Recently California Home and Design featured an elegant renovation of a mid-century modern Beverly Hills cottage by Lori Gilder of Interior Makeovers. Take a look to learn more about the remodel and see the rest of the beautiful home.
Photo by Karyn Millet
Join us on for our second cross-country modern design road trip with Dwell. Our first destination in May was Seattle, Washington; then we stopped in San Francisco, California; and this weekend we’re traveling to Los Angeles, California!
The Monogram Modern Home will be joining thousands of architecture and design enthusiasts at Dwell on Design LA, America’s largest design event at the Los Angeles Convention Center June 24- 26. The home will be located in the Dwell Outdoor section of the show floor. Guests must be registered for Dwell on Design to attend. The Monogram Modern Home will be open for tours, live product demonstrations and culinary tastings prepared by our tour chef.
For accredited industry professionals, please join us on Friday, June 24 for a day of continuing design education. For additional details and to register for the CEU’s, visit the Dwell website.
Hear from California homeowner Chris Cory about her first Monogram kitchen remodel, and why she is anxiously awaiting completion of her second Monogram kitchen remodel in another home.
“We are eagerly waiting for our new kitchen to “appear” in about 10 weeks.
About six years ago we remodeled our kitchen in Oakland, California, with three Monogram appliances (48″ range, refrigerator, and microwave). We sold our home in Oakland and the beautiful Monogram kitchen was the main selling point.
42″ Refrigerator, 48″ Range and Microwave
48″ Range and Microwave
Microwave
Day before Thanksgiving, 2011 – Prepping for dinner
We moved to Pacific Grove, California, and purchased a great GE Cafe double oven range thinking we would use it in our “soon to be remodeled” kitchen. Nothing against GE Cafe, but it wasn’t a Monogram! I wanted my Monogram range back!
I decided to do my “homework” on appliances again. I visited design centers, read reviews, read appliance specifications and checked pricing. I looked at Wolf, Viking and any range that had a griddle, grill and two ovens (one small and one large). I “needed” the small oven (for just my husband and myself for daily meals) and a griddle for LOTS of things (pancakes, bacon, quesadillas, tacos, vegetables, grilled cheese sandwiches and more). Once again, the Monogram 48″ range was the best choice.
While visiting New York City, we decided to visit the Monogram Design Center and partake in a lunch prepared by the in-house chef. We saw and experienced the “wonders” of the Advantium oven and decided to buy one. This purchase eliminated the need for a warming oven and microwave, thus leaving more room for cabinets. We ended up taking advantage of the “2 for 1” sale and bought the following Monogram appliances … 48″ range (grill & griddle), 48″ counter depth refrigerator with built-in water dispenser, dishwasher, wine reserve and the Advantium. Where applicable, all of the appliances will have custom panels, similar to the Oakland kitchen.
My current kitchen has no appliances or cabinets. We’ve converted the dining room into a temporary kitchen. Demolition of the kitchen starts this coming Monday. Hopefully in 10 weeks I can share photos of our new Monogram kitchen.
I’m looking forward to cooking again.”
Written by Lou Lenzi, Director of Industrial Design for GE Appliances
As part of a growing relationship between our Industrial Design team and UCLA’s Architecture and Urban Design department (see my December 3, 2015 post ), Monogram was a sponsor of the department’s 50th anniversary gala on March 19th.
After-school assignment: celebrating 50 years of design excellence
Among those joining us at the celebration was our good friend and noted Los Angeles kitchen and bath designer Laurie Haefele and Professor Craig Hodgetts, an AIA- award winning architect and teacher.
Professor Craig Hodgetts; Laurie Haefele, Associate A.I.A, ASID, NKBA; and Lou Lenzi
The evening included remarks by Dean Block, UCLA’s Chancellor, and Hitoshi Abe, Chair of the School of Architecture, along with thoughtful tributes to Denise Scott Brown (co-author of Learning from Las Vegas), architectural preservationists The Palm Springs Modern Advocates, and industrial designer Yves Behar (designer of the GE WattStation, the Movado Edge and the Sodastream Source, among others). It was a terrific evening, and as they say, “here’s to the next 50 years!”
While in LA, my wife and I took the opportunity to play tourists and checked-in on two must-see’s for any designer.
After a Friday morning review of the graduate architecture student’s Cybervillage projects, it was off to the newly renovated Petersen Automotive Museum on Wiltshire Boulevard. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or not, the mark the automobile has made on Southern California is undeniable. The museum recognizes this history in an upbeat and vibrant fashion and is worth a visit.
The Silver Gallery at the renovated Petersen Automotive Museum
Saturday morning was spent enjoying the buildings, grounds and art at the Getty Center. The views from its hilltop perch in the Santa Monica Mountains are worth the trip alone, providing the viewer with a unique perspective of LA.
And I must sheepishly admit that as an admirer of modernist architecture, I was more enamored with the Getty’s architecture than the art on display in the galleries. Shame on me.
