build magazine

Ted speaks with realtor Win Peniston about Build Magazine’s last year. 2023 was a year of growth, expansion, and learning. 

Today, Ted tackles his own background, his thoughts on the building industry and the economy, and the life lessons he’s learned while building a successful company. Join us for the first Year in Review as we look towards 2024. 

TOPICS DISCUSSED

• [1:30] What was meant to be special for 2023 and did you achieve it?
• [5:00] Where was your growth? Turning negatives into positives
• [8:53] The challenges of building a company
• [11:30] What was the most innovative things you saw this year?
• [17:45] Innovation based on location
• [26:50] Which markets does Build Magazine serve and what do growth plans look like?
• [32:00] What’s on your mind? Economy, the next generation, etc.
• [39:50] What’s your prognosis for the building industry in 2024?
• [41:45] Wrap up

CONNECT WITH GUEST

Ted Bainbridge

• Website
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• Facebook
• Youtube
• LinkedIn

KEY QUOTES FROM EPISODE

• The technology in home building is always important and it's also always important to think about the realities of the house over time as it relates to technology because so much is behind the walls that you almost have to really think about getting it right the first time. 
• I think it's an exciting time to be in business, but it's also a very challenging time. But the challenge makes you, it keeps you engaged, it keeps you healthy, it keeps you functioning, it keeps your brain thinking
• It’s getting more people to understand that trades are a great way to live a life, to have a career. It is, especially, if you're dealing at this tier of people. You'll never know what a recession is, you'll never have a bad time because those people, even in bad times, they've always got money and now they think that they can get better deals on real estate. And they've got the liquidity to be able to pull that off.

Listen in as David looks back on 30+ years of building custom homes and how tastes and technologies have evolved over the decades.

A lover of travel, he also talks about his architectural inspirations as well as the unique strengths that Europe and America have in the homebuilding industry respectively, and how David incorporates these design and construction strengths into his own work.

Finally, David shares how his wife has proven herself to be an invaluable partner both in life and business.

Topics Discussed:

• [06:25] Communicating and managing expectations with clients throughout the process
• [11:54] David’s hands-on approach to his work
• [14:09] How advancements in 3D modeling changed the way David interacts with clients
• [18:13] How client expectations and tastes have changed over the years
• [26:32] About Align West Homes’ custom fabricated exterior metal railing for decks
• [28:03] Keeping up with new technologies
• [31:46] How the lot dictates the design
• [33:26] David’s architectural inspirations
• [35:19] Managing risk with each project
• [37:46] Keeping up with the latest trends
• [40:50] Working with your spouse
• [49:38] David’s biggest challenge at the moment

Connect with David Pfuetzner & Align West Homes:

• Website: https://www.alignwesthomes.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignwesthomes/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlignWestHomes/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davepfuetzner/? originalSubdomain=ca

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website - https://rebrand.ly/bmweb
• Instagram - https://rebrand.ly/bmigweb
• Facebook - https://rebrand.ly/bmfbweb

Key Quotes by David:

• My clientele hasn’t changed. They’re still human. There are still dynamics. There are still triggers. They haven’t become different.
• Keeping up with the technology is almost a full-time job in itself⁠—anywhere from the energy side of things, to products.
• The lot dictates the design.
• Today, the things that are trend-setting are related to energy efficiency.

He speaks on the underrated value of having a coach as a business owner, and how the company keeps an edge over their European cabinetry competitors with Norelco’s consistent eight-to-ten-week lead times. At the same time, Peter explains what American manufacturers can learn from their European counterparts with regards to automation and sustainable processes.

Peter also talks about the unique challenges of serving U.S. based clients as a Canadian company and how products are prepared for shipping to tropical or humid locations such as Hawaii.

Finally, he explains how Norelco is able to create timeless, as opposed to trendy, cabinet designs year after year.

