Beach Cities Edition
So Cal So Cool
Art, an armoire, textiles and a tub p12
Cooking with Christine
How Restaurant Christine owner makes her Torrance eatery a Zagat favorite p29
Unusual Rooms
A West Hills back yard channels Delhi p50
Gather round ’our family friendly rooms
November/December 2008
decorate your home like a professional
artificial plants custom trees silk flowers decorative accents home decor
7651 Sepulveda Boulevard Van Nuys, CA 91405 818.988.5970 Mo-Sat 9am to 6pm Sun 11am to 5pm
Designers available for free consultation.
contents
southern california November/December 2008 spacesmag.com
cover story
38 Family-friendly rooms
It’s time to entertain and create memories. Anybody can make a home into a warm, happy place with a few simple tips.
D E PA R T M E N T S
12 So Cal So Cool
Armoires, art, tubs, fabrics and more, proving some of the best stuff really is made here.
20 My Favorite Room
Guest designers show readers how to make their houses into homes.
29 Something’s in the Kitchen
Christine Brown is the only female chef in the area to earn top honors in the Zagat guide. Here’s why.
50 Unusual Rooms
A marvelous meditation room turns a West Hills track home into a blissful oasis.
54 Home Ec 101
Use our tips to save your household dollars, and the environment.
58 High Tech Home
Whatever your budget, going high tech is in reach with these snazzy gadgets.
60 Cause for Applause A cozy, but light and bright Manhattan Beach home designed by Denise Richards, of Q Design, who also styled this photo. Original photography by Paul Jonason; floral arrangements created by Rolling Hills Flower Mart. Richards also remodeled the Manhattan Beach home of Geri Dunford, which is featured in our cover shot. “When I have family and friends over,” says Dunford, “I feel it’s ‘guest friendly’. I like that it’s all open so you can be in the living and kitchen area and still be able to enjoy everyone. The view of the ocean doesn’t hurt, either.” Photo by Paul Jonason.
spaces november/december 2008
Woody Allen heads west for his directorial debut at L.A. Opera.
66 Historical Spaces
Travel back in time aboard the Queen Mary, docked in Long Beach.
editor’s letter
Home for the holidays
T
he designers quoted in our cover
of it as an upscale bar
story know a lot about how to make
bathroom wall that
a house into a home where we can
I can paint over any
entertain and have children running around
time if I change my
safely. For me, maintaining a family-friendly,
mind.
yet inviting home has been an on-the-job
experience as my children go through their
the ultimate point
various stages of messiness (read toddlers
of a family-friendly
spilling cereal on the rug) and order (my
room is to create a happy space where memories, like snap-
pre-teen daughter suddenly, like magic, just
shots, are stored forever.
started hanging up her clothes).
and comfortable!
One personal touch I added to my home
For most people,
Happy holidays, and here’s to keeping our homes warm
that I think is truly family – and guest – friendly was to designate one wall to write on (the wall is toward the back of the house). I call it The Quotation Wall and let anyone write (yes, in ballpoint pen and magic marker) a phrase they like. The wall is filled with memorable notations, ranging from Shakespeare’s “neither a borrower nor a lender be” to Lincoln’s full Gettysburg Address. I think
Please feel free to share your thoughts and contact us at spaceseditor@langnews.com
contributors
M
eredith Grenier, a senior contrib-
uting editor, wrote this issue’s cover story
E
ver since Holly Berecz studied jour-
nalism at Penn State, she’s been enthralled
S
paces photo editor Paul Jonason felt
his “aha!” photo moment upon walking into
on family-friendly rooms. She keeps her
with writing about her favorite topic – de-
the Manhattan Beach home of Geri Dunford:
own home in Rancho Palos Verdes friendly
sign. The new writer of our popular So Cal So
“I knew immediately it was our cover. The
by displaying seasonal accessories – hand-
Cool section, Berecz especially liked the two-
arch of the ceiling, the natural lighting, the
painted ceramic turkeys at Thanksgiving and
sided fireplace “because it reminds me of the
design, the furniture...it was perfect.” A small
a collection of carved wood Santas at Christ-
bonfires I enjoyed growing up in suburban
amount of additional lighting was added to
mas – and filling rooms year-round with
Pittsburgh.” She now lives in Newport Beach
round out the balance. Paul Jonason lives in
flowers from her English cottage garden.
with her husband, Steve.
West Hills with his wife, Yvonne.
spaces november/december 2008
Pure Performance
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 1 • Issue 5
spacesmag.com
publisher
Steven Gellman editor
Linda Massarella
designer LeeAnn Nelson
photo editor Paul Jonason
senior editor Jackie Rothenberg
national editor Denise Gee
contributing editors
Holly Berecz Pamela Bunn Patt Diroll Meredith Grenier
contributing writers
Jane Isabella Joan Jackson Merrill Shindler Howard Stier
contributing photographer Kerry Paul
marketing director Bill Van Laningham research director Liz Hamm
creative services manager Paul Schraeder
advertising account executives Edith Ferdschneider
office manager Mary Anne Rozinsky
Jennifer Lewi Meaghan Miller
Los Angeles Newspaper Group president & ceo
Edward R. Moss executive vice president & cfo
James Siegrist
contact us editorial: (818) 713-3297 linda.massarella@langnews.com advertising: (818) 713-3294 steven.gellman@langnews.com Copyright 2008 Southern California Spaces Magazine by the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Southern California Spaces magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos or artwork even if accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope. Comments? Southern California Spaces welcomes story ideas and comments from our readers. Write to: Spaces, 21221 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills CA 91367.
november/december 2008 spaces 11 PacificRimNonBleed.indd 1
10/10/08 9:51:24 AM
SoCal
so cool Two-sided direct vent fireplace The fireplace is a design focal point of any living space, whether inside or out. A dual-sided fireplace provides an ideal solution for SoCal homeowners who desire both. With locations in Van Nuys and West LA, the owners of Cornerstone Mantels have over 20 years of experience in mantel manufacturing and fireplace sales. They take pride in finding the perfect natural stone or wood mantel for your home, and can convert an ordinary fireplace into a masterpiece, such as this unit surrounded by a sleek marble mantel. Whether your taste is contemporary or classic, these “green” fireplaces can heat your entire house in addition to looking fabulous.
