The Crown Chair
For Thomas Piscitello and Neal Wagner, the duo that make up the West Hollywood design team Mogul, muses aren’t found in the world of interiors. They are usually parading down Milan runways or tucked inside storefronts on Rodeo Drive. “We go to Gucci or Ralph Lauren to look at shoes or handbags for inspiration,” says Piscitello. Evidence of this abounds in their signature line of home furnishings. Animal-hide pillows are a nod to Dolce & Gabbana, and pieces woven in leather and suede suggest the textures of Bottega Veneta or Rodarte.
When it comes to the spaces they create for such boldface names as Rihanna, Will.i.am, Whoopi Goldberg, Tyler Perry and Teri Hatcher, it’s all about mood and opulence. Mogul’s pièce de résistance, the regal Crown Chair—shown here in white leather with contrasting ebony trim—is a re-creation of a sleek, high-backed Louis XV porter’s chair. That’s not to say the glamour isn’t tempered with livability. This summer, the pair finished decorating every inch of Dr. Phil McGraw and wife Robin’s home, a European-style villa where comfort is as key as the fine silver-chain chandeliers and the Piscitello and Wagner-designed furniture. And earlier this year, the design couple overhauled their Melrose showroom. “It’s very dark and sexy,” says Piscitello. Slate-gray floors set off a palette of black, camel and charcoal complemented by textured alligator- and crocodile-skin accents. It’s a look that could just as well describe this season’s ready-to-wear collections. 8262 Melrose Ave., LA
