Category Archives: Art

Happy Holidays | 548 | A Message of Reflection & Optimism

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Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah. I hope 2024 was the best year ever for you and yours but pales in comparison to 2025. This was an interesting year, one of challenges for the design industry. But more importantly to me, because so many of the people behind design, my friends, family, people I care about, it’s even more important than ever to simply remind you that this was a good year and I know a lot of you are worried, concerned about what 2025 will bring for a number of reasons. Political, social and economic. I am a realistic optimist and I think we are headed into a fantastic year.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Two parts to that. A realist and an optimist. Those two ideas are not always compatible. There are going to be issues to overcome over the next few years, there is no doubt about that. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t only survive, but thrive. Chaos and challenging times are when designers and architects thrive most, why? Because uncomfortable times create a need for better spaces. Think about it. Post Great Depression architecture included Art Moderne, PWA Moderne, WPA Rustic through the U.S. New Deal and this was a time for Modernism to thrive creating a whole new design industry. WWII created the Mid-Century Modern movement and mew approaches to living. The Atomic Age ushered in a new approach to personal safety through residential bomb shelters. new products and materials. A new approach to power consumption with a focus on electrification and modern technologies within the home. It’s almost as if the greater the chaos, the greater the opportunity for those who craft , design and create safe spaces. Think about that.

Changes to the design industry are coming:

AI – We’ve been talking about artificial intelligence on the show since late 2022. It’s no longer coming. It’s here. And to those with whom I have spoken asking if they are going to lose their job to AI, I will tell you what I tell them. Probably not. AI can’t do your job. You’re going to lose you jobs to the designer who knows how to use AI. It’s not about prompts, high capacity CPU’s or the ideation a computer can do that you can’t. It’s the tasks and roles AI can play within your design firm that will make all the difference. If you are still bound by past methods of doing the work, better educated designers will have more time to pursue projects, deliver proposals and create faster project completions. It’s not just talent anymore, but the speed at which you can deliver on each milestone of the project. We all need to be lifelong learners and increase the speed at which we work. That, and using AI to stay on top of the new ideas your clients will be asking for.

Dupes – The moment something unique is created, someone is working on ways to steal the idea. It sucks, but that’s the way it is. There is a break between budgetary constraints and creating a uniquely special space. Remember a few years ago, during the pandemic when storytelling was what clients wanted. Designers were perfectly suited to deliver on that. Now, clients want the economic pain to stop and shrinking budgets have led to a proliferation of dupes. It’s still not okay. Be original and clients will follow. Dupes are not the same as they original. While they may look similar, there is a reason why they are cheaper than the original and it usually has to do with the materials you don’t see but will certainly feel.

Originality and Authenticity – A strong design firm is such because they produce concepts that are unique. Fads and trends come and go, but originality is always in style. Originality comes in many forms and the reason the U.S. design and architecture community is so strong is due to that embrace of uniqueness and desire for authentic designs in residential, commercial, hospitality, education and industrial spaces. The killer of creativity, personal opinion, has been social medias affect on the creative endeavors. We have entered into a copy culture when everyone seems to be racing to come in second. Let someone else take the shots for being first and then come in behind them with a modified version of the same thing. Social media created that and it sucks the originality out of any creative endeavor. Let 2025 be the year of experimental design, original thought and a sense of aspirational ideals. I don’t just direct this at the designers, shelter media needs to do better. This obsession with celebrity and celebrity designer is slowly choking the joy out of our industry. I cannot tell you how many publicists I have spoken to who tell me that they are having trouble getting coverage for their clients who are doing amazing work for non-celebs. I think the trade pubs have it hard, I really do. They lost a ton of subs during the pandemic. Many have fired or laid off the majority of their contributors, many released the higher priced (quality) contributors for less experienced writers and paper/ distribution costs have increased. I get it. But you simply can’t expect to charge more for an inferior product at a time when everyone is paying more for everything. But, you can charge more for a better product! That is what designers do and what the trade pubs should do as well.

