Sip and Socialize from Some of the Best LA Hot Spots

Thursday, April 21, 2022
Debbi DiMaggio

Home-Buyers and tourists alike flock to LA for the white sandy beaches, business opportunities, sunny weather, blue skies, and pink, yellow and orange sunsets.

Where best to enjoy the magnificent views of the city than from one of the many rooftop restaurants.

Here are my Top 5 Restaurants with A View as Best Described by each of these Stylishly Elegant Venues

Experience Merois at the Pendry West Hollywood is perched atop a stunning hotel residence by Montage Hotels and Resorts located on Sunset Boulevard. Merois combines the city’s open-air allure, featuring striking downtown and Sunset Blvd views, with Chef Wolfgang Puck’s vision for the sophisticated subtleties of Japanese, Southeast Asian, and French/

California cuisine. Highlight: I love the bold design, soothing colors, and fabulous patterns.

Rooftop by JG at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills located at the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards with wrap-around views from Downtown LA to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West. This pinnacle social venue features panoramic views of Beverly Hills and Hollywood from 12 stories aloft. An impeccably styled garden setting, the Rooftop by JG is among the largest of its kind in Beverly Hills. This one-of-a-kind experience is not to be missed. Enjoy memorable lunches and dinners in an exceptional venue. Highlight: The magnificent vistas of stunning Beverly Hills homes, lush gardens, sparkling swimming pools.

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Openaire in Koreatown at the Line Hotel Native Angeleno, surfer and two Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin serves a culinary vision built around.

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California’s bounty from land and sea at Openaire. The menu embraces each season and reflects the melting-pot culture of LA. Highlight: The lush and unique greenhouse and outdoor terrace.

Calabra Santa Monica at Proper Hotel as described by Forbes 2021 “Best Outdoor Hotel Restaurant Patios In Southern California” –The elevated outdoor rooftop restaurant and bar, serves outdoor rooftop restaurant and bar, serves Mediterranean and California cuisine, prepared in an inspiring surrounding with the ocean as the backdrop. Whether from the sundeck, circular bar, or indoor lounge, views are best enjoyed with boutique wines, seasonal cocktails, and small-batch spirits. Highlight: I never tire of the elegant interior design of each Proper Hotel and Calabra is no different.

Photo Credit: UNSPLASH

Harriet’s Rooftop at the 1 Hotel West Hollywood. Revelry with wines, seasonal cocktails, small-batch spirits, and a remarkable view. The h.wood Group presents Harriet’s Rooftop, an elevated cocktail lounge boasting unparalleled panoramic views of Los Angeles. Designed by John Sofio of Built, Inc., the indoor/outdoor rooftop space features deep burgundy awnings, tasseled umbrellas, dark green and white striped furniture, string lights, and greenery framing sweeping views. Executive Chef Chris Crary, 2011 on Bravo’s Top Chef: Texas, where he made it into the top ten and was voted “Fan Favorite.” In 2012, Gayot.com named him one of the “Top Five Rising Star Chefs” in the U.S. Highlight: The sparkling city lights of LA can be seen for miles, and the retractable roof; rain or shine Harriet’s won’t disappoint.

Photo Credit: UNSPLASH

Photos by UnSplash are characteristic, not representative of the venue or view.

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Posted in: Destinations Restaurants
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6 rules of timeless home decor

Friday, April 8, 2022
Debbi DiMaggio

6 Rules of Timeless Home Decor

A living room with timeless home decor

Some home decor trends come and go, whereas others have a timeless appeal. This results from some design elements following the following 6 rules of timeless home decor. Fulfilling one or more of these principles allows your decor to be both versatile and tasteful enough to fit easily into your home regardless of its formal features. So, whether you want to make a large home feel cozy or expand a small space, these rules should help you achieve your goal and still make your home exude a timeless charm.

 

1. Symmetry is key

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Symmetry is timeless.

 

One way to make your home decor stand the test of time is to keep it symmetrical. This is because we like everything to be balanced and aligned. It makes no difference whether you want your bedroom or kitchen to look affluent or minimalistic. Regardless of the particular decorative style you implement, the key is to have everything symmetrical.  Symmetry helps create the feeling of order and cleanliness that people associate with good taste. In that sense, it helps to have an even number of chairs, two pillows of the same color, identical cups or plates, etc. Having two of each or an even number of decorative items or furniture will allow you to place them symmetrically.  However, you do not have to have a pair of everything inside your home. For instance, you can have a certain focal point like a sofa with two armchairs on each side. In this way, you can complete the seating arrangement so that it is symmetrical. The same goes for arranging your mantlepiece or shelves. You can have matching vases on the ends and a central piece such as a sculpture in the middle. The idea is to create a mirror that will balance out the halves of the room or the structure. You can also apply the principles of feng shui to make your living space even more balanced.

