Diana Braun Point of View

Knicks Fever, Croissants, and Great Design

Newsletter · June 20, 2026

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

When the Knicks made their championship run, New York absolutely exploded. The energy was contagious, and it got me thinking about the players behind the teams that inspire such passionate fan bases.

So this week, I thought it would be fun to put a real estate spin on it and take a look at what NBA stars look for in a home.

Architectural Digest recently toured the residences of several past and present NBA players, and what stood out was not just the scale of the homes, but how personal they felt. From Jimmy Butler's California retreat with a custom coffee bar to Devin Booker's sleek desert escape, each property was designed around the owner's lifestyle, interests, and daily routines.

One observation from the article really stuck with me: these athletes spend so much of the year on the road that home becomes even more important. It needs to feel personal, comfortable, and completely their own. The basketball court may grab the headlines, but it is the details that make these homes memorable.

It is a reminder that whether you are an NBA superstar or a homeowner here in Los Angeles, the best homes are the ones that reflect the people who live in them. Great design is never just about square footage. It is about creating a space that feels uniquely yours.

Petitgrain Boulangerie, Worth Every Minute of the Wait

If you know, you know. Petitgrain on Wilshire is a small boulangerie that I am completely obsessed with, and apparently I am not alone.

I told Frank about it a while back, and on Mother's Day he decided to surprise me with one of their quiches, my favorite. He pre-ordered and thank goodness he did because the wait was two to three hours. In our line of work, where everything moves fast and everyone is short on time, that kind of patience is extraordinary. And it tells you everything about what the owners have built here.

This is not hype. This is a small team making something so good that people will stand on the sidewalk for it. That is the kind of craft and consistency I respect, in food and in homes. If you have not been, go early, bring patience, and trust me on the quiche.

My Berlin Summer Guide

As many of you know, I grew up in Germany and travel back as often as I can. Next month I am heading to Hamburg as I told you last time, but we are also making a stop in Berlin on the trip. Berlin is filled with history and art, so let me share a few of my favorites.

Where to Stay

There is only one answer for me and it is the Hotel Adlon Kempinski. Sitting directly at the Brandenburg Gate, the Adlon first opened in 1907 and was rebuilt in 1997 in the image of the original. In its early years it hosted some of the most famous names in modern history, including Tsar Nicholas II, Thomas Edison, Charlie Chaplin, and Albert Einstein. Today it remains Berlin's most legendary five star hotel, steeped in history and old-world European elegance. There is nowhere else in the city that captures Berlin's past and present quite the same way.

My Favorite Spot in the City

Berlin's neighborhoods are wonderfully diverse, each with its own personality. A few local favorites depending on what you are after: for a quiet beer garden, Café am Neuen See hidden away in the Tiergarten, where you can even rent rowboats. For art and counterculture, the East Side Gallery or the RAW-Gelände in Friedrichshain. And for classic city views, the rooftop terrace at the Humboldt Forum or the glass dome of the Reichstag.

From Berlin's history to Hamburg's harbor, this trip is shaping up to be a love letter to the country that raised me. I'll be sure to give you an update when I return.

Before we sign off, we're taking a month off from the newsletter to enjoy a little summer downtime. Thank you, as always, for reading along. We hope your summer is filled with sunshine, travel, and time spent in the places you love most. We'll see you back here in August!

xx. Diana

Westside Market Report

Third Week of June 2026 | Single Family Homes

City Spotlight: Venice

Inventory: 98

Median List Price: $2,995,000

Median Days on Market: 67

Curious about your market? Reach out.