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

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

WestEdge Wednesday | 572 | The Great Outdoors: Reimagining California’s Love for Outdoor Living

Californians have perfected outdoor living, largely due to the favorable climate. As weather patterns change, the design industry has adapted with sustainable materials, inventive building practices and creative use of space including outdoor kitchens, theaters, plunge pools, functional landscapes, and unique approaches to sport courts.  From pickleball to a pickle martini, design meets entertainment with the new innovations in outdoor design.

All of these programs took place in the WestEdge Theater presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home. The stage was designed by Julie Beuerlein of JKB Home Design. This program was sponsored by TimberTech. A fantastic partner/ sponsor of Convo By Design.

As a busy professional designer, you know how important it is to find the right partnerships. Partnerships that allow you to specify the right products for every project. Professionals like you just don’t have time to waste. Let me tell you about one of my partnerships. Pacific Sales is here to serve you with expert, knowledgeable and non-commissioned professionals to help you specify the right product for all your projects. Non-commissioned. That means their only incentive is your satisfaction. Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, a Best Buy Company has just that with over 60 years of service in Southern California. Pacific Sales is your destination for exploration, advice and inspiration. And here’s the cherry on top, access to exclusive Builder Trade Incentives from top brands like Monogram. Visit a Pacific Sales Showroom today to learn how you can unlock additional savings and benefits. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best of the best. Visit Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home today and elevate your projects to new heights!

At the highest level of design, the absolute best specifying designers, architects and landscape designers are all highly focused on the technology and performance of products and materials today. You have to because the products you specify for your projects have to perform and they have to last. That is one of the reasons why I am so proud to be working with TimberTech. Their focus on the technical renaissance of synthetic decking is literally changing the conversation about innovation and performance. It pulls focus on three priorities homeowners have and expect from the products their designers and architects specify for their luxury projects; 1. Aesthetics must match the overall design and fit visually. 2. Durability and maintenance. I’ve told you my board-flipping stories about my own wood decks. Clients not only want beauty, but they want ease of use and they want it to last for decades. 3. Sustainably made. Clients are more conscious of the environment and they want the same of their materials. TimberTech hits each one of these elements with a product that not only meets expectations, they exceed them. TimberTech makes a synthetic decking that looks just like wood, color and embossed wood grain for a natural appearance. Their composite decking is technologically superior as it has been created to last for decades, and it is manufactured with up to 85% recycled material. Their Advanced PVC Vintage and Landmark Collections have a Class A Flame Spread Rating making these products an amazing choice for wildfire prone areas, which unfortunately continues to grow on a risk-map. Check the show notes for more information about this and to find the nearest showroom or lumberyard. You can also check them out directly TimberTech.com.

Moderated by: Josh Cooperman, Convo By Design

Featuring: John Feldman | Ecocentrix Landscape Architecture, Sam Toole | AZEK Co. Erik Peterson | PHX Architecture, Scott Specht | Specht Novak, Dustin Moore | Strata Landscape Architecture

WestEdge Wednesday | 566 | Color Mix: The Sherwin Williams 2025 Color Capsule Collection

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is a special edition of Convo By Design featuring all of the programming from the 2024 edition of the WestEdge Design Fair. We call these entries WestEdge Wednesday, a programming concept that will allow those of you who either didn’t make it to the show this year or, those who made it and are taking me up on my promise to share It with them again on Convo By Design.

All of these programs were shared in the WestEdge Theater presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy company. On a stage designed by Julie Beuerlein of JKB Home Design. An amazing space that served as the backdrop for our conversations. Over the next 10 weeks, you are going to hear talks, panels and conversations from the show, so I wanted to open this up with a teaser, a sample of some of these conversations like this one.

As a busy professional designer, you know how important it is to find the right partnerships. Partnerships that allow you to specify the right products for every project. Professionals like you just don’t have time to waste. Let me tell you about one of my partnerships. Pacific Sales is here to serve you with expert, knowledgeable and non-commissioned professionals to help you specify the right product for all your projects. Non-commissioned. That means their only incentive is your satisfaction. Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, a Best Buy Company has just that with over 60 years of service in Southern California. Pacific Sales is your destination for exploration, advice and inspiration. And here’s the cherry on top, access to exclusive Builder Trade Incentives from top brands like Monogram. Visit a Pacific Sales Showroom today to learn how you can unlock additional savings and benefits. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best of the best. Visit Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home today and elevate your projects to new heights!

