overall healing within a home and the health of those who would reside in it. It was from here that the vision and creation of Pure Design House was born.

“I set out on this mission sourcing clean products,” Duffek says. “At the same time, I realized how challenging it was. If it’s this hard for me to find clean, nontoxic products and I’m in the industry, how challenging must it be for people who don’t do this for a living?”

Duffek is now, with her team, continually on the search for partners around the globe that source clean products and materials, so she

can bring them all under one umbrella at Pure Design House, the showroom she opened in Laguna Beach in 2023.

With all her research and education, Deana felt that the only way to truly live in a home that was clean and pure was to build it herself. So, in addition to running her high-end interior design business and building out her new clean materials showroom, she is simultaneously building her personal residence as a prototype for what a clean and pure home is. She started from the groundup installing copper piping rather than PVC plastic pipes, selecting clean woods and treating them so mold can’t grow, and using clean drywall and an array of other unique building products. She’s also being mindful of how and where certain elements are positioned in the home. For example, an electrician initially wired a panel to go behind the headboard in the bedroom, which she had moved so it didn’t emit electrical frequencies so close to where she would be sleeping.

For insulation, Duffek opted for wool rather than a fiberglass product, which is covered in formaldehyde and other off-gassing materials. She says that alternatives like wool, hemp, and denim are all readily available for insulating, but most people don’t realize they have an array of healthy alternatives. She finds that once people are given the opportunity to choose something healthier, they usually do. She’s learned that investing in your home upfront, especially when it comes to the build and the materials used, often saves the homeowner from future potential expensive problems down the line.

“If people pay attention to the products they’re using in the spaces wherethey live and breathe every day, they are often surprised by just how toxic some common building materials are,” she says. “It’s true what they say: ‘Your health is everything.’ Without your health, you have nothing.”

Duffek says people are hungry for more information about clean products. “If I’m on a panel or at a speaking engagement, there are people lining up to talk about this—and everybody seems to have a story. ‘My mom’s been sick or my daughter’s been sick.’” She says this is especially prevalent coming out of COVID. “Our immune systems are weaker. Why are people not questioning how we build their houses? Why are they not questioning the materials that they live with, breathe in, and sleep on or around every day?”

Pure Design House Showroom located in Laguna Beach

Above: Full Eagle Rock Way property rendering

Left: Eagle Rock Way ADU exterior rendering

Above: Eagle Rock Way ADU bedroom rendering

Right: Eagle Rock Way ADU kitchen rendering

She uses the example of how a few decades ago, nobody was reading food labels and just consuming processed foods. Now, people are reading food labels, wanting to know what they are putting in their bodies, and looking for healthier, more organic ingredients.

Pure Design House’s showroom, which is open to the public but caters to designers, architects, and builders for the trade, also features a curated library of clean, nontoxic building materials including siding, flooring, insulation, and tile, as well as furnishings and home decor. Brand partners include: Subzero|Wolf|Cove, Miele, Baldwin Hardware, Robern, Porcelanosa, Walker Zanger, Edward Martin, and Neolith among others. To showcase how many of these products function in a real setting, there’s a full kitchen vignette installed in the showroom where they’ve been hosting private dinner parties and wine tastings with industry insiders.

Investing in these clean and pure materials is helping Duffek create a healthy environment in which she can continue to heal—and she wants to help do the same for as many others as possible.

Deana Duffek  Pure Design House Principal Designer

949.395.6460

deana@puredesignhouse.com puredesignhouse.com

Instagram @puredesignhouse

Below, left: Deana on site, first construction!

MAKING A HOUSE A HOME; IT’S AN ART!

Vivian

Browne

beautifully combines real estate and art consulting

A Newport Beach resident since 1976, Vivian Browne embarked on her career in commercial interior design before transitioning to a local art gallery due to her true passion for art. Later, when she joined M|W|A at Compass in real estate, clients often sought her advice on art installation, leading her to establish herself as an independent art consultant and assist clients with their real estate needs in coastal Orange County.

In her role, Browne helps clients find artwork for their homes, with pieces she sources nationally, typically ranging from $5,000 to $40,000. A few of her favorite galleries include SCAPE Gallery and Kennedy Contemporary in Orange County, Fresh Paint in Los Angeles, and Caldwell Snyder in San Francisco. Clients engage risk-free, with Browne earning commission from gallery collaborations on purchases rather than charging fees. Additional services include existing art placement and framing.

Browne’s two interests seamlessly blend with clients seeking real estate assistance and then art advice. “It’s a really organic cycle,” she says.

