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At Home With: Josie Ford

We chat with Commune's Josie Ford in Hollywood Heights

12.21.2023

At Home With: Josie Ford
A Commune Sheep Shearling featured next to the bed.

For this edition of At Home With Commune, we spent some time with Commune Designer Josie Ford. We learn the history of her storied apartment building, what would be included on a map of her neighborhood, and look at what Commune Shop items shes is currently living with. Read more and see more below, and shop Josie's picks here.

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What can’t you leave your place without?
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

What’s in your tote?
Lisa Eisner Lighter

What do you collect?
Books and old textiles

What object means the most to you?
A painting of my dog, Atticus, by Dan Bruinooge

What are you reading right now?
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs

Do you have any rituals?
Early morning walks through the neighborhood

Did you design or make anything here yourself?
Yes, I designed both sofas, made the ottoman with Dan Bruinooge, designed the dining table with Skye Chamberlain, designed the red mohair rugs with Gregory Parkinson, designed the bookcases, made the bedding, and made all of the frames with Dan Bruinooge.

What’s been the soundtrack lately?
The Endless Sea by Iggy Pop

What would be included on a map of your neighborhood?
Frank Lloyd Wright Samuel Friedman House, Pinehurst Park, High Tower Elevator, Magic Castle, Musso and Frank, The Roosevelt, TCL's Chinese Theater

Are there spirits here?
Yes, I think so. There’s an aura in the building that reflects the people that once inhabited it. The Villa Bonita was designed by local architect Frank Webster in 1929 for Sidney Ullman, who was Rudolph Valentino’s business manager and agent. The building was built for the cast and crew of director Cecil B. DeMille and has since housed the likes of Errol Flynn and Francis Ford Coppola. The hallways are lined with old photos of Hollywood movies and the location of the building made it a desirable address for those working in entertainment. You can definitely feel the old Hollywood semblance when you walk in the building.

Shoes on or off?
Off

Incense or Candle?
Candle

Coffee or Tea?
Tea

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Photos by Preston Alba.

Fountain in entry courtyard.
Fountain in entry courtyard.
Wood paneled elevator operated by a Rolls Royce engine.
Wood paneled elevator operated by a Rolls Royce engine.
A Nancy Pearce Small Bronze Bowl and Logan Wannamaker Ceramic Vase resting on a bookshelf designed by Josie.
A Nancy Pearce Small Bronze Bowl and Logan Wannamaker Ceramic Vase resting on a bookshelf designed by Josie.
A Commune Sheep Shearling featured next to the bed.
A Commune Sheep Shearling featured next to the bed.
Marina Contro Hand Woven Blanket and Commune Zanshiori Pillow resting on a Studio Ford quilt made by Josie.
Marina Contro Hand Woven Blanket and Commune Zanshiori Pillow resting on a Studio Ford quilt made by Josie.
Commune Brass Key... coming soon to the shop.
Commune Brass Key... coming soon to the shop.
Marina Contro Hand Woven Blanket and Commune Sheep Shearling
Marina Contro Hand Woven Blanket and Commune Sheep Shearling
Marina Contro Hand Woven Blanket resting on a red mohair rug that Josie made with Gregory Parkinson.
Marina Contro Hand Woven Blanket resting on a red mohair rug that Josie made with Gregory Parkinson.
R+D Lab Gray Glassware holding a rose in the bathroom.
R+D Lab Gray Glassware holding a rose in the bathroom.
Table is adorned with a vintage lace textile from Josie's collection, Peter Speliopoulos Placemats and Napkins, JB Blunk Cups, Lisa Eisner Candle Snuffer, and Carafe by R+D Lab. The painting, titled "Diana" is by Dan Bruinooge.
Table is adorned with a vintage lace textile from Josie's collection, Peter Speliopoulos Placemats and Napkins, JB Blunk Cups, Lisa Eisner Candle Snuffer, and Carafe by R+D Lab. The painting, titled "Diana" is by Dan Bruinooge.
Table is adorned with a vintage lace textile from Josie's collection, Peter Speliopoulos Placemats and Napkins, JB Blunk Cups, Lisa Eisner Candle Snuffer, and Carafe by R+D Lab.
Table is adorned with a vintage lace textile from Josie's collection, Peter Speliopoulos Placemats and Napkins, JB Blunk Cups, Lisa Eisner Candle Snuffer, and Carafe by R+D Lab.
Table is adorned with a vintage lace textile from Josie's collection, Peter Speliopoulos Placemats and Napkins, JB Blunk Cups, Lisa Eisner Candle Snuffer, and Carafe by R+D Lab.
Table is adorned with a vintage lace textile from Josie's collection, Peter Speliopoulos Placemats and Napkins, JB Blunk Cups, Lisa Eisner Candle Snuffer, and Carafe by R+D Lab.
A painting of Josie's dog, Atticus, by Dan Bruinooge.
A painting of Josie's dog, Atticus, by Dan Bruinooge.
Reimi Mirror 02 hangs on the wall with Lisa Eisner Urchin Votives on the piano.
Reimi Mirror 02 hangs on the wall with Lisa Eisner Urchin Votives on the piano.
Reimi Mirror 02 with Lisa Eisner Urchin Votives on the piano.
Reimi Mirror 02 with Lisa Eisner Urchin Votives on the piano.
A tree decorated with antique trims from Josie's collection.
A tree decorated with antique trims from Josie's collection.
Japanese Byobu screen with hand painted horses, silver leaf and black lacquer edge.
Japanese Byobu screen with hand painted horses, silver leaf and black lacquer edge.
Light Years Kantha Blanket resting on the sofa.
Light Years Kantha Blanket resting on the sofa.
Japanese Byobu screen with hand painted horses, silver leaf and black lacquer edge.
Japanese Byobu screen with hand painted horses, silver leaf and black lacquer edge.
Lisa Eisner Urchin Incense Holder and Lighter with Commune Incense burning on the coffee table.
Lisa Eisner Urchin Incense Holder and Lighter with Commune Incense burning on the coffee table.
Silver leaf and black stained ottoman made by Josie and Dan Bruinooge. Commune Zanshiori Pillow resting on top.
Silver leaf and black stained ottoman made by Josie and Dan Bruinooge. Commune Zanshiori Pillow resting on top.
Lace trim from Josie's collection.
Lace trim from Josie's collection.
Dosa Seabed/Terrain Pillow on the chair in the vanity closet.
Dosa Seabed/Terrain Pillow on the chair in the vanity closet.
Skylight in the building.
Skylight in the building.
View out the window of Josie's apartment.
View out the window of Josie's apartment.