Dishing the Dirt on Design

As a follow-up to The Getty Exhibition entitled “Overdrive: Los Angeles Constructs the Future, 1940-1990”, Celebrity real estate agent and architecture expert Bret Parsons will discuss the current nostalgia for Mid-Century Modern design in Los Angeles. He will define the differences between pre-WWII and post-WWII architecture and discuss the optimism of the era as defined through real estate developments, television programming, and interior design and furnishings.

Los Angeles is a city unlike any other. It has evolved through a complicated series of subtexts and has embraced a broad spectrum of urban and suburban themes. Join Getty Museum curators Wim de Wit and Christopher Alexander as they discuss the upcoming exhibition entitled “Overdrive: Los Angeles Constructs the Future, 1940-1990” in conjunction with “Pacific Standard Time: Modern Architecture in L.A.”

Famed costume designer Deborah Landis, known for her iconic designs for such movies as “Animal House,” “Indiana Jones,” and “Coming to America,” will entertain listeners with stories from her thirty-year career working with legendary directors such as John Landis, Steven Spielberg, Louis Malle, and Costa Gavras. She will discuss her latest project as senior guest curator for the blockbuster exhibition “Hollywood Costume” at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum as well as her latest publication, “Hollywood Sketchbook: A Century of Costume Illustration.”

“You have to know the rules first before you can break them.” Two renowned names in the field of design, architect Marc Appleton and interior designer Darrell Schmitt, will discuss their traditional approaches to architecture and interior design in light of the trend toward contemporary design in these modern times. Both have maintained an elegance in their designs that speak to connections with human scale and subtleties, while incorporating historical contexts within the foundations of their work.

Architect Dion Neutra, son of Richard Neutra, and filmmaker Eames Demetrios, grandson of Charles and Ray Eames, will speak on the legacies of their forbearers as well as their own current projects. Dion Neutra will discuss preservation issues of modern buildings, and Eames Demetrios will talk about his ongoing worldwide project, an alternate history of the world entitled Kcymaerxthaere.

Perfume expert and author Denise Hamilton will reveal the stories behind the history of perfume, the subtle and not-so-subtle ingredients of perfume alchemy, and how scents rise and fall in popularity through the ages. Denise will discuss the marketing of perfumes and how celebrities have scents created for them. She will also divulge some of the common myths about perfume as well as discuss the proper ways to wear and store perfume.

Often described as “Architect to the Stars,” Paul Williams left an indelible mark on architecture during a prolific career that spanned almost 60 years. The first African-American member and Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he became known for designs which were stylized and elegant. He had an extraordinary capability with Southern California historical styles, yet he was equally comfortable with modern design. His vast body of work stretches from Beverly Hills and New York to Paris and Colombia, including such luminary clients as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Tyrone Power, Danny Thomas, Lon Chaney, and Frank Sinatra.

Join guests Katherine Fern and Keith Granet as they discuss the organizations, legislative issues, and good business practices that affect designers today. Katherine Fern will speak about the importance of membership in professional organizations and student organizations in expanding business contacts, and she will clue listeners in on the legislative changes occurring in the interior design field. Keith Granet will provide specific tips on good practices within any business, particularly as related to the design arena. Additionally, he will discuss steps to building one’s brand and name recognition.

Who was Saint Valentine and how did he inspire Valentine’s Day? Discover the traditions of Valentine’s Day and all the associations of love that it brings to us. Join Ann and Eleanor as they reveal who wrote the first Valentine, discuss pagan celebrations of love, divulge the many meanings of flowers, talk about the popularization of Valentine’s cards, and delight in the story of everyone’s favorite putto, Cupid.

With the recent purchase of Elvis Presley’s home in the Trousdale Estate section of Beverly Hills, a conversation has arisen in the architectural community over the possibility of whether it will be torn down or whether it will be preserved. Trousdale Estates historian Steven Price returns to share his thoughts about the house and its architect, while explaining what steps might be taken to preserve the structure and its memories. Later in the show, Ann and Eleanor continue the conversation on the importance of historic preservation and what steps are required in landmarking a structure.

The City of Beverly Hills is famous for its beautiful homes and celebrity residents. It has been the focus of historic preservation efforts after many historic structures were destroyed by new construction. Preservationist Kimberly Vinokur Reiss and Vice Mayor John Mirisch will discuss the history of the city, some of its famous structures, and the establishment of an historic preservation ordinance and Cultural Heritage Commission

The Trousdale Estates section of Beverly Hills is an enclave of the finest of Mid-Century Modern architecture that became famous for its concentration of celebrity residents and the eminent architects who designed the extravagant homes. Author Steven Price will discuss the history of this real estate development in his new book Over the Top: The Architectural History of Trousdale Estates, as well as the tastemakers, media stars, and designers who are revitalizing the area.

Ann and Eleanor look through the lens of art history through a designer’s eye. Throughout the ages, artists have painted not only portraits, but the accoutrements of the sitter’s life—fabrics, furniture, jewelry, and other accessories that define the person and the era in which he or she lived. Join Ann and Eleanor as they add new meaning and dimensionality to many familiar paintings through their interior insights!

Wesley Kropp is a noted designer of jewelry and objets d’art with a long career of designing for Jay Strongwater, Ivana Trump, Joan Rivers, and Princess Amada Borghese. Trained by luminaries at Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., and Cartier, Wesley will give a behind-the-scenes look at how his elegant designs are created and talk about his storied background in art and antiques.

Art Deco was an elegant, stylized period of art, architecture, and design that graced the decades of the 1920s and 1930s. Inspired and propelled by the development of aerodynamic forms of transportation and innovative industrial design, Art Deco was also a product of the fertile artistic exchange between Paris and America that occurred after World War I. Join Ann and Eleanor as they discuss how New York City became one of the most celebrated centers of Art Deco design and explore the history of some of the city’s most iconic Art Deco architecture and art.

The splendor and pageantry of the Tudor Court of King Henry VIII heralded the entry of England into the European Renaissance. Eleanor will discuss the creation and decoration of fine palaces and country manors that continued for three centuries from the Renaissance through the Baroque and Georgian periods in England. In part 2, the English Baroque and English Georgian styles of building and decoration of Charles II through George III is covered.

Where do all the assorted traditions of the holiday season come from? Discover the origins of Santa Claus, Christmas stockings, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Festival of Lights, Mishumaa Saba, and many more. From Christmas trees to candy canes, join Ann and Eleanor as they discuss the surprising, sometimes bittersweet, and detail-filled history of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwaanza traditions. And you’ll be surprised to find out Ann and Eleanor’s favorite Christmas carols!

The splendor and pageantry of the Tudor Court of King Henry VIII heralded the entry of England into the European Renaissance. Eleanor will discuss the creation and decoration of fine palaces and country manors that continued for three centuries from the Renaissance through the Baroque and Georgian periods in England. In part 1, the English Renaissance style of building and decoration of Henry VII through Charles I is covered.

Celebrity real estate agent and architectural author Bret Parsons is back to tell more about the homes of the movie moguls and Hollywood luminaries. He will also talk about the stars who have ventured into the design field and how they have fared in their new endeavors. He will also chat about the many celebrities he interviewed for his book Colcord Homes.

You can navigate your way with ease and confidence through workplace and social events with a few key tips from Ann and Eleanor. Learn how manners and etiquette developed from the time of the Egyptians through the Middle Ages and up to modern times, including some rather entertaining tales and legends!