Design is not just about form. It’s a process that integrates technology, function and aesthetics into a single thought. And nowhere is there a more dynamic
Cornerstone Mantels www.cornerstonemantels.com
community of design “thinkers” than in Southern California. A melting pot of people and cultures, SoCal is also a hodgepodge of style. Here are some of the latest creations from those who define cool. —Holly Berecz
Design dna
Plastics innovator Earl Silas Tupper patented his unbreakable Tupperware containers in 1947, but consumers had trouble operating the airtight lids. So Tupper hired
ers, herbs and spices, has been wafting through homes
design a marketing strategy, and
for centuries. Ancient Chinese, Egyptian and Roman
the Tupperware party was born.
civilizations used it to freshen the air, decorate and
Tupper made enough millions
perform religious ceremonies. In the Middle Ages, when
to buy his own island and Wise
poor ventilation and unsanitary conditions prevailed, herbs strewn
became the first woman to grace the
on the ground released a fragrance when people walked on them.
cover of BusinessWeek. 12 spaces november/december 2008
The heady scent of potpourri, an aromatic mix of flow-
single mom Brownie Wise to
Barclay Butera www.barclaybutera.com
Rene sofa Beauregard Blue and Durbar Leopard Imperial pillows Redefining luxury for 15 years, Barclay Butera grew up watching his mother design model homes and custom interiors for private clients. Based in Newport Beach, Butera’s brand is recognized the world over for transitional style that emphasizes clean, tailored lines and intriguing fabrics. An element of the Barclay Butera Home line, the Rene sofa features a round tufted back with high box-pleated flounce. Shown in Midnight Velvet, it coordinates beautifully with pillows from his signature line such as the patchwork Beauregard Blue and wild Durbar Leopard Imperial.
Contura bathtub Sexy curves meet sensible function to create this elegant centerpiece for the bath. Recognized for quality and innovation in
luxury
bathing
systems,
Americh
Corporation, in North Hollywood, has been crafting personalized bathing experiences since 1982. Designed with a timeless blend of graceful lines and simplicity, the freestanding tub is shaped for beauty and comfort. A roomy 72 inches long, it offers plenty of space to stretch out. Visually, the striking yet understated design makes it the focal point of any luxury bathroom setting.
Americh www.americh.com
SCRABBLE, the popular word game
Who doesn’t love the
The first phone
that has provided quality family time for decades,
whirring sound of the blender
book didn’t actually con-
was initially rejected by manufacturers who
as it chops, purées, liquefies
tain any phone numbers.
and magically whips up our
The one-page directory,
deemed it unmarketable. Alfred M. Butts, an architect who invented the board game in 1948, made each of the 100 wooden letter tiles by
morning smoothies or afternoon
issued in 1878, listed the
daiquiris? Stephen Poplawski’s
names of 50 subscribers in New
kitchen appliance, invented in
Haven, Connecticut. Later that year, a
hand. Butts conceded
1922, was first used to make
heftier version swelled to 391 names
that his wife was a
milkshakes at drug store soda
and provided tips on how to use the new
fountains. Today, the gadget that
gadget. Among them: Start out by saying
“She beat me at my
revolutionized drinks can create
“Hulloa,” and when you’re done chatting,
own game.”
just about any concoction.
sign off with, “That is all.”
better player, noting,
november/december 2008 spaces 13
SoCal so cool
Chelsea day bed It’s easy to imagine being a glamorous starlet lounging on this sumptuous day bed. Craftsmen at Terra Furniture, headquartered in the City of Industry, pay great attention to detail, using subtle finishes, rich textures, uncommonly thick cushions and perfect proportions to appeal to all the senses. Made of tubular aluminum with simulated bamboo nodules, the Chelsea day bed is more than just a lounge piece. With an adjustable canopy and modernmeets-Old-Hollywood style, it’s more art than furniture.
Terra Furniture www.terrafurniture.com
Q Design www.qdesignstudio.com
Denise’s Solution Like a finely tailored suit, a piece of furniture can have a perfect fit. Designer Denise Richards, president of Q Design in El Segundo, sketched out this armoire and used a local cabinetmaker to build it. Ideal for many homes in the Beach Cities that have small spaces, it’s perfect for keeping everything you need in an office behind closed doors. Made of maple with an espresso finish, the roomy wardrobe holds a computer and printer with plenty of shelves for books or boxes. Open, it’s a functional piece of furniture. Closed, a work of art.
Design dna John Montagu, the
14 spaces november/december 2008
The most popular
fourth Earl of Sandwich, often
color when it comes to painting
missed out on dinner while
your home’s exterior is…no drum
working long hours as a
roll needed…just plain white.
cabinet minister. Legend has
The ho-hum color is followed by
it that one day in 1762, he
some similarly bland favorites:
asked his cook to stuff
beige ranks second, and gray
some meat inside two slices
is the third choice, according to
of bread, creating the sandwich
the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality
and earning the gratitude of busy
Institute. But there’s no reason
people everywhere who only
you can’t paint the front door
have time to grab a quick bite.
turquoise.
SoCal so cool Nancy Braver Studio www.nancybraver.com
Standing Wave Above: 40-by-144-by-8-inch acrylic Column 7 Right: 96-by-24-inch cast acrylic, aluminum, cable Artist Nancy Braver, who received her MFA from the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia and maintains a Los Angeles art studio, captures the essence of Southern California with architectural sculptures that cast a myriad of light forms in the spaces they inhabit. When Neiman Marcus featured the work of local artists in the new Topanga Canyon store, Braver’s blue and white Standing Wave was showcased on one of the main walls. “The most significant material in my work is light,” Braver says. “I have an architectural interest in form, and try to shape and create negative space within architectural environments.”
Kerry Cassill www.kerrycassill.com
Cranberry Marble and Black Zebra fabric Forever fascinated with textiles, home and fashion designer Kerry Cassill pursued her passion and opened her own boutique in 1998. Lala in Laguna Beach showcases an
intriguing
includes
luxe
collection cotton
that
fabrics
and upholstery. Cassill expertly mixes soft and bold to create an inspired collection of clothing and bedding. Her array of original designs and prints includes the vibrantly whimsical Cranberry Marble pattern and the sleek and sophisticated Black Zebra, a new addition to her upholstery line.
16 spaces november/december 2008
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november/december 2008 spaces 19
Each DOTI store is independently owned and operated.
my favorite room
Pure relaxation By Pamela Bunn
James Radin James Radin Interior Design Beverly Hills Photos: Karyn R. Millet
M
ore than 30 years ago, interior de-
signer James Radin earned his de-
James, when were you hired to do this project?
sign degree from California College
About two years ago.
of the Arts in Oakland. After working on large commercial projects in New York, he went on
to start his own firm, James Radin Interior Design, in California. Over a decade of residential work, Radin has perfected the art of designing casual, beachy-cool spaces. (If you’ve seen the movie Something’s Gotta Give, Diane Keaton’s house was his creation.) So when a Canadian
Where is the house located? It’s a really big house right on the beach in Malibu.
