Window Display

Diptyque – Fragrances for the Home and Body.

October 6, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Diptyque, 202 N. Larchmont, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

The artistry of Diptyque works on so many levels. Aromatic. Theatrical. Black and white packaging that makes me think of Aubrey Beardsley. Beautiful window displays. In store vignettes layered with meaning.

Those of you who know me, know that I’m currently obsessed with black and white decor. So when I passed by Diptyque’s store front window on Larchmont Boulevard last week, I simply had to slip in and savor all of their visuals. It’s a feast for the eyes, and of course, a feast for the nose. To much fragrance will assault my senses and send me sneezing out the door. However, in this store, that’s never a problem. Leave it to the French to find the perfect balance, with fragrances that entice without overwhelming.

As I discovered on their website: www.diptyqueparis.com their 3 founders had backgrounds in interior design, painting and set design for the theater. Voila! It makes complete sense when you look at the images above. The window boxes are miniature theaters designed to tell a story… the story of fragrance for the home and body. Founded in 1961 in Paris at 34 boulevard Saint-Germain, the trio created a stylish bazaar that included fabrics and wall papers, as well as stylish goodies for the home honed from their travels. And in case you were wondering why they chose the oval shape for their labels, it’s a nod to an 18th century medallion, suggesting the shields of ancient Rome.

The next time you’re strolling down Larchmont Boulevard in LA’s Hancock Park, pop into 202 N. Larchmont and savor the refined luxury of Diptyque, or give them a call at 323 962-3622. You won’t be disappointed.

Decorative Arts

The Clocks of Bullocks Wilshire

September 11, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Art Deco Clock, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Industrial Era Clock, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Modernist Clock, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier — Cubist Clock by Jock Peters, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Art Deco Clock, Cactus Room at Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Clocks. They represent the many faces of time. And what could be more elegant than these Art Deco clocks seen throughout the interior of the former Bullocks Wilshire department store. While these six stood out for me, research indicates that at least 30 of them were custom made for the many nuanced theme rooms in this cutting edge modernist masterpiece built over 85 years ago.

Yes, 1929 was an entirely different world. A world that didn’t include iphones or apple watches. It was a time when the automobile was the newest and most remarkable invention, along with the idea of air travel. Everything had to be done with great style. It was a bold new world that celebrated the joyous movement of speed. Remember as a kid how the comic strips made cars look like they were moving fast by drawing a couple of parallel lines behind the bumper? That in essence is what inspired the graphics of this particular era. While the 50’s and 60’s had the boomerang shape to represent the atomic age and the art nouveau era had its sinewy lines of curling opium smoke to thank for it’s graphic inspirations, the deco era of the 20’s and 30’s was rich with parallel lines representing speed. It translated beautifully to graphics like the clocks above, as well as large scale design lines on building exteriors. I’m constantly spotting hidden gems around Los Angeles that go completely unnoticed, desperately in need of good period paint jobs and some TLC. Streamline modern is so easy on the eyes because it’s all about scale, balance and simplicity. A little one story building can look sleek and magnificent, while something much bigger and spacious can look clunky and heavy. There was nothing cookie cutter about this era. Everything was a ‘total work of art’ born out of pride of craftsmanship, with an emphasis on beauty.

When I look at these clocks, I become lost in time, quite literally. Studying the curve of each number and the thickness or thinness of each line, I wonder what the artisans sketches and drawings might have looked like with each incarnation. I’m so thrilled that these little masterpieces still exist, and I hope their artistry inspires future generations.

Art, Decorative Arts, Interior Design

The Coco Chanel Room at Bullocks Wilshire

September 3, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com 4 Comments

Entrance to Coco Chanel Room, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

Coco Chanel Room, Bullocks Wilshire, Los Angeles, Photo Romi Cortier

George DeWinter Mural,1929, Coco Chanel Room, Bullocks Wilshire, Photo Romi Cortier

There’s so much to love at Bullock’s Wilshire, including the stunning Coco Chanel Room. Initially it housed ‘fine accessories’ and was known as La Chinoiserie, later becoming the famed Chanel Room guarded by her trademark bronze monkey’s. I was particularly smitten with the 4 delicate wall murals painted by George DeWinter. They’re so exquisite that I have to wonder if they’re ever been restored, or if they’re completely original.

Built in 1929, the Bullocks Wilshire Department Store was the premiere Art Deco shopping destination in Los Angeles until it was converted into the Southwestern Law School in 1994. The building is not open to the general public, however, once a year the building is open to the public for a special open house. And that, is when I made my entrance, scouring every corner of the building during the course of several hours. You’ll see several posts during the coming weeks from my tour. I regret that I couldn’t get this post published to celebrate Coco Chanel’s recent birthday on August 19th, but I’ve been in the throws of moving to a new residence… and we all know how daunting that can be.

