Sunset

Martyn Lawrence Bullard might just turn you into a maximalist. When we arrived at his Palm Springs home to photograph it for this issue, I was feeling fairly colorful in a pink button-down, white jeans, sky-blue socks, and chukka boots. That is, until I walked into the courtyard of Bullard’s mid-century-meets-Hollywood Regency retreat, Villa Grigio. Bullard—the prolific interior and product designer who has created opulent, vibrant spaces for icons including Elton John, RuPaul, Sylvester Stallone, Kylie Jenner, and Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian—greeted us in a silk shirt patterned with tropical birds. Over the course of the shoot, he cycled through several ensembles: florals, pale pink pants, gilded sunglasses. The house was as charismatic as its owner: a refined riot of form and color. Chaise longues with hot pink and black…

The jet black sturgeon roe known as caviar has historically been associated with Champagne-laden soirées and the Caspian Sea, but recently California has claimed the title of sustainable caviar capital of the world. Sturgeon can take up to 10 years to reach the age of egg production, making their populations susceptible to overfishing, but several California companies are following eco-friendly practices that support the perpetuation of the 200-million-year old species. In Wilton just outside Sacramento, Tsar Nicoulai prides itself on eschewing antibiotics, growth hormones, pesticides, biocides, bioengineering, ionizing radiation, or fertilizers and takes a whole-animal approach, adding smoked sturgeon, whitefish dips, and even jerky to their repertoire. “Approximately 90% of what we yield from each sturgeon is not caviar, but high-quality meat,” says Marai Bolourchi, co-owner of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar.…

Nearly a year has passed since wildfires ravaged the Los Angeles landscape. Yet as communities continue to rebuild, encouraging signs of recovery are emerging. The reopening of the Pacific Coast Highway marks a critical milestone for the numerous restaurants, hotels, and retailers that have endured the economic toll of closures throughout Malibu’s peak tourism season this year. “It means more than just ease of access, it marks a real return for Malibu,” says Sana Keefer, Head of Brand at Cassetta Hotels, which operates the Surfrider on PCH. “Whether guests are enjoying ocean views from our rooftop, surfing out front, or dining at a neighborhood restaurant, they’re supporting a town that is actively rebuilding. Malibu’s natural beauty is as breathtaking as ever, and the sense of renewal here is palpable, so…

Always the heart of the home, the kitchen is a place for gathering, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends. In such an important space, the details are expertly curated by interior designers. In bathrooms, tubs often make a statement, as the standout piece, coordinating to the design of the vanities, sinks, and fixtures. Often considered as the jewelry for a home, fixtures are carefully selected as an integral part of curating a thoughtfully designed space. Renowned interior designer, author, and founder Amber Lewis chose to collaborate with House of Rohl for her new residence, the next Sunset Idea House. Amber and House of Rohl share a mutual passion for creating timeless, luxury design, and Amber has selected pieces from across the portfolio. House of Rohl is a collection…

Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s holiday traditions are much like anyone else’s: exchanging presents, feasting with friends and family, and spending cozy evenings by the fire. But his dinner guests may include RuPaul and Melanie Griffith, and in the living room, you just might bump into two life-size reindeer statues wearing white mink coats once owned by Liberace. British-born, Los Angeles-based Bullard doesn’t do much that is quiet or subdued, which is why you likely know him as one of the world’s top interior designers, having starred in multiple TV series, authored several books, and designed homes and spaces for Cher, Elton John, the Osbournes, Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian, Tommy Hilfiger, Ellen Pompeo, and many more. His brand collaborations include The Shade Store, Ruggable, Ann Sacks, Harbour, and now, with…

“There’s something about being in the desert at that time of year, which makes up for not being in England in the snow.” It comes as no surprise that Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s weekend house in Palm Springs is rich in glamorous pedigree. The sleek mid-century-meets-Hollywood, regency party-ready desert palace counts among its previous owners Roger Moore, Hugh Hefner, and an Australian art collector who favored Modiglianis and Francis Bacons. Before Bullard bought the home—which he’s dubbed Villa Grigio—its beautiful terrazzo floors were covered in brown shag carpet and there was a disco ball hanging from the patio roof, a feature well-used by the party-loving owners. To breathe new life into the house, Bullard took the gauntlet thrown by all previous high-wattage owners and created a light-filled fantasia loaded with pattern…