What can you tell us about your clients? They’re a couple from Canada with three grown children. They bought this house as a beach retreat and come down about four
couple bought a beachfront vacation home in
times a year.
Malibu, they enlisted Radin to give them the retreat of their dreams. It’s no wonder this
Did they know what they wanted when they hired you?
open-living space just steps from the ocean is
They did. Oddly enough, they had seen an-
his favorite.
other house that was on the market that I CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
20 spaces november/december 2008
These two interior designers used their expertise to create tranquil retreats for their clients. So sit back, relax and read on to see how they designed these inviting spaces.
A
labama native and interior designer Lara Fishman learned her trade at
UCLA’s School of Interior and Envi-
How would you describe the style of the home? It’s a classical 1920s Art Deco home in the
ronmental Design, and honed her skills while
Hollywood Hills.
working for famed designer Kelly Wearstler. Nine years ago, she branched out and formed
Had your clients just purchased the house, or were they redecorating?
her own high-end firm, Storm Interiors. To-
They had recently purchased the home,
gether with her current partner, design direc-
and they hired us to design the majority of
tor Nina Perry, Fishman transformed a mod-
the rooms.
est master bedroom for a power couple with very specific tastes. Take a glimpse at how they delivered a glamorous Out of Africa vibe smack dab in the Hollywood Hills.
Lara, when were you hired for this project? Toward the end of 2006 and into 2007.
Lara Fishman Storm Interiors Santa Monica Photos: Eric Miller
What can you tell us about the clients? The woman is an agent — one of the only female partners at Endeavor — and her husband is a producer. And they have a little girl.
When you first met with them, did they have a penchant for a particular style? CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
november/december 2008 spaces 21
my favorite room JAMES RADIN FROM PAGE 20 had designed from the ground up, and they really liked it but they didn’t like the location of that house. So when they found this property, they decided to put everything they liked from the other place into this house.
What was the condition of the house when they bought it? For most people it was absolutely move-in ready. It had more arts-and-crafts woodworking and detailing, and was a little bit darker. But for the average person, it was ready to go.
How involved were your clients in the design process? They were very clear about what they wanted to achieve — open it up, make it bright — so they were involved enough, but they were a great hands-off, you-know-what-we’re-after
needed to come in and give it the once-over.
with variations to it. There are variations in
Did you create this open-living floor plan, or did it already exist?
We tried to stay controlled and specific to an
There was an open plan, but we opened it up a little bit more. Then we added the wood paneling, changed the mantels and redid the floors. We gave it a more traditional East Coast, beachy background.
the colors of blue and the colors of natural. idea, but have ups and downs and variations of texture and color. There’s painted furniture, stained furniture and different colors of wood. And I think that’s what gives it richness and makes a room like this look like somebody’s home, rather than a commer-
type of clients. I think they understood archi-
How did you approach the design?
cial. The idea is to be peaceful and definitely
tecturally the pluses of the house and where we
In general, we have a very simple palette but
inviting, and not off-putting in any way. CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
22 spaces november/december 2008
Woodland Hills
6941 Topanga Canyon Blvd. (818) 347-7775
Van nUYs
5960 Van Nuys Blvd. (818) 304-0444
noRTHRidGE
8814 Reseda Blvd. (818) 772-8888
noRTH HollYWood 7107 Radford Ave. (818) 765-2629
MonRoVia
405 W. Foothill Blvd. (626) 471-3599
my favorite room JAMES RADIN FROM PAGE 22 Are there challenges to designing a home on the beach?
LIVING
Yes. Salt air and corrosion is a big issue. Cotton is one of the best fabrics for a beach house, so
DINING
everything in that house is basically cotton and linen — very easy and natural textiles and as stress-free as possible. And any kind of metal lamps are a big no-no. (Hopefully, this great antique lantern will survive!)
After all these years, what gives you inspiration?
SITTING BAR
LIBRARY
The whole thing with these clients is to make their fantasies come truer than they ever thought possible. That’s the fun part.
“ Cotton is one of the best fabrics for a beach house, so everything in that house is basically cotton and linen — very easy and natural textiles and as stress-free as possible.”
RADIN BUYING GUIDE* Living Room French iron urn lamp: Antique hexagonal pedestal table: Antique Taha trunk: Antique Blue club chair: Rogers & Goffigon/
Montana Bluebonnet Coffee Table: Mecox, stone top Cream club chairs: Ralph Lauren/
Keegan Cream Lamps: Double Gourd, Christopher Spitzmiller Printed club chairs: Clarence House/ Las Palmas Round Table: Mecox, mirrored top Rug: Sisal area rug Sofa: Rogers & Goffigon/Tuckernuck Grotto Dining Room Chairs: Hollyhock Dining table: Custom Lantern: Paul Ferrante Sitting Area Chairs: Rogers & Goffigon, Toccata Wave Ottoman: Pindler & Pindler, Pembroke
Natural *All upholstery is custom designed
24 spaces november/december 2008
Transform your home into an expression of your personality.
express yourself
Victorian to Mid-Century Modern
Antiques & Gallery in two locations with 12,000 square feet in nearby El Segundo. Direct Importers of European Furniture and Accessories for over 20 years.
401 E. El Segundo Blvd. & 337 Richmond St. in El Segundo • www.studioantiques.com • 310-416-1233 / 310-322-3895 • Open Daily 9am-5:30pm
my favorite room lara fishman FROM PAGE 21 She said she wanted her bedroom to feel like a more glamorous version of the movie Out of Africa, which is where the hides come in. And although she’s American, she has a South American background, so she likes carved, old and rustic elements, too.
How involved were they in the design process? The husband, not at all; the wife, extremely. We had first done her office at Endeavor, and then it led to her home.
Do you appreciate clients who are extremely involved? Yes — especially if they’re nice! It’s great to have a client who’s decisive and knows what she wants and what she doesn’t, because it makes the process that much more efficient. But you educate each other. She pushed our design and made us better.
What was your approach to designing the room? We didn’t want to do things that were too trendy, and she didn’t want the Hollywood Regency element. The bedroom isn’t exceedingly large by any means, but our concept in designing space isn’t about making the space seem larger, it’s making the best of the space you have. We knew we wanted the focal point to be the bed, so she had given us a clipping of a similar concept that we then interpreted, and had it custom designed. We also wanted an upholstered headboard because it’s always more comfortable and they do watch a lot of TV. We also brought in elements of antiques, like the Chinese chest, and she definitely knew she wanted an antique mirrored side table. (A lot of our female clients want that.) Then we found a great wallpaper to use as a backdrop on the wall behind the bed. It evokes real tranquility.
