Category Archives: Uncategorized

Matthew Dugally | From Foundation to Finishes: A Transparent and Collaborative Approach to Home Building

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On this episode of our Fireside Chat™, Ryan Bloom had the pleasure of welcoming Matthew Dugally of Dugally Oberfeld, a high end luxury home builder in the Los Angeles area. As the son of renowned architect Aleck Dugally, Matthew spent his childhood working on job sites alongside his father. His natural talent paired with many years of hands-on experience paved the way for him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and Land Development from the University of Southern California. Since then, he has spent his entire career in custom luxury residential home-building. Matthew’s involvement at Dugally Oberfeld guarantees that even the most ambitious projects are built with the highest technical standards and integrity.

In this conversation, Matthew discusses his firm’s focus on crafting living experiences that take us on a journey. He expands on the repurposing of spaces in a home, and how experiences such as going to the movie theater, eating at the restaurant, or going to the gym have been brought into the home as a result of the pandemic. He shares his perspective on the architect, designer and builder relationship, and the evolution of the developer’s role in this context. Matthew’s approach to work is collaborative, and he expands with Ryan on the importance of team synergy at Dugally Oberfeld. Finally, he discusses his thoughts on the impact of technology on the interconnectivity between indoor and outdoor spaces. 

This Fireside Chat™ is hosted by Ryan Bloom, co-founder and president of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed this conversation and love hearing about great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

Dugally Oberfeld – https://docorp.net/  

 

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Jules Wilson | Modern Design Rooted in History

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With 26 years of experience in the design industry, Jules Wilson is nationally recognized as a designer who delivers tailored spaces that enhance and elevate the user experience. After earning her BFA in interior design from the Design Institute of San Diego, Jules studied at the prestigious Lorenzo Di Medici in Florence, Italy and continued to travel extensively throughout Europe, finding inspiration in fine art history and architecture, editorial photography, high fashion and classic films. She is influenced by the greats and conceptualizes designs in a way that will similarly stand the test of time. 

After founding her eponymous design studio in 2005, Jules has quickly become an expert that developers, owners and brands trust to create timeless, meaningful and memorable guest experiences, nationwide.

In this Fireside Chat™, Jules shares her story of growing up in Rockford, Illinois, playing with Lego and already designing her dream home from a very young age. She shares about her time in Florence, Italy and how this deeply influenced her design philosophy. She discusses her design process, and how she likes to immerse herself in the local life and culture to create spaces that blend in with the community in which they’re built. When she’s not designing her next project, you can find Jules restoring her midcentury home, designed by Frederick Liebhardt, apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright. She discusses her design plans for the home, which include indoor and outdoor spaces that integrate seamlessly with one another. 

This Fireside Chat™ is hosted by Ryan Bloom, co-founder and president of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed this conversation and love hearing about great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

Jules Wilson Design – https://www.juleswilsondesign.com/  

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Mark and Lyle Perry | A 100-Year-Old Family Business: From Lumber Shop to Outdoor Living Destination

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Celebrating their 100th year as a family business in Kerrisdale, British Columbia, this lumber and hardware shop has grown into a place of gathering for high-end designers, savvy homeowners and BBQ masters in the Lower Mainland and beyond. Kerrisdale Lumber Home offers extraordinary outdoor living products with the highest selection of quality grills in Vancouver. The outdoor kitchen side of the business has evolved over the years, and now has an outdoor kitchen project management team that focuses on custom outdoor kitchens for multi-family homes, single family homes and commercial spaces.

Ryan Bloom had the pleasure of welcoming Mark Perry, third generation, and Lyle Perry, fourth generation President of Kerrisdale Lumber Home in this Fireside Chat™ episode. They discussed what it means to run a generational business, and the importance of creating a strong company culture and supporting the community that supports them. They discussed how the business has shifted from lumber store to home and outdoor living and the growth of their outdoor kitchen business. They touched on their move to a new location in Spring 2020, and the impact of the pandemic on their business. Finally, they consider the evolution of Vancouver’s customer typology and what they see for the future of outdoor space activation. 

This Fireside Chat™ is hosted by Ryan Bloom, co-founder and president of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed this conversation and love hearing about great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

Kerrisdale Lumber Home – https://kerrisdalelumber.ca/ 

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Mark Weaver | A Masterclass in Timeless Design

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Mark Weaver founded his eponymous, full-service design firm, Mark Weaver & Associates, in Los Angeles over 30 years ago. The firm’s extensive portfolio includes residential installations, private aircrafts, yachts, office and corporate installations for Fortune 500 companies, and private island retreats. The firm’s work has spanned projects from Los Angeles to New York, restorations of historic estates in Nantucket and Santa Barbara, a townhouse in London, renovations and interiors for a 16th century palazzo in Piacenza, Italy.

Mark regularly lectures at UCLA’s interior design program and is a founding member of both the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art and The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. He is also a member of the Decorative Arts Council for LACMA and a patron of the Los Angeles Opera.

