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An interior enthusiast’s guide to West Hollywood’s Design District with Martyn Lawrence Bullard

To celebrate the opening of Soho.Home.Studio Melrose Avenue, the local Holloway House member, award-winning interior designer and television personality, introduces us to the neighbourhood with a design-led tour of his favourite places

By Megan Murray

With a client list that boasts Cher, Tommy Hilfiger and Kourtney Kardashian, as well as his own design store on Melrose Avenue, you could say there's no one better to give an insight into West Hollywood's Design District than local resident, Soho House member and interior designer, Martyn Lawrence Bullard.

A creative hub for art, fashion, dining, beauty and interiors, Melrose Avenue and its surrounding neighbourhood is like a design enthusiast's playground, with a plethora of boutiques, galleries, and eateries.

Whether you're an LA local or discovering the area for the first time, Bullard's guide offers the perfect way to spend an afternoon here, from the best cafe for lunch to getting your culture fix.

Soho.Home.Studio Melrose

'LA finally has what we have been waiting for - a Soho.Home.Studio located in the heart of the West Hollywood Design District in one of the prettiest historic buildings in the city. This amazing store gives shoppers the opportunity to see Soho Home's beautiful collections laid out in a way that makes you not only want to hang out in the space, but also imagine how good their designs will look in your own home. It's both a brilliant concept and an inspiring experience.'

Urth Caffé

'Directly across the street from the new Soho.Home.Studio is the legendary Urth Caffé. Known around the globe, this almost cult-status eatery offers the finest organic coffee and teas, along with a colourful California-centric food offering. Seen in many movies, the interiors borrow inspiration from the natural world in both materials and colour palette. There's always a cool crowd watching from the outdoor seating terrace - it's a must-stop experience for anyone visiting.'

Atelier

'Another bonus to Soho.Home.Studio's new location on Melrose Avenue is that it's actually next door to my own Atelier. My boutique-like store is a cabinet of curiosities, showing antique and vintage finds juxtapositioned with exotic tableware, black and white art photography, designer fabrics, and exclusive French scenic wallpapers. You could even find Turkish precious jewellery next to mid-century club chairs; it's a treat to the decorative senses on every level.'

Man in green plaid shirt and white pants stands in front of a glass door under a sign reading "ATELIER". Inside, a well-decorated room with tropical-themed walls and stylish furniture is visible.

The Webster

'If you're looking for some killer style inspiration, take a short hike down La Cienega Boulevard to visit The Webster. Built into the side of the iconic Beverly Center, it offers high fashion from the world's leading designers, all curated with a discerning eye that has plucked the most LA-appropriated pieces from the latest collections. Balenciaga, Gucci, Amiri, Lanvin, Marni, Nick Fouquet and Brandon Maxwell are featured, to name a few, and the curated selection of pieces is polished, edited, and full of street credible presence. The inside of the store is stunning - it's completely pale pink and using curved shapes and form in such an interesting way.'

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

'As a city whose notoriety is built upon the fame of its glittering stars and Hollywood blockbusters, the recently opened Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has to be visited. Set in the architectural masterpiece that was the May Company Building on Wilshire Boulevard, it is a sleek ode to Art Deco design. The building has been modified to house this museum, which traces the beginnings of the Hollywood film industry - exhibiting everything from Dorothy's 'ruby' slippers to Cher's Oscars outfit, and even the original shark mould of Jaws. Fascinating on every level, the exhibit spaces were perfectly designed by Italian master Renzo Piano, and for any movie buff there's no other museum of its type anywhere else in the world. Both the museum and its amazing 13 million movie-centric exhibits and objects create a truly memorable experience and one that only LA has to offer.'

A multi-story beige building with horizontal windows displays vertical "ACADEMY MUSEUM" text beside a golden cylindrical structure labeled "SABAN BUILDING" situated at an urban street corner with cars passing.
A large, spherical glass-domed building with a solid grey base stands among a row of palm trees and bushes, with a street and lamppost in the foreground.

Dr Barbara Sturm Boutique & Spa

'Health and beauty are a key association of the LA lifestyle, and the latest and greatest skincare is a requisite of the Hollywood set. Located just off Melrose on N Almont Drive is the Dr Barbara Sturm clinic that offers revolutionary salon spa treatments with her world-renowned anti-inflammatory philosophy. Pampering here feels like a real treat - the space is incredibly sleek and modern, it's almost futuristic. It has a calming effect and allows you to let the expertly-trained staff take over and just relax.'