Designer Jonathan Alder has put his colorful stamp on everything from modern furniture to artful wallpaper to decorative home accessories. In his latest venture, Adler has been hired by Cottonelle to design a Spring line of toilet paper roll covers—part of the company’s “Respect the Roll” campaign. The pairing couldn’t be a better fit according to Alder: “Part of my passion for design is taking everyday objects and turning them into eye-catching conversation pieces and, until now, toilet paper has been a relatively untouched canvas.” Adler’s three cheery patterns—chevron pink, clover green and barjello blue—can be purchased at respectthetrool.com.

	Jonah Wilson knows the ins and outs of LA real estate

As a real estate agent with 20-plus years of experience, I’m often asked if I have any trade secrets the average buyer should know. I find it’s sometimes the obvious items that get overlooked.

The first thing on my list is to find an agent with good local knowledge. An agent truly plugged into a geographic location will know all the particulars of that region. He or she will know neighborhoods in detail, when prices in certain areas have gone up or suddenly come down, and, just as important, why. A competent agent will also have a good working relationship with other agents in the area and know, for instance, about pocket—or quiet—listings, properties that have yet to officially come on the market.

Once you’ve a found a property worth making an offer on, do your due diligence. Don’t underestimate the importance of multiple inspections; one general residential inspection is never enough. Even exquisitely maintained older homes can have hidden—and costly—problems. For newer properties, my suggestion would be four to five inspections. Yes, it will mean more money spent up front, but this is not a time to be penny-wise and poundfoolish. It’s important to know if you’re making a sound investment.

Third, don’t forget about the ins and outs of appraisals. It’s very important your agent has the ability to establish a good working relationship with the appraiser. In effect, the agent is your lobbyist, pointing out to the appraiser details about a home that might not be readily apparent. Those could be that an owner has spent $500 a square foot on custom finishes during a remodel rather than $200 a foot, or that a home has an important architectural pedigree that justifies a premium over other houses in the neighborhood. A savvy agent will also know what comparable properties—both on and off the market—have sold for in the area and will share that information with the appraiser.

While these may not be insider’s secrets, they are common-sense moves that are more important than ever in the new reality of a postbust real estate marketplace.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ULRICA WHILBORG

Rachel Ashwell

Dionne Warwick crooned to the top of the Billboard charts in 1964 with a song called “A House Is Not a Home”—and no one knows the difference between a house and a well-appointed home better than Rachel Ashwell, founder of Shabby Chic. From her latest book, Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Inspirations and Beautiful Spaces, to her work with QVC, Ashwell is a pro. I chatted with her about the keys to her success, her new ventures and how all pinks are not created equal.

How important is a person’s home environment?
RACHEL ASHWELL: I feel a home grounds us both literally and figuratively. The world is growing and moving at such a fast and furious pace that we need our homes to help us to reconnect. It’s about balance, it’s about luxury, it’s about color and comfort and how all those pieces and parts help us to feel human and alive.

What is it about revitalizing beauty that attracts you?
RA: My dear mother passed away three years ago, and I think that the time I spent with her going to the flea markets had a huge impact on me. Watching her go through the tattered ribbons and lace and being privy to how much she loved the restoration process instilled a sense of awe [in me], a respect for the beauty of imperfection and a desire to find my own way along a similar path.

You were once quoted as having an “affinity for ruffles and pleats…” Is this true?
RA: That’s interesting because I believe strongly in a less is more approach. I do have a weakness for pink, but not all pinks are created equal.

What new projects are you focusing on now?
RA: My line with QVC has allowed me to find my way back to television and I love it! My hope is that the product line, Treasures by Shabby Chic, will connect viewers with my passion for flea marketing while keeping it affordable and accessible. The pieces I have chosen are some of my very favorite and they act as the core aesthetic to ground a design. You can expect things like side tables, occasional tables and the kind of things you will simply fall in love with and come to treasure as I do.

I am known for this next question so please indulge me. What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about you?
RA: For some reason I think people are under the impression I have “it” all worked out. I am not exactly sure what “it” is, but I assure you my life is a journey and I too have bumps in the road.

Read more from Joshua Estrin at popmuncher.com.

Giada De Laurentiis

Celebrate Labor Day weekend (September 2–5) at The Taste, an inaugural foodie extravaganza sponsored by the Los Angeles Times and Food & Wine. The event takes over the streets of Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Downtown and is the largest LA happening of its kind showcasing the city’s diverse culinary scene and hosting celebrity chefs like Giada De Laurentiis, Michael Voltaggio, Claire Robinson and Scott Conant. Comprised of nine signature events, the features include tastings from the best local restaurants, wine tastings with the world's top vintners, mixology demonstrations and live musical performances.

