Legends of La Cienega 2014

{The 2014 LCDQLA Social Media Ambassadors: Julie Carlson of Remodelista, Marisa Marcantnio of Stylebeat, Me, Ronda Carman of All the Best, Jason Oliver Nixon of Madcap Cottage, Stacey Bewkes of Quintessence, Nicole Cohen of Sketch42, and Lisa Mende of Lisa Mende Design}

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending this year’s Legends of La Cienega event in Los Angeles as a social media ambassador. The event spans two and a half days, counting the opening gala, and is filled with a flurry of activity from keynote panels, presentations, power lunches, book signings, cocktail parties, and amazing networking opportunities. Designers, editors, and the who's who of design flock to L.A. for Legends every year and this year, they did so in record numbers making it the most successful Legends event thus far. I was blown away by how well attended everything was. There was a buzz and energy unlike anything I have experienced at other design events. This year's theme was "Novel Interiors: Storytelling by Design" and each of the designers invited to participate created a window based on a book of their choice, which you will see at the end of this post.

{On Wednesday night, my dear friend, Mark Sikes and I attended the Opening Night Gala sponsored by 1st Dibs and Coldwell Banker Previews at the beautiful Therien showroom with our friends Corinne, Sarah, and Amy. It felt like everyone in the design industry was there!

{On Thursday, all of the events began. The first keynote featuring Timothy Corrigan, Betsy Burnham, and Kim Alexandriuk was moderated by Veranda's Editor-in-Chief, Clinton Smith and was filled with valuable takeaways on the meaning of authenticity within our industry.}

{My favorite panel was "Don't Hate, Collaborate" about the importance of -- you guessed it-- collaboration within the design industry. Million Dollar Decorators, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Kathryn Ireland, Nathan Turner, and Jeffrey Alan Marks served up plenty of wisdom, hilarious remarks, and personality!}

{Catherine Kwong, Chloe Redmond Warner, and Grant K. Gibson discussed looking to the past for the future of design with LUXE Editor-in-Chief, Pamela Jaccarino}

{Each day, we were treated to Power Lunches featuring delicious, healthy spreads of food served by a rather attractive catering staff.-- only in L.A. where they moonlight as actors and models!}

 

{Design Doyennes, Suzanne Kasler (I adore her. She is the sweetest person.) and Madeline Stuart at the ELLE DECOR Power Lunch at the Compas Showroom}

{The final keynote was a lively discussion led by Mat Sanders, Editorial Director of Domaine on the 9 Ways the Internet turned Design Upside Down with Mark D. Sikes, Estee Stanley, and actress, Sophia Bush.}

{Nathan Turner's Beautiful Showroom}

{Mark, Amy Berry, and I at the Legends Tribute Party hosted by Architectural Digest Editor-in-Chief, Margaret Russell at Michael S. Smith's Jasper Showroom | This was another super fun party!}

{The adorable Joe Lucas of Lucas Studio and Harbinger with the lovely Suzanne Rheinstein of Hollyhock at the Legends Tribute Party}

{Margaret Russell with Michael S. Smith and Celerie Kemble at the Legends Tribute Party}

{Actress Sophia Bush admiring Christian May's Window and new Rug Collection at Woven Accents | Christian's Book was One Thousand and One Nights}

 

{Thomas Callaway selected Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast for his window at Harbinger.}

{Harte Brownlee & Associates chose The Invisible Man for their window at Mecox}

{Designer Jennifer Dyer of Jeneration Interiors selected I Know why the Caged Bird Sings for her window at Gina Berschneider.}

{Dee Murphy's window at MK Collection was based upon Memoirs of a Geisha. Dee's adorable baby girl was the hit of several events. She is darling!}

{Leave it to Martyn Lawrence Bullard to select a James Bond book, in this case Goldeneye for his window at Nathan Turner.}

{I'll admit that I am not familiar with The Custom of the Country, but the window David Kleinberg Design Associates created based on the story for the Therien showroom was beautiful.}

{My favorite window and not just because he's a good friend, was Mark Sikes' window for Hollyhock based on Orient Express.}

{A Detailed View of Mark's Beautiful Blue & White Window at Hollyhock | More Images Here}

In all honesty, this barely scratches the surface of all of the excitement, inspiration, and fun of Legends of La Cienega. I can't wait to go back next year! In the meantime, you can find more images on my Instagram.

{Event Images by JL Photographers | Window Images by Grey Crawford}