Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

The Great Outdoors, Indoors: A Leafy Recap of Dwell On Design

Oh, expos. The swaggy stalls, the scanning badges, the wandering while wondering how a space this cavernous can exist in such a crowded city. We, love, all of it.

Especially when it’s three-day mega mindmeld Dwell on Design. We were at the event last weekend at the LA Convention Center, which hosted 32,428 attendees there to see the latest in beautifying and streamlining your surroundings.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

The design mothership for three days: the LA Convention Center.

Julian and I both working the back patch look.

Julian and I both working the back patch look.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

The Lalo Outdoor Cinema, livened up with blocks of drought-tolerant plants like opuntia, was one of the buzziest hubs.

Imagine 400 exhibitors over 200,000 square feet. Stellar interior design and decor (like Cerno’s mod mixed-media lighting, charming GeoNoggins and the sultry Cocoon fireplaces) were in the house, but we of course swooned extra hard for the outdoor design. There were so many plants there. And so many impressive planters and lots of great outdoor furniture under the show lights shining miles above our heads.

Even better, our friend/the incredible, legendary photographer Julian Mackler was in town from Brooklyn to join the fun.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Not gonna lie, we made a beeline first thing for the Loll Beer Garden for some pilsner and mashed potatoes. For strength! Provided by Mountain States, plants also included aloes and palo verde trees.

This year was Dwell on Design’s best-attended in its 10-year history. The event included the exhibition, house tours and talks; we caught Francesca Corra‘s stimulating session on art in the garden, and met lots of exhibitors when we visited last Saturday. The tours we’ll have to save until next time — maybe when the show heads to NYC October 2-4?

While we count the days, here are some of our favorite moments from Dwell on Design LA…

—TH

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Wall flowers know how to party, thanks to Bella Builders.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Bella Builders specialize in vertical gardens, and create custom, low-maintenance, water-recycling green walls for homes and businesses.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Also at Bella Builders, swirling succulents.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Echeveria and aeonium, we see you!

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

It — is — on: the Groovebox multitasks as a fire pit, barbecue, table, stool and planter.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Another outdoor living installation, another Groovebox, another satisfied, pilsner-swillin’ customer.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

In fact, the hall was full of the Groovebox planters, even in front of the Airbnb demo.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Behold the cheerfully sophisticated ‘Living Yellow’ installation that artist Justina Blakeney created for YP.com.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Inside Justina’s gorgeous boho Dwell-ing. It’s all yellow but far from one-note.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

We adored every textured, leafy, vintage inch.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Next up, we visited the booth for LA-based Potted. Above, a string of pearls succulent poured out of the wildly popular Circle Pot.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Slim and perfect for small spaces: The City Planter at Potted.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Park it on the Fermob Origami Bench.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Your next breakfast could be sweet serenity, thanks to your Fermob furniture.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Moments like this, like when we encounter Kodama Zones — hanging loveseats inspired by geodesic domes and zonodehral polygons — make us want to write a love letter addressed to California living.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Hanging geometrically with Julian Mackler, one of my main amigos since high school days and genius Brooklyn-based photographer.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

We were super into Bend’s outdoor furniture.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

CRYING with love for this Drum table.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Looking for more vertical gardening inspiration? Pick up the versatile plant pods from Skale Greenwall.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Above, Skale’s fish scale pattern. You can move the pods around, even display them as free-standing pots.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

The Smooth planter by ShapeCrete.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Shapecrete by Cheng Concrete is very, very cool: you can mold it like clay, then allow to harden. Check out the tutorial on how to make a draped planter.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

You can even make a grill with Shapecrete.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Ryan met his concrete hero (seriously, he’s watched hours of his videos), Fu-Tung Cheng, founder of Berkeley-based Cheng Design.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

The earth moves under our feet, just imagining the possibilities.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Get your decorative leaf tutorial right here.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Letting it all sink in amid the Lovesac beanbags.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Whimsy and happy vibes maintain their mod edge in the Sunnyside Collection by Loll Designs.

Dwell On Design - Recap - The Horticult

Until next year! Photo by Julian Mackler.