Tag Archives: josh cooperman

SPECIAL EPISODE: Rocky LaFleur | Celebrating a Design Icon

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This is Convo By Design Today, we are saying goodbye to a friend and celebrating an amazing person and giant in Southern California’s design community, Rocky LaFleur.

There are some people you encounter in life who make you feel better, they make you better and they lift up those around them. Rocky LaFleur was the embodiment of that. As long as I knew him, he always had a smile on his face and a word of encouragement. Rocky had a passion for his longtime friends and an openness to make new ones. We lost Rocky this past week and this flood of memories came back to me.

There have been so many fun and wonderful events and I cherish the time this tight knit Southern California design community gets together. The last time I saw Rocky in person, it was to see him speak to up and coming design students at UCLA Extension. Eleanor Schrader handed the mic to Rocky and his partner in comedy, Gary Gibson and the two of them led a journey into the wonderful world of design that made these prospective designers eyes twinkle. Not just the good, but the challenging and the hard work that comes with it.

Rocky was a phenomenal ambassador for the all of us in the industry, he was a dedicated mentor who gave freely of his time to help others and he always had a smile on his face. That sweet smile.

Rocky’s story is special and it doesn’t end here. When you influence and positively impact the lives of so many people, your spirit endures. I was blown away in 2018, seeing Rocky recognized at the Pacific Design Center in front of so many people who were there for no other reason than to shower Rocky with the love and the recognition he deserved. A Lifetime Achievement award, given to him by the ASID, the first of its kind.

Rocky has been a fixture in the Pacific Design Center, at Kneedler Fauchere, Rocky needed a home like the PDC to house his huge personality.

“Rocky joined Kneedler Fauchère almost 16 years ago and I joined one year later. Believe it or not, I sat in front of his desk and every morning when I arrived he serenaded me with show tunes. That pretty much told me everything I needed to know about Rocky. He’s been one of my closest and most meaningful confidants ever since,” said Gina Dewitt, President of Kneedler Fauchère after the gala event.

I sat down with Rocky in 2019. Rocky told me his story, how he, “found his people.” I could continue to gush on about how wonderful this man was, but instead, I would like to replay my conversation with Rocky, recorded in 2019 from the Kneedler Fauchere showroom in the Pacific Design Center.

I want to thank Walker Zanger, presenting partner of Convo By Design, for your partnership. The work that they do and their support of the show makes it possible for me to to this. This podcast has kept me connected to the industry, to you for the past eight years and the last has definitely been the most challenging. As we start moving back to events, showcases, design houses, CEU’s and trade shows, we will have the chance to reconnect and I am so appreciative to Walker Zanger for their support of Convo By Design.

My hope here is that you can take some time to sit back, turn off the phone for a few minutes and let Rocky make you feel good again. I challenge you to hear that laugh and not laugh with him, it’s impossible. I hope hearing his voice, that laugh, those stories takes away your pain for a moment.

Thank you, Rocky…for everything, and thank you for listening. Until next week, be well and remember to to take today first.

Lone Star House of Design | Beth Bender of The Dove Agency

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This is Lone Star House of Design, a podcast about all things design and architecture from the Great State of Texas. This week, you are going to hear from Beth Bender, co-founder of the Dove Agency, a strategic planning firm based in Dallas. If the name sounds familiar, it is. Beth Moderated a recent panel for Lone Star House of Design and I invited her back because the work she and her firm does deserves some love. The Dove Agency provides back office support for design professionals. They are good at what they do and I thought you should hear more about them. This conversation covers all of the topics that keep design professionals up at night. Beth and I explore financial health of a design firm, social media and marketing… And the, Beth explains much of how she attacks these issues to help their clients achieve by not having to focus on these issues.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Lone Star House of Design. Are you subscribing to the podcast, if not, please do so you get every episode automatically when they are published. You can find  Lone Star House of Design and Convo By Design everywhere you find your favorite podcasts and now, you can find us on DesignNetwork dot Org, a destination dedicated to podcasts, all things design and architecture so make sure to check it out.

Thank you, Beth, much appreciated. Thank you Walker Zanger and ThermaSol for your support and Thank you for subscribing and downloading the show and If you are not already, please subscribe so you catch every episode of Lone Star House of design and Convo By Design the moment they are published. You can also ask your smart speaker to play Convo By Design.

And if you REALLY want more, follow along, ConvoByDesign.Com and @ConvoXDesign with an “X” on Instagram. For show inquiries, sponsorship and guest inquiries, email me ConvoByDesign@outlook.com. Be well and until next week, keep creating.

