LA NOTEBOOK: DAY no.1 LA CIENEGA

We had such a fun week in LA. I haven't been back for awhile, so it was great to see old friends as well as meet some new ones. In that same spirit, we visited a lot of new shops and returned to a number of old favorites, all still as inspiring as ever.

There was a ton of energy in the air, maybe because our visit landed right in the middle of award season. Memo to self : the day after the Grammy's might not be the best timing for an early morning arrival. Lots of people moving very slowly, if you know what I mean.

Highlights of our trip are sorted by each day's visit to a different area, though looking back through my notebook, most of my favorite spots were in West Hollywood. It was hard to leave....

Pat McGann's 746 North La Cienega

I am always so inspired at Pat McGann's shop in LA. This visit was no exception. It was filled with beautiful vintage fabrics and pillows from one of her recent trips. Loved the green wall in the front. A great mix of mid-century pieces with antique Indian and Chinese fabrics. She also has a 1st Dibs shop.

Hollywood at Home 750 North La Cienega Blvd

Hollywood at Home 724 North La Cienega Blvd

A good friend made sure we didn't miss Hollywood at Home and I was grateful for the tip. There are two shops, one right next door to Pat McGann's and one across the street. A full service interior design shop from the very talented Peter Dunham. Think Anglo-Indian meets mid-century Mediterranean, lots of great natural textures and and block-printed fabrics. The shop features Peter's own line of fabrics and custom furniture, antiques and vintage finds as well as textile collections from many of our favorite designers including John Robshaw, Carolina Irving and Lisa Fine.

Side note : check out the new design collaboration of Irving and Fine for Lucky Brand. Quite affordable and very chic!

Lucca Antiques 744 North La Cienega Blvd

I don't usually think of red when I think Lucca Antiques, but I loved this setting. Lucca tends to be more of the Belgium variety, that great mix of scale, neutral, nubby textures and well-aged woods.
Add a few found objects and edited restraint and you have the very personal point of view of it's owners, Susan & Stephen Keeney.

Lucca's vintage pillows

Lucca also had lots of vintage ethnic pillows, particularly loved the antique Turkish ones, incredibly modern.

Dorothy Thorpe glasses @ Dragonette 711 North La Cienega

 If you're on the hunt for vintage Dorothy Thorpe glassware, Dragonette, at no. 711, has cornered the market. Though designed in her LA studio in the early 30's (up til the 50's), her platinum banded glasses have a very modern proportion. Dragonette is known for their incredible mid-century collection and vintage jewelry.

Downtown 719 North La Cienega

Downtown  at no. 719 and (Outside Downtown at no. 725)  has a distinct mix of dramatic colors and unexpected 20th century pieces. I never know what I am going to find, though this time they were a a bit empty as they were shipping pieces out for a show. I do love how they put their colors together.

Isabel Marant 8454 Melrose Place

Isabel Marant 8454 Melrose Place 

I am going to break here before writing about Isabel Marant's  new shop that just opened last month at 8454 Melrose Place. It is so spectacular that I'll save the details for a separate note.

When you're shopping this neighborhood, a good local spot for coffee or a quick bite is the brand new Alfred Coffee and Kitchen @ 8428 Melrose Place.