In this Fireside Chat™, Mark discusses growing up in Southern California and how he’s seen Los Angeles evolve through the years. He discusses how his Italian heritage has greatly influenced his love of history, architecture and antiquity. He shares his love for travel and culture, which takes him abroad searching for the rare and usual. Finally, he discusses his impressions on outdoor space activation and how it is a pivotal element of his work across North America. 

This Fireside Chat™ is hosted by Ryan Bloom, co-founder and president of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed this conversation and love hearing about great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

Mark Weaver & Associates – http://www.markweaver.com/ 

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Michael Richard | La destination montréalaise pour la conception d’espaces extérieurs

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Cette semaine, pour célébrer la fête nationale de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste au Québec, nous sommes fiers de présenter notre Fireside Chat™ en français, avec notre invité, Michael Richard de District BBQ.

District BBQ est né en 2017 d’une expansion inévitable de Nergiflex, boutique de foyers, BBQ et produits extérieurs établie depuis plus de 40 ans à Montréal. La forte croissance de la demande en produits extérieurs et l’espace grandissant occupé par ceux-ci au sein de leur salle-de-montre de foyers les a poussés à doubler leur superficie et à créer une nouvelle marque, une nouvelle image et un nouveau concept du même coup.

Personne dans la grande région de Montréal ne peut vous offrir autant de produits de qualité sous un même toit que District BBQ. Avec plusieurs cuisines extérieures complètes en présentation, incluant des grils à gaz, bbq au charbon, œufs en céramique de type Kamado, bbq aux granules, plaques chauffantes de type Plancha et four à pizza, vous aurez tout en un seul endroit pour faire votre sélection.

Dans cet épisode du Fireside Chat™, Michael discute avec Ryan de son parcours et de l’histoire de l’entreprise familiale District BBQ et Nergiflex. Il explique l’évolution de la clientèle montréalaise et de la catégorie de produits pour l’extérieur dans le marché québécois.  Il partage ses conseils pour la conception d’une cuisine extérieure fonctionnelle. Finalement il discute de son partenariat avec NewTechWood.

Notre Fireside Chat™ est animé par Ryan Bloom, cofondateur et président d’Urban Bonfire. Si vous avez aimé cette conversation et êtes aussi passionnés que nous par le design, abonnez-vous sur votre plateforme de podcast préférée. Suivez-nous sur Instagram @UrbanBonfire ou rejoignez la conversation sur LinkedIn. Pour en savoir plus, rendez-vous sur www.urbanbonfire.com.

District BBQ – https://districtbbq.ca/
NewTechWood – https://www.newtechwood.ca/

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Steve Sheinkopf | A Family Business Built on Exceptional Customer Service and Experiential Retail

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Yale Appliance has been a family owned and operated business since 1932 in the Greater Boston area. With three beautiful showrooms in Dorchester, Framingham and Hanover, and a vast array of industry-leading brands, they have one of the most unique displays in New England. 

Following the footprints of his father and grandfather before him, Steve Sheinkopf has been working at Yale for over 40 years. Working his way up, from cleaning light fixtures, to the warehouse, sales, operations, service and marketing, Steve serves as the company’s CEO today.

In this Fireside Chat™, Steve shared the Yale story and how they’ve grown into the industry-leading retailer they are today. He described the company’s pivot from traditional advertising to creating original, honest and meaningful content bringing value to the customer. Steve strongly believes in the company’s people, from sales, to customer service, delivery, installation and maintenance… Each department plays a key role in building and maintaining strong customer relationships. He shares his thoughts on the evolution of the outdoor category, and what he’s noticed over the last 40 years in business. Finally, he discusses Yale’s approach to retail and how he and his team welcome their customers into the experience by showing colors, textures, and the products in use in their showroom.

This Fireside Chat™ is hosted by Ryan Bloom, co-founder and president of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed this conversation and love hearing about great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

Yale Appliance – https://www.yaleappliance.com/ 

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Anne Michaelsen Yahn | Designing the Perfect Backyard Oasis

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Melding traditional and contemporary, beach and city, Anne Michaelsen Yahn is the founder of Anne Michaelsen Design,  a Newport Beach, California-based interior design firm specializing in defining the dynamic edge between classic and modern.  For over 30 years, Anne has created some of Southern California’s most intriguing and innovative homes,  blending her classical training, art history expertise, and love for modernism to establish an artful alchemy that is redefining interior design. Her art-influenced aesthetic weaves together an impressive, and award winning body of work that  includes a wide variety of projects, locations and architecture.

In this Fireside Chat™ episode, Anne shares about her education and classical training in both history and design, and her time in Florence, Italy studying Renaissance art. She discusses her decision to raise her family in her hometown of Newport Beach, California, and how she launched and grew her career there. Today, Anne lives in her original family home, which she designed and remodeled, completely redefining the spaces she grew up in. Finally, she shares the details of her latest Urban Bonfire project in her own backyard, and ponders the evolution of the definition of the kitchen and the outdoor space more generally. 

