Suzanne Rheinstein | Celebration of Life, Style and Elegant Civility

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design. Suzanne Rheinstein, a giant in the industry has left us but not without changing both the nature of interior design but the way in which interior design is experienced by those for whom she crafted. 

Suzanne was one of those rare talents who had a signature through-line in her work that has been described as “elegant civility” which was a pulled-focus on fewer, but better. A level of quality that was exceptional but not overpowering which allowed those for whom she worked to experience the different levels of her work, not necessarily all at once but over time. It is the same way other pleasure past-times like wine, art and music are experienced and enjoyed. Rheinstein was a major talent with all of the awards and accolades that you would expect. Her work, like Suzanne, was elegant and timeless. 

I wanted to share some of her wit, charm and stories, in her own voice and words from an interview n 2019 at the LaCienega Design Quarter’s Legends event where she was presented with her Living Legend Award.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always long to return. Learning never exhausts the mind. – Leonardo da Vinci.

3 Master Designers Who Break the Rules and Why You Should Too | 404 | featuring Mary McDonald, Suzanne Kassler and Thomas O’Brien

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design. Today, another look back at a fun and fantastic panel conversation from past design celebrations. This one, from La Cienega Design Quarters Legends 2019…

This conversation was recorded LIVE at the Circa Lighting showroom on La Cienega Blvd in 2019 . Here was the write up for it in the press materials… As any great designer will tell you, so of the best projects begin by throwing everything you think you know right out the window. Joanna Salz, Editorial Director of House Beautiful, gets three rule-defining designers, @MaryMcDonaldInc  @SuzanneKasler  @AEROStudios to admit some of their biggest challenges, their hardest earned triumphs , and those moments when, against all odds, they created some of their most spectacular work.

As someone who creates, produces and moderates panels, I can tell you first hand how hard it can be to try and craft a panel concept that hasn’t already been done a thousand times or is just another ho-hum idea. This concept was genius and one that I will try to riff off in the future. It was beautifully done and very well executed. Just for fun, I’m including the talk-up from the original episode.

Thank you Mary, Suzanne, Thomas and Joanna. Excellent work. Thank you LCDQ for allowing Convo By Design to present these incredible talks. Thank you CXD sponsors and partners, ThermaSol, Article Furniture, York Wallcoverings, Moya Living and Franz Viegener for your continued support. Of course, thank you for downloading, subscribing and listening to the show. Thank you for the emails of support and the guest submissions. I love them and it has allowed me to find some amazing talent to showcase. Please remember why you do what you do and for whom you do it. Designers, architects, artists, product designers, showroom managers, publicists, magazine editors, publishers, set decorators and everyone else that makes our industry stronger by the day, this show is for you. That’s why I do it. Thanks for listening. Be well, and take today first.