Monique chats with Chuck Henderson, former president of the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy and previous owner of the iconic Walker House in Carmel, the only Frank Lloyd Wright home on the ocean. Chuck shares his experience restoring the house, offers advice to new Frank Lloyd Wright homeowners, and reflects on memorable moments from his time at the Conservancy and Taliesin. Don’t miss hearing about his favorite Wright designs and what being part of this Mid Century Modern architectural world has...
Nov 14, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Monique is joined by the talented Mark English, principal of Mark English Architects in San Francisco. They dive into his journey into modernism, from his love of Inca and Mayan architecture to founding his award-winning firm. Mark shares the fun behind designing his favorite projects, like the Atherton and Tōrō houses, and gives his take on sustainable architecture. Plus, he shares with Monique his opinion on mid-century modern versus modern architecture, making for an insightful and engaging c...
Oct 22, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Monique is joined by the brilliant Bob Swatt, architect and partner at Swatt + Partners. They dive into his love for mid-century modern design, the powerful work of Beverly Thorne, and the inspiration behind his iconic Tea Cup homes. Bob also reveals his connection to Rudolf Schindler, shares fun stories from his career, and talks about celebrating 50 years of his firm with a brand new book. “If a building looks like […] nothing else could have been there except for that building, you’ve hit the...
Jul 03, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Monique is joined by Cord Struckmann and Alfonso Cordon, the owners of Case Study House #26. They share their restoration journey of this Beverly D. Thorne-designed gem and dive into the revolutionary Case Study House program, which promoted innovative home designs. Discover how they stumbled upon this mid-century treasure and their plans to celebrate what would have been Beverly Thorne's 100th birthday. “Living in a house like this one makes you more appreciative of architecture and creates a r...
Jun 20, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Monique chats with Jonathan Braun about his father, Ernest Braun's, incredible work and legacy. They dive into Ernest's inspiration from Eichler Homes, his journey into photography, and vibrant life through the lens. Jonathan shares fond memories, including time in the darkroom, his father's adventures with combat photography, and the seven photography books he created. “I just found it incredibly fascinating to watch this, to be in the dark, and under the glow of the safe light, seeing these im...
May 23, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Monique chats with architect Dominic Sarica, who shares his love for living in a Roger Lee home, its unique design, and what drew him to it. Hear about raising his family in this architectural gem, the distinctive style of Roger Lee, and how Dominic tackled design challenges to preserve its integrity. “All I could see was this horizontal line that peaked out from the landscape and I said, ‘I know what’s back there’” - Dominic Sarica ----- If you're interested in buying or selling a modern home, ...
May 16, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Monique welcomes Allan Green to the show to discuss his father's legacy, his work with Frank Lloyd Wright, and his journey in creating the stunning coffee table book, "Aaron Green Organic Architecture: Beyond Frank Lloyd Wright." They talk about his father's unique approach to design, his distinctive style of collaborating with clients, and the charming story of how his parents met with a handmade sweater. Tune in for an intimate look at one of the pioneers of organic architecture and the proces...
May 09, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Monique welcomes Chad Dewitt, an accomplished architectural designer and the creative force behind Framestudio, to the show. With features in Dwell, California Home and Design, and many more, Chad shares what inspires him about mid-century modern homes, delves into his personal restoration projects (including an interesting take on why Eichlers aren't his favorite), and invites listeners into his world of auction alerts. Join the conversation with a true expert in the field, as they dive into th...
Jan 04, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Monique welcomes to the show esteemed architect Bruce Avico, a living encyclopedia of mid-century modern history. In this episode, Bruce unveils his journey, from joining the world of Buff and Hensman to pivotal moments that shaped his career. Join the conversation as they explore the backgrounds of Conrad Buff, Don Hensman, and the influential Calvin Straub, while Bruce discusses the Case Study Houses, reflects on the impact of the 1973/74 energy crisis on architecture, and expresses his deep a...
Dec 18, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Monique welcomes Joanne Koch, the founder and principal of Koch Architects, renowned for her work in organic architecture and mid-century modern restoration. In this episode, you'll delve into Joanne's soulful approach to organic architecture, inspired by the mass housing design and vision of the post-war era. Explore the concept of 'rustic modern' from Joanne's unique perspective, as she shares her personal experiences at Sea Ranch and her work with architectural treasures designed by luminarie...