This Fireside Chat™ is hosted by Ryan Bloom, co-founder and president of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed this conversation and love hearing about great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

Anne Michaelsen Design – https://www.annemichaelsendesign.com/
At Home with Anne Michaelsen Yahn – https://urbanbonfire.com/pages/at-home-with-anne-michaelsen-yahn 

#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #AnneMichaelsenYahn #AnneMichaelsenDesign #NewportBeach

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Paul McClean | Highlighting the Outdoors through Luxurious Modern Architecture

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Paul McClean trained as an architect in Ireland, and founded McClean Design in 2000 after working for award-winning architectural practices in London, Dublin, Sydney and Southern California. McClean Design is one of the leading contemporary residential design firms in the Los Angeles area. The firm’s projects reflect an interest in modern living and a desire to connect their clients to the beauty of the surrounding natural environment. The incorporation of water, an emphasis on texture and natural materials, and the elimination of the barrier between indoors and outdoors are hallmarks of McClean’s designs. 

Paul has become the go-to architect for celebrity clientele such as Beyoncé, Jay Z, and Calvin Klein. He is also the architect behind “The One” in Bel Air, one of the most expensive homes ever built. Although based in Southern California, the firm’s work can be seen throughout the Western United States, Canada, England and Thailand.

In this episode of The Fireside Chat™, Paul shares his journey with us, and how his passion for drawing homes began from a very young age. He elaborates on his firm’s design process, and how he keeps an open mind when aligning with his clients’ vision for their dream home. He discusses strategies he uses to maximize the feeling of expanse and openness in his designs, in spaces both large and small. Although merging the indoors and outdoors has been at the heart of McClean’s work from the beginning, he shares some of the shifts he’s noticed in how his clients are prioritizing outdoor space.

This episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, co-founder and president of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

McClean Design – https://www.mccleandesign.com/ 

#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #McCleanDesign

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Anthony Laney | Rule-Breaking Architecture for Adventurous Clients

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Anthony Laney is an architect and designer devoted to bringing out the best in creative teams and adventurous clients. He is a co-founder and partner of Laney LA, a Los Angeles-based architecture firm specializing in design-led refurbishments and highly crafted new builds. With a portfolio marked by some of LA’s best beach homes, the Laney LA studio combines thoughtful architecture and a focus on high-tech, high-touch service. In recognition of their thoughtful approach to contemporary home design, Laney LA recently received a coveted AIA LA residential architecture merit award. 

In this episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast, Anthony reflects on what it means to be a young and emerging studio in an established field such as architecture. He shares his thoughts on working in densely populated areas like Manhattan Beach, and how he aims to erode some of that density by designing intimate outdoor rooms into the home. Anthony elaborates on the concept of creating healthy spaces that are connected to nature and offer a higher sense of peace and relaxation. He shares his passion for bringing out the best in his team and how his pursuit of a common vision for his clients and team is often his biggest source of inspiration. Finally, he considers the need for radically flexible spaces in the future to adapt for the way we live.

This episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, co-founder and president of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

Laney LA – https://www.laney.la/ 

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John Colaneri | A Pro’s Insights Into the World of Construction and Design

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John Colaneri is a designer, developer, TV personality, children’s book author, health and fitness advocate, and principal of the design and build firm Lilyshea Development LLC, based in New Jersey.

John has been transforming homes into life-changing spaces for homeowners across the US, with his cousin Anthony Carrino, on their multiple hit HGTV shows, such as Kitchen Cousins, Cousins on Call, Cousins Undercover or America’s Most Desperate Kitchens. You also may have seen him on one of his appearances on The Rachael Ray Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. His latest endeavors are now with the Ellen DeGeneres Digital team in launching original shows. In 2019, John launched his own development company, Lilyshea Development LLC, focusing on high end residential design and custom spec homes that he is developing and designing in the New Jersey area. 

John’s journey has seen him build an extraordinary professional acumen along the way. In this episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast, John provides insight on what he’s learned from his years working in construction and on HGTV and how he has put these learnings to use in his own firm today. He discusses the importance of authenticity and staying true to himself on television, and how this has been a guiding principle for him. He explains the importance of merging indoor and outdoor design from the very beginning of the planning phase to create cohesive spaces for his clients. He shares details about one of his most recent projects in New Jersey, featuring an Urban Bonfire kitchen, and how he integrated indoor design elements into the outdoor space. 

This episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

John Colaneri – https://www.johncolaneri.com/
The Franklin Lakes Project – https://www.johncolaneri.com/designbuild 

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McCulley Design Lab | Exploring, Researching and Finding Inspiration to Craft Engaging Spaces and Enduring Brands

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John McCulley founded McCulley Design Lab in Solana Beach in 1988 with the vision to merge the disciplines of Interiors, Architecture and Graphic Design into an integrated creative studio for progressive clients. Janet McCulley has two decades of experience in brand development, experiential retail, hospitality and commercial design projects. With a passion for immersive travel and cultural observation, Janet fuses those experiences with her academic and theoretical background in the arts to create meaningful design solutions and relevant visual narratives. Together, Janet and John lead their team of interior designers, architects, graphic designers and artists united by the same goal: bring their clients’ creative vision to life through a holistic approach to design and branding.
In this episode of The Fireside Chat™, Janet and John share their respective journeys with Ryan Bloom. They discuss how they came together and blended their specialties to present their clients with the realm of possibilities of design, architecture and experiences,, both indoors and out. They share an anecdote of how they’ve transformed their property into “Camp McCulley” during the past year, and have activated it into a beautiful outdoor room for gathering with friends and family. They explain how they gather inspiration from travel, art, nature, but also meaningful discussions with creators, innovators and thinkers. Finally, they weigh in on their business values and the unique and quirky traits that attract customers to their company.
This episode of The Fireside Chat podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.
McCulley Design Lab – https://mcculleydesign.com/
#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #McCulleyDesignLab

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Wade Weissmann | An Architect’s Blueprint for the Creation of Lively and Experimental Spaces

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As the founder and principal of Wade Weissmann Architecture, Wade has spent the last twenty-five years designing classically inspired estates of many genres around the world. His firm’s work has been highly praised for its fine attention to craftsmanship and design detail, and for lending homeowners a feeling of resort living, right at home. On all projects, Wade believes wholeheartedly that a collaborative approach to design always yields the greatest results. Wade Weissmann Architecture has a central office in Wade’s hometown of Milwaukee, as well as offices on the East and West Coasts to best service projects throughout the United States and beyond.

In this episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast, Wade shares what drives him and his firm and how the outdoors has been a guiding principle in his work throughout much of his career. He discusses the core value of environmental stewardship and what it means to create healthy spaces that are built to last. Wade doesn’t shy away from sharing the nitty gritty behind a project, and he discusses how this dynamic approach to architecture is at the heart of his work. Finally, he elaborates on crafting indoor and outdoor spaces that serve as platforms for rich experiences and treasured memories that help tell the story of the homes’ inhabitants.

This episode of The Fireside Chat podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

Wade Weissmann Architecture – https://wadeweissmannarchitecture.com/


#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #WadeWeissmannArchitecture

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Kristianne Watts | Bringing Southern Charm to Southern California

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Upon establishing KW Designs in 2007, Kristianne Watts quickly became one of the most highly sought-after interior designers in Southern California, working with the region’s most respected architects and contractors. KW Designs promises to turn its clients’ inspired spaces into a reality, and Kristianne does this with grace and professionalism to offer her clientele more than they could have imagined.

In this episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast, Ryan Bloom speaks with Kristianne Watts about growing up in Alabama, receiving her interior design degree from Samford University, and the early years of KW Designs. She shares how her southern roots shaped her resourceful and creative design approach to creating beautiful and functional spaces without compromising on quality. She discusses the evolution of her role in the recent years as her clientele has increasingly requested her expertise in the activation of outdoor spaces.

Since winning first prize at the highly-esteemed American Society of Interior Designers at just 28 years of age, Kristianne has perfected her ability to realize, even enhance her clients’ dreams for their remodel or new structure, whether a home or commercial building. She discusses with Ryan how she strives to create a cohesive design that reflects her clients personality and yet, challenges them with her creative and refreshing ideas and inspires them to bring spaces to life with a wow-factor.

This episode of The Fireside Chat podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

KW Designs – https://www.kwdesigns.com/

 

#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #KristianneWatts #KWDesigns #California #IndoorOutdoorLiving

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John McClain | A Journey Through Design with a Complete Design Professional, Inside and Out

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Born into a family of talented craftsmen and home builders, John McClain spent his childhood immersed in the world of design and construction. As a teenager, he converted his parents’ garage into a living suite, and later bought and remodelled his first home at the age of 20. Before long, John began remodelling and designing home after home, combining his family’s trade with his natural aesthetic ability. Shortly after his career launch, John appeared on HGTV; and through this experience, his personality and design perspective were visible to a larger audience, and he was soon designing homes across the country. 

 

Today, John is a speaker, writer, entrepreneur, and principal designer of the award-winning firm, John McClain Design, with offices in Los Angeles, California and Orlando, Florida. John’s work has been featured in numerous publications including Elle Décor and Traditional Home; and John is a contributor to outlets such as Martha Stewart Living, Interior Design magazine, Apartment Therapy, the Wall Street Journal, and most recently Us Weekly magazine. John and his team pride themselves on establishing a partnership with their clients to bring their vision to life with expertise, knowledge, transparency and authenticity.

In this episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast, John shares his journey of making a career out of his passion for design. He sheds light on the process behind designing his own collection of products, John McClain Home, and the challenges presented by the commercialization of a product line. He discusses the rise in demand for outdoor spaces and in turn, how this has prompted him and his team to embrace the outdoors, and position themselves as an all-inclusive design firm, rather than limiting themselves to the interior.

This episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

John McClain Design – https://www.johnmcclaindesign.com/

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XTEN Architecture | How Swiss Roots Lead to Exceptional California Crafted Modern Architecture

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This week on The Fireside Chat™ podcast, Ryan Bloom welcomes President and Founding Partner Monika Haefelfinger and Principal Scott Utterstrom of XTEN Architecture, an award-winning international architecture firm based in Los Angeles, California, and Sissach, Switzerland.

