Entertainers, Eat Your Heart Out — The "Muddy" Marble Bar in This Los Angeles Home Is Breathtaking Enough to Rival Even the Coolest Hangouts in the City

Melinda and Ryan Dawson, a couple residing in Mendham, New Jersey, embarked on a unique home improvement project in 2019, transforming a prefabricated barn structure into a lively backyard pub and gathering space. Their motivation stemmed from a need for additional storage and, more importantly, a dedicated area for entertaining, as they frequently hosted parties. The Dawsons had previously enjoyed a custom-built basement bar in their former Roxbury home and were keen to replicate a similar social hub in their new residence, despite the substantial size of their existing bar. The genesis of their backyard pub, which they affectionately named "Second Wind," began with a visit to Amish Mike in Hackettstown, a prominent supplier of Amish-built prefab sheds and barns. There, they discovered a wooden barn model that perfectly suited their vision. Ryan meticulously planned the project, and after securing the necessary permits and approvals, the components of the two-story structure were delivered to their home. The Amish crew efficiently assembled the shell, including its unfinished beams, within two days, followed by the pouring of a concrete floor. The Dawsons then carefully installed their cherished 20-foot bar, which had been a centerpiece of their previous home. The couple dedicated another year to furnishing and decorating Second Wind, imbuing it with a distinctive vintage and antique nautical theme. This aesthetic was largely informed by their personal histories and professional backgrounds. Ryan, a Weichert Realtor, had inherited a wealth of relics from his ancestors, who were Mayflower descendants, and from his family's long-standing business, Dawson Marine, located in Lake Hopatcong. These heirlooms, including hundreds of signs, maps, and statues, provided a rich source of decorative elements. Melinda, who owns Caring Transitions of Morristown, a business specializing in estate sales, also had ready access to a variety of vintage tavern decor, further enhancing the pub's unique character. Since its completion, Second Wind has become a vibrant social hub for the Dawsons and their community. They frequently host parties, often joined by their pets and a close-knit group of Irish friends. Ryan, a former president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the 2023 grand marshal of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, outfitted the pub to resemble an authentic tavern. Their annual calendar of events includes a Kentucky Derby party, a summer soiree, a Christmas party, and informal planning meetings for the parade committee. Notably, they opt out of hosting a St. Patrick's Day celebration at home, as they are actively involved in the larger Morristown festivities. During parties, Ryan is comfortable either tending bar or delegating to guest bartenders, especially when complex cocktails are requested. The pub is equipped with a vintage shuffleboard table, a popular spot for guests, and a wireless Sonos music system. They occasionally invite live bands and DJs, and a pizza truck has been known to cater events. When not in use for entertaining, the rustic structure serves a practical purpose, storing yard equipment and seasonal items. The Dawsons' inspiration for Second Wind, now in its fourth year, was highlighted during a photo shoot for New Jersey Monthly, attended by close friends. Melinda reflects on their vision, stating that for them, having their own Irish tavern just 50 feet from their back door provides the same joy that others might find in a backyard swimming pool or tennis court. #BackyardBar #HomeEntertainment #DIYProject #PrefabBarn #HomeRenovation #VintageDecor #NewJerseyLiving #SocialGatheringSpace #CustomBar

The article details the interior design of the Los Angeles home of Benjy Grinberg, founder of Rostrum Records, a prominent independent rap label. Designer Lucie Ayres of 22 Interiors, who previously worked with Grinberg in New York, was tasked with creating a space that reflected the vibrant energy of his street-influenced art collection. Ayres and Grinberg reconnected in Los Angeles, leading to their collaboration on the home's design. The design approach focused on injecting warmth and energy into the Spanish-style Studio City residence, with a particular emphasis on color and functionality for a family with young children. Key design elements include the formal living room, which was transformed into a library-like space with bookshelves, comfortable club chairs, and a tete-a-tete sofa upholstered in a bright Liberty of London fabric. The walls of this room are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Narragansett Green, a color that Ayres incorporated throughout the house, noting Grinberg's preference for green. The dining room also features green prominently, with an emerald Gabriel Scott Harlow chandelier hanging above a long oval Bauline table designed to expand and accommodate 14 people. The choice of a rounded-edge table reflects the family's desire for a child-friendly environment. A small, quiet home office upstairs was created for Benjy, despite his initial reluctance to mix work and home life. This space features forest-green carpet, a reading chair upholstered in plush mohair, and walls covered in a wood veneer pattern reminiscent of vinyl records. The home's long entry hallway was broken up with visual interest points, including a zinc console, a custom upholstered bench fitting into the stairwell's curve, and Fornasetti’s Tema e Variazioni plates in the breakfast nook. In contrast to the home's colorful communal areas, the primary bedroom was designed as a soothing retreat with rich browns and creams. The collaboration was highly successful, with Ellen Grinberg praising Ayres's ability to understand their needs and create a home that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional for their family and frequent guests. Benjy Grinberg was so satisfied with the outcome that he subsequently commissioned Ayres to design Rostrum Records' new offices in North Hollywood, which will also house Rostrum Pacific and Spaceheater. The project underscores the importance of a designer understanding the client's personality and lifestyle to create a space that brings joy and reflects their identity.

