On this episode of Titans of Trade, host Constance Dunn sits down with acclaimed interior designer Annette English, whose 30-year career has shaped some of the most remarkable residences in Los Angeles and beyond. English shares her journey from arriving in LA as an unknown talent to becoming one of the city's most sought-after designers, offering candid insights into building her prestigious firm and maintaining creative freshness across decades of work. Annette opens up about her approach to managing global projects, fostering long-term client relationships, and leading a thriving design team. Her perspective on keeping an entrepreneurial spirit while scaling her business provides valuable lessons for creative professionals at any stage of their career. Annette's infectious optimism and pragmatic approach to challenges showcase why she's become a trusted name among business leaders and Hollywood elite, designing everything from Beverly Hills chateaus to Parisian apartments. Main Takeaways Annette emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and growth in her design career. She believes that every project is unique and offers new opportunities for creativity. Collaboration and sharing resources within the design community are vital for success. Annette's early experiences in the restaurant industry shaped her approach to design. She values the relationships built with clients, often leading to lasting friendships. Personalizing design elements for clients adds a unique touch to each project. Maintaining a positive and fun work environment is essential for team dynamics. Hiring the right people involves assessing their fit within the team and their potential for growth. Annette's journey reflects the importance of resilience and persistence in achieving success. Los Angeles offers unparalleled opportunities for designers, attracting talent and clients alike.

Chapters:

00:00:08 - Welcome & Introduction

00:00:25 - Staying Fresh: Three Decades of Design Excellence

00:03:21 - Looking Ahead: Managing Long-Term Projects

00:06:05 - Going Global: Working with International Artisans

00:10:12 - The Entrepreneurial Journey

00:12:34 - Early Days in San Francisco

00:17:22 - Building from the Ground Up in Los Angeles

00:20:24 - The Art of Sophisticated Integration 00:24:18 - Understanding Clients Beyond the Surface

00:26:01 - Maintaining Lightness Through Complex Projects

00:29:59 - Building the Perfect Team

00:34:31 - From Solo Designer to Design House

00:35:42 - Why Los Angeles: Finding Home in the City of Angels

00:41:37 - Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Titans of Trade, we welcome Brian Pinkett, Principal of Landry Design Group, to share his insights on steering one of the world’s most renowned architectural firms for over 30 years. From managing global projects to merging classical and modern design principles, Brian reveals how curiosity and collaboration fuel his creative journey. Discover the firm’s unique approach to "Hybrid" architecture and their bold, large-scale residential designs around the world. Brian also touches on the future of AI in architecture and the vital role nature plays in shaping our living spaces.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that delves deep into the art and evolution of architecture!

The homegrown West Coast Modernist discusses his firm’s approach, their notable residential projects and how growing up on the Sunset Strip shaped him. QUOTES

“As architects we’re on a constant learning process. We learn from everything—we learn from every step we make, and every project we’re a part of, and every client and every problem that we’re solving on every project,” he says. “That’s the beauty of the medium of architecture. As architects we never stop learning.”

On growing up in Los Angeles: "It was super inspiring and an incredible place to be as a young person. I think it set me up for the life that I’m living both as an artist and architect, and as a person. It was a great foundation."

“LA is a pioneering place for all kinds of arts and incredible thinkers and people here who have really shaped the world. In that way, that’s what we’re trying to celebrate about LA as well.”

“I grew up on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood,” says architect David Thompson, who’s lived in LA since age four, and was steeped in design at a young age courtesy of his architect father.

Sleepovers in a Schindler house in Silverlake (Howe House) were common, as was gazing over the twinkling expanse of the Hollywood Hills from his bedroom windows.

Growing in his young mind is what Thompson describes as a “subtle kind of fiber,” which would blossom after architecture school in New Orleans and a return to Los Angeles.

There he got to work designing, eventually opening his own firm, Assembledge+, which is known for its award-winning new Modernist residences and studied renovations that add faithful new chapters and volumes to existing Mid Century works. There’s also commercial projects, notably restaurants offering keenly felt residential and sensory experiences.

“Hollywood has been my developmental playground for my whole life, so it’s kind of perfect that we’re smack dab in the middle of Hollywood,” Thompson says of Assembledge+, which is located steps from Sunset and Vine, and a couple of blocks south of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In this far-reaching interview, Los Angeles architect David Thompson joins Titans of Trade to discuss his firm’s approach and his award-winning Laurel Hills residence; as well as the cultivation of his design eye, and the unique West Coast Modernist aesthetic his firm is known for. “California has always been on the radar in the world,” he points out. “We are continuing a Modernist sensibility that has been cultivated here for many years, and carrying on that torch.”

Take the firm’s Laurel Hills Residence. This open-air residence, consisting of three volumes linked by glass hallways, was built by Thompson for his family in Studio City— and has captured over a dozen awards in the U.S. and beyond. “It resonates with a lot of people,” the architect says of its appeal. “All of our work, we consider it to be a warm Modernism. It’s quite accessible to people [and they] understand it.” Typical of an Assembledge+ project, the floorplan stays linked to the landscape—and so do the materials, which present a tactile experience that furthers one’s connection with their surroundings. “If there’s a subtle engagement with nature on a daily basis that just kind of happens, I think inspires you as a human,” the architect points out. Thompson also talks his firm’s historic renovations, where Mid Century California homes are updated and expanded with a current stamp that’s still truthful to the original premise of the project.

“We are trying to put ourselves back into the shoes of the designers and architects of the time—but we realize also that we’re a part of that thread of history that’s going into this project,” describes Thompson.

“We’re breathing new life into it and bringing it up to modern day, so hopefully that historical thread will stay with it for much longer, and then we add a layer of that history to the project and to the place.”