If there has been one bright spot during the global pandemic it is what I like to call "Covid Domesticity". Because we are all spending a LOT more time at home, the spaces we live in and how we conduct our lives there has become monumentally important. From the rise of the sourdough baking craze (pardon the pun), to the popularity of #cottagecore, to the enduring reign of Marie Kondo (https://konmari.com/), embracing home life is 2020's hottest trend (beside maybe the mask).

Collaboration stories are some of my favorites to share because when caring and creative people combine their passions and talents, great things happen. I have a piece in the current issue of Angeleno (https://digital.modernluxury.com/publication/?m=3624&i=665321&p=52) that showcases a recent alliance between AUX (https://www.theculturecreative.com/aux), the groundbreaking incubator started by the Culture Creative's Sean Yashar that is dedicated to experimental art, craft and

The booming art and design scene that has come to define L.A. over the last dozen years was one of the main reasons Steve and I made the move here from NYC four and a half years ago. From architecture, to fashion, to furniture craftsmanship and interior design, and fine art, California has truly become a Golden State. Upton (https://www.whatsupton.com/) is one of SoCal's most unique and approachable design studios that fully embodies the creative spirit of the Southland. Arti

Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is one of America's most legendary architects. Even if you don't recognize his name, you are sure to know at least a few of Williams' noteworthy buildings that include the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, L.A. County's Superior Courthouse, MCA's headquarters, Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, Palm Springs Tennis Club and the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Building. Over the course of his five decade career, Williams not only blazed a high-design

With "hope" as its guiding light, the new issue of Angeleno magazine does a deep deep dive into the good works being done by inspirational individuals and groups here in L.A., across the region and around the country in the time of Coronavirus. Leading the Lifestyle section is my interview with Joanne Heyler, Founding Director at The Broad (https://www.thebroad.org/). In a thought provoking Q & A (https://digital.modernluxury.com/publication/?m=3624&i=661149&p=44) Heyler desc

When Thomas Dodd, an antique print dealer, joined forces with book specialist Walter Bonham in London in 1793, Bonhams (https://www.bonhams.com/) was born. Over the last two + centuries, Bonhams has expanded it reach and reputation for excellence as their teams of specialists and auctioneers hold more than 400 sales annually in 60 different categories from their flagship salerooms in London, New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. Not satisfied to rest on its legendary laurels

For the past century, California has inspired a vast array of art potters, potteries and ceramicists who, in turn, have been an important part of the Golden State's preeminent art and design scene. I want to start to take a look at some of the most notable names and brands that have helped to shape California's creative clay. The first is Edmund Rónaky (1919 - 2000), a Hungarian-born artist who produced unique mid century pieces for Jack and Ruth Hirsch's legendary Jaru Potte

Much to Steve's relief, I like to get out of the house and do a bit exploring on my own once in awhile. I learned to love the solitary, "lose yourself" journey while I was living in Vermont many years ago. In that post college, pre-GPS era, picking a backroad and following it as far as it would go was a cheap and exciting get away, and taught me that all roads lead to something familiar...eventually. Last Monday I headed into the pre-June gloom to get lost in the canyons that

While shopping for a new fireplace screen, Steve found and purchased a real beauty on 1stdibs (https://www.1stdibs.com/). Created by The Pace Collection, the tempered glass and brushed brass tri-panel screen combines the utilitarian simplicity of Mid Century Modern design with some Halstonesque seventies glam, making this a real stand out in our living room. The Pace Collection was founded by brothers, Irving and Leon Rosen, in New York in 1960. Their original showroom on Eas

I've been wanting to check out the legendary ranches that define the Cuyama Valley for some time, so earlier this week I jumped on the 5 and headed north to do just that. At Mettler (about 80 miles north of L.A.) I took Route 166 west, which led me past the north rim of the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bitter_creek/) before dropping me into the ranch rich heartland of Cuyama. This valley is chock-a-block with rugged sweeps of arid magnifi

In 1941, Danish-born furniture designer, Jens Risom (1916-2016), met German-born furniture manufacturer, Hans Knoll (1914-1955), and formed a legendary partnership when they launched the Hans Knoll Furniture Company (known today simply as Knoll https://www.knoll.com/). Two years later Knoll and Risom introduced the "600" line, an inaugural collection that consisted of 25 pieces, 15 of which were by Risom. Among his creations were armchairs, lounges and stools crafted from ced

Inspired by my good friend Laura Eckstein's (@lauraecksteinjones) Instagram posts about her safe adventure to see the California Poppies earlier this week, I took a meandering trip to the Antelope Valley yesterday to have a look for myself. In true 'nothing to do and no time limit to do it in' fashion, I headed north on the backroads of the Angeles National Forest (https://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles/), which led me through Hidden Springs and past Granite and Pacifico Mountains.

Despite Coronavirus sidelining Art Basel in Hong Kong last month, Art Basel (https://www.artbasel.com/) is moving forward with golden anniversary celebrations when Messe Basel opens its doors to Art Basel in Basel (where it all began in 1970) from September 17 - 20, 2020 and Art Basel in Miami Beach calls the art world to return to the Magic City December 3 - 6, 2020. Here is a piece I wrote in honor of AB's momentous milestone that ran across all Modern Luxury (https://moder

When it's only April and it's too darn hot whatdayagonnado? Head to the hills... With that in mind, we took a drive out to Redlands yesterday (where the temperature was a balmy 100-degrees), which is the Easternmost access points to the San Bernardino National Forest (https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf). This extraordinary park is composed of 154,000 total acres, 71,000 of which belongs to the National Forest and 83,000 to the Bureau of Land Management. Route 38 is a gorgeous climb

Here are two design stories that I wrote for the the April 2020 issue of Angeleno (https://digital.modernluxury.com/publication/?m=3624&i=654328&p=0). In Renaissance Man, acclaimed artist, designer and craftsman, David Wiseman (dwiseman.com), shares his inspirations, aesthetic drive and a recent briefcase collaboration with Spencer Nikosey of KILLSPENCER (https://killspencer.com) as he celebrates the publication of David Wiseman (https://www.rizzoliusa.com/book/9780847864904)

What's high in the middle and round on one end? Ojai! Known for its artsy, chic, cool (and now eerily quiet) town center and for the jaw-droppingly beautiful horse and cattle ranches that surround it, Ojai is the main southwestern gateway to Los Padres National Forest (https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf) and where Steve and I started our latest safe adventure. After doing a leisurely loop around Ojai, we headed north along Route 33/Maricopa Highway. Stretching from Ventura to Big S

Among L.A.'s greatest assets is it's abundance of scenic beauty. Whether you decide to head, East, West, North or South, the diverse neighborhoods, environments and micro-climates that define SoCal make every outing a potential adventure. From the rugged cliffs and crashing seas along the PCH, to the awesome canyons that crisscross the Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills, to the divergent desert beauty of the Coachella Valley, to the impressive vistas along Mulholland