One of her satisfied clients shares, “Working with Vivian is a dream come true. She came into our home and with her knowledge and gallery contacts worked tirelessly to find just the right pieces.” Browne emphasizes that the key to doing both—art curating and real estate—successfully is connecting with her clients. “It’s all about communication and building a relationship so you can understand the energy they’re looking for to fill their space,” she explains. “I have the responsibility with art to bring whatever energy the client wants to live with daily. It could be a calming energy or a fun, vivacious energy. It could be something that moves my clients or evokes a favorite memory. That’s the essence of what art offers.” She feels very blessed to not have to choose between these two careers. Her calling is about caring for people and making a difference in their lives.

Browne also feels very fortunate for the mentors who have helped her build a successful career. She is incredibly thankful for mentors like Marcy Weinstein from M|W|A at Compass and Jeannie Denholm from SCAPE, who once said, “Vivian sees things through a different lens.” Browne adds, “Their guidance, alongside the support of countless friends, has been invaluable in both my personal and professional growth. These women have shaped my journey and helping other women has become part of my story, as well.”

Vivian Browne

M|W|A at Compass Newport Beach 949.922.0001

vivianmbrowne@gmail.com compass.com/agents/mckown-weinstein-associates

Brian Liberto

Ed Machoskie

400 Ashton Drive

Laguna Beach

Enchanting Gated Panoramic View

Estate Above Victoria Beach

Offered at $11,995,000

400 Ashton Drive in Laguna Beach, situated on an estatesized parcel of land above the sands of Victoria Beach, sparks the kind of joy that is only possible when a perfect beach-close location combines with a home that delights at every turn.

32091 Coast Highway

Laguna Beach

Gated Oceanfront Estate

Offered at $18,000,000

Nestled among some of the most valuable oceanfront estates in California, this prime bluff-top gated property combines an understated beach elegance with a bit of classic Laguna artistry. Rarely does an oceanfront estate with such an architectural provenance, stunning locale, and gracious livability come to market.

Poised at the end of an elevated cul-de-sac in Newport Beach’s highly coveted Cliffhaven enclave, this newly upgraded custom residence offers panoramic Harbor, ocean, Fashion Island, and mountain views, as well as a rare 6-bedrooms, stately office, rooftop deck, elevator, and 4-car garage with golf-cart stall.

115 Kings Place, Newport Beach

SCAN TO WATCH FILM

716.5 Orchid Ave, Corona del Mar

301 Lindo Ave, Newport Beach

322 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

1958 Port Trinity Pl, Newport Beach

118 Via Xanthe, Newport Beach 9 Clear Water, Newport Coast

21975 Sunburst Ln, Red Bluff

Beach | BackBayTownhomes.com

Pelican Vista Dr, Newport Coast

Ocean Place, Seal Beach

Dana Strand Rd #B, Dana Point

Serenade Terr, Corona del Mar

BRIAN FURSTENFELD

My passion for real estate and cars is deep rooted. At 14 years old, helping my father sell one of his properties, and to secure myself a car by 16, I procured a transaction using a 1978 Lincoln Town Car and two fighting gamecock from Guatemala for a down payment on an $83,000 condo. Five years later, the guy who was once seemingly destined to be tenant, forever living check-to-check on peanut butter sandwiches, was now a multi-unit landlord, came to tears sharing how his fate changed that day when a 14 year old boy wanting his first car called him on his Auto Trader ad. The feeling is hard to describe and I vowed to chase a rewarding career that changes lives every day.

esmarket. It was not until I engaged with Brian Furstenfeld, a Broker Associate with The Oppenheim Group, renowned for their worldassociation with #1 rated Netflix shows “Selling Sunset” and “Selling the OC”, that I truly realized the magnitude of their branding power. casting a wide net to create maximum exposure, The Oppenheim Group surpasses traditional marketing methods, ensuring that no sellers. Brian’s inherent passion for serving my best interests from the start, attention to detail in preparing my home for the market, of my home during showings was unparalleled. He is a seasoned negotiator who utilized the flurry of activity and multiple offers secure the highest sales price conceivable in the currently “tough” market. The proof is in the results. My home at 2201 Bayside over a year without movement. Brian and The Oppenheim Group took over the listing and sold it with seven competing offers, at highest previous offer, achieving a record-breaking $24.5 million sale price for Corona Del Mar waterfront. In conclusion, when it achieving unprecedented success in luxury home sales, The Oppenheim Group’s innovative methods are unrivaled. Their exceptionwith effective marketing ensures that properties receive the attention they deserve, and from the right audience. I unequivocally Furstenfeld with The Oppenheim Group to any discerning homeowner looking to sell in today’s competitive and “tough” market.”

