Table of contents for Home & Design 2025 in Sunset

As regular readers know, our previous issue was devoted to the devastating wildfires that swept through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena earlier this year, destroying more than 12,000 homes. In the weeks immediately after the fires, we heard from several readers whose homes had once been featured in Sunset but were destroyed in the fires. These recently displaced homeowners wanted copies of those old stories as a record, a remembrance, and a way to hold on. When we spoke to them about their plans, the refrain was: “We’re building again.” The smoke had barely cleared, and already they were dreaming of recreating these houses in which they’d raised their kids, entertained neighbors, tended gardens, and lived, yes, the California dream. There was the couple in the Palisades whose house had…

In the weeks following the L.A. wildfires, readers whose homes had been featured in Sunset stories contacted us to send them copies of the stories featuring their beloved houses. We’ll be checking in on them as they rebuild. Here’s how one homeowner is doing 90 days after the fires. “We moved to the Palisades 29 years ago. It was originally 800 square feet but had been added onto, and then we added onto it, too. My wife and I raised both of our kids there. It was very modest but beautiful and homey. L.A. can be a very solitary place, but there was this community in the Pacific Palisades. I knew and liked my neighbors. They were people I could rely on. It felt small-townish with a Fourth of July…

For over 125 years, Sunset has celebrated the people, ideas, and designers behind the adobes, A-frames, beach bungalows, modernist compounds, ranch houses, and zen retreats that are the backdrop of the Sunset lifestyle. It’s an ever-evolving collection of structures, spaces, flourishes, and immersive experiences that allow us to live to our fullest in this region of such cultural and topographical diversity. From the coast to the mountains to the desert, the West inspires the best firms and practices to provide not just shelter but inspiration for a life well-lived. In the past, we’ve honored single homes and architects, but this is the first time in our history that we’ve celebrated the breadth of domestic design: We’ve widened our scope to include not only the architects but also the interior designers…

Hilary Kearney, the professional beekeeper behind Girl Next Door Honey, has built a thriving business focused on bee-centric programs, from natural beekeeping classes to live bee removal. A passionate advocate for understanding honeybees, she believes a solid grasp of their behavior leads to better beekeepers. In her latest book, Heart of the Hive: Inside the Mind of the Honey Bee and the Incredible Life Force of the Colony, she explores honeybee biology with a mix of scientific insight and the magic that makes beekeeping so captivating. Here, Hilary shares expert tips to create a successful apiary garden, blending practical hive placement and plant palettes with a deep respect for bees’ natural instincts and needs. Before breaking ground on your apiary, Hilary suggests running through these key steps to not only…

HAWAII It’s hard to imagine a place more picturesque than the North Shore of Kauai. And the absolute embodiment of that utopic setting is Common Ground Kauai, a regenerative farm and food experience that is a stunning example of agroforestry. Kauai local Ivory Kealani Lloyd is not only a passionate advocate for the environment in the programming she builds for Common Ground but also a skilled lei maker, longboarder, and devoted mother of two. Here, she shares her favorite spots along Kauai’s North Shore. This month: North Shore, Kauai The insider: Ivory Kealani Lloyd, Director of Events & Brand, Common Ground Kauai STAY Whenever I find gems like The Surfshack, I recommend them to everyone who comes to visit because it feels a bit like a home away from home.…

Julie Cox first fell in love with the crunchy coastal town of Santa Cruz the way that many do: on the water. Her introduction to the iconic breaks along East Cliff and Pleasure Point while attending UC Santa Cruz led to lifelong friendships, eventually drawing her back after competing in the professional longboard tour, surf instructing in Mexico, and spearheading the California Surf Museum in Oceanside. Cox and her partner Rel Lavizzo-Mourey have since opened Traveler Surf Clubs in Santa Cruz, Pacifica, and Malibu, serving as hubs for local surf culture. Here, Cox shares her go-to spots when visiting this gem of the Central Coast. This month: Santa Cruz, CA The insider: Julie Cox, owner of Traveler Surf Club STAY Sea & Sand Inn is a cute boutique hotel with…