Nov 07, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Monique's producer, Jacki Mercer, switches roles and interviews Monique about her journey into the world of mid-century modern design. Monique reveals her personal connection to the style, shares the joys of living in a mid-century modern home, and highlights the features that make these homes irresistible to potential buyers. She dives into the inspiration behind her business, along with how she secured the rights to Eichler floor plans, what makes an Eichler home truly original, and her favori...
Oct 31, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Monique invites you to a fun episode recorded at the Eichler Home Tour VIP party just outside the San Mateo Highlands. She interviews eight passionate Eichler home owners and enthusiasts, who share their love for these iconic mid-century modern homes. They explain what makes Eichler homes special and you'll hear from the organizers who've made this event a reality. Not only is the Eichler Home tour an exciting exploration of 12 Eichler homes, but it's also for a good cause. All proceeds from the...
Oct 24, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Monique welcomes her friend, Hannah Simonson, to the show—an architectural historian and cultural resources planner at Page and Turnbull in San Francisco. As the current president of Docomomo US Northern California Chapter, Hannah shares her history with Docomomo and her fascination with the Diamond Heights community. This episode also offers practical insights into saving historical modern sites and highlights the value of preserving existing buildings. Tune in to learn how to join the Docomomo...
Sep 26, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Monique welcomes her friend Danny Heller to the show, a globally exhibited artist renowned for his mid-century modern artistry. From his roots in Los Angeles' suburbs to prestigious features in publications like Architectural Digest Spain and California Home and Design, he shares the stories behind his vibrant paintings that capture the essence of the era's architecture. Tune in to hear about his artistic evolution, his unique perspective on iconic structures like the Chemosphere, as well as det...
Aug 29, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Monique invites Karen Nepacena, the visionary behind DestinationEichler.com, to the show. From viral blogs on Eichler restoration to features in Dwell, HGTV, and Atomic Ranch, Karen has left an indelible mark as a designer. Join their conversation as Karen delves into the challenges of Eichler restoration, her newly completed book "Midcentury Modern Style," and her experience featured on Cabin Chronicles. Discover what ignited Karen's passion for mid-century modern style, thrift store treasures ...
Aug 22, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Monique chats with the brilliant Alan Hess, an architect, historian, and author of 21 books on Modernism. In this episode, they explore Frank Lloyd Wright's impact on modern architecture, along with the intriguing world of "Googie" design and the way they were able to bring ordinary life into the realm of these mid-century modern designs. They also touch on architectural legends like Oscar Niemeyer, Alan Bray, Jack Hillmer, and Donald Wexler, along with Alan Hess's preservation efforts, includin...
Aug 16, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Monique sits down with Vince Bravo, an art and furniture collector, artist, and expert on Alexander Girard, with an impressive 30-years experience in vintage furnishings and mid-century decorative arts. Tune in as he shares the origins of his art collection, his restoration of mid-century furniture, and the stories of the unique pieces he's acquired along the way, including an Alexander Girard-designed tortilla wrapper. Join them as they explore the treasures of timeless classics and delve into ...
Aug 02, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Monique welcomes Matt Bliss, founder of Modern Christmas Trees, on today's episode. Matt shares the story of how his grandfather's 1966 modern Christmas tree design inspired him to start the business, along with the story of his appearance on Shark Tank and how he fell in love with mid-century modern design. From exclusive photoshoots in iconic mid-century modern homes, to being a beloved tradition in many families, his trees have charmed modernists and non-modernists alike. Plus, you’ll definit...
Jul 25, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Monique is joined by Greg Kelly, founder and president of Modbox USA, to talk about his journey in the world of midcentury modernism. They discuss Greg's frustration with the lack of available products and how it led to the birth of Modbox USA through his quest for the perfect mailbox, and the support he received from the MCM community to bring his vision to life. They also touch on Modbox's expansion beyond mailboxes and Greg's exciting collaboration with Atomic Ranch on a curb appeal contest. ...
Jul 04, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Monique sits down with the talented architect, Stanley Saitowitz. From his early years growing up in South Africa, Saitowitz shares his deep love for architecture that ignited during his youth. They delve into his bold and larger-than-life designs, highlighting a few extraordinary house and building creations and the intriguing blend of nature and architecture that defines his work. Saitowitz's extensive expertise shines through as he discusses his work as an author, his teaching experiences at ...
