Artistry and inspiration shine through L.A.’s fresh winter finds.
PHOTO: “THE LOVERS” COURTESY OF MICHAEL FELIX GALLERY
West Hollywood is welcoming French culture with open arms this season. Trudon (trudon.com), the noted Parisian fragrance brand celebrating its 380th anniversary, recently opened a pop-up boutique on Melrose Ave, with a completed permanent version set to debut this January. Pick up the smoky Ernesto perfume with leather and tobacco notes, or choose a sweeter scent with the floral and fruity Tuileries candle. Just down the street is the newly opened luxury candle shop Baobab (us.baobabcollection.com); the brand’s first storefront on the West Coast. Proceeds from Africa—the new winter collection that focuses on the ancient artistry of the continent—go toward the preservation of Baobab trees worldwide. The collection’s three scents range from floral Maylia to spicy Nyeleti and boast illustrations by Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu.
Shop Baobab’s Africa collection in support of Baobab trees worldwide. PHOTO: COURTESY OF BRAND
Trudon’s Melrose Ave. location boasts exquisite fragrances and candles. PHOTO: COURTESY OF BRAND
Third-generation furniture designer Michael Felix is taking his studio to the next level. The handcrafted furniture brand, started by Felix’s grandfather in 1959, recently joined forces with art consultant David Daniels to introduce a gallery element to the Kenmore Ave. studio. Focusing on underrepresented L.A.-based artists, including Gabrielle Ferrer, Bjarne Bare and Molly Larkey, the duo is also releasing artist editions of decor pieces, like a folding screen by John Parot. This new arm of the business complements Felix’s existing upholstered furniture and lighting line, which is entirely customizable and handmade locally in Los Angeles. michaelfelix.com
Audemars Piguet’s opulent AP house is on everyone’s watch list this season. The 6,500-square-foot indoor-outdoor penthouse is the perfect showcase of haute horology for watch connoisseurs and novices alike. The immersive new space by Romanek Design Studio has a Swiss-meets-Southern-California sensibility—with a curated vinyl collection and contemporary artworks lent by L.A.’s François Ghebaly Gallery—making shopping for world-class watches or stopping in for a quick repair an all-around inspiring experience every time. audemarspiguet.com
Audemars Piguet’s new AP House opens on Sunset Blvd. PHOTO: COURTESY OF AUDEMARS PIGUET
Elena Stonaker “The Lovers” (2022, oil on canvas) will be on view at Michael Felix Gallery in January. PHOTO: BY MICHAEL P.H. CLIFFORD
Flamingo Estate, the hilltop L.A. home and lifestyle brand known for beautiful farm boxes and homegrown, elegant products, is well acquainted with rare beauty. For its first foray into home furnishings, the brand has collaborated with Beni Rugs on a striking new made-in-Morocco wool carpet collection. Decked out in designs by FE-founder Richard Christiansen inspired by the iconic property— from the terra-cotta pathways that snake through the grounds to colors pulled from David Hockney pieces on the walls—the 13 handwoven pieces shine with playful patterns and pared-down representations of the flora and fauna on-site. flamingoestate.com; benirugs.com
Flamingo Estate x Beni Rugs Monstera (left ) and Bathhouse Reflection rugs
Bold bites, sake-based cocktails and an overall good-time vibe define Budonoki, a new Japanese Izakaya that recently opened in Virgil Village. Conceived by Eric Bedroussian and Josh Hartley—who met at USC and created a supper club out of their apartment years ago—and chef Dan Rabilwongs, the restaurant’s menu consists of snacks (chicken oyster skewers, a delicate seafood crepe, wagyu zabuton, an eight oz. Snake River Farms steak topped with porcini salt and “foie-re” sauce) and oshizushi, thoughtfully seasoned pressed sushi. Don’t skip unique cocktails like the Joshikai, or Girl’s Night Out, made with Kamoizumi Umelicious, Cocchi Americano, rice milk, lemon, orange and molasses bitters, or one of the sweet and tangy frozen drinks. And don’t forget to save room for dessert—housemade soft serve in pandan coconut vanilla and pineapple koji Dole Whip flavors. Delicious! budonoki.la
A variety of dishes from Budonoki
The restaurant’s 40-seat dining room features Japanese design accents
Canadian style meets the Californian scene at DU/ER, now open in Larchmont Village, neighboring Buck Mason, Diptyque, Malin + Goetz and more. The Vancouver-based label combines durable materials with sporty-chic designs made with plant-based and recycled materials. With an ease-of-lifestyle mission, DU/ER encourages its customers to keep moving from bike lane to boardroom to even an evening out—all in the same pair of pants. shopduer.com
Performance denim DU/ER makes it easy to go from the bike lane to the boardroom.
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