This room is Stop #20 on the Self-Guided Tour, and is described as French Rococo Design. I have to take argument with that statement, as I think the room is actually French Neo-Classical Design. Everything about the room is so delicate, from the thin gold trimmed wall panels, to the very refined garlands above the mirrors. Rococo design is much heavier in overall appearance, with an emphasis on asymmetry and shell like curves. That said, Chinoiserie (Chinese-like) was popular during the Rococo era, so I can see why that association was made. Regardless, the Coco Chanel Room is what dreams are made of. Can you imagine your own walk-in closet with this sort of remarkable craftsmanship, it would be the epitome of refined elegance.

Art

Vegas’s Neon Museum

August 11, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com 1 Comment

The Neon Museum, Las Vegas, Photo Romi Cortier

Enter the world of The Neon Museum, where the aging and outdated signage of Vegas past, goes to retire. I recently joined my sister there for a 10 am Sunday morning tour in the middle of July… #Hot. But don’t worry, they have complimentary umbrella’s to help protect you during the 1 hour tour. I was so thrilled my sis chose an early tour, because later in the day may have been to much for me. That said, I’d certainly love to go back for one of their evening tours to see the glow of the signs that have been restored, as well as the ambient lighting around the bone yard.

I can’t say enough good things about our tour guide. She far exceeded my expectations and was an encyclopedia of knowledge knowing where every sign fragment came from, the type of neon and gas used to create its color, the mob stories behind the specific casinos, the psychology used to create the sign, the list goes on… it was beyond remarkable. I can’t imagine the training program to be a docent here. Additionally, they had a ton of fun items for sale in the lobby and I found myself throwing down a few bucks for one of their T-Shirts to support the restoration of the signs, as well as to raise awareness about the museum. I’m happy to say that I’ve already received several compliments on the T-Shirt.

The museum has a dedicated FACEBOOK page, as well as a dedicated website: www.NEONMUSEUM.org. Currently they’re working on a fundraising campaign to repaint the Desert Rose sign, so please click either link to contribute. The museum is also available for special events and weddings. Call 702 387-6366 to learn more.

You’ll know you’ve arrived at the museum when you see this amazing Paul Williams building, #GoogieArchitecture, just across the street from The Neon Boneyard Park. A little time spent here is a great reprieve from the slot machines that are the equivalent of gas guzzling SUV’s from the 80’s. I promise you this is $25 well spent. Viva Las Vegas!

Architecture

The Road to Kelso

August 6, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com 1 Comment

Mojave National Preserve, Photo Romi Cortier

The Road to Kelso will take you through the heart of the Mojave National Preserve. It’s a long road… a very very long road. For me it was a sort of shortcut from Las Vegas to Palm Springs. Normally it would be faster to take the 15 south to the 210 east, but with the recent fire in the Cajon Pass, traffic was heavy due to reduced lanes. So why not venture off onto the road less traveled.

I’d taken this road about a decade ago, and the stillness of that drive still haunted me. Even now, cell reception is spotty, signage is minimal, and one can easily drive 15 – 20 minutes without seeing another car. I found myself eerily aware of the sun as it began to dip below the ridge of the mountains, watching the shadows stretch across the 2 lane highway. Where’s the moon? There’s not going to be any light soon… no billboards, no streetlights, no store fronts…. just me and the little stars in the sky. I could easily disappear out here, and no one would ever know… it’s that Children of the Corn kinda feeling. I knew from my iphone navigation that if I made it to Kelso, I’d be half way through the Mojave Preserve. As you can tell from my photos, I made it just in time to snap a few sweet images before the sun finally disappeared. It’s remarkable how much beauty can be found in this decaying ghost town.

I made it out of the Mojave just after sunset, passing under Interstate 40, continuing onto Twenty-Nine Palms. All in all it was nearly 3 hours of driving with no amenities. Therefore, if you’re making this drive, be sure and fill up your gas tank and stock up on munchies and water. I was never so happy to see a 7 Eleven as I was on this night. I pulled in for some snacks and overheard the clerk behind the counter giving a couple of guys directions. She told them to be careful because it was very very dark where they were headed. Where they going I asked. Vegas she replied. Oh yeah, I just came from there, that’s some drive. Yeah, she said. I wouldn’t make it at this time of night. It’s just to scary, says the woman covered from head to toe in tattoos with orange and red contact lenses… you know, the kind of woman who might have a pentagram somewhere in her home. It made me wonder what kind of stories she’s heard about the long, long, dark road to Vegas.

Kelso, California

Where Art Inspires Beauty

Diptyque – Fragrances for the Home and Body.

The Clocks of Bullocks Wilshire

The Coco Chanel Room at Bullocks Wilshire

Vegas’s Neon Museum

The Road to Kelso

A Design Diary by Romi Cortier