As the founder and creative director of a luxury fashion house, the owner is a frequent world traveler – and that often means staying in hotels that aren’t necessarily to his taste.
“Bland interior design bothers me,” says Johnson Hartig, founder of Libertine. He adds, ‘During the first few hours of my stay, I often visit the office to talk to the manager about the renovation of their hotel; I really should design one myself one day.’
(Image credit: Roger Davis/Otto)
If the colorful and beautiful interiors of the Los Angeles home he shares with his rescue dogs, Flower and Turnip, are anything to go by, guests at Johnson Hartig’s hotel are treated to a fantastical, multi-continental journey. Think Persian needlework, Moroccan ceramics, Indian chintz, Chinese glass paintings and ship dioramas from England and North America.
“I’ve been collecting for as long as I can remember,” Johnson shares. “Nowadays I tend to buy a lot of vintage furniture and art at online auctions, and I often forget what I’ve bought, so the packages arrive and it’s all a surprise to open them, and then I have to find places for them all. I have a lot of work to do. I will.”
Fireplace and ceramic tile (on the coffee table), sourced from Morocco.
(Image credit: Roger Davis/Otto)
Five years ago, Johnson was on her way to buying a house in the Los Feliz area of ​​Los Angeles when a friend alerted her that a property in the Windsor Historic District was coming up on the market. “I’ve always loved the neighborhood because the trees are more mature here, the houses have more character and they’re historically preserved,” Johnson says.
He continues, “I agreed to come over and I met the previous owner, who was a gardener, and we immediately connected about the gardens. It felt like everything was coming together perfectly; just during 15 minutes later, I realized that this is my house.”
Chair (right) in Jokhang tiger velvet at Peacock & Olive, Johnson Hartig for Schumacher.
(Image credit: Roger Davis/Otto)
Johnson completed the eight-month renovation — which included creating an open floor plan — before the pandemic hit. “I came back from Milan the day before everything stopped and suddenly I had some free time to work at home,” says the designer, who has to make decisions quickly.
He describes, “I did all the rooms quickly, quickly, quickly. I tend to get very excited by color, so I would try and then change my mind halfway through. In one small room, I had the artists paint the walls three different colors one day.’
Gold wallpaper and blue plates; chairs in Hotch Potch Crazy Quilt and Proust’s Lilacs, all Johnson Hartig for Schumacher.
(Image credit: Roger Davis/Otto)
Johnson taught himself to sponge paint, and his work can be seen on the stairs as well as the kitchen ceiling, where he narrows the “grotto.” Here, the walls are hung with a trompe l’oeil wallpaper of blue and white serving plates – one of the fun and playful designs from his three collections for the fabric and wallpaper brand Schumacher.
The blue and white decorative rug for the room was purchased on Amazon. “I don’t care where things come from. It works and is perfect with dogs.’
Trompe l’oeil is The Lemon Tree by Chris Evans. Susan Delis is a good source of suzan.
(Image credit: Roger Davis/Otto)
Inspired by the frescoes designed by Piero Portaluppi in 1930 for his Milanese home, Casa degli Atellani, Johnson commissioned local artist Chris Evans to paint a painting of California flora in the sitting room. This serves as the background for everything from 18th century portraits to surrealist art.
“I think it’s about trying and not being afraid of things,” he thinks, adding, “Behind every painting you’ll find 30 or 40 nail holes. I’ve come across artists when they’re they look at the way some of Damien Hirst’s works are hung, they are surprised.’
Chinte curtains made in India for fashion brand Johnson. Libertine. Italy panoramic wallpaper, ixel.
(Image credit: Roger Davis/Otto)
For someone with a demanding day job, Johnson usually wakes up at 4:30 a.m. to be at the nearby Libertine studio by 6 a.m. (“so that I have time to think and breathe and be creative before solving a hundred questions”). – pottering around the house and its gardens, planting a tree or hanging a new picture, offers the creative idleness he needs.
‘I get lost in the process; it’s where I like to be the most,” she says, adding: “I don’t take any of it too seriously because I know I live alone and can do whatever I want at home . None of that matters; it’s just a joy and I enjoy it as much as I can.’
Le Grand Tour Wallpaper in English Green, Johnson Hartig for Schumacher.
(Image credit: Roger Davis/Otto)
Get to know the landlord
The fashion designer and founder of Libertine shares her knowledge of showcasing collections
How do you clear your eyes?
I eat auction catalogs for information – they often have extensive pictures as well as lots of information about each piece.
Do you shop in person or online?
Online kind of spoiled me because you can find anything there. But when I travel, I make sure I go to the local markets.
Where do you source things from?
I do everything from auctions to eBay and Etsy. With eBay, keywords are very important.
What tips can you offer on displaying collections?
Masses are always effective, but a group of random objects can be just as interesting. Try putting some 1970s kitsch next to a blue and white Min vase – there’s a sense of wonder and joy.
Would you ever hire a professional to hang pictures?
I hang everything myself and I’m fast: I can hang a group of images in 15 minutes or less. I leave something for a week and if I don’t like it, I move it somewhere else.
#Walk #stunning #home #fashion #designer #throw #decorating #rule #book