Stop Over Los Angeles: "Sometimes a Little Wild, but Mostly Pretty Glamorous"

Nina Takesh moved into her first house in Beverly Hills when she was six years old, after fleeing to the USA from Iran with her family. It belonged to Hollywood diva Joan Collins. This was in the late 1970s, before Collins became a star with her role as bitch Alexis in the TV series "Dynasty". "She had to sell the house and was very sad about it," says Takesh. For the little girl she was at the time, it was her first encounter with the glamor of Hollywood.

This search for a home of her own, a good 45 years ago, was a kind of awakening experience for Takesh, who later became an interior designer: "I went from house to house with my father, an architect, and they were all completely different," says Takesh. "Even then, as a small child, I understood that you can choose the architecture and the interior in which you live."

The taste of France in L. A.

Takesh studied and worked in Paris for a time - a formative period in her life, as Takesh describes her current style as a designer as modern with classic Parisian influences. "Imagine an apartment from 19th century Paris with furniture by Mies van der Rohe."

When she gets a craving for the taste of France in Los Angeles, Takesh picks up a pastry at Bottega Louie. "The store is just as beautiful with its marble floors as the elaborately decorated sweets and macarons," she says.

Takesh buys wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy as well as Californian wines at Wally's, where she also appreciates the excellent food. "A place that inspires the senses," she calls Wally's. "And perfect for a small lunch and a glass of wine."

Children's room for royalty and movie stars

Takesh approached her current career as an interior designer bit by bit. After a brief stint in the corporate world, she decided to set up her own business. Her first company: Petit Tresor, a store for luxury baby equipment. She has also designed nurseries for royalty in the Middle East and Hollywood royalty such as Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez.

3 Favorite Tips

1) Celebrate life in the bar of the Hotel Bel-Air.

2) Enjoy the best coffee in town at Verve Coffee Roasters.

3) Taking a walk with friends in the car-crazy city of Los Angeles.

With the construction of her own home in Los Angeles, in which she was deeply involved, she gained even more experience - giving her the confidence to work on larger interior projects. In addition to European influences, Takesh is inspired by her adopted home, especially old Hollywood, traces of which can still be found everywhere in the West Coast metropolis.

Imposing villas and old-school bars

Takesh cites the Greystone Mansion, a Tudor-style mansion built in the late 1920s by the son of an oil tycoon, and the imposing Getty Villa from the 1970s, which she drove past every time on her way to college, as outstanding examples. "The Tower Bar is also very old school," says Takesh. "It's one of my favorite places to enjoy a drink on the terrace with a wonderful view of L.A."

For dinner, the greats of old Hollywood used to meet at Madeo, an Italian restaurant on Sunset Boulevard, says Takesh. "It's no longer an insider tip, but the food is still delicious." According to Takesh, however, the best Italian cuisine can be found at E. Baldi. "This may sound unusual, but my favorite dish there is the palm heart fettuccine with this deliciously light, lemony sauce."

The Original Famers Market is a good place to meet friends. "You can buy fresh fruit there and enjoy delicacies from all over the world," says Takesh. "There's everything from patisserie to Korean barbecue and oysters."

A little wild, but pretty glamorous

For shopping, Takesh strolls to Melrose Place, a small branch of Melrose Avenue with many very differently styled stores. The selection ranges from antique furniture to jewelry and home accessories. And of course there is also high-end fashion: "The Oscar de la Renta brand is located in a boutique that looks like a tiny cottage," says Takesh. "The French brand Balmain, on the other hand, resides in a magnificent Art Deco building." Because that's Los Angeles too: a mix of many different styles. Sometimes a little wild, but mostly pretty glamorous. A bit like Nina Takesh.

Producer: Nicola van der Mee / Photos: Jessica Pons

About

Nina Takesh has furnished children's rooms and chic homes for royalty and movie stars: She has lived in Los Angeles for more than 45 years and knows where the city is particularly beautiful.