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Here Comes WestEdge 2026 | 688 | Design and Architecture Knowledge So You Can Thrive and Survive the Chaos

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Are you ready to join me in Santa Monica, for the WestEdge Design Fair, This is year 10 for me, producing, and publishing content from the show. You know my commitment to you: we bring together the brightest, most provocative creative minds to talk about the business and practice of design in ways you simply will not hear anywhere else.

This year, our overarching theme is The Future of Living. Across our four main stage panels, we are stripping away the superficial fluff, pushing past the hyper-commercialized hype, and tackling the real, invisible forces shaping modern architecture and interior design today.

Just a few of the programs you will be hearing this year… Aging in Place and Universal Design | Designing for Longevity: Homes That Evolve With Us. Let’s be clear: universal design has suffered from a branding problem for far too long. It’s been treated like a clinical compromise—all grab bars and regulatory compliance. But aging in place isn’t a niche; it is the absolute future of housing. Moderated by Enda Donagher alongside panelists Ben Ballentine, Tim Barber, Kristine Anderson, and Maryanne Schicketanz, this conversation reframes longevity as multi-generational resilience. We are exploring how to build primary suites, outdoor sightlines, and flexible spatial zoning that preserve human dignity, autonomy, and aesthetic beauty over forty years of occupancy without looking like an assisted living facility.

Next, we dive deep into building science with Wellness in Design & Architecture | The Healthy Home: Designing for Mind, Body, and Behavior. True wellness has moved out of the spa brochure and into the very bones of the home. Featuring Verzine Hovasapyan, Ginger Rabe, Eddie Maestri, Steven Cooper, and Marcos Santa Ana, this session cuts through the expensive storytelling and marketing buzzwords. We are talking about measurable physiological outcomes—circadian lighting, non-gassing non-toxic materials, acoustic sanctuaries, and why the classic kitchen work triangle is giving way to specialized hydration and prep zones. It is time to align spatial design directly with human biology.

Then, we confront the stark economic realities of our industry in When Clients Cut the Budget | Design Under Pressure: Protecting Integrity When Budgets Collapse. As severe supply chain shifts, inflation, and expanding scope hit luxury residential projects, how do elite creatives hold the line? Panelists Jason Lai, Laura Brophy, Joe Meringolo, and Gary Drake reveal how top practitioners protect their design vision when financial pressures mount. From leveraging wholesale vendor networks and itemized phasing to strategic brand-tiering and direct factory sourcing, this is an unfiltered masterclass in maintaining creative authority and strategic flexibility under fire.

Finally, we look toward the digital frontier in The Eco-Algorithm: How AI, Technology, and Mother Nature Are Redefining the Modern Home. Can an algorithm generate fractal geometries that lower human stress by sixty percent? Absolutely. But can a machine understand how a morning glare affects a client’s mood? Not a chance. Panelists Joshua Dawson, Rachel Joy Victor, Kevin Toukoumidis, Christopher Grubb, and Dr. Greg Brisson dissect how designers must evolve from traditional draftsmen into somatic curators—leveraging AI for data synthesis while anchoring every project in neuroarchitecture, human empathy, and evolutionary biology.

That is our slate this year. Four panels, zero buzzwords, and an unrelenting focus on purpose, intent, and extraordinary human-centered design. Thank you for joining us at WestEdge.

Aging in Place and Universal Design | Designing for Longevity: Homes That Evolve With Us

Aging in place isn’t a niche it’s the future of housing. This conversation explores how architects and designers are rethinking homes to adapt across generations, abilities, and life stages without sacrificing beauty or dignity.

This isn’t about grab bars and compliance it’s about designing homes that anticipate change. The panel challenges the stigma around “aging design” and reframes it as flexible, resilient living.

Universal design must transcend the clinical limitations of regulatory compliance to become a foundational principle of residential design; by reframing “aging in place” as a strategy for multi-generational resilience, designers can create adaptive environments that anticipate evolving physical needs while preserving the aesthetic dignity and emotional resonance of the home.

  • Why “universal design” still feels like a compromise and how to fix that
  • Designing for mobility, cognition, and independence without visual cues
  • The financial reality: retrofitting vs. building it right the first time
  • Multigenerational living as a design driver, not a constraint
  • Tech integration: smart homes as silent support systems

 

Speakers:

Moderator:

Enda Donagher – Enda Donagher Architect

Ben Ballentine – Ballentine Architects

Tim Barber – Tim Barber Architects

Kristine Anderson | PKA Architecture

Maryanne Schiketanz – Studio Schicketanz

Designing for Longevity: Reshaping Universal Architecture

Universal design and long-term livability have historically suffered from a framing problem, frequently reduced to medicalized accommodations, clinical retrofits, or aesthetic compromises. As the focus of high-end architecture shifts toward permanence and multi-generational resilience, leading practitioners are fundamentally redefining how homes evolve with their occupants over time. Designing for true longevity requires stepping past short-term media trends to construct spaces that actively preserve personal autonomy, support changing physical needs, and sustain an exceptional quality of life across every decade of occupancy.

The core challenge in planning for the future lies in balancing custom, immediate client desires with long-term structural flexibility. When homeowners build in their thirties or forties with the intention of remaining in the space for the rest of their lives, space planning must take precedence over temporary visual styling. While surface materials, kitchen appliances, and decorative finishes can be swapped out with relative ease as technologies and tastes change, the underlying floor plan is a far permanent undertaking.

Prioritizing structural longevity begins at the macro level. Thoughtful architects look beyond standard guest rooms to incorporate comprehensive ground-floor primary suites—often designated early on as dedicated retirement suites. This spatial foresight extends to the surrounding site, integrating private courtyards, ground-level thresholds, and tailored sightlines that maintain a constant sensory connection to nature. By establishing smooth, intuitive transitions between indoor and outdoor environments, the architecture prevents the feeling of isolation that can often accompany reduced physical mobility later in life.

Equally important is the integration of multi-generational fluidity. Today’s luxury homes are increasingly called upon to support evolving family dynamics, from young children and returning college graduates to aging parents requiring primary care. Designing for these shifting demographics requires flexible spatial zoning that offers both grand communal gathering areas and secluded, autonomous sanctuaries. Preserving this balance ensures that every member of the household, regardless of age or physical capability, maintains a distinct sense of independence and dignity within the shared footprint.

Ultimately, successful universal design shifts the focus away from reactive accessibility and toward proactive empowerment. Clients rarely want to be reminded of future physical decline, nor do they want their living environments styled after healthcare facilities. By reframing universal design around resilience, comfort, and sensory quality, architects can eliminate the stigma associated with aging in place. When a home is engineered to adapt gracefully over forty years—protecting ease of movement, acoustic comfort, and daily engagement—it ceases to be a static structure. Instead, it becomes a lasting family asset, ensuring that staying in one’s home for a lifetime feels less like a compromise and more like the ultimate luxury.

Wellness in Design & Architecture | The Healthy Home: Designing for Mind, Body, and Behavior

Wellness has moved beyond amenities and into the bones of the home. From air quality to circadian lighting, this panel explores how design is shaping healthier lifestyles and what clients are really asking for.

Push past the buzzwords. This is about what’s real, what’s measurable, and what’s just expensive storytelling.

