Life & Style
Meet Art Fleur, new to the Floom family. Annie Wonderlich’s floral design studio specialises in weddings, events and striking everyday bouquets. The studio started out in her garage in the Venice Canals, and can now be found in the heart of Venice behind Abbot Kinney.
Botanically speaking, Los Angeles has a plethora of hidden spaces to offer and a trip to one of the city’s botanical gardens will reveal plants that can’t simply be found on the streets. Our top recommendation? The James Irvine Japanese Garden in Little Tokyo.
The Chateau Marmont is a Hollywood institution that also features in the likes of Quentin Tarantino’s Four Rooms, Almost Famous, Sofia Coppola’s Somwhere and most recently in La La Land. Head here to people watch late into the night over a whisky, or three.
Desert Rose is your go to for organically grown succulents, cacti and houseplants that are sure to make a statement. “It's been scientifically proven that plants make people happy,” says the founder. “Being able to bring some beauty and a touch of nature into someone's day is one of the biggest blessings of this business.”
Head to the Echo Park neighbourhood for independent coffee shops, taco trucks, clothing boutiques and indie music night spots. Located in the East Side of Los Angeles, it’s also home to Echo Park Lake a public green space complete with a central lotus-flower filled lake.
F is an important letter when you deal in flowers. Introducing Flowerboy Project a café, gift shop and flower studio also based in Venice, and Foxgloves & Folly, a Hollywood blooms boutique located on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Ask a local where to eat in Venice and there’s a strong chance they’ll recommend Gjusta, Gjelina or both. Gjusta is carved out of an industrial building a block away from Rose Avenue and offers a stellar breakfast counter straight from the bakery, while Gjelina is located on Abbot Kinney serving an American-inspired all day menu in a laid-back, intimate setting.
Los Angeles boasts an array of cultural institutions, but be sure to visit The Broad. Located downtown, the contemporary art museum is the public home for Eli and Edythe Broad’s collection of over 2,000 post-war works, along with an impressive exhibition calendar hosting the work of artists like Yayoi Kusama.
If you fancy venturing further afield, drive up the scenic Pacific Highway to Malibu Farm. No, it’s not that kind of farm. It’s a pier-side breakfast and lunch spot specialising in delicious farm-to-table dishes crafted from local organic ingredients.
Has there ever been a better name for a plant shop than The Juicy Leaf? We’ll wait. Founded by Felix Navarro - who traded in a career in corporate finance to follow his true passion - The Juicy Leaf specialise in plants and beautiful sustainable succulent arrangements.
Aside from the aforementioned hot spots (see letter ‘G’), Abbot Kinney is packed with independent cafés and fashion boutiques like Current/Elliot and Shinola Detroit, so it’s well worth a visit. And if you go on a Saturday, be sure to check out the Abbot Kinney Artist Market for unique gifts and wears.
If you’re planning to visit The Getty Centre, be sure to make a day of it (what’s more, the admission is free). Once you’ve had your fill of European and American art, and you’re done admiring the pristine gardens, open spaces, and modern architecture, head to the centre’s adjoining restaurant where you’ll find a menu of with seasonal American dishes.
Head to Melrose Avenue for a spot of shopping, where you’ll find the likes of Alexander McQueen, Helmut Lang, and Marc Jacobs, alongside high-end vintage stores like the designer treasure trove that is Decades. You’ll also find that Instagram-ready pink wall you’ve seen on your feed, courtesy of Paul Smith, and the studio of one of our newest florists – Eric Butterbaugh’s EB Florals studio.
A hike up to the Griffith Observatory is obligatory when in Los Angeles. And while the masses do it by day, the observatory is actually open until 10pm – so why not take a night hike and view the city in all its glory by night? Be sure to take advantage of the planetarium’s free public telescopes that are available for use on nights when the skies are clear.
Familiarise yourself with Orchid Republic, Carmela de Castro’s floristry studio in Sherman Oaks, located against the backdrop of the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains. Consider Orchid Republic your new floom.com go to for “chic and modern” bouquets and table arrangements.
Meet The Plant Provocateur, aka Hank Jenkins, a self-described “connoisseur of the chic and unique”. His botanical studio is testament to this, as is his floristry style that he describes as “graphic”, “modern”, “ethereal” and “glamorous” - a personal aesthetic that also translates to his striking selection of plants.
When you’re in the mood for a mouth-watering afternoon tipple with an equally impressive view – head to the roof of the Mondrian on Sunset Strip where you’ll find Skybar, an oasis of green walls broken up by floor-to-ceiling windows towering high over the city. Enjoy the view with one of Skybar’s stellar cocktails in hand.
Taking place on the second Sunday of each month at Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, Rose Bowl Flea Market is not to be missed. Los Angeles’ most iconic flea market pulls in an eclectic mix of vendors each month, selling everything from $5 T-shirts, to specialist hard-to-come-by vintage furniture and designer wears.
Los Angeles is home to a growing cohort of sustainable and ethical fashion stores. We suggest checking out Reformation for carefree dresses, laid-back tailoring and up-cycled Denim, Whimsy & Row for low-key staples and printed co-ords, and Rewilder for handmade eco-friendly bags crafted from recycled plastic.
As the name suggests, Susan Winston – the founder of The English Garden circa 1996 – has long been inspired by traditional English country gardens. A time-honoured aesthetic that shines through in the bouquets that she crafts for people in the Westlake Village, Malibu, Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Thousand Oaks area.
It wouldn’t be right to chart Los Angeles from A-Z without mentioning a burger joint, and we’re not talking about In-N-Out. For a memorable experience, head to one of the three Unami Burger where you’ll find a menu of both gourmet and straight-up sliders – and sides like Truffle ‘em fires – that will not disappoint.
No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a visit to the beach (preferably not of the tourist-packed Venice Boardwalk variety). Jump in your car and head south to the likes of Manhattan’s El Porto, or Long beach’s pooch-friendly beach aptly named Rosie’s Dog. Down south the atmosphere is considerably more chilled. Be sure to rent a surfboard and put on a good show.
The best thing about a big city? There’s always something new to discover. So be sure to throw on a pair of comfy kicks and walk, walk, walk.
If you’ve long been a fan of theme parks, Los Angeles has plenty. From The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, to Six Flags Magic Mountain, and of course Universal Studios – there are no shortage of adventures for thrill seekers in this city.
There’s no shortage of culinary delights in Los Angeles either. For authentic road-side tacos, head to Ricky’s Fish Taco truck in the Silverlake area. For a global gastronomical experience, visit The Original Farmers Market next to The Grove. And for a traditional American affair, go downtown to Grand Central Market.
Los Angeles is big on health, wellness, and mindfulness, too. So wether you’re looking for an outdoor space to enjoy, a new pilates or yoga class, or a gym class in which you can clear your head – you’ll be entirely spoilt for choice. There’s something for everyone too – from Y7 a yoga studio that spins house and hip hop, and Ritual gym, a Singaporean import focussing on 20 minute HIIT classes, to LA’s first fully registered green fitness studio, The Wall.