Stronger Together – That’s all on this subject. We are stronger together. If we strengthen our industry bonds, we can do better work in a more collaborative environment. Increase your industry relationships. Like these…

Yes, these are partner sponsors of mine and I am incredibly proud to be working with ThermaSol, Design Hardware, TimberTech, Pacific Sales and Monogram. These partnerships are so important for so many reasons. I can tell you that I have done my research on each and I am proud to be working with them. If you want to know why aside from what you hear on the show, email me and I will share my experiences with each.

2025 is going to be a chaotic year, that is how it’s shaping up. But that can be great news for our industry, and I believe it will be. My mission is to bring you the latest in remarkable stories about wonderful creatives. To share the latest industry news and happenings either from there or speaking with those experiencing it first hand. You will also be hearing from a new slate of Convo By Design Icon Registry Inductees and the limited WestEdge Wednesday panel series starting in January with all of the panels and programs from the show’s main stage in their entirety.

As we reflect on 2024, take some time to enjoy a breather with family and friends. That is what is truly important. There are some additional happenings for me and Convo By Design next year. We will surpass episode 600 in 2025, I will be speaking at KBIS, and Convo By Design will be opening a boutique, multi-line rep firm giving designers an opportunity to engage directly with select brands and unique products to specify for their truly special projects.

It all comes down to being thankful, optimistic and curious. I’m thankful for you. Listening to the show and sharing it with your friends, family and colleagues. I’m thankful for my partner sponsors ThermaSol, Pacific Sales, TimberTech, Monogram and Design Hardware. Optimistic about the year to come and experiencing it first hand, in real time. Curious and on the endless pursuit for the stories, brands and products behind sublime design. Please keep those show and guest suggestion emails coming, Convo By Design at Outlook dot com and on Instagram @ConvoXDesign with an “X”. Until next year, be well and take today first. -CXD

Convo By Design Icon Registry Induction | 544 | Meet the Induction Class of 2024

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This episode is a special one dedicated to the 2024 Convo By Design Icon Registry inductees. This inaugural class of inductees features a diverse group of extraordinary creatives. If you have been listening to the special episodes that air the third Thursday of each month, you’ve heard just what makes these people so extraordinary at what they do. This was the first year of the program and it is scheduled to run well into the future. 

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

This idea for a Hall of Fame was conceived quite some time ago, but I struggled with a touch of imposter syndrome. I thought, who am I to bestow an honor like this on these people. The best in the business today and then a few things happened. The first was the 10-year anniversary party which was held in May of 2023. I was surrounded by so many friends, previous guests of the show, industry partners, all who listen to the show on a weekly basis and I heard stories about how these conversations have helped them in their careers, especially through the pandemic and now, when it feels like life has become a series of crisis management events, one after another. To showcase those who have figured it out and sharing how they did it, then celebrating their accomplishments. It just felt like a good time to start this project. This is not a list by which I expect anything in return. There is no ask for promotion or social media shares. This is just my way of celebrating these folks. But, there are criteria. These individuals have all been on the show, they are extraordinary at what they do by any and all standards and finally, the make our industry better, better than they found it. That is a big one, you will find that each of these amazing creatives have produced exceptional work, many do, but not all give back. Everyone here has, in exceptional ways. And you’re going to hear a bit from each. By the way, the entire episodes are available and you can check the links in the show notes to listen to each on. We’re going to get to that, right after this.

2024 Convo By Design Icon Registry Inductees:

January – Bunny Williams.

February – Cara Woodhouse.

March – Jean Brownhill.

April – Alex Papachristidis.

May – Susan Ferrier.

June – Dakota Jackson.

July – Brigette Romanek.

August – Jaime Bush

September – Timothy Corrigan.

October – Kyle Bunting.

November – Brian Pinkett.

December – Brownstone Boys.