The evolution of residential wellness has shifted from superficial amenities to fundamental structural integration; by prioritizing measurable physiological outcomes such as air purification and circadian synchronization designers can transition from trend-based “wellness storytelling” to the creation of evidence-based environments that demonstrably improve long-term health.

  • Air, water, light: what actually moves the needle on health
  • The gap between wellness marketing and building science
  • Mental health and spatial design: can architecture influence behavior?
  • Biophilia vs. biophilic aesthetics—are we missing the point?
  • The premium question: what are clients willing to pay for wellness?

Speakers:

Verzine Hovasapyan – Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home

Ginger Rabe – Ginger Rabe Designs

Eddie Maestri – Maestri Studio

Steven Cooper – Cooper Pacific Kitchens

Marcos Santa Ana – Alloi Architects

The Healthy Home: Designing for Mind, Body, and Behavior

The evolution of residential wellness has shifted from superficial amenities to fundamental structural integration; by prioritizing measurable physiological outcomes such as air purification and circadian synchronization, designers can transition from trend-based “wellness storytelling” to the creation of evidence-based environments that demonstrably improve long-term health.

As the boundaries between residential space and personal health dissolve, design and architecture are undergoing a fundamental transformation. What began as a surface-level market trend—marked by high-end spa additions and decorative greenery—has matured into a discipline grounded in building science and human physiology. Today, the core challenge facing designers is not simply adding luxury health features to a home, but rather engineering spaces that passively and actively support performance, recovery, and psychological well-being.

The shift begins with environmental baselines: air, water, and light. While visual aesthetics historically dominated residential design, indoor air purification, advanced filtration, and non-gassing materials are now understood as foundational to long-term health. Circadian lighting systems, which dynamically adjust color temperature and intensity to mirror natural solar patterns, directly regulate endocrine function, sleep architecture, and cognitive clarity. By centering these measurable parameters early in the architectural process, environments transition from static backdrops to active partners in biological regulation.

Beyond environmental systems, spatial planning exerts a profound influence on daily human behavior. The classic kitchen work triangle, once the undisputed standard of residential layout, has fragmented under the demands of modern living. In its place, homes are evolving toward hyper-specialized zones. Kitchens expand into secondary preparation pantries, cold-storage drawers for targeted nutrition, and dedicated hydration stations.

Concurrently, the push toward expansive, fully open-concept living is giving way to intentional spatial differentiation. Clients increasingly seek dedicated recovery areas—from specialized hydrotherapy zones and cold plunges to quiet reading rooms engineered without digital displays or electronic interference. These shielded sanctuaries address the growing need for mental decompression in an hyper-connected world.

At the same time, materiality is undergoing a critical re-evaluation. While “biophilic design” is frequently reduced to adding potted plants or organic patterns, true biophilia integrates natural substrates, raw textures, and natural light to anchor human sensory perception. Clients are demanding complete supply-chain transparency, prioritizing natural woods, stone, and untreated textiles over synthetic alternatives. However, this desire for pure, non-gassing materials must be balanced with practical durability, forcing designers to scrutinize vendor claims and focus strictly on verified building performance rather than marketing hype.

Ultimately, the commercial reality of wellness design hinges on value. Clients are increasingly willing to allocate substantial portions of their budgets toward health-focused infrastructure, provided those investments deliver tangible improvements to their daily lives. By cutting through the industry hype and focusing on evidence-based solutions, architects and interior designers are reshaping residential spaces from simple shelters into tailored ecosystems built to sustain mind, body, and behavior.

The Business of Design | The Cost of Living: Economics, Scale, and the New Business of Design

As costs rise and margins tighten, architects and designers are being forced to rethink how projects are priced, scaled, and delivered. This panel explores how economic pressure is reshaping not just the business of design but the future of the built environment itself.

This is about the invisible forces shaping visible outcomes. Budget, scale, and efficiency aren’t back-end issues they determine what gets built, who it’s for, and how it performs.

While design and architectural discourse often prioritizes aesthetic output, the structural integrity of a project is fundamentally dictated by “invisible” logistical drivers, specifically budget, scale, and efficiency, which function not as administrative constraints, but as the primary determinants of a project’s social reach, physical performance, and ultimate viability.

  • Economy of scale vs. customization: where design wins or loses
  • The disappearing middle: luxury vs. attainable housing
  • Value engineering: smart refinement or design erosion?
  • Developer-driven decisions and their impact on design quality
  • How economic pressure is influencing materiality and innovation
  • Diversifying Revenue Streams for Designers

Speakers:

Viki Chupik – Chupik Design

Harper Halperin –  AAHA Studio

Kristen Thomas Studio Thomas

Alexis Vitale – Vitale Design Group

Navigating Budget Pressures: How Designers Maintain Creative Integrity Amid Economic Shifts

Rising costs, severe supply chain delays, and unpredictable tariffs are forcing a major shift in modern residential design. As inflation impacts everything from raw materials to specialized labor, interior designers and architects find themselves navigating a complex economic landscape. The challenge is no longer just managing a project’s aesthetics; it is maintaining creative control and design integrity when client budgets face unexpected pressure.

One of the primary drivers of modern budget expansion is the dramatic evolution of residential scope. A decade ago, a high-end kitchen renovation often focused on updating a central work triangle with premium finishes and high-end appliances. Today, client expectations routinely encompass multi-functional layouts featuring sculleries, secondary pantries, integrated coffee stations, wine bars, and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. When these expanded desires meet systemic cost increases across paints, coatings, and imported goods, even substantial initial budgets can quickly become strained.

To navigate these dynamics effectively, design professionals rely on clear communication and proactive planning. Guiding clients through realistic, itemized projections before work begins prevents budget shock as scope naturally expands. Moving away from rigid fixed-fee structures toward clear hourly billing ensures that administrative tasks, vendor coordination, and extensive site management are accurately accounted for. When clients expand project boundaries mid-stream, providing structured budget addendums maintains financial transparency and project alignment without creating friction later in the process.

When cost pressures mount, maintaining design quality requires strategic flexibility rather than blanket sacrifices in material quality. Experienced designers leverage their deep industry knowledge and wholesale relationships to protect the visual and functional goals of a project without resorting to sub-par alternatives. Rather than compromising on core elements, practitioners prioritize high-impact focal points—such as primary living areas or key custom architectural features—while thoughtfully specifying cost-effective, high-quality alternatives in supporting secondary spaces. Direct manufacturer relationships and established trade networks provide the necessary leverage to secure favorable terms when unforeseen financial adjustments are required.

Furthermore, successful project outcomes depend heavily on building client trust. Clients routinely arrive with curated social media feeds and unrealistic expectations driven by online trends or direct-to-consumer promises. Translating those visual desires into durable, functional reality requires professional authority. Designers must help clients distinguish between true manufacturing quality and superficial marketing, steering them toward choices that deliver long-term value.

Ultimately, navigating budget collapse is a masterclass in professional problem-solving and adaptive execution. By pairing transparent client communication with strategic sourcing and institutional knowledge, design professionals preserve both the creative vision of their work and the long-term value delivered to the client. When designers stand firm on their expertise while offering practical financial pathways, they turn potential project hurdles into demonstrations of their true value.

When Clients Cut the Budget | Design Under Pressure: Protecting Integrity When Budgets Collapse


Budget cuts are inevitable but design compromise doesn’t have to be. This panel examines how architects and designers can maintain vision, quality, and intent when financial realities threaten to strip projects down.