Did her husband have any specific requests? Yes. He wanted to make sure the bed felt CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
26 spaces november/december 2008
“ We didn’t want to do things that were too trendy, and she didn’t want the Hollywood Regency element.”
november/december 2008 spaces 27
my favorite room lara fishman FROM PAGE 26 sturdy. It’s stainless steel that’s been plated, so it’s a very strong and very heavy bed that was assembled on-site. And he definitely wanted his nightstand to be an authentic antique with a more masculine feel.
What’s your favorite piece in the room? The bed. One of the reasons it’s my favorite piece, ironically enough, is that my par-
“We also brought in elements of antiques, like the Chinese chest, and she definitely knew she wanted an antique mirrored side table.
ents had a similar bed in the ’70s, and inset in the posts was a veneer of walnut. So in all the posts inset, framed by the metal, is a beautiful veneered walnut. So it took me back to my earlier days. It’s funny how things come full
(A lot of our female clients want that.)”
circle.
FISHMAN BUYING GUIDE: Accent pillow fabric: Marvic Textiles Antique nightstand (his): Gray Morell Artwork: Chez Camille, Los Angeles Custom-polished nickel canopy bed:
Brand-name label for Storm Fabric for chair and ottoman:
Rose Tarlow, velours monchalet/slate Hides: David Sutherland Reflecting table nightstand (hers) and bench: Campos Furniture
for Storm Shandong cabinet: Peking 62 Silk moiré wallpaper: Robert Crowder Table lamps: Emmerson Troop
28 spaces november/december 2008 RedHomeDesign.indd 1
10/9/08 10:50:10 AM
something’s in the kitchen
Food critics love this treasure in Torrance…
And so do the guests By Meredith Grenier
– duck three ways – duck breast, duck confit and duck foie gras.” Christine Brown, owner/chef of Restaurant Christine, serves one of her signature platters, featuring tastes blending Asian and Mediterranean cuisine.
more, it’s complimentary with dinner. The demisized cups of chowder, bisque, minestrone or vegeta-
ble potage arrive unexpectedly as guests await their entrées.
Owner/chef Christine Brown refers to the offering as an
amuse-bouche “to wake up the appetite” and welcome diners into her Tuscan-style, two-story restaurant specializing in Pacific Rim and Mediterranean cuisine.
“I see the amuse-bouche as part of a pair of bookends
to enhance a guest’s dining experience,” says server Seth Brubaker. The other part of the gastronomical bookend is
quick fact
variations on a theme
S
oup’s on every day at Restaurant Christine. What’s
PHOTOS: PAUL JONASON
“We love doing
Amuse-bouche, a term becoming more familiar now thanks to Bravo’s hit show Top Chef, are bite-sized morsels – palate teasers served before the first course of a meal. They’re meant to excite the taste buds.
november/december 2008 spaces 29
something’s in the kitchen
This popular Asian-flavored trio, above, combines miso-glazed short ribs, citrus-dusted sea scallops and kaffir lime-infused jumbo shrimp. And for dessert, below, are two popular selections artfully plated — banana cream cake and berries with mascarpone.
a complimentary digestive elixir, a petite
chicken. Our fish is delivered daily, seven days
cup of tea served before dessert to cleanse
a week, and we try to be green and recycle
the palate.
everything. We love doing variations on a
It’s this sort of pampering that creates a
theme – duck three ways – duck breast, duck
fierce loyalty among regulars such as Sue and
confit and duck foie gras.” Little “tastes” are
Allan Frew, who have had a standing lunch
also a restaurant favorite, such as the Asian
date every Friday for two years. The Palos
grazing sampler featuring tempura crayfish
Verdes Peninsula couple say the outstanding
and asparagus roll, crisp calamari, seared ahi,
cuisine, attention to detail and intimate
chilled shrimp and miso greens.
ambience are a big draw. “We have been
here more than 100 times and have never
years in the food industry, starting with
had a bad meal,” Allan says. “Often, we sit
The Grand House in San Pedro, where she
outside on the garden patio. This is our way
worked her way up in five years from cook to
of jumpstarting our weekend.”
sous chef, then pastry chef.
Food critics and epicureans also give it
Brown’s eclectic menu stems from 24
Following graduation in 1991 from The
kudos. Los Angeles Magazine recognized
Culinary Institute of America in New York
Brown as the city’s “Top Female Chef ” in
and an internship at CITY Restaurant in Los
2002 and the Southern California Restaurant
Angeles, she returned to Torrance to help Chef
Writers Association voted her “Chef of the
Michael Shafer open Depot. Next, she worked
Year” for 2001-02. The eatery has been named
as executive chef at Fino, then Descanso
“Top Restaurant in the South Bay” by the
before opening Restaurant Christine in 1996.
Zagat Survey for five of the past six years.
She’s since expanded to include a garden
patio and adjacent banquet room.
One Zagat reviewer called Brown the
“genius” behind this “treasure in Torrance,”
Now, with her trusted staff in place, she
but she’s quick to pass the praise on to
is able to blend work and travel with guest
her staff.
chef appearances on cruise ships around the
For Brown, creatively perfecting recipes
world. In April, she was the featured chef
and interacting with staff and patrons makes
aboard the Regent Cruise Line’s Paul Gauguin
her job more fun than work. “Honestly, I wake
on its Tahitian voyage.
up every day loving my profession because
there are so many variables,” she says.
II in her future?
Her fondness for food started when, as
a child, she helped her mother with her
So what’s next? Is a Restaurant Christine Brown confides there’s a “concept in the
works,” but beyond that, she isn’t dishing.
Peninsula catering business and a neighbor with his concession stand in MacArthur Park.
A born teacher, she often cooks from a
station in the dining room where guests can watch. On this occasion, she made warm lobster salad and Asian-flavored short ribs, citrus-dusted sea scallops and kaffir limeinfused jumbo shrimp.
During monthly Sunday afternoon
restaurant Restaurant Christine
24530 Hawthorne Boulevard Torrance 310.373.1952
cooking classes, she shares recipes and details on how to run a restaurant.
“For me, it’s a lot of farmer’s market
produce and ordering only the highest quality aged beef and hormone-free organic
32 spaces november/december 2008
reservations recommended? dinner with wine for two
Yes About $100
Warm Lobster Salad Serves 6
Lobster:
A new kitchen is your best investment
18 ounces cooked lobster tail, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 tablespoons shallots, peeled and minced
3 ounces unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chives, minced
salt and pepper, to taste Melt butter in a nonstick pan over low heat. Add lobster and shallots. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, fold in chives. Reserve, keeping warm.
