An Aguirre Design floor lamp, a Joseph Pagano cocktail table, and Forrest Kirk canvases animate one of the living spaces at Una Casa Privada in Los Angeles.
Photo: Douglas Friedman
Una Casa Privada Brings Together Collectible Design and Curated Art in a Residential-Style Setting
Una Malan expands her Los Angeles footprint with a multilayered experiential showroom in a Hollywood Hills residence
Una Malan in front of a Sébastien Léon artwork surrounded by Joseph Pagano sconces and pendent in Una Casa Privada in Los Angeles. Photo: Douglas Friedman
Design maven Una Malan had just moved her Los Angeles furniture showroom to an airy corner on La Cienega Boulevard when she came across an available 1930s Mediterranean manse on a bougainvillea-lined residential street in the Hollywood Hills. Although her gallery was freshly open, she couldn’t resist the opportunity to create what she describes as “a collaborative and engaging experiential space.”
With its calm, cozy rooms and large windows looking out onto a turquoise pool and garden, the charming home made for a romantic backdrop for her curated collections of artisan furniture and lighting. “Being from England, I love historic architecture paired with warm, contemporary furnishings, and the bones of the house itself were perfect,” she says.
Una Casa Privada in Los Angeles. Photo: Douglas Friedman
Following a complete overhaul of the interior, the address debuted as Una Casa Privada in May. Here, spaces gradually unfold, offering visitors an opportunity for discovery. Each setting encapsulates a thoughtful pairing of unique pieces such as Tom Muyters tables and voluptuous seating from Aguirre Design, geometric Gabriel Scott lighting, and a stirring collection of artworks by Charles Arnoldi, Forrest Kirk, and Samantha McCurdy, among others, curated by art adviser Carlos Antonio.
“We want to support a diverse range of established and up-and-coming artists,” says Malan of the installations, which will continuously evolve. “As visitors explore the interior and exterior, they are presented with a holistic vision of design, where every element plays a vital role in creating a cohesive and inspiring environment.”
Inside Una Casa Privada, a sinuous Richard Zawitz sculpture overlooks a tranquil sitting area decorated with an Una Malan sofa, Aguirre Design chair in Rose Uniacke cotton velvet, and Baker Hesseldenz arm chair centered around a Tom Muyters cocktail table situated on a Marc Phillips rug. Artworks by (from left) Charles Arnoldi, Chris Ulivo, and Forrest Kirk and a Douglas Fanning ceiling fixture complete the space. Photo: Douglas Friedman
Wanting to craft a truly comprehensive home experience, Malan invited a multitude of brands into Una Casa Privada, installing Monogram appliances in the kitchen, Kallista fixtures in the bath, and SA Baxter hardware throughout. “Collaboration is at the heart of our vision, so by partnering with other companies, we are greater than the sum of our parts,” says Malan, who also develops programming like chef-led tastings in the garden, poolside yoga, and private concerts. “I want people to feel at home and be inspired. Una Casa Privada not only showcases our collections, it also fosters connections centered on shared passions.”
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2023 Collectors Issue under the headline “Home Advantage.” Subscribe to the magazine.
Cover: An Aguirre Design floor lamp, a Joseph Pagano cocktail table, and Forrest Kirk canvases animate one of the living spaces at Una Casa Privada in Los Angeles.
Photo: Douglas Friedman