Conflict drives this conversation. Where do you hold the line and where do you bend?

While financial constraints are often viewed as barriers to creative expression, strategic design resilience allows architects and designers to preserve the integrity of their original vision; by prioritizing intent-driven decision-making and innovative resource allocation, professionals can safeguard project quality and long-term value even in the face of inevitable budget reductions.

  • The art of strategic compromise vs. reactive value engineering
  • Communicating design value in financial terms clients understand
  • Material substitutions: maintaining intent without losing performance
  • When to walk away: defining non-negotiables
  • Case studies: projects that survived (or didn’t) budget cuts

Designing Under Pressure: How Elite Creatives Protect Their Vision Amid Budget Erosion

As inflation and massive surcharges squeeze project margins, designers are leveraging trade relationships, itemized budgeting boundaries, and global sourcing to maintain integrity without compromising their value.

The Reality of Modern Budgeting: The landscape of high-end design has shifted dramatically over the past decade. A luxury kitchen is no longer defined by three appliances in a work triangle; it now encompasses sculleries, butler’s pantries, coffee bars, and integrated indoor/outdoor aesthetics. Simultaneously, material costs have skyrocketed (e.g., paint and coatings have increased roughly 200% since 2022), creating a steep disconnect between client expectations and real-world costs.

Leveraging Industry Relationships Over Retail Compromises: Rather than sourcing from lower-tier retail outlets when budgets tighten, elite designers rely heavily on trusted wholesale vendors and subcontractors. By leveraging years of goodwill, designers can sometimes secure deeper discounts (e.g., an extra 20–25% off) to keep specified, high-quality materials in the project rather than resorting to low-quality alternatives.

The “All-In” Design & Itemized Phase Strategy: To manage clients who continuously add scope while expecting the budget to remain static, a highly effective strategy is to design the space with all the “bells and whistles” first. Presenting a fully itemized budget sheet allows the client to decide exactly where their capped budget (e.g., $200,000) goes, leaving the remaining elements to be ordered as a later phase when they raise more funds.

High-Low “Wiggle Room” and Brand Tiering: Operating strictly in the wholesale market allows designers to maintain a healthy markup margin, which provides “wiggle room” to play strategic mind games when value engineering. For example, a designer might specify a high-end brand like Brizo for the primary bathroom but quietly swap to its sister brand, Delta Faucet, for guest bathrooms to save money without sacrificing the aesthetic finish.

The Shifting Focus to Sourcing From the Source: Faced with extreme lead times and high domestic costs, designers are increasingly bypassing traditional luxury distributors to establish direct relationships with overseas manufacturers. Sourcing directly from factories (such as in Asia) can yield incredibly high-quality custom furniture (e.g., soft-close drawers, pristine wood veneers) at a fraction of the domestic price, transforming a potential budget-cut loss into a high-margin opportunity.

Client Education and the Power of Confidence: Maintaining design integrity ultimately hinges on designer confidence and setting firm boundaries. Educating clients beforehand—often through social media—about trusting the design process is crucial. Additionally, utilizing strict hourly billing for all communications, sample ordering, and travel ensures the designer’s time and expertise are respected and paid for.

 

Speakers:

Jason Lai – JL Interiors

Laura Brophy – Trophy Interiors

Joe Meringolo – JMS Project Management

Gary Drake – Gary Drake Construction

Navigating Budget Pressures: How Designers Maintain Creative Integrity Amid Economic Shifts

Rising costs, severe supply chain delays, and unpredictable tariffs are forcing a major shift in modern residential design. As inflation impacts everything from raw materials to specialized labor, interior designers and architects find themselves navigating a complex economic landscape. The challenge is no longer just managing a project’s aesthetics; it is maintaining creative control and design integrity when client budgets face unexpected pressure.

One of the primary drivers of modern budget expansion is the dramatic evolution of residential scope. A decade ago, a high-end kitchen renovation often focused on updating a central work triangle with premium finishes and high-end appliances. Today, client expectations routinely encompass multi-functional layouts featuring sculleries, secondary pantries, integrated coffee stations, wine bars, and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. When these expanded desires meet systemic cost increases across paints, coatings, and imported goods, even substantial initial budgets can quickly become strained.

To navigate these dynamics effectively, design professionals rely on clear communication and proactive planning. Guiding clients through realistic, itemized projections before work begins prevents budget shock as scope naturally expands. Moving away from rigid fixed-fee structures toward clear hourly billing ensures that administrative tasks, vendor coordination, and extensive site management are accurately accounted for. When clients expand project boundaries mid-stream, providing structured budget addendums maintains financial transparency and project alignment without creating friction later in the process.

When cost pressures mount, maintaining design quality requires strategic flexibility rather than blanket sacrifices in material quality. Experienced designers leverage their deep industry knowledge and wholesale relationships to protect the visual and functional goals of a project without resorting to sub-par alternatives. Rather than compromising on core elements, practitioners prioritize high-impact focal points—such as primary living areas or key custom architectural features—while thoughtfully specifying cost-effective, high-quality alternatives in supporting secondary spaces. Direct manufacturer relationships and established trade networks provide the necessary leverage to secure favorable terms when unforeseen financial adjustments are required.

Furthermore, successful project outcomes depend heavily on building client trust. Clients routinely arrive with curated social media feeds and unrealistic expectations driven by online trends or direct-to-consumer promises. Translating those visual desires into durable, functional reality requires professional authority. Designers must help clients distinguish between true manufacturing quality and superficial marketing, steering them toward choices that deliver long-term value.

Ultimately, navigating budget collapse is a masterclass in professional problem-solving and adaptive execution. By pairing transparent client communication with strategic sourcing and institutional knowledge, design professionals preserve both the creative vision of their work and the long-term value delivered to the client. When designers stand firm on their expertise while offering practical financial pathways, they turn potential project hurdles into demonstrations of their true value.

Beyond the Buzzwords: Redefining Purpose, Intent, and Longevity in Modern Design

As residential architecture and interior design enter a new era, the industry is witnessing a profound shift in how spaces are conceived, structured, and inhabited. The overarching movement defining this evolution is clear: moving far beyond surface-level trends to embrace long-term purpose, intent, and authentic livability. While design concepts often begin as exciting innovations, they frequently spiral into hyper-commercialized hype. Today, discerning clients and forward-thinking designers are stepping back from the marketing noise to ask a fundamental question: How do we construct environments that transcend buzzwords and truly support human well-being?

For years, the design narrative was dominated by the visual polish of social media feeds, characterized by endless arrays of stark white kitchens and rigid open-concept layouts. However, a significant cultural reaction is now well underway. Clients are actively moving away from sterile, cookie-cutter environments in search of homes that offer emotional resonance, rich texture, and a genuine sense of grounding. People no longer want a space that merely looks good on a screen; they want an environment that reflects their identity and supports their daily life.

This evolution is particularly evident in how wellness is being incorporated into the home. Rather than treating health integration as simply adding luxury amenities like saunas, steam rooms, or cold plunges, designers are focusing on foundational, sensory elements. True wellness centers on non-toxic materials, natural fibers, acoustic comfort, and circadian lighting. It also means strengthening the connection between indoor living areas and outdoor landscapes, creating spaces that feel restorative rather than overwhelming.

