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Big Ideas for Tiny Homes Get Attention at Dwell On Design Show in LA

Don’t suggest to Kim Lewis that tiny homes might be just a trend.

This “Little Lady with Big Ideas” has enough faith in the staying power of this movement that she is partnering with Cavco Industries to develop her line of stylish tiny homes that meet most budgets.

She unveiled her new Joshua Tree Tiny Home June 23-25 at the annual Dwell on Design trade show in Los Angeles, and likes this 560-square-foot double trailer unit so much she plans to make it her primary residence in Austin, Texas.

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Dwell on Design: Day 1

The first official day of Dwell on Design flew by in a whirl. The minute the doors opened at the Los Angeles Convention Center slightly before 10 AM, the energy levels were through the roof.

Throughout the first day, the House Tipster media team browsed over 200 exhibits, listened to guest speakers (including the phenomenally talented Sir David Adjaye), and learned about the newest designs you’ll be seeing in magazines, your neighborhood, and possibly even your own home!

Now, not only do we have information regarding the latest and greatest modern design trends that matter to YOU, we’re also in the process of meeting and interviewing some of the best designers and brands in the industry.

Some folks we met on Day 1 truly blew us away, not just with their work, but with their passion for their craft and business.

Indira Lourenco: I. LOU CORP & 45 Degrees

Although she’s based out of New York, Indira Lourenco is making waves worldwide because of her sought-after design services and her swoon-worthy, innovative luxury furniture brand: 45 Degrees.

From the lightweight and ultra-comfortable lounge chair design to the truly perfect Soulfull Shades table lamps, Indira’s work epitomizes the modern design of the future. We love her mix of bold colors such as gold and black, which transform her work from functional furniture to true pieces of artwork.

From our great conversation, it was evident that Indira loves her art. Guess what? We do too!

For more information on Indira Lourenco’s design services and furniture line, check out here.

Daniel Aleksander of Riviera Bronze

For over 15 years, Riviera Bronze has been creating custom stainless steel and bronze windows and doors out of their southern California headquarters. We spoke with Daniel Aleksander, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, who let us in on all the exciting work of the company.

Besides offering a truly top-notch product using old-world manufacturing and design techniques, the team at Riviera Bronze works with their clients from start to finish. They’re on-hand throughout the entire process, from the design of your custom doors and windows to the fabrication and finally, installation.

A whopping 85% of their sales are from residential customers, but they also work with boutique hotels and businesses interested in a unique entryway or a one-of-a-kind shower door.

They collaborate with homeowners, builders, business owners, and architects located anywhere, from their home base in Ventura, CA to South America, Asia, and Europe.

Meelena Oleksiuk Turkel: Turkel Designs & Axiom

If you browse the pages of Dwell as often as we do here at House Tipster, then this name may be very familiar to you. That’s because Meelena Oleksiuk Turkel, her husband Joel Turkel, and their team at Turkel Designs are the brains behind many homes featured in Dwell’s magazine and website.

Meelena’s newest design focus is related to her close working relationship with Dwell. Their collaboration has resulted in the Axiom Series, a distinctive prefabricated home series that uses minimum materials and is highly energy-efficient.

We’re really impressed by Turkel Design’s attention to detail, which is evident when browsing the Axiom exhibit. We loved speaking with Meelena and hearing all about the inception of this exciting project.

 

Mitchell Slater: Brown Jordan

Modern designers are always finding ways to incorporate the outdoors inside. However, it’s also important to pay some attention to beautifying outdoor areas as well, which is why we were so excited to chat with Mitch from Brown Jordan.

Brown Jordan is a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of outdoor furniture. But this isn’t your grandma’s patio chair (you know, the kind that sticks to your legs and gets a little too hot for comfort in those warm summer months).

No way!

Brown Jordan’s furniture is constructed from high-quality aluminum, which stays cool and comfortable regardless of the weather. Plus, the styles are classic yet modern and their collections are vast.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor sofas, tables, fire pits, or this amazing outdoor kitchen area they displayed, chances are Brown Jordan has something you’ll love.

 

Brad Hintze: Control4

Here at House Tipster, we get entirely too giddy when we encounter people as passionate as we are about emerging home technologies, which is why our conversation with Brad Hintze from Control4 was one for the books.

Brad loves the capabilities afforded by Control4’s amazing line of personal automation and he filled us in on all his favorite features. With their products, a homeowner can control his/her home automatically. The best part? It’s all in one place! Using either a custom interface or the app feature, you can turn on your lights, lock your doors, close your garage, or blast your favorite jams.

Control4 products are sold by thousands of distributors across 91 countries, meaning that these products are likely available and ready to install in your area.

The Team at Dunn Edwards Paints

When you think of the highest quality paints on the market, it’s likely that Dunn Edwards paints come to mind. This painting institution, which has been in the wall-covering business since 1925, is still making waves today from their manufacturing and distribution site in Phoenix, Arizona.

