This is a conversation about teamwork, luxury design, collaboration and longevity. More specifically, how Brian Pinkett of the Landry Design Group structured his career. If that sounds contrived, listen to him describe it. He knew what he wanted to do at a very early age and built his work life around his passion. I wish I could have found my passion early, I didn’t and I would say that is most common. Ito took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do, what made me happiest. Brian found it early and he was able to craft his work life around that. The result is a storied career with the majority of that at the Landry Design Group where he is a big part of building and training a team to consistently attain some of the most amazing and luxury design in the business today. That team and the concept of team is of critical importance to the Landry Design Group philosophy.
I really enjoyed this conversation with Brian Pinkett and I hope you do as well. It was recorded in front of a wonderful audience at the WestEdge Design Fair. If you like this episode of the podcast, why not subscribe to the show? It’s easy, fast andYou can find Convo By Design wherever you download your favorite podcasts.
Convo By Design is recorded in the Living Kitchen Studio and this week, you are going to hear from an amazing talent and wonderful guy. This is Peter Gurski, set decorator and the man behind the look and feel of Will & Grace. Peter is a multifaceted creative meaning he is also an interior designer and has held multiple other roles within the art department including production designer and art director.
But this is special for me and I hope you enjoy this conversation with Peter. He invited me to the Universal City Studios to walk the set, and talk a little bit. We talked a lot about the business, his role and vision for the reboot of an immensely popular show with extremely vocal fans. Peter talks about the show and more specifically, the characters who you got to know between 1998 and 2006, now reintroduced in 2017 and guess what, they have changed, just like you and me. Peter and his team imagined their personality and life development but also incorporated who they were to deliver the same characters 10 years later. Brilliant.
Peter captured the past work of set decorator Melinda Ritz who worked on the first 10 seasons and moved from there. We walked and talked and you can see images from the set on social media and make sure to check out the YouTube channel for a video from our time together.
If you like this episode of the podcast, and I hope that you do. Why not subscribe to the show? It’s easy, fast andYou can find Convo By Design wherever you download your favorite podcasts.
After five years doing the #podcast, 200 podcast episodes and 150 videos on YouTube, this might be a good opportunity to republish some previous episodes of the show, schedule permitting. I am publishing #ThrowbackThursday episode featuring guests and conversations you haven’t heard in a while…. Like this one.
These TBT episodes have been so much fun for me. It’s been like going through a box of family photos. Each conversation has special memories for me. and this one is very special. When you get a group like this on stage, talking about this topic as it relates to designers, you have me hooked and I think you will really enjoy this fun, smart and snarky conversation with some AMAZING individuals. This was originally recorded from the WestEdge #Design Fair in 2014 and I published it in 2 parts, episodes 28 and 29. It is called…
Built to Last: Developing a Brand Legacy in the Design World
Your brand identity is the single most important factor in building a distinctive, impactful, timeless business. Are you harnessing it to its full effect? This is how to set yourself apart in today’s fast-paced market and build a business of genuine integrity with impeccable products and services that stand the test of time according to some industry giants. Moderator and design icon Kathryn Ireland speaks with Russ Diamond, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Thomas Lavin and Christopher Farr about brand, branding and design. Product lines and promotion. I forgot just how wonderful it is to hear this group go back and forth. Buckle up, it’s a fun ride…
If you like this episode of the podcast, and I hope that you do. Why not subscribe to the show? It’s easy, fast and free. Here’s the link to the show on a few different outlets:
Convo By Design is recorded live from the SubZero Wolf Living Kitchen Studio. You heard that right, Convo By Design has a new sponsor, SubZero Wolf Cove. The Living Kitchen Studio will be recording from the studios in Los Angeles and surrounding areas bringing you the stories of amazing design and architecture. Speaking of which, this week we have a great conversation from the Convo By Design stage at the WestEdge Design Fair. You might recall that the stage was designed by Julia Wong featuring a one of a kind, CXD Media Desk, now available to designers who are looking to build a one of a kind space for podcasters, YouTubers or the home office. If you are interested, please send an email to ConvoByDesign@Outlook.com. So, this conversation, called Silicon Beach – Design Hub of Innovation is just that, a deep dive into the tech community, the design taking place and how that is affecting LA’s vibrant design and architecture scene as a whole.
The Westside coastal cities of Los Angeles, dubbed Silicon Beach, have become home to burgeoning tech start-ups and giants alike. The demand for office space and housing has grown considerably. Techies don’t want to live, work and play like everyone else. Their approach to their surroundings 24/7 mirrors their company philosophies, in which innovation is key. Thus, many turn to architects and designers who are breaking the mold in their own fields to create spaces including restaurants, offices and homes that are beyond ‘smart.’ This conversation is moderated by: Jerri Levi, Publisher, FORM magazine and features, architects, Joe Spierer, Anthony Poon, designer Chris Barrett, and Christopher Coldoff, studio director and principal at Gensler.