On a balmy day at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on the edge of the sprawling expanse of Griffith Park, a new kind of rodeo comes to life. Twentysomethings in oversize black denim and Lucchese boots mingle with seasoned riders. The legendary Compton Cowboys sit astride their horses, sharing space with influencers snapping selfies in vintage Stetsons. Rodeo Queen Brandi Cyrus rides out on a black stallion. This is IRON, an event that’s equal parts fashion show, day club, and social gathering, proving rodeo has a place not just on the ranch, but in the city, too. Founded last year and now with 10 gatherings under its ornately tooled, turquoise and silver-buckled belt, IRON has become a must-attend event for a diverse mix of equestrians, artists, designers, and dreamers, all drawn…

Even though it rarely rains in Los Angeles, it’s a bold move to open a restaurant with 70 percent of its tables outside. But if restaurateur Marissa Hermer is anything, it’s bold. The former hospitality publicist, Bravo Ladies of London star, and successful restaurateur whisks us through her newest creation Chez Mia, a Provence-inspired indoor-outdoor fantasia that channels all that’s to love about refined coastal dining in the Mediterranean in summer: Clusters of tables dot a sprawling patio of vivid tile, plush banquettes, lush plantings, a bubbling fountain, an array of tufted umbrellas to break up the sun by day and help contain the glow of candles and murmur of diners by night, and in the center of it all, a grand marble-topped bar that invites guests to linger over…

There’s no easier way to drink well than the Sunset Wine Club, a selection of story-worthy wines produced by the top vintners in California, Oregon, Washington, and beyond—delivered straight to your door. We’ve partnered with the country’s premier online wine retailer, Wine Access, to curate a standout mix of reds, whites, bubblies, and rosés. Think of each delivery as a box of aperitifs, party-ready bottles, and weeknight dinner solutions. Even better, they’ve been selected to go with the recipes and menus in the issue you’re holding in your hands. As a member of the Sunset Wine Club, you will receive the following exclusive benefits: Six Story-Worthy Wines, Shipped Every Three Months Each bottle is thoughtfully crafted by a group of diverse, environmentally responsible winemakers. Sunset Recipes, Profound Pairings Every bottle comes…

A well-designed room and an elegant outfit have more in common than one might think. Both start with a foundation of timeless, handcrafted materials with a sharp focus on graceful proportions and finish with a handful of striking accessories. No one understands this better than Mimi Shin, a UCLA-trained architect and interior designer who spent a decade as an editor at the top of the American fashion food chain. “I’m a product of late ’90s minimalism. I always start by getting the silhouettes right first, making sure art and lighting get hung at the right height. That’s just who I am,” she says. “Then, everything else that gets layered in is a reflection of the client.” Throughout her 20s, Shin worked as an accessories editor at Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue.…

There is a timeless allure to the San Juans, with its rugged coastlines, breathtaking wildlife, and quaint Pacific Northwestern communities that have committed to a slower, simpler island life. And while Orcas is indeed a year-round treasure, spring holds a special magic, particularly for flower enthusiasts. The season offers a riot of wildflowers carpeting the meadows and trails, from lupines to delicate camas lilies. Weather is crisp yet sunny, making it ideal for outdoor exploration without the summer crowds. While it’s true that August’s peak season dazzles with dahlia blooms and bustling activity, spring provides a quieter, equally stunning alternative—perfect for soaking in the island’s natural beauty in a more quiet, downtempo pace. On a recent trip, we explored what has been rightfully deemed “the Gem of the San Juans”…

Kathleen Dunn and her family discovered Jacksonville the way that many great discoveries happen: on a good old-fashioned road trip. Captivated by the charm of this historic gold mining town nestled in Southern Oregon wine country, they uprooted their lives to restore Kubli Haus, a dilapidated 1860s landmark that’s been reimagined as a boutique hotel. Here, the accidental innkeeper shares her recommendations for how best to enjoy this special little town north of Ashland. STAY Kubli Haus is tucked in a quiet pocket of Jacksonville, just one block from the Britt Amphitheater and two blocks to the main street in town. All five spacious suites have showstopping bathrooms, loaded kitchenettes, and are furnished with a mix of modern and antique pieces, like vintage Turkish rugs and luxurious linens, making it an…