Topics Discussed:

• [08:40] Lessons from sports that Peter implements in business
• [13:43] Preventing cliques from forming in the business
• [20:41] Building a company of 150 people
• [24:26] Where Norelco will be in five years
• [27:44] Competing with European cabinetry brands
• [30:46] Acclimatizing their products when shipping to Hawaii
• [33:17] Creating timeless, as opposed to trendy, cabinet designs
• [38:09] Deciding which products to add to their catalog
• [45:38] Achieving work-life balance
• [48:06] Partnering with vendors and finding clients in the U.S. as a Canadian company
• [54:21] Peter explains how and why he bought Norelco in 2002
• [55:29] The biggest obstacle and opportunity that Peter sees in the future

Connect with Peter Raja and Norelco Cabinets:

• Website - https://norelcocabinets.ca/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/norelcocabinets/
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/norelcocabinets
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/norelcocabinets
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/norelco-cabinets/?originalSubdomain=ca
• Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/professionals/cabinets-and-cabinetry/norelco-cabinets-ltd-pfvwus-pf~436382742?

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website - https://rebrand.ly/bmweb
• Instagram - https://rebrand.ly/bmigweb
• Facebook - https://rebrand.ly/bmfbweb

Key Quotes by Peter:

• We’re all one family. It doesn’t matter what your position is in the company—you’re as important to the team as any one person.
• A recession is a good opportunity to meet people. They might not have a lot of work for you at the time, but when they do have work, you’ve been there for them.
• What we’re trying to be is a high-volume production plant that is building something new every day.

Edan Marshall has been in the construction industry for over 24 years, starting in the trades before completing architecture school. He has worked in several boutique firms, including the Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative, as well as operating his own design office, before joining Grant Architecture Studio (GAS) in 2018 where he is now a managing partner. As a humanist and a poet, Edan seeks to infuse a true sense of connection between user and environment to the spaces he designs.

2022 marks 50 years as a registered architect for Paul Grant, owner at GAS. Having completed hundreds of projects across Canada, ranging from the largest and most complex high schools, to some of the most exclusive luxury homes in the lower mainland, he has been incredibly prolific, and shows little sign of slowing down. His design ethos is continuously evolving, and he strives to bring fresh eyes and original ideas to each new project.

Connect with Edan Marshall & Grant Architecture Studio:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 

Topics Discussed:

• Details Behind the Build Magazine | Whistler - Sea to Sky British Columbia Cover
• What is Net-Zero?
• About Grant Architecture Studio
• Edan Marshall Background
• Landscape Differences Between Calgary & Vancouver
• Topography Challenges
• Finding Ways to Manage Water
• The Evolution of Building Codes in Canada
• The Correct Use of Space
• Clients Unsure About Using an Architect
• Inspiration from Unlikely Places

Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Build Magazine | Whistler - Sea to Sky British Columbia 
• Kettle River Timberworks LTD. 
• Cape on Bowen 
• Revit 
• Solidworks 
• Paul Grant 
• Alka Pool 
• Net Zero 
• B.C Wood 
• Dave Farley with B.C Wood 
• Omicron 
• The University of British Columbia 
• University of Calgary 
• The Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative INC 
• Kaufmann Desert House in Palm Springs 
• Vanderbilt Mansions 
• Cornelius Vanderbilt II House in Manhattan, New York City 
• Hearst Castle 
• Versailles 
• Sintra in Portugal 
• Cafe Cintra 

With a passion in building and construction since childhood, which seems to be within the family, (with his younger son following suit), Ranny has worked in the industry for over 35 years. Even a tragic accident that made him crippled for a year couldn’t stop his dream. Today, he and his team at the Elegant Homes work on at least three major projects every year. Driven by passion and a dream to offer perfection and quality around all his projects, his company has built a good reputation and trust among his clients that he even works without signing a contract but just a handshake! 

Tune in to listen to Ranny’s journey, and how he overcame the tragic accident to become one of the top custom home builders in Las Vegas, NV.

Topics Discussed

• [01:41] The home on Las Vegas Build Magazine cover
• [07:03] Who makes the design selection?
• [09:41] Building the first house
• [12:59] How Ranny works without contract but just handshakes with clients
• [16:33] What houses does Ranny build?
• [19:05] How the pandemic affected the construction business
• [25:02] Ranny’s biggest stress in construction
• [39:23] Ranny story and the fatal accident 
• [56:26] How Ranny started Elegant Homes
• [57:59] What Ranny’s kids have learned from his struggles
• [1:00:23] Like father like sons
• [1:04:44] Looking back 30 years ago.
• [1:06:39] Delivering the best to clients
• [1:09:20] What is Ranny proud of?

