Kelly Wearstler grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in the 1970s, where she’d often come home from school to find rooms painted a different color. “My mother is a closet interior designer,” she told Grand Strand magazine in 2010, recalling a childhood filled with visits to thrift stores and flea markets. That early exposure to shaping a home left a lasting impression. Years later, Wearstler studied interior and graphic design at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, then moved west to Los Angeles.
In 1995, she launched Kelly Wearstler Interior Design and quickly made a name for herself with residential commissions in the Hollywood Hills and commercial projects across the city. By 2010, The New York Times credited her with redefining the look of boutique hotels. Since then, she’s expanded into fashion, rugs, fine china, and jewelry—some under her own brand, others through collaborations—and started “Wearstlerworld,” a newsletter on all things Wearstler.
Here, the polymath shares her go-to stores, hotels, restaurants, and museums in the city she calls home.
88 CLUB
A fun spot for date night or when visitors are in town. I love their intimate, moody interiors and the richness of materials throughout. (instagram.com)
STIR CRAZY
A relaxed, cozy weekday spot, perfect for catching up with friends over a glass of wine and small bites. (instagram.com)
Bode
I love how every Bode piece tells its own story. Each item feels like a living memory. I was so excited when they opened in L.A. (bode.com)
Maxfield
A true L.A. institution, where design, art, and fashion come together in one space. There’s always something new to discover. (maxfieldla.com)
THE GOOD LIVER
The perfect place to discover thoughtful, artisanal products from around the world that inspire a more intentional way of living. (good-liver.com)
HAMMER MUSEUM
The powerful Noah Davis exhibition currently on view at the Hammer is a moving tribute to the late artist’s visionary practice and lasting impact on contemporary art. (hammer.ucla.edu)
PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM
Their “Wedge Revolution: Cars on the Cutting Edge” exhibit just opened, and it’s a must-see. (petersen.org)
Seventh House Gallery
An exceptional design gallery housed in Frank Gehry’s Danziger Studio and Residence. I love how the curation blends seamlessly with the building’s original architecture. (seventhhouse.la)
The Gamble House
The ultimate example of classic Craftsman architecture. They offer guided tours highlighting the intricate artistry and rich history of this incredible property. (gamblehouse.org)
Charles & Ray Eames Foundation
Reopening this summer after a five-month restoration, the Eames House remains a necessary visit. It’s a rare chance to experience Charles and Ray’s visionary mid-century design in its original Pacific Palisades setting. (eamesfoundation.org)
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