At the same time, the functional layout of the home is undergoing a massive transformation. The traditional concept of the kitchen as a simple work triangle has expanded into a complex network of specialized zones. Main kitchens, working pantries, prep stations, and dedicated beverage bars now reflect more nuanced, intentional lifestyles. However, with this expansion comes the absolute necessity for a thoughtful design edit. More technology, more appliances, and more square footage do not inherently create a better living space.

In fact, many homeowners are expressing noticeable fatigue with overly complex smart home systems and hidden digital interfaces. There is a growing desire to return to tactile simplicity, intuitive controls, and dedicated spaces that allow residents to disconnect from constant digital noise. Whether creating quiet reading rooms free of electronics or designing spaces tailored to specific accessibility needs, the focus has returned to how a house actually functions on a human level.

Ultimately, designing for the future of living requires a steadfast return to core purpose. By balancing specialized functionality with spatial clarity, designers can move past short-lived trends to create enduring environments. When homes are built with deep intention, they do more than keep up with the times; they protect personal autonomy, foster genuine connection, and stand as lasting sanctuaries for the people who inhabit them.

The Eco-Algorithm: How AI, Technology and Mother Nature are Redefining the Modern Home | Defining the New Narrative of Organic Intelligence

Artificial intelligence excels at computing millions of geometric variations in seconds, yet it completely lacks the biological history embedded in the human nervous system. This panel explores how design professionals can leverage algorithmic power to execute complex, nature-inspired systems without losing the human intuition required to curate sensory, health-focused spaces. Call it Natural Analogues, Neuroaesthetics, Fractal Fluency or Spacial Hierarchy, as technology automates traditional execution within the modern studio, the future of design shifts toward a hybrid orchestration of machine efficiency and evolutionary biology. By utilizing advanced tools to calculate complex fractal geometries and optimize environmental wellness, the indispensable designer pivots from a traditional draftsman to a somatic curator, using technology to deepen the primal human connection to architecture.

As artificial intelligence automates traditional execution within the modern studio, the future of design lies in algorithmic animism, the hybrid orchestration of machine efficiency and evolutionary biology. By leveraging AI to calculate complex fractal geometries and optimize environmental wellness, the indispensable designer pivots from a draftsman to a somatic curator, using technology to deepen, rather than dilute, the primal human connection to biophilia in design and architecture.

The Fractal Bridge and Human Intuition

The discussion opens by looking at fractals, the repeating self-similar patterns found throughout nature in elements like ferns, coastlines, and snowflakes, which studies indicate can reduce human stress levels by up to 60 percent. Generating true fractal architecture by hand has historically been incredibly labor-intensive, but emerging parametric tools can now instantly calculate and generate these complex, organic geometries.

The conversation then bridges into deep biophilia, moving far beyond surface-level design elements to address evolutionary human needs like circadian light cycles, natural air flow, and organic materials. While artificial intelligence can effortlessly optimize a blueprint for precise solar alignment and ventilation, it operates purely on data points. Panelists will analyze why human empathy and intuition remain irreplaceable when translating those data points into real-world experiences, such as understanding how a specific sunrise glare impacts a client’s morning mood.

Algorithmic Wellness in the Home

The next segment explores the shifting paradigm of the home from a static shelter to an active wellness ecosystem engineered to reduce cortisol, improve sleep quality, and foster mental clarity.

Modern technology allows designers to monitor, simulate, and predict how environmental changes inside a home will impact human biology over time. Panelists will discuss how designers turn those predictive simulations into tactile realities, selecting the precise textures, scents, and spatial flows required to transform a house into a true sanctuary.

Amplifying Impact through Bio-Digital Synergy

The final section focuses on the practical application of bio-digital synergy, exploring how designers and architects can actively combine artificial intelligence with natural principles to elevate the impact of their work. Rather than viewing technology and nature as opposing forces, this segment highlights how algorithms can serve as an extension of natural evolutionary logic.

We examine how generative design can analyze local ecosystems to suggest native building materials, simulate natural weathering patterns over decades, and create structures that age harmoniously with their environment. By utilizing AI to decode the complex physics of the natural world, creators can transcend standard building codes and build spaces that actively restore both local ecology and human vitality.

Speakers:

Joshua Dawson 

Rachel Joy Victor

Kevin Toukoumidis dSpace Studio

Christopher Grubb – Arch Interioprs

Dr. Greg Brisson, MD

High-Tech, High-Touch: Why the Future of Spatial Design Demands Human Intuition

In an era where generative tools can draft floor plans in seconds and synthesize photorealistic renderings on demand, the spatial design industry stands at a critical threshold. As artificial intelligence reshapes the creative workflow, design professionals are left confronting a pivotal question: How do we harness rapidly advancing technology while preserving the essential human and natural connections that define meaningful space?

This core tension served as the foundation for a preview session brought together by host Josh Cooperman ahead of the WestEdge Design Fair. Gathering a cross-disciplinary panel—including interior designer Christopher Grubb (Arc Interiors Design Group), spatial economist and strategist Rachel Joy Victor, UNESCO AI Ethics Fellow and speculative designer Joshua Dawson, architect Kevin Kamony (dSPACE Studio), and physician and neuroarchitecture consultant Dr. Greg Brisson—the group explored how AI, biophilia, and human behavior intersect in the future of living.

Beyond the Buzzwords: AI as an Augmentation, Not an Alternative

While anxiety persists across the trade regarding automation and shifting client expectations, the panel emphasized that AI is not a replacement for professional vision. Clients increasingly arrive at initial consultations with pre-generated AI imagery rather than traditional mood boards. However, generating an impressive visual is fundamentally different from executing a buildable, human-centered environment.

Rather than competing with automated tools, the future belongs to designers who learn to direct them. AI excels at rapid iteration, data synthesis, and technical drafting, but it lacks emotional nuance, context, and human intuition. When guided by experienced professionals, smart technology becomes an efficient collaborator—freeing designers to focus on creative strategy, spatial storytelling, and client relationships.

Grounding High-Tech Workflows in Neuroarchitecture

As technology becomes more ubiquitous in daily life, the human need for nature-inspired, grounded environments grows exponentially. A central theme of the panel focused on neuroarchitecture and biophilic design—the practice of designing built environments that align with human biology and evolutionary psychology.

Dr. Greg Brisson highlighted the physiological disconnect between modern indoor living and human evolution. Thoughtful integration of natural light, organic geometries, acoustic dampening, and authentic materials provides a measurable counterbalance to screen fatigue and ambient stress. Technology should operate invisibly in the background, shaping environments that actively support mental clarity, physical well-being, and cognitive health.

Protecting the Human Element in the Built Environment

As spatial design becomes more automated, the value of physical human connection only increases. Designing a home or commercial space is an inherently personal, tactile endeavor. An algorithm can predict spatial efficiency, but it cannot understand the subjective memory a client associates with a specific texture, view, or light quality.

The consensus among the WestEdge panelists was clear: the goal is not to resist technological progress, but to anchor it in purpose and intent. By pairing data-driven AI capabilities with deep biophilic principles and human empathy, architects and designers can create spaces that are not only technologically advanced, but fundamentally enriching to live in.

