Los Angeles
DESTINATION GUIDE WITH PETI LAU
Los Angeles Design City Guide: A Curated Journey with Peti Lau
Los Angeles is a global capital of architecture, contemporary art, and interior design. This is a city where mid-century modern landmarks sit alongside cutting-edge galleries, collectible design showrooms, and design-led hotels. In this curated Los Angeles Design Destination Guide, internationally renowned interior designer Peti Lau shares her personal edit of the city - from iconic architectural sites and influential art galleries to West Hollywood cocktail bars, concept stores, and soulful neighbourhood cafés. Known for her globally layered aesthetic and bold material sensibility, Peti Lau reveals a side of LA that is cinematic yet intimate, creative yet grounded - a city defined by light, individuality, and a distinctly Californian approach to living beautifully.
MARCH 2026
Words: designeers and PETI LAU
breakfast and coffee:
La Chouquette & Verve Coffee
For one of the best croissants in Los Angeles, La Chouquette on Melrose offers a true Parisian-style breakfast - buttery, flaky, and perfectly executed. Just along the street, Established Today pairs specialty coffee with a vinyl-infused, design-led atmosphere that captures the creative energy of West Hollywood. Across the city, Verve Coffee Roasters remains a reliable go-to for excellent coffee in Los Angeles.
favourite art gallery:
David Kordansky Gallery
For contemporary art in Los Angeles, David Kordansky Gallery is a key destination, known for its influential programme and museum-quality exhibitions. Nearby, Gemini G.E.L., the legendary fine art printmaking studio, remains an essential stop for collectors and design-minded visitors interested in the craft and process behind some of the most important contemporary artworks produced in LA.
favourite design museum:
The Broad
The Broad is one of the most significant contemporary art museums in Los Angeles - both architecturally and culturally. Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, its distinctive honeycomb façade (the “veil”) filters California light into vast, column-free gallery spaces that feel calm and almost meditative despite the scale. Inside, the collection is unapologetically bold.
OUTDOOR Lunch:
The Rooftop Beverly Hills
Perched above the Waldorf Astoria, The Rooftop offers sweeping views across Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills. The terrace feels lush and relaxed, with a garden-like atmosphere high above the city. Light Californian dishes make it an easy, elegant spot for a sunny lunch. A quintessential LA rooftop moment.
fine dining:
Meteora
For fine dining in Los Angeles, Meteora offers a deeply sensory experience where food, fire, and landscape converge. The space feels elemental - earthy textures, sculptural forms, and dramatic lighting create an atmosphere that is both immersive and refined.
Cocktail Bar:
Sunset Tower Hotel Bar
For a classic cocktail in Los Angeles, Tower Bar at Sunset Tower Hotel remains iconic - an Art Deco and Streamline Moderne setting where martinis are perfectly executed, and the atmosphere feels timelessly cinematic. The recent renovation has refined the space without losing its old-Hollywood glamour; staying for the pot pie and a martini is a ritual in itself. For a more contemporary mood, The West Hollywood EDITION offers a sleek rooftop perch overlooking the city - an ideal sunset spot with panoramic views and a polished, modern energy.
Art, Furniture & Design Objects:
Twentieth Gallery
For a beautifully balanced house-style gallery, Twentieth offers an elegant mix of contemporary artists, decorative arts, collectible design objects, and furniture. The selection feels cohesive and intentional - ideal for designers and collectors seeking pieces that bridge art and interior architecture.
Art, Furniture & Design Objects:
Blackman Cruz
Blackman Cruz embodies a bold, layered aesthetic that feels uniquely Californian. The curation is fearless yet refined, mixing antique, tribal, and contemporary elements into richly atmospheric interiors. It’s one of those galleries where the mood is as compelling as the objects themselves.
