Doctoring Up Design

Happy New Year, and welcome to our first episode of 2026. I’m Josh Cooperman with Convo By Design and have bee hosting Doctoring Up Design, the official podcast of Design Hardware. If you haven’t been into the showroom before, or its been a while, please come back and see all of the new updates and additions to this remarkable space, where we host industry education events, like the one you are going to hear today. This is a throwback to the first Environment Check event held in the showroom back in 2022. 

It has been a year since the catastrophic fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. What have we learned? I would say we have learned a lot, but much of it isn’t new. So, periodically, in addition to all the new content we create here at Design Hardware, we are going to add some throwbacks that make sense. Like the program you are going to hear on this episode of Doctoring Up Design.

Design Hardware hosted a vital forum on how the intersection of gray water reclamation, native landscaping, and green building policy is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for human survival.

We, gathered a "Brain Trust" of sustainability experts at the Design Hardware showroom in Los Angeles. The conversation moves past the surface-level "crunchy granola" stereotypes of eco-design and dives into the hard science of urban resilience.

From the "double waste" of California’s current water infrastructure to the vanishing craft of climate-appropriate landscaping, the panel explores how designers and architects must act as "Building Scientists." The consensus is clear: awareness and education are the only tools powerful enough to shift policy from a reactive "whisper" to a proactive “scream." And that “scream” was heard loud and clear a year ago. Let’s explore ways to minimize this in the future. This feels like a good way to do that. Listen to a few hot talks from the following conversation and see if they don’t resonate. Because this was a conversation from 2022.

Participants:

Josh Cooperman | Convo By Design

Design Hardware | DesignHardware.com

Cassie Aoyagi | Form LA Landscaping

Leigh Jerard | Greywater Corps

Tim Barber | Tim Barber Architects

Ben Stapleton | USGBC California

Explore the forces shaping interior design in 2026. Experts discuss how tariffs, trade policies, and material sourcing are impacting projects, while highlighting innovative, practical design solutions. We will be exploring and you will be sharing how technology, sustainability, and evolving client expectations are transforming workflows—and actionable strategies to keep your interior design practice competitive and ahead of the curve.

This conversation features: 

Eva Hughes | Black House Beige

Rachael Grochowski | RHG Architecture

Priya Vij | hapny Home

Shelly Sandoval | Lauzon Collection

Recorded live at Design Hardware, this episode of Doctoring Up Design unpacks how designers, architects, specifiers, and manufacturers are navigating one of the most turbulent periods the industry has seen in years. The panel — Eva Hughes (Black House Beige), Shelly Sandoval (Lauzon Ltd.), Rachel Grachowski (RHG Architecture & Design), and Priya Vij (hapny Home — explores the widening communication gap between clients, trades, and vendors; the collapse of predictable supply chains; and the new demands placed on professionals in an AI-accelerated landscape.

Conversations center on language breakdown (“modern,” “wellness,” “luxury”), vendor inconsistency, shifting budgets, tariffs, fluctuating stock, and the need to reinvent specification workflows. The group also examines the role of AI — not as a threat to designers — but as an accelerant for those who learn to wield it effectively.

Eva Hughes – Black House Beige
https://blackhousebeige.com

Shelly Sandoval – Lauzon Flooring
https://lauzonflooring.com

Rachel Grabowski – RHG Architecture & Design
https://rhgdesign.com/

Priya Vij– hapny Home
https://hapnyhome.com

On this episode of Doctoring Up Design, we explore the evolution of Rocky Mountain Hardware, a 100% U.S.-made architectural hardware brand based in Idaho. Christian Nickum, CEO and President of Rocky Mountain Hardware shares the company’s origins, family-driven growth, and the design philosophy that blends craftsmanship, versatility, and innovation. From custom projects to a nationwide distributor network, listeners get an inside look at how Rocky Mountain Hardware supports designers, architects, and homeowners alike.

 Learn how a small mountain-town shop grew into a nationally recognized brand, producing bronze, brass, and aluminum hardware for a variety of architectural styles. We discuss design processes, trade partnerships, and the innovative “Road Show” that brings products and expertise directly to design professionals.