Born in Basel, Switzerland, Monika Haefelfinger’s interest in art and design deepened during an apprenticeship with her father’s architecture firm in Sissach. At the age of 21, Monika moved to the United States with the intention of spending a year there with her mother, a California native, and fell in love with California living. Following her studies at the University of Southern California and Columbia University, she worked for architectural firms in Switzerland and in the US. In 2000, XTEN Architecture was born in partnership with her partner and late husband Austin Kelly.

Scott Utterstrom was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2003. During this time, he spent a year abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, and traveled throughout Europe to visit prominent architectural works. After working for the Los Angeles office of AGPS Architecture, he continued his studies at UCLA, before joining XTEN Architecture in 2007. He was named Principal in 2015, and has played a key role in the firm’s many award-winning projects.

In this dynamic conversation, Monika and Scott discuss the architect’s role in articulating their client’s vision, even in smaller spaces in densely populated urban areas, the commonality between Californian, European and Middle Eastern clients in their wish to create a comfortable and welcoming home for their families, where they seek inspiration, and how they bring the progressive and experimental spirit of Los Angeles into their projects.


This episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit https://urbanbonfire.com.


XTEN Architecture – http://xtenarchitecture.com/

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Michael McGowan, KAA Design Group | The Dynamic and Ever-Changing Playing field of the Landscape Architect

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This week on The Fireside Chat™ podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Michael McGowan, Landscape Architect and Associate of the KAA Design Group, a Los Angeles-based design studio dedicated to advancing the California lifestyle through contemporary architecture for over 30 years.

Michael McGowan joined KAA in 2011, and has been overseeing the design and implementation of a broad range of custom residential, commercial and institutional landscapes. In addition to his design work on numerous estate residential landscapes, some of Michael’s notable projects include: The Eastern Columbia Building, TreePeople Center for Community Forestry, Santa Monica Village and One Santa Fe.

In this conversation, Michael shares how his connection with nature started in his early childhood in Maryland, and how this informed his career choice many years later. He discusses the fundamental shift he is witnessing in client requests and trends as it relates to the outdoors, and how he articulates ideas into plans, and eventually creates ever-evolving outdoor spaces for his clients.

The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe on Apple podcasts, Spotify or Google podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit https://urbanbonfire.com.

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Brian David Roberts | This Seattle-Based Functional Designer’s Unique Philosophy to Space Planning

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Brian David Roberts was determined to become an architect from the age of 12. But after a year of studying architecture at university he realized it was not what he thought it was. He transferred to the field of Industrial Design, specializing in Furniture and Product Design at Brigham Young University in Utah, where he was designing for use and creating products that, when utilized, delighted the end user.

A few years later, while working for a design firm on the east coast, a mentor introduced him to space planning, functional design and proper consulting… and this is where he found his true calling. Brian morphed his love of space and structure, which originally led him to architecture, into an unprecedented design process and philosophy that profoundly improves the lives of his clients within their homes.

In this episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast, Brian shares his journey from architecture to space planning, and what it’s like to live, work and design in the Pacific Northwest with his life and business partner, Virginia. He discusses his wonderfully unique and inventive philosophy on space planning and functional design, and his approach to incorporating lighting into the homes he designs, both indoors and out. Finally, he elaborates on the kitchen as the modern family room, and what this entails for proper space planning.

The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit https://urbanbonfire.com.

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Stephen Francis Jones | Designing Social Spaces for Unforgettable Experiences

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This week’s episode begins with a memorable evening in January 2012 at the M.B. Post restaurant in Manhattan Beach, California. From the inviting and familiar atmosphere of the former post office, to the food by Michelin-starred chef David LeFevre, to the playfully rustic decor… the experience was so meaningful to our host, Ryan Bloom, that he kept his menu as a souvenir of this evening. Fast-forward 9 years, and Ryan welcomes the architect behind this unforgettable space, Stephen Francis Jones, on The Fireside Chat™ podcast.

As in-house architect for the Wolfgang Puck Food Company, Stephen Francis Jones established one of Southern California’s most iconic brands. When he founded his own firm, SFJones Architects in 1996, Puck immediately hired Jones to help develop the fine dining experience at Spago Beverly Hills. This project led Jones to designing Wolfgang Puck restaurants worldwide—and, most recently, the renovation of the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland, site of the Academy Awards’ Governors Ball. Among his best-known projects is Lucky Strike Lanes in Hollywood. Working with CEO Steven Foster, Jones created a wildly popular hipster hybrid—restaurant, bar and bowling alley—that resulted in a flurry of spin-off projects.