The following panel discussion hosted by Sherwin-Williams, where they explore color and its many applications, from evoking emotion and enhances spaces, to creating balance that dramatic wow factor! Sherwin-Williams shares insight from their recently announced 2025 Color Capsule Collection, featuring not just one but nine hues as part of its color trend forecast.  A panel of industry pros share practical insights on how to best incorporate these colors (and others), from bold statements to subtle accents. Whether you’re a design enthusiast or a professional, this conversation will equip you with the knowledge to stay ahead of the color curve and enhance your color potential!

Moderated by: Ashlynn Bourque, Sherwin-Williams and Ro Almira, Sherwin-Williams
Featuring: Breegan Jane, Breegan Jane; Kerrie Kelly, Kerrie Kelly Studio; Patrick Ediger, Patrick Ediger Interior Design; and Eddie Maestri, Maestri Studio

Leo Marmol, FAIA | 264 | Our February 2025 Convo By Design ICON Registry Inductee

You have been hearing the WestEdge Wednesday episodes since the beginning of the year and I do hope that you’re enjoying them. This months addition to the Convo By Design Icon Registry was heard on the WestEdge Wednesday series in 2024 following his appearance on a panel at the show in 2023. It is fascinating for me to have incredible creatives individually on the show and equally amazing to hear them in concert with other talented creatives. In 2023, Marmol was on the podcast as part of a panel that also featured Sara Malek Barney, Christine Vroom and was moderated by Frances Anderton. The panel was called All Roads Lead to SoCal: Long Live the Creative Experiment. It seems even more interesting now than in November of 2023, no?

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

Leo’s participation in this panel was extraordinary. He is a remarkable creative who brings a level of skill and talent wherever he goes and shares it willingly. Marmol is the managing partner of Marmol Radziner and has been since the firm was founded in 1989. Leo earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly SLO. He also earned a minor in Philosophy. Which I think speaks volumes. Philosophy, as a discipline seeks to create more questions than answers. And when you are dealing with the concept of existence and other fundamental issues, it can be a challenge to navigate. Just like architecture. I find the architecture/ Philosophy combo really interesting. Leo is a painter, a fisherman. He is also something of a raconteur and lucky you… You get to hear him in action as we induct him together into the Convo By Design Icon Registry for February 2025. Enjoy.

Congratulations Leo on your enshrinement into the Convo By Design Icon Registry and your extraordinary studio. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me and sharing your story. Thank you to my incredible partner sponsors, ThermaSol, TimberTech, Design Hardware, Pacific Sales and Monogram for your dedication to making our industry better, faster, stronger! And thank you for listening to Convo By Design each week and sharing the show with your colleagues and friends who love sublime design. Until the next episode, be well, stay focused and rise above the chaos. -CXD

WestEdge Wednesday | 563 | Sustainable Design: Does it Have to be All or Nothing?

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is a special edition of Convo By Design featuring all of the programming from the 2024 edition of the WestEdge Design Fair. We call these entries WestEdge Wednesday, a programming concept that will allow those of you who either didn’t make it to the show this year or, those who made it and are taking me up on my promise to share It with them again on Convo By Design.

All of these programs were shared in the WestEdge Theater presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy company. On a stage designed by Julie Beuerlein of JKB Home Design. An amazing space that served as the backdrop for our conversations. Over the next 10 weeks, you are going to hear talks, panels and conversations from the show, so I wanted to open this up with a teaser, a sample of some of these conversations. Like this one.

As a busy professional designer, you know how important it is to find the right partnerships. Partnerships that allow you to specify the right products for every project. Professionals like you just don’t have time to waste. Let me tell you about one of my partnerships. Pacific Sales is here to serve you with expert, knowledgeable and non-commissioned professionals to help you specify the right product for all your projects. Non-commissioned. That means their only incentive is your satisfaction. Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, a Best Buy Company has just that with over 60 years of service in Southern California. Pacific Sales is your destination for exploration, advice and inspiration. And here’s the cherry on top, access to exclusive Builder Trade Incentives from top brands like Monogram. Visit a Pacific Sales Showroom today to learn how you can unlock additional savings and benefits. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best of the best. Visit Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home today and elevate your projects to new heights!

When it comes to sustainability in residential design and architecture – whether renovating or new build – the impression can be that you either have to do everything sustainably, or not even start down that path. Increasingly, many consumers/clients want to make a positive impact by making sustainable choices. How does one choose, do you have to, and which choices make the most impact?