Also of note, this is the relaunch of FORM: Pioneering Design. The magazine is back with a fresh approach to the art and ideas behind, around and surrounding the architecture of Los Angeles. I am proud to be a contributing editor to the magazine and thrilled for Jerri in this endeavor. Welcome back, FORM.
If you like this episode of the podcast, and I hope that you do. Why not subscribe to the show? It’s easy, fast and free. Here’s the link to the show on a few different outlets:
This is Convo By Design with a special #ThrowbackThursday episode of the podcast. This is from the West Hollywood Design District in 2014 with a really fun conversation called Designing for the Red Carpet. Because it is award season, I thought this would be a good time to look back at this chat whose name suggests that it is an in-depth look at the red carpet. It is about fashion, the red carpet and our connection to celebrity, glamour and design. Interiors and home decor are being influenced heavily by fashion and nowhere is, one might argue, fashion more explored, talked about and copied but on the red carpet.
The West Hollywood Design District sponsored and presented a wonderful talk series called DIEM, Design Intersects Everything Made. Its run lasted about 4 years beginning in 2014 and all were curated by Frances Anderton and Mallory Roberts Morgan. This talk was from 2014 and featured Merle Ginsburg, senior style writer at The Hollywood Reporter, Marcy Medina, West Coast Bureau Chief of Women’s Wear Daily and Monica Corcoran Harel consultant and New York Times best selling author. This talk was moderated by Bronwyn Cosgrave, author and fashion professional.
This was hosted by WEHO Design District icon and fixture, Mary Ta from the opening day of MASS Beverly, the showroom she owns and operates with her husband, Lars Oliver Hipco.
This conversation is about design, style, fashion. It was first aired in March of 2015 and I hope you enjoy it.
If you like this episode of the podcast, and I hope that you do. Why not subscribe to the show? It’s easy, fast and free.
It’s happening… There is a transformational shift taking place in the design house space. It’s a mash-up of the traditional idea of a design house and a reinvented version of the model home with its roots in Southern California architecture dating back to the 1950’s and 60’s. As LA’s architectural engine was powering up, ‘tract homes’ became a thing. The concept was simple, take use swaths of land and fill it with homes built from a handful of layouts. Provide different color and material options so the customers can feel like they are getting something custom. Then, take one model and dress it out. Create a one of a kind aspirational space that really showcases what this home can become. Add in all the bells, whistles and custom features everyone would want. That really led to the modern show house and design houses to which we have become accustomed.
Recently, some brave developers and ground breaking designers have teamed up to produce one-off model homes in the design house style. These homes are being used as event spaces, ideas houses while currently on the market which obviously affects design, architecture and traditional real estate. This new spin has created some really interesting partnerships like the one you are about to here. Brooke Gardner is an incredibly talented LA based interior designer and Rick Perkins is the brave developer and CEO of the Perkins Development Group. In this episode, we walk through the house and give you an inside look at a truly unique and amazing space. First up is Rick and later in the episode, you’ll hear from Brooke. You are going to get two very interesting perspectives on the same project. This is really a ‘he said, she said’ study but instead of it being that of male/ female, it is developer/ designer. They both took different creative ideas to get here and as you’ll see, they work incredibly well together. The Starview House is located in the hills above Brentwood. The home and the views are amazing! You can see more by going to our YouTube channel, instagram and twitter.
If you like this episode of the podcast, and I hope that you do. Why not subscribe to the show? It’s easy, fast and free. Here’s the link to the show on a few different outlets:
This was originally published in two parts, episodes 67 and 68. It was March 23, 2016 at the Pacific Design Center for WestWeek. This conversation called To Live and Design in DTLA was moderated by Carlo Caccavale, Associate Director, AIA Los Angeles.
Downtown LA was changing, rapidly and the world was beginning to notice. This panel included some of the very participants in this revolution, they include Erin and Ian Besler of Besler & Sons, Lawrence Azerrad of LAD Design, Loryn Napala and Monica Opaskar of Untitled Mondays and Spencer Nikosey of KILLSPENCER, along with A+D>Architecture and Design Museum’s COME IN! DTLA Curator Danielle Rago who engage with Carlo as they explore the DTLA influence on traditional forms of architecture, art and design, and the allure it offers creatives in converting derelict downtown structures and the very essence of DTLA into an exciting, immersive live/work art space.
If you like this episode of the podcast, and I hope that you do. Why not subscribe to the show? It’s easy, fast and free. Here’s the link to the show on a few different outlets:
I thought about making this one long episode and thought better of it. You are busy and don’t have time for a three hour production. This is part two of our 200th episode retrospective. You heard from some remarkable designers, architects, set decorators and chefs. I wanted to share another side of the podcast in part two. A series of creatives that don’t necessarily fit into a specific category when talking about design and architecture.