The Showroom featuring Tamara Rene Design | 315 | Producing Meaningful Design with (and for) Purpose and Joy

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This is Convo By Design and in this episode of the podcast, we feature another installment of The Showroom, a partnership between Convo By Design and Walker Zanger featuring designer, Tamara Avila, the creative force behind Tamara Rene Designs in Seal Beach, California.

Tammy is the rare designer who also owns and operates a design showroom. Many designers think about opening a showroom, or more precisely, thought about it prior to COVID, but will be thinking about it again when things return to some sense of normalcy, whatever that means.

Erika Egede-Nissen, Marketing Director with Walker Zanger and I speak with Tammy about her firm, design style, trends in the design space and explore her work from a designers perspective. This is a deep dive into the industry and an exploration into the unique world of design and architecture.

Are you subscribing to the podcast, if not, please do so you get every episode automatically when they are published. You can find Convo By Design everywhere you find your favorite podcasts and now, you can find us on DesignNetwork dot Org, a destination dedicated to podcasts, all things design and architecture so make sure to check it out.

Thank you Tammy, thank you Erika, thank you Walker Zanger for your continued support and thank you for listening, without you, what’s the point. If you are not already a subscriber to the show, what are you waiting for, it’s easy. You can find Convo By Design everywhere you find your favorite podcasts. Ask your smart speaker to play Convo By Design, it’s really that easy. Follow along on the socials and check out our YouTube channel for videos form some of your favorite episodes, like this one with Tammy Avila of Tamara Rene Designs. Thanks again for listening to the show, keep creating and remember to take today first.

Lone Star House of Design | Wellness & Design Thought Leadership Series Presented By ThermaSol, Texas Edition

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This is Lone Star House of Design, a podcast about all things design and architecture from the Great State of Texas. Following is another installment of The Wellness and Design Thought Leadership Series presented by ThermaSol.

This conversation, as previously mentioned is from the Wellness and Design Thought Leadership Series presented by ThermaSol. This conversation features designers; Cindy Aplanalp-Yates, Allison Jaffe and Cheri Etchelecu. It is moderated by Dove Agency founder, Beth Bender. The Wellness and Design Thought Leadership Series presents the opportunity to gather a curated group of design masters and execute a targeted focus on specific issues affecting the industry today.

This cohort discusses the current state of design in Texas, opportunities, trending ideas and the ultimate pursuit of sublime design. It is presented by ThermaSol. I am incredibly proud to partner with ThermaSol on this initiative called the Wellness and Design Thought Leadership Series. These panel conversations feature smart, innovative design thought leaders talking about issues affecting us all in the business today.

I’m working with ThermaSol for the second year now and I have had the opportunity to get to know Mitch Altman, third generation of this family owned and operated business. This company was built on innovation. Their origin story is impressive and the products are innovative, they showcase not only the increased interest for wellness in todays ground breaking design but the need for smart showers, steam and spa-like luxury in the bathroom. If you are not incorporating smart steam showers into every bathroom you design, you are missing out on an opportunity to increase the per bathroom budget and provide clients with something they desperately want.

Brilliant! Thank you, Beth, Cindy, Cheri and Allison. Thank you Walker Zanger and ThermaSol for your support and Thank you for subscribing and downloading the show and If you are not already, please subscribe so you catch every episode of Lone Star House of design and Convo By Design the moment they are published. You can also ask your smart speaker to play Convo By Design.

And if you REALLY want more, follow along, ConvoByDesign.Com and @ConvoXDesign with an “X” on Instagram. For show inquiries, sponsorship and guest inquiries, email me ConvoByDesign@outlook.com. Be well and until next week, keep creating.

Lone Star House of Design | Allison Jaffe Interior Design

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This is Lone Star House of Design a showcase of divine design from the great State of Texas featuring Allison Jaffe, an Austin designer whose cerebral approach to design is nothing short of genius. We talk about the psychology of design quite often on the podcast because it isn’t easy to understand what someone really wants the design to ‘feel’ like. Allison didn’t start as a designer, to the contrary, she started by pursuing the sciences, specifically, a degree in neuropsychology from the University of Pittsburgh. You are going to hear how Allison modified her pursuit from the scientific to the creative and used her education to drill down with clients to reach their subconscious desires as it relates to the manner in which they wish to live. Sigmund Freud said, “The mind is like an iceberg, it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water.” To me, this is one of the true assets of interior designers. The truly talented ones have different means and methods for discovering what the client’s true desire is. We all know clients that have said one thing only to later discover they mean something entirely different.

Speaking of discovering true desires…you have needs too. Find some inspiration and new perspectives so you can see, in real time how the industry is changing so quickly. To aid you with that, Please make sure you are subscribing to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode of Convo by Design, Lone Star House of Design or some really exciting and entertaining new shows coming your way later this year. You can find the show everywhere you find your favorite podcasts, and now you can find Convo By Design and other design and architecture podcasts at DesignNetwork.org .