What a great look back and these incredible people. I’m grateful and thankful that they all took the time to share their gifts, here, with us. Each inductee will be receiving, in addition to my eternal gratitude, a hand turned piece to commemorate their induction. Crafted by yours truly through JMC Studio. They have all been fabricated from local materials here in Tulsa, including wood from an old white oak that fell during the derecho in 2023. Thank you again to each for your contributions to our industry and the clients you serve. Thank you to my partner sponsors for your continued support, ThermaSol, Pacific Sales, Monogram, TimberTech and Design Hardware. Amazing companies who are dedicated to the success of the specifiers who craft and construct some of the worlds greatest structures. And thank you for listening to the show, downloading episodes and sharing them with your colleagues, friends and clients. Please keep those emails coming with show and guest suggestions. Until next week, be well and take today first. -CXD

Drinking About Design | 543 | Argentina’s Architectural Impact and Venetian Chimney’s with Glenda Flaim and Federico Engel of Butler Armsden Architects

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I just thought since this is the Friday after Thanksgiving, almost everyone is home, eating, drinking and enjoying time with family, I would give you an opportunity to slip away for an hour or so for some alone time. You’re welcome. This is another installment of Drinking About Design. This episode features Butler Armsden leadership team or Glenda Flaim and Federico Engel. We are talking about some really obscure topics, drinking while we do it and I hope you enjoy it.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Fernando Engel is sharing stories about his homeland, Argentina, as well as the Capanopolis, and Francisco Salamone and Glenda will be sharing her thoughts on Venetian Chimneys. Never heard of Venetian chimneys? Well it’s a story on invention. As the proverb goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” And that perfectly describes Venetian chimneys. Think about fire suppression in overcrowded cities, adding ornate design. Cool right, now date them back to the 13th century. Ideas in technological spark arresting and fire suppression. We’re going to get right to this. Special thanks to Glenda and Federico from Butler Armsden for joining me and for my incredible partner sponsors; Pacific Sales, ThermaSol, TimberTech, Monogram and Design Hardware for making it possible and allowing me to share these stories with you. With that, I give you another installation of Drinking About Design.

That was so much fun. Thank you Federico and Glenda, so appreciate the storytelling and the time. Thank you to my partner sponsors ThermaSol, TimberTech, Pacific Sale, Monogram and Design Hardware for your continued support and thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to join me for these conversations. This was a fun one, right? There are more episodes of Drinking About Design in 2025 so subscribe to the podcast and get every episode, brand new, right to your feed. Until next week. Happy Thanksgiving, Be well, and take today first. -CXD

Suitability and Creatively Vibing | 541 | Michelle Murphy of DemiRyan with A BOOKLOOK feat. Contemporary Living by Paul McClean

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Suitability has been on my mind a lot lately. I was taking the pup for a walk the other day and as I passed a home in the neighborhood that was under major renovation, it got me thinking about the concept of design suitability. I have been thinking about it quite a bit actually. Design suitability could also be interpreted as creatively vibing. To be on the same creative plane, with an ability to communicate freely and effectively. Any designer or client who has experienced creatively vibing understands that the way things get done when people are sharing that headspace is, beyond compare. It’s a rarity.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

When I got back to the house, I found a package leaning against the front door. I don’t know about you but coming home to a package delivery still makes me giddy. It’s that same feeling when you are out to eat and come back from the restroom to find your food waiting for you. Love that. The package was a book, so we have a new BOOKLOOK for you featuring the new book called Contemporary Living  by Paul McClean of McClean Design. This book is a love letter to California and California living. This is an extraordinary book that opens with an essay about California living and the roots of residential design in the Golden State. You’ll hear abut some of California architecture pioneers like Koenig, Gehry and Neutra that leads you through an exploration of McCleans work perched in the Hills of Los Angeles. These modern masterworks demonstrate McCleans understanding and respect for the origins of California living, followed by concrete examples of how he deconstructs the core ideas and presents the concepts within completely original works. It’s a masterful understanding of how something works and possessing the talent and ability to take those ideas and reimagine them. 