Jun 27, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Monique welcomes her friend and the incredibly talented interior designer, Melinda Mandell, to today's episode. Having been featured on the pages of esteemed publications like San Francisco Cottages & Gardens, Modern Luxury Silicon Valley, California Home + Design, Melinda brings a wealth of expertise and creativity that will inspire you to express yourself in your own home. They discuss Melinda's knack for seamlessly merging different styles and eras in her home designs along with her famil...
Jun 20, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Monique welcomes George Smart, the founder and CEO of US Modernist, the world's largest non-profit educational archive for modernist residential design, to her podcast. Affectionately known as "Mr. Modernism”, George shares his journey of documenting 20,000 modernist houses and becoming the epicenter for all things mid-century modern. Monique marvels at his detective skills in connecting with people related to the modernist world and hosting incredible parties to celebrate these architectural ge...
Jun 13, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Monique chats with historian and author Heather David, known for her books “Motel California" and "Mid-century by the Bay: A Celebration of the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1950s and 1960s." They discuss Heather's childhood love of mid-century modern buildings, the allure of this architectural style, and her exploration of motel and sign preservation. Enjoy some laughter as they recount the restoration tale of Tiki Bob and reminisce about Heather's crush on a specific mid-century building. Join...
Jun 06, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Monique welcomes Curt Cline, owner and principal architect of Modern House Architects. Discover why Curt is Monique's top choice when it comes to architects, as they delve into his journey from the Midwest, his devotion to preserving Eichler remodels, his admiration for architectural pioneers, and his ingenious approach to ADUs. Discover how Curt demonstrates his versatility across properties of all sizes and budgets, seamlessly bridging the worlds of new construction and the timeless allure of ...
May 30, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Monique is joined by Cindy Carey and Marissa Smith from Starburst Construction, a dynamic team who excel at keeping the minimalist look of the midcentury design clean and fresh. Join us as we delve into their journey in the business, their mindful approach to working with Eichlers, and how they beautifully integrate the landscape into the design while maintaining the integrity of these architectural gems. Get ready to be inspired by the synchronistic team of Starburst Construction. “If you want ...
May 23, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Monique is joined by Paul Adamson, a San Francisco-based architect, writer, educator, and preservation advocate. Join them as they explore his journey into architecture, his family's artistic legacy, and the lessons on sustainability found in Eichler homes. Discover the passion and advocacy that drives Paul's work, while unraveling the influences of his architectural heroes and mentors. “Where is more important to have good work than in a dwelling: this is the background for ones life... and hav...
May 17, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Monique is joined by Raymond Neutra, son of Richard Neutra, one of the fathers of modernist architecture, who shares his extensive efforts in documenting and preserving his father's works. Join them as they explore what makes up good design, the peaceful atmosphere of mid-century modern homes, and the profound connection these visionary architects had with nature. Don't miss this engaging discussion on the enduring legacy of Richard Neutra and Raymond's significant role in preserving modernist a...
May 17, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Monique chats with Dave Weinstein, a renowned expert on Eichler and mid-century modern architecture. Dave shares his extensive knowledge of Eichler homes and their unique community, having interviewed hundreds of Eichler owners. He highlights the importance of preservation, his passion for uncovering information about Eichler homes and mid-century architects, and sheds light on Eichler's history of selling homes to minorities. Tune in to hear about some of Dave's favorite Eichler designs and the...
May 09, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Monique sits down with Rob Keil, Art Director and author of two books, to discuss his journey into midcentury modernism. They delve into his book "Little Boxes: The Architecture of a Classic Midcentury Suburb", his interest in midcentury modernism through Henry Doelger, and how he's made it his mission to preserve and showcase the iconic midcentury modern style. They also discuss his childhood fascination with magazine advertising dating back to the 1920’s, leading to his friendship with Art Fit...
May 02, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Monique chats with Mike LaChance, owner of LaChance’s Radiant Heating, who is an expert in radiant heating systems and a special part of the Eichler community. They discuss the importance of annual checkups, simple troubleshooting tips, and the best flooring to put on top of radiant heating. With over two decades of experience, Mike and his family-run business is widely recognized as the go-to authority for radiant heating systems within the Eichler Network. “I just kind of fell into the busines...
Apr 25, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 7