Beyond the Swipe: Designing for Permanence in a Trend-Obsessed World: The Longevity Audit

In an era obsessed with virality and fleeting digital fads, how do we design spaces built to endure? A deep-dive debate on rejecting the Instagram trap, mastering material intelligence, and identifying the micro-trends worth keeping—and the ones to skip.

While contemporary design is often hijacked by the pursuit of digital virality, true architectural and interior permanence requires a deliberate shift toward context, craft, and emotional resonance. By auditing current design movements through the lens of time rather than clicks, designers can successfully navigate client expectations, embrace meaningful innovation, and craft spaces that maintain their functional and emotional relevance for decades.

Speakers:

Lisa Price -Lisa Price Interiors

Matthew Tirschwell, Tirschwell Lighting Design

Paul Willager – Willager Architects

Joseph Spierer – Joseph Spieler Architects

In a design landscape dominated by the endless scroll of social media, spaces are increasingly created for the quick double-tap rather than the slow passage of time. Hyper-viral aesthetics flare up overnight, turning living rooms into temporary photo backdrops that date themselves almost as quickly as the algorithms shift. Designing for true permanence requires an intentional departure from digital validation, grounding architecture and interiors in context, craft, and emotional resonance.

The Philosophy of Permanence | The Materiality of Time: Rejecting Fast Design for True Architectural Permanence

Creating a timeless space begins with understanding what makes an environment feel anchored. Long before a room is furnished, its longevity is dictated by scale, natural light, and a deep connection to its physical surroundings. Historic architecture endures not because it avoids stylistic choices, but because it relies on fundamental proportion and localized materials that respond directly to climate and environment.

The greatest challenge facing contemporary designers is guiding clients away from the “Instagram trap.” When homeowners present mood boards composed entirely of viral trends, the designer’s role becomes one of active translation—shifting the focus from what looks impressive on a screen to how a room actually feels to inhabit. True luxury is personal; it reflects the identity and history of the people living inside it rather than an algorithmic template.

The Materiality of Time

Material selection is the most critical factor in determining whether a space ages gracefully or simply wears out. Fast design relies heavily on cheap, synthetic composite surfaces that look immaculate upon installation but deteriorate rapidly under daily wear.

Designing for permanence requires embracing materials that earn a natural patina over time.

  • Authentic Stones & Timber: Natural marble, limestone, and solid hardwood tell a story as they age, absorbing the life lived around them rather than showing wear as a defect.
  • Living Finishes: Unlacquered brass, copper, and hand-forged metals evolve through touch, continually adding depth to a home’s physical palette.

While authentic craftsmanship and raw, unadulterated materials require a higher initial investment, their long-term return on investment is undeniable. Replacing low-grade, mass-produced fixtures every five to seven years carries both a financial burden and an environmental cost. Investing in quality construction ensures the physical envelope of a home outlives fleeting market cycles.

Distinguishing Passing Fads from Future Classics

Not all emerging ideas are inherently bad; the key lies in auditing trends through the lens of duration. Hyper-viral aesthetics—such as stark, unlivable monochromatic rooms or overly specific, single-use novelty spaces—date rapidly because they prioritize novelty over everyday function.

Conversely, an evolving staple addresses a genuine human need. The widespread return to richer textures, warmer earth tones, and biophilic integrations is not merely a passing phase; it is a direct corrective to years of sterile, cold minimalism.

When clients do want to engage with a current trend, the solution is strategic layering. Architectural shell elements—walls, millwork, flooring, and primary stone—should always remain classic and enduring. Accent lighting, soft goods, paint, and loose accessories allow homeowners to experiment with temporary visual language without compromising the long-term integrity of the architecture.

Frances Anderton | 607 | Our August 2025 Convo By Design Icon Registry Inductee

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When I was growing up, radio was my solace. I loved it so much that I chose it for my career. I can remember being 10 years old with my transistor radio listening to 10Q and KHJ. Later, it was KLOS, KMET, KNAC and KROQ. The call letters were cool, the music and bands remain bookmarks in my life. I can pretty much tell you how old I was, where I was and what was going on by the songs. But my friends were the dj’s. Jeff Goner, Steve Downs, Bob Coburn, Rita Wilde, Dangerous Darren, Richard Blade, Rodney on the Rock. It was the people who told the stories about the music, the bands and what was happening behind the scenes. Many of us love design and architecture in the same way. And on that rare occasion when there is a combination of the two, well that’s special. And this months induction into the Convo By Design Icon Registry is one such individual. This person is truly special and I have had the good fortune to work with her on a number of occasions. 

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

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

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

LOME-AI.com, simple, inexpensive, text to video harnessing the power of AI to grow your firm, beautifully.

Frances Anderton describes herself, “I tell stories and distill ideas about design, architecture and the cityscape of Los Angeles through print, broadcast media, exhibitions and public events.” All true, and she has the street crew to back that up. What Frances didn’t mention is that she herself is part of the zeitgeist of Los Angeles. Nor would she, that would be weird. But one of the most wonderful things about Frances is her willingness to get into a topic and chop it up, refine it, reorganize it and play with it until she has boiled it’s very essence into something consumable by anyone who with a modicum of interest. That is special. 

To celebrate Frances and her induction into the Convo By Design Icon Registry, I want to reshare her moderating a panel conversation that aired on Convo By Design in 2015. Frances was a fixture for the 2-years that the West Hollywood Design District produced a wonderful event called DIEM, which stands for design intersects everything made. The programs were curated by Mallory Roberts Morgan, another remarkable LA gem of an individual. You don’t know this, but you will in a minute… Mallory and Frances were huge influences on me as I launched the show in 2013 and for the first few years. Quite simply, I wanted to make people think and question the way they did. To tap into curiosity the way they did. To come up with really interesting angles like Mallory and rip the niceties away so we could really chop it up the way Frances did and does. This panel from 2015 featured, Stephan Simpkowitz, Carolina Miranda and Steven Goldberg. As you listen to this conversation, notice a few things. First, the topic they were discussing a decade ago has since fully matured and blossomed as LA became the global art destination it always wanted to be. Notice too how Frances leverages the talents and skills of her guests in such an effortless way. Quite simply, due to the very nature of this topic, it could have gone a very different way. This conversation is as relevant today as it was then. And Frances is a treasure.

The Convo By Design Icon Registry is presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy Company and best friend to designers and architects everywhere. The business has become more complicated and Pacific Sales reverses that, find out how by checking the links in the show notes.

So there you go, our newly inducted icon and a fantastic conversation from 2015. Thank you Frances, for all you do and all you have given back.  Thank you to my partner sponsors, Design Hardware, TimberTech and Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy company and friend to specifiers near and far. Thanks for listening to Convo By Design. I couldn’t do this without you, wouldn’t want to. I hope this show help you stay motivated, inspired and focused so you can rise above the chaos. –Convo By Design

3 Stories, One Major Event: Live From KBIS | 600 | Sharon Sherman, Jamie Gasparovic and Hannah Goldberg

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Today, we are getting in the way way-way back machine, back to February of this year for a journey to Las Vegas for KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. It’s funny to me that even though this was only a few months back, it feels like a lifetime ago. So much has happened this year. But if you recall, in February, before protests, riots, big bills, big balls, tariffs, and all the rest of the chaotic shenanigans, there was KBIS. It was an extraordinary show this year. Part of that were the conversations that took place. I am going to share three of them with you today:

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

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

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

One event over 3 days, 3 conversations in one episode of the show today and very different perspectives on the industry and design in general.

