Suzanne Rheinstein: "Make Your Life Attractive Every Single Day"
Suzanne Rheinstein is an internationally recognized interior designer and owner of Hollyhock, the well-known antiques and decorative arts store. She excels in creating understated, sophisticated and comfortable interiors, incorporating beautiful things. Born and raised in New Orleans, Suzanne has a deep appreciation for the traditions of that city: history, architecture, antiques, gardens and hospitality. Her Southern sense of style, the visual sophistication she acquired living on the East Coast and her appreciation for the light and color of southern California have made her a sought-after talent.
Suzanne’s 1916 Georgian-revival home and garden, in the Windsor Square neighborhood of Los Angeles, are her inspiration. “There’s no point in saving up for a special occasion. It’s more important—and more fun—to make your life attractive every single day,” she says.
Since moving to Los Angeles as a bride in 1978, Suzanne has been deeply involved in the cultural life of Southern California. She served two terms on the board of the Los Angeles Conservancy, the largest membership-based local historic preservation organization in the country. Presidency of her local Garden Club led her to involvement with other Garden Club of America clubs. Her passion for gardens has culminated in her current board position at The Garden Conservancy, a national organization founded to preserve exceptional American gardens for the public’s education and enjoyment.
Suzanne and her work have been featured in numerous regional and national publications, including Town & Country, Architectural Digest, W, The New York Times, Southern Accents, Veranda, The Los Angeles Times, House Beautiful, Angeleno, C Magazine, and House and Garden, and her New York Apartment was featured on the cover of the November 2010 Elle Décor. In addition, she has been featured in books including Designing Women by Architectural Digest Editor Margaret Russell, Hollywood Style, Secret Gardens of Hollywood, Designers on Design and Inspired Styles. She is often featured in Design Blogs such as “The Peak of Chic,” “Style Court,” and “All the Best.” Her book, At Home: A Style For Today With Things From The Past, published by Rizzoli, was released in October 2010.
In 2007, Lee Jofa launched Suzanne’s line of fine fabrics. The line draws inspiration from her personal collection of hand-woven, hand-painted antique textiles. Her second collection for Lee Jofa will be released in Spring 2011.
In 2007 she received the premier Design Leadership Award from the Decorative Arts and Design Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and in the fall of 2009 she was awarded the Star of Design from the Pacific Design Center.
Suzanne is currently a Contributing Editor at C Magazine. The magazine celebrates the best of California life, style and influence.
Hollyhock
For over 20 years, Suzanne has owned Hollyhock, the antiques and decorative arts store which is an exclusive resource for designers and discerning shoppers. Originally opened as a neighborhood shop, it is now located in a charming cottage in the burgeoning La Cienega Design Quarter.
Hollyhock features an eclectic mélange of 18th and 19th century antiques mixed with accessories, art, contemporary furniture and books on architecture, gardening and living well. The store also features the “Hollyhock Home Collection,” Suzanne’s custom line of furniture, upholstery and lighting. Suzanne carefully chooses every item in the store with a particular point of view, including wonderful, quirky pieces that can’t be found anyplace else.
In keeping with Suzanne’s commitment to supporting the cultural life of Southern California, Hollyhock has become, to quote Elle Décor’s Michael Boodro, “the city’s liveliest salon.” With book launch parties, lectures supporting non-profit groups and other celebrations, Hollyhock is a sought after venue, feeding Angeleno’s appetites for cultural education in a fabulous setting. The parties are frequently covered in local and national press, including New York Social Diary. As a well-known California luminary says, “People come to her evenings because they are never chi-chi, they’re just perfectly done.”