Our monthly hot list of the West’s best upcoming events, latest openings, must-have items, and more
Call it surf style 2.0. The modern sensibility of Honolulu menswear line Salvage Public may be a departure from the mainland perception of the “Hawaiian look,” but in reality, it’s more in line with what locals truly wear—on and off the beach. “Our inspiration comes from the culture and environment of Hawaii,” says Joseph Serrao (right), who launched the brand with brother Noah (left) and a former classmate, Napali Souza (middle). Along with tailored boardshorts and Diamond Head–imprinted sweatshirts, the fall-winter collection stars a jacket of Japanese denim that would look right at home on the streets of Echo Park (or Tokyo). This November, Salvage Public opens its first store, located in Ward Village across from Ala Moana Beach Park. Collection available Sep 1. —Nena Farrell
The word is out: South Lake Tahoe is in the midst of a bona-fide tourism boom, with a spate of new hotels, restaurants, and attractions. On our list: the Coachman Hotel, a revamp of a 1960s motor lodge that puts a just-hip-enough spin on the alpine aesthetic. Located near the base of Heavenly Mountain, the 42-room retreat checks all the right boxes—Frette linens, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Malin + Goetz bath products—while adding several smart extras. Low-slung seating by J. Pickens creates an intimate conversation area overlooking the outdoor firepits. A three-bedroom suite that sleeps 11 features a built-in sectional that doubles as desk or eating space. The chic corn-hole boards are crafted out of reclaimed wood from the renovation. And did we mention the custom-poured hot tub is open year-round?
It was a single Aeonium ‘Sunburst’ that spurred photographer Don Flood’s quest for the ultimate accent wall. “I love using organic items as the baseline shapes in Fliepaper,” says Flood, who founded the wall-covering collection in 2014with a focus on quirky motifs—everything from dragonflies to rock walls—represented at unusually bold scale. An avid gardener, Flood had been growing succulents in his Santa Monica Canyon backyard with the goal of turning the perfect specimen into a pattern. “I knew that the variation of soft greens and yellows, along with the strong natural form, would make for a dynamic design,” he says. “Growing it myself was just part of the process.” The result is an earthy yet abstract look: a high-impact dose for an otherwise minimal living room or a no-holds-barred statement at your entry. Succulent paper from $6.50/square foot. —N.F.
If the Acapulco chair could talk, it would say: Go ahead, chillax. Known for its airy striated form and tropical colors, this south-of-the-border staple feels more relevant than ever, reinterpreted in luxe new materials (including leather and copper) and assuming its rightful place on contemporary patios across the West. —Catherine Dash
A tantalizing glimpse on social media clued us in to REI’s latest endeavor—the REI Outessa Summit, a women’s adventure getaway where you can pack a three-day weekend full of activities: sunrise yoga, paddleboarding, rock climbing, outdoor cooking classes, and more, all led by female instructors who meld fun with a healthy dose of motivation. Camping concierges can help set up your site with essential gear (including REI’s Camp Dome 2 tent, pictured here; $100). This year’s events are held in Kirkwood, Cali-fornia (Aug 19–21), and Powder Mountain, Utah (Sep 9–11), with more planned for 2017. All meals are included—down to the wine tasting and marshmallows for roasting over the fire. From $249/day pass.
“It was a dream of mine—an obsession—to have my own restaurant,” says Nocciola chef-owner Pietro Biondi, who grew up cooking with his mother near Lake Maggiore, Italy. A move to Portland led to meeting his wife, Julie Hara; soon the couple were seeking a space to open as a labor of love. Their search led them to Ojai, California, and a 113-year-old Craftsman home with a view of the Topa Topa Mountains. It’s an environment that feels more like a chic residence than a restaurant, and a worthy showcase for the regional-Italian-with-a-twist menu, including a slow-braised lamb shank with pomegranate and port. —C.D.
Rose-petal curtains. Shibori-patterned pillows. A chunky wool blanket dip-dyed with blue spruce. In Natural Color: Vibrant Plant Dye Projects for Your Home and Wardrobe (Watson-Guptill, 2016; $30), artist and designer Sasha Duerr has produced one of the year’s loveliest coffee-table tomes. Although Duerr grows much of what she uses, she also encourages gathering from the wild, whether it be wood sorrel, fennel, or the bark of eucalyptus trees. “The [projects] I’ve chosen for this book were curated to elevate weeds, waste, and common everyday plants,” Duerr writes. “Working with [them] invites authentic storytelling—of people, plants, and place.”
Ed Ruscha’s enthrallment with the American West began in earnest at age 18, when he drove a 1950 Ford Sedan from his Oklahoma hometown to Los Angeles. Through October 9 at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, Ed Ruscha and the Great American West explores the Culver City–based artist’s prolific career while reinventing the mythology of the region. From $20. —N.F.