Thank you, Allison, well done. Thank you Walker Zanger and ThermaSol for your support and Thank you for subscribing and downloading the show and If you are not already, please subscribe so you catch every episode of Lone Star House of design and Convo By Design the moment they are published. You can also ask your smart speaker to play Convo By Design.

And if you REALLY want more, follow along, ConvoByDesign.Com and @ConvoXDesign with an “X” on Instagram. For show inquiries, sponsorship and guest inquiries, email me ConvoByDesign@outlook.com. Be well and until next week, keep creating.

www.convobydesign.com

www.allisonjaffe.com

#AllisonJaffe #ConvoByDesign #LoneStarHouseofDesign #TexasDesign #Architecture

 

The State of Design : Colorado | 313 | Wellness & Design Thought Leadership Series

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This is Convo By Design with a spotlight on the state of design in Colorado, part of the Wellness and Thought Leadership Series presented by ThermaSol. Colorado is America’s playground with four seasons, almost any recreational activity one can imagine and a fun-loving, adventurous spirit. This draws a wide variety of individuals and an abundance of opportunities for crafting unique and spectacular design. With opportunity come equal challenges from harsh weather conditions to extreme topography but Colorado’s pioneering spirit endures.

This conversation features architect, Kim Raymond of Kim Raymond Architecture and interiors and Michael Rath, President and Director of Design Services for Trilogy Partners. We are talking about the frontier with extreme conditions, just about any outdoor activity you can enjoy and extreme building and design conditions. If you live and design in Colorado, this is a must-listen, and if you are outside Colorado, you are going to be inspired, I promise.

By the way, are you subscribing to the podcast, if not, please do so you get every episode automatically when they are published. You can find Convo By Design everywhere you find your favorite podcasts and now, you can find us on DesignNetwork dot Org, a destination dedicated to podcasts, all things design and architecture so make sure to check it out. Okay, Let’s get to it…

I am incredibly proud to partner with ThermaSol on this initiative called the Wellness and Design Thought Leadership Series. These panel conversations feature smart, innovative design thought leaders talking about issues affecting us all in the business today. I’m working with ThermaSol for the second year now and I have had the opportunity to get to know Mitch Altman, third generation of this family owned and operated business. This company was built on innovation. Their origin story is impressive and the products are innovative, they showcase not only the increased interest for wellness in todays ground breaking design but the need for smart showers, steam and spa-like luxury in the bathroom. If you are not incorporating smart steam showers into every bathroom you design, you are missing out on an opportunity to increase the per bathroom budget and provide clients with something they desperately want. Enjoy the episode of Convo By Design and the Wellness and Design Thought Leadership Series featuring Kim Raymond, Michael Rath and the wild frontier of design, Colorado.

Thank you Kim and Michael. Thank you Walker Zanger for your continued support of Convo By Design, thank you ThermaSol for presenting the Wellness and Design Leadership series, and thank you for listening, without you, what’s the point. If you are not already a subscriber to the show, what are you waiting for, it’s easy. You can find Convo By Design everywhere you find your favorite podcasts. Ask your smart speaker to play Convo By Design, it’s really that easy. Follow along on the socials and check out our YouTube channel for videos from some of your favorite episodes, like this one from ThermaSol’s Wellness and Design Thought Leadership series. Thanks again for listening to the show, keep creating and remember to take today first.

https://www.walkerzanger.com

https://www.thermasol.com

https://www.kimraymondarchitects.com/

https://trilogybuilds.com/

https://www.convobydesign.com

#Design #Architecture #ConvoByDesign #ThermaSol #WalkerZanger #KimRaymondArchitecture #TrilogyBuilds #Colorado #GreatOutdoors

Domos Coliving | 312 | Coliving, The Future of Flex-Living and Finding Balance between Private Space and Shared Amenities

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This is Convo By Design featuring Daniel Alexander and Richard Loring of Domos Coliving. From Millennials moving back home to traditional multi-generational cohabitation, the idea of coliving has not only gained steam, but taken hold in cities across the U.S. Home ownership once the foundational idea behind the American dream is, in many circle giving way to the idea the coliving provides all someone wants and nothing they don’t. But what role does design play when you are catering to the many without serving only a few. That’s what I wanted to know when I spoke with Daniel and Richard from Domos. Daniel is principal with DOMOS and Richard manages construction and design.

Some thoughts as you listen. If you are a designer, this will shed some light on the approach to application of design and flow. Architects, there is something here for you as well in the structure of a space made for many that feels cozy and personal.

Thanks for downloading, streaming and subscribing to this episode of the podcast. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do so you don’t miss a single episode of the show, like this one with Daniel Alexander and Richard Loring of Domos Coliving.

