Innehållsförteckning för Holiday 2025-26 från Sunset

Martyn Lawrence Bullard might just turn you into a maximalist. When we arrived at his Palm Springs home to photograph it for this issue, I was feeling fairly colorful in a pink button-down, white jeans, sky-blue socks, and chukka boots. That is, until I walked into the courtyard of Bullard’s mid-century-meets-Hollywood Regency retreat, Villa Grigio. Bullard—the prolific interior and product designer who has created opulent, vibrant spaces for icons including Elton John, RuPaul, Sylvester Stallone, Kylie Jenner, and Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian—greeted us in a silk shirt patterned with tropical birds. Over the course of the shoot, he cycled through several ensembles: florals, pale pink pants, gilded sunglasses. The house was as charismatic as its owner: a refined riot of form and color. Chaise longues with hot pink and black…

Always the heart of the home, the kitchen is a place for gathering, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends. In such an important space, the details are expertly curated by interior designers. In bathrooms, tubs often make a statement, as the standout piece, coordinating to the design of the vanities, sinks, and fixtures. Often considered as the jewelry for a home, fixtures are carefully selected as an integral part of curating a thoughtfully designed space. Renowned interior designer, author, and founder Amber Lewis chose to collaborate with House of Rohl for her new residence, the next Sunset Idea House. Amber and House of Rohl share a mutual passion for creating timeless, luxury design, and Amber has selected pieces from across the portfolio. House of Rohl is a collection…

Tell us how you use your garden. In Southern California, your garden becomes really the extended living space. And for me, as an interior designer, the garden is a place to be decorated, and it’s a space that I want to be able to live in and entertain in. I want it beautiful through the windows of the house so that the interior and exterior blend in a perfect match. What’s your garden vibe? The garden should match the architecture of the house. My house in L.A., which is sort of a Mediterranean villa, has kind of a Mediterranean slash Moroccan style garden. But here in the house in Palm Springs, obviously it’s a very theatrical midcentury house, so the landscaping here had to hold drama. Plus, the desert is…

The holidays are always a chance to go big, and this doorway makes the case for bold, but in a most California way thanks to the found and foraged feeling that Thomas Diehl of The Living Canvas landscape design brings to this arrangement he created for Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s Hollywood home. A draping garland of cedar, pine, and eucalyptus frames the entry like a living sculpture, spilling with texture and fragrance. Look closely and you’ll spot dusty miller leaves frosted in silver, banksia pods lending sculptural punctuation, and long, trailing strands of amaranthus in deep red that echo the season’s warmth. Woven through it all: a ribbon as unapologetic as it is festive—velvet in a rich crimson patterned with leopard spots, tied in an exuberant bow at the center. It’s…

The holidays are built on rituals—decorating the tree, singing carols, baking pies—and for designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, one of the season’s most enduring tastes is the humble mincemeat pie. “It reminds me of my childhood in Britain,” he says. “That mix of spice, fruit, and pastry is pure nostalgia.” So when Bullard discovered The Pie Room by Gwen, chef Curtis Stone’s Los Angeles mash-up of an Australian pie shop and a neighborhood bistro, Bullard found a new tradition that felt both fresh and familiar, a place where savory and sweet pies carry the same holiday magic. Stone, the Australian-born chef who lives in LA and is a household name on U.S. food TV, has long helmed Gwen. With The Pie Room, formerly the tasting menu restaurant Maude, Stone leans into…

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…

The jet black sturgeon roe known as caviar has historically been associated with Champagne-laden soirées and the Caspian Sea, but recently California has claimed the title of sustainable caviar capital of the world. Sturgeon can take up to 10 years to reach the age of egg production, making their populations susceptible to overfishing, but several California companies are following eco-friendly practices that support the perpetuation of the 200-million-year old species. In Wilton just outside Sacramento, Tsar Nicoulai prides itself on eschewing antibiotics, growth hormones, pesticides, biocides, bioengineering, ionizing radiation, or fertilizers and takes a whole-animal approach, adding smoked sturgeon, whitefish dips, and even jerky to their repertoire. “Approximately 90% of what we yield from each sturgeon is not caviar, but high-quality meat,” says Marai Bolourchi, co-owner of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar.…

Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s holiday traditions are much like anyone else’s: exchanging presents, feasting with friends and family, and spending cozy evenings by the fire. But his dinner guests may include RuPaul and Melanie Griffith, and in the living room, you just might bump into two life-size reindeer statues wearing white mink coats once owned by Liberace. British-born, Los Angeles-based Bullard doesn’t do much that is quiet or subdued, which is why you likely know him as one of the world’s top interior designers, having starred in multiple TV series, authored several books, and designed homes and spaces for Cher, Elton John, the Osbournes, Khloé and Kourtney Kardashian, Tommy Hilfiger, Ellen Pompeo, and many more. His brand collaborations include The Shade Store, Ruggable, Ann Sacks, Harbour, and now, with…

