California Dreaming
12TH MAY 2021
Chasing the L.A. light with designer and artist, Ngaio Parr
“Los Angeles refuses to agree on its core. The center is wherever you decide it is.” - Ann Friedman
Having moved to Los Angeles two months prior to the start of the pandemic, artist, designer and creative director Ngaio Parr was forced to make the long (but temporary) trek back to Australia. An L.A. devotee for many years, she had always hoped to live in the City of Angels due to its encouraging approach and support of creatives. “There’s an air of possibility in L.A. – like you could do anything,” she says. “There’s this optimism and everyone’s happy to connect you with the right people – you don’t have to fit into any strict or certain rules of what a creative director is or what a design studio should be.”
Having always forged and followed her own path, Ngaio launched her independent studio back in 2014 and has been working as a designer, artist, curator and illustrator ever since. “I try to work with people or clients that are for the good of the planet, for good people or for a good time - preferably all three.”
Speaking to TONE from her office on the Gold Coast, Ngaio reflects on her favourite L.A. haunts and reveals the places she’ll return to when the time is finally right.
Sleep and stay
I like around the Mount Washington area with its beautiful views. There’s a great Airbnb that we stay in that’s a Modernist home. Last time we stayed it was in exchange for an artwork I made of the house. Often when I’m flying out, I’ll book one or two nights at the Surfrider in Malibu. It has a great rooftop. I like staying there, especially if you’re at the end of your trip. It’s so great because you can do everything in the area but you’re much closer to the airport for your last day.
Read
Now Serving is this great bookshop that only sells cookbooks and cookbook research books. It’s an amazing and beautiful store. I also love The Last Bookstore in Downtown L.A.
Bite
I would definitely go to Guelaguetza, which is this delicious Mexican place that my friends first told me about. They specialise in mole. I’m also a sucker for Night & Market Song in Silverlake or Dan Tana’s for a Hollywood steak and spaghetti situation – which is the best kind of situation.
Get Inspired
The Hauser & Wirth gallery is my favourite. I also love the LACMA and the Huntington Library is beautiful. The actual building is incredible.
Work it
I love working from hotels. I’m a big fan of locking myself in a hotel room with room service to do my work. It’s not an everyday occurrence but I love it. I love Sunset Tower Hotel. It’s like Chateau Marmont but they actually want you there [laughs].
Relax
In non-COVID times, I’d go to Wi Spa or Olympic Spa. They’re quite close to each other and a real experience.
Insider
Chez Jez in Santa Monica is great. It’s where Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote Good Will Hunting in the back room every night. It’s a bit of a dive and it’s amazing.
Drink
The Prince is an old underground bar that has these old school booths. It also serves classic Korean food and snacks.
New kid on the block
A friend of mine just designed Wine and Eggs in Atwater – I’d love to be able to go there and check it out.
Savour the memories
I miss the L.A. light a lot… It’s always just so beautiful.