Moderated by: Degen Pener, Writer/Editor
Featuring: Lori Dennis, CEO, Lori Dennis Inc.; Dan Brunn, Dan Brunn Architecture; Hanna Li, Creative Director and Designer, Hanna Li Interiors; and Greg Roth, CarbonShack Design

WestEdge Wednesday | 561 | Authenticity Vs. Dupes: Honor and Respect for Design and Those Who Craft Original Work

There are stories, you have no doubt heard them or seen them for yourself on Instagram or the websites offering dupes of almost everything for less. There are many reasons why the copy-market thrives and why some creatives feel that they are entitled to change it a small detail and call it their own. Is the value in the look of it for less, or paying a bit extra and knowing you have an original? Perhaps the copy-market, while always present, only thrives during crisis-pricing for the real thing. We explore the value of original work and how knock-offs are changing the nature of creative design.

All of these programs took place in the WestEdge Theater presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home. The stage was designed by Julie Beuerlein of JKB Home Design.

As a busy professional designer, you know how important it is to find the right partnerships. Partnerships that allow you to specify the right products for every project. Professionals like you just don’t have time to waste. Let me tell you about one of my partnerships. Pacific Sales is here to serve you with expert, knowledgeable and non-commissioned professionals to help you specify the right product for all your projects. Non-commissioned. That means their only incentive is your satisfaction. Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, a Best Buy Company has just that with over 60 years of service in Southern California. Pacific Sales is your destination for exploration, advice and inspiration. And here’s the cherry on top, access to exclusive Builder Trade Incentives from top brands like Monogram. Visit a Pacific Sales Showroom today to learn how you can unlock additional savings and benefits. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best of the best. Visit Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home today and elevate your projects to new heights!

Moderated by: Kelly Phillips Badal, LUXE Interiors + Design

Featuring: Jen Samson | Jen Samson Design, KimGordon | Kim Gordon Designs, Candice Quinn | London Pierce Design and William Zhang | EMTEK

WestEdge Wednesday | 559 | Connected Vs. Unconnected: The Future of Home

Connected vs. Unconnected: The Future of the Home The debate rages on… The fully connected home where all can be automated vs. the unconnected environment and the return to the beauty of form, function and simplicity. We’re not Luddites, but if we look at the experiential nature and convenience of a connected space, we must also consider what it means to have a space that is intentionally unconnected. The removal of screens, tech, automation, phones, and tablets can create calm and allow opportunities for true reconnection with self and others. Offline. Join this compelling conversation about AI, automation and the pros and cons of a fully connected home in a complicated world.

All of these programs took place in the WestEdge Theater presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home. The stage was designed by Julie Beuerlein of JKB Home Design.

As a busy professional designer, you know how important it is to find the right partnerships. Partnerships that allow you to specify the right products for every project. Professionals like you just don’t have time to waste. Let me tell you about one of my partnerships. Pacific Sales is here to serve you with expert, knowledgeable and non-commissioned professionals to help you specify the right product for all your projects. Non-commissioned. That means their only incentive is your satisfaction. Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, a Best Buy Company has just that with over 60 years of service in Southern California. Pacific Sales is your destination for exploration, advice and inspiration. And here’s the cherry on top, access to exclusive Builder Trade Incentives from top brands like Monogram. Visit a Pacific Sales Showroom today to learn how you can unlock additional savings and benefits. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best of the best. Visit Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home today and elevate your projects to new heights!

Moderated by: Erika Heet – Interiors Magazine

Featuring: Kristi Nelson | KM Nelson Design, Adam Hunter | Adam Hunter, Inc., Ginger Curtis | Urbanology Designs, Jaqui Seerman | Jaqui Seerman Designs

WestEdge Wednesday | 557 | What’s Next: How the Election and Recent Events will Affect the Design Industry

No matter who wins, changes are coming. How can the business of design adapt to these changes, and thrive at the same time? Will additional tariffs change the pricing model of goods? How will new regulations affect transportation, fuel usage and household appliances? During these uncertain times, we’re all looking for a bit more stability and direction. Learn how to best navigate the changing landscape and better prepare your design firm and clients for the future.

All of these programs took place in the WestEdge Theater presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home. The stage was designed by Julie Beuerlein of JKB Home Design.

As a busy professional designer, you know how important it is to find the right partnerships. Partnerships that allow you to specify the right products for every project. Professionals like you just don’t have time to waste. Let me tell you about one of my partnerships. Pacific Sales is here to serve you with expert, knowledgeable and non-commissioned professionals to help you specify the right product for all your projects. Non-commissioned. That means their only incentive is your satisfaction. Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, a Best Buy Company has just that with over 60 years of service in Southern California. Pacific Sales is your destination for exploration, advice and inspiration. And here’s the cherry on top, access to exclusive Builder Trade Incentives from top brands like Monogram. Visit a Pacific Sales Showroom today to learn how you can unlock additional savings and benefits. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best of the best. Visit Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home today and elevate your projects to new heights!