Los Bar, an art installation conceived by four artists-in-residency at the MAK Center in Los Angeles, functions as both a pop-up bar and a conceptual art piece. The project is a 0.65:1 scale replica of Vienna’s renowned Loos Bar, designed in 1908 by Adolf Loos. Located in the garage of the Rudolph Schindler’s 1939 Mackey Apartments, where the artists reside, Los Bar meticulously reconstructs the original’s refined aesthetic using unconventional, everyday materials. The original Loos Bar, celebrated for its stripped-down yet sophisticated design and geometric simplicity, anticipated the Modernist movement. The artists – Andreas Bauer, Christoph Meier, Robert Schwarz, and Lukas Stopczynski from Austria and Germany – have reinterpreted these elements with readily available, inexpensive items. For instance, the marble coffered ceiling of the original is crafted from cardboard in Los Bar. Brass and wood handrails are ingeniously replaced with foam pool noodles, while a backlit onyx wall fixture is recreated using paper, glue, and sawdust. The artists deliberately opted for a quick and low-cost construction process, utilizing tools like a nail gun to emphasize an "American way of production," drawing inspiration from America’s DIY culture and Hollywood set design. Every Friday night, Los Bar transforms into a vibrant hub for Los Angeles’s art community. The artists, who met in April upon starting their residency, take on hosting and bartending duties. Visitors enjoy PBRs and schnapps, acquired through donations, amidst a rotating program of events. Past events have included a mariachi band performing on a small stage and an artist tattooing patrons. The bar’s distinct European atmosphere, characterized by its loudness and allowance for smoking, contrasts with the more orderly bar scene typically found in L.A. Los Bar serves a signature cocktail named TGV, a potent mix of tequila, gin, and vodka, presented in a glass atop a concrete plinth. The project is set to conclude in mid-September, coinciding with the end of the artists’ residency. The final night will feature performances by previous acts and a wedding ceremony, officiated by Stopczynski, who was ordained online. The artists express aspirations to construct further replicas of Los Bar, experimenting with different scales, and envision London’s Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern as a potential future site for a larger iteration. Los Bar challenges conventional notions of art and architecture by transforming a historically significant space through accessible materials and a temporary, performative context. It serves as a commentary on design, production methods, and cultural exchange, offering a unique social experience that blurs the lines between art installation and functioning social venue. #PopUpBar #ArtInstallation #MAKCenter #LoosBar #ArchitecturalReplica #DIYArt #RudolphSchindler #LosAngelesArtScene #TemporaryArt #EuropeanInfluence

Los Angeles is experiencing a vibrant surge in its home design retail landscape, with numerous new shops and pop-ups offering a diverse array of styles and unique finds. These establishments cater to a wide range of tastes, from minimalist modern and industrial chic to coastal elegance and vintage aesthetics, attracting both celebrity clientele and design enthusiasts. Cassina, an Italian furniture manufacturer, has opened its largest store to date in Los Angeles. This three-level space, designed by art director Patricia Urquiola, showcases modular works by Virgil Abloh and features its iMastri Collection, which includes timeless pieces resulting from collaborations with significant architects and designers such as Charlotte Perriand and Gaetano Pesce. The showroom is located at 145 N. Robertson Blvd. Olive Ateliers, a shop that has gained popularity through TikTok and Instagram, has become a favorite for home accessories, even attracting celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Elsa Hosk. Co-founded by Kendall Knox, Ben Knox, and Laura Sotelo, Olive Ateliers specializes in “objects with old souls,” such as worn Turkish vases and vintage Chinese elm benches. The store is situated at 1210 Mateo St. Inner Gardens, a long-established garden emporium known for landscape designer Stephen Block’s global finds and reproduction pots, has relocated to a former bank building in Culver City. The store's unique and serendipitous inventory appeals to high-profile clients including Spago, Soho House, Kelly Wearstler, Elton John, and Ellen Pompeo. Its