Convo By Design‪®‬ Josh Cooperman

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design with a conversation with Daniel Ian Smith of Village West Design. Here is a quote from Daniel, “I believe everyone deserves to be surrounded by beauty, it is integral to what makes us human.” 



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 which is integral to making us human. Think about that for a moment. That which makes us human. The part that enriches us, makes life worth living. Meaning, purpose, form and function. I started this podcast because I love design. I love art, architecture, music and the that which enhances the experience of living. I will never forget the pandemic. I still think about it, a great deal. It was the medical community that repaired our minds and bodies, but it was the design community that repaired our souls. Mine anyway. I don’t just love design, I have worked with designers. For my wife’s birthday in 2018 or 19, I hired Nancy Russert, whom you have heard on this show. I wanted her to create a meditation space in the front yard of our Manhattan Beach home. She crushed it. As much as my wife enjoyed that space, it saved me during the pandemic. That space became a muti-hyphenate space, outdoors when the indoors became too confining. Daniel is a master architect with a distinct set of skills. Skills that better the lives of those he serves. And we talk about that and a number of other issues relating to the humanity of great design. 



Daniel and I cover topics rarely discussed like generational nuance as it relates to the way clients feel about and approach design. We’re exploring new ground here and this was really fun. I hope you enjoy it.



Thank you, Daniel. Loved our time together. Architecture and Italian. Love that. Thank you to my partner sponsors, ThermaSol, Pacific Sales, Monogram and Design Hardware, for not just supporting Convo By Design but for supporting the design and architecture community. Thank you, yes you…for taking the time to listen, download, subscribe and engage with Convo By Design. If you have a design friend that doesn’t know about the show, send them a link to this episode. They might enjoy it as well. If you want to connect, please do, convobydesign@outlook.com and on Instagram, @convoxdesign with and “x”. 



I will have something interesting for you next week, so make sure you are subscribing to the podcast which you can find everywhere you find your podcasts. Thank again. Until next week, be well and take today first. -CXD



 

I received something in the mail recently that brought a huge smile to my face, and I think it will do the same for you.



You might have surmised that this means another BOOKLOOK and you would be correct. There are very few things that I enjoy more than receiving a surprise package. It’s the simple things in life, am I right?  I received a parcel that contained the latest monograph from KAA Architecture, of whom, I am an enormous fan. I love their work, yes but I also consider Grant Kirkpatrick and Duan Tran likeminded, ideological compatriots. Both Grant and Duan have been on the show. I have spent a great deal of time with both and I will share something with you about talent, creativity and the willingness to extend ones comfort zone. KAA Design Group is a firm based on creative adventure. Based on solid fundamental principles of design and a joyful willingness to express new ideas. And you can hear their joy when they speak about what they do.  



You now understand why I was giddy with excitement to flip through this weighty tome. Weighty it is and also jammed with both creative expression and fundamental expertise in the field of architectural design.



The book is entitled Residing with Nature. It contains an interview with Grant and Duan that is insightful and telling what is to come in the following pages. 



They open with one of my absolute favorite KAA Design projects. TREE HOUSE based in La Jolla, CA.  This home is an extraordinary example of masterful site planning. Dimension and topography are exquisite. The vegetation surrounds and infrastructure compliments the entire footprint of the site.  The structure itself, concrete, wood and glass with a stunning Oak planted at the rear of the home also welcomes you upon arrival due to the size, scope and scale of the 300 year old specimen. Side note. As a woodworker, I love turning oak. I love working with oak because it’s grain is spectacular, with distinct rings and you can see the uniqueness from the inside, but also from the exterior as each oak tree is distinctly different in the growth pattern, gnarly bark and leaf clusters. This tree obscures some parts of the structure yet opens willingly to others for a high level of interest. this is what exceptional architects see and understand before a single form is built. This residence is exceptional in every way. This book gives the reader a look inside the thought process that led to its creation in image and carefully selected text. I imagine the same care went into every line drawn.



Another exceptional example of the true essence of the work lies in the Tower Grove residence. An exceptional example of site management combined with extreme engineering that makes this an absolute masterpiece in architectural design.