The Triforium is a public art project that had seen better days in 2016. I met the people trying to save it, members of the Triforium project including members of the Portland based band Yacht… Claire Evans and Jona Becholt. They are bringing this amazing musical sculpture back to life…
Speaking of finding new passions. Jihan Zencirli of Geronimo Balloons explains how taking an idea and building a business out of it completely changed her life!
Then there are the fine artists who found their calling and built life around it. Artist like Hunt Slonem.
What is art without likeminded souls to share it with? Haily Zaki is the co-founder of the LA Design Festival. A showcase for LA’s creatives from virtually every discipline. Haily is smart, crazy talented and driven.
Speaking of remarkable events. Troy Hanson and Megan Reilly of the WestEdge Design Fair have put together a world class design and architecture focused event. They do so much to help connect the industry. This is a recap from 2015. Troy and Megan talk about the origins of the show.
This leads me to the ideas we need to talk about that aren’t always easy. Emile Nicolaou is an intellectual property attorney. Why should we be hearing from him? Because he is crazy smart and if you listen to what he tells you, you can protect your ideas. That doesn’t mean you can keep them from getting stolen… it means you know what your options are. Choosing not to defend your intellectual property is a choice, not knowing your rights is a crime…
Now, some random quotes that I really enjoyed and I think you will as well. Here is architect, Anthony Poon…
Designer and showroom owner, Patrick Dragonette…
Just for fun, this is a clip from episode number one from 2014 with artist Douglas C. Bloom…
This seems like a good time to share some of the things that have made an impact on me after doing this for five years. And keep in mind, I am neither a designer, nor and architect, not a chef or set decorator. However, I have produced design houses, hosted design industry events, published thousands of hours of content, both my own for Convo By Design as well as that for some of the biggest names in design. Because of this, here are some of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned.
1. Say “yes”.
2. Be open to new ideas, even if they are completely opposite to your own.
3. Collaborate whenever possible.
4. Experiment. Try something different.
5. Mix metals.
6. Use that color, you know the one. You can always re-paint, re-cover and re-design.
7. Take your intellectual property rights as well as those of others seriously. Choosing not to act is still a choice, know your options.
8. Ask more questions.
9. Listen to the inner voice.
10. Know your value.
11. Demonstrate the same level of responsibility you ask of others.
12. Change the conversation.
13. Tell your story everywhere you can.
14. Be your brand. Live it.
15. Be authentic.
16. Stress is pointless, it’s all going to work out.
I have also benefitted from learning about the superpowers of others… My favorite…
Architects see the minute details and plan for all potential outcomes
Designers have creativity oozing from every pore
Set decorators don’t say ‘no’. They are Macgyver like in their abilities to create options and fabricate ideas
Chefs are truly creative warriors who literally battle using knives
Trade Show Producers see the direction the business is going and try to hit it at a future point, not the present
Publishers see the big picture
Editors see through the obvious
PR Pros tell amazing stories
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the first 200 episodes not the least of which are all of my guests for sharing your stories, projects, ideas and time. Thank you to everyone behind the scenes who have assisted in booking, coordination, load in, load out, parking image clearance, and so much more.Thank you to everyone at Snyder Diamond for your partnership. Russ Diamond, Dana Joy, Flavia, Becky… it is a joy working with you and I hope we are still working together for the next 200 episodes plus. Thank you to Miele for being a sponsor of the show. Thank you, VONDOM for your partnership and use of product and location for recording.
And, as we opened, thank you. You made a choice when you started listening to the show and watching our videos. I appreciate your time, your input and the support over the past five seasons of Convo By Design.
Thank you for getting us to 200 episodes! Thank you for listening to the podcast, watching our videos on YouTube, coming out to the events, design houses and remote recording sessions. Thank you for reaching out on social media and better yet, in person to tell me you like the show, disagreed with me about something I said or make a suggestion for a future guest or topic. The show is now in its sixth year and this is episode 200.
I wanted to do something special this week and for the past few months, I have been listening back to past episodes starting with the very first episode of Convo By Design, recorded in early 2014 with artist. Since then, I have recorded over 300 individuals in one-on-one interviews, panel discussions, group conversations and project tours. The show has been all over Southern California. We have recorded from Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, the Grand Canyon, Marfa, Texas and Big Sky, Montana. Convo By Design has taken you to the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, Wattles Mansion, WestEdge Design Fair, WestWeek, Modernism Week, LA Design Festival, Fall Market and tours of homes with some of the worlds greatest and most talented creatives. I am not going to name them all here and of course, I can’t mention everyone but if you keep listening to the podcast, you will, at some point, hear from them again.
I have scoured through past episodes so you can hear again from some amazing, interesting, thought provoking and wonderful people. We revisit moments with architects, designers, set decorators, musicians, chefs, makers of policy and others who are leading the way as it relates to the way we live.