This episode is brought to you by Rocky Mountain Hardware, offering fully U.S.-manufactured architectural hardware for residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.

• Founding story by Christian’s father in Sun Valley, Idaho.

• Christian joins the business in 1996, taking over production.

• Blending rustic mountain inspiration with contemporary design trends.

• “Never say no” approach to creating unique hardware and home accessories.

• Importance of showrooms, independent reps, and distributor network.

• Concept, history, and impact of the mobile showroom.

• Emphasis on 100% U.S.-made, high-quality architectural hardware.

Mark Font and Andrea Yebra of Viefe share how a family business that began with wooden buttons nearly 100 years ago evolved into one of Europe’s most respected makers of knobs, handles, and home accessories.

This conversation explores Viefe’s journey from its roots in Catalonia’s woodturning tradition to becoming a global design brand with a growing U.S. presence. Mark and Andrea discuss their manufacturing approach, the art of merchandising, their U.S. showroom strategy, and how they balance tradition, innovation, and design trends while navigating tariffs and global supply chains.

Origins of Viefe

The Shift from Buttons to Handles

Craft, Manufacturing & Design Process

U.S. Expansion Strategy

Navigating the Pandemic

Merchandising & Showroom Strategy

Cultural & Market Adaptation

Global Supply Chain & Tariffs

This episode of Doctoring Up Design features a conversation with Ignacio Rodriguez of Ignacio Rodriguez Architects, a Los Angeles firm with deep roots in the community and an internationally influenced way of thinking about design. 

I’m Josh Cooperman, host of Convo By Design and in this episode of Doctoring Up Design, the official podcast of Design Hardware and Flooring in Los Angeles, we explore the inner workings of some of the most talented creatives in the world, based in Southern California,

 Ignacio Rodriguez, CEO of Ignacio Rodriguez Architects in Los Angeles, blends artistry, cultural influences, and forward-thinking design in his residential work. From his upbringing in Long Beach’s diverse creative environment to navigating post-pandemic lifestyle shifts, Rodriguez shares how openness, security, and longevity guide his architectural vision. In this conversation, he unpacks how contemporary demands are reshaping homes—without sacrificing beauty or purpose.

Show Topics Outline:

That’s a wrap on another episode. Ignacio, thank you for the time and willingness to share. Please check the show notes for links to the speakers and other resources associate with this talk. Thank you Michele Solomons and Avi Balsam with Design Hardware for hosting these conversations and making them available. That is part of their commitment to the design and architecture community. 

If you are in Los Angeles and have some time, come visit us in the showroom, 6053 West 3rd Street. In LA just up the street from the Grove.

If you enjoy what you hear, subscribe to the show so you receive each new episode automatically to your podcast feed. You can also join in the conversation on Instagram @DesignHardware. Thanks for listening, see you next time.

This panel explored the critical challenges facing designers, manufacturers, and distributors as they navigate supply chain instability, shifting global manufacturing strategies, recycled content sourcing, and client expectations amid tight deadlines—especially in wildfire-impacted areas like Altadena and Pacific Palisades and features; Melissa Zellner - Director of Marketing | ASSA ABLOY Group,  Anthony Powsney _ Regional Sales Manager | Zip Water, Emile Zmenak, Managing Partner | Urbania Canada and Jay Williams, Senior Director  | The AZEK Company

Key Themes and Takeaways:

Manufacturing Strategy & Location Flexibility:

Supply Chain Pressure & Preemptive Planning:

Tariffs & Pricing Instability:
Communication Breakdown & Trust:
Transparent Relationships & Education:

Planning for Large-Scale Rebuilds:

Resilience Through Partnership:

Supply Chain Uncertainty & Design Resilience — A Blueprint for Moving Forward

Designers today face a reality that feels less like a puzzle and more like a moving target. Supply chains are in constant flux, tariffs are reshaping pricing strategies overnight, and manufacturing must strike a careful balance between cost, speed, and sustainability. In this recent panel hosted by Doctoring Up Design, industry leaders from manufacturing, distribution, and design gathered to talk candidly about what's changing, what's working, and how designers can better navigate a turbulent environment—particularly when working on wildfire rebuilds or urgent residential timelines.

