Architectural Cases

Clare Vivier and Heather Taylor, renowned designers and longtime friends, have honed the art of the dinner party. With Vivier overseeing the wine selection and Taylor curating floral arrangements and desserts, their collaborative approach ensures every detail is considered. They emphasize the importance of comfortable seating, exquisite table linens, and atmospheric lighting to create an inviting ambiance. Their philosophy revolves around a relaxed hosting style, allowing them to fully engage with their guests and enjoy the occasion. This shared passion for effortless entertaining culminates in gatherings that beautifully blend LA's chic aesthetic with French sophistication, making every event a truly special experience.

Vivier and Taylor's approach extends beyond aesthetics, delving into the practicalities of hosting. They advocate for meticulous pre-party preparation to minimize stress and maximize enjoyment, allowing them to be present and mingle with guests. While Vivier enjoys occasionally cooking with guests during smaller gatherings, they both believe in the charm of assigned seating, particularly in the French tradition of separating couples to encourage broader conversation. Their playlists are carefully curated, starting with French or jazz tunes, then transitioning to more eclectic selections like the Traveling Wilburys, ensuring a lively and engaging atmosphere throughout the evening. They also share strong opinions on guest etiquette, preferring punctuality and a specific wine selection, and highlight the importance of thoughtful hostess gifts and concluding the evening with engaging after-dinner games like cards or backgammon, a cherished French custom.

The Art of Co-Hosting: A Blend of Style and Shared Responsibilities

Clare Vivier and Heather Taylor, friends for two decades, have perfected the art of co-hosting dinner parties, dividing responsibilities to create seamless and enjoyable experiences. Vivier takes charge of the wine selection, while Taylor focuses on flowers and dessert, ensuring each aspect of the event is handled by an expert hand. Their guiding principles for a successful gathering include comfortable seating, exquisite linens, and thoughtfully chosen ambient lighting, believing these elements set the stage for an unforgettable evening. This collaborative approach allows them to alleviate the pressures of hosting, fostering a relaxed atmosphere where both hosts and guests can fully immerse themselves in the festivities, blending the laid-back charm of Los Angeles with a touch of French elegance.

Their collaborative spirit truly shines in their approach to entertaining. Beyond the division of labor, Vivier and Taylor emphasize creating a cohesive and inviting environment. They meticulously plan their tablescapes, drawing inspiration from elements like hand-painted dinner plates and a copper beverage tub to create a pastel-infused setting, complemented by a cobalt striped vase and twisted silverware. This attention to detail extends to their guest experience, where comfortable seating and beautiful surroundings are paramount. Their combined expertise results in dinner parties that are not only visually stunning but also genuinely welcoming and effortlessly chic, embodying a harmonious balance of style and practicality that makes their gatherings truly exceptional.

Curated Experiences: From Culinary Delights to Engaging Entertainment

Vivier and Taylor extend their meticulous planning to every aspect of their dinner parties, from the culinary choices to the evening's entertainment, ensuring a truly curated experience for their guests. While Vivier's French husband, Thierry, often takes the lead in the kitchen, preparing savory dishes, Taylor contributes with homemade decadent desserts, creating a balanced and delightful menu. They firmly advocate for assigned seating, drawing from French tradition, to encourage lively and varied conversations among their guests by intentionally separating couples. This thoughtful approach to seating arrangements is part of their strategy to foster dynamic interactions and ensure everyone feels engaged and connected throughout the evening, transforming a simple meal into a memorable social event.

Their dedication to crafting a complete experience is evident in their selection of beverages and entertainment. Vivier, with her expertise, insists on providing a selection of red and white wines from the Loire Valley, alongside sparkling water, ensuring guests have access to quality refreshments tailored to her taste. For music, she initiates the evening with a sophisticated French or jazz playlist, which Taylor then playfully transitions into with her preference for the Traveling Wilburys, creating an evolving soundscape that complements the mood. They are firm on guest etiquette, emphasizing punctuality and expressing a playful disdain for uninvited Californian wines, preferring that guests bring thoughtful, pre-arranged flowers, candles, or cocktail ingredients as hostess gifts. The evening often culminates in engaging after-dinner games like cards or backgammon, a cherished French custom that ensures the festivities continue long after the meal concludes, highlighting their commitment to an all-encompassing and delightful hosting experience.

