Tag Archives: Laurie Haefele

WestEdge Wednesday Part Seven | 645 | Kitchen rEvolution: Crafted, Curated Spaces Created for an Evolving Clientele

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Kitchen Revolution: Elevating Kitchens and Baths for Lifestyle, Wellness, and Technology. Designers and innovators discuss how kitchens and bathrooms have transformed into lifestyle-focused, wellness-oriented, and tech-savvy spaces, shaping the homes of today’s discerning clients. From pandemic-driven shifts to smart appliances, spa-like bathrooms, and open-concept living, this panel explores the evolving demands of homeowners and the strategies designers use to balance aesthetics, function, and innovation.

1. Introduction

  • Host Virzine Hovasapyan, Experience Director of Marketplace of Innovation for Pacific Sales, introduces the panel and sets the stage: kitchens and baths are no longer purely functional—they are deeply personal lifestyle environments.
  • Emphasis on the convergence of beauty, comfort, and smart technology to meet wellness-focused and tech-savvy client needs.

2. Panel Introductions

  • Karen Rideau, Kitchen Design Group: three decades of experience, expanding from kitchen and bath to full interior architecture.
  • Holly Hollenbeck, HSH Interiors: bi-coastal firm specializing in remodels and new builds, high focus on kitchen and bath.
  • Lori Hafele, Hafele Design: luxury cabinetry-focused design, hard surfaces specialist.
  • Pam Barthold, Poziom Designs: national remodels, holiday decor focus, wellness integration.

3. Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Shifts

  • Kitchens evolving into living spaces for family interaction and entertaining.
  • Movement from segmented to open-plan living; the kitchen is now the “heart of the home.”
  • Rise of furniture-like cabinetry and hidden storage to maintain aesthetic beauty.

4. Collaboration Between Designers and Showrooms

  • Importance of collaboration between designers, manufacturers, and showrooms.
  • Need for continuous education on appliance and technology innovations (steam ovens, microwaves/air fryers, modular units).
  • Designers as knowledge bridges for clients.

5. Wellness in Kitchen and Bath

  • Bathrooms now spa-like: steam showers, infrared saunas, cold plunges.
  • Kitchens adapting for wellness-conscious lifestyles: beverage centers, accessible hot water, herb gardens, indoor/outdoor cooking integration.
  • Efficiency for tech-savvy clients: proximity solutions, outdoor entertaining, smart layout adjustments.

6. Technology Integration

  • Challenges of over-technology vs. simplicity: balancing clients’ desire for tech with usability.
  • AI and digital inspiration may introduce non-buildable concepts; designers interpret and adapt.
  • Circuit breaker capacity and smart appliance integration considerations.
  • Strategies to educate clients and ensure the right technology fits their lifestyle.

7. Translating Client Dreams into Practical Design

  • Process includes space planning, 3D renderings, vendor collaboration, and creative problem-solving.
  • Importance of editing ideas to fit space and budget.
  • Budget discussions start early; expectations around pricing, lead times, and custom millwork.

8. Setting Expectations & Discovery

  • Use of robust client questionnaires to uncover lifestyle, wellness, and usage patterns.
  • Managing timelines, trades, and supply chain realities.
  • Addressing dual-client decision-making and educating clients on care and maintenance of appliances and materials.

9. Audience Q&A Highlights

  • Managing open-plan kitchens and sound/visual separation through back kitchens, secondary prep spaces, and innovative layouts.

10. Key Takeaways

  • Kitchens and bathrooms are now multifunctional lifestyle spaces, blending aesthetics, wellness, and technology.
  • Collaboration, client discovery, and education are critical for successful design.
  • Designers balance aspirational visions with practical realities to deliver functional, beautiful, and personalized homes.

Links / Resources:

  • Pacific Sales – West Coast leader in Kitchen, Bath, Outdoor, and Total Home solutions.
  • Kitchen Design Group – Caren Rideau
  • HSH Interiors – Holly Hollenbeck
  • Hafele Design – Laurie Hafele
  • Pazzam Designs – Pam Barthold

Wellness & Design Thought Leadership Series | 430 | The Industry in the Midst of A Revolutionary Change, These Experts Share What’s Coming Next

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I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design. Celebrating 10 years hosting and producing this show has given me so much that I cannot even tell you how much it means to me. That is why I strive to continue giving back to this incredible industry every chance I get. Because it’s important, and I think that because it took me so long to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up. Not saying I have totally grown up.

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 Oasis Alliance – Providing design to those in need.

ICAA Southern California – SoCal is Southern California’s preeminent resource on classical architecture and the allied arts.

Giving back to the business is important. Do you know that when I started Convo By Design, I was the only person recording panel conversations from our amazing design events. I think I started recording panels in 2014 and for the first 4 years of the show, I would approach guests to be on the show and the first question would be, “what’s a podcast.” Nobody asks me that anymore. I’m also not the only one recording the panels and conversations anymore. And that is a good thing.I would credit the wider distribution of critical design thinking for some of the groundbreaking work we see today in the business. The new products and services available to designers and through to their clients is nothing short of remarkable. 

The pandemic brought a wholesale change in the way think about design, it fundamentally changed the very nature of thee business. Listening back to some of the conversations I had during lock-down was not only transformational in the way I think about the business but informs my editorial calendar and some of the things in store for you here on CXD in future episodes. The following conversation is a look back to the future with a group I spent some time with during lock-down. 