Manufacturing Is No Longer Local or Global—It’s Strategic

The conversation began with a look at where products are made and how that affects availability and pricing. One manufacturer described their hybrid model: U.S.-grown timber processed and partially assembled domestically, with finishing done in locations like Southeast Asia and Cartagena. Why? Because even with wages at $28/hour and benefits, they couldn’t hire enough skilled labor in Central Michigan.

“We built a state-of-the-art factory,” one panelist explained. “We had people interested in sawing timber, but no one wanted to stay through the manufacturing process.” That labor challenge forced the company to rethink what “Made in the USA” really means—and how they could still meet that standard while staying economically viable.

Recycled Materials & Smart Sourcing Offer New Hope

Communication Isn’t Just Important—It’s Non-Negotiable

Rebuilding After Disaster Requires a Different Playbook

Budgeting and Flexibility Go Hand in Hand

“We're all going to have to compromise somewhere,” one panelist said. “But when you work with people you trust, you know they’ll do everything they can to help.”

Final Thoughts: Partnership Is the New Competitive Advantage

Ultimately, design is a human business, not just a technical one. Whether it’s a manufacturer innovating with 48-hour veneer drying or a showroom that calls to walk you through every option, success depends on real relationships. If one leg of the stool—manufacturer, showroom, or designer—breaks, the whole system collapses.

But when all three collaborate, communicate, and plan together, they can weather any disruption—and even build something better than what came before.

California’s escalating wildfire crisis is forcing a radical rethink in residential architecture. With fires growing in intensity, frequency, and unpredictability, architects, planners, and policymakers are coming together to define a new blueprint for resilient, sustainable living in the wildland-urban interface. In May, I journeyed to Design Hardware for the Spring Design Thought Leadership Summit, something we do four times a  year at Design Hardware to delve into trending ideas and concepts bubbling up through the design and architecture community. After hosting these events for over 6-years at Design Hardware, I always come away with a fresh perspective on emerging ideas and this time was no exception. The idea this time was to isolate the concepts and ideas that are needed now to address climate change, specifically fire related issues and develop them into actionable strategies for building—and rebuilding—homes in fire-prone areas.

The day was broken down into two parts. The first was specifically about fire-related building issues discussed during a panel featuring architect Greg Chasen of Chasen Architects and Ben Stapleton and Becky Feldman of the USGBC-CA. The second panel covered Market and supply chain issues being affected by both a surge in demand due to rebuilding and exacerbated by the on-again-off-again tariffs. That program will be published here as well so check back for publication.

This panel covers a lot. Thank you Becky, Ben and Greg for taking part and helping move the ball forward with such a challenging and difficult subject.

PANEL

Thank you Becky, Greg and Ben. More conversations like this will ultimately make California’s shelter industry stronger and more resilient. Please check the show notes for links to the speakers and other resources associate with this talk. Thank you Michele Solomons and Avi Balsam with Design Hardware for hosting these conversations and making them available. That is part of their commitment to the design and architecture community. If you enjoy what you hear, subscribe to the show so you receive each new episode automatically to your podcast feed. You can also join in the conversation on Instagram @DesignHardwareandFlooring. Thanks for listening, see you next time.

I’m Josh Cooperman, host and publisher of Convo By Design as well as Doctoring Up Design, the official podcast of Design Hardware and Flooring in Los Angeles. This is year 6 of Doctoring Up Design, a show that was created to help design specifiers address some of the pain points professionals in the  architecture, interior design and landscape architecture space face on a daily basis.

Today on the show, you are going to hear from Parini Mehta, AIA LEED AP, Tanner Clapham, AIA and Michael Stebbins, AIA from CO Architects. CO Architects, a firm dedicated to perpetual innovation and continual improvement through collaboration. This is a firm dedicated to creating lasting impact through design and the following conversation is evidence of that. 

