A winner with us (and US presidents, Princess Grace of Monaco and Lana Turner.)

Photo Courtesy of A & G Merch
I love to give presents. Whether it is a special occasion or for no reason at all my first stop is A & G Merch in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This is the store where you find one of a kind knicknacks you are proud to give, even in [...]

Photo Courtesy of Cecconi’s
Of course L.A.’s absolutely teeming with great places to eat but one of my recent finds that was completely delightful is Cecconi’s in West Hollywood. Open anytime but particularly nice for lunch seated on the terrace they have all your favourite Italian classics executed with a delicate and modern touch.
Cecconi’s [...]

A recent visit to the Eames house (or Case Study house #8) in Pacific Palisades made me want to build my own house! A short drive from West Hollywood the home of two of America’s most important designers is a must see if you are in Los Angeles. Contact the Eames Foundation to arrange a [...]

My taste buds were treated like royalty at three restaurants in Los Angeles during a recent stay, and here are their details for you:
#1: Carlitos Gardel - Named after Argentina’s version of Frank Sinatra, this little hideaway was the ultimate find during my stay in Los Angeles. Owned and managed by Gerard Bozoghlain [...]

San Francisco…when you get there, do all the usual suspects: Golden Gate Bridge, fresh crab in Fisherman’s Wharf, shopping on Maiden Lane, burritos in the Mission District, “water pipes” in Upper Haight.
Then do some other things that you might have never done here before.
1. Stay at the newly re-opened Hotel Vertigo. It’s in the midst [...]

Any film buff will tell you that the Griffith Park Observatory has appeared in more movies than most modern-day stars.
From when it was first used in a James Dean-led film, to the recent ‘Yes Man’ film starring Jim Carrey, the observatory building and grounds are a landmark in Los Angeles culture.
Unfortunately the day we checked [...]

I grew up in the LA. I went to all the clubs and the Hollywood spots and beaches well before I could legally drive. So, it’s hard to have a new experience whenever I visit. I don’t see the novelty of palm tress and paparazzi, of shopping and freeways. I see a place recycled over [...]

I absolutely LOVE the way Americans celebrate their holidays, and Christmas in The Grove is a perfect example of how The Festive Season should be enjoyed.
The Grove is an outdoor shopping centre, complete with some of the best stores in L.A., plus independent boutiques, restaurants, movie theatres and more that’ll keep you occupied all day.
In [...]

If my three years of architecture training taught me anything, it’s to appreciate the architectural ‘moments’ in life.
The Getty Center in Los Angeles (the second one after the original in Santa Monica) is full of such moments.
After being appointed in 1984, architect Richard Meier put the finishing touches on the centre in 1997, when it [...]