With a back-ground in ornamental horticulture and plant science, Thomas Diehl views the West as a living gallery. “California gives the most diverse opportunity to have plants from all over the world,” he says. “It’s like weaving a tapestry that evolves and grows.” Here are his three essentials for creating a desert garden that feels deeply connected to place: Citrus Trees for Fragrance and Flavor “Citrus is uplifting and happy—and you also get beautiful fruit to enjoy in so many ways.” He loves how citrus offers year-round structure, a high-vibration scent in bloom. Architectural Plants for Structure “There are many plants here that are very architectural,” he explains, citing yuccas and succulents. “They create symmetry, play with light and shadow, and complement the lines of the house.” An Outdoor Kitchen…

For Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Christmas isn’t complete without a show-stopping table. “Part of the excitement and the journey and the experience is the beauty that’s around them,” he says. Each year, the AD100 designer creates an entirely new look for his holiday tablescape, changing out plates, flowers, and color palettes. One year it might be antique porcelain layered over gilded chargers; another, bold red-and-white Hermès dinnerware with green linen napkins. Sometimes inspiration comes from an unexpected detail—like a set of chocolate-brown and gold Christmas crackers found in November—that sparks an autumnal palette of tangerines, pomegranates, and warm metallics. Bullard encourages mixing and matching everyday pieces with festive accents: “You don’t actually have to spend a lot of money. You can incorporate things you already own.” For him, the magic comes…

The view of the 18th hole at the Eldorado Golf Course in Indian Wells, California, is as iconic as any you’ll ever see. Slender palm trees reach into an endless blue sky. Dusty desert hills loom in the background. And the surrounding streets, many of them quiet cul-de-sacs, are dotted with neat, flat-roof houses, some designed by William Cody, the renowned midcentury architect who also built the nearby clubhouse—a 1957 masterpiece. Cody studied architecture at the University of Southern California and worked for Sunset favorite Cliff May in the 1940s. After graduating, he set up shop in Palm Springs, where he left an indelible mark on the community, and his legacy lives on. Anyone lucky enough to snag one of these coveted homes has a rare opportunity to shepherd a…

This season, slow down with smaller, soulful rituals that help you reconnect with your land, your body, and your breath. We asked the team at Nectar Landscape Design to share five calming, approachable ways to bring intention into the garden without the overwhelm. 1 Begin with a sip of morning light: Bundle up if needed, and try taking your coffee or tea outside—even if it’s just for a few minutes. Notice the changing light, the bird calls, the rhythm of a waking garden. 2 Look up from below: Lie down on a blanket or chaise and observe the trees overhead. Let branches and sky become your ceiling. 3 Reconnect under the stars: Make time to sit outside at night. Breathe. Look up. Let the vastness of the sky shift your perspective.…

MAPLE-GLAZED SALMON Salmon is a sacred food for Indigenous peoples in the Columbia Plateau, just as it is for people near the coast. While maple trees are not native in the region, bigleaf maple trees grow not too much farther west. Syrup from this Western maple is deep in flavor with molasses-like notes. If you can find it, use it in this glaze, which is enlivened with vinegar and sumac, but any maple syrup will work well. SERVES 4 1 skin-on wild salmon fillet (1½ lbs.)¼ cup maple syrup2 tsp. apple cider vinegar2 tsp. sunflower oil1 tsp. ground sumac½ tsp. onion powderSea salt 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Note: To line the pan, you can use parchment, but if…

For some, Nevada is synonymous with the glitz and glam of the Entertainment Capital that is Las Vegas. But as fun as a trip to the Strip can be, there’s so much more to explore. And for those fascinated by the Western esoterica, there’s no better way to see it than via a road trip through this iconic Southwestern region. There’s an unexpected abundance of nature to be seen in this corner of the state, including at places like Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, a large, biodiverse wetland in the middle of a desert. And extraterrestrial enthusiasts will find a once-in-a-lifetime stop in the town of Rachel, where UFO sightings from nearby Area 51 have famously taken place. The state’s sweeping landscapes and wide-open spaces truly are a blank canvas for…

