Where
Los Angeles is located in Southern California and is the second most populous region of the United States of America. Popularity is a trait that is synonymous with the city. It first became a boomtown when the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1876 and it has not stopped attracting crowds ever since.
When
Los Angeles has something to offer the visitors throughout the year. The spring months from March to May are a good time to visit as the temperatures are pleasant and crowds are fewer. The winter season brings with it frequent showers, but in October and November the weather is ideal for a visit.
Why
The City of Angels has much to boast of, from natural beauty to man-made attractions, but it is regarded most for being home to Hollywood. The diverse ethnicities here have brought with them their food, shops, places of worship and their traditions which all contribute to the buzzing cultural vibe of the city.
An Ace Up The Sleeve
Ace Hotels are known to opt for locations in emerging neighbourhoods and ensure that their design syncs with them. The Ace Hotel in Los Angeles is no different. Here, the Hotel is housed in the United Artists building from the 1920s and its restoration toes the line with its district, the Broadway Theatre.
The team at Commune Design tackled the project with the question – what would the building have looked like if it had been a hotel, restaurant, or theatre in the heyday of the Broadway Theatre District? The exterior was stripped off the original paint and many original features like the iron grillwork and other details were restored.
There is a conscious difference in the design approach towards the public and private spaces at the Ace Hotel. The rooms and suites are minimalist; the original poured concrete walls and ceilings are maintained. The colour scheme is muted; furnishings and wall art are used to provide the occasional burst of colour.
The décor of the public spaces is eclectic and flamboyant. Renowned designers were roped in to create customised pieces for different nooks in the hotel – like the gigantic wall hanging fashioned from grey blankets or the ceramic hanging lights in the lounge, etc.
The most stunning feature of the Hotel however is the theatre with its elaborate carvings that gives it a stunning likeness to a church in a Spanish Gothic style. The 1600 seat theatre is spellbinding, even when the stage is silent.
For The Love Of Design
If design was a religion, then a visit to the Pacific Design Centre would be a pilgrimage. Three large buildings take up the 110,000 square metres occupied by the Centre.
One red, one green and the largest blue; the three glass-clad buildings look like they have been put together with a gadzillion Lego pieces. More than a hundred showrooms, exhibition spaces and a museum make the Centre a one-stop shop for designers and decorators.
But, the centre does not stop at being a marketplace; it takes its devotion to design further by serving as a venue for events, lectures, exhibitions, etc. For all design worshippers, the road to salvation passes through here.
From The Hearth
Heath Ceramics’ mission is to create objects ‘that enhance the way people eat, live and connect’. For their Los Angeles location they wanted the space to showcase not just their unique designs but also the creation of the designs.
Thus, besides the expansive high-ceilinged showroom, the space also accommodates a studio where the creative process takes place. Additionally, there is a dedicated space for a gallery where artists and makers are invited to display their handiwork.
Another unique area at this Heath Ceramics is the ‘Tile Showroom’. Myriad hued tiles cover walls, counters and installations for one to peruse and select the perfect one.
A French Twist
Bo Nuage takes its image as a French pastry shop very seriously, which is why the Frenchness is not restricted to the delectable goodies for sale, it encompasses the décor too.
Classic French design gets a twist in this eclectic café like the use of the signature moulding of Parisian buildings but painted in black to make it stand out against the white walls.
In stunning contrast to the monochrome colour palette are the rose gold accessories in the form of bar stools, light fixtures and some wall accents. A visit to Bo Nuage trumps the Concorde, in being the fastest way across the Atlantic.
Text By Himali Kothari