That original idea of creatively vibing with others, the environment, and past works of long lost masters provides all the elements for something very special. Contemporary Living by Paul McClean guides you through a visual journey of the architecture, site placement, scale and material selection. Design books, when done right are treasures to those who love to look at the work. This one is special for those that not only want to see the work but to gather an understanding of the philosophical approach taken to the finished residence. Finding the right architect is critical to obtaining the right shelter space for each individual. That method of vibing creatively allows the design to emerge and adapt to the individual. I don’t think we talk enough about the people when it comes to design. This monograph makes sure to focus on elemental ideas like land, water, light, elevation, and the California ethos, which is inextricably connected to people who long for the California feel. If you love modern design and contemporary living that California feel, you should get this book. Published by Rizzoli and you can find a link in the show notes. Brilliant monograph, Paul. Well done.

Staying on the creative vibing theme for a bit longer, this episode of the podcast features a conversation with designer, Michelle Murphy of DemiRyan. One of the things that constantly troubles me is the idea that design is a universal concept. It’s not. Design is personal. The relationship between client and designer should be personal. That doesn’t mean you have to be besties, you don’t even have to like each other. Michelle and I talk about a number of things that point to this idea of suitability that can mean success or failure of the client-designer relationship. You are going to be hearing much more on this idea about suitability and vibing creatively. Starting with the following conversation with DemiRyan’s co-founder and principal designer, Michelle Murphy, right after this.

Thank you, Michelle. Loved our chat and appreciate the time. Thank you to my incredible partner sponsors; ThermaSol, Design Hardware, Pacific Sales, Monogram and TimberTech. These are all fantastic partners with exceptional products and service to match. I have vetted these companies and I believe in them, and I think you should too. Check the show notes for direct links. Thank you for checking them out and specifying them on your next project. I also want to thank you for listening to the show and sharing Convo By Design with your friends, coworkers and colleagues who you think might enjoy it as well.

Please also keep the guest and show suggestions coming; convo by design at outlook dot com and on Instagram @convoxdesign, with an “x”. Until next week, be well and take today first. -CXD

Brian Pinkett | 540 | Our November 2024 Convo By Design Icon Registry Inductee

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I’m Josh Cooperman and this is the Convo By Design Icon Registry November induction whose recipient has been on the show individually, part of a panel, part of a smaller group, virtually and in person. He has done all of this while simultaneously rising to principle of one of the most incredible architecture firms of the modern era. Brian, how’s that for a lead in?

The Brian I am referring to is the most recent inductee into the Icon Registry, it’s Brian Pinkett, principal of Landry Design Group. When I first started this program back in January of this year, I wanted to recognize some of the most extraordinary individuals who have honored me, and us with their presence on the show. Those who have lent their exceptional talents to their chosen profession and made this world better than they found it. Brian Pinkett is one of those people through his exceptional design skills, of course. But, that is no where near where the story lies. We he just a great architect, that would be one thing. Every architect I speak with on the show is the best at what they do. Every designer who appears on the podcast is the best at what they do. The difference lies between the lines. You might have hear my most recent conversation with Pinkett a few months back. He and I met at Design Hardware in Los Angeles for a Day of Design and he shared his philosophy and practical application of getting the absolute best out of the architects in his charge. We discussed how he approaches team work, mentorship and  challenging those who want to be exceptional at what they do.  That is Brian’s superpower and he has made a number of young architects exceptional at what they do by finding ways of bringing it out of them through their work.

In the past, I shared my background in broadcasting, working in radio for decades prior to finding my passion that led to our weekly chats. I wish I could tell you that I had some great mentors during my career in radio. I didn’t. Broadcast radio is a cutthroat business. It’s transactional and temporary. The secret is, it’s no different than most industries. Most people never have a Brian Pinkett to guide them. Brian is clear eyed with regard to his mentorship approach as he is to the design work. 

