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Set in Summerland, Santa Barbara, GARDE House occupies the second level of the retail outlet GARDE shop, where visiting Angelenos can shop till they drop, then recover with a short-term stay at the fully furnished one-bedroom right above it. Maybe pick up the sofa as a souvenir on the way out?

A distillation of the L.A.-born brand, the quintessentially Cali-styled GARDE House exhibits effortlessly elevated design. Attuned to proportion, the “apartment” (perhaps if compared to a McMansion, but at 1,100 square feet, a good-sized bungalow) is exquisitely appointed with contemporary design pieces so that one can see how to curate the aesthetic. Even better, experience how it might feel to live with the environment for a day or two. (Spoiler: It feels great.)

“We wanted to have an extension of the shop/showroom space where we could show our collections in the context of a home,” says John Davidson, co-owner of GARDE with Scotti Sitz. “Of course, the bonus is that guests can purchase everything in the apartment for their own home, as well.” Shop the space and it’s likely to be a spree, because GARDE has all the goods, from furnishings and accents to textiles and gifts.

Both retail and residential spaces are housed in a 1921 barn-style building that is a bit of a showpiece, and key to the overall sensibility of the project. The apartment alone offers a one-bedroom with a living room, dining area, kitchen, bathroom, and outside deck. Look past the contemporary lines and find herringbone white oak flooring meant to evoke an early 20th century European aesthetic, blending eras and styles, not to mention realms.

“We are certainly not the first to combine residential and retail,” says Davidson, “but we believe that our mix of furniture, lighting and accessories is an outstanding presentation of the GARDE brand,” which draws inspiration for its apartment and stores from a wellspring of sources. Of these references, Davidson cites Belgian architects such as Vincent Van Duysen and Nicolas Schuybroek as top of mind.

“I am also constantly inspired by Joseph Dirand and Ilse Crawford, who are masters at giving older spaces a modern feel while remaining true to the architectural integrity of the original space,” he says. “Everything I select for GARDE is something that I would want in my own home.” Which is what makes the apartment cherry-picked perfection.

The location of Summerland was selected similarly. “We used to visit Summerland and were regular customers at the antique store that was housed in our building for 47 years,” says Davidson. Though not looking to expand their brand, when the opportunity presented itself, he and Sitz decided, in the parlance of the design maverick, to “go for it.” The serendipity likely stops here, though, with the Summerland concept the last of the duo’s planned expansions. “Two shops is enough for us” says Davidson, who is focused on refining the brand and bringing new designs to the United States. But customers? Well, we can’t get enough. gardeshop.com

PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF SAM FROST

With its new project located at 700 Wilshire Blvd., only a few blocks from the beach, high-end lifestyle brand Proper Hospitality combined historic and contemporary architecture. One building dates back to circa 1928 and was originally designed by American architect Arthur E. Harvey in Spanish Colonial Revival style with Moorish and Art Deco ornamentation; the other is new construction featuring a completely different, contemporary look. Both structures are linked by a suspended bridge and constitute the Santa Monica Proper Hotel.

“We’ve thoughtfully restored the historic building to its original glory, from the exterior details to the rich materials we kept inside,” said Brian De Lowe, president and co-founder of Proper Hospitality and The Kor Group. Responsible for designing all the interior spaces, design star Kelly Wearstler drew inspiration from the beauty and hues of the coastline. Both in the public areas and the 271 guest rooms and suites—ranging from 325 to 925 square feet—the color palette is neutral and sandy.

Materials such as wood and stone are mostly natural, the textures are organic and the patterns bold, adding visual surprises. Furnishings of different styles (custom and vintage, raw and refined) impart a feeling of elegance and comfort, while reflecting the relaxed California lifestyle in a timeless manner.

“As with the design for all of the Proper properties, we were intentional about working with local artists to bring a truly authentic and localized experience to Santa Monica Proper,” says Kelly Wearstler. “Earthy, raw materials, organic textiles and a layering in of art and landscape bring a rich sensory feeling into the hotel.” Ben Medansky, Morgan Peck, Tanya Aguiniga, Len Klikunas and Bradley Duncan are some of the artists whose works adorn the spaces.

Helmed by chefs Jessica Koslow and Gabriela Camara, who mix the flavors and techniques of Mexico and California, the ground floor restaurant-bar Onda is one of three dining options at Santa Monica Proper Hotel. Situated on the same level is also the lobby lounge Palma. On the seventh floor, the indoor-outdoor seafood restaurant, bar and lounge Calabra—led by Executive Chef Kaleo Adams—and the only rooftop pool deck in Santa Monica offers panoramic views with spectacular sunsets.

To complement the experience, the hotel comprises a 2,500-square-foot gym, more than 8,000 square feet of meeting space and the first-ever Surya Ayurvedic hotel spa—a 3,000-square-foot space created in collaboration with Ayurvedic expert and founder of Surya Spa Martha Soffer. Opening in November, the spa will provide physical, mental and spiritual programs including massages and treatments, as well as cooking, yoga and meditation.

Through its soulful interior design and atmosphere bathed with natural light and ocean breezes, this new hotel is an ode to Santa Monica history, landscape and way of life. properhotel.com

PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY OF THE INGALLS

So starts Los Angeles-based designer Jeff Andrews new book, The New Glamour: Interiors with Star Quality, just released by Rizzoli. With A-list clients like Kris Jenner, Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest and Kaley Cuoco, Andrews is used to adapting his work to different personalities and needs. The philosophy he follows, however, is always the same. “Glamour is achieved not only through extravagance, but also restraint,” he says. “From the smallest details to the grandest gestures, from the mix of elements to the simplicity of selection.”

Designed for a family with three young kids, this Beverly Hills home features a contemporary Mediterranean style. Having carte blanche for this project, Andrews only had one stipulation from the owners: that the home have a European and personalized feel. The designer started with reimagining the layout and flow, especially on the first floor. He added large windows to create an airy atmosphere.

The theatrical entrance, where the staircase with a Spanish-style rail was relocated from the center to one side, features a geometric floor pattern in marble, granite and limestone customized by Andrews, a hand-painted wallpaper by Maya Romanoff, a table by Jerry Pair for Formations, and a sculptural, large-scale, custom smoky-quartz chandelier. In the dining room, where the family spends a lot of time, the Hobart table from Woodland Furniture can accommodate up to 18 people.

Two big light fixtures—which originally came from an old bank building and date back to 1910—combine with a gold metal sculpture by Peruvian contemporary artist Aldo Chaparro on the wall above the antique fireplace. Throughout the home, Andrews mixed and matched different periods and styles in a neutral palette with metallic accents, adding surprises and personality to every nook.

Adjacent to the dining room is the comfortable den, furnished with two custom L-shaped sofas from A. Rudin. In the large kitchen—now in the center of the house—with French oak floors and two islands, Andrews used shades of gray and cream, which contrast with gold pendant lights suspended from the coffered ceiling, with Volpi wallpaper from Quadrille.

“Each room in this home is a tribute to the transformative power of light,” Andrews says. Upstairs, the master bedroom comprises a sitting area and a four-poster bed. At each end of the room, there is a bathroom: one with a masculine aesthetic (dark stone and hard lines) for him; the other reflecting feminine touches (mother-of-pearl inlay and gilded wallpaper) for her.

“The look is evocative of a luxury hotel, yet it feels like home,” Andrews says. With the perfect balance between old and new, ladylike and manly, dramatic and restrained, this project is also timeless. jeffandrewsdesign.com