Over the past 90 years, Dunn Edwards has provided premium architectural coatings for residential, commercial, and the hospitality industries. We talked with a team from Dunn Edwards at Dwell on Design about how they’ve become the ‘go-to’ brand for professionals, including builders, designers, and architects.

If you’re a fan of bright, fresh neutrals, look no further than Dunn Edwards’ color of the year: Honey Glow.

Matteo & Vince: Livello/Affordable Sliding Door

Can doors and windows be sexy? Absolutely! In fact, Matteo and Vince from Livello let us in on a little secret: sliding windows and doors make all the difference in the world if you’re looking to upgrade your home.

Livello does it all, from traditional sliding french doors to ultra-chic windows and garage doors. They gave us a taste of what they’re capable of with their beautiful, remarkably quiet retractable door.

These guys are your go-to source for the installation of new doors and windows if you live in and around Los Angeles.

Kim Lewis: Tiny Homes

The tiny home phenomenon isn’t going anywhere anytime soon and that’s because of great designers like Kim Lewis who make tiny home living luxurious and worthwhile.

You remember Kim Lewis, right? She’s the lead designer behind “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and she’s been on HGTV more times than you can count. Her latest design foray is in tiny home living, which is awesome if this is your “thing.”

Kim is currently working with Austin-based here.

This collaboration between Lewis and Sett Studio is just getting started, which means there’s a lot more to look forward to in the coming months. Keep up with this project by signing up for updates on Kim Lewis’ website.

And this is all just day 1!

Stay tuned to our Facebook page as we bring you more useful takeaways from Dwell on Design 2017.

Minarc: The Gold-Standard in Modern Sustainable Design

Two Iceland natives are working to shake up the way people think about construction in the United States with their creative minimalist approach to architecture.

Due to the couple’s amazing creative spirit, there are no typical homes with Minarc, an architectural firm founded by Erla Dögg and her husband Tryggvi in 1999 and based in Santa Monica, CA.

Yet there’s a common earth-friendly theme, that less can, and should, be more in both new construction and remodeling.

“The whole industry is about using less,” said Tryggvi in an interview with House Tipster during the Meet the Architects portion of the Dwell on Design show held June 23-25 in Los Angeles, CA.

Whether they are designing a residential, commercial, or public setting, the firm is known for its careful choice of materials, such as the absence of paint, tiles, and carpeting.

“We brought a lot of things from Iceland and our upbringing to our work,” Erla told House Tipster.

Their hallmark is designing homes to be energy conscious, which means less air-conditioning and more natural features like cross-ventilation. Their holistic and environmentally aware approach to home design is aimed at eliminating waste during construction.

Sending a Message

But this couple is also known for making a statement about the environment in their designs.

Take the GRASSsit barstools they sat on during this interview. Blanketed with synthetic turf for the look of green grass, the chairs highlight the waste that happens when schools replace this turf on their athletic fields every few years.

A TV show about a rubber mountain of old tires in California sparked other ideas, leading up to the rubber sink they first experimented with in their own home.

“Since then we have numerous clients using it, and everyone seems to be liking it,” Tryggvi said.

Minarc has won numerous awards and accolades for its use of innovative materials and sustainable practices. For its founders, the work is all about having fun and sending a message that makes others think about the environment.

“That’s our directive – to educate people, and have people understand,” he said.

Always taking the needs and desires of clients into consideration, Minarc can create a traditional country cottage or that modern dream house.

Ultra-modern is how folks are describing two of its projects, the Sherbourne Residence, located in Culver City, CA, and the Drexel home situated in the Hollywood Hills, chosen to be showcased during Dwell on Design’s annual Home Tours event in June.

These properties aren’t just eco-friendly and ultra-modern, they were also hand-selected by Dwell, a magazine devoted to the art and function of contemporary design as a representation of its brand.

Holistic-Building: It’s Important

We love how Minarc incorporates holistic-building practices into all of their builds and renovations, from small residences to large-scale commercial properties. These are just some of the ways they put thought—and heart—into their creations.

  • Using natural light whenever possible. This translates into big windows, which means a great transition from the inside to the outside.
  • Focusing on outdoor living spaces. This is another way to bring the inside out and vice versa. The less time you spend indoors, the less energy you’re using.
  • Choosing eco-friendly materials. Say goodbye to chemical-laden carpets and inorganic tiles. Instead, Minarc helps you find materials that are locally sourced or recycled such as reclaimed wood, recycled tires, and renewable woods like walnut or ipe.
  • Incorporating modern design principles. Clean lines and functional spaces are intentional yet simple.

Regardless of whether you’re building new construction or renovating, you may want to consider using some of these holistic-building ideas in your own home.