Connect with Ranny McKee:

• Website: http://www.eleganthomesvegas.com/index.html

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website - https://www.buildmagazine.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buildmags/?hl=en
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BuildMags/

Key Quotes from the episode:

• That house was a very unique house. The client came to me and he said I want something that is over the top, that literally blows everything in Las Vegas away. And there was no limit.
• I told him, “man, how are we going to build this house?” And he goes, “I don’t know but we are going to have fun trying.”
• I’m such a perfectionist that I’d like to be able to go to all my houses and make sure they’re perfect.
• You do such a great job with your reputation, you’ll always keep going. 
• If the house is built right, there shouldn’t be problems.
• The doctor said, “his hands would never work. Other things may come back but the hands take so much.”
• Building a house is stressful but it doesn’t have to be.
• I’m just so blessed to have two kids that enjoy what I do.

The third-generation woodworker has spent the last 32 years building on the foundation his grandfather, a master woodworker from Europe, began prior to World War II.

Allan’s family business is a legacy defined by faith, gumption, and relentless perseverance: The elder Rosenthal, a tie salesman, was dragged into woodworking by Allan’s grandfather. Not long after, he became a Holocaust survivor who lost his entire family. Eventually, he immigrated to New York where Allan was raised until making the move to Arizona in 1990.

Allan says that if it weren’t for his father getting into the business, “he would have died working in the fields like everyone else.”

Today, Allan leads a team of 35 at Linear Fine Woodworking and is a Phoenix Home & Garden Master of the Southwest.

Topics Discussed: 

• [06:16] Allan’s background
• [11:38] How Allan finds his ultra-high-net-worth clients
• [15:28] Investing half-a-million dollars in equipment and hiring the best
• [22:23] Training his builders and architects
• [28:47] Allan’s thoughts on the supply chain issue
• [37:54] The importance of working with the right people on your team
• [40:51] How Allan’s family history shaped him and the legacy he wants to leave
• [51:58] Allan’s role as a mentor to his kids
• [58:42] How Allan stays focused on his projects and his standout jobs
• [1:07:38] How the next five years look for Allan

Connect with Guest:

• Website: https://www.linearfinewoodworking.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linearfinewoodworking/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linearfinewoodworking/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/linearfww/_created/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linear-fine-woodworking-llc
• Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/cabinets-and-cabinetry/linear-fine-woodworking-pfvwus-pf~721591618?

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website - https://www.buildmagazine.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buildmags/?hl=en
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BuildMags/

Key Quotes by Allan:

• This has been a passion for perfection, and that has always been my goal.
• I think we always need to stay ahead. And the desire to stay ahead means to take risk that some people may not necessarily take.
• The clients that are hiring us are hiring us because they don’t want to know about the supply chain issue. They just want what they want.
• I watch what people do and not what they say. That’s the easiest way for me to see character in someone.

“I was about to become a Santa Fe statistic,” she says. “I’m not proud of that. But it’s the truth. I knew that if I didn’t get out of Sante Fe and do something really big and scary, I didn’t have a future and neither did my children.”

She tells us how she eventually received a grant to study architecture and construction and, with $900 in her pocket, moved to California to get her education before moving back to Santa Fe, where she then spent the next few years getting her feet wet in the industry.

Despite having to endure an almost endless stream of hardships, Lisa wouldn’t change a thing. 25 years after starting her own firm, she reflects: “I never expected to build what I built. I didn’t. I was just trying to make it.”

Today, Lisa has never been more motivated for growth as a leader in the world of design. In every single one of her projects, she always makes it a point to maximize the journey toward the finished productan approach she sums up in the word feelosophy.

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:35] Being one of 11 siblings
• [09:25] Lisa’s first few years in the architecture industry
• [13:22] Imparting lessons on perseverance to her kids
• [15:29] How lighting became a prominent industry
• [18:11] How adobe houses are constructed
• [25:04] What clients would say about working with Lisa
• [27:12] How Lisa’s team stays inspired
• [31:08] Lisa’s vision for the next five years
• [38:25] Lisa’s most memorable projects
• [40:44] Setting expectations with ultra-high-net-worth clients amid supply chain issues
• [44:16] Lisa’s favorite books and podcasts
• [47:50] Lisa’s typical day and the power of getting up early in the morning
• [54:39] The American Dream according to Lisa

Connect with Guest:

• Website: https://samueldesigngroup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samueldesigngroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamuelDesignGroup
• Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/samuel-design-group-pfvwus-pf~813710655?

