‘If you invest in good pieces, they follow you through life.’ This is design writer and interior designer Mallory Roberts Morgan’s motto after 25 years of being immersed in the design world. Case in point – when she first met one tech-creative client, he had recently moved to Los Angeles, suitcase in hand; ‘Designing the interiors of his bachelor apartment in the iconic Sierra Towers of West Hollywood, we focused on a mix of distinctive vintage pieces and contemporary LA makers,’ she says.
'Use a space to suit your authentic lifestyle, not the lifestyle you imagine you might have,' says Mallory Roberts Morgan. Here, ignoring a traditional floorplan, the dining table sits in the living room, serving up views over Los Angeles and doubling down as a ‘library’ table. Hanging light, by Dimorestudio. ‘Saarinen’ dining table, from Design Within Reach. Vintage dining chairs, from Lucca Antiques. Artwork by Agostino Bonalumi
‘Cut to five years later, [when he was] moving in with his singer-songwriter-actress fiancé, our “bachelor” collection of furniture, objects and art, served as the foundation for the interiors [the couple] were now envisioning together. Whether vintage finds, designs by local makers or custom designs, every piece transitioned perfectly into the 1960s ranch-style house they rented perched in the hills above Sunset Boulevard,’ Roberts Morgan continues, referring to the home pictured in this article.
A common feature in midcentury ranch-style architecture is a walled courtyard entrance, creating privacy from the street. A diverse collection of planters composes a ‘transportable garden’, including large-scale pots for dramatic statements such as a roof-height banana tree. Stoneware sculpture, by artist Isabel Rower, from Marta Gallery
‘Nothing beats the architecture of midcentury LA to experience a true California lifestyle,’ she continues. ‘And with the dynamic design and art scene the city offers, renting creates a perfect opportunity for focusing on building a collection. So, along with some clever cosmetic tricks to make the house more personal without costly remodelling, we once again focused on curating meaningful additions to a growing collection.
‘Happily, our midcentury charmer has proved to be the perfect romantic hideaway. And our couple’s embellished interiors full of “good pieces” will be a solid foundation for any of life’s future designs (pun intended).’
Period terrazzo floors at the property were replaced with polished concrete in the 1990s. Installing wall-to-wall white carpet throughout served as a clean, bright, visual lift, and gave the house a barefoot lifestyle. A dynamic piece of wall/carpet art by Jemima Jasmine Sieff makes a bold entrance
The ‘formal’ dining room was transformed into a tranquil space for a daily meditation practice. Berber rug, from Mehraban. Vintage Patricia Urquiola, 'Tufty Time' lounge chairs, from Billings Auction. Vintage embroidered decorative pillows, from Pat McGann Gallery. Ceramic sculpture, by JoAnn Patterson, from JF Chen. Artwork by Alberto Garutti
‘Renting is an opportunity to focus on collecting, especially in Los Angeles, home to a dynamic design and art scene.’ Vintage Gio Ponti ‘Continuum’ lounge chair for Bonacina. ‘Méandre’ table, from Design Frères. Vase, by Floris Wubben from Future Perfect. ‘Wave’ artwork by Alex Israel
'Less of a kitchen and more of a hang-out makes cooking more sociable.’ Vintage Berber rug, from Amadi. Vintage woven Peruvian rug, from Kneeland Co. Lamp, from Atelier de Troupe
‘In the principal bedroom, custom plaster on the walls and ceiling, accentuated by a smoked-mirror wall, evokes the mood of a personal sanctuary.’ Custom bed fully upholstered in green mohair, fabric from Pierre Frey. Custom lacquered nightstands, from Waka Waka. Vintage hanging pendants by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, from Rewire. Vintage tapestry decorative pillows, from Pat McGann Gallery. Artwork by Imi Knoebel
‘Pieces collected during a client’s “bachelor” years transitioned perfectly into the interiors of the 1960s ranch-style house he and his fiancé moved into, perched in the hills above Sunset Boulevard.’ Red marble ‘Jumble’ table by Gae Aulenti; Arne Jacobsen ‘Egg’ chair, both vintage, from 1stdibs. Artwork by Alighiero Boetti
'One easy trick to make a rented home more personal, and avoid costly remodeling, is art, art, art.’ Portrait of S., by Ben Evans
-
Hermès Beauty’s eye and lip pencils invite playfulness with colour and textureHermès Beauty’s creative director Gregoris Pyrpylis has added to the ‘Trait d’Hermès’ collection with a set of eye and lip liners in kaleidoscopic colours. Here, he speaks to Wallpaper* about their playful design
-
The Museum of Shakespeare set to open in east LondonThe Museum of Shakespeare puts the remains of the ancient Curtain Playhouse at the centre of 'The Stage', a new urban development in the heart of Shoreditch
-
Renault, Alpine and Citroën help the 2024 Paris Motor Show return to formExplore the most delectable debuts at the Paris Motor Show 2024 – or Mondial de l'Auto – including designs from France's big car makers and niche machines from around the world
-
Sarah Solis’ first furniture collection is an homage to art deco‘Is it weird to call furniture sexy?’ Los Angeles-based designer Sarah Solis discusses her debut furniture line and new brand and store, Galerie Solis
-
Three sleek new design showrooms you need to see in Los AngelesThree international design showrooms have started a retail design boom in Los Angeles. Here are the stores to put on your radar
-
Los Angeles gallery Marta explores the enduring inspiration of grottos with an ethereal, multi-sensory group showAt Marta, guest curator Krista Mileva-Frank exhibits work by 13 contemporary talents that demonstrate how the Renaissance-era grotto continues to fuel our imagination
-
‘Midcentury modern is as American as punk rock’: 22RE on its latest full-scale projectThe new LA offices of music branding agency Ceremony of Roses, designed by local studio 22RE, are a real conversation starter
-
The inaugural Design Miami LA explores living with designInside the debut of Design Miami LA, staged at the Holmby Hills Estate until 20 May 2024
-
LA's Klein Agency opens a new gallery space in SilverlakeCalifornia design studio Klein launches The Annex, an experiential showroom in Silverlake, and unveils Volume III, a new collection of minimalist furniture
-
The Future Perfect group show in LA pays homage to JB Blunk’s sculpturesThe Future Perfect celebrates late sculptor JB Blunk’s process and aesthetic with the group exhibition ‘Inner Space’ (until 1 May 2024)
-
Southern Guild LA opens just in time for FriezeSouthern Guild LA has opened with two inaugural shows ahead of Frieze, a natural next step for the South African gallery and its wide US fanbase