new address is 4444 Sepulveda Blvd. Habitat Home & Garden, a family business with its third outpost in Malibu, emphasizes unique furnishings and one-of-a-kind designs that reflect the laid-back luxury of coastal California. The store, which includes rustic wood furniture, vintage rugs, and sun-bleached accessories, counts the Duke and Duchess of Sussex among its customers. It is located at 21249 Pacific Coast Highway. LDV, an establishment co-founded by Guido Callarelli and Birta Ólafsdóttir, now has a pop-up store near the West Hollywood Design District, allowing in-person viewing of its impeccably restored Art Deco and 1970s-era furniture. Previously, its inventory was available exclusively through an invite-only online platform. The pop-up is at 156 S. Robertson Blvd. Pop-Up Home, a furniture shop previously known for its roving nature, has found a permanent location in Melrose Hill. Founder Tricia Benitez Beanum curates a diverse collection that includes sculptural vintage furniture, 1970s studio pottery, and contemporary art from UNREPD, a gallery co-founded by Beanum that focuses on emerging artists. The store is located at 642 N. Western Ave. NB Shop, run by interior designer Natasha Baradaran, offers an experiential retail space that reflects her tactile approach to home and life, appealing to clients such as Heather and Christopher McQuarrie, Luis Miguel, and Kate Hudson. The shop, located at 725 N. La Cienega Blvd., features her Persian Garden textile collection, inspired by her Iranian heritage. The Expert, a design consultation platform co-founded by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's interior designer Jake Arnold, has expanded with an e-commerce arm, Showroom, and a by-appointment warehouse in West Adams. The Showroom offers vintage pieces alongside Arnold's made-to-order furniture line. Appointments can be made via email. Flora Grubb Gardens, a well-regarded San Francisco garden shop known for its focus on sustainability and drought-tolerant plants, has opened a new location in Los Angeles, taking over the Marina Del Rey Garden Center at 13198 Mindanao Way. The Future Perfect, led by David Alhadeff, continues to elevate the concept of blending residence and retail with its fourth Los Angeles iteration. Now housed in a historic Beaux-Arts neoclassical home, newly landscaped by Art Luna, the space offers collectible contemporary design by appointment. House of Leon and Tappan Collective, run by siblings Jordan, Steven, and Chelse Neman Nassib, occupy adjacent shops on Melrose Avenue. House of Leon provides stylish and accessible furniture, while Tappan Collective showcases art from emerging talent, demonstrating how to integrate furniture and art seamlessly into residential spaces. They are located at 8200 Melrose Ave. Kalon Studios, known for its minimalist wood furniture favored by Kylie Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, has opened its first space at 3559½ Casitas Ave., Atwater Village, featuring a landscaped roof deck designed by Teremoto. Pierce & Ward, the interior design duo behind homes for celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Dakota Johnson, has opened their first shop at 1956 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz, featuring their maximalist aesthetic softened by sage green walls. Maquette, a collective formed by interior designers Caitlin Scanlon, Abby Wolf-Weiss, and Julie Goldman, has transformed a bungalow into a retail and co-working space. Located at 507 N. Larchmont Blvd., the shop attracts clients like UTA’s Blair Kohan and CAA’s Risa Gertner. Cooper Reynolds Gross has partnered with Fred Segal to launch his first commercial furniture collection, “Feels Right, Feels Good,” at Fred Segal on 8500 Sunset Boulevard. Coup D’Etat, a San Francisco-based gallery, is opening a new location on Robertson Boulevard. It will offer high-end furniture, exclusive artist collaborations, curated vintage pieces, and a dynamic visual program, attracting renowned designers. Gilded Owl, a decorative arts gallery from Hudson Valley, has established a presence on Beverly Boulevard at 7282 Beverly Blvd., showcasing mid-century Italian furniture and collaborations like “The Pool Table Series,” appealing to patrons such as Kirsten Dunst. Seventh House LA, located at 7001 Melrose Ave. in a building designed by Frank Gehry, presents a collection of early 20th-century Art Deco, postmodern, and contemporary art furniture. Albertz Benda | Friedman Benda, a New York gallery, has an