Sharon Sherman | Thyme & Place

Jamie Gasparovic | Studio Gaspo

Hannah Goldberg | Hannah Charlotte Interiors

Amazing, right? Thank you Sharon, Jamie and Hannah. Thank you to all of the incredible people from KBIS, NKBA, Emerald, Flying Camel, Leeann, Rachael and everyone else who made this experience possible, and made it possible for me to bring it to you. I want to thank my partner sponsors who help make this show possible: Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy Company, TimberTech, and Design Hardware. Thank you for listening, subscribing, and sharing the show with your colleagues. Your support means everything, and it helps grow this conversation across the design community.

Make sure you subscribe to Convo By Design so you never miss an episode. We have more incredible guests, ideas, and conversations coming your way.

Please keep those emails coming. You can reach me directly at convoByDesign@outlook.com, and be part of the conversation on Instagram, @ConvoXDesign—that’s Convo X Design with an “X”..

These are complex issues that requires both deeper thought and immediate action.  I want to thank every one of our expert guests for their insights, time, and passion. We are surrounded by complex issues, are we not? That’s why I have been encouraging you to manage these complicated times. Because it’s real. It’s exhausting. But, from transition, comes opportunity. It is just a matter of thinking about it differently and finding the shiny, glimmering opportunities amongst dark and ominous clouds. So, stay focused and rise above the chaos. – CXD

Just One Word, Are You Listening? Plastics | 549 | The Good Plastics Company featuring Polygood

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One of my favorite things to do is discover new products, another favorite activity of mine is sharing those new products with you. And, that is what we’r going to do today. “Come with me for a minute, I want to talk to you. I just want to say one word to you. Just one word.… Are you listening?…. There’s a great future in plastics, think about it. Will you think about it? Enough said. That’s a deal”

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

That, of course, a favorite quote from The Graduate, but rings true now as it did in 1967. What’s old is new again and you are going to hear all about that today through my conversation with Dr. William Chivhovsky, founder of The Good Plastic Company. I believe the design industry is exposed to more new products and ideas than ever before in an ongoing effort to address the issues clients desperately want resolved. This includes climate change, sustainability, lower costs, improved performance and renewables. All of these subjects are going to be addressed over the next hour during my conversation with William Chivhovsky, founder of The Good Plastics Company and their product line, Polygood.

As we enter a new year, it’s an opportunity for exploration and discovery of the new products coming to market this year. I will be speaking at KBIS this year and cannot tell you how excited I am about that. If you will be in Las Vegas for the show this year, please drop me a note. I am looking for designers and architects to walk the show and report back with some of their favorite finds.

Thank you to my incredible partner/ sponsors; ThermaSol, Design Hardware, pacific Sales, Monogram and TimberTech for your support for the show and the industry as a whole. We are a stronger because of industry partners like you. And of course, thank you for listening to the podcast, subscribing to the show and sharing it with friends and colleagues. Please keep the show and guest suggestions coming, I do appreciate them and do my best to respond to every one.  Convo By Design @ Outlook dot com and on Instagram, convoXDesign, with an “X”.  Thanks again for listening. Happy New Year, make this the year you’ve been hoping it would be. Until the next episode, Stay focused and above the chaos.

Why is it So Hard to Build in California | 527 | How to Prepare in Other States for the Coming Changes

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I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design with a detailed conversation about why it is just so hard to build in California. It’s important to say in advance with listeners all over the world that picking California is the canary in the coal-mine. Which is to say that it is an early indicator of potential issues elsewhere because I think it is fair to say that California tries things first, as a rule.

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

It’s somewhat comforting to know that the Golden State remains a place where new ideas are tested. Unless you happen to be one of the brave individuals who is testing those boundaries. My friend Joan Barton is the founder of Dirty Girl Construction and SheSpoke Studio, a place for creative women to tell their stories. So today, this a Convo By Design takeover featuring Joan and an amazing group of women general contractors telling their war stories about building in Los Angeles in particular and California in general. And if you are in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Texas, well, maybe not Texas, but everywhere else, the concepts are on their way to your town soon so give this a listen. Thank you Joan for lading this amazing talk with some extraordinary GC’s, all women and some of the best in the business including; Shannon Sheehan, Laura Howley, Catherine Springer, and Catie Casazza. This was recorded live during the winter 2024 Day of Design event at Design Hardware  and you are going to hear all about it.

My friend and the moderator of the following conversation is Joan Barton of Dirty Girl Construction. Not only is Joan a multi-hyphenate creative. She a GC, musician, creative thinker, futurist, but she is also a terrific person. Wonderful and talented people are often surrounded by other wonderful and talented people, birds of a feather… as the saying goes.  I’m not going to get into introductions , I’m going to let Joan do that part, but here’s what II will say about the following episode of the show. This is an important conversation because many of the reasons it is so challenging to build in California are due to the popularity of the state. This popularity and resulting overcrowding combined with a movement toward self-preservation combine with over zealous governance and natural disasters have led to bloated yet dysfunctional metropolitan management and over-regulation combined with material shortages. It’s a lot and it takes someone very special to articulate it and get to the bottom of it and you’re going to hear from her, them actually, right after this.

Thank you, Joan, Catie, Shannon, and Lauren for taking the time to share your thoughts. 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

 

A Day of Creative Conversations featuring Women in Essential and Luxury Design from Around the U.S. | 524 | LIVE from Design Hardware in LA, May 2024

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I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design with a group of exceptional designers from our Day of Design gathering in Los Angeles in May 2024.

I think designers and architects provide a service that simply cannot be measured in terms of dollars and cents. Especially in an era of fast content, social media perspective that creates a social dysmorphia. We have all become so inextricably tied to the internet and social media that it is truly difficult to differentiate reality form make believe. The following conversations feature designers who met me at Design Hardware in LA for a day of creative thinking and sharing of dynamic design ideas that are shaping the way we design in 2024. 

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 have found that f you gather creative types and provide the platform for them to showcase their individual approach to the work, some universal concepts begin to form and you have the opportunity to see what really makes these people special. The reason skilled designers can do what they do is because they possess the ability to silence the noise and focus in on true needs and desires of their clients. This is how they do it.

Letecia Ellis Haywood

Alina Wolhardt

Susie Novak

Mary Patton

Lauren Martin Moro

So much fun, right? Thank you, Lauren, Amy, Letecia, Alina, Mary, Susie. It was not my intent, but this turned out to be an amazing showcase of women designers who are setting the tone for the next phase of our design renaissance! Thank you for taking the time to share your story. I enjoyed our conversation and cannot wait to see what you do next. 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

Soie de Lune | 510 | Daniel Marcus & Jonathan Michaud on Modern Textiles and Respecting the Ancient Artistry

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I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design. Today, you are going to hear from Daniel Marcus – CEO and Jonathan Michaud – Head of Design of Soie de Lune. Like everything in life, this podcast has changed over the years, I have changed over the years, the business of design and those who contribute have changed which is why I love to begin with the origin stories of the guests who join me for these conversations. You’ll hear why.