In his conversation with Ryan Bloom, Stephen Francis Jones shares memories of his youth spent in Bogota, Columbia, and his travels through Europe before completing his Master’s degree in Architecture at UCLA. This immersion in urban European life shaped his fresh perspective on what makes a social space a memorable experience. Ryan and Stephen exchange on what it means to create inviting settings, and how restaurants are one of the great connectors of our world. Stephen ends with his thoughts on how Covid will shake out the restaurant industry for the better, transforming dining spaces into communal and outdoor spaces for authentic and meaningful experiences.

The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit https://urbanbonfire.com.

SFJones Architects – https://sfjones.com/
M.B. Post Project: https://sfjones.com/mb-post/bsg6cb2j978qm1x3zp86xx7rd0obbu

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Melissa Gerstle | Designing Dream-Worthy Outdoor Spaces to Change the Way We Live and Connect

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This week on The Fireside Chat™ Podcast, we’re thrilled to share Ryan Bloom’s conversation with landscape designer Melissa Gerstle, live from the gardens of the Kips Bay Dallas Show House.

Trained as a landscape architect and inspired by the restorative properties of nature, Melissa’s design approach is based on the principle that a beautiful and functional outdoor space can change the way we live and connect. Her passion for creating peaceful and visually inspiring gardens stems from her belief that exquisite outdoor spaces that foster connections and conversations is essential to allowing us to perform in all other parts of our lives. Her landscape design studio, based in Dallas, and serving clients across the country, offers a full range of design services, from landscape consulting and planting designs, to full-scale outdoor living environments, including pools, fountains, fire features and furnishings.

Melissa shared her unconventional journey to landscape design, and what it means to work in the ever-changing playing field of nature. She described her unique approach to design, specifically as it relates to the current context of the pandemic, as the backyard becomes our sanctuary. She discussed the Kips Bay Dallas Show House, where she alongside 26 of the nation’s top designers have come together to reimagine Texas-style in one beautiful home. She spoke with Ryan Bloom from the “Magari Garden,” which she designed. Inspired by the Italian word magari, meaning a strong wish or desire, Melissa designed the grounds to showcase all that is possible and dream-worthy in an outdoor space.

The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit https://urbanbonfire.com.
Melissa Gerstle Design – https://www.melissagerstledesign.com/
#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #MelissaGerstle #LandscapeArchitecture #KipsBayDallas

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Ashley Moore | Finding Inspiration and Crafting Design as Big as The Great State of Texas

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Ashley Moore always had a love for interior design, but it wasn’t until that spark reignited later in her life that she realized she could turn her passion into a career. After retiring from teaching to raise her family, Ashley remodeled her own home. Inspired by her mother’s ability to create warm and welcoming spaces, Ashley dreamed of creating a home for her own family just like the one she had grown up in. Not long after, friends and family started reaching out for advice with their own projects and remodels, and Ashley quickly realized that design was her true calling. Moore House Interiors was founded in 2015, and Ashley and her team have since worked on an array of projects, varying in size and scale in the Greater Houston area, Texas Hill Country, and beyond. Ashley is known and beloved for her signature take on the modern farmhouse style, which integrates a mix of vintage and new, high and low pieces, with a focus on timeless over trend.

In this episode of the Fireside Chat™, Ashley Moore shares her story of growing up in Texas and how design was a creative outlet throughout her childhood. She expresses her commitment to creating well-loved, intentional spaces for real life, where family and friends are always welcome, while striking the perfect balance between comfort and style. Finally, she shares her thoughts on the pandemic’s impact on the design industry, and her vision for the future of indoor and outdoor design.

The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit https://urbanbonfire.com.
Moore House Interiors – https://www.moorehouseinteriors.com/
#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #MooreHouseInteriors #Design #Texas #ModernFarmhouse

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Felipe Londono | This Miami Based Company Brings Glam to Outdoor Living in True South Florida Style

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With over 15 years of experience and nearly 3000 completed outdoor projects in South Florida, Luxapatio is one of the leaders in the outdoor living and entertaining industry. Following the footsteps of iconic brands like Restoration Hardware, their impressive 35,000 square feet indoor/outdoor showroom in Miami, Florida is an immersive outdoor living experience where retail meets lifestyle. The showroom is a true testament to their belief that today’s customer still wants to see, touch and feel products in order to visualize their own outdoor living space. Luxapatio’s experts take tremendous pride in their work and are passionate about activating outdoor spaces that bring family and friends together and help create lasting memories.

Ryan Bloom had the pleasure of speaking with Felipe Londono, Director of Sales and Marketing at Luxapatio. Felipe shared Luxapatio’s refreshing philosophy on the outdoors and the importance of a rich retail experience for the customer. He explained how he focuses on design, functionality and usage of the space when working with his clients. He shared the story of how his parents, his brother and him have grown Luxapatio since 2005 from a 2000 square foot warehouse into one of the finest outdoor showrooms with stunning merchandising, incredible products and unparalleled expertise.
This episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit https://urbanbonfire.com.
Luxapatio – https://www.luxapatio.com/
#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #Luxapatio #OutdoorKitchen #Miami #Florida

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Domos Coliving | Building Communities for the Way People Live in the 21st Century

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Daniel Alexander co-founded Domos Coliving with one goal in mind: build high quality, affordable housing into the housing supply within the country’s urban and economic cores, and thereby breathe new life into under-served communities. The development firm has a proven track record of reimagining residential housing, with Daniel Alexander’s and co-founder Derrick Barber’s combined experience of over 30 years, investments in over 10,000+ units owned and managed to-date, and management of a $550M+ portfolio. At the core of Domos’ vision is the concept of co-living, where community living areas such as kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms and outdoor spaces are shared by tenants, thereby adapting community-living to today’s modern urban environments.