A Northern California residence, home to a notable tech innovator and a physician deeply involved in charitable endeavors, underwent a significant transformation. The renovation project, led by the talented duo Chloe Redmond Warner of Redmond Aldrich Design and Andrew Mann of Andrew Mann Architecture, aimed to create an exceptionally versatile living space. The clients desired a home capable of accommodating a wide array of activities, from sophisticated political fundraising events and elegant dinner parties inspired by literary figures like Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, to comfortable, lively game nights with their three young children. The designers’ challenge was to infuse this 1920s-era home with a blend of timeless elegance and practical functionality, ensuring it could seamlessly adapt to the family's dynamic lifestyle and diverse social engagements.

The Transformation of a Northern California Residence: A Harmonious Blend of Elegance and Practicality

In a notable project in Northern California, the design expertise of Chloe Redmond Warner from Redmond Aldrich Design and Andrew Mann of Andrew Mann Architecture was enlisted to reimagine a home for a prominent tech entrepreneur and physician, both actively engaged in philanthropic circles. Their primary objective was to craft a residence that could effortlessly host an eclectic mix of social gatherings, ranging from sophisticated dinner parties reminiscent of Joan Didion's era and elegant political fundraisers to intimate, fun-filled game nights with their three young children. Warner, whose forthcoming book, “This Must Be the Place,” explores the creation of atmosphere, emphasized the clients' desire for a home that was "everything."

The initial assessment revealed that despite its "wonderful bones and huge windows" and prime location, the 1920s home lacked essential functionality for modern family living. A significant issue was the absence of a proper entryway, leading to daily clutter and stress. Andrew Mann expertly addressed this by designing a new foyer that seamlessly integrated with the existing architecture, using matching materials and geometry to preserve the home's original character. This seemingly minor addition dramatically improved the home's flow and organization, making daily life considerably smoother for the family.

With the structural improvements in place, Warner focused on the interior spaces, aiming for a timeless aesthetic that could adapt to any occasion. The living room exemplifies this approach, featuring custom burl wood built-ins and a harmonious mix of furnishings from different eras, such as a cane-and-oak coffee table by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina and a striped Lawson-Fenning daybed. This eclectic yet cohesive design ensures the space feels both current and enduring. The husband's specific request for a comfortable family room, ideal for watching sports, was met with a deep teal Ligne Roset Togo sectional and Gianfranco Frattini nesting tables.

The dining room presented a challenge in balancing elegance with approachability. Warner skillfully persuaded the homeowners to embrace a striking copper-toned Japanese floral wallpaper by Schumacher. To counteract its formality, she introduced a blend of vintage black leather-and-stained beech Silvio Coppola chairs and two-toned wood Nakashima straight-back chairs. The result is an inviting and unpretentious atmosphere perfect for various dining experiences.

The kitchen, designed for casual meals, features natural wood Shaker-style lower cabinets complemented by deep blue V-groove paneling. An island with Sun at Six Carob stools provides a spot for quick snacks, while a custom Jacob May table, embraced by a burgundy leather banquette, serves as the hub for weeknight dinners. This versatile setup accommodates both intimate family meals and larger gatherings, fostering a sense of community that the homeowner cherishes.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom is a serene retreat, characterized by a pale celery, hand-painted inkblot wallpaper by Porter Teleo. This ethereal backdrop enhances the Mauro Mori poster bed, rope-wrapped Half Dome Flush Mount by Cuff Studio, and Vija Celmins prints. An Erik Lindstrom silk rug in a forest hue and Pat McGann Mondrian Check curtains complete the tranquil ambiance, providing a much-needed sanctuary for the homeowners after their busy lives hosting diverse groups.

The successful renovation of this Northern California home stands as a testament to thoughtful design and collaboration. The careful curation of diverse styles and materials has created a living space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also deeply functional and emotionally resonant. This project underscores the power of architecture and interior design to enhance daily life, creating environments that truly adapt to and enrich the lives of their inhabitants. It emphasizes that a well-designed home is one that evolves with its occupants, continuously revealing new layers of comfort and delight.