Cullen,

-Greg

Seller of 2201 Bayside Dr.

The Oppenheim Group stands at the forefront of marketing high-end luxury real estate across Southern California. We boast a global presence in 192 countries and have established ourselves as a leader in the luxury real estate market. This unique blend of worldwide exposure, deep local market knowledge, and unparalleled client relationships offers unmatched marketing opportunities for your property.

With an impressive 26-year tenure in the real estate industry, Brian Furstenfeld has navigated fluctuating markets with unwavering determination, establishing himself as an esteemed leader in the industry.

Contact me to discuss our unique and unparalleled marketing strategy to achieve unsurpassed results for your home!

Record-Breaking Sales Activity

1127 F Ave. – $28,000,0000

Most Expensive Home to Ever Sell in Coronado (2024)

5115 Gordon Lane - $6,955,000

Highest Price Sale ever in 92109 for a non-waterfront home (2024)

2201 Bayside Dr. - $24,500,00

Highest Price Sale Ever on Waterfront in Corona Del Mar (2023)

100 Dry Creek - $8,250,000

Highest Price Sale Ever in Orchard Hills (2023)

1301 Dolphin Terrace - $20,500,000

Highest Price Sale Ever in Irvine Terrace (2022)

7000 Macapa Dr. - $9,405,000

Highest Price Per Sq Ft. Sale Ever in Outpost Estates (2020)

8408 Hillside Ave - $35,500,000

Highest Price Sale in Hollywood Hills since 2012 (2019)

1 Buggy Whip Dr. - $22,400,000

Highest Price Sale Ever in Rolling Hills (2018)

Brian Furstenfeld

3140 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach 949.922.2274

brian@ogroup.com | ogroup.com

DRE# 01432316

A

Beach Gem EXQUISITE BAYFRONT

Newport

In Newport Beach’s idyllic enclave, 401 Evening Star Lane awaits. Remodeled in 2022 and reimagined for modern living, this five-bedroom sanctuary epitomizes Southern California waterfront luxury. With 53 feet of frontage on a 6,000-square- foot lot, it offers approximately 3,698 square feet of exquisite living space. Listing broker John Stanaland of Douglas Elliman Real Estate says, “This property

Above: A fully appointed kitchen with restaurantgrade appliances, polished Arabescato Corchia countertops, and access to the rare waterfront backyard.

Right: The serene Back Bayfacing primary suite features French doors leading to the property’s sundeck.

epitomizes Southern California waterfront living, with a new dock, pier, and access to Dover Shores’ private beaches.”

Approaching the home, prospective buyers are greeted by sophisticated lines and a crisp facade, leading to a private courtyard. Inside, natural light illuminates the gathering areas, including an elegant living section, water-facing dining room, and fully appointed kitchen. Crafted with bespoke finishes like hand-selected marble and Italian hardwood flooring, the home exudes luxury.

The primary suite, overlooking the Back Bay, boasts a lavish bathroom, oversized walk-in closet, and French doors to a sundeck spanning the house. Each of the four secondary bedrooms offers unique charm and luxurious amenities.

Perhaps most alluringly, the property features multiple access points to the rare waterfront backyard. “With a sitting area, a fire pit, a cedar tub, and, of course, the dock and pier, this residence truly offers the best of the outdoor lifestyle Southern California is revered for—with incredible interiors to match,” Stanaland says. In every aspect, from its elegant design to its unparalleled waterfront setting, this property offers exquisite coastal living in Newport Beach.

401 Evening Star Lane in Newport Beach is listed at $11,995,000 by:

John Stanaland of Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12 Corporate Plaza Newport Beach

949.689.9047

John.Stanaland@elliman.com

johnstanaland.com

Dre# 01223768

The waterfront backyard is perfect for gatherings, with a large lawn, multiple sitting areas, and access to the private dock.

MAXIMIZING MARKET TRENDS

Five things Jon Flagg says smart sellers should watch

As the top-selling agent on Lido Isle, staying ahead of market trends isn’t just a passion for Jon Flagg—it’s a necessity. Here are five factors Flagg says sellers looking to maximize their profit and streamline their selling experience on Lido Isle should track.

Pricing Dynamics: Real estate prices fluctuate based on a myriad of factors. As a seller, it’s essential to monitor recent sales data, assess the current competition, and work with an experienced agent with a proven record who has a long history within a neighborhood and can provide accurate pricing guidance tailored to your property and the prevailing market conditions.

