At Home With: Roman Alonso

For this innaugural edition of At Home With Commune, we spend some time with Commune Founder and Principal, Roman Alonso. We discuss his best and worst design decisions, hear what he would include on a map of his neighborhood, and look at what Commune Shop items he is currently living with.

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What do you love most about your place?
A toss-up between my view of Griffith Park and having a doorman.

Best design decision?
An airbrushed frieze on a bad looking soffit by artist Louis Eisner and my patchwork curtains by Adam Pogue to filter the summertime western sun, like stained glass.

Worst design decision?
My stainless-steel kitchen counters.

What do you collect?
So many things…books, ceramics, buckles, photography, Fillmore posters, Cuban 60’s graphics…

What can’t you live without?
My rice cooker and my bamboo steamer.

What object means the most to you?
Two Anita Loos first edition books a dear friend gave me before she died; a beaded butterfly, a gift from the artist and friend, Liza Lou; and a couple of precious Native American belt buckles that my dear friend and collaborator, Lisa Eisner game me.

What’s been the soundtrack lately?
I’m in a bossa nova mood at the moment.

What are you reading right now?
Sapiens and A History of Private Life (which I’ve been reading forever, and I’m still only on Volume 2!), also been listening to The Creative Act.

Is there anything you make at home?
Hmmmm…. bone broth?

Do you have any rituals?
Nothing BUT rituals…

Are there spirits here?
No spirits…just neighbors I hear but never see…like ghosts.

What would be included on a map of your neighborhood?
The Observatory, the Ennis House, All Time restaurant and McCall’s butcher shop

Shoes on or off?
Off…but I’m not mad at on.

Incense or Candle?
Incense

Coffee or Tea?
Matcha

Shop the story here.

Photos by Preston Alba