Amanda Assad Mounser is the founder and creative director behind the Los Angels based line, Mounser. The Mounser collection focuses on a sculptural approach to jewelry design with inspiration rooted in both nature and modernist and contemporary art. Mounser designs to create small mementos for the wearer: elements incorporated into the pieces are meant to tap memories like the way the sun makes waves sparkle, the feeling of gazing into a full moon or star-dotted endless sky, or the perfect warm-yet-cool green color of the sea. Asymmetric, exaggerated silhouettes experiment with the ideas of balance, proportion and movement with attention to both the positive and negative space the pieces embody. Minimal elements are thoughtfully joined offering an artful yet wearable composition.
Mounser has become a celebrity and influencer go-to, favorited by Lady Gaga, Kate Bosworth, Emilia Clarke and many more. Most recently launched on Net-a-Porter in which exclusive styles are offered, the line can also be found at Bergdorf Goodman, Kirna Zabete, Fivestory along with an impressive list of international doors. The stunning designer recently moved into a breathtaking new home in Los Angeles.
Your new home is beautiful! What was your inspiration for the design?
AMANDA MOUNSER: I love a sleek interpretation of mid-century modern and Scandinavian design so I chose a neutral color palette that would provide a more minimal clean slate for my art pieces to shine through. I wanted certain pieces like our Alvar Aalto vase collection, the pink Orb lamp my husband and I made and my large scale painting titled Solar Study 1 to serve as strong counterpoints to the space. Solar Study 1 specifically is an interpretation of the horizon at sunset with a rose gold mirrored sun. I wanted it to kind of swallow you up in warm saturated color as you walked through the door.
What's your favorite part about your new home?
AM: My favorite part of our new home is that the interior is a clean white neutral space drenched with light that bodes a private outdoor space. The big picture windows in the living room create a viewing point to our giant Bougainvillea tree really giving the space a true outdoors comes indoors cohesion. We have worked to make the outdoor garden itself a secondary living space by setting up and big table and chairs. Many days it’s so lovely I work out there with the hummingbirds.
What LA neighborhood did you pick and why?
AM: For ease and simplicity we chose to live where we did because we wanted to be on the west side to be close to the beach while also minimizing morning traffic for my husband as he works in Culver City. I love the neighborhood that we live in because there are lots of quiet residential streets with hills that are great for long walks. Because we do live so close to the beach, we wake up most mornings and head there to surf—I'm learning!—or spend quality time there together as it is a beautiful and soothing start to the morning.
What are some of your favorite spots in LA?
AM: I love to be outdoors hiking or at the beach but I also love a day spent downtown beginning at Central Market for breakfast and then moving on to the Broad and MOCA for some art inspiration. My favorite gallery space is Hauser and Wirth in the Arts District and I like ending the day at Dover Street Market. I also love the Getty Center and since my collection is highly inspired by nature and modernist art, it is a great juxtaposition of the two: the optimum in peace and tranquility.
What's been the biggest shift from NY to LA?
AM: It has been a positive one. My creative flow is stronger and I thrive in a quiet and calm environment that is focused on being out in nature. Having the ability to access so many different kinds of outdoor landscapes from the ocean to the mountains to the desert so easily has been game-changing for me.
What are you looking forward to most for this summer?
AM: I’m most looking forward to continuing my learning of surfing and spending as much time at the beach as possible. We also plan to do a lot of the mid-century modern architecture tours this summer which I can’t wait for. The mid-century building preservation here has been really exciting to explore. Also, the botanical landscape here changes so much as each month passes so I look forward to seeing what new and beautiful things grow from the earth in the summer months!
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