As her Proper Hotel readies its debut in Santa Monica, the celebrated interior designer shares her Golden State haunts
As told to ELIZABETH VARNELL
Where do you feel most at home?
We live in a 1926 Georgian-style house in Beverly Hills where the landscaping is so dense it almost feels like we have no neighbors.
Favorite hike?
Los Liones Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains for the incredible landscape. Or Solstice Canyon in Malibu, which is blooming like crazy this spring.
Favorite shoreline?
Carbon Beach is extraordinary. The houses are built on plinths. When the ocean crashes beneath them, you feel like you’re on a boat.
Alluring getaway?
Waking up to the blue sky set against the mountains in Palm Springs is breathtaking. The iconic homes in Thunderbird Estates in Rancho Mirage have me daydreaming.
Go-to restaurant?
Sqirl for the almond ricotta cake or avocado toast with dark bread.
Go-to bar?
The Tower Bar for the art deco architecture and unparalleled views of the city skyline.
Beauty musts?
Mara algae retinol face oil, Burt’s Bees matte lip crayon in Carolina Coast and May Lindstrom Skin’s Jasmine Garden facial mist.
Favorite food market?
Linda [Mark], the Farmers Market Fairy, finds the best strawberries and perfectly ripe avocados.
Favorite museum?
LACMA. They’re doing incredible work with the expansion plans. And The Broad always looks really sexy, too.
Favorite California wine?
Rombauer zinfandel. It’s super full-bodied with a really big personality.
Where do you take visiting friends?
The Hauser & Wirth gallery downtown or Dover Street Market. I love being curious and discovering new things.
What do you wear by day?
Today I have on gray denim, a vintage Martin Margiela gray blazer and silver heels. A construction site visit doesn’t deter me from wearing heels. I wear what feels good.
What do you wear by night?
Alexandre Vauthier, Magda Butrym, Dundas and The Attico — always mixed with vintage — and some little heel.
Where do you exercise?
Barry’s Bootcamp every morning at 6:10 a.m., and private Pilates sessions at lunch. It keeps me focused and energized.
Favorite drive?
Pacific Coast Highway. As soon as I go through the tunnel I feel total decompression. It’s a dream.
Feature image: Interior designer KELLY WEARSTLER. Photo by Mara Stusser.
This story originally appeared in the May 2019 issue of C Magazine.
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