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website - https://www.buildmagazine.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buildmags/?hl=en
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BuildMags/

Key Quotes by Lisa:

• We need layers of light to really live in our space in a way that creates different moods that we want to live in. We are sensual people—we live by our senses. Lighting is all part of that.
• People would say that I understand, and that I take the time to really listen and honor what their feelings are and what their vision is.
• “Feelosophy” is creating spaces that support and nurture each of our clients’ lifestyles. It’s not only how things look when we’re done; but, it’s how we get there.
• If we’re going through trauma, imagine what they’re going through. We’re stewards of their hopes and dreams, and we’re stewards of their money. It’s really a big deal.
• Anything we design, designs us back.

With his forward-thinking “what if?” approach to business, in a short span of time David’s leadership at The Fireplace resulted in a remodel of the company’s showroom (that had never been touched since being built in 1966) and the reevaluation and expansion of its classic product line.

This approach also shaped the company’s culture into what it is today. David explains how he has cultivated a customer-centric environment within The Fireplace of today. For example, he invites builders in the Northern New Mexico market to stop by their new showroom not only to see the products, but to feel their new attitude.

Listen in as David shares his journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship in an industry he previously had known nothing about, what it’s like to do business with his only son, his biggest takeaways from his mentors, and why he believes that the American Dream is a reality for everyone as it is for him and his family.

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:57] David’s corporate background and what brought him to Santa Fe
• [11:41] Lessons that David brought from corporate America into The Fireplace
• [17:08] Working around supply chain issues and communicating these to clients
• [19:35] How the market in Santa Fe has evolved over 25 years
• [24:12] The old Firebird versus the new Firebird
• [26:35] Training the Firebird staff to look beyond price
• [31:14] David on mentorship
• [38:12] David’s vision for The Firebrand
• [43:39] How David learned the ins-and-outs of the hearth and irrigation industries
• [45:57] The moment David realized that life and business is going great
• [51:43] Lessons around taking risks that David intends to pass on to his son
• [58:24] The American Dream according to David

Connect with Guest:

• Website 
• Facebook 
• Instagram 

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 

Key Quotes by David:

• My approach to pretty much everything is to ask, “What if…?”
• The universal truth is, it doesn’t matter what the business is. If you treat customers the way you would want to be treated as a customer, you’re going to win the day.
• When you’re working with individuals and you’re not sure that they should be part of your team or are capable of being part of your team, your first approach should be to rehabilitate versus terminate. So, really give people a chance.
• You can be a small company anywhere in the United States, but geography no longer limits you in any way, shape, or form.
• One of the things that I’ve seen very successful people do throughout my life and certainly my career in corporate America, is having the courage to take chances when others would not.

Going further, Esther explains that her standard for successful design is when it evokes a feeling out of anyone who enters the space. Like a musical composition, she constantly strives to mix and match different elements to create something new and bold while maintaining a sense of harmony.

Further informing Esther’s sense of aesthetics is her passion for travel and immersing herself within different cultures. She speaks on how she developed an instinct for nailing appropriate design choices no matter the geography and climate surrounding the home, nor the unique tastes and desires of each individual client.

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:07] Moving from Montreal to Arizona and a passion for opera
• [09:19] Getting into design
• [14:04] Infusing your design with “drama”
• [19:53] Gauging the success of a design
• [28:51] How Esther has never disappointed a client
• [30:44] Discussing color
• [35:34] How Esther’s travels inspire her
• [48:08] Esther’s work outside Arizona and how she adapts to styles in different locations
• [53:31] Designing a returning client’s new home in a new location
• [57:08] Adapting to the various needs of different clients

Connect with Guest:

• Website: https://estherboivininteriors.com/

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website - https://www.buildmagazine.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/buildmags/?hl=en
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BuildMags/

Key Quotes by Esther:

• Believe in yourself. The most important thing in being a successful designer is to trust your instincts.
• My design is successful if someone walks into the room and feels an emotion.
• When I discuss my design, it’s never, ‘This is what we’re going to do.” It’s a conversation. It’s not just about me. When I do a design for somebody, it’s about them, as well.

