Los Angeles

Destinations

9 Oct

Written By Anca Enica

DESTINATION GUIDE WITH AUSTIN FIELDS & JOE CARIATI

Portrait of founders of Austin Fields Glassworks. — Los Angeles Design City Guide: A Curated Journey with Austin Fields & Joe Cariati

Los Angeles shimmers with light and few capture its luminosity better than glass artists Austin Fields and Joe Cariati, the creative duo behind this Designeers guide. Their world revolves around craftsmanship, collaboration, and community, values that mirror the city’s ever-evolving design landscape.
Fields, a Texas-born artist with a BFA in Glass and Sculpture, brings a poetic sensibility to molten glass, sculpting spontaneous forms that blur the line between light and dream. Cariati, a master glassblower and founder of the Los Angeles Glass Center, channels two decades of experience into precise, timeless vessels celebrated in modern interiors worldwide.
Together, they guide us through the city that fuels their creativity, from iconic architectural landmarks and design-led restaurants to hidden studios and galleries that capture LA’s spirit of experimentation, elegance, and artistic freedom.
**October 2025**
**Words:** designeers, austin FIELDS AND JOE CARIATI

A breakfast and coffee stop:

Jyan Isaac Bread

Tucked away in Santa Monica, Jyan Isaac Bread has quickly become a local favourite and one of our go-to breakfast stops when in Los Angeles. The space carries that easy West Coast warmth, relaxed, sunlit, and full of the scent of freshly baked sourdough. The bakery serves some of the best pastries and bread in the city, alongside excellent coffee.

FAVOURITE art gallery:

Rhett Baruch Gallery

Rhett and Patty own and curate one of the most multifaceted and visually inspiring galleries in Los Angeles. They embrace artists who defy categorisation, pushing beyond the confines of the traditional gallery format by reimagining both medium and context, and transforming the gallery into a space of experimentation.

Rhett and Patty’s passion for art and visual narrative extends beyond their Melrose gallery into their personal “Apartment Gallery” where they live among hundreds of original works of art, occasionally inviting collectors and artists to share space and conversation. Representing a wide array of both local and nationally acclaimed artists, Rhett Baruch gallery is always on the forefront of showcasing energetic innovation and dynamic works by both established and emerging visionary artists.

a cocktail bar:

Mirate

Located in the heart of Los Feliz, this space blends industrial elements such as concrete, brick, and raw textures with explosions of lush greenery in perfect harmony. Mirate effortlessly evokes the vibrant spirit of Mexico City, inviting you into an atmosphere that’s both grounded and transportive. They offer bold flavours inspired by Mexico in their dishes as well as their impressive cocktail selection. Murals by Mexico City-based artist Jorge Telleache breathe life into the walls, infusing the space with bold colour and cultural nuance.

a FINE DINING RESTAURANT:

Calabra

Located on the rooftop of the acclaimed Proper Hotel in Santa Monica, designed by Kelly Wearstler, this restaurant offers incredible Mediterranean dishes, cocktails and panoramic views of the Pacific ocean. Every detail of the hotel and restaurant is meticulously considered, staying true to Kelly Wearstler’s signature style- a masterful blend of organic textures, refined materials, and expressive forms.

Favourite outdoor space or garden for a moment of tranquillity:

The Getty Villa

We highly recommend the Getty Villa for anyone seeking a local, peaceful escape. Situated in Pacific Palisades, the villa offers incredible oceanside views that make the whole experience feel even more serene. Each layer of the gardens and courtyards is surrounded by classical statues and ancient artifacts. The Getty Villa houses thousands of objects, from sculptures and pottery to jewellery and decorative objects, all telling the story of ancient Mediterranean civilisations.

An iconic architectural landmark:

Schindler House

What’s truly captivating about the Schindler House is how it effortlessly merges indoor and outdoor living. The open-concept design, complemented by large windows and natural materials, creates a sense of continuity and openness. Rather than merely being a structure, the house welcomes you in, dissolving the separation between the built environment and the natural world around it. “The house became an architectural laboratory: it is the birthplace of the Southern California modernism we celebrate today.” The MAK Center for Art and Architecture now operates the Schindler House, offering public programs, exhibitions, etc.

Favourite boutique or concept store for design inspiration:

OK Store

Long before the term “lifestyle store” entered the mainstream, Larry Schaefer was already defining it and paving the way for what would become a movement years later. Today, he’s not just an inspiration but a close friend to us both. With an emphasis on thoughtful, design-forward gifts, the shop celebrates objects that balance form, function, and timeless appeal. From Noguchi lamps to luxury jewelry and a curated array of collectible and archival books on art, design, and culture, you can find anything in this boutique.

Joshua Tree desert landscape at sunset with glowing sky and silhouetted Joshua trees.

favourite spot for a sunset view:

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree has the most incredible sunsets, hands down. There's something magical about watching the sky transform as the sun sets behind the stark and quiet desert landscape. The iconic Joshua tree silhouettes cast long shadows across the ground as the sky explodes with a wide array of colors. This view, for us, never gets old.

A place to adventure out of town:

Palm Springs

We have a hard time staying away from Palm Springs! It is the ultimate 2 hour road trip and quick escape to tranquility and iconic design. Palm Springs serves as the epicenter of Mid-Century Modern design and channels the architectural legacy of icons like William Krisel, Donald Wexler, and John Lautner.

More from Austin Fields

Austin Fields: Lightscapes and Dreamscapes in Glass

In this exclusive interview, Austin Fields reflects on her journey from Texas to Los Angeles and the evolving language of glass as both medium and muse. She speaks about the balance between control and surrender in her sculptural process, how light becomes an active collaborator, and why imperfection is central to her practice. Through her work, Fields transforms glass into something alive, a study of movement, reflection, and emotion frozen in form.