Moderated by: Josh Cooperman, Convo By Design

Featuring: Scott Specht | Specht Novak, Erik Peterson | PHX Architecture, Shirry Dolgin | ASD Interiors, Joe Carline | Kligerman Architecture & Design

WestEdge Wednesday | 554 | The Intelligent Kitchen: How Technological Advancements Create A Higher Quality of Life

After so many conversations at the show this year, a few things became quite clear. We are in a bifurcated market. Some designers are extremely busy, others, not so much. The most creative and successful creatives all understand that the one way to maximize their edge is to attend these events, talk to new suppliers, vendors and product manufacturers. We all have to be lifetime learners if our hope is to maintain a competitive edge. That means coming out and attending these panel conversations as so many have this year and in past years. Gather incredible product and technical application about kitchen design like this from The Intelligent Kitchen: How Technological Advancements Create a Higher Quality of Life.

All of these programs took place in the WestEdge Theater presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home. The stage was designed by Julie Beuerlein of JKB Home Design.

We’ve all heard that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It has also evolved into the brain and central nervous system through advancements in modern technology. These developments have created a more intelligent kitchen and a space the addresses the emotional and intellectual needs as well. Thought-full design and development of modern appliances that address needs without being asked, a focus on food preservation, preparation, cooking and a mindful approach to household tasks have changed the way designers think about the kitchen. They are providing new avenues for the enjoyment of kitchen spaces and an increased quality of life that is human-centric. Learn how the kitchen has been forever changed and how these advancements will continue to evolve.

As a busy professional designer, you know how important it is to find the right partnerships. Partnerships that allow you to specify the right products for every project. Professionals like you just don’t have time to waste. Let me tell you about one of my partnerships. Pacific Sales is here to serve you with expert, knowledgeable and non-commissioned professionals to help you specify the right product for all your projects. Non-commissioned. That means their only incentive is your satisfaction. Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, a Best Buy Company has just that with over 60 years of service in Southern California. Pacific Sales is your destination for exploration, advice and inspiration. And here’s the cherry on top, access to exclusive Builder Trade Incentives from top brands like Monogram. Visit a Pacific Sales Showroom today to learn how you can unlock additional savings and benefits. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best of the best. Visit Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home today and elevate your projects to new heights!

Moderated by; EZ Gonzalez, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home

Featuring: Mark Cutler & Nichole Schulze of CutlerSchulze, Jess Jones | Jess Jones Design Group, Rachael Grochowski | RHG Architecture + Design and Kerrie Kelly | Kerrie Kelly Studio

WestEdge Wednesday | 552 | Small Space Big Style: The ADU Revolution and Popularity Behind Living Small

As a busy professional designer, you know how important it is to find the right partnerships. Partnerships that allow you to specify the right products for every project. Professionals like you just don’t have time to waste. Let me tell you about one of my partnerships. Pacific Sales is here to serve you with expert, knowledgeable and non-commissioned professionals to help you specify the right product for all your projects. Non-commissioned. That means their only incentive is your satisfaction. Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, a Best Buy Company has just that with over 60 years of service in Southern California. Pacific Sales is your destination for exploration, advice and inspiration. And here’s the cherry on top, access to exclusive Builder Trade Incentives from top brands like Monogram. Visit a Pacific Sales Showroom today to learn how you can unlock additional savings and benefits. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with the best of the best. Visit Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home today and elevate your projects to new heights!

Something that has taken hold globally is the idea that living small doesn’t have to be spartan and without enjoyment. The ADU Revolution is real and nowhere else has it evolved to fully capture the California Style than in Southern California. But the beauty here is that these ideas, once explored don’t just stay in California. Those ideas are exported for the benefit of others.

Small Space Big Style: The ADU Revolution and Popularity Behind Living Small
The Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) has become an amazing opportunity for those wishing to add additional space to a property. ADUs have also changed the way many think about living within a smaller footprint. Whether a first home, guest house, income generating space, home office or other functional space, a small space can still offer big impact. The Cato Institute tracks the stratospheric rise of ADU’s and demonstrates how once again, California is leading the way in creative problem solving. Hear what’s next for the ADU, and how homeowners, developers and tenants are planning accordingly.

Moderated by: Frances Anderton

Featuring: Joan Barton, Dirty Girl Construction, Marcos Santa Ana, Alloi, Scott Specht | Specht Novak, Aejie Rhyu, ARA-la Studio, Erik Peterson | PHX Architecture