Before we get into this episode, I wanted to tell you why I do this podcast. I have been asked about the story in the past and I do love telling the story because this show was created using the ashes of one of my greatest failures. I am a brand manager by trade. After many years in brand development with companies like CBS and iHeartRadio, I was consulting for California Home and Design Magazine. After a lifetime loving design and architecture, I was thrilled to be working in the industry. At that time, I got the chance to produce my first design house called Small Space, Big Style. We had designers: Molly Luetkemeyer, Azadeh Shladovsky, Brian Patrick Flynn, Erinn Valencic, Christian May, Anette and Mary from Potted, a really amazing group. After the penthouse opened, we had events, parties, meetings, all kinds of really intriguing content. And I recorded not one moment of it. Sure, I have the leave behind books and a box of the issues showing the 12 pages of edit… and if you look for this design house, you will find two videos produced by the magazine. I remember feeling like all of this work went into a project and it just disappeared int the ether.
That was in 2012. The design house closed in 2013 and I spent all of 2013 planning and working on Convo By Design. I had another podcast project prior to this one, but it wasn’t what I wanted. Further proof that our first concept or idea is rarely the final product. And along that same line of thinking, Convo By Design hasn’t stopped changing since the very first episode. There are a couple of things that have remained constant, one of those is the partnership of our presenting sponsor, Snyder Diamond.
Over 200 episodes, we have heard from many designers. I love being around designers because the ideas rarely stop flowing and when talking about design, there are so many different styles and personalities, here are a few of the designers you have heard from over the past five years:
Estee Stanley
Jaime Rummerfeild
Kyle Schuneman
Ryan Saghian
Timothy Corrigan
Cesar Giraldo
Ryan White
Cliff Fong
Lori Dennis
Is LA Losing It’s Cool… This clip is one of my absolute favorites. First, it features moderators Mallory Roberts Morgan and Frances Anderton. I am a huge fan of both ladies. Second, their guests this panel are hilarious and make me laugh, I think even when they aren’t trying. Third, DIEM, Design Intersects Everything Made was an annual series presented by the West Hollywood Design District. I’m not sure the reason they don’t host it any longer, but I wish they did. Anyhow, we recorded almost all of the panel conversations between 2014 and the last year, 2017 from WestEdge. This features comments from Anderton, Darren Gold and then Christopher Farr as they discuss the status of LA and it’s relative “hotness” or “coolness” seemingly as always, according to media outlets that reside well east of the LA area.
In 2016, WestWeek from the Pacific Design Center included a conversation entitled Rebels of Design moderated by Erika Heet of Interiors Magazine and featured Eric Chang, Patrick Tighe (tie) and Cliff Fong. First, you’ll hear Eric Chang on bravery and making mistakes, then Cliff on experience and finally Patrick and Eric offer their views on diversity in design. These concepts all come together to form a real interesting idea abut taking risks, making mistakes and breaking through, and isn’t that what rebels do?
To Live and Design in DTLA, again from 2016 from West Week was a fun panel with a lot of participants but a very good topic was To Live and Design in LA featuring Spencer Nikosey, Erin and Ian Besler, Loryn Napala Danielle Rago, Monica Opaskar, Lawrence Azerrad and moderated by Carlo Caccavale. This clip features a brief chat about adaptations one must make when choosing to live and or work in any downtown but LA in particular.
When you cover design in LA, you have to talk about Set Decorators. They Not only cover the landscape, but they also design for a page, a script, real or imaginary characters, set decorators don’t have, in most cases, a real person to question about their style so they create the characters style from within. Here is set decorator KC Fox whose work you ave seen in Speed, Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and 40 Year Old Virgin talking about what goes into creating the character.
If you were not sure what the set decorators do, Rosemary Brandenburg talks about the business itself and what set decorators do within the production. Not just the production but the creation of the concepts like an interior designer would. If you are an interior designer, this might change the way you view your own process.
William DeBiasio is a set decorator who has worked on shows like Pretty Little Liars that went on to have a huge stylistic appeal. What’s really interesting is how set decorators can take the story and make the style popular. What if we thought about our homes and offices not as simply places to live but sets that tell our story. How might the narrative change? Here, William is talking about his approach to sets, props and the story.
We have spoken with some of the best and brightest minds in architecture today. Of those, there are some standouts, like Stephen Francis Jones discuss design challenges in restaurant development and new options in manufactured buildings like shipping containers.
Cliff Fong on opportunity, available resources and the endless opportunity creativity provides.
Sarah Lorenzen gave us a tour of the Neutra VDL House in Silver Lake. Cal Poly own the property and she is not only a member of the Architecture dept at Cal Poly, she is the homes custodian and resident. Here is Sarah’s take on Neutra’s legacy.