Art, Furniture & Design Objects:
JF Chen
A true institution within the Los Angeles design scene, J F Chen has long been my go-to for vintage and museum-worthy antiques. Founded by the legendary Joel Chen, the gallery is known for its rare, sculptural finds and impeccably sourced pieces that feel both timeless and unexpected. Every visit reveals something extraordinary - it’s a masterclass in connoisseurship and character.
AN ARTISAN EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT:
Henry Kim Hyunko
Henry Kim Hyunko creates ceramic works that feel both ancient and quietly contemporary. There is a meditative quality to his work: earthy glazes, softened silhouettes, and surfaces that invite touch. For collectors and design-led interiors, his pieces bring depth and calm - objects that feel grounded, soulful, and timeless rather than decorative.
a design hotel to stay in:
Chateau Marmont
For me, Chateau Marmont embodies classic Hollywood - a place where old and new Los Angeles coexist effortlessly. The architecture carries a sense of history, while the interiors feel layered, intimate, and quietly cinematic. There is always someone interesting you might meet in the lobby or courtyard; the hotel has that rare, intangible atmosphere that cannot be designed or replicated. When you walk in, you feel it immediately - a timeless, slightly mysterious energy that defines the spirit of LA.
Favourite Design Boutique / Concept Store:
Just One Eye
Just One Eye on Sycamore is one of Los Angeles’ most refined concept stores - a carefully curated space where fashion, art, design objects, and rare editions coexist seamlessly. The selection feels intelligent and unexpected, blending collectible pieces with avant-garde fashion and limited collaborations. It’s less a shop and more a cultural edit - the kind of place you visit for inspiration as much as acquisition.
out of town adventure:
Ojai
Just 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Ojai Valley offers one of the most restorative weekend escapes in Southern California. Surrounded by mountains, orange groves, and coastal light, Ojai has a distinct bohemian spirit — rooted in nature, wellness, and slow living. Thatched House is a true insider retreat: rustic yet elevated, intimate, and ideal for a quiet getaway or private gathering. For hiking, hot springs, horseback riding, and spa indulgence, Ojai Valley Inn remains a classic, while the newly opened Hotel El Roblar brings fresh design energy to the valley. With its farmers’ market, wineries, and artistic community, Ojai feels like a soulful retreat where California life slows down and breathes.
An iconic architectural landmark:
Eames House
The Eames House (Case Study House No. 8) remains one of the most important examples of mid-century modern architecture in Los Angeles. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames, the structure embodies clarity, innovation, and a deep connection between architecture and landscape. I’ve had the privilege of visiting twice - including a special tour led by the Eames granddaughter - which offered rare access to the private upstairs spaces and personal stories behind the design. It’s a place where modernism feels human, intimate, and timeless.
Outdoor Space for Tranquility:
Huntington Botanical Gardens
Just outside Los Angeles in Pasadena, The Huntington Botanical Gardens offers one of the most serene outdoor escapes in Southern California. From the Japanese Garden and desert landscapes to palm-lined pathways and lily ponds, it’s a place where design and nature exist in perfect balance. Whether visiting for inspiration, quiet reflection, or simply to step away from the city’s pace, The Huntington feels expansive, contemplative, and beautifully curated.
best spot for a sunset view:
Griffith Observatory
One of Los Angeles’ most iconic viewpoints, Griffith Observatory offers sweeping panoramas across the city, from Downtown to the Pacific. As the sun begins to set, the light washes the hills in warm gold before the skyline slowly illuminates below. It’s a magical moment that captures the vastness and romance of LA. A classic sunset experience for first-time visitors and locals alike.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
verve effie benjamin
Henry Kim Hyunko courtesy of the designer
eames house Chris Mottalini © 2026 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.
More from Peti Lau
Peti Lau: Inside the World of Maximalist Interior Design
Peti Lau, founder of her eponymous interior design firm, brings over two decades of experience crafting expressive, layered spaces for a global clientele. Known for her bold yet balanced approach to luxury interiors, her style combines clean architectural lines with rich textures, vibrant palettes, and curated eclecticism.
More Destinations