Both examples noted and throughout this entire book, you will find example after example of the symbiotic relationship explored, detailed and executed in the work of KAA Design. The book is available now, published by Rizzoli. Check the show notes for links to KAA, Rizzoli and to buy this book. I think if you are a fan of architecture, extraordinary design vision and sustainable building, you will love this as much as I do. Grant, Duan, well done. Congratulations.



Next up, some house cleaning and scatter shooting. Starting with updates, listen to the podcast for everything you need to know.



SOURCE: Internet week of April23



https://www.retaildive.com/news/high-end-appliance-retailer-pirch-chapter-7-liquidation-lawsuits/713981/



https://www.dwell.com/article/chris-pratt-katherine-schwarzenegger-demolished-craig-ellwood-zim...

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design with another installment of the Design Icon Registry. An icon for sure. A 2 time guest on Convo By Design and a very cool individual and an extraordinary decorator. This is Alex Papachristidis.



If you have heard these segments before, you know, I don’t do contests and I most certainly don’t do lists. Lists are gimmicks designed to capture clicks. They are, click bait pure and simple. You cannot tell me that a list of 50, 75 or 100 designers and architects are the absolute best at what they do without providing context. Lists are created in the hopes that those who are being listed will promote the accolades and that attention will be driven back to the author of the list. And contests where creatives have to reach out to their base to get them to vote for them is just wrong in my opinion. Because, if someone is amazing at what they do… Celebrate that, no strings attached. And that is what we are going to do here. 



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



Now, the criteria… Each inductee has been a guest on Convo By Design. They have a body of work that is exceptional in their various disciplines and there is no justification required for their world class status. They give back to the industry, they are innovators, givers and make our industry better than they found it. This project is called the Convo By Design Icon Registry, because that is what this is, tantamount to a hall of fame, but more. What is an ICON? Described as an icon; A person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration. A registry is a well curated list. You can consider this a venerable who’s who in our industry with gifts to offer and a willingness to share. Pablo Picasso is credited with saying, “the meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away”. Now, I am not suggesting that those enshrined in the Icon Registry have all just been giving away their gifts. These are professionals of the highest order and part of being a professional is knowing your worth and understanding your value. Each of these individuals have appeared on Convo By Design, shared what they know for the betterment of others, and I am deeply appreciative for that. This is the most authentic way that I can express my gratitude for that. As deeply appreciative as I am for their sharing, I am equally grateful for your taking the time to share a few moments, an hour out of your busy schedule each week to listen to the show. Again, the most authentic way that I can express that gratitude is to give you an opportunity to hear them again. Every month, the last Thursday of the month, unless it’s a holiday week, in which case I will publish a week sooner, I will share a new inductee with you.



This weeks inductee is Alex Papachristidis who is one of the most amazing interior decorators for the wok he does, yes, absolutely.

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design. But you know that because you are kind enough to subscribe, download and listen to the show every week. If this episode was shared with you and you are not currently a subscriber, I would appreciate it if you would consider subscribing so you receive every new episode automatically to your feed. 



For those who have been part of our little club since day one, you have heard me say this, and for those new to the podcast, I want you to know that I am incredibly grateful. I started this show over 11 years ago to bring a level of coverage to the design and architecture community that I felt was missing at the time. I am now and always have been a huge fan of the shelter publications in particular and magazines in general. I still have old copies of Dwell from the early to mid 2,000’s, copies of Metropolitan Home that I will still, on occasion just grab a nice beverage and go through the pages, waxing nostalgic for a time when the shelter publications focused on the art form that is architecture and interiors design. Not the celebrity, trend-spotting and ephemeral social media content. 



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



For that reason, one of the things I enjoy most, is getting back to the meaningful events. I love attending and even just talking about some of America’s favorite design festivals, trade shows, happenings, gatherings and events. And since they are so different, there can’t be one favorite event and that is what I think is so special. They are all different. But there really are two heavy hitters, behemoths in the industry… KBIS/ IBS and High Point Market. This is not to take away from any of the other gatherings, and we will be covering most of those as well, but these two are different due to sheer size and scope.