Brian is exceptional at what he does and so we are going to celebrate his installment in the Convo By Design Icon Registry by looking back at one of his previous appearances on the show. I selected the panel conversation from the WestEdge Design Fair in 2019 since we just celebrated another fantastic WestEdge Design Fair. This conversation was titled, Design Diversity: Crafting Our World the Way it Should Be. This was the first conversation of its kind at a design fair. It was a conversation about race and design, about meritocracy and making the tent bigger for all who have something to offer. It was pre-Covid and before George Floyd’s murder set off a revolution in the U.S. This conversation also features Ron Woodson, Bridgette Coulter Cheadle and Breegan Jane. It was an exceptional conversation and I thought it would be a perfect way to look back and celebrate Brian Pinkett, the November 2024 Convo By Design Icon Registry inductee.

BP

Thank you, Bridgette, Ron and Breegan for being a part of this really important conversation. Thank you, Brian for being a part of this and always willing to share what you know with anyone who will listen! Congratulations on your addition to the Convo By Design Icon Registry. Thank you for listening and subscribing to the show. Thank you to my partner sponsors Design Hardware, ThermaSol, TimberTech, Monogram and Pacific Sales. these are amazing partners all, they support the trade and I love sharing these amazing resources with you. Thanks again for listening, until next week, be well and take today first. – CXD

Spotlight on Design feat. Jaime Rummerfield and Marcos Santa Ana 539 | LIVE from Design Hardware in Los Angeles

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I’m josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design with a sampling from the Summer edition of the Designer Showcase event at Design Hardware. Every Season, we invite some of the most talented creatives from across the Southland and the U.S. to participate in strategic conversations, interviews, product launches and panel conversations. This is part of Design Hardware’s commitment to the design community. And we’ve got a sampling from that event.

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

This episode of the show features two very talented and very different creatives. The first is Jaime Rummerfield who you have heard before on the podcast. Jaime is an old friend and a crazy-talented designer. You have heard her before, usually with Ron Woodson, but things change and Jaime has gone out on her own. What’s that like? You’re going to find out. Then, you will hear from Marcos Santa Ana of Alloi. Marcos is an architect and general contractor with a very unique perspective on the work and art that is architecture. And you are going to hear all about it.

Thank you Jaime and Marcos. By the way, if you are listening to this on the day we published, November 12th, you still have time to see both of these amazing designers as well as dozens more at the WestEdge Design Fair, November 14th through the 16th at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Here is a link to get tickets to the show and see all of the incredible programming produced by Convo By Design. 

https://www.grsreg.com/westedge24/exhPass?exh=cxd

Thank you to my incredible partner sponsors; ThermaSol, Design Hardware, Pacific Sales, Monogram and TimberTech. These are all fantastic partners with exceptional products and service to match. I have vetted these companies and I believe in them, and I think you should too. Check the show notes for direct links. Thank you for checking them out and specifying them on your next project. I also want to thank you for listening to the show and sharing Convo By Design with your friends, coworkers and colleagues who you think might enjoy it as well.

Please also keep the guest and show suggestions coming; convo by design at outlook dot com and on Instagram @convoxdesign, with an “x”. Until next week, be well and take today first. -CXD

Kyle Bunting | 536 | Our October 2024 Design Icon Registry Inductee

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This is the Convo By Design Icon Registry for October 2024 and it is an absolute joy for me to talk about this creative with reverence, respect and friendship. The October 2024 Convo By Design Icon Registry inductee is the incomparable, Kyle Bunting.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Kyle and I have known each other for a while and he has appeared on the podcast four times I think. And in all different ways, And he almost always brought friends. Not that he needed them, but Kyle is what you can call a consummate professional and chronic collaborator. He can’t help himself, and why should he?

Collaboration between manufacturer, designer, architect, GC, client, trades, showroom are all critically important for the success of the project. Collaboration takes many forms and unfortunately, sometimes, no form at all. In all my experience, not just in the built and designed space, but in every aspect of business, collaboration is mission critical. Without collaboration, there is no communication, nor partnership, nor exceeding goals, can’t be done for one very simple reason; Design projects, residential or commercial builds are all done using multiple partners and if those partners aren’t working collaboratively, mistakes are made, miscommunications happen and it generally leads to additional issues. Kyle Bunting os one of the most highly-skilled collaborators I know. He also has created an exceptional brand and a wonderful product.

