Malia’s French Normandy Culinary Haven

Malia Smith @maliasmith

Neighborhood: Miracle Mile

Time lived in: A little under a year

Occupation: Communications and corporate social responsibility at a life science real estate company 

GLB: What makes this space “home?”

Malia: This is the first place I’ve ever lived alone, so I find myself cherishing so many little things, like:

the weight of the speakeasy-sporting front door and the click of a deadbolt behind me

the molten rectangles the midmorning sun spreads across the ninety-year-old wood floors

the wondrous shock of the pink-black bathroom and a tub that i don’t have to clean before drawing a bath

the sound of a needle sliding into the grooves of a record, that private muffled moment before the music starts

the laughter of my dinner guests around the dining table I sanded and finished myself

the little terracotta prince in my living room, a gift from my boyfriend so I always have a smile waiting for me at home


GLB: What are 3 things in your apartment that you can’t live without?

Malia: Abundant natural light, sharp kitchen shears, and a big bag of Kenter Canyon Farms arugula

GLB: What room do you spend the most time in? Why?

Malia: The living room wins for work-related reasons but the cheery blue & yellow kitchen has my heart and a good deal of my free time.

Standing and stirring is one of my most natural states (in a neck-and-neck race with chopping an onion and scribbling in my notebook), but other routine delights include rolling out pie dough, baking sheets of granola, dusting tiramisù with cocoa powder, searing vegetables in a hot cast iron skillet, and pickling onions and cucumbers.


GLB: What are your favorite neighborhood spots?

Malia: The Original Farmers Market is underrated as a place for actually buying groceries, which I didn’t realize until moving into the area. These days, I can often be found picking up esoteric vinegars and coveting French-made knives in Monsieur Marcel.

The Icon for photo development services

El Coyote for a strong margarita and a good time