L.A. outpost at 8260 Marmont Lane, aiming to broaden the concept of art and design by incorporating craft, architecture, and technology. This addition is significant for the L.A. design scene, as noted by interior designer Oliver M. Furth. Studio Balestra, Adriano Balestra’s shop at 767 N. La Cienega Blvd., blends his Italian heritage with Japanese antiquities to create a unique wabi-sabi aesthetic. This compilation provides an overview of the burgeoning home design scene in Los Angeles, highlighting various styles, celebrity endorsements, and key figures driving the industry. #LosAngeles #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxuryFurniture #VintageDecor #Lifestyle #Retail #ArtAndDesign #CelebrityStyle

This article explores 26 distinct and stylish home bar ideas, designed to inspire homeowners looking to integrate a sophisticated and functional bar area into their living spaces. The designs presented cater to a wide range of aesthetic preferences, from cozy, rustic cabin-core themes to opulent, modern speakeasy styles, and everything in between. Each idea focuses on creating a unique atmosphere that goes beyond mere functionality, emphasizing aesthetics, mood, and personal expression. The featured bar concepts include the 'Cabin-Core Happy Hour,' which evokes an après-ski fantasy with pinewood, velvet stools, and warm lighting, creating a cozy yet chic space. The 'Luxe Lounge Energy' design offers a sleek, sophisticated look with backlit bottles, gold accents, and clean lines, reminiscent of a boutique hotel minibar. For those who enjoy entertaining, the 'Poker Night Upgrade' combines leather stools, exposed brick, and a poker table for a high-roller, low-maintenance vibe. The 'Modern Noir Moment' is characterized by dramatic black geometric fronts, smoky pendant lights, and marble counters, producing a high-contrast and impressive aesthetic. More serene options include 'Chill Shelfie Goals,' a minimal and modern nook with earthy wood tones, floating shelves, and greenery, promoting a relaxed and stylish environment. The 'European Cocktail Hour' blends Tuscan villa charm with Hollywood glam through stonework, gilded accents, and hot pink upholstery. Practical and elegant solutions like 'Suave & Symmetrical' showcase dark cabinets, brass accents, and a mini-sink for a refined, high-end feel, while the 'Wine Wall Wonder' focuses on industrial pendants and a comprehensive wine storage system for serious connoisseurs. Other notable designs encompass the 'Bold, Blue, and Built-In' with deep teal cabinets and metallic inlays, and 'Pub Night, Polished,' which transforms a basement into a refined neighborhood bar with custom millwork and leather-wrapped surfaces. The article also highlights designs like 'Brass & Charcoal Chic' for a classy yet edgy look, 'Minimalist Glow-Up' with illuminated glass shelving, and 'Secret Wine Stash Goals' demonstrating how small spaces can be utilized effectively with matte black cabinetry and brushed brass. Further inspirations include 'Moody & Marvelous' with distressed mirror backsplashes and a sophisticated cocktail tool display, and 'Vegas Meets Vintage,' which combines retro bar stools, mirrored shelves, and chandeliers for a luxurious, mid-century modern appeal. The 'Basement Speakeasy Chic' presents a lounge with warm wood counters, textured black cabinetry, and a Gatsby-esque mirrored backsplash. 'Soft Western Whisper' offers a rustic yet refined mini-bar with bleached wood and striking cowboy art, and the 'Mid-Mod Martini Cabinet' presents a compact, stylish bar solution with zebrawood veneer and brass detailing. Finally, the article covers 'Green Velvet Gentleman’s Lounge' for a cozy, clubroom feel with olive cabinetry, 'Noir & Gold Glam Bar' for a dramatic, art deco-inspired setting, 'Walnut + Zellige Chic' combining dark green tiles with chunky walnut shelves, 'Polished Drama' featuring black lacquer and marble, 'Leather Lounge Vibes' creating a dapper and cozy space, 'Modern Zen Sips' with symmetrical lines and rich espresso wood tones, and the 'Maximalist Martini Hour' with green lacquer cabinets, tiger-print stools, and bold abstract wallpaper, catering to those who desire an opulent and expressive bar area. Each concept aims to provide inspiration for creating a home bar that reflects individual taste and elevates the home entertaining experience. #HomeBarIdeas #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #LuxuryHomes #EntertainingSpaces #ModernDesign #RusticCharm #SpeakeasyVibes #CustomBars