Salad: A new kitchen will be enjoyed by you, your family and friends for years to come. And it adds tremendous value to your home.
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12 beefsteak tomato slices, cored, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon shallots, peeled and minced
12 radicchio leaves
2 teaspoons garlic, peeled and minced
18 romaine hearts
salt and pepper, to taste
12 ounces haricots verts, stemmed, blanched and shocked
2 tablespoons basil chiffonade
12 ounces fingerling potatoes, roasted in olive oil until tender 2 ounces olive oil
16 ounces baby arugula and baby spinach 1 cup creamy tomato vinaigrette (recipe follows)
Divide tomatoes, radicchio and romaine hearts evenly among six large plates. Drizzle a scant amount of vinaigrette around each plate. Heat a medium-sized nonstick pan to medium heat. Add oil. When oil shimmers, add haricots verts and fingerling potatoes, stirring constantly. When hot throughout, add shallots and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, remove from heat, then toss in basil. Divide evenly among the six plates. In a large bowl, mix arugula and spinach with the tomato vinaigrette. Divide evenly among plates, placing the salad on top of the potato/haricots verts sauté. Top each salad with the warm lobster and serve.
Creamy Tomato Vinaigrette:
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36 spaces november/december 2008
1 cup oven-dried tomatoes
¾ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons shallots, peeled and minced
¼ cup sherry vinegar salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons roasted garlic, puréed In a blender, combine tomatoes, shallots and roasted garlic. Pulse. Add vinegar and pulse. Slowly drizzle oil in until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, then chill until ready to use.
Living
spaces Where family, friends & guests feel at home
A
s days shorten and the weather cools, no season lends itself more to entertaining than Thanksgiving and
the winter holidays. That’s when homeowners welcome jovial celebrants – friends, kissing cousins, children, even a few tag-along dogs and cats.
For some, the season includes worries
over sufficient conversational seating areas and enough places at dining tables, not to mention wear and tear on carpets and broken heirlooms as the guest list grows. The secret, designers and veteran party-givers agree, is in planning ahead.
The holidays cause much less stress when
homeowners create living spaces ahead of time that can accommodate the bustle of crowds, allowing hosts to enjoy the season as much as their guests. Spaces magazine checked with homeowners and some top Southern California designers to find the best tips for creating family-friendly rooms.
By Meredith Grenier Photos by Paul Jonason
Palos Verdes Estates residents Sheryl and
Dominic Iannitti often open their 12,000square-foot home to large family gatherings and charity benefits, but because they addressed the logistics of large parties during CONTINUED ON PAGE 40
38 spaces november/december 2008
Designer Tracy Murdock not only designed, but lived in this Hidden Hills ranch home for several years. She sold the house with everything in it to Ed Glavin, producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and his wife, Debby, when they moved to Los Angeles from Chicago about four years ago. “I instantly fell in love with this yellow room – it speaks cozy and warm,” says Debby.
november/december 2008 spaces 39
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESIGN
Accent pillows make a room more comfortable and inviting.
the design stage, their need for preparation is greatly diminished.
“Our family is large, but I don’t really
consider it entertaining when they come for holiday dinners,” says Sheryl, who with her husband, Dominic, will host a sit-down Thanksgiving feast for 35, including their six children, friends and extended family. But this is a piece of cake next to their annual Halloween party for 1,000 guests on their extensive grounds.
While the house is large by any standard,
through the magic of good design, each room feels warm, comforting and relaxed, much like the owners themselves. These pointers can be replicated with any size home, experts say. The key is designing rooms with extended family and entertaining in mind.
“I make sure all my rooms are fam-
ily friendly,” says Woodland Hills designer Tracy Murdock, who lives in Malibu and has clients throughout Southern California and in Hawaii. “Even if it is a home for only one or two people, more than likely they will be entertaining family and friends. This means that all rooms need to have comfortable seating with accent pillows as well as end tables, coasters nearby for drinks...and the furniture plan must form ‘social circles’ to invite gathering and interaction,” says the former model best known as the face for Bijan menswear and perfume line.
With just a few adjustments, a home can
withstand “many years of socializing, spills and dirty shoes,” she adds.
Interior designer Denise Richards, owner CONTINUED ON PAGE 44
40 spaces november/december 2008
Along with the home, the Glavins purchased the antiques in the dining room, which include a French antique buffet cabinet once housed in the Louvre. Murdock says she wouldn’t have dreamed of selling the home without its contents, noting that “the home and furnishings are one.” Of course, the Glavins added their own touches, especially in the family den, which now includes a pool table and musical instruments for the kids.
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FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESIGN
Practical new choices in vinyl and textured wall coverings are fingerprint-resistant and easy to clean.
of Q Design, a new design showroom in El Segundo, notes that “a family-friendly home uses smart product choices to create a space that is both livable and elegant, and it doesn’t try to hide the fact that there are children in the home.”
While recommending durable fabrics
such as leathers, microfibers, even treated silks and easily-cleaned wall coverings and paints, she insists that the presence of children is no reason to avoid good furniture and fabrics. “Children appreciate design. Many children come in our showroom and they get it,” she says. “Today’s kids are very savvy, intelligent people who have an appreciation for good design.”
When choosing paint, the designers agree
that no color is off-limits for lifestyles that include entertaining for all ages.
“It is about expressing a vision that re-
flects the family,” says Richards. “For some CONTINUED ON PAGE 46
Sheryl and Dominic Iannitti have a 12,000-square-foot home, but like most couples with children, they spend much of their time in the kitchen. Dominic’s favorite room is his state-of-the-art home theater, complete with velvet cushions. The neighborhood kids love it too, and are always invited to watch the latest movies.
44 spaces november/december 2008
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FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESIGN
This Manhattan Beach home was recently given a makeover
Combine dark to mid-tone walls with light fabrics, furniture and flooring to make a room bright and airy.
by designer Denise Richards. The owners, a couple who love to entertain and have their grandchildren over for sleepovers, wanted to make the smallish space inviting. “You can
families that may be browns and muted blues; for others, it is all white with bold punches of orange and pink.”
Murdock recommends wall coverings,
which have now become very practical with handsome vinyls and textured papers that are fingerprint-resistant. She also shared her favorite paint color, eggshell, which she says cleans well and doesn’t leave “trails” when retouching, requiring the whole wall to be repainted.