Address: 14209 W. Evans Road

City: Pacific Palisades (90272)

Price: $23.5 million 

This equestrian compound adjacent to Will Rogers State Historic Park sits on approximately 2.5 mostly level acres. The fully remodeled, seven-bedroom estate has a grand master suite, gracious entertainment rooms and a guest house. Other amenities include a championship tennis court, pool and spa, duck pond, multiple animal corrals, a natural year-round stream and a huge lawn perfect for horse jumps or soccer. Completely private and secluded, this home represents the ultimate California lifestyle.

Agent: Rick Hilton and Rodrigo Iglesias (310-699-3435)

A’maree’s

	South Coast Plaza

Orange County may have a questionable style reputation thanks to its scantily clad and oft-bedazzled “housewives,” but when you know where to go, LA’s southern neighbor offers extraordinary shopping experiences. Boosted by the shopping juggernauts South Coast Plaza, which houses pristine boutiques for luxe labels including Balenciaga and Chanel, and Fashion Island, where Jonathan Adler and Juicy Couture have outposts, OC is the perfect destination for the fashionista in search of a fresh designer hunting ground.

To begin the ultimate haute day, start at SCP’s Jewel Court, where Fendi, MaxMara, Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren intersect. Directly upstairs are Prada, Cartier, Harry Winston and a recently reopened Tod’s, featuring a fresh interior look for the label designed by Derek Lam. If you’re the type of person who likes to stand out from the crowd, this Tod’s boutique is the only one to carry a special-edition D-Styling Bauletto bag in eye-popping canary yellow. Other dazzling top designers lurk at every turn: Miu Miu’s jewel box of a shop offers one-of-a-kind frocks; Dior flaunts a new redesign and Parisian-chic cutaway gowns, and exotic skins and Swarovskis abound at the crimson- carpeted Christian Louboutin, located in the shopping center’s penthouse wing. Additionally, Longchamp—the brand for which Kate Moss has a line—opened its first SoCal store this summer.

For expert help scouring the center’s designer duds, make a night of it with an ocean-view room at Huntington Beach’s Shorebreak Hotel and its “Styled Like A Star” package. After a consultation with celebrity stylist Robin Saperstein, hop in a Town Car and head to SCP for a full day of ultrapersonalized shopping at some of her favorite stores (Intermix, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tory Burch), along with lunch and cocktails in SCP’s elite VIP Access Suite.

Farther south, Fashion Island in Newport Beach typifies SoCal style with its open-air array of luxury shops (American Rag Cie, Michael Nusskern, Lola Rouge) that curate chic, rare designers including Isabel Marant, Barbara Bui and Comme des Garçons, along with dedicated single-label stores such as Dita Legends, Betsey Johnson and the only Elie Tahari locale on the West Coast. The recently opened Jack Spade and Quiksilver Waterman Collection outposts offer great diversions for men.

But a shopping spree in OC is never complete without stops at a few extra-special boutiques, starting with the preeminent Newport Beach shopping mecca, A’maree’s. Owned by a trio of well-connected sisters with impeccable taste, the pristine shop—reopened last fall in a light-filled, gallerylike waterfront building—boasts hard-to-find labels and sumptuous collections by Azzedine Alaïa, Pierre Hardy, Junya Watanabe, Lanvin, Golden Goose and The Row. The store also attracts designers such as Donna Karan and George Esquivel for intimate in-store soirees.

Travel down the coast to Westerly (949- 313-7111), a lively Corona del Mar shop with a selection of on-trend picks including vintage-print tunics by Novella Royale, silk pants by Alexander Wang and Mikoh Swimwear bikinis. And in Laguna Beach, don’t miss the oceanside 11th Moon, a luxe and insider-y momand- daughter boutique full of rare Australia- and New Zealand-based designers, as well as Rachel Comey, VPL and Organic by John Patrick. Add in leather jackets by Italian brand Nero Ebano (this is the only place they are available in the US), handwoven scarves from around the world and one-of-a-kind statement necklaces, and any style savant is guaranteed to return home with an utterly unique fashion stash.

There’s no doubt Orange County has found its own sophisticated sense of style, and with just a short drive, it can revolutionize yours as well.

Address: 7691 Mulholland Drive

City: Los Angeles

Price: $6.75 million

Contact:  Josh Altman (Hilton & Hyland Real Estate, 323-610-0231) or Matt Altman (Hilton & Hyland Real Estate, 323-791-9398)

 

Lauren Bush’s FEED Projects are growing exponentially thanks to her collaboration with Judith Leiber. The result of the partnership is a stunning metallic- coated linen clutch with a beaded panel ($495), with funds from each bag sold going to feed 1,000 hungry people. South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa; judithleiber.com

Longchamp’s Tie & Dye totes in electric brights are all you need for a vivid pop of color in the sand or on the street this summer. Find these and other classic carryalls at the French label’s brand-new South Coast Plaza boutique. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa

Culver City-based Copper Willow paper studio is an eco-luxury stationery company run by two moms who use soy-based inks and recycled or treefree paper. Choose a silhouette from a personal photo, a monogram or say exactly what you’re thinking with note cards inscribed with “OMG” or “WTF.” 8530B Washington Blvd., Culver City