a room with a view: danny's los angeles loft

Today is the first in a new series I'm starting called "Room With A View". Danny, my jewelry partner, agreed to be my first guest. I wanted to feature his place because I always love hanging out in his comfortable home filled with art. When Danny moved in several years back, he replaced the marble floors with Brazilian wood, giving it a warmer feel and blew out the bedroom, making it essentially one big room.





mj: Did you have a clear vision in mind when you put the room together?

danny: Yes. Except for the art. The art was a surprise. I wanted an open space filled with things I love. I knew art would make the room more beautiful, so placing the work was a personal thing. Finding the right spot for each piece was a loving process.



After winning $200 in a pachinko parlor in Kobe, Danny bought this vase on his way home.



Silver and coral tree a gift; Painting by Korin Faught; Wood sculptures by Derick Bencomo, Tom Hoshizaki pottery; Silver sculpture by Roman artist and jeweler Fausto Maria Franchi.



Photos: Richard Misrach; Patrick Nagatani; Robert Flick; Gregory Crewdson.


As you enter the room, these are some of the photos on the wall. I'm always amazed that Danny actually owns this famous Misrach photo from the Outdoor Dining, Bonneville Salt Flats series that I've long admired. When I asked him about it, he told me that he picked it up in the mid-90s at a time when Misrach was not as well known. As Danny walked through the show, he was floored by the work and trusted dealer Robert Mann, who told him that Misrach was a very good photographer.



Painting by Sam Francis; turquoise sculpture by Oded Halahmy

The turquoise sculpture by Oded Halahmy is my favorite piece in Danny's home. My eye is always drawn to it every time I enter the room.



Silver plate by Oded Halahmy; French mirror from late 19th century; French antique chair; large painting by Yitzhak Greenfield; leaf photo by Robert Blackman.


mj: Is there anything you'd like to add or change about the room?

danny: Just rotating the art and putting up some other pieces to see how that affects the mood of the place.



Head by Tahitian artist; Oded Halahmy nickel sculpture.


I stopped over in the middle of a work day, and I like the fact that this is what the space actually looks like while it's being lived in.



"Two Figures on the Shore" by Max Weber



Jennifer Shimatsu painting; self-portrait by Jerusalem artist Katinka; sequence of 3 paintings by Holly Williams; landscape painting by Elizabeth Tolley; David Hockney painting.



President M. desk by Philippe Starck; Gary Baseman painting on floor; large photo by Yuval Yairi; black and white photo by Bill Jacobson.

I was sitting at this table having a glass of tea while I waited for Danny to finish up. Initially he didn't want me to photograph this area, but I think there's something wonderful about all the paintings stacked and waiting to be rotated into the mix at some point.



If you have a room with a very special view and would like to be featured, feel free to contact me at trustyourstyle@gmail.com

all photos (c) Mary Jo Matsumoto; please contact me before using, thank you!