Following a stint working at Kelly Wearstler’s studio — notably, on the Santa Monica Proper hotel — Gen Z designer Lulu LaFortune struck out on her own, spinning off into her own splashy world of luxury furniture and lighting right when demand was high: mid-pandemic. Made in Los Angeles, consider the ebullient Watts lamp, in its glinty disco glory, or the marshmallow-esque Club Chair, in an optimistic robin’s egg blue: both grounded in everyday usefulness, but in a refreshingly cheerful tone.

“To me, an ‘essential’ is categorized as an investment piece,” says LaFortune. “So when I use something every day, I want it to be quality, and I am willing to save up a little bit more.”

Her list of essentials codifies her ethos of better, fewer things — a mix of joyful luxury and brass-tacks practicality.

Lulu LaFortune: This LL Bean Boat and Tote has literally has been with me for eight years. I have the black, but if I could do it over, I would get the green. I use it to carry supplies for projects — carrying all my papers and laptop between my studio and home. I even once transported my cat in it! It’s trusty, it’s classic, and it has never failed me. 

LL: Let’s be honest, when do you not need a drill? As a furniture designer and someone who can’t stand a blank wall, a Dewalt drill was one of the first gifts I got myself when I moved into my first apartment. 

LL: “A Diamond as Big as the Ritz” never gets old! 

LL: I wear these Marco Bicego earrings every day.  I think they are so unique — and go with everything.

LL: This Vintner’s Daughter Active Treatment Essence was originally a gift from a friend, but I instantly became addicted and have [since re-purchased]! I have such dry and sensitive skin, but this is pure magic.”

LL: An Ascaso coffee machine that is a little complicated, and can sometimes be a headache… but worth it for the perfect cup in the morning. 

LL: This gilded cup set from Bishop House is so unique. I use them every morning for coffee. I instantly feel like my life is together when I drink from them!

LL: My Le Creuset cast iron skillet never gets put away, just washed and put back on the stove because I know it’s likely we will be using it to cook the next meal. I’m working on collecting the lapis colored set! 

LL: My Heal Stool, which I designed this season, is new to my living room arrangement, but I can’t imagine not having it now! It slides around the room to adhere to different functions, and it’s so comfortable.

LL: A striped sweater never goes out of style. It’s great to have even in the summer, when I head into the mountains and catch some cooler air. 

Follow Lulu LaFortune on Instagram @lulu.lafortune.

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