Convo By Design®

Convo By Design®

A podcast dedicated to promoting the ideas of architects, artists, designers, tastemakers and those making a difference in the way we live. Design is personal as is a good conversation. Copyright © Fusion Media, Inc. 2013-2025 All rights reserved.

Episodes

December 23, 2025 74 mins

For the past 2 years, you have been hearing about the Convo By Design Icon Registry. My version of a hall of fame. I started this reluctantly. Reluctantly?

Yes, for one reason. I have shared my disdain for the click-bait lists that many of the trade pubs and outlets offer. I think it’s disingenuous to put designers and architects on a list because there is really no way of valuing one creative over another, especially when these li...

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Creating Timeless Elegance: How Woodson & Rummerfield Bring Hollywood Regency into the 21st Century. From celebrity estates to curated collectibles, Jamie Rummerfield and Ron Woodson share their philosophy on bold, elevated design, preservation of iconic architecture, and the art of collaboration in Los Angeles.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Design Hardware – A stunni...

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Architecture is evolving faster than ever, especially in healthcare, where design intersects with technology, patient experience, and operational efficiency. In this episode, principals Rebecca MacDonald and Kyle Basilius of Parkin Architects discuss the changing landscape of hospital design, from universal versus private healthcare systems to the integration of AI and robotics. Discover how architecture shapes outcomes for patient...

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From Halifax to the four Maritime provinces, Stil James founders share how timeless design, regional sensibilities, and entrepreneurial grit shape their work and new cabinetry brand, Loran. There’s a kind of quiet confidence in the design work coming out of Canada’s Maritime provinces—projects that don’t chase trends but instead reflect the rhythm of life shaped by weather, culture, and community. In this episode of Convo By Design...

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In this episode of Convo By Design, I connect with London-based designer Juliette Byrne to explore how refined design adapts to different cultures and markets. From navigating international trade to redefining timeless interiors, Juliette shares how adaptability, craftsmanship, and collaboration drive her studio’s continued success across continents.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertis...

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California native Sue Firestone reflects on five decades of creativity, resilience, and reinvention—from Malibu’s fires to Montecito’s rebirth, from model homes to hospitality design, and from Disney resorts to her namesake product lines.  SFA Design founder Sue Firestone to explore how her lifelong relationship with nature, her passion for authenticity, and her intuitive approach to desig...

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This week on the show, you’re going to ride along with me from the incredibly comfortable and stylish VW ID.Buzz, which served as the mobile podcast studio at CEDIA Expo / CIX this September in Denver, Colorado. This is part two of The Ride Along Series recorded live at CEDIA Expo/ CIX.

CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) is the global trade association for home technology professionals, specializing in ...

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    It is very hard for me to believe it but the 2025 edition of WestEdge is almost here. This will be the 10th edition of the show and I am so excited to share the slate of talks taking place this year in the WestEdge Theater Presented By Pacific Sales! But, I’m not going to do it here because our time here is limited. But I have an idea.

    I am going to link all of the programs and the times in the show notes. So, you can make your pla...

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    I had the opportunity to sit with down with Nick McWhirter or SHM Architects to explore the nuances of transitional design, the delicate dance between modern and traditional elements, and the intentionality behind every architectural choice. From furniture-driven layouts to aspirational lighting strategies, Nick shares the thought process, research, and we discuss philosophy that transform houses into harmonious, living machines. L...

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    Today, I sit down with EZ Gonzalez of Pacific Sales about how retail, design, and customer experience intersect in today’s market. Gonzalez shares how Pacific Sales’ culture of continuous learning and a customer first sales model has helped establish the company as the West Coast’s leading appliance retailer. 

    Designer Resources

    Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expert...

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    Courtney Novogratz: Designing a Life of Creativity and Family Courtney Novogratz has spent her career reimagining spaces that celebrate individuality, family, and joy. Alongside her husband Robert, she’s built an iconic brand known for bold style, adventurous projects, and a commitment to living beautifully without pretense. In this conversation, Courtney shares her design philosophy, her family-first approach, and how she balances...

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    This week, the Convo By Design studio went mobile inside the VW ID.Buzz at CEDIA Expo and Commercial Integrator Expo in Denver—bringing you candid conversations with leaders shaping the future of smart homes, design integration, and resilient technology.

    From energy resilience to invisible lighting, European design influences to smarter tools, these ride-along in...

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    Today on the show, Mr. Alex Tate’s, Alex Alonso and I discuss the evolution of interior design, exploring how technology, client expectations, and personal vision shape today’s industry from AI integration to marketing strategies and maximalist design philosophy, this conversation examines how designers adapt to market shifts while staying true to their creative ethos.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Alex for a litany of ...

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    This special two-part episode features Roman Alonso of Commune and David Calligeros of Remains Lighting in two distinct conversations exploring origins, philosophy, and the meaning of design partnerships.

    Designer Resources

    Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

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

    TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

    LOME-AI.co...

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    When I spoke with Scott Richler, co-founder of Gabriel Scott, I quickly realized his design journey wasn’t linear but layered. With a background in architecture, jewelry and fashion Scott brings that same sense of structure and detail into furniture and lighting design. He explained how the precision of jewelry—where every small move influences the whole—mirrors his architectural training, allowing him to think critically on both m...

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    In a wide-ranging conversation, I sat down with Renée Gaddis, founder of Renée Gaddis Interiors, to explore Florida’s distinct design influences, the evolving role of designers in storm-prone regions, and the business of luxury interiors in uncertain times. Speaking from Naples, Florida, Gaddis compared her region’s design sensibilities to other parts of the state, noting a blend of Midwestern, European, and Southern traditions. Wh...

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    Welcome to the Convo By Design Icon Registry episode for the month of July, 2025. This month’s inductee is an icon, for sure, an international luminary and someone who has been as down to earth and kind as he could possibly be. I shouldn’t have to say that. Right? But, that is one of the things that differentiates Martyn Lawrence Bullard from many, really most creatives who have achieved Bullard’s level of success. I sat down with ...

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    In this candid conversation, Poppy Bourg and Shannon McGough of Poppy McGough Design House unpack the evolving Dallas design scene, the challenges of modern publishing, and the importance of integrating architecture and interior design. They discuss how their unique backgrounds inform their approach, client expectations in a shifting market, and why authenticity and craftsmanship matter more than fleeting trends.

    Designer Resources

    ...

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    Austin-based interior designer Viki Chupik brings the city’s unique spirit into every project she touches. From its rolling hills and cultural quirks to its understated expressions of wealth, Chupik sees Austin as a place where authenticity and individuality still matter. In this conversation, she explains how to design for a city in flux. Like most of the cities people flooded to during and post-pandemic—balancing creativity, cult...

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    Today, you are going to hear a deeply candid conversation with Phil Norman, principal of Norman Design Group, to explore the complex, often contradictory realities of luxury residential design. With over 25 years of experience crafting high-end interiors in Southern California, Phil brings both practical wisdom and an unfiltered perspective on the challenges designers face today. And part of exploring these ideas, is a willingness ...

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