Longing for physical expressions of culture and refined taste in the age of gentrification and cookie-cutter brick and mortar, we come to appreciate crumbs of eclectic style. Luckily for Los Angeles, we’re graced with the ever-present design ideas of businesswoman and real estate mogul Dana Hollister. She became a real estate icon early in her career with the renovation of the iconic Paramour estate, a former convent that sits on 4.5 acres of land in the heart of Silver Lake. This renovation gained popularity because Hollister didn’t just remodel — she honored the property’s history, restoring its character and adding her own distinctive touches. Dressed in vibrant colors, expensive fabrics, and antique furniture, she put the Paramour estate back on the map and once again successfully coined a Los Angeles staple. 

Although known for her history in estate purchases, Hollister’s work can be found in iconic spots all around the city. One of her first storefront ventures was her shop Odalisque, which was located on Beverly Blvd. This shop was where Hollister would explore and ultimately be encouraged to continue her career in interior design. For over two decades now, Hollister has implemented her ideas into various bars, restaurants, and stores, each becoming a place of significance for Los Angeles residents. Her newest project, however, and arguably her most fitting, is her contribution to the debut of the Grand Belle Suites at the Petit Ermitage hotel.

Located in West Hollywood, the Grand Belle Suites are a novel way to indulge in a psychedelic and extravagant hospitality experience. Hand-picked for her interior design talents, Hollister was given full creative freedom to design these four suites. All named by their color palettes, the suites are titled the Rouge, Bleue, Verte, and Terrace, each carrying different themes and patterned details. Mimicking a regal experience, the suites are doused in rich colors, lavish furniture, and walls covered in curated artwork—all indicative of Hollister’s ability to set the ambience of a room. After seeming to take a small hiatus from the large-scale projects, we sat down with Hollister to talk about how she has sustained and mastered her passion after so many years transforming Los Angeles. 

What does hospitality mean to you? How has that definition changed throughout the years?

The essence of modern hospitality, if done with intention and taste, is an intimate invitation to immerse oneself in the imagination of its creator.

You’ve made enormous efforts to discover (and consequently renovate) properties in which you see beauty and potential—what do you see that others may miss when assessing a building or property?

Every forgotten piece of architecture with any bones from the past is always a lure for me. I am always looking for the cinematic in the properties, whether that be in the location of the property or the building itself. I look for properties that have voices.

What was the inspiration behind the Grand Belle Suites at Petit Ermitage? What was the process like for you while designing them?

The owner, Stefan Ashkenazy, an artist himself, is the inspiration for the rooms. We became friends during one of the darkest periods of my life. He resuscitated my creativity when I was broken. These rooms are the manifestations of the incredible tales that he told me of his travels throughout the world. I wove his stories into the interiors of each suite. 

Obviously, there is a chasmic difference between having an idea and seeing it through at the scale of The Paramour Estate. What are the largest challenges you’ve faced when executing large-scale development projects? 

The secret between having an idea and seeing it through is being tenacious about the progress while remaining naive about the outcome.

How have you carried the Odalisque ethos into your life and business today?

Odalisque was my first store on Beverly that opened in 1991. I had it for 12 years. It was a fever dream of ecclesiastical excess, baronial decay, and bohemian deshabille. It was the way I wanted to live my life. For me, the greatest expression of a life is to love the way you live.

What’s next for you? What excites you about the future, and your future specifically?

The endless possibilities of creating beauty.