A transplant to Big Island from San Francisco, Gary brought over his 16 years of experience in the fast-paced Bay Area world of commercial and retail lighting.

Gary and the Aloha Light & Design team operate under the philosophy of the Hawaiian word kina’ole, which essentially means "doing the right thing; in the right way; at the right time; in the right place; to the right person; for the right reasons; with the right feeling—the first time."

Listen in as Gary speaks on his love of travel, the differences of doing business on the mainland versus Hawaii, the blessings and challenges that come with having ultra-high-net-worth clients, and how he ensures he never makes a mistake on a single project.

Topics Discussed: 

• [06:22] Growing up in the Bay Area and moving to Kona
• [10:56] Gary’s career in the lighting industry
• [14:11] The challenges of dealing with homeowner reps
• [18:56] Keeping almost all projects custom while keeping up with industry standards
• [22:31] What Gary appreciates about living in Kona
• [31:34] Projects that Gary is excited about
• [34:46] The moment Gary reali
• zed he has a successful business
• [38:59] How Gary chose his home in Kona
• [43:42] How Gary deals with mistakes
• [47:34] Where Gary sees himself in five years and what he’s most proud of
• [52:07] What the American Dream means to Gary

Connect with Guest:

• Website 
• Facebook 

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 

Key Quotes by Gary:

• There’s no place like home, really. Traveling is great and everything; but, knowing that I get to come back here—that’s the best.
• When people think of Hawaii, they think of the beauty of the beaches and the scenery. To me, the real beauty is the people. The people here are just indescribable. It’s that aloha spirit. [...] There are no pretenses. They’re just real people.
• I’d rather work with clients and sell them what they want—find out what they want and find that. Or find them what they want and make that. That’s what we do. That’s what sets us apart. We’re not pushing anything on anybody. We’ll give you whatever you want, and if you don’t know what you want, we’ll tell you what you

He refers to the old saying, “You can’t teach common sense,” to explain his success as an immigrant despite lacking a college degree. “If you can’t make good, fundamental decisions,” says Jason, “then you’re probably not going to be in business for yourself.”

Jason speaks on the lessons he took from his personal life that he applies to business, as well as lessons learned in business (particularly from working with ultra-wealthy clients) that he applies to his personal life.

Finally, Jason touches on how the opportunity to establish Arctic Spas of Bozeman came about, and how he overcame a period of near-bankruptcy to eventually get to the point where “the low months felt as good as the high months.”

Topics Discussed:

• [02:05] Moving to Montana from Australia
• [07:39] Opportunities in Australia versus America
• [10:28] Why college degrees do not guarantee success
• [15:53] Lessons Jason learned as an athlete and after going through his divorce
• [24:59] Lessons Jason learned from working with ultra-high-net-worth clients
• [29:15] Why Jason decided on an Arctic Spas dealership
• [37:07] How Jason went from working in his business to on his business
• [42:10] The moment Jason knew the business was doing okay
• [44:26] Jason’s mentors
• [49:14] Arctic’s Spas’ new product line
• [55:05] What Jason is most proud of
• [56:59] What “American exceptionalism” means to Jason

Connect with Guest:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website 
• Blog 
• Contact Us 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 

Key Quotes by Jason:

• Not having a college degree doesn’t pigeonhole you because our life takes us in different directions. And we get different experiences that are arguably more valuable than a college degree.
• Especially in business, and maybe in relationships as well—the first person that speaks, loses.
• People don’t know what you’ve gone through before you got lucky.
• If you’re not trying something different, it doesn’t matter if you fail. It really doesn’t, because doing nothing is the worst thing you can do.

Believing that “design should express people better than they can express themselves,” Jaque built her brand on the strength of her character, personality, love of the trades, and out-of-the-box creativity.

Listen in as Jaque how she developed a love for design, architecture, and engineering from an early age, as well as her determination to become a role model for women in the industry or who have a desire to enter the industry.

