CALIFORNIA COOL with a Style That’S Big, Bold and Original, It’S No Wonder Kelly Wearstler Is Considered the Doyenne of West Coast Design by AMY BROOMFIELD
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Style CALIFORNIA COOL With a style that’s big, bold and original, it’s no wonder Kelly Wearstler is considered the doyenne of West Coast design By AMY BROOMFIELD t’s 8am and Kelly Wearstler has already are polar opposites, describing her mother’s achieved more than most people do in tastes as “a bit country… with frills”. Ask if her a whole day. She got up at 5:30am to own modernist design tastes are deliberately exercise – she’s an avid fan of Barry’s different and she will give you a definitive IBootcamp – chauffeured her two children “yes”, with a hint of insouciance in her voice. to school, and checked and answered her While Wearstler is predominantly known countless emails. Then she sat down to a juice- for a global empire that spans across interiors, healthy breakfast. The designer is one of those furniture, jewellery and fashion, she came people who makes you wonder how they do it; to the industry via an unusual break. Born but then again, she had her first creative spark in South Carolina, Wearstler moved to Los at the age of five, so perhaps that drive has Angeles in her early twenties with the hope always been an innate quality. of decorating film sets. In 1994, she was “When I was little, I set up The Bunny spotted by Playboy photographer Marilyn Shop,” Wearstler says. “I’d make art and crafts Grabowski, and ended up donning a set of and label them with price tags. Then I’d sell bunny ears as September Playmate of the them to all my relatives. I think I knew even Month. The experience was short-lived, but then that I wanted to design things.” Her instrumental in furthering her business: she mother still sends her the occasional item she put her earnings from the shoot towards Kelly bought from that little shop as a reminder of Wearstler Interior Design, or KWID. where it all began. “She was one of my biggest Shortly afterwards, she met Brad Kozen, a influences,” Wearstler says. “She was very property developer, who commissioned her THIS PAGE, TOP Kelly Wearstler Croft occasional creative. I remember her going to auctions. to redecorate the Avalon Hotel in Beverly chairs £3,389 each, Melange credenza £8,449, painting £16,559 and Mini Chain Link sculpture There were constantly pieces of furniture Hills in 1999. For the revamp, she applied £1,859; ABOVE Kelly Wearstler Melange side table going in and out of the house, and design vibrant shades of aquamarine and abstract £1,829; OPPOSITE PAGE Designer Kelly Wearstler books were everywhere.” That said, Wearstler geometric patterns that breathed new life with the Melange foot stool £3,509, Crescent cabinet is quick to point out that their creative styles into the building’s vast interior. She also from a selection and Larchmont chair £4,859 HARRODS HOME & PROPERTY HARRODS HOME & PROPERTY 70 71 Style selected glamorous, dramatic, oversized Victor Vaserely, Ellsworth Kelly and Daniel It’s obvious that Wearstler’s drive and furniture to pay tribute to the hotel’s retro- Buren (who does all his work in stripes) determination remain unchanged since she nostalgic roots. The result drew the attention among her favourites, and their influence was that little five year old. On her countless of the press, and the Avalon was voted one is evident in her work. Her latest collection cross-country flights, while others are glued of California’s 50 Best Designed Hotels by could be described as reimagined Hollywood to screens, she has been known to sketch California Home+Design magazine. The New Regency glamour with a soulful edge; the the hours away or flick through hundreds of York Times later declared that Wearstler pieces are in a neutral palette of white, beige photographs looking for the next big idea. had “changed the look of boutique hotels or nude with copper or brass elements. But even with a busy schedule and a rapidly around the world”. She “I’m a modernist at expanding brand, she applies that same went onto work with “I love all eras of heart,” Wearstler says dedication to leading a balanced life. Kozen on various other design, and I like things of her taste. “But I love “When I’m in the office, I’m completely redesigns; they formed all eras of design, and focused,” she says. “I don’t take long lunches a close relationship, and to have spirit and soul, I like things to have or talk to my friends. And when I’m with married in 2002. She has whether it’s through spirit and soul, whether my kids it’s the same thing. Their childhood since been at the centre texture or a vintage- it’s through texture or a is so fleeting, and they’re amazing. So when of a number of high- vintage-inspired finish.” I’m with them, I turn everything off and just profile projects, including inspired finish” A perfect example of this enjoy that time.” decorating the homes of is the Griffith cabinet So what would be Wearstler’s fantasy Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz. Wearstler also with gold-leaf-covered legs. Elsewhere, there’s project? “The White House,” she says. “It’s an became a judge on the reality TV show Top the touchably soft Souffle chair, made from amazingly historic building, but it needs a new Design alongside fellow designer Jonathan hundreds of hand-folded layers of leather. spirit. I would obviously keep its architecture, Adler. During the series, her daring outfits “I guess the advantage of buying pieces but it’s a little traditional and dry... and there’s THIS PAGE Kelly Wearstler Holmby console £6,279 and stools £2,479 each, Alta mirror £1,289, and also made her popular with the fashion set. made by an interiors and furniture designer is so much amazing design in our country that marble Head Trip sculpture £38,819; OPPOSITE PAGE Kelly Wearstler Griffith cabinet £11,549, Sonara � Wearstler’s style has evolved over the that when they’re all put together, they create could make it very modern and cool.” Swivel chair £3,389, Hillcrest sofa, from a selection, Laurel stool, from a selection, Alta coffee table years, but bold, eye-catching design has been a beautiful tension,” Wearstler says. “They £7,699, Alta mirror £1,289, artwork £10,349, Splash plate £1,439, large fluted marble vase £1,439, a mainstay in her work. She counts artists naturally fit together.” Available from Kelly Wearstler, Third Floor Melange side table £1,829, patina bauble box £20,689 and Larchmont chair £4,859 HARRODS HOME & PROPERTY HARRODS HOME & PROPERTY 72 73.