As a recent space-starved New York transplant in Los Angeles, Noora Raj Brown was looking for a home with ample outdoor space and sunlight. And she found that and more in a Spanish-style bungalow in West Hollywood, where she lives with her husband, Ryan. “The garden is my favourite part of the house—it’s full of tropical plants, lemon and orange trees and bougainvillea. We love to have friends over for dinner at the outdoor table and move to the fire pit after for tea or a nightcap,” says Brown, who has garnered quite a reputation for throwing tasteful soirees and dos. A quick peek at her Instagram will confirm her love for perfect, dreamy settings.
John Baldessari’s “Big Catch” hangs over the bar cart
And who would have thought that the secret lies in tiny bits of personalisation. “Handwritten place cards are inexpensive but add a lot of elegance to a dinner. If I am having a formal event, I have a calligrapher stay until everyone is seated. That way, if someone’s plus one changes last minute—for example, they bring a friend instead of a newish boyfriend, we can switch place cards to make the unexpected guest feel welcome.”
Coffee table books and an Apparatus Studio incense holder on a vintage Pierre Vandel coffee table from 1st Dibs. The Hermès tray is also from 1st Dibs.
Looking for conversation starters? Brown’s eclectic yet elegantly layered home is a haven for antique and art lovers. Much adored curios like a malachite tray picked up from a flea market in Paris and vintage collectibles share space with incredible artworks by well-established names such as Ed Ruscha, John Baldessari and Christopher Wool. “I especially love the ‘Liberty’ piece by Ed Ruscha, which is so fitting for our times,” says Brown. One of the most prominent pieces—a wedding present from her husband—is a mirror art made by a Brooklyn-based artist. The words change from “Everybody Wants You” to “I Want You” as a nod to a popular Bob Dylan song.
A John Derian decoupage plate (a gift from a former boss)
As one of the leading women behind Goop’s meteoric success from a team that could fit around a conference table to a 250-member company, Brown has seen the brand grow from strength to strength. With multiple product launches, a Netflix show, partnerships with wellness behemoths like Sephora, 2020 is already looking up for Goop. As for Brown, the year is all about self-optimisation, which she says is as the “DNA” of the brand. “I am always over-optimistic and set too many goals. And for this year some of them include starting a daily meditation practice, learning pottery and (hopefully) having a baby!”
Photographs: Emma Feil