Thank you Daniel and Richard. Thank you Walker Zanger for your extraordinary partnership and thank you for listening. My goal is to bring you the stories behind sublime design wherever that may be. To share those stories, bring you business strategies to help you build a stronger firm and inspire you to do your most creative work.

For more, please follow us on Instagram @ConvoXDesign with an “X”, check us out at Convo By Design dot com. Until next week, be well and keep creating.

Lone Star House of Design | Pulp Studios – One Firm, 2 Cities & Sublime Design

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This is Lone Star House of Design a showcase of divine design from the great State of Texas featuring Beth Dotolo and Carolina Gentry, the design team behind Pulp Studios.

When a design team captures market share in two states, typically, it’s New York and LA or San Francisco. This design team behind Pulp Studios has targeted Dallas and Seattle. Two cities with gaining momentum and exploding populations prior to COVID, but post-Covid, these two cities are pulling in new residents from the likes of LA, New York, and San Francisco. Beth and Carolina have established their brand with a mission. That is to deliver style and luxury to those living in such unique metropolitan cities.

For me, this was a really fun conversation because I went to college in Washington state and spent 9 years living in Dallas so this was a fun journey for me. This conversation delves into the details and logistics behind building a multi-city design firm.

Speaking of building your design business, you need to get new perspectives so you can see, in real time how the industry is changing so quickly. Please make sure you are subscribing to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode of Convo by Design, Lone Star House of Design or some really exciting and entertaining new shows coming your way later this year. You can find the show everywhere you find your favorite podcasts, and now you can find Convo By Design and other design and architecture podcasts at DesignNetwork.org .

Thank you, Carolina, thank you Beth, I loved this. Thank you Walker Zanger and ThermaSol for your support and Thank you for subscribing and downloading the show. Please subscribe to the show so you catch every episode of Lone Star House of design and Convo By Design, ask your smart speaker to play Convo By Design.

You can also follow along, ConvoByDesign.Com and @ConvoXDesign with an “X” on Instagram. For show inquiries, sponsorship and guest inquiries, email me ConvoByDesign@outlook.com. Be well and until next week, keep creating.

Lone Star House of Design | Kyle Bunting

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This is Lone Star House of Design, a podcast about legendary design from the great State of Texas featuring creative icon, Kyle Bunting.

Kyle Bunting transformed the idea of Hide rugs into a symbol of luxury. Such a simple idea, but not easily done. The original source for rugs and decor that Bunting has reimagined into objects with intricate design, shocking colors, masterful production and turned into bespoke objects of design luxury. This is truly an example of something so simple turning into something truly unique and wonderful. This is a conversation with Kyle Bunting about crafting objects of art for the home, true Texan style and building a design business.

Speaking of building your design business, you need to get new perspectives so you can see, in real time how the industry is changing so quickly. Please make sure you are subscribing to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode of Convo by Design, Lone Star House of Design or some really exciting and entertaining new shows coming your way later this year. You can find the show everywhere you find your favorite podcasts, and now you can find Convo By Design and other design and architecture podcasts at DesignNetwork.org .

Thank you, Kyle, this was fun. Thank you Walker Zanger and ThermaSol for your support and Thank you for subscribing and downloading the show. Please subscribe to the show so you catch every episode of Lone Star House of design and Convo By Design, ask your smart speaker to play Convo By Design.

You can also follow along, ConvoByDesign.Com and @ConvoXDesign with an “X” on Instagram. For show inquiries, sponsorship and guest inquiries, email me ConvoByDesign@outlook.com. Be well and until next week, keep creating.

Sandra Vlock | 310 | Transformation, Following Your Passion and Taking A New Path

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What if you decided to abandon your profession to follow your passion, what would happen? You know you’ve thought about it. Who hasn’t thought about ditching the job to do what you love. I say that knowing most of you listening are in the design and architecture industry and having spoken with so many of you, know that you love what you do, even so, I also know many have that secret talent, that passion to do something else. Yes, It’s scary.

Sandra Vlock is an architect by education and an artist by choice. She had a moment of clarity after receiving 2 58” mooring bouys and then sculpting them into highly detailed fire pits. Crafting one thing into another, and watching that craft a feeling, an experience with fire. This is a conversation about personal and professional growth and following your passion where it takes you.

Thank you, Sandra. Thank you Walker Zanger for your extraordinary partnership and thank you for listening. My goal is to bring you the stories behind sublime design wherever that may be. To share those stories, bring you business strategies to help you build a stronger firm and inspire you to do your most creative work.

For more, please follow us on Instagram @ConvoXDesign with an “X”, check us out at Convo By Design dot com. Until next week, be well and keep creating.