We all know that this is the month to reflect on being thankful – and for me, there is so much to be grateful for. The following gratitude list is not comprehensive, but gives you an idea of the many blessings I have that I acknowledge now – and all through the year. So, with that introduction, I am thankful for:
• The continued and renewed interest I see in historic preservation, especially by a younger generation of designers, throughout Los Angeles. I was becoming disheartened by the “death by beige” mentality and cookie-cutter contemporary design I was seeing in so many shelter magazines. But young hip places like the new Ace Hotel & Theatre in downtown L.A. have renewed my faith.
• My dear friend and publicist G. Bruce Smith for opening my eyes to some really good new design and giving me new material to use in writing my blog and newsletter. And my wonderful friend Waleed Nasr, my social media guru and tech adviser who keeps me out of technology hell.
• All my students and friends – many, but not all, of whom are designers – with a special shout-out to my super talented friend, designer and business partner, Ian Patrick, who I can bounce so many ideas off of and trade so much knowledge with.
• My beloved friend Bret Parsons who keeps me hyper-connected to the architectural loop of Los Angeles. He is a real estate agent, author, and lecturer extraordinaire who inspires me to continue to expose people to the best in design.
• Being in a space in my life to be able to offer new programs and lectures series that I had always envisioned for my students and fellow design aficionados. For example, I’m planning several Delicious Design tours, both domestic and foreign, in 2015.
• Being married to someone who can discuss design with me 24/7. And on top of that he’s handsome, smart, loving – and a talented chef! (Those of you who know me know that I make reservations for dinner.)
• The boards of the John Lautner Foundation, Malibu Adamson House Foundation, Beverly Hills Heritage and Beverly Hills Historical Society, amazing organizations that do important work. I’m grateful to have a seat on all these boards and to work with such passionate and talented people.
• Architectural treasures in the L.A. area, in so many styles, from the Spanish Colonial Revival Adamson House in Malibu to the Mid-Century Modern Sheats Goldstein Residence in Beverly Crest to the Greek Revival Banning Museum in Wilmington.
May your Thanksgiving be as blessed with as much abundance as mine.
Warm regards,
Eleanor