She reflects on her long and varied career path that saw her pushed to the limits of her imagination at Wynn all the way to running a firm that was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest not once, twice, but three times.

Finally, Jaque explains how she is able to soldier on in spite of the countless risks she has taken throughout her career, why she believes that “failing is awesome”, and her belief that a successful designer has to be so sure of their capabilities that they are willing to walk away from their own company if it comes down to it.

Topics Discussed: 

• [02:05] Jaque on the amazing house she recently gave us a tour of
• [05:26] How Jaque got connected with Stephanie Fox of Platinum Homes
• [11:35] Serving as a role model for women in the trades
• [17:03] Changing the story you tell yourself to overcome self-imposed barriers
• [23:32] Jaque’s first big break working at Wynn Las Vegas
• [33:31] The importance of being challenged to think bigger and differently at work
• [38:17] Starting her own firm and being featured on the cover of Architectural Digest thrice
• [41:47] How Jaque interacts with her high-profile clients throughout the process
• [45:29] Asking questions relentlessly in order to be able to design for longevity
• [49:24] Why contemporary architecture will not stand the test of time
• [58:13] Starting a furniture line for existing clients
• [1:02:45] Why Jaque is willing to risk failure in achieving big goals
• [1:04:17] Jaque on how anyone can live the American Dream

Connect with Jaque Bethke Design:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 

Connect with Build Magazine: 

• Website 
• Blog 
• Contact Us 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 

Key Quotes from Episode:

• So much of what we do in design is driven by human design—by the nurturing characteristics.
• Failure is not something that should define you as a person. Failure should motivate you to do better. [...] Failing is awesome, because what you take away from it is a lesson. You can use that lesson to empower yourself to help somebody else.
• People are afraid to challenge, but the best work comes from challenge.
• If you involve the children in the process of their home—where they’re going to live, how they’re going to live, what’s going into the areas that they use—they will take more ownership of it and they will help to care for it.
• You are the architect of your journey in life. There are consequences that come with the choices that you make, but you can’t be afraid of them.

Today Ted speaks with Klaus Baer, COO of WRJ Design, an interior design firm he co-founded with Rush Jenkins in Jackson, WY.

Listen in as Klaus shares how he made the transition from Bear Stearns in New York to co-founding WRJ in Jackson and the inspiration behind one of his original home designs that evoked a “European aesthetic mixed with an American Western heritage style”.

Klaus reflects on his most memorable projects, including his exhibition work for a number of high-profile figures such as Nancy Reagan and Johnny Cash.

He touches on the idea of American excellence and how architects and designers can nurture that symbiotic relationship that leads to truly timeless works of art.

Klaus speaks on the WRJ brand and his partnerships with European craftsmen, and why he puts so much focus on soft skills or aptitudes when hiring new team members.

Finally, he talks about his and Rush’s experience publishing the book Natural Elegance: Luxurious Mountain Living.

Topics Discussed: 

• [04:10] Klaus’s background and career in the interior design space
• [15:39] How working with Nancy Reagan impacted Klaus and his foray into exhibitions
• [23:14] What gilded age architecture can teach us about the American Dream
• [26:14] How Klaus chooses his more “humble” projects apart from prestigious clients
• [31:31] Partnering with European craftsmen and differences between different countries
• [39:36] What most don’t know about doing photography for an interior design book
• [48:14] Getting Natural Elegance: Luxurious Mountain Living published
• [52:41] The importance of fostering soft skills among team members
• [56:05] Skills that Klaus wants to impart onto the next generation of designers
• [59:06] What Klaus is most excited for
• [01:00:33] Klaus on how anyone can live the American Dream

Connect with Klaus Baer & WRJ Design:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• Facebook 
• Book

Connect with Build Magazine:

• Website
• Blog 
• Contact Us
• Instagram
• Facebook

Key Quotes from Episode:

• It doesn’t matter the industry—excellence is excellence.
• Something that looks great today has got to be timeless. It’s got to work 10, 15, ideally 20 years from now if possible.
• As interior designers, we are very focused on the nuance of the human appeal of all the textures and tactile layers that go into the interiors that we work on. Architects are more interested in the form and the shape of the house.
• Being an intern is probably one of the best things a young person can do to really understand if they want to be in the industry.