Los Angeles designer Pam Barthold, own-
er of Redondo Beach-based Pazzam Designs and a former 10-year designer for Mattel, Inc. prior to launching her firm, agrees that no set color palette makes a family-friendly room. Even white rooms can work with color accents, she says, adding that clients often assume they must use pastels in order to achieve a light room. Not so, she says.
“If you use dark to mid-tone walls and
add light fabrics, furniture and flooring, your room will appear to be bright and airy because light and color reflects off whatever is in your room as well as the walls themselves,” Barthold says.
Recently, she created a warm, fam-
ily-friendly room by painting three adjacent walls in carefully selected mid-tones of ochre, olive and merlot. “The colors flow so beautifully together that the result becomes a non color, but it’s warm and welcoming. CONTINUED ON PAGE 48
46 spaces november/december 2008
get lost if the ceilings are high, so I enveloped the room with softer, warmer elements and color,” says Richards. Rolling Hills Flower Mart styled the floral arrangements for our photo shoot.
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FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESIGN
Scatter small vases of fresh flowers throughout the home.
After people leave, they generally can’t name the wall color,” she says.
When going for an area that can with-
stand a lot of company, Barthold suggests wood floors, particularly chiseled 5-inch planks in any type of wood that works with the scheme. “For families, I recommend avoiding smooth floor boards,” she says. “Buy boards with scuffs in them. Otherwise, the first time you move a chair you will have a scuff on the new floor and you will be heartbroken.”
Barthold says the current trend is to create
family-friendly, all-purpose rooms. By turning an upstairs bedroom into a family room complete with microwave, mini-refrigerator
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESIGN
Instead of carpeting, choose hardwood floors for durability and throw rugs for easy cleaning. 48 spaces november/december 2008
and dishwasher, you can stay put after din-
ner and don’t have to haul the dishes down-
can be pulled over for extra guests. The fire-
stairs to the kitchen. Appliance companies
place or a window seat overlooking a garden
have embraced this trend with many “small
or panoramic view are good gathering spots.
snack appliances such as popcorn or hot dog
Also, large ottomans can double as coffee ta-
makers and gelato and espresso makers that
bles, holding trays of drinks, or they can be
can be hidden in cabinets,” she says.
hidden underneath tables and pulled out to
be used for company seating.
All three designers advocate throw rugs
Murdock also uses occasional chairs that
instead of wall-to-wall carpets because they
can be changed seasonally and are more eas-
less is best when it comes to
ily cleaned or replaced when damaged or
knickknacks, which can in-
worn. And as Richards points out, carpets
clude everything from too
can trap dust, stains and germs even when
many photos to myriad sports
cleaned.
trophies and travel treasures.
Careful furniture selection is important
FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESIGN
Large ottomans not only provide extra seating, but can double as coffee tables.
All the designers agree that
Richards suggests that col-
when anticipating guests, notes Murdock,
lectibles be used sparingly. “Hav-
who recently completed a classic Cape Cod
ing clean surfaces is essential for fam-
country house using floral chintzes in a gar-
ily activities,” she says. “Choose just a few of
den room. She chose down sofas that are
your favorite things – those that put a smile
quilted to make them more cozy and com-
on your face.”
fortable. The room has two swivel chairs that
can either face the sofas in a “conversation
moderation, says Murdock: “A great arrange-
area” or swing around toward the TV set and
ment in the entry is nice, but I like to scatter
kitchen.
smaller vases throughout the home.”
Finally, fresh flowers are a must, but in
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un usual rooms
P A shared meditative space
avan Bhatia is a true Renaissance woman – an architect, a lover of nature who recites poetry, a single
mother to her 10-year-old son. She loves learning so much, she travels to Boston every few weeks to finish her courses for a master’s in executive management at Harvard University, all while keeping a full-time job as a
Outdoor retreat reflects owner’s Indian roots
facilities project manager for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Of course, her long wavy hair is perfect,
fragrant flowers bloom in the back yard, and a home-cooked dinner is usually on the table.
By Jane Isabella Photos by Paul Jonason
50 spaces november/december 2008
When she moved into a simple West Hills
ranch home a few years ago with her son, she knew it needed a redo, but concentrated on
P avan Bhatia what Outdoor meditation room where West Hills we need Who in the world to know would you most like to invite over? “H illary Clinton. I would love to make her dinner and just sit and talk.”
who
what she felt was most important – creating a meditative place where she could think, her son could relax and all would be welcome.
Bhatia’s unusual room is a cozy outdoor
retreat that she built off the library, overlooking a pool and garden, a tranquil space covered by a gazebo-like roof and sides where strategically placed fabrics billow in the evening wind.
“This space reflects my culture,” says Bha-
tia, who was born in India, but grew up in the Valley. “It is a meditation area, yes, but it is also a place where I feel my roots.”
To create it, she drew the plans for a Moor-
ish-style gazebo and had the contractor cut it out. She’s proud that all the materials to
construct the space were acquired within a
guitar and starts strumming soft melodies.
15-mile radius of her home.
Neil says he likes to think of the retreat as a
The cutouts were done at Home Depot,
special place he and his mother share, where
the plants are from local nurseries, and the
time and troubles seem to stop. “We come
furniture is largely from Z Gallerie and Tar-
out here and we talk,” he says. “There’s noth-
get. The only item not from the immediate
ing but us, and I really like that.”
area is a lamp she purchased from a bazaar in
her parents’ native Delhi.
ways surprised when they knock on the
Bhatia adds that first-time guests are al-
Her son, Neil, a vibrant boy who dances
door of her “boring tract home” and sweep
and jumps while playing the video game
through to the back yard. “I can tell I suc-
Guitar Hero when inside the house, magi-
ceeded,” she says, “when I see people visibly
cally calms down when he enters the medi-
exhaling and relaxing within just a few min-
tation space. He picks up a nearby acoustic
utes of sitting down.”
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Home Ec 101 By Linda Massarella
There is a sea change of people carpooling, buying plants that require less water, turning off the lights more often and using fuel-efficient appliances and cars. People truly are realizing that every little thing really does add up toward saving both money and the planet. But here are some reminders on how we can continue to do even more for the next generation.
A CLEAN BREAK Though studies show that antibacterial soap is no more effective than good old-fashioned soap and water – and, in fact, controversy continues on whether it may even cause bacteria to become super-resistant – the popular product is still flying off the shelves. Perhaps it’s time to reacquaint yourself with the plain old soap aisle and stock up on bars of your favorite, or take a trip to the local organic market.