Supply and Demand: A low inventory coupled with high demand can drive up prices and lead to quicker sales, while an oversupply may necessitate strategic pricing and marketing tactics to stand out. In communities such as Lido Isle where every home is unique, there are many factors and nuances that affect pricing beyond price per square foot.

Seasonal Trends: Like any market, the real estate market experiences seasonal fluctuations. While spring and summer often see increased buyer activity, other factors such as economic conditions, interest rates, and local events can influence market

TOP 5 LIDO ISLE BAYFRONT SALES

921/925 Via Lido Soud

$25,500,000

103 Via Lido Soud

$24,000,000

808 Via Lido Nord

$18,900,000

920 Via Lido Nord

$16,500,000

820 Via Lido Nord

$16,100,000

TOP 5 LIDO ISLE INTERIOR SALES

123 Via Florence

$8,795,000

133 Via Havre

$6,995,000

120 Via Waziers

$6,400,000

207 Via Ithaca

$6,295,000

202 Via Palermo

$6,100,000

dynamics throughout the year. Sellers who are attuned to seasonal trends can optimize their timing and marketing strategies.

Technology and Marketing: From virtual tours to targeted online advertising, sellers now have access to a wide array of tools and platforms to showcase their homes to potential buyers. Agents who stay abreast of the latest technological advances and how to leverage them can give sellers a competitive edge.

Local Regulations and Development: Changes to local regulations or zoning laws as well as major development projects in the area can impact the desirability and value of property values and

market dynamics. Staying in the loop is essential for sellers looking to make informed decisions.

By staying informed, leveraging the expertise of a top-selling agent, and adapting to evolving market conditions, sellers can maximize their chances of success.

jon@flaggrealestate.com

TOUR OF BEAUTY

VALIA pulls together an all-star team for 2007 Sabrina Terrace for the CdM Home Tour

The 50th Anniversary CdM Home Tour was a record-breaking success, raising an unprecedented amount for CdM Middle and High Schools. For Timothy Tamura, managing broker of VALIA Properties and Presenting Sponsor for the fourth consecutive year, the tour is a meaningful Orange County event.

“We sincerely thank the community, patrons, local businesses, families, friends, the City of Newport Beach, and the tireless efforts of the volunteers to make the occasion successful,” he says. “VALIA is honored to work with the community to support the kids via the Home Tour. Everyone involved rolled up their sleeves with a contagious positive energy, making the event exceptionally fun!”

Left: A curated landscape by Chelsea Wesley of Sweetgrass Gardens in a subterranean courtyard blends the outdoors and indoors.

Above: The kitchen was styled by Laura Brophy with florals by French Buckets.

This year, VALIA was working behind the scenes to help prepare a team for 2007 Sabrina Terrace—which belongs to one of their clients—make its Tour debut. As soon as they found out the house was going to be part of the tour, Tamura reached out to his industry connections for their expertise and help. The result was pulled together in less than two weeks and was a true collaborative effort.

Several interior designers came to assess the space and Newport Beachbased Laura Brophy rose to the exciting challenge. Additional frequent collaborators quickly came to assist, including Jeannie Denholm from SCAPE Gallery to help with artwork, Tidelli Outdoor Living to furnish the upper outdoor experience, and House Organized to help with the closets and the butler’s pantry. Each contributor brought a great supporting crew to facilitate a quick turnaround that ended up being a fun and easy process.

The Sabrina homeowner purchased the property about a year ago fully furnished. The goal for the tour was to warm up the home with what Brophy envisioned as smaller, more impactful moments and of course, stunning artwork.

This year definitely required all collaborators to work together, and they’re hoping to have one or more homes on the tour again next year.

“Timothy Tamura of VALIA has been instrumental in transforming the CdM Home Tour into a vibrant community experience. His dedication to connecting people and his visionary approach have elevated the event over the past four years, creating a positive evolution that I’ve witnessed first-hand.”

—Justin Williams, Founder of Blue Door Magazine

Top left: Laura Brophy styled the primary bedroom with art curated by Jeannie Denholm of SCAPE and linens by Cozy Earth.

Bottom left: The secondary bedroom styled by Laura Brophy provides a serene escape.

Above: Tidelli Outdoor Living set the scene for taking in the view from the upper deck.