Richard Loring is the Director of Design and Construction at Domos, and is an award-winning developer with a longstanding history of working with many of the most forward-thinking architecture firms. Today, Loring leads the latest Los Angeles Domos project in Hancock Park. This project involves the reconfiguration of a classic 1930s building at 410 North Rossmore to bring it to current city codes and invigorate living spaces, while preserving the building’s authentic exterior. The plans include the addition of at least three new floors to the building, including co-living suites.

In this episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast, Ryan Bloom spoke with Daniel Alexander and Richard Loring about their philosophy on new mixed use multi-family real estate projects and the need for space and experiences that go around them, especially in the context of their latest project in Hancock Park, Los Angeles. They discussed the new opportunities for creative outdoor space activation offered by co-living. Finally, they touched on how the pandemic has shown different ways of living, working and interacting professionally.
This episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit https://urbanbonfire.com.
Domos Coliving – https://domoscoliving.com/
410 North Rossmore Project – https://www.410rossmore.com/

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Anthony Carrino | Spreading The Love and Passion for Design Through Authentic Storytelling

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Anthony Carrino is a designer, real estate developer, photographer and TV personality with over 20 years experience in the design industry. You may already know him from his HGTV days, including Kitchen Cousins with John Colaneri, or his latest TV endeavour, The Build Up, in partnership with Ellen DeGeneres.

In this episode of The Fireside Chat™, Anthony tells us about starting his own web development company as a student at Babson College. After he graduated, Anthony and his father opened and operated a boutique design and development firm, focusing on the revitalization and adaptive reuse of architecturally significant, underutilized buildings within the urban core of Jersey City and Hoboken, NJ.
During his years on HGTV he realized there was a massive disconnect between homeowners’ expectations and the reality of construction and home renovation in the real world. This is when his new project TheBuild.tv was born, an engaging and raw digital series focused on educating and giving homeowners real, actionable information so they can make their renovations a reality. The show’s first season follows the renovation of a historic firehouse into Anthony’s home in Jersey City, NJ, and the second season, currently in progress, features the renovation of a 1965 farmhouse in the Catskills.
We loved this fun, real and authentic conversation about Anthony Carrino’s unique journey, his undeniable passion for what he does and his amazing vision for the future of building and real estate.
Find out more about TheBuild.tv at www.thebuild.tv. Watch the Firehouse Project Roof Deck episode where Anthony installs his Urban Bonfire kitchen here: https://youtu.be/dj6PCfMU-4w
This episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.

#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #AnthonyCarrino #TheBuildtv #LoveTheProcess

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Chef Steve Samson | A Craftsman’s Approach to Recreating the Taste and Feel of Home Through Authentic Cuisine

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Steve Samson is the chef and owner of Rossoblu and Superfine Pizza, both located in Los Angeles’ City Market South. Born to a Bolognese mother and an American father, Steve was exposed to the pleasures of Italian food from a very young age. While he grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, he spent almost each summer at his ancestral home in Bologna, immersed in traditional Bolognese cooking with his nonna. While Rossoblu is an ode to this heritage, and the cities of Los Angeles and Bologna, Superfine Pizza melds New York and Neapolitan styles with Southern California’s bountiful produce to create a true Angeleno-style pizza. Chef Steve Samson was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for Rossoblu in 2019, and has been recognized by the Los Angeles Times, Conde Nast Traveler, The Hollywood Reporter, Eater LA, and more.

In this episode of The Fireside Chat™, Ryan Bloom speaks with Steve about working through Covid-19 since March and how he’s adapted his style of cooking for takeout. Steve tells his story of growing up in two cultures, and how this shaped his culinary style and inspired him to think of cooking as a profession. He speaks to the craftsmanship involved in creating wholesome, delicious and authentic dishes with simple ingredients. He discusses the space chosen for his restaurant, Rossoblu, and how they saved the beauty and history of the building by integrating original elements into the decor of the space.
This episode of The Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit www.urbanbonfire.com.
Chef Steve Samson – http://www.chefstevesamson.com/
Rossoblu – https://www.rossoblula.com/
Superfine Pizza – https://www.superfinepizza.com/
#UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors #SteveSamson #SuperfinePizza #Rossoblu

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Sandra Vlock | An Architect Turned Artist, Transforming Outdoor Environments into Extraordinary Experiences

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As an architect of contemporary architectural design now working as an artist, Sandra Vlock’s focus is to engage people in a shared experience; capturing an authentic sense of place, context and narrative. Sandra Vlock views the integration of Fine Art and Architectural Elements as a natural evolution of that vision; one that enables her to design evocative steel sculptures that inspire memorable experiences and create unique environments for social gathering, quiet reflection, and visual delight.