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

What is really fun about the following chat is that the loom really hasn’t changed all that much. The yarns have. But the loom has not. Textiles are magical. The materiality of a fine silk, the texture, colors and ability to create is one of the concepts that allows designers to create exceptional spaces that differentiate based on color, shape and pattern, for sure but also the experiential nature of the space that allows clients to add that additional senses of touch and smell. This conversation covers all of the above and more. One of the concepts explored is how this company is addressing the challenges of achieving balance between modern design requirements and and the artisanal nature of weaving. Love this and I think you will to. We’ll get to it, right after this.

Thank you Daniel and Jonathan for taking the time to join me for this. Thank you to my partner sponsors ThermaSol, Design Hardware, Pacific Sales, Monogram and TimberTech. Thank you for your considerable support of the design industry and those who comprise it.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to listen to the show. This thing of ours is amazing. 11 years strong and I could not do this without you. Please keep those emails coming, Convo By Design at Outlook.com. Reach out on Instagram as well. Tell me if there is a designer you would like to learn more about and we’ll see if we can make that happen. Thank you for listening, downloading and subscribing. Until the next episode, be well, and take today first. -CXD

Tulsa Remote Design House – Rose Gold feat. John McClain | 412 | A Sophisticated, Lasting and A Spectacular Space by One of the Most Talented Designers Working Today

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I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design. We are talking about the Remote Design House in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This episode features a tremendous talent and incredible friend, John McClain.

In the last episode of the show featuring this new design house project in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you heard about and from designer Gail Davis. This episode features John McClain and his work on Rose’s Room. First, a reminder about this project.

Designer Resources

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Episode 271 featuring Mitch Altman

Moya Living –  Beautiful, durable powder coated kitchen, bath & outdoor kitchen cabinetry

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

The pandemic created a forced shelter-in-place which affected home and office design more than most other industries. 

The core ideas of both home and office have changed forever. And rightfully so. At the same time, the very nature of what architects and designers do hasn’t changed at all, while their means, methods, processes and procedures certainly have. The remote nature of this design house is in direct response to designers responding to clients that they could not see in person at the time and, for those who have left their current city or state but love their designer and want to remain with them. If I live in Los Angeles and move to Aspen, I might want my designer to to work on my project. But if my designer doesn’t know how to work remotely, or virtually, that can and will be a problem. 

Remote Design is the practice of working in one place on a project in another. 

Virtual Design is the process of working on a project that does not currently exist. Thank of it as an idea without a physical embodiment.

The Remote Design House – Tulsa is a real project, using real designers who will never physically step foot in the project house. All the work is being done virtually, and remotely with local trades and artisans doing the work. 

This project will also not have tours and there are no tickets for events or parties. No matter where you are listening to this, you will have access to the final project through videos, before and after segments, product features and an intimate look at the project house, neighborhood and City of Tulsa.

Side note. I was recently in Los Angeles for a design event in May and as I was telling many in the trade about the project, the Mose common response was, “eww, why Tulsa.” This has been a common response since I started planning this project in 2020. There is a visceral, negative response to the idea of Tulsa, Oklahoma and the Midwest from many I have met in LA, New York, Tab Francisco and the other “high style” design destinations. My response is always the same, “oh, when was the last time you were in Tulsa?” Not a single person with that response has ever been to Tulsa because had they been, they would know what a special city this is. Which is exactly why it was selected over Austin, Nashville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Seattle and Denver. Nothing against those cities, but Tulsa is special and over the next year, you are going to find out why.

The Family | The Jennings’s, Michael (45), Rachael (42) and their children, Davis (19) and Rose (17) are transplants from New York City. The family learned that they could work remotely from anywhere in the country and sought out a city where they could slow down, focus on family and still grow their business, make friends, finish high school and pursue a higher quality of life. The desire was to slow down, focus and decrease the rat race pace and find their space.

Michael is a TV producer. He is an avid cook, not a chef. He enjoys his work but is looking for ways to separate himself from doing it 24/7/365. Michael is connected (media) and looks for ways to disconnect, spend time volunteering coach youth sports and engaging in creative endeavors. This includes building and refinishing furniture.

Rachael is in sales. She manages a territory across the US and does the majority of her work online but travels about 5 times a year to industry trade shows. Rachel enjoys reading, yoga and quiet meditation. She is an avid baker who loves spending time in the kitchen and enjoys spending time with the family.

Davis is a college student, attending school on the east coast. While his room is not occupied year-round, when he is at home, he spends countless hours on research projects. He spends time gaming with his college friends around the country and enjoys reading, golf and computer training events.

Rose is a senior in high school. She is a highly accomplished athlete. She plays club soccer and lacrosse and debate competitions. Rose misses her friends back home and looks forward to playing host when they come to town and visit her. There are times when she is often exhausted and physically beat up from long tournament weekends. She spends long hours doing research papers and studying so her workspace needs to be both functional and comfortable. She is fashion forward and cherishes her personal space as teenage girls do.

The home is American Colonial built in 1936. This is a unique property with a park setting and Tulsa’s Crow Creek running though the back yard. Project rooms include; Living Room, Kitchen/ Dining Room, Michel and Rachael’s Room, Rose’s Room, Davis’s Room, Club Room, Guest Quarters w/ Sunroom, Office. All bedrooms are en-suites.

John McClain of John McClain Design is also a long time friend and by far the most business savvy designers working in the business today. Pair that with his tremendous talent and you have a complete deign professional whose work stops those who love design in their tracks.

John McClain is an accomplished interior designer, speaker, writer, and on-air contributor who has turned his lifetime passion for interior design into an opportunity to do the same for others. As a young man, John’s interest in creating beautiful spaces was sparked by his family’s talent in home building and renovations.

Soon, John began remodeling and redesigning home after home and combined a trade taught by his family with his natural aesthetic ability. Shortly after his career launch, John appeared on HGTV; and through this experience, his personality and design perspective were visible to a larger audience, and he was soon designing homes across the country. Next, John joined a prestigious interior design firm/furniture design company in Los Angeles, CA. Here, John gained an appreciation for the sophisticated west coast design style while collaborating on designs for many LA homes-including several celebrity clients. John also fueled his passion for custom furniture design-learning the ins and outs of quality craftsmanship and unique designs, eventually leading to his own home furnishings company, John McClain Home. John McClain Design is a well-crafted blend of John’s past design experience, education, and innovative-forward thinking.

John selected Rose’s Room and he infused it with glamour, style and a luxurious functionality that allows for work, study, fun, games, dreaming, relaxing and growing in a single space. It is so wonderful and I cannot wait to share it with you. 

There you go, that is John McClain and I want you to notice a few things. John is resolute in his talents, style and abilities. That is not arrogant or cocky. John spends a great deal of time studying his craft, knowledge base of materials colors and finishes. Basically, John does the work and it shows in his design. That is the next superpower of the most talented designers. An unquenchable thirst for knowledge, a curiosity that leads to a superior base of knowledge. Why is this important? It provides:

  • A full understanding of what is available, and the performance of the product and materials.
  • An  understanding of the longevity of the idea. Is it a trend, a fad, or, is it something that will resonate for the duration of the design itself. This brings up another concept. Design is NOT forever. There is lasting style and classics but don’t mistake that to believe that the design is going to be forever. Nothing is. Everything has a lifespan. Architects design for 75, 100, maybe 200 years. Designers tend to create for 10, 15 or 20. Daily use furnishings and rugs will not last that long before recovering or restoration is needed. Keep that in mind.
  • Securing the best material quality available so when that sofa does reach the end of its life, it can be recovered, and reimagined to reflect the ideas of the day. A good designer sees that potential.
  • Superior designers who know their business are truly futurists. By that I mean they can look into the future based on what is happening today and predict how developing trends in design might affect other elements of the design. In this case, John designed for a 17 year old girl who will take this design concept with her when she gets her own place. And that design concept will craft her future design ideas and desires. Brilliant really.