ANGER MANAGEMENT Back in the last oil crisis during the 1970s, thenPresident Jimmy Carter urged everyone to slow down and save gas. He was right. Aggressive driving can reduce your mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. You can save 15 percent on fuel costs by obeying the speed limit, avoiding quick starts and stops – and you’re (almost) guaranteed to avoid that traffic ticket.
FRESH AIR Get out of the car! Soak up the glorious California sun, catch up with your neighbors and get some exercise by walking or biking more often. And here’s an added bonus – no traffic. Do
54 spaces november/december 2008
you really need to drive 10 blocks to the store? Take a bus when you can, but if you must drive, choose a fuel-efficient vehicle (especially with today’s gas prices), be sure to properly maintain your car, and carpool whenever possible.
UNPLUG With names like phantom load and vampire power, you have to wonder what it is that’s lurking in your home. The terms refer to the way many devices still consume electricity when not in use. While not as frightening as the ghoulish names imply, it is costly and a drain on the environment. We know there are certain things you just can’t unplug, but do what you can, and also turn power strips off before you go to sleep.
DRY UP A drip here, a drop there – eventually, it fills a bucket. Here are some easy ways to conserve water: shut the flow while brushing your teeth or shaving; keep some drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it’s cold enough for you; take shorter showers and use low-flow showerheads; fix leaky faucets and toilets; and be sure to wait until you have a full load before doing both the dishes and the laundry.
FROZEN TREAT Refrigerators and freezers use about 19 percent of all electricity in a typical California home – more than any other single appliance. Southern California Edison will pay you $50 to turn in your inefficient model, as long as it’s still working. They’ll even pick it up for free, and haul it away to be recycled. Find out more on the utility’s website at www.sce.com or log on to the Community Environmental Council’s site at www.getenergized.org.
What are your favorite eco-saving tips? Let us know at spaceseditor@langnews.com.
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spaces
Paradise found
T
hroughout much of the year, the bird of paradise is nothing more than a clump of broad, decorative leaves. Then in winter, the seasonal beauty awakens
– spectacular flowers appear, bearing a strong resemblance to orange, blue and white-crested tropical birds in flight.
Though a long way from its native South Africa, the plant
thrives in Southern California and is the official city flower of Los Angeles. The brightly colored plant can reach a height of
Photo: Kerry Paul
5 feet and is often used in landscaping.
this perennial moist in the summer, and water less during
The bird of paradise, also known as Strelitzia reginae, fre-
winter months. Thinning is unnecessary, since a crowded
quently blooms in winter, but also blossoms at other times
plant blooms best. If you transplant it, though, take heed: it
throughout the year. It prefers sun or light shade, and is ideal
may go into a snit and not bloom again for a couple of years.
poolside because the leaves don’t drop from the plant. Keep
56 spaces november/december 2008
— Joan Jackson
hiGh t ech home ’Tis the season to reward yourself and loved ones with shiny new toys. Whether you’re celebrating at home or on the go, these products will add some sparkle to your holidays. And they make fantastic gifts, so go out and spread some cheer. By Holly Berecz
Picture perfect
Remote control We Southern Californians love our out-
This sleek 8-inch digital
door living spaces. Install SunBriteTV’s
photo frame from CEIVA holds
your
all-weather outdoor television and you’ll
treasured
never step foot inside again. The 46-inch
memories – and keeps them coming. The frame, with interchangeable finishes in black and wood, has an easy to use onscreen menu and connects to the net so you can get news, weather, sports, recipes and more, along with your snapshots. The $224.99 price tag includes a one-year enrollment in PicturePlan, a service that automatically sends daily photo updates from family and friends.
full high-definition LCD TV withstands all weather conditions, from driving rain to sub-zero temperatures. Its powder-coated aluminum exterior protects the internal components from rain, dirt, insects and other elements. Priced at $5,495. www.sunbritetv.com
www.ceiva.com
Cocooned Outside, it’s a cloud-like elliptical sculpture. Inside, it’s your own spa-like VIP lounge. The Transport personal light, sound and space environment, designed by architect Alberto Frias, delivers the ultimate relaxation experience. The fiberglass pod features a temperature-controlled waterbed, sound system with vibrating subwoofer and LED lighting to match your mood. Custom made by hand for around $19,000, each pod is signed and numbered by Frias. www.albertofrias.com
58 spaces november/december 2008
Well red
Not sure if you’ re in the mood for a steamy romance or suspenseful m urder mystery? No problem. Carr y a library of 160 bo oks right in the palm of your hand. Th e Reader Digital Book from Sony, show n in Sangria Red, lets you store your fav orite books digit ally in one compact device. Curl up with this great trave l companion. Lis ted at $299.99, the portable reader also comes in blue an d silver. www.sonystyle.com
Show time What’s more convenient than Netflix delivering movies straight to your door? How about having 24/7 access to the largest online movie rental service right on your TV? The Netflix Player by Roku provides instant access to over 12,000 movies and TV shows via the Internet. Small as a paperback book, the unit lists for $99.99 and works in conjunction with existing Netflix memberships at no additional cost.
www.roku.com
SOS In a pinch with no cell phone signal? The Spot Satellite Messenger could be a lifesaver if you’re in distress while on a
Need to get your hands on your own
hike, at sea, on the slopes or
copy of Southern California Spaces
in a remote corner of the globe without adequate cell phone
magazine?
coverage. Weighing just 7 ounces, the waterproof device allows users to send GPS coordinates and short messages via satellite. In an emergency, it acts as a beacon
Pick one up at any of the advertisers featured in this issue, or at one of the
until help arrives. The unit sells for $169.99,
home improvement/design centers
plus an annual service fee of $99.99.
listed on pages 64 and 65.
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8 1 8 .7 1 3 . 3 2 9 4
cause for applause Photos by Lee Salem and Steve Cohn
L.A. Opera, Hollywood style
Left to right: Director William Friedkin; Plácido Domingo; L.A. Opera conductor James Conlon; and Woody Allen pose for the camera following the opening of Puccini’s Il Trittico.
By Patt Diroll Marc Stern, chairman of the L.A. Opera Board of Directors, and wife Eva were all smiles on the red carpet at the opening night gala.
Left to right: Elizabeth Pollon and her daughter, Cat Pollon, of Studio City, dine with Karen Delavan and her husband, baritone Mark Delavan, star of Il Tabarro, on opening night.