1. Have a focal point

Speaking of middles, it makes sense to have an item focusing the viewer’s gaze toward it. So, next to keeping things symmetrical, you also need something that will leave an impression and stand out from the rest of the furniture. As we already mentioned, some furniture pieces naturally create a focal point in the room. Windows, beds, tables, and sofas are great examples.

A golden table in the center of a living room

A centerpiece helps create a focal point for arranging the rest of the decor around it.

However, timeless home decor has to have something in addition to these elements. Your primary weapon should be artwork, flowers, or technology. Hence, an attractive big-format painting such as a modernist portrait or a landscape comes to mind. Or, you can have a stereo or a record player serving as a centerpiece element of your living room.

 

1. Make use of classic patterns

If you want your living space to appear fresh and attractive in the years to come, you can rely on classic patterns. Ornamental elements are great if you are aiming for an elevated, elegant look, while botanical motifs such as subtle florals add a bit of softness. Other examples of patterns with lasting value are stripes and plaids, as they can fit into a variety of styles. You can also go for a more impactful design such as royal damasks if you want it to break the monotony.
On the other hand, you should be careful with patterns that you might get tired of quickly. For instance, chevrons, strong geometrics, and animal prints might seem like a good idea now. However, if they are too bold or occupy a lot of space, they might seem too ‘in your face’ after the initial infatuation goes away. Be sure not to use more than three distinct patterns in a single room. Also, if you decide to have patterned tiles in your kitchen or bathroom, mix them with plain ones to achieve a sense of balance.

1. Trends fade quickly

The very word trend points to the fact they are meant to have expiry dates. Many structural elements, furniture pieces, and decorative items look fresh only for a season or two. After that, they make the room look weary and dated regardless of what the rest looks like. The same applies to structures that wear pretty quickly. For instance, carpeting can completely suffocate the room after a few years. The same goes for trendy colors such as turquoise, coral blue, millennial pink.

If you are really drawn to a certain home design trend, keep it small and simple. So, instead of buying a lilac couch, buy a pillow in that color instead. In this way, you will be able to freshen up the room without committing to the color entirely. This kind of thinking will also be more financially and spatially rewarding. If you ever decide to move, having fewer things to pack will be easier if you do not have too many outdated items. You can be smart about packing and avoid packing mistakes if you think about design prudently.

A living room with armchairs, a sofa, and overhead light fixture

Classic patterns paired with monochromatic pieces do wonders for your living space.

 

1. Do not accentuate the technology

This home design rule can be tricky to follow in this day and age. Appliances and devices get larger and larger by the day, but there are ways to make them less intrusive. Electric devices also collect a lot of dust, making your living space appear shabby and outdated. For instance, some homeowners go for integrated pieces that have shelving with covers that hide the stereos, speakers, and game consoles from plain sight.

 

1. Invest in quality items

It makes sense to avoid buying cheap furniture and decor. High-quality materials and fabrics will go a long way as they remain functional and less prone to wear and tear. Of course, this does not imply you need to spend your entire income on furniture. Buy within your budget, but do not settle for low quality if you do not have to. This is one of the rules of timeless home decor that will help your home shine with tasteful, high-quality vibes.

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Posted in: Moving
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where do you want to go?

Thursday, March 3, 2022
Debbi DiMaggio

Today, WeHo, LA

When I’m asked for recommendations — in any city — it turns into a full 3 day itinerary and a blog post. Flashback… Years ago when apps were new — imagine that, pre app life. I partnered with a company who provided an app platform. My app was Live Local – I broke down multiple vacation destinations and included places to eat, stay, cocktail, coffee including highlights and things to experience and do.

Social Squares

Recently I was out to dinner with a childhood friend who asked for restaurant recommendations in West Hollywood. She actually lives in  Calabasas — which is actually in LA, but West Hollywood is about an hour away on a good day sans traffic — and wasn’t familiar about where to sip, stay and play as a guest in my home away from home.

