When you hear the name “Rachel Zoe,” a specific aesthetic comes to mind. Chic black-on-black ensembles, statement jewelry, sky-high heels, hints of sparkle, and of course, that mane of perfectly-tousled blonde hair have become synonymous with the designer. It’s a particular brand of glamour that’s shaped her entire career, from her clothing line to her fashion and lifestyle publication, The Zoe Report.
Naturally, her subscription box company, Curateur, is yet another extension of that look. Offering customers a seasonal or annual selection of clothing, jewelry, accessories, and skincare items, each Curateur box is thoughtfully hand-curated by Rachel herself (hence the name).
Of course, the brand’s West Hollywood headquarters had to match. With chic curved furniture, a high-contrast black and white color palette, and glam gold accents, every square foot of the LA space has the Rachel Zoe seal of approval.
“Rachel and the Curateur brand both have such a signature look,” says Kelsey Fischer, the lead Havenly designer on the project. “We wanted to create a space that felt like a reflection of Rachel’s signature style, but also where employees felt welcome and inspired.”
“We had worked with Havenly in the past, and felt so confident with their design capabilities,” adds Rachel. “We knew they truly understood the Rachel Zoe aesthetic and how that translates into interior design.”
Ahead, step inside Rachel Zoe’s stunning Curateur headquarters, designed by Havenly.
Adding warmth and character
With concrete floors, an open-concept layout, and exposed ventilation, the industrial-style office felt “cold and a little too corporate” prior to the redesign, according to Rachel. “It definitely needed character to reflect who we were as a company.”
Kelsey got to work on doing just that, adding ambient lighting, cozy seating, warm brass accent tables, and plush rugs to create separate “rooms” in the open-concept space. “We really tried to create a chic, elevated space that felt far less stuffy and fluorescent than your typical work environment.”
Nailing the Rachel Zoe look
Good bones aside, it’s the details — like hints of animal print, high-contrast accents, and luxe materials like velvet and faux fur — that give the office that unique Rachel Zoe look. The personal touches, including clothing from the Rachel Zoe collection, Curateur pieces, and Rachel’s hand-selected imagery for the gallery wall, really make the space a “true reflection of Rachel’s career journey and inspiration,” adds Kelsey. “It lets the brand and all of the employees’ hard work really shine.”
"The space is definitely a reflection of my personal style, while also capturing the overall aesthetic of the Rachel Zoe brands. Black and white furniture, gold accents, faux fur, and nods to the glamour of the 1960s and 70s really bring it to life."
- Rachel Zoe
Incorporating form and function
As with any office space, form and function were equally important when concepting the design. Kelsey made sure to add comfortable seating and ample desk space to conference rooms large and small, in addition to building out a fully-fledged office “living room” complete with dueling sofas, display cases, and a TV for presentations.
“The new layout gives our employees so many places to sit, meet, take calls, or just relax,” adds Rachel. “Everyone was thrilled at the reveal. It was such a transformation and I think it took everyone by surprise at how stunning it was!”
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