Let's Lift It

I refer to Andrea Stanford as my Fairy Godmother in Los Angeles and the description is apt.  We first met online years ago when I posted pics from C magazine where she was the Design + Style Editor.  She still contributes to the magazine that is worth reading even if you don't visit California all that often.  When I visited LA in 2010, she set up a whole day of meeting designers in their stores and offices.  And when I was shooting my book, she made more introductions.  For someone who is bff's with celebrities and could be a complete diva, Andrea is one of the most generous people I know. Her transition to One Kings Lane where she is Vice President of Merchandising, Designer, and Vintage Sales, has been a match made in heaven too. I'm surprised anything makes it to the online sales before she buys it for the Beverly Hills home she shares with her husband and three daughters. 

When I was in LA this past January, I was able to see Andrea in the new much larger One Kings Lane offices that are going to be beyond chic when finished.  It was there that she mentioned that The Coveteur was coming the next day to shoot her at home.  I did what any self respecting fashionista would do, I begged to come over to watch.  It was also a treat to meet founders Stephanie Mark and Jake Rosenberg in person.  Sadly, Erin Kleinberg was not in town for this shoot.  The shoot just went online today and it was so fun to see the end result.  As you can see, Andrea has a pretty chic home and even chicer closet.  And three very lucky daughters. 

Photos by Jake Rosenberg for The Coveteur

Chic in LA: Avalon Hotel

When I visited Los Angeles last year, I stayed a big "too cool for school" hotel where I felt like no one cared who I was or how I was doing.  That's why on this trip, I decided to stay at the Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills again.  I stayed at the hotel three years ago but that was before the rooms had been renovated so it was nice to see how they changed.  What's really funny is that I was booked into the exact same room from three years ago. You can see pics here. The only complaint I had about the upgraded rooms is that you can no longer open the windows and there aren't any places to hang a towel in the bathroom if you use the one hook for your robe. But the marble bathroom is a thousand times nicer than the previous one so that made up for the lack of towel bars. 

What I really love about the Avalon Hotel is that it is small so everyone knows your name and the entire staff is beyond nice.  Let me assure you that I am not just saying this because I received a free room. In fact, I paid for my entire stay myself and didn't have to write anything at all. I wanted to because if you like design and would like to be treated well while you are in LA, then I recommend staying at the Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills.  I don't think I will stay anywhere else from now on.  

Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills

9400 Olympic Boulevard

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Reservations: 800-670-6183

Phone: 310-277-5221

My vintage Chanel bag felt very at home. 

The bathroom has lots of shelves for your toiletries.

The car that I saw from my window when I checked in. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Beautiful in Beverly Hills

I was going through more old magazines recently and came across another classic.  Around 1936, interior designer Elsie de Wolfe designed a beautiful home in Beverly Hills for Countess Dorothy di Frasso.  Jose Iturbi bought the house furnished from di Frasso around 1947.  It remained intact until just a few years ago when pieces were sold at auction.  Just before then, House & Garden published gorgeous photos by Simon Watson of the glamorous home that hosted many chic soirees.

Chinoiserie wallpaper and bamboo outlined mirrors clad the living room.

The home also featured many Chinese antiques.

Wallpaper detail.

Custom mirror panels line the dining room which I'm sure looked beautiful in candlelight.

A closer look at the dining room walls and 19th-century tortoiseshell and mother of pearl commode.

The sunroom features artwork commissioned by Charles Baskerville. 

Loving this backgammon table.

Beautiful California light streams through the windows.

The house has a lovely timeless quality that confirms that good design never goes out of style.

The bedroom features 20th-century hand painted Chinese wallpaper panels.

Elsie de Wolfe designed the Art Deco bedroom suite of furniture for the room.

The master bathroom below complements the colors of the bedroom and include a custom Art Deco tub chair that still looks chic today.  The pink tile not so much but I guess not every design element remains timeless.

Photos by Simon Watson