Here are a few of my favorite West Hollywood and LA hot spots — Note: I don’t pay that much attention to the food (I know that’s odd); I’m all about design, energy and ambiance first.  However, I am sure the food is good too.

Thursday, or your first  night.  

Dinner @ Olivetta located down from the infamous celebrity hangout, Craigs LA – Olivetta is an elegant space, a designer’s paradise. It can’t be taken all in, in a single sitting. The patterns, the textures, the way they mix and match, and each room is something quite unique. Translation: you must go back multiple times and dine in various rooms even at different tables and booths each offering a new outlook.

After dinner head up to Santa Monica Blvd for dessert @ Bottega Louie – although an Italian caf, it is perfect for a late evening pastry or dessert. The colorful display of macaroons is certainly instagramable!

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Start your Friday in LA 

at one of the Korean Spas. WiSpa, Olympic Spa or my favorite SPA LA  in the heart of Koreatown. Before, or after your spa treatments, brunch at Openaire, amid the twinkling greenhouse of the Line Hotel patio, where seasonal California fare awaits.  Native Angeleno, surfer and two Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin serves a culinary vision built around California’s bounty from land and sea at Openaire. The menu embraces each season and reflects the melting-pot culture of LA.

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Take a break shopping N Robertson then get ready for dinner @

Laurel Hardware and if dancing is of interest there’s nothing like a gay bar — and that’s The Abbey. 

Saturday Night – Merois @ Pendry West Hollywood on Sunset. Enjoy the magnificent views of downtown LA. Begin your journey with a martini in the striped pattern bar with subway tiled wall, this lounge brings me back to Miami –bold, elegant and colorful, this art deco lounge is filled with beautiful bold colors of blues and greens appointed with palms. Then move from the open air  bar into the dining room and experience another extraordinary Wolfgang Puck menu.

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Sunday Brunch @ The Henry, from coffee to cocktails, the greatest neighborhood restaurant – definitely my favorite anytime of day. I meet friends for coffee, work at one of the high tables, dine for lunch, happy hour and dinner. Not many places can say they offer something for every time of day. My only complaint — they don’t open early enough.

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 or opt for old school and always popular, The Ivy across the street or the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Want more 

Shop Rodeo Drive, Sunset to Melrose, 3rd and Beverly Drive

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Hike Runyon or Wattles Canyon

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Beware Of

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Workout, Box, Cycle, Spin or …

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Meander through the Museum of Modern Art in Downtown LA

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walk down Melrose or just around town, the streets are filled with art and art galleries

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Need a hotel recommendation?

Stay Kimpton La Peer, in the heart of WeHo

Or on Sunset @ the Pendry WeHo

or the Mondrian next door.

Interested in touring homes, reach out and book an appointment. For a list of Open Homes, shoot me an email Debbi.DiMaggio@CorcoranGL.com 

Check out these unique and beautiful LA neighborhoods in and around town.

Whether I am working out, hiking, working at a cafe, hotel in or at home, visiting with friends, sitting in a cafe, people watching our touring and showing homes, LA is where I find and redefine what inspires me. I hope you enjoy this journey.

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I love LA

and Adam!

Subscribe to Contained Beauty and the Daily Sparkle — Blog moving to my new platform soon.

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Posted in: Contained Beauty Discover West Hollywood Beverly Hills LA
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How To Make A Big Home Feel Cozy

Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Debbi DiMaggio

 

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If living in a spacious luxury home with your loved ones has always been your dream and you can afford it – go for it. But don’t forget that there is more to making a big space comfortable than just being in good company. It all starts with quick and smooth home relocation, but it is just the first step. What comes next is settling in, systematically unpacking, and personalizing your new residence. If you’ve wondered if you can easily make a big house feel cozy, yes, you can, with just a few simple, affordable, and practical tips.

Cover the big empty surfaces

How can you tell that a furnished house is still empty? It echoes. It lacks the most important inner coating you can get, the one that makes it warm and intimate. The moment you stop hearing the tap of your heels and the metallic ring to your voice, you know that your home has become cozier.

The walls and windows

Admit it; as soon as you enter a room, you look for a tale. Every piece of furniture tells something about the owner. And what better shows off a person’s personality and style than wall art? If you intend to make your home welcoming and enjoyable for family and visitors alike, your walls should tell the story of their residents. The paintings, mirrors, and souvenirs from far and exotic places make your home as much as your life. A gallery layout is ideal for vast surfaces. It allows you to combine different elements and textures into a unique mosaic.

