Dwell on Design 2017, an annual event showcasing the best in modern architecture, design, and technologies, featured an array of 200+ vendors, guest speakers, continuing education, thought sessions, and more. And our House Tipster team was on-site throughout the event looking for the trends that matter to YOU.
After Day 1’s exciting start, we were beyond pumped to wake up and meet and greet even more exhibitors on the floor of the Los Angeles Convention Center for Days 2 and 3 of the weekend-long event.
Remember how we mentioned how passionate the brand representatives, designers, and architects were on Day 1? Well, things didn’t change much throughout the rest of the event. The common consensus here is that everyone at Dwell on Design cares an awful lot about modern design.
All the vendors had great products they wanted to share with the world, but here are some that stood out to us, and we think you’ll love them too!
Jonathan Brill: Infinity Drain
Infinity Drain, a drain company based out of New York, is the brainchild of Jonathan Brill. And boy, does Jonathan appreciate a good drain! Since 2009, he’s been designing and overseeing the fabrication of his line of American-made drains.
But these aren’t just any drains. Infinity Drain specializes in shower, pool, and balcony drains with linear and center-based designs. What sets Jonathan’s company apart from others is the site-sizeable install, meaning that everything is cut to size right then and there.
If you’re looking for a complete shower system, Infinity Drain handles that too. In collaboration with USG Durock, the entire system takes only 90 minutes to install and includes drains, waterproof floor and walls, and all shower accessories.
For a sleek, streamlined drain, go “linear” with Infinity Drain.
Dondi & Kris: Marvin Doors
Marvin Windows and Doors makes every window and door to order out of their Warroad, Minnesota home. Thankfully, Dondi and Kris, representatives from Marvin Doors were eager to talk with us about their entire contemporary line.
Regardless of where people live, it seems like everyone, everywhere is looking to incorporate modern design elements into their homes — and one of the easiest ways to do this is by upgrading the windows and doors.
According to Kris, social media has standardized the styles homeowners are looking for, meaning that what’s popular in California may also jive in Minnesota, Maine, and Florida. Of course, there are regional preferences, but advances in material technology have made glass styles available to anyone, even if you live in sub-zero temperatures!
Basically, no matter where you live, people want glass, including bigger windows and doors. If you’re dying to bring the outdoors inside (like so many of us, nowadays), then think about adding more glass to your home with Marvin Doors.
Robert Lemke & Kate Weiss: Saroyan
Robert Lemke, vice president at Saroyan in Huntington Park, CA, presented us with some great information on the hardwood molding and flooring created by this 70-year-old company.
In fact, all of Saroyan’s hardwoods, from ash to douglas fir, mahogany, maple, and even European white oak, are manufactured at their facilities in California, Kentucky, and Indiana. Aside from their natural hardwoods, Saroyan also creates engineered hardwoods.
We definitely like our parquet here at House Tipster, so you know we flipped when we got a chance to browse Saroyan’s popular parquet panel line. It comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and woods, providing that perfectly unique classic European-look.
Saroyan produces a great product, whether you’re interested in lumber, moldings, or custom millwork.
Lisa Kruger & Ryan Hughes: Stepstone
Dwell-veterans Lisa Kruger and Ryan Hughes feel at home representing their 60-year-old Los Angeles-based concrete company, Stepstone. While you may not have ever given two thoughts about precast concrete, it’s everywhere, and you definitely need it!
Stepstone’s a cut above the rest because all their products are completely cast and finished by hand. We couldn’t help but love how excited Lisa was about the entire production experience. Unlike other similar companies, employees at Stepstone are given some creative liberties during the manufacturing process. How cool is that?
You’re bound to fall in love with Stepstone’s Linearity Series, including their popular Diamond Pavers which are more durable than traditional pavers and come in several sizes, patterns, and colors.
Jeremiah Rice: Sun Valley Bronze
You can browse Sun Valley Bronze’s website all you want, but you’re going to have to visit a showroom to get your hands on some of their stunning products. Jeremiah Rice from Sun Valley Bronze gave us the inside scoop on his family-owned and operated business, which has been in operation since 1992.
Everything made by Sun Valley Bronze, from kitchen and bath accessories to door handles and hinges are sand-cast in Sun Valley, Idaho. They work with white bronze, silicone bronze, and the ever-popular brass. According to Jeremiah, people are raving about Sun Valley Bronze’s brass products. Another popular product is the barn-track sliding door hardware, which is durable and can handle a door weighing up to 700 pounds.
Regardless of what material you choose, the products you get from this special company are truly refined. Most touch around 50 pairs of hands before reaching the end-user.
Paul, Derick, & Carlos: Wickham Hardwood Flooring
Lastly, we chatted it up with Paul, Derick, and Carlos from Wickham Hardwood Flooring of Canada. Just recently, Wickham partnered with California Granite & Flooring to break into the US’ West Coast market, and they were definitely enthusiastic to be here at Dwell on Design.
Wickham manufactures both solid and engineered hardwoods, featured in four main collections. Their premier line, “Mountain Home Collection,” is hand-scraped and finished in natural hardwoods. If you decide to go the engineered hardwood route, rest assured you’re getting a great product with a Baltic birch core with a 4mm veneer.
As a bonus, since everything is hand-made, no two Wickham Hardwood Flooring planks are alike.
We know you have lots of new brands and products to explore after this action-packed day.
