Tag Archives: Beverly Hills

The New Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills

Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca,  Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier

There’s so much to love about the new Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, especially the views from The Rooftop JG restaurant. Standing at twelve stories above the street with unobstructed views, the city of angels has never looked more beautiful. That said, the only concern that I have regarding the 12th floor, is the height of the glass railing. It appears to be only about 4 feet high, and for the life of me, I can’t imagine how the city of Beverly Hills allowed this. There’s a cactus barrier on the north wall, but for the rest of the bar and restaurant, I fear for the safety of anyone who might have a few to many cocktails.

The Rooftop at JG, Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
The Rooftop at JG, Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
The Rooftop at JG, Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
The Rooftop at JG, Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier

On a more positive note, getting to the rooftop is a beautiful experience. The elevator banks all have striking vignettes with custom rugs and well appointed side tables, complete with lamps, vases, and object’s de art. Oh, and did I mention all the gorgeous wall paper? So elegant. There seems to be a running theme among their tonal palettes, with beautiful shades of green, even in the wall mural seen below.

Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier

Another design element that I love about the Waldorf, is how they’ve reinterpreted 1920’s Art Deco. Take a look at the fireplace below. It’s tiered in three layers, which is a common hallmark of deco. I also love how they’ve tied in the soft shades of green with the chairs and frosted glass, which also relates to the images above. Large open spaces, especially in hotel lobbies, can be very stark and severe. This hotel strikes a perfect balance of warmth and comfort combined with modernity.

Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier

The driveway and entrance feels a bit more Mid-Century then Art Deco, but it still oozes elegance with all of the uplighting on the landscaping. However, the use of all of those elements combined, create a sense of grandiosity that never goes out of style… especially in Beverly Hills.

Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Car sitting a 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow

1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Photo Romi Cortier
1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Photo Romi Cortier
1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Photo Romi Cortier
1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Photo Romi Cortier
1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca.,  Photo Romi Cortier
1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Photo Romi Cortier
1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
The Spirit of Ecstasy, 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
The Spirit of Ecstasy, 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier

I was recently asked to car sit a 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow…. say what? Yes, it’s true.  She said to me, would you mind car sitting for me,  for an entire month… but you must promise to drive it at least once a week.  Well, I’ll do my best. Can I take a few photos and maybe some video footage? Sure she said.

During that month I booked up every weekend with activities for this gem. I did a professional photoshoot, a casual shoot with a friend for our social media (seen below), a pro video shoot for our tv pilot Artful Living  which took an entire 12 hour day to complete, not to mention the slew of still photos I snapped for this article. I can’t wait to get the video footage to our editors so that I can share more of this cars fascinating history with you.

There’s something so Dynasty-esque about this era of Rolls Royce, especially when driving through the streets of Beverly Hills. If I could tell you the amount of times tourists stopped to take photos and video  of us while filming, especially on Rodeo Drive, it was totally surreal.  And while we were parked and shooting video at the Beverly Hills Hotel, four different tour busses stopped to take photos and chat us up. Talk about feeling like a movie star, this car is a total head turner.

Lets be honest,  it’s all about the dynamic paint job on this car, it’s so gangster.  It looks the same way that It did when it rolled off the showroom floor in 1976. The car has been fully restored, including its paint job and upholstery.  Only 2,000 Rolls Royce’s were built in 1976.  The gentlemen at Charles Agapiou, LTD. in West Hollywood told  me that there might have been a couple more produced with the same color palette, but through all of my online  searches, I can’t find a single one. So I wanted to put this pristine beauty on full blast for your viewing pleasure.

If you happen to see this beauty rolling around the streets of LA or Beverly Hills, be sure to wave and say hi to the owner. She will absolutely love it!

Melanie Engle and Coco, aka Malibupom, 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Melanie Engle and Coco, aka Malibupom, 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Romi Cortier
Romi Cortier and Coco, aka Malibupom, Beverly Hills, Ca.
Romi Cortier and Coco, aka Malibupom, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Melanie Engle
Romi Cortier and Coco, aka Malibupom, Beverly Hills, Ca.
Romi Cortier and Coco, aka Malibupom, Beverly Hills, Ca., Photo Melanie Engle

The Magic of Tiffany & Co. on Rodeo Drive

Tiffany & Co., Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., 2017,  Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., 2017, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

The magic of Tiffany & Co.  window displays burst on the scene in  1961  when  the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s debuted with Audrey Hepburn.   It solidified the idea of romance with all of  it’s endless  possibilities… so there’s absolutely no pressure to create holiday windows that will still captivate nearly 60 years later, right?

The delicate  details that go into each and every window display are still pure magic. Those beautiful blue-green boxes wrapped in white ribbon keep your minds eye wondering what beautiful treasure might be hidden  inside.  By the way,  did you know that Tiffany Blue has its own Pantone number – PMS1837, however, it can’t be seen in the Pantone swatch book. It’s also copyrighted in some American states… just a few more ways to keep that magic a little more elusive.