Pictured from left to right: Ben Matyszuk, Jose Alvarado, Nicole Matyszuk, and Juan Mariz

“Picture us—sleeves rolled up, hearts open—navigating every job site, crafting spaces that reflect our homeowners’ dreams. Each project is a chapter in our story; with each nail and brick we become part of the narrative. Building homes isn’t just a job; it’s a passionate voyage, fueled by stories and memories that shape us and our communities.”

PS, WE LOVE YOU

The architecture, art, and design on display at an iconic Wexler Steel House during Blakehaus was a love letter to Palm Springs Modernism

Pierre Jeanneret, Teak Conference Chair; Phillip K. Smith III, Concave Convex Vertical, 2023; Tony DeLap, Fadeaway, 2007; Helen Pashgian, Untitled, 1967; Antoine Philippon & Jacqueline Lecoq, Model P60 Chairs, 1958.

Peter Blake is best known in Southern California and internationally as an art expert and dealer specializing in California Light and Space and West Coast Minimalism: for now, at least. Peter Blake is also an expert in midcentury architecture and the vintage furniture and contemporary art that belongs within it.

He calls it Blakehaus, and its most recent iteration in Palm Springs was revelatory.

Blake’s vision for Blakehaus, a pandemic-inspired transformation for the gallerist, is a blurring of the lines between art, architecture, and design. Blake’s collection of modern design ranges from the 1930s until the early ’70s, from Bauhaus to the end of Modernism, and is global in scope—Brazil, Italy, France, and Denmark. He exhibits the art and design together in the Laguna Beach gallery. Blake and his wife, the sculptor Stephanie Bachiero, also live in the space.

“This is a natural progression of where I’ve been heading all these years,” Blake says. “The merger of art, design, and architecture.”

In Orange County, one can view select art and furniture from Blakehaus at Peter Blake Gallery in Laguna Beach and Fetneh Blake Concept boutique in Newport Beach.

An evocative example of Blakehaus was on display in Palm Springs in 2023: a pop-up takeover of the midcentury masterpiece William F. Cody house. The installation featured collectible design in every room, along with work by Light and Space Movement artists Blake has championed at his Laguna Beach gallery for 30 years.

Fast-forward to 2024, and Blake has done it again, this time weaving his haute hybridization of art, design, and architecture in a Wexler Steel House. “It’s a Light and Space sculpture one can live in,” Blake says of the installation that was a highlight of the Modernism season in Palm Springs.

Like Eichlers in Orange County and Northern California, Wexler Steel Houses were designed for the post-WWII middle and working-classes. Modernist architect Donald Wexler knew that steel was ideally suited for desert building—it stood tough against sun, heat, and wind, and in 1961, it was inexpensive. He planned to bring affordable housing to Palm Springs by building an entire subdivision—nearly 40 homes—out of prefabricated steel and glass.

Adrian Pearsall, Ottoman Chairs; Martin Greirson, Revolving Lounge Chair, Airflex, 1962; Joe Colombo, Model #1158 Wall Lamp, 1967; Angelo Mangiarotti ‘Eros’ Side Table, 1971; Gisela Colon, Morph (Dubnium), 2023.

Stephanie Bachiero, ‘Matrix’ Row, 2024, with a selection of ceramic pieces.

Wexler worked alongside his partner Richard Harrison to design stylish yet affordable 1,400-square-foot homes that could be constructed in under 30 days. Their original price tag in 1962 was between $13,000 and $17,000.

Each model started with a concrete foundation, upon which a crane lowered a prefabricated bathroom and kitchen unit. The rest of the home, including two, three, or four bedrooms, was built around this central core. Each was to be built with the same framework—lightgauge metal walls and one of three steel roof options—but could be configured with different facades. An open floor plan would allow buyers to determine their own room and furniture layouts.

Even with his visionary design skills, Wexler couldn’t foresee the future, which included the skyrocketing price of steel. Because of rising costs, his planned subdivision never came to fruition. Wexler and Harrison built only the first seven homes before the project was canceled.

By the 1980s, the seven houses they’d completed had fallen into disrepair and were largely forgotten. Fortunately for design fans, Wexler’s forgotten prefab homes were rediscovered in the early 1990s. Most of the buildings have been carefully restored, complete with era-appropriate landscaping. In 2012, one of the steel houses was the first mid-century structure to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The houses are in the 3100 block of Sunny View Drive and the 300 block of East Molino Road.

Helen Pashgian, Untitled, 1967.

Many credit the rediscovery of the Wexler Steel Houses to the fashion industry, which often shot in Palm Springs in the 1990s.