T
he new L.A. Opera season got under
why we are deeply grateful for the support of
way with a gala weekend that start-
Eva and Marc Stern, Milena and Milan Panic,
ed September 5 at a dinner with Ex-
and Carla and Fred Sands, whose major gifts
ecutive Director Plácido Domingo in honor
made Il Trittico possible.”
of the company’s “Platinum” patrons, held
at the Pacific Palisades home of Sandra and
by yet another film director: David Cronen-
Jack Terner.
berg directed the U.S. premiere of The Fly on
The highlight of the party marathon was
September 7, based on his own 1986 remake
the next day’s Tuscan-style bash following
of the 1958 sci-fi classic. Composed by How-
Puccini’s Il Trittico at the Dorothy Chandler
ard Shore with a libretto by David Henry
Pavilion. The first two of three one-act operas
Hwang, the opera recently had its world
that make up the unique trilogy, Il Tabarro and
premiere in Paris.
Suor Angelica, were staged by film director Wil-
liam Friedkin. Filmmaker Woody Allen made
the season-opening celebration sponsor and
his operatic debut directing the third, Gianni
is now the opera’s official timepiece.
The weekend ended with a production
L.A. Opera’s newest partner, Rolex, was
Christina Baitzel of Rancho Palos Verdes, wife of the late Edgar Baitzel, chief operating officer of the L.A. Opera, who died last year.
Schicchi, Puccini’s only comic opera.
In keeping with the theme, gala chair-
woman Mary Hayley transformed the Music Center Plaza into a romantic Florentine piazza with giant sunflowers and bright yellow roses massed in urns on tables draped in citron silk, where guests dined on the cuisine of Tuscany. Milan Panic and his wife, mezzosoprano Milena Kitic, of Pasadena, were major underwriters of the season opening celebration.
60 spaces november/december 2008
Mounting a production of this magnitude
is costly. “It requires a huge number of singers with three separate casts appearing in three very different operas,” said Domingo. “That is
Jack and Sandra Terner of Pacific Palisades flank L.A. Opera Executive Director Plácido Domingo as they arrive at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the gala season opener.
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cause for applause
Grand opening of top store in the Valley benefits local charities, artists
H
undreds of well-heeled shoppers, locals and celebrities gathered in the newest Neiman Marcus store,
PHOTOS: BERLINER PHOTOGRAPHY
Fashion models strut in designer Naeem Khan dresses, with diamond necklaces and earrings from the store’s precious jewels collection.
now anchoring the middle of the Westfield To-
panga Mall in Woodland Hills, to listen to bands play, gawk at the quality merchandise and raise money for four worthy charities.
More than $60,000 was raised during the September 4
gala for the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; the Grossman Burn Foundation; the New West Symphony; and the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the ALS Association.
“It’s great to have a Neiman Marcus just 10 miles away,”
said gala goer and Calabasas resident Renee Sherman. “There are some high quality items here that you don’t see elsewhere. The boutiques inside the store are terrific,” she added, These “suits” are well made. Left to right: Bob Lugari, vice president and general manager of Neiman Marcus Topanga; Burt Tansky, president and CEO of The Neiman Marcus Group; and Tom Lind, director of store operations.
eyeing a Chanel purse.
Besides donating the ticket price for the items to the char-
ities, the Dallas-based retailer insisted on using as much local talent as possible to decorate the store. All of the art on the walls, in fact, was purchased from local artists. Nancy Braver was commissioned to create artwork for the main wall near the Giorgio Armani boutique on the second floor – a blue structural piece called Standing Wave that we liked so much, we featured it in this issue’s So Cal So Cool. The piece and more of Braver’s work can be seen on page 16.
“This is a very exciting chance they’ve given to local art-
ists. There are dozens of us who are being given fantastic exposure,” Braver said. “I’ve been on a real ride since they asked me to do the piece.”
Los Angeles artist Nancy Braver’s work livens up one of the walls in the Topanga store.
Andrew Firestone, of the ABC reality show The Bachelor, checks out the merchandise with wife, Ivana.
62 spaces november/december 2008
Kathleen and Dean Rasmussen attended on behalf of the Greater LA Chapter of the ALS Association.
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64 spaces november/december 2008
Alpine Carpet One 3961 Sepulveda Blvd.
Petals N Wax Home 13455 Maxella Ave.
Palos Verdes The Travel Door 31 Peninsula Center Rancho Palos Verdes Good Night Mattress 28901 S. Western Ave. #139
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Paykel Fireplace Fixtures 1820 Broadway
Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery 2202 Broadway
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enjoy. 10/9/08 10:11:17 AM
Sure, it’s a lot of work to make over our homes, but anyone who has undergone a major renovation will openly admit that it’s not only an exciting time, it can be a lot of fun and very rewarding. In our next issue, we give you the lowdown on local
Venice
before-and-after renovation stories. We also
Patio Culture 1612 Abbot Kinney
provide tips on how to lighten your home
West Los Angeles
mood—with lighting, windows, candles and more—in the post-holiday season. Plus, we get the owners of the cozy Brandywine
Alpine Carpet One 12241 Wilshire Blvd.
Restaurant to come up with delicious
Wilmington
Available January 19, 2008
recipes that readers can easily make at home.
Coast Welding 234 Broad Ave.
818.713.3294 spacesmag.com Our homes. Ourselves. november/december 2008 spaces 65
historical spaces
Floating icon Regal ship recalls bygone era of grandeur at sea
By Jane Isabella Above, the Queen Mary sets off on her maiden voyage. Far left, passengers in the ship’s grand salon dine in style against a backdrop of magnificent Art Deco décor. Left and below, guests socialize and Bob Hope entertains.
The Queen Mary 1126 Queen’s Highway Long Beach 562.435.3511 Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. General admission is $24.95 for adults and $12.95 for children ages 5–11. Tickets for special tours and attractions are available at higher rates.
C
ome aboard the Queen Mary and travel back in time to the sophistication and elegance of the grand old ocean liners. In its heyday, the majestic vessel car-
ried Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Charlie Chaplin and many of the world’s rich and famous across the high seas.
The Queen Mary, built in Scotland, made her maiden voy-
age in 1936. When World War II broke out, the Cunard luxury liner was painted battleship gray, her portholes blackened as she was transformed into a troop transport overnight. By war’s end, the Queen Mary had carried nearly 800,000 troops and played a key role in most of the Allied campaigns.
In 1967, the stately ship made her last transatlantic cross-
ing, from Southampton, England, to her permanent dock in Long Beach Harbor. Today, visitors can enjoy the floating museum, marvel at the treasure trove of Art Deco design, dine in one of three ocean-view restaurants, book a stateroom in the ship’s historic hotel, and even start the journey of a lifetime by exchanging wedding vows aboard the fabled ocean liner.
66 spaces november/december 2008
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