Each piece by Studio Vlock is made of repurposed objects and sustainable materials and tells a story—real or imagined—that is inspired by nature and shared experience.
We spoke with Sandra about her shift from contemporary architecture to art and her artistic process of using metals, flames, texture, light and shadow to create meaningful pieces for her clients across North America. We discussed our shared love of fire and flames and their power to bring people together and our common passion for transforming outdoor environments into a canvas for extraordinary experiences and memories.
This episode of the Fireside Chat™ podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit urbanbonfire.com.

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Alison Pickart | Epic Design Through a Creative and Stylish Approach

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With more than two decades of experience and projects completed throughout the United States and Europe, Alison Pickart brings a unique perspective to the art and process of Interior Design. Her ideology that “great interior design cannot exist without architecture, and great architecture cannot exist without interior design” allows for a holistic approach to each project that fully captures the vision and lifestyle of each client.
We spoke to Alison about what drew her into the world of Interior Design, her first major project in Paris, and what she learned from European design that she applies in North America and vice-versa. Alison possesses a deep understanding of design and construction practices as well as architectural and landscape design. We loved hearing about how this unique combination allows her to create informed and beautiful interiors that function graciously both inside and out.
This episode of the Fireside Chat podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder, and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram @UrbanBonfire or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit urbanbonfire.com.
#AlisonPickart #InteriorDesign #OutdoorDesign #UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors

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Michelle Lisac | A Pro’s Approach to Harmonious Whole Home Design

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Michelle Lisac has been designing beautiful spaces for over a decade. As the daughter of a contractor, she grew up visiting job sites and living in a home that was always in some stage of remodel. Michelle’s commitment to detail and a passion for art and design form the foundation for her expertise. She enjoys the design process and works closely with clients, contractors, and vendors to bring concepts to reality from the floor plan to the finishing touches.

We spoke to Michelle about her story, her experience, the trends in home design, and outdoor space activation she’s noticed over the past year, and the key elements she is using to create indoor and outdoor living spaces that come together harmoniously. 

This episode of the Fireside Chat podcast is hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder, and President of Urban Bonfire. If you enjoyed it and love great design as much as we do, please subscribe. Follow us on Instagram or join the conversation on Linked In. To find out more, please visit urbanbonfire.com.

#MichelleLisacInteriorDesign #OutdoorDesign #CaliforniaLiving #UrbanBonfire #YourKitchenOutdoors

 

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Douglas Burdge | The Future of Functional Outdoor Living Spaces

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Douglas W. Burdge AIA and his team of designers are recognized for their diverse architectural styles, including Spanish Mediterranean, Traditional, “Rustic-Modern” and cutting-edge Contemporary, from Malibu to Sun Valley to Los Cabos, Mexico. Burdge has become the preeminent architect of Malibu, having designed and built over 300 projects in the region, for notable clients including entertainment moguls, and Fortune 500 CEOs. Sophisticated homebuyers commission BAA, knowing that working with BAA will result in a distinctive coastal home that reflects their individual personality. 

We spoke with Douglas about his design philosophy, the growing trend of merging indoor and outdoor design and what makes Malibu the perfect backdrop for creativity and design. We touched on the work he’s done around the California wildfires, which led him to co-found Buhaus, a container home concept where luxury and utility intersect to create beautiful and functional living spaces with a small footprint.

We hope you enjoy this first episode of the Fireside Chat podcast, hosted by Ryan Bloom, Co-Founder and President of Urban Bonfire. If you love design as much as we do, please subscribe. Join the conversation on Instagram and Linked In @UrbanBonfire. To find out more, visit urbanbonfire.com.

#Architecture #YourKitchenOutdoors #UrbanBonfire #Malibu #Buhaus

 

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The Fireside Chat | Preview | A Podcast About Creating Memorable Outdoor Living and Entertaining Spaces

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This is The Fireside Chat, a podcast presented by Urban Bonfire and hosted by Urban Bonfire co-founder and president, Ryan Bloom. The show was created to share amazing and wonderful design being produced across North America and beyond.

Ryan Bloom and Stefan Marchant started Urban Bonfire in 2013 with one simple idea and a question, the kitchen has always been the heart of the home so, why isn’t Your Kitchen Outdoors® treated the same way? They set out to provide beautiful, luxury kitchens that can be customized to fit any outdoor space, architectural style or design.

Every episode of The Fireside Chat will showcase design luminaries with a fresh approach to designing and activating outdoor spaces. You will hear from guests like Allison Pickart, Douglas Burdge, and Michelle Lisac. These are just a few of the incredibly talented creatives you will hear on every episode of The Fireside Chat hosted by Urban Bonfire co-founder and president, Ryan Bloom. Thank you for listening to this special podcast preview. I would like to invite you to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode of the show. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Linkedin @UrbanBonfire and find us online Urban Bonfire dot com.

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