So, it’s such a gift to have a great designer, but that’s not always enough. You need good product partners too. The pandemic and later, supply chain issues, inflation and staffing has put a white hot spotlight on the design industries product and manufacturing companies as well as the designers themselves. Not all the businesses in our industry were prepared for what happened, nor were they prepared for what would be required to keep clients and designers happy. We had some specification issues on this project and not every partner responded the same.

There was a console specified. The cost of the console was $2,000. The shipping, added later was $5,000. That is not a mistake, $5,000 to ship a $2,000 console. Needless to say, we cancelled that and found local artisan n Tulsa to craft one that that captured the original idea and I think it really did in the end. The materials used on this console were all reclaimed materials and that too felt pretty good. So, locally made by a local Tulsa, delivered locally and crafted of locally reclaimed materials. Oh, and it was delivered for about 20% of the cost of the other product. Not 20% less, 20% of the total cost. It required local research on my end and input form John. But it really worked.

There was one issue that really did not sit well and it had to do with the window coverings. We had a local workroom craft them but the materials came another vendor. The original order was not correct and the service required to fix it was less than stellar. Love the material, but will not be using that vendor again. Know your vendors and build that relationship even if you are not ordering from them now, it will pay off in the end.

Shop the Space:

York Wallcoverings – Wallpaper

Benjamin Moore, Simply White

DVKAP – Custom Curtains & Throw 

Leftbank Art

CFC Chair

918 Reklaimed – Console

Jaipur – Rugs/ Pouf

Noir – Dresser

Noir – Lamp

Noir – Cosmopolitan Accent Table

Noir – Chandelier

Noir – Bed

 

Thank you, John for your time and talent. Your incredible and amazing vision. Thank you to Convo By Design partners and sponsors; ThermaSol, York Wallcoverings, Moya Living, Design Hardware. And thank you for listening and subscribing to Convo By Design. I so appreciate that you take me with you on your drives, hikes, workouts all the other places where you listen to your podcasts. For more stories from the Remote Design House – Tulsa and interviews, panels and design events, please make sure you are subscribing to the show. Remember why you do what you do and take today first. -CXD

Designer & Artist Ann Jackson | 394 | Transitioning Artistic Vision into A Truly Representative Product Line

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I’m Josh Cooperman, this is Convo By Design. How’s your day going so far? Well, I hope. And I think it’s about to get a little bit better.  you are about to hear my conversation with artist and wallcoverings creator, Ann Jackson.

If I have learned anything on this journey that you and I take every week for the past 10 years, it’s that designers, architects, artists, product manufacturers and the rest of you that make up the D&A community, you make the world a better place to be. You do so by crafting things and ideas that make life better because you make living better.. I hope you never forget that. It’s easy to do, especially when a new election cycle comes around and focus changes, it can get dark. So I am hoping to bring you back to the light for an hour or so at a time. This week, we are hearing from Ann Jackson. Ann is an artist and creator/ purveyor of fine wallcoverings. She is from Dallas, Texas, my second home and what I love most about Ann and her work is that she takes an artists approach to wallcoverings. She built her company around it and if you haven’t been introduced to Ann and her work yet, you’re welcome. Enjoy this conversation with Ann Jackson.

Designer Resources

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience

Article, great style is easy. It’s the best way to buy beautiful modern furniture

York Wallcoverings – Designed to inspire for over 125 years

Franz Viegener – Finely crafted sculptural faucets

Moya Living –  Beautiful, durable powder coated kitchen, bath & outdoor kitchen cabinetry

So great, thank you Ann for taking the time to speak with me. Special thanks to CXD sponsors and partners ThermaSol, Moya Living, York Wallcoverings, Franz Viegenr and Article Furniture. Thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule to listen to Convo By Design. I produce this show for you. Those in the design industry to hear what others are doing and hopefully provide you with some inspiration to do that thing you do. Remember why and for whom you craft and create. Please subscribe to the show so you don’t miss an episode, you can find us everywhere you get your favorite podcasts. Thank you, have a great week and take today first. -CXD

A Return to Wonderfully Whimsical Wallpaper | 344 | Area Environments President, Diane Perry

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This is Convo By Design and on the show today you are going to hear about a company that is changing the way you look, design and style the verticals, the upstanding barriers…. Yeah, we’re talking about wallpaper.

So much has changed when it comes to design in general over the past 10 years, but dramatic changes in wall coverings have been a major focus for many creatives who were actively seeking new design frontiers to conquer. I would say the last major developments in wallpaper came in the 1970’s with new and experimental colors, metallic and flocks. 

Interesting to note that wallpaper dates back to the 16th century, much of which was used to design the interiors of cabinetry. By the 20th century, it was ubiquitous. Designs were simple at first, floral motifs to make the repeat an easier process. Block printed with different colors stamped over the last to create the desired effect. 

Over time, the process in Europe got to be incredibly intricate and quality control got better. Flocks became popular using a powdered wool that was the byproduct of the wool industry. Think about that idea for a moment, what a remarkable use for a waste product. Until, the aforementioned 1970’s pretty much abused the concept in unimaginable ways combined with metallics and a color palette spilled over from the psychedelic 1960’s.

Backtracking for a moment, around the 17th century, chinoiserie style papers were coming out of Asia and could be found in the stylish boutiques of Paris and London. These were painted, not printed with non-repeating compositions with vivid color that lent the feel of true luxury.

Many designers have shared with me a trepidation for wall paper on the part of their clients. The rationales all make sense. A still fresh repulsion from the 1980’s and 90’s. A fear that it becomes instantly dated or clashes with the furnishings, fixtures and art. That final point is the one I want to focus on. The art. And that is really a good point because the proliferation of art at all price point levels has exploded over the past 8-10 years in the US. And this leads me into my conversation with Diane Perry, president of Area Environments.  First about the company. Founded in 2012, Area Environments is a studio that curates originals from contemporary artists and with that, produces large format wallpapers and murals. This feels like the natural progression for the medium. Thinking about this differently, in a perfect world, one could build the space, style and scale around the art… But that isn’t realistic. So what about finding the art that you love and stretching, molding and conforming it to the space you have. See, that makes sense.

Diane Perry has been with Area Environments since 2018 and has an extensive art background. She is a photographer, graphic designer who originally studied fashion design.  And that as the primer for my chat with Diane.

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Thank you, Diane. I really enjoyed our time together. Thank you Walker Zanger and ThermaSol for your partnership. And, thank you for listening and subscribing to the podcast. Keep those emails coming convo by design at Outlook dot com. Adding the word “pleasure” to our architectural aspirations will make life better for all who choose to embrace this idea. See if you can add this word to what you do every day and see what happens. I am looking forward to seeing you again in person at a design event near you very soon. Until then, be well and try to take today first.