GQ magazine creative director Jim Moore was one of the first to appreciate the homes, and in 1993, he purchased and restored one. In no small part because of Moore holding court in the home over years of entertaining and photo shoots, Wexler Steel Houses status as Modernist masterpieces emerged.

“I’ve never really looked at Palm Springs as being anything but stylish,” Moore told Palm Springs Life magazine. “There’s something glamorous about Palm Springs. It’s the little town that has the style of the big city.”

Blake and Moore are longtime friends. In fact, Blake was going to buy the home before the pandemic interrupted those plans. “This house is 1,600 square feet, and I’ve never felt more comfortable. I’ve been in eight-bedroom houses that didn’t feel as big as this,” Blake says of the Wexler.

Choosing which pieces from his collection to bring into the house was a challenge, let alone where to place them. Blake, an admitted perfectionist, was still arranging and re-arranging at almost the last minute when he had a thought: “What if Jim called me and said, ‘OK, the house is yours. Move in,’” Blake recalls. With that, he added personal pieces from the gallery/apartment where he and Bachiero live, including a state-of-the-art stereo system and other favorites. And therein lies the secret to an evocative display house that is more a work of art than of commerce: “This is about an experience,” Blake says. “There is no price list at the house. I don’t have a business card on me. And at the end, I’ll see how much money I end up losing.”

Peter Blake Gallery 435 Ocean Avenue

949.584.1224

peterblakegallery.com

Living room furnishings and art includes Eileen Gray, Transat Chair, 1927; Xavier Féal, Pair of Chairs, 1969-1974; Charles and Ray Eames, Wooden Panels; Alan Ebnother Abide, 1995; Larry Bell, Untitled SS, 2023; Max Ingrand, Coffee Table for Fontana Arte, 1958; Angelo Mangiarotti ‘Bud’ Vase, 1960; Stephanie Bachiero ‘Matrix’ Row, 2024.

HILBERT’S NEW HOME

Chapman University’s beautifully expanded Hilbert Museum in Orange tells the story of California narrative art

HMCA at Chapman University with mosaic mural, Pleasures Along the Beach, 1969, by Millard Sheets.

On February 23, 2024, the Hilbert Museum’s spaciously reimagined new home officially opened to the public, capping an ambitious three-year project to expand the facility from 7,500 to 22,000 square feet at the site it has occupied since opening in 2016.

The reinvented Hilbert Museum features a striking, two-building ensemble offering 26 galleries for rotating displays of the more than 5,000 pieces in the growing Hilbert Collection. It also includes a café; a community room for lectures, classes, and events; a research library; and an outdoor courtyard with native gardens.

Uniting the two gallery buildings is a floating, open-air structure presenting Pleasures Along the Beach, a 40’ x 16’ signature 1969 glass-tile mosaic by acclaimed artist Millard Sheets that serves as the ultimate preview of the California art inside the Hilbert Museum.

“It’s extremely gratifying to welcome visitors after years of planning for this spectacular next chapter in Orange County’s museum renaissance,” says founder Mark Hilbert, who with his wife gifted the couple’s extensive collection to Chapman to make it available for public view.

24 Carrots, 2018, by Scott Moore. The Hilbert Collection

“Chapman University, Orange County, and Southern California now have a glorious new home for California narrative art that is as expansive and artistically accessible as the art inside,” Hilbert says.

“We’re thrilled to christen the expanded Hilbert Museum,” says the museum’s director, Mary Platt. “This stunning new expansion is a dream come true — the building itself is an eye-catching piece of art that provides a visual welcome.”

For the expansion, Chapman University selected architects Johnston Marklee of Los Angeles, who conceived the floating, open-air structure that unites the two gallery buildings and serves as the frontispiece for the Sheets mosaic.

The signature 1969 mosaic was rescued and moved from a former Home Savings Bank building on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica in 2019 and was painstakingly restored to serve as the ultimate, larger-than-life preview of the California art inside the Hilbert Museum.

Domingo es Mi Barrio, 1994, by Sandow Birk. The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University.

Gift of the Hilbert Collection

“The Hilbert Collection is unique in that it is one of the few to specialize in narrative art — or art that tells a story, which in our case is focused on California,” says Platt. “Because of this, we wanted a museum building that embraces the visitor and entices them to explore the history and culture of the Golden State as seen through the painters, illustrators, animators, and other artists who have long been drawn here. Johnston Marklee has accomplished this in spectacular style.”

According to Sharon Johnston, founding partner of Johnston Marklee, the museum stands in an industrial corridor within the Cypress Street Barrio historic district and the design pays tribute to local Orange industrial and mercantile architecture.