It is my privilege to induct Kyle into the Convo By Design Icon Registry, JMC Studio has crafted an original piece to commemorate this and it will be sent to Kyle shortly, check out Instagram if you want  to see it. As we do here, this is Kyle Bunting from a previous appearance on Convo By Design.

KB

Thank you, Kyle for taking the time and the willingness to share your story.  Thank you for your constant willingness to bring others into the big tent and for creating such an exceptional product. Congratulations on your addition to the Convo By Design Icon Registry. Thank you for listening and subscribing to the show. Thank you to my partner sponsors Design Hardware, ThermaSol, TimberTech, Monogram and Pacific Sales. these are amazing partners all, they support the trade and I love sharing these amazing resources with you. Thanks again for listening, until next week, be well and take today first. – CXD

Moments of Joy. Design Makes That Happen | 534 | Laura Tribbett, Outline Interiors

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I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design. Today, we’re speaking with Laura Tribbett of Outline Interiors. I have long held the belief that design is a right, not a privilege. You might disagree, but let me explain why and after you hear my conversation with Laura, you might be on board. 

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Good design is a right, not a privilege. Good design affects all of us, makes communities stronger and it makes for a well lived life. I think many if not most people have no idea what good design is because most people are so heavily influenced by social media and because social media, actually media in general is so heavily influenced by likes, loves and emojis of those who don’t possess an educational background nor expertise on the subject. Anyone can look at an image on Instagram and love it enough to post a fire emoji. Nothing wrong with that but let’s not confuse that with an understanding of how that design might function or how it works with other spaces in the dwelling or how those who live there will use the space. It’s just a picture, they like it. Fine. But it’s really interesting how when enough people like something, it influence others to believe that it is exceptional. It might be, but there is nothing in the posting of an image to support that. Sometimes, this leads to fame for wildly popular designers regardless of whether or not their designs are good. And the measurement for that is how the client is affected by that work. There is a quote from Arthur Conan Doyle’s, The Hound of the Baskervilles in which Sherlock Holmes says, “I know what is good when I see it.”

In this particular case, Holmes is reacting to a portrait. Purely subjective. At the same time, what separates good design form bad? I would say that when you have a trained professional, doing what they have been trained to do on your behalf and influenced by your desires, the results have a good chance of hitting the mark. Why am I telling you this? Because smart, well trained and talented designers understand their roles and can see beyond first level obstacles.

Laura talks about infusing “moments of joy” into every project and that is one of the reasons I enjoy her work ad enjoyed our chat as much as I did. It’s also why I think you are going to love it. 

Thank you, Laura for taking the time to share your story. Thank you to my partner sponsors, ThermaSol, Pacific Sales, TimberTech, Monogram and Design Hardware. These partners are amazing companies all who have made a concerted effort to support the design community through education, incentives, events, media and exposure, not to mention a collection of extraordinary products and service to match. Check the show notes for links to each of them so you can see first hand how they can make your design business thrive and your projects exceed expectations. Thank you for listening, downloading, subscribing and sharing the show with your friends and colleagues. Thank you for your emails, show and guest suggestions. Please keep them coming, convobydesign at Outlook dot com and on Instagram @ConvoXdesign, with an “x”.  Until the next episode, be well and take today first. – CXD

He Said, She Said | 533 | Exceptional Hospitality Design feat. Brewco’s Michael Zislis and Designer Noelle Isbell

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I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design with a conversation about going home. You’ve heard the old adage, you can’t go home again. Derived from the Thomas Wolfe novel published in 1940, posthumously. It’s true, you can’t go home again because so much changes in your absence. I went home recently to Manhattan Beach. It’s true things change, but not everything and sometimes, change is good.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

