Kelly Wearstler has partnered with esteemed fashion designer, Ulla Johnson on the design of her inaugural West Hollywood flagship store. Describing their meeting of minds as an effortless pas de deux, the stylish pair have placed Southern Californian style at the heart of the design, giving local makers and creators the centre stage.

Aspiring to bring a residential feeling to the store, Wearstler draws upon warm, tactile design elements from the‘70s and‘80s throughout the interiors, whilst also commissioning modern works from some of her and Johnson’s favourite LA-based artists, staying true to her signature love of mixology.

As shoppers enter the store, they are greeted by a spacious atrium imbued with a sunlit glow and soft colour palette, immediately invoking the ambiance of an inviting home. An open-plan seating area follows, designed to accommodate and encourage conversation. Parquet flooring with Rosa Corallo store inlays flows into the fitting rooms, leading the way to the‘jewel box’room hosting accessories, ceramics and one-of-a-kind treasures.

Both motivated to create a public space that acted as an ode to the West Hollywood community, Wearstler and Johnson say it was important “to work with artisans from around the world as well as makers who are local to the community, in order to create something that really spoke to LA”. Opting to draw upon the mountainous Californian landscape, visible from the store windows, themes of the natural world follow through to the interiors. A grand solarium lies at the rear of the store, filled with leafy plants sourced from local Malibu nurseries and a 16-foot Brachychiton tree spanning both floors.

Interior highlights include a sculptural resin centre-table by LA-based Ross Hansen, a collection of colourfully joined jigsaw tables by Canadian artist, Jeff Martin and a series of three sconces by Olivia Bossy. In traditional Wearstler style, these contemporary commissions are presented alongside a range of unique vintage finds, such as a set of 1970s Cornaro armchairs and Ingo Maurer’s Uchiwa wall lights.

Hosting a series of on-going events including talks with guest speakers, rotating art installations, and future collaborations, the space is set to be a thriving cultural destination as well as a desirable shopping location, aiming to encourage community engagement and authentic connection.