• If there’s one thing I miss about living in Los Angeles it’s the caliber of amazing restaurants that continue to flourish there. A great example is Dunsmoor, the creation of chef Brian Dunsmoor, an Eagle Rock restaurant and wine bar that opened in late June 2022. But the space was really shaped by the creative genius of Lovers Unite, aka Karen Spector and Alan Koch. Lovers Unite describe their practice as an architecture and design studio creating one-of-a-kind homes and hospitality spaces. The work they’ve done for Dunsmoor is a balancing act between preserving and augmenting the gorgeous 1929 Spanish Revival building, really letting the space shine. I mean, look at those windows! It’s a place where you want to sit languidly in the sun on a lazy Sunday with friends.

    Dunsmoor Restaurant by Lovers Unite
    Dunsmoor Restaurant by Lovers Unite
    Dunsmoor Restaurant by Lovers Unite
    Dunsmoor Restaurant by Lovers Unite
  • Los Angeles painter and muralist Abel Macias is a one of a kind talent. Pulling from both Mexican and southwest American cultures, his art feels like it’s telling a very old tale through a very contemporary language. His work tells stories regardless of application, having done traditional landscapes paintings, or through his more standout efforts, his large-scale murals.

    These murals are incredible to see, with my personal favorite living in the entryway of the Proper Hotel. There, his work is like a storybook spread open, a tale of animals and creatures from folk tales, having a conversation with the interior design work Kelly Wearstler. I’ve had the privilege of visiting Abel’s studio and he’s such a rad guy, so down to earth, and so intent on making great work. And I’m super lucky to own one of his paintings, and I can say it’s one of my most precious belongings.

    Abel Macias Mural at the Proper Hotel, Los Angeles
    Abel Macias Alligator Painting
    Abel Macias Painting
    Abel Macias Painting
    Abel Macias Painting
  • When the Proper Hotel opened in Downtown Los Angeles, it instantly became one of the most beautiful hotels in the entire city. That is primarily due to the vision and hard work of Kelly Wearstler, the interior designer who is perhaps one of the most fashionable in the world. Her work always feels bold and over-the-top but in a very natural, and thoughtful way. As it turns out though, she wasn’t quite done, as she’s now designed a lounge and bar space called Dahlia, which feels like a chic, Mediterranean getaway. Now, how do I get my apartment to look like this?

    Dahlia, the lounge and bar space in the Proper Hotel Los Angeles, designed by Kelly Wearstler
    Dahlia, the lounge and bar space in the Proper Hotel Los Angeles, designed by Kelly Wearstler
    Dahlia, the lounge and bar space in the Proper Hotel Los Angeles, designed by Kelly Wearstler
  • Happy Monday, I hope your weekend was mostly relaxing, maybe some good wine or food. I’m not sure I’m ready for the week yet, though some good music can help you ease into most situations. I can’t quite remember how I came across Nico Georis and his album Cloud Suites, I believe it was one of those rabbit hole discoveries.

    Nico Georis is an LA-based “keyboard player, experimental composer & songwriter” who composed Cloud Suites in real-time to render specific clouds as music, each named after a particular formation. It’s an album filled with soft, melodic songs which augment your mood or surroundings. I’ve been writing to this album for the last couple weeks and I’ve found it to be so additive to whatever I’m doing, enhancing my mood and sharpening my focus. Hopefully you find Nico’s music equally as enjoyable.

    Cloud Suites by Nico Georis
  • We’re in the throws of summer here in Barcelona, with temperatures nearing 30º and a potent humidity. The warm, balmy weather makes me think of the paintings of Adrian Kay Wong, who’s ability to capture the warmth of sunlight is breathtaking. The tones of color he selects immediately make me think of warm, languishing sunsets, and his ability to capture the contrast in tones is quite a feat. There’s a quiet magic to his pieces, and when you take the time to look a little closer, you’ll notice small details you may have missed at first glance, like a martini or stick of incense.

    Panting by Adrian Kay Wong
    Panting by Adrian Kay Wong
    Panting by Adrian Kay Wong
    Panting by Adrian Kay Wong
  • I bumped into the work of Zack Rosebrugh and was pleasantly surprised when I dug further into his work. A self-taught artist based in Los Angeles, he creates these pleasing compositions that feel very graphic at their core. Lots of flat planes given life through tasteful color combinations that bring depth and movement to the pieces. I would highly recommend following his Twitter, you’ll get a charming look at his process and sketches. Always nice to see how such graceful art is made.