I love Manhattan Beach. One of the things I missed most after we moved to Oklahoma was walking down the greenbelt with kids and  getting dinner in downtown MB followed by a trip to the Creamery for an ice cream sandwich the likes of which you just can’t find anywhere else. While there, I stopped into Brewco to speak with Michael Zislis, restaurateur, developer, hotelier and MB devotee. So much so, that through his restaurant and hotel development, has almost singlehandedly reshaped the city for the better over the past 30 years. We talked about the redevelopment of Brewco, an eatery on Manhattan Beach Boulevard and an iconic spot for those who’ve lived there or those who’ve come to visit. you’re going to hear that and then, you are going to hear from Noelle Isbell, Manhattan Beach designer who took on the Brewco project in amazing fashion, called her shot and delivered a spot that is representative of Manhattan Beach’s past, present and future. Turns out, you can go home again. Even if it’s not exactly the same. If you love design, you are going to love this story. If you are a designer, this is how you go and get that project you have always wanted. And you are going to hear all about it, right after this.

Thank you, Noelle and Michael, thank you for creating something that makes me feel at home!. Thank you to my partner sponsors, ThermaSol, Pacific Sales, TimberTech, Monogram and Design Hardware. These partners are amazing companies all who have made a concerted effort to support the design community through education, incentives, events, media and exposure, not to mention a collection of extraordinary products and service to match. Check the show notes for links to each of them so you can see first hand how they can make your design business thrive and your projects exceed expectations. Thank you for listening, downloading, subscribing and sharing the show with your friends and colleagues. Thank you for your emails, show and guest suggestions. Please keep them coming, convobydesign at Outlook dot com and on Instagram @ConvoXdesign, with an “x”.  Until the next episode, be well and take today first. – CXD

Craftsmanship in A Digital Age | 532 | WestEdge Rewind from 2015

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I’m Josh Cooperman, this is Convo By Design and today, as we inch closer to WestEdge Design Fair, the 2024 edition, with everything going on behind the scenes as we prepare a slate of programming to surprise and delight you, I wanted to share a program from the past. As we finalize the roster  and get everything solidified, I wanted to share the “why” behind the programming. These panels are crafted to feature game changing, disrupting creatives and topics that hold up. What makes the WestEdge stage so special is the thought and effort that goes into the topics. They have all been carefully crafted, talent curated to speak to these ideas. Ideas that should hold up for years to come. 

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

The program you are going to hear today was called Craftsmanship in the Digital Age. Here is how it was described in the program: Is Craftsmanship a lost art in a world where we increasingly value expediency and accessibility over authenticity and beauty? Join Steven Gambrel, interior designer and co-founder of Dering Hall, as he leads a discussion with some of the most talented artisans and designers working today. How have our digitally-centered lives made us care even more about objects created with passion, skill and time-honored tradition? How do designers create a network of skilled craftspeople and educate their clients about the value craft? Explore the marketing of bespoke products and how digital tools have made success as an artisan more of a reality than ever before.

Featuring Bernard Brucha, MASHstudios; Paul Priven, Zia Priven; Wendy Schwartz, Cuffhome; and Delta Wright, Curated

Think about this for a moment, the program you are about to hear was covering craftsmanship and the value that authenticity holds in made goods. This conversation might as well have taken place in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic when authentic craftsmanship was a must have. Or in 2018, when every design event was discussing how to reach Millennials and their desire for fewer, but more authentic goods. Or, well… now, at a time when hand-made comes at a premium. Again, this was recorded in 2015, live at WestEdge. And I am proud to share this with you again. Right after this.

Thank you, Bernard, Paul, Wendy and Delta. Thank you, Megan and Troy from WestEdge. I enjoyed our conversations so much. Thank you to my partner sponsors, ThermaSol, Pacific Sales, TimberTech, Monogram and Design Hardware. These partners are amazing companies all who have made a concerted effort to support the design community through education, incentives, events, media and exposure, not to mention a collection of extraordinary products and service to match. Check the show notes for links to each of them so you can see first hand how they can make your design business thrive and your projects exceed expectations. Thank you for listening, downloading, subscribing and sharing the show with your friends and colleagues. Thank you for your emails, show and guest suggestions. Please keep them coming, convobydesign at Outlook dot com and on Instagram @ConvoXdesign, with an “x”.  Until the next episode, be well and take today first. -Convo By Design