Flamingo Property Founder Richard Christiansen’s 11 Not-So-Responsible Family Pleasures

AD presents the Clever Guest Edit, a shopping series in which our favorite design enthusiasts share the products and collectibles that bring their homes to life. This week’s special guest is Richard Christiansen, owner of Owl Bureau and founder of Flamingo Estate and Chandelier Creative. Get the exclusive on what’s at the top of his wish list here and don’t forget to subscribe to the Clever newsletter to get these picks delivered straight to your inbox each month.

If there’s one thing that Richard Christiansen has mastered, it’s the art of pleasure in its most natural form. The Flamingo Estate founder has built his very own paradise with a fruitful garden and orchard that he shares with the world through a variety of nourishing products that nurture the senses. Out of all the Studio KO–designed rooms in Richard’s perfectly pink home, a former 1940s hideaway in the hills of Los Angeles, the seven-acre garden is his absolute favorite place to entertain. It’s the space where he hosts the most extravagant dinner parties—guests are always served a bounty of fresh produce grown directly on the grounds.

“I’ve always loved having friends over for a meal, or a glass of wine at sunset,” he says. “While the pandemic has put a pause on the larger parties we hosted in the past, inviting close friends and loved ones to my home is one of the simple treasures I’m grateful for.”

Flamingo Estate’s ethos is that it’s not just a place, but a philosophy that is deeply connected to the natural world. Richard is the embodiment of this holistic way of living and inspires us all to reimagine our homes as sanctuaries. Here, the Australian creative shares 11 items that remind him of some of his favorite shared memories within his provocative space.

“If we’ve ever shared a glass of wine together, it was likely out of one of these glasses, and also likely it was Flamingo Estate rosé, Pink Moon.”

“An elegant option for when you and your guests are drinking something a little stronger than rosé.”

“The scent of a candle should transport you. While rosemary is native to Mediterranean hillsides, this candle was inspired by the gardens at my home.”

“I always love to keep matchbooks around the house and office, especially when they’re more than just functional.”

“I love the details on handcrafted pieces, when you can see the work that went into making it.”

“When we began delivering fresh produce around Los Angeles, every week we would create recipes to go with the farm boxes. Within a year and a half, we’d gathered thousands of recipes without even thinking about it. ‘Fridays from the Garden’ is a combination of 150 of my favorite recipes from the last year and a half, and also the story of how my home and garden inspired the Flamingo Estate brand, and how that brand has now become a family of 75 different farms.”

“For something a little brighter than candlelight, the texture of the rattan on this lamp is so appealing.”

“Dynamic and rich, our olive oil is ideal for drizzling or dipping.”

“Le Creuset makes some of the best cookware that’s also beautiful. Perfect for sharing a meal with loved ones.”

“A few months ago Kelly and I had a wild idea: to reinvent the gingerbread house. In the name of new traditions, we tapped my old friend Mark Tasker, the insanely talented head pastry chef at Balthazar in New York. Together we’ve come up with a razzle-dazzle Modernist interpretation of a classic that’s truly wild enough to make Willy Wonka blush. We’re delivering them by hand in Los Angeles and New York during the holidays, and all proceeds are being donated to Create Structure, an amazing non-profit that creates housing for refugees displaced by the climate crisis. Because everyone deserves a home.”

“A beautiful bar cabinet that can act as the centerpiece for entertaining—and keep the record player nearby.”