I started hosting the Wellness & Design Thought Leadership Series back in 2017. It has had a few different names but the idea that wellness and design thought leadership are inextricably tied together makes sense to me anyway and that is how I settled on this name for the gatherings both live, in-person and virtual. This cohort features an illustrious group of creatives who joined me during the pandemic via Zoom and we gathered again in January to check in. Thi conversation features; Laurie Haefele, Rozita Nazarian, Alexandra Abramian, Gary Gibson, Takashi Yanai and Josh Boris. We cover a lot of ground about how the industry is changing in real time. I hope you enjoy this conversation with some wonderful friends, right after this.

What a fun conversation. I love that we could do this. Thank you Laurie, Rozita, Alex, Takashi, Gary and Josh. Thank you for all you do to move the conversation forward. Thank you CXD partners and sponsors ThermaSol, Moya Living and Design Hardware. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to listen to the show, subscribe, download and send me emails with guest submissions and project ideas for coverage. Keep them coming.

Until next week, be well and take today first. -CXD

The Business of Kitchen Design Mastery | 303 | Exploring Experiential Kitchen Design

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The kitchen is the heart of the home, always has been and you already know this. But this conversation features Julia Wong, Laurie Haefele and Shirry Dolgin, Barry Bredvik, and Kristi Nelson explores new directions and ideas about kitchen design. These three amazing designers come from different backgrounds but all have mastered interior design and truly understand the form and function of kitchen design. You are going to hear a high-level conversation that covers technology, layout, and specifically the use of space articulated into actionable methods for kitchen design.

Susan McFadden of California Homes Magazine moderated this panel. What you are going to find is how this conversation zigs and zags through so many topics but the through lines provide some remarkable ideas for crafting the perfect space for every home.

This panel is introduced by Megan Reilly, co-founder of WestEdge Design Fair, the fall home of Convo By Design in Santa Monica California.  

What a great chat. Thank you Susan McFadden for moderating, California Homes Magazine for your support. Thank you, Julia, Shirry, Laurie, Kristi, and Barry for your time and masterful contributions. Thank you Megan and Troy for your partnership. Thank you Walker Zanger for your continued support of the podcast.  And, thank you for listening, subscribing, and downloading every episode of Convo By Design. I miss you. I miss seeing you at WestEdge and all the other design fairs and festivals we missed in 2020. But we will meet again in 2021. And until we do, be well and keep creating.

What Every Interior Design Trade Professional Needs to Know | 247 | The Design Influencer Group

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In 2019 I started the Design Influencer and Innovation Group. This is a series of trade only events at Southern California. This gathering was held at the Ornare showroom on Beverly Blvd in West Hollywood.

First up is Rozita Nazarian with the benefits and challenges of design showcase houses. 

Gary Gibson is unique in that he is a designer with his own showroom so he has to be cognizant of what other designers really want as well. Gary also talks about industry events and the challenges of  expanding into new categories.

Leslie Shapiro Joyal has a unique view on the up cropping of designer workrooms allowing for creators to settle in a space that allows them to craft their own product. She talks about her workroom, her showroom and how she uses this experience to, in turn provide that experience to other designers. She describes it as a “circle in which the ecosystem thrives.” This is Leslie Shapiro Joyal.

Josh Borris with Core Development Group addresses the fundamental issue. How can the industry help busy design and architecture professionals. How can companies provide marketing and sales materials to help you along the way. Josh hits some really interesting points.

Longtime friend of the show, architect Takashi Yanai. Takashi opened the firm’s San Francisco office. He talks a bit about opening new territories. This is critical for design and architecture firms.

Julia Wong talks about design shows and the importance of support for design professionals.

Aaron B. Duke shares his thoughts about something that comes up all the time…. The pivot. What happens when you figure out that you need to change the carrier direction to accommodate for live direction? You don’t hear many talk about it in raw, honest terms.

Back to the issue of trade shows and inspiration, Nicolette Akiko from Studio Akiko has some strong opinions. I have had the pleasure of working with Nicolette and I value her perspective on establishing a local base for the firm and expanding outward, I think you will too.

Laurie Haefele, she is clear on what she needs and wants from the industry. Hey, design trade shows, manufacturers and showrooms… Do you want to know what design pros want from you…. here you go.

Wrapping this up is an outsider, for very good reason. Alex Abramian is a freelance journalist who has covered the design and architecture industry for quite some time. This is where trade editorial and design trade meet. And sometimes that meeting is a violent collision. Want a smooth transition? Listen to this from journalist, Alex Abramian.

That’s a wrap on this episode of Convo By Design featuring the Design Influencer and Innovator group. A collection of Southern California’s best and brightest in design and architecture. Thank you Rozita, Gary, Laurie, Julia, Josh, Aaron, Takashi, Nicolette and Alex. Thank you Cynthia and the Ornare showroom staff for making us feel so at home in your amazing space. Thank you Snyder Diamond, Vondom, SubZero, Wolf and Cove for your generous support and most of all, thank you for listening, downloading each episode, rating the podcast on iTunes and engaging in social media. You are the absolute best and I truly appreciate you. 

That is a wrap on this episode of Convo By Design and until next week, keep creating.