A bedroom with bed, curtains, and pillows in soft beige, gray and metallic tones.

A bedroom with bed, curtains, and pillows in soft beige, tan and metallic tones.

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And what about the windows? Even soft and delicate curtains add to the feeling of warmth because they create a sense of privacy. And the feelings of privacy and security are essential if you wish to make a big house feel cozy, intimate, and relaxed.

The floors and stairs

Regardless of the material of your floors, there is always a way to cover them without obscuring their beauty. Even the most luxurious floors can benefit from clever emphasis, and particularly elegant floors need a bit of homey warmth. You can take the chill out of your marble or stone tiles with the strategic placement of carpets and rugs. Depending on your local climate, choose their thickness. The goal is not to induce heat fatigue but feel secure and snug as a bug (in a rug).

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And can you resist the sheer elegance of the fabric stair runner over your marble stairs? Walking on the red carpet (or any other color or design of your preference) has never been closer to you.

A big home should brim with life.

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Nothing brings a sense of connection with nature into your home and a touch of luxury like indoor plants. Choosing the right indoor plants and placing them in good (s)pots can make all the difference. The results can be stunning.

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A spacious living room with a large window and plenty of indoor plants.

Instead of a cold and sterile-looking environment, plants have the power to produce a vibrant atmosphere that roots you in the present moment. That is all we sometimes need to feel content and make a big house feel cozy, welcoming, and as luxurious as your choice of plants.

Create a warm atmosphere with ambient lighting.

The right fixture with the right amount of light does wonders. The shadows created as the result of cleverly placed ambient lighting soften the edges of your room. Appropriate lighting makes the space as big as you want it to be, simply by focusing
your attention. And the best part? Purchasing and installing light fixtures doesn’t have to be an expensive investment. The offer of various designs of ambient lights is so extensive, it will certainly fit both your style and budget, regardless of how large
your home is.

Don’t let a big home become a burden: Consult the experts.

Not everybody has the time or passion for making continuous upgrades and small renovations. At some point, people either realize that the home is just too big for their needs and move house or resort to remodeling. Whichever option resonates with
you, think twice and think well, because both investments demand careful consideration. Also, if you aren’t satisfied with your home size but lack creative skills, hire a home designer. An expert with the ability for abstract thinking and a good sense of
aesthetics will transfer the feel-like-home dream into reality for you.

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A philosophy of home design that brings harmony and coziness to your home

Although most people tie Feng shui with minimalism, in its essence, it represents the absence of excess. Its principles make a good guide for people looking to furnish their home without overstuffing it. You can use Feng shui to improve your home without the risk of going overboard, both aesthetically and financially. As a result, you will create a tidy, comfortable home that has everything you need in the right place. That’s the prerequisite to feeling healthy, relaxed, and cozy.

A couple of important last notes

If you’re aiming to make a large house feel more intimate, you have options. Either you invest your time, energy, and aesthetic skills into a DIY home improvement, or you ask the pros for a piece of advice and assistance. Should you embark on a slower (although more rewarding to some people) journey of self-made home improvements, make a plan.

List all the features of your home that require attention and search for ideas that will make your home feel warmer. A list will help you outline a budget, too, and estimate the duration and amount of work to be done. With the organized approach, you can do everything you imagine, and even more, if you allow specialists to assist you along the way. Even make a big house feel cozy, just as a home does.

Need a recommendation or design ideas, reach out and allow us to assist or direct you to design professional.

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Posted in: Home Home Design Home Renovation Indoor Plants Plants Real Estate
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Top Indoor Plants for Luxury Apartment Living

Thursday, November 11, 2021
Debbi DiMaggio

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Different house plants

Even though people tend to overlook plants when designing the interior of their home, they are an essential part. This is especially true if you’re designing a luxury apartment. If you want your home to feel fresher and homey but also chic at the same time, we’ve prepared a list of indoor plants for luxury apartments that will help you achieve this. By adding them, not only will your home get a more luxurious appeal and but the air quality in your home will improve, and it will feel more inviting.

The importance of house plants

Plants are an essential part of any home, and whatever design you choose, you should never exclude them. Even feng shui emphasizes the importance of plants in our living space.