Established in 1853, Tiffany & Co. was one of the first stores to clearly mark the price on their goods to prevent any haggling over prices. In addition, against the norm of the time, Tiffany only accepted cash payments and did not accept payments on credit. My how times have changed.  The famous  flagship store on 5th Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan  opened in 1940,  and one of my favorite things about the store is its Art Deco details. If you happen to see newer locations, such as those built  inside a mall, their front  doors still feature those iconic stainless steel deco details.

Tiffany & Co., Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Tiffany & Co., Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

Even after having been in business for over 160 years, they’ve managed to keep the magic alive. On my sisters recent 50th birthday, we traveled to Manhattan to celebrate… and stop number one, Tiffany’s! If you’re still looking for that last minute holiday gift, you know where to go.

 

Louis Vuitton pairs with Jeff Koons for the Masters Collection

Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier
Louis Vuitton, Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. Photo Romi Cortier

Louis Vuitton has paired up with world renowned artist Jeff Koons to create a line of handbags focusing on old world art masters such as Monet, Gauguin, Manet, Turner and Boucher.  I only discovered this a couple of nights ago while strolling down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I’m not trying to be bougie… it’s just that I live a few blocks away and it’s so much fun to take in the holiday decorations. It’s free, fun, fantastic and often inspiring to see the holiday window displays.  Plus this year they’ve brought back the Baccarat Chandeliers that are only hung above  the street during some  Christmas seasons, not all. There’s also a little piped in holiday music, and plenty of areas for photo ops  with the hashtag #OnlyOnRodeo. It’s all about branding, plus I think that retailers are having a tough time getting shoppers into stores since online shopping has become everyones ‘easy out’.

As I was walking by Louis Vuitton’s windows I was initially drawn in by the new color combinations of some of the handbags, particularly the ones inspired by the paintings of Turner. The strong lavender-blue tone mixed with the hazy orange tones of Ancient Rome, really did it for me. As I continued to study the windows, I realized that the large white bunny in the entrance, as well as the handbag tags, were  an homage to Jeff Koons balloon animals that he’s so famous for.

Jeff Koons Ballon Rabbit, Eli Broad Collection
Jeff Koons Ballon Rabbit, Eli Broad Collection

And then… there are the LV’s and the JK’s on the handbags, as well as in the windows, another reference to the collaboration between these two iconic companies.  And lastly, there’s that big blue Christmas ball that isn’t a Christmas decoration at all, but rather an homage to his Gazing Ball Paintings.

Jeff Koons Gazing Ball Paintings, Gagosian Gallery
Jeff Koons Gazing Ball Paintings, Gagosian Gallery

Whether you love or hate the new handbags, the holiday windows on Rodeo Drive are a perfect exercise in restraint. They tell the story of the new collection and joint collaboration, while still looking festive from an uniformed point of view.  Bravo!

 

Upscale Halloween Table Ensemble 2017

Halloween Table Ensemble, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Vintage crystal bowl with silver trim, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Versace Wine Decanter, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Versace Wine Decanter, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble with Skull Ornaments by Kurt Adler, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble with Skull Ornaments by Kurt Adler, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble, Bowl by Alessi, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble, Bowl by Alessi, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Romi Cortier
Halloween Table Ensemble, DIY, Romi Cortier, Photo Recio Young
Halloween Table Ensemble, Artful Living with Romi Cortier, Photo Recio Young

Here’s some inspiration for your Halloween table ensemble, with an upscale vibe. I’ve been collecting gorgeous goodies for years, and it’s so fun to pull them out and mix and match them.

I started with a black brocade table cloth made from two yards of fabric from International Silks and Woolens at 8347 Beverly Blvd, LA, Ca. 90048. Next up I used a vintage Silver Tray from my mother’s estate, dating from the early 1970’s. I love this vintage tray and use if for all of my parties. It also makes a great serving tray for bottles of wine, or chilled bottles of sparking water.

I picked up the rectangular vase at GM floral for about $20, and filled it with roses from Trader Joes, cropping the stems to about 3 inches. On the foreground of the tray are two Skull Christmas ornaments by Kurt Adler, each retailing for $15. I also used 3 vintage Art Deco tumblers filled with tea lights from Ikea. And lastly on the tray are black sparkly butterflies also from GM Floral.

For a little height on the table I used two skull candle sticks by DL & Co., each about $90, with gold candlesticks from Target. I also used two Reed and Barton Martini glasses to serve colorful M&M’s and Candy Corn. Two other items on the table that I absolutely love, include  a Versace wine decanter with frosted medallions and a smashing bowl by Alessi known as the Cactus Bowl. I frequently use this bowl as a fruit bowl, however, with colorfully wrapped candy, it adds so much sparkle to the table (about $120).  The glass votives on the table I picked up at Marshall’s or TJMaxx for about $2 each.

The secret to this successful ensemble was mixing and matching items of the same color, either chrome or silver. By doing this, it allows all of the colors from the candies and flowers on the table to totally pop. Some items are certainly more upscale and expensive than others, but it’s the art of mixing and matching that make this Artful Living at its best.