Designed to sculpt light and shadow with simple stacked forms and integrated garden

Above: Chameleon Ritual –Measured Worth, by Faith Butler. Courtesy of the artist

Right: Double Take, 2018, by Ken Goldman. The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University. Gift of the Hilbert Collection

Next page: Beach Bevy, c.2020, by Danny Galieote. The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University. Gift of the Hilbert Collection

patios suitable to the temperate climate, the museum exterior recalls images from Southern California as it was developing early in the 20th century.

“We have created an open-air courtyard with native gardens as the new entry for this important museum dedicated to California art,” says Johnston. “The visitor experience begins outside with the Millard Sheets mosaic, framing a civic space that links the Chapman University campus to the city of Orange.”

Platt has overseen curation of no less than nine exhibitions showcasing the museum’s

Left: South Connector/405 (Blimp and Palm Trees from the Freeway), undated, by William Wray. The Hilbert Collection

Above: Monday at the Crab Cooker, 2016, by Bradford J. Salamon. The Hilbert Collection.

focus on California Scene paintings (narrative scenes of California life in watercolor or oils, from the 1930s to the present), plus its rich holdings in animation and movie art, Native American art, and American illustration and design. Among the opening shows are those featuring Millard Sheets, Disney’s Mary Blair, Norman Rockwell, and acclaimed Chicano artist Emigidio Vasquez as well as vintage radios, Navajo weavings, and examples of California modernism.

“We have a dynamic array of extraordinary opening exhibitions that showoff many of the varied facets of The Hilbert Collection,” Platt says.

The

167 N. Atchison Street Orange, California

714.516.5880

hilbertmuseum.org

Crossing Kern County, 2017, by Suong Yangchareon. The Hilbert Collection.

Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University

HARLEM LIGHTS

A landmark exhibition at The Met reframes the Harlem Renaissance as the first African American–led movement of international modern art

Picnic, 1934, by Archibald J. Motley, Jr. Howard University Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism explores the comprehensive and far-reaching ways in which Black artists portrayed everyday modern life. Through some 160 works of painting, sculpture, photography, film, and ephemera, the groundbreaking exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art explores the new Black cities that took shape in the 1920s–1940s in New York City’s Harlem and nationwide.

The Harlem Renaissance emerged in the 1920s as one of the era’s most vibrant modes of artistic expression. The first African American-led movement of international modern art, it evolved over the next two decades into a transformative moment during which Black artists developed radically new modes of self-expression.

They portrayed all aspects of the modern city life that took shape during the early decades of the Great Migration, when millions of African Americans left the segregated rural South in search of freedom and opportunity in Harlem and other expanding Black communities nationwide.

Above Installation image courtesy The Met. Photo by Anna-Marie Kellen.

Right: Girl in a Red Dress, 1934, by Charles Henry Alston. Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift and George A. Hearn Fund, 2021

Couple, Harlem, 1932, by James Van Der Zee. James Van Der Zee Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

This exhibition explores how artists associated with the Harlem Renaissance visualized the modern Black subject, after influential writings by the philosopher Alain Locke and others.

It reveals the extensive connections between these artists and the period’s preeminent writers, performers, and civic leaders. At the same time, it reconstructs cross-cultural affinities and exchanges among the New Negro artists and their modernist peers in Europe and across the Atlantic, often established during international travel and expatriation.

This complex, multilayered story unfolds through portraits, scenes of city life, and powerful evocations of Black history and cultural philosophy. Highlights include seldom-seen works from historically Black colleges and universities and culturally specific collections.

The first art museum survey of the subject in New York City since 1987, the exhibition establishes the Harlem Renaissance and its radically new development of the modern Black subject as central to the development of international modern art.

“This landmark exhibition reframes the Harlem Renaissance, cementing its place as the first African Americanled movement of international modern art,” saysMax Hollein, The Met’s

Self-Portrait, ca. 1941, by Samuel Joseph Brown, Jr. Gift of Pennsylvania W. P. A., 1943

Above: Installation image courtesy The Met. Photo by Anna-Marie Kellen.

Right: Marian Anderson, 1944, by Laura Wheeler Waring. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.; gift of the Harmon Foundation

Marina Kellen French Director and CEO. “Through compelling portraits, vibrant city scenes, history paintings, depictions of early mass protests and activism, and dynamic portrayals of nightlife created by leading artists of the time, the exhibition boldly underscores the movement’s pivotal role in shaping the portrayal of the modern Black subject—and indeed the very fabric of early 20th-century modern art.”