This conversation is about the collaborative nature of an architecture firm that allows their architects to work on different types of projects and share their typology specialty while learning new ones in real time. Today, we are discussing; education architecture, healthcare, medical facilities, laboratory architecture, research and exploring the idea of future-proofing structures from affects of both seen and unseen factors. I’m so appreciative for this opportunity to explore these ides with the incredible creatives. I really enjoyed it and I hope you do too.

Thank you Parini, Michael and Tanner for taking the time to visit. Thank you to all of the professionals at CO Architects for your skill and willingness to share. Thank you for sharing this time together. Thank you for subscribing and downloading Doctoring Up Design. Thank you Michele Solomons and Avi Balsam with Design Hardware for your commitment to this incredible and durable industry. Thanks again for listening, see you next time.

’m Josh Cooperman, host and publisher of Convo By Design as well as Doctoring Up Design, the official podcast of Design Hardware in Los Angeles. This is year 6 of Doctoring Up Design, a show that was created to help design specifiers address some of the pain points professionals in the  architecture, interior design and landscape architecture space face on a daily basis.

Adam Hunter | Adam Hunter Inc. Adam shares his ideas regarding social media, particularly in light of recent events, and emphasized the need for disconnection. He suggested that the design community could define what disconnection means, while acknowledging the importance of connectivity in various aspects of life. Josh also shared his personal experience with parenting and the challenges of balancing social media usage with parenting responsibilities. He concluded by suggesting that when life is full and enjoyable, the need for constant connectivity diminishes.

Adam shared his thoughts about the potential for technology to become more integrated into everyday life, such as wireless charging trays for phones. He expressed his admiration for Apple's minimalist design approach and the

#InteriorDesign #Design #AdamHunter #ConnectedLiving #AI

Before we get to Adam, I want to share some thoughts with you that I believe is on everyones mind right now as a new phase in American politics begins. While you cannot control what happens, you can control how you respond. The LA area has seen some horrific sights recently and with the wildfires came tremendous loss. There is a huge opportunity to built LA stronger, better and smarter than previously built and it comes down to the industry professional who know this business better than anyone. 

This is also an opportunity engage with the professionals at Design Hardware who can help you specify the right products for all your projects. From exceptional wood flooring to plumbing, hardware and too much to mention here, and the best part is the people at Design Hardware have been doing this at the highest level since 1985. So, it’s been a minute and they know what you need to be the best version of yourself and provide your clients with their custom environment. Check the links in the show notes for links to set up an introductory call and find out how they can best serve you on your next project in Southern California, across the country or around the world. 

Thank you Adam for taking the time to visit. Thank you for sharing this time together. Thank you for subscribing and downloading Doctoring Up Design. Thank you Michele Solomons and Avi Balsam with Design Hardware for your commitment to this incredible and durable industry. Thanks again for listening, see you next time.

In an industry that celebrates greatness from within the ranks of design creatives across the country, we don’t always do the best job cultivating new talent. Sometimes it starts by simply showcasing a new creative, even if they don’t happen to be new to business. Designer as second career is one of the most popular ways many arrive, but in many ways the challenge to succeed is greater for younger designers who are new to design as opposed to those who are more mature. Julie Beuerlein of JKB Home Design brings an electric personality and passion to the business, one she started four short years ago at the start of COVID. You might mock the timing, she’s not. It was the perfect time to launch a new design endeavor as the world looked for ways to improve their pandemic prisons.

Here are some of the topics we discussed during our chat:

Thank you.… Thank you Michele Solomons and Avi Balsam fro Design Hardware. Check out the Instagram feed, @DesignHardwareandflooring for more information as it’s released. Thank you Michele Solomons and Avi Balsam with Design Hardware for your continued and unwavering support of the design and architecture community. And thank you for listening to the podcast. I love hearing from you, love learning about new products and guests you think should be featured on the podcast, so email me, you will find a link in the show notes along with links to all of our guests and their work in addition to Design hardware, where you can find everything you could want fro your next design project along with ideas and suggestions. Until the next episode, be well.