This episode of the podcast is dedicated to specifiers everywhere who are venturing out for the first time to attend KBIS/ IBS. We have a double episode plus. That means you are going to hear from 2 designers and a brand about the KBIS experience in 2024. Their approach to the show and strategies they use for navigation to make the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time and the fewest number of steps. Today you are going to hear from Angeline Guido Hall of Angeline Guido Designs, Kevie Murphy of KA Murphy Designs and John Weinstein, CEO of FV America, the American arm of Franz Viegner.



Amazing right? At the end of the day, there are certainly strategies you can use to maximize time and effort to see and learn about. It’s not just the things we see, new finds, materiality, touch feel, size but the people we meet, reconnect with and with whom we engage. That is where the real value lies. 



Speaking of engagement, thank you for yours by listening, subscribing and downloading the show. Thank you for your emails to convobydesign@outlook.com with guest and show suggestions, or just to introduce yourself. Thank you for the follows, likes and commentary on Instagram @ConvoXDesign with a “x”.

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design. Episode 500. Five Hundred!



In years past, I have stopped down to celebrate mile stones in a few different ways. Last year, we held a party at the Soho House studio in West Hollywood to celebrate 10 years of the show. Every hundredth episode, I would feature past guests. For this milestone, I wanted to do something a little bit different. Instead of talking about the past, I wanted to focus on the future, share a few past moments to galvanize the point and move on. With gratitude and love in my heart. I love this industry because of all the amazing people I have had the good fortune of meeting and hearing their stories. I am so fortunate to have been to some of the most amazing places and seen some incredible things that designers, architects, artists and makers can create. But the past 11 years have not been easy. It hasn’t been all fun and games. Our industry is one of the most diverse and rapidly changing from a business and operations standpoint. And I have some bad news for those hoping the changes will slow or stop. It’s not going to happen. But I don’t see that as bad news. I’m excited for the future. Before you can properly prepare for changes, you must be aware of what’s coming. Mark Twain is credited with the quote, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” 



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



To me, that means and for our conversation here, it means that if you look at how our industry is evolving, you will see marks and identifiers from the past reemerging in new and unique ways. Products being used differently, ideas being reimagined, and previously unthinkable technological advancements solving for past and new challenges. At the same time, there will be past issues that continue to rear their ugly heads. Things like: 



Tariffs and supply chain issues wreaking havoc with the financial structure of the business which affects us all directly. of course it also depends on which public officials are in office at any given time.



The issue of editorial credit, attribution, idea and IP theft and knock-offs - Why does that matter so much?



Tearing down landmarks and historical buildings - Who cares? This is a portion of my conversation form the1001 N Roxbury episode. If not familiar and you care about architectural preservation, you should be.



DEI - Policy and Practice -  In 2019 at the WestEdge Design Fair, I produced a panel about diversity in design featuring four creatives of color. It was not the first time I had conversations with creatives of color, different backgrounds, ideas or even who had differences in thought. I cast that program in June or July of 2019, it was held in October of 2019 and published in June of 2020. Shortly after the murder of George Floyd which ignited a powder keg in this country. It started a conversation about race, about equity and about fairness. Change is not a bad thing, without change, one becomes stagnant,

I’m Josh Cooperman and this is Convo By Design. Today, we are heading to San Francisco. We’re talking with Katie McCaffrey with the McCaffrey Design Group about functional beauty, designing in a rapidly changing city like San Francisco and so much more.



It is really astounding when you stop and think about it. A city like San Francisco that is under constant change. Social change, climate change, political change, safety concerns, property management and development issues. How can the design community stay on track for their clients and manage all of the changes simultaneously? Can’t be easy. But Katie seems to take it all with a certain grace and poise. Incredibly so. And, you are going to hear all about it, right after this.



Thank you Katie, loved our chat. I really do love these conversations. I love sharing these stories with you. Please continue to email me with your guest and show suggestions. Convobydesign@outlook.com and reach out via Instagram, @ConvoXDesign with an “X”.



Thank you to Convo By Design partner sponsors, ThermaSol, TimberTech, Pacific Sales and Design Hardware. For more information about and links to these incredible companies and to learn more about their products, please check the show notes.



For more stories like these from the design community, please make sure you are subscribing to the podcast, so you receive new episodes automatically when they are published. That way, you never miss an episode. Convo By Design is available everywhere you find your favorite podcasts. Thanks for listening, until next week, be well and take today first. - Convo By Design