The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism

Through July 28, 2024

The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 999 metmuseum.org

Opposite: Woman in Blue, c. 1943, by William Henry Johnson. Clark Atlanta University Art Museum, Permanent Loan from the National Collection of Fine Art.

Above: Moon over Harlem, ca. 1943-1944, by William Henry Johnson. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington. D.C.; Gift of the Harmon Foundation

CAFTAN COUTURE

Cameron Silver, L.A.’s fabulous vintage fashion maven, pens an homage to the global garment.

Join Cameron Silver, founder of LA’s famous—and highly influential—vintage boutique Decades, on a romp through the history and countless manifestations of the caftan, the world’s most universal garment.

Caftans are never out of style. Arguably the world’s oldest known garment, the caftan appears in every culture, from the chitons depicted on urns and murals in ancient Greece and Rome to diaphanous versions wafting down today’s red carpets, from the flowing garb immortalized in pre-Raphaelite paintings to the striped stunner worn by Isaac Hayes on the cover of his Black Moses album.

They range in style from loungewear to haute couture, and Cameron Silver guides us expertly through all the manifestations, including creations by Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Marc Bohan for Dior, Karl Lagerfeld, Emilio Pucci, Rudi Gernreich, and Oscar de la Renta.

Sections of the gorgeously photographed book include the impact and influence of the flowing fashion icon. “Endless Summer” explores resort caftans; “Caftan Couture” displays haute couture caftans by the likes of Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Tory Burch; “Caftan Stars” showcases caftans worn in films, concerts, and on the red carpet, as well as at home—think Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Natalie Wood, Barbara Streisand, Princess Grace of Monaco, Jacqueline Kennedy, Liza Minnelli, Nina Simone, Billy Porter, and Jennifer Lopez; “Mantans” reveals men’s growing penchant for wearing caftans; “Resort” focuses on the colorful, lightweight versions that are the go-to garments when on holiday; “Caftan Capital” highlights the iconic caftans of Morocco; and “Caftans Today” documents the current embrace of caftans as the ultimate multigenerational, size-inclusive, gender-fluid, cross-cultural, populist items in our wardrobes.

Marola Witt in Marc Bohan for Dior, 1968.

Photo by Neal Barr

Left: Model in a white caftan with green headdress by @artsimous 2021.

Right: Touareg dress in a fabric incorporating every color thread in the Marrakshi Life atelier, designed for Sarah Jessica Parker in And Just Like That... Photo by Randall Bachner for Marrakshi Life.

Striped fabric draped around a model by Artsi Ifrah for Maison ARTC 2019.

Nieves Álvarez in a midnight-blue satin-crepe djellaba ornamented with golden metal and lapis lazuli, 2021. Courtesy Stéphane Rolland. FASHION

Model in a Gala Disco sequinedcrepe caftan by Taller Marmo. Photo by Francesco Scotti for Taller Marmo.

Three models in Marc Bohan for Dior, 1971.

Photo by Neal Barr

Divine in a kimono by Michaele Vollbracht, 1980.

Photo by Robyn Beeche.

Cameron Silver, the proprietor of the renowned vintage boutique Decades in LA, is the author of Decades: A Century of Fashion. In addition to traveling the world in search of vintage couture and dressing celebrities for the red carpet, he has curated a museum exhibition for MOCA, designed a collection of statement footwear inspired by the 1950s–1980s, written for major fashion publications, and starred in the Bravo reality show The Dukes of Melrose.

Cameron will be at Michael Kors South Coast Plaza for a personal appearance and book signing on May 22 2024. South Coast Plaza will also display a selection of vintage and contemporary caftans.

“Serious fashion people do not want to look at a pair of sweatpants. They do not want to buy anything online. They want to go into a store. They want to have a fitting,” Silver says in The Verse.

Caftans: Fom Classical to Camp

By Cameron Silver Vendome Press

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CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE WELCOMES CASEY LESHER

The Orange County expansion of Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California proudly welcomes Billion-Dollar Broker, Casey Lesher, as the Founding Member of our Newport Beach Office!

With an illustrious career spanning 17 years, Lesher brings an unparalleled record of success and a commitment as the number one agent for the past nine years in both sales volume and units sold in the upscale community of Corona del Mar, California. A total career sales volume exceeding $1.85 billion, Casey’s expertise and dedication have made him a trusted advisor to clients seeking unparalleled service and exceptional results.

We’re thrilled to have him and his incredible team join forces with us at Christie’s International Real Estate!

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