A Modernist’s mecca: Richard Meier’s Getty Center
The Monogram Experience Center (MEC) brings designers to Louisville, Kentucky, for three-day experiences to learn about Monogram, the design process, our appliances – and even cook with them! We interviewed each designer to learn a little more about their background and design experiences.
Today’s profile highlights Brenna Krouse with K Squared Construction in Sacramento, California.
Brenna Krouse with Josh Temple, host of House Crashers, in the home she designed for the TV show.
SRFD: How did you become interested in design?
Brenna: I remember as a kid, always rearranging the furniture in my room. As I got older, I loved looking at model homes. Then when I was 19, I started working in a design center for a higher end home builder and fell in love with design.
SRFD: Tell us about a recent project you really enjoyed.
Brenna: Recently, I have had the opportunity to work on the TV show, House Crashers. They are very challenging but they also allow me to have full creative authority over the project. I get to complete my vision from start to finish. My husband is a general contractor and we make a good team. I always say, “I can dream it, he can build it!”
SRFD: A trend you’re over?
Brenna: Chevron patterns!
SRFD: A trend you’re excited about?
Brenna: Wallpaper! It’s a super fun way to add color and texture!
SRFD: What did you learn in Louisville?
Brenna: I learned a lot about the higher end gas ranges! I never really paid too much attention to the differences between the brands.
The Monogram Experience Center (MEC) brings designers to Louisville, Kentucky, for three-day experiences to learn about Monogram, the design process, our appliances – and even cook with them! We interviewed each designer to learn a little more about their background and design experiences.
Today’s profile highlights Kirsten and Darrell Becker with Becker Studios in Santa Barbara, California.
Kirsten and Darrell Becker, recent participants at the Monogram Experience Center in Louisville, Kentucky
SRFD: How did you become interested in design?
Kirsten and Darrell: We have always been taken by that relaxed, perfectly satisfied feeling you get in a space that’s done right. But we are more affected by what’s wrong in a space! When it just feels a tad bit off or seriously awkward, that’s what inspires us to look at it from different angles and create a certain mood and better flow that puts anyone that enters it in a “feel good” place. After working separately for many years, Kirsten, a designer, and Darrell, a custom builder, found that collaboratively, their work exceeded expectations, so Becker Studios was established as a one-stop shop for design/build projects. We always stick to two mottos. First: Dream. Design. Build. Then: Rearrange, Refine, and LIVE!
SRFD: Tell us about a recent project you really enjoyed.
Kirsten and Darrell: We recently completed a massive commercial development project – The Mill. The Mill is a marketplace featuring local merchants with Santa Barbara roots. We purchased the property, had a vision for it, designed it, processed it, built it and procured the proper tenant mix to bring it to life. What’s special about The Merchants is that they all produce and serve their products – beer, wine, BBQ and more – on site, so it is the ultimate inception to finish experience. The Mill also includes our offices and Becker Studios’ design outlet, Millworks. As a brand extension of Becker Studios, it features our own unique furnishings and designs. We sourced recycled barn wood from Wyoming and created custom, one-of-a-kind hardware, gates and panels to make it feel of era and authentic. It has been a long road, but the results are beyond what we pictured. We are thrilled to watch our vision come to life on such a large scale! Anyone can watch our journey through @themillsb on Instagram!
SRFD: A trend you’re over?
Kirsten and Darrell: Restoration Hardware knocking off every cool, unique relic that ever existed – and doing a great job at it!
SRFD: A trend you’re excited about?
Kirsten and Darrell: Raw, authentic goods displayed at the heart of design. Living finishes are comfortable to soak in, plus they are low maintenance and better for the environment.
SRFD: What did you learn in Louisville?
Kirsten and Darrell: Appliances not only need to be user friendly and super functional, but also on the cutting edge of design. And not all designers are good cooks…even with Advantium at their fingertips!
Follow along with Kirsten and Darrell on Instagram at @beckerstudios.
We’re traveling on a cross-country modern design road trip with Dwell in a prefabricated house, custom-built and outfitted with Monogram appliances. Our first destination in April was Portland, Oregon, and this weekend we will be at Dwell on Design in Los Angeles, California!
We will be popping up the Monogram Modern Home at Dwell on Design LA (DODLA) from May 29th – 31st at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Each year the Dwell editors bring the pages of Dwell to life in this three-day design event celebrating the world of design and modern living. Join design visionaries from around the world and experience the Monogram Modern Home at DODLA.
On Friday, May 29th, the home will host a series of Continuing Education Units (CEU). Check out the details and sign up here.
On Saturday, May 30th, and Sunday, May 31st, the doors will be open to DODLA attendees. Plus, when you stop by, you will have the chance to enter to win a Monogram appliance! Be sure to follow us on social media for surprise – yet to be announced – events and giveaways.
See you soon, Los Angeles!
Save Room For Design by Monogram Appliances 