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By Stephanie Zubiri
December 29, 2020
Entrepreneurs Joey Luna and Lee Imperial collaborate with famed interior designer Nate Berkus to create a stylish Hollywood pied-a-terre
“Based in Las Vegas and having to travel to Manila on business many times a year, my partner, Lee Imperial, and I had to stop in Los Angeles every time we got on a plane,” shares international businessman Joey Luna. “Having both lived in Los Angeles for most of our lives, we decided it was time to create a pied-a-terre in a city we both love.” So in 2017, the couple bought a 93-square-meter apartment located just above the Sunset Strip in a 1960s building with a Hollywood and rock’n’roll pedigree.
“One of the previous owners of our apartment happened to be a set designer for the Star Trek movies. When we first entered space, we realized that the kitchen looked like the command center of the spaceship Enterprise! “exclaims Luna.” Although I was not convinced that the preparation of chicken dressing it would match the surroundings, the explosive view of the entire city, which occupied the entire apartment, was a sign that we had found our home in Los Angeles. “
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“One of the previous owners of our apartment happened to be a set designer for the Star Trek movies. When we first entered space, we realized that the kitchen looked like the command center of the spaceship Enterprise! “exclaims Luna.” Although I was not convinced that the preparation of the chicken marinade matched the surroundings, the explosive view of the entire city, which took up the entire apartment, was a sign that we had found our home in Los Angeles. “
Working together with famous interior designer Nate Berkus, the couple wanted to create an abode that could maximize space and storage without sacrificing style. “Very often the biggest challenge in a small apartment is storage,” says the owner. “Nate addressed that by researching yachts and how many of these floating boats can be turned into truly luxurious functional homes.”
Berkus echoes the sentiment. “Space was tight and we wanted to transform the apartment into a kind of ship: maximum storage while still feeling minimal and very international, like our dear clients and their lives.” This was accomplished by meticulously measuring all items and purposely mapping out where they would be stored. “After the project was completed, both Lee and I were amazed that we had more clothes and kitchen storage space in our Los Angeles apartment than in our largest home in Las Vegas,” Luna says. A perfect example of this is the king-size bed. Custom designed by Berkus, it has several integrated compartments. Berkus shares that “behind many walls are cabinets for everything from glassware to shoes.”
The one bedroom apartment retains all the functionality needed for smaller spaces while exuding a stylish and cozy feel. “Two words came to mind when we thought about the design process,” says Luna. “Efficient and personal.” Unlike most small spaces, Berkus and the owners resisted the urge to open the kitchen; instead, French windows were installed that open onto the living room and consequently into view. “The result is quite brilliant!” he says effusively. The highlight of the kitchen is the beautiful black and gold La Cornue stove, paired with shaker-style cabinets and more gold accents, giving it a French country feel rather than a condo feel.
“The main concern was to preserve the elegance and quality of the renovation and design, while creating a bridge between a multicultural style that speaks to both owners,” says Berkus. “Plus, maximize storage and provide a soft place to land between your long trips.” With a mix of sentimental items, artwork collected over the years, and moving new additions purchased, the home is filled with beautiful design paradoxes. Chevron parquet flooring, vintage urn lamps, and gold mirror add that old-world charm, while mid-century lighting such as the 1960s Arlus chandelier and brass and green wall sconces. Italian enamel from the 1950s in the bedroom, they provide a nice contrast. “A mix of eras and styles makes a home feel timeless to me. We work with many antiques and antique dealers around the world. We wanted the design to feel well traveled, eclectic and unique, ”adds the designer.
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When asked about some of her favorite pieces, Luna shares: “A vintage Austrian chiffonier from 1830 juxtaposed with a modern Christopher Gentner pivoting brass sconce in the doorway. This is the prologue to our house in Los Angeles. It immediately tells the story of an unexpected but perfect couple. “
The wild card was the French coffee table inspired by Jean Royère from the 1980s. Made of travertine and metal, the original and unusual piece of furniture was a source of contention. “Lee and I couldn’t agree on this,” shares Luna. “I loved it. He didn’t. Nate finally stepped in to break the tie and insist that it’s the right choice. Seeing it with all the other pieces in our apartment, Lee agrees that it’s the right choice.”
Berkus describes the design process with Luna and Imperial as “magical”. He explains: “There was no ego involved. It was about the best idea always winning. ” Luna expresses the same feelings. “He always made us feel like we were in good hands every step of the way. Nate and all the members of his team took the time to truly understand how Lee and I live, from the moment we woke up to say hello to the world to the moment we said good night, Nate wanted our apartment to deliver and, yes If possible, it will exceed all functional expectations. we had from our new home. “
Keeping in mind the flow of your day is best reflected in the consciously designed lighting plan. “The light switches and controls weren’t just randomly placed; they were choreographed, ”says the owner. “We walked through the space and they asked us what areas of the space we would like to illuminate when entering. We also realized that, with a spectacular view of the city, there are times when we may want the view alone to illuminate the space and, therefore, have lighting that enhances that feature ”.
When asked what her favorite part of the house is, Luna declares, “Nate has made it very difficult to choose a favorite space! From the marble sink in the bathroom, which was carved out of a single stone slab, to the unexpected sofa on the balcony that extends our living space and is the perfect place for meditation every morning, being in our Los Angeles apartment is It feels like we are living in a perfectly equipped suite in one of the best hotels in the world. The only difference is that we can call it home. “
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