Andy Paul has spent the last decade honing his skills as an avalanche educator, ski guide, and mountaineering course leader in some of the most stunning locations in the West, from Alaska to Wyoming to Lake Tahoe. Through his work for the National Outdoor Leadership School, he continues to share the best tool one can have in their kit—knowledge—lending advice here for winter adventuring for all levels. What are some tips for families who may not be experienced winter sport adventurers? Pick a style of travel—walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or backcountry skiing or splitboarding—and start with a terrain progression. Look up local winter trails without too much elevation gain and loss. If you are choosing to enter avalanche terrain, that is, terrain capable of producing an avalanche, be sure to…

Nearly a year has passed since wildfires ravaged the Los Angeles landscape. Yet as communities continue to rebuild, encouraging signs of recovery are emerging. The reopening of the Pacific Coast Highway marks a critical milestone for the numerous restaurants, hotels, and retailers that have endured the economic toll of closures throughout Malibu’s peak tourism season this year. “It means more than just ease of access, it marks a real return for Malibu,” says Sana Keefer, Head of Brand at Cassetta Hotels, which operates the Surfrider on PCH. “Whether guests are enjoying ocean views from our rooftop, surfing out front, or dining at a neighborhood restaurant, they’re supporting a town that is actively rebuilding. Malibu’s natural beauty is as breathtaking as ever, and the sense of renewal here is palpable, so…

Jeff Leatham’s holiday world is as bold and multifaceted as the man himself. Known globally for his opulent, otherworldly floral installations, the Artistic Director of the Four Seasons Beverly Hills, Philadelphia, and Hotel George V in Paris—and as the “King of Christmas” to his A-list clientele—Leatham’s seasonal work ranges from 19-foot trees for Kim Kardashian to crystal-covered installations in Paris. In Los Angeles, Leatham creates grand, immersive home décor for clients who now want Christmas early—often by Thanksgiving—prompting mid-December “resets” with fresh, handpicked Oregon trees (“Mariah Carey ruined it for everyone when she said Christmas starts right after Halloween,” he quips). Leatham’s signature is tailoring each design to the space: black-and-white graphics for Martyn Lawrence Bullard’s dining room, vintage-inspired glamour for Williams Sonoma, or sculptural monochrome trees in daring colors…

For Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the holiday home bar is all about versatility, style, and a dash of surprise. “Being a Brit, of course, I love a little gin. It’s the real basis to so many classic cocktails,” he says. Alongside a premium gin (family-owned Bullards is a fave and worth seeking out), he always keeps a quality vodka on hand, plus a full tequila lineup—Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo. Mezcal makes an appearance for guests who want “a little smoky moment at the end of the evening.” Mixers are just as important: Cointreau, Courvoisier, Aperol, and Campari add complexity and festive color. Bullard also stocks a few “mad bits” like Fernet-Branca—conversation-starting bottles that invite adventurous sips. The result is a bar ready for any request, from a classic martini to a…

Transform your backyard into a space where style meets playfulness with these elevated outdoor essentials. From sleek lawn game sets that add a touch of vintage charm to your next gathering to a minimalist mod kids’ play structure that sparks imagination while complementing your outdoor aesthetic, these gifts are a celebration of gatherings to come—promising sun-soaked afternoons and backyard fun just around the bend.…

Seattle-based baker Aran Goyoaga has spent more than a decade developing a new approach to gluten-free bread. Her upcoming book, The Art of Gluten-Free Bread (Artisan), collects the results of that work—clear, carefully tested recipes that cover everything from sourdough boules to laminated pastries. Goyoaga’s background spans professional pastry, food styling, and photography. She’s a three-time James Beard Award finalist and the author of two previous cookbooks, but this is her most technical and ambitious project to date. Motivated by her own gluten intolerance and shaped by a childhood spent in her grandparents’ bakery in the Basque Country, Goyoaga’s book offers a complete system for baking with alternative grains. She outlines how to build and maintain a gluten-free starter, mix doughs using ingredients like teff, sorghum, and potato starch, and…

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Hemlock Hat Co. began in 2016 in sunny La Jolla, California, and now founder Anthony Lora, a SoCal native, has moved the headquarters of his garage-born company and his family up to Carlsbad. Hemlock is fueled by the importance of playful yet stylish sun protection, so naturally their guide to the area plays up the sun, surf, and sand surrounding the area. This month: Carlsbad, CA The insider: Anthony Lora, Founder of Hemlock Hat Co. STAY Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas is a beautiful, adults-only property perched on a cliff with stunning Pacific Ocean views. It’s just a quick walk to South Carlsbad State Beach and has an oceanfront pool, a great open-air restaurant, and an amazing spa—perfect for a relaxing getaway. Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is…