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A house plant will make any room in your home healthier and more inviting like this stylish living room above and dressing room below.

If you are wondering why, here are just some of the many reasons to add plants in your luxury apartment:

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  • Any space looks nicer after inviting nature in by adding house plants.
  • Plants can improve your concentration and productivity.
  • They can boost your mood and creativity.
  • Plants positively affect your health and well-being as they reduce stress, help with a sore throat, alleviate colds, etc.
  • The air in your home will be cleaner and fresher, therefore healthier for you and your family.
  • Caring for plants has a therapeutical effect.
  • Plants can help you in the home selling process as they are indispensable when staging your home.

Therefore, make sure to add plants to your home. Not only will they make your apartment look more appealing, but they will also positively influence your well-being.

Choosing indoor plants for luxury apartments

When designing your interior, you must be mindful of maintaining the same style and theme in every room. That is important even when it comes to choosing plants. Therefore, we’ve prepared a list of indoor plants for luxury apartments that will enrich your space and make it feel fresher and more inviting.

Bird of Paradise

Bird of paradise is one of the visually most powerful house plants. It’s perfect for homeowners who love green plants as well as plants that grow flowers. And not just any type of flowers – these are probably some of the most interesting and beautiful flowers you will ever see. These plants ooze luxury and unassuming taste.

Remember that the bird of paradise needs humidity and frequent exposure to the sun to grow, so make sure to enable this for it. Also, it requires more space than your ordinary house plant, but it’s definitely worth it. Anyone who enters your home will be instantly amazed by its gorgeous dark leaves and stunning avian-looking flowers.

Jade Pothos Totem

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Jade Pothos looks great in hanging flowerpots.

The jade pothos totem could be a perfect centerpiece for your luxurious living room with its lush, wild, exotic, and dramatic energy. Not only that it’s beautiful, but it’s also very easy to take care of. And, as it doesn’t take up much room, you can practically keep it anywhere. You can see below how lovely it looks in a hanging pot.

Even if you need to organize a last-minute move and pack and relocate your entire living room, you’ll be happy to know that jade pothos is very resilient, and you’ll be able to transfer it in no time. With the help of experienced movers, every detail from your living room will be moved in the safest way possible.

Common fig

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If you thought fig trees only grow outside, you’d probably be surprised to know that the common fig is one of the best indoor plants for luxury apartments. In areas where figs can’t grow outside, they’re actually very common as indoor plants.

When it comes to taking care of the common fig, have in mind that it needs to be watered two to three times a week, depending on the humidity in your area. Also, this plant requires medium to bright light.

Not only that it looks beautiful, but, in a way, this plant is also a living cultural artifact and a great conversation starter. Its leaves are world-famous as they appear in the Biblical story of Adam and Eve. Namely, Adam’s intimates were obscured by the leaf of this plant. It’s a fascinating fact to share with your guests.

Chinese Fan Palm

If you decorated your home in a minimalistic way, the Chinese fan palm is the perfect choice for you. With its intricate details and angular shape, it can add an energetic and exotic vibe to your home. The most interesting thing about this plant is that it has fan-like leaves and a fountain-like growth pattern. Viewed from afar, it almost looks like a fountain with green water coming out.

Although it’s classified as a tree, it is small enough to place somewhere in your apartment when young. However, make sure to keep it exposed to daylight as it needs plenty of it to survive. If you don’t have enough space to enable this, it’s better to look for a different plant for your luxurious apartment.

Philodendron Cordatum

This elegant plant with lovely heart-shaped leaves is one of the most low-maintenance house plants. It doesn’t grow too big, and it doesn’t take up much space. However, keep in mind that it needs a lot of indirect light.

 maik-kleinert-5ixMDMmm1Lk-unsplashEveryone loves the gorgeous heart-shaped leaves of philodendron cordatum.

Your upscale apartment will look even more dashing with this plant, especially if you’ve chosen a contemporary design. As it’s very sleek and sophisticated, it can be a great addition to your minimalist kitchen.

Love your plants

We hope you enjoyed reading about the top indoor plants for luxury apartments and that we’ve helped you choose a few for your home. Always remember – plants are living beings, and they require special attention and care. Therefore, make sure to treat them right, and in return, they’ll help make your home environment healthier and more beautiful.

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Posted in: Indoor Plants Luxury Apartment Lifestyle Plants
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