Diverse, Intentional, Complimentary and Ecologically Sustainable | 553 | Tima Bell

Convo By Design®

Hosting, producing and publishing Convo By Design has been an incredible journey, 12 years in now. At the beginning of the show, I wasn’t really sure with whom I was speaking to. I set out to reach consumers interested in design, then after a year or so, I realized that it was designers and architects listening and interacting with me. I met so many creatives and that informed the shows development and the storylines. Then, something amazing happened… I heard from more design clients, for a few reasons. They were looking for a designer, architect, landscape designer, products for their own projects. Since 2020, there has been a transformational shift in what both the trade and consumer side are looking for from me, Convo By Design and the design industry. I believe we are entering a new phase in design. One with far more well educated clients and the trade is responding. Through these conversations, clients have a chance to get to know these creatives. Get a chance to vet them for their projects. And, designers can hear what other highly functional and successful creatives are doing to not just get more business but evolve this amazing industry. It is in that vein that I share my conversation with Tima Bell of the Bell Design Group. A firm with offices in Los Angeles, Colorado, Madrid and Argentina. A firm built with diversity and sustainability in mind, but when you hear how Bell puts these ideas into practice, I think you find it as fascinating as I do.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

– Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Tima shared details about his architecture firm, emphasizing its meritocratic and egalitarian nature, with decisions ultimately by him. Hehighlighted the benefits of a diverse workforce, including effective communication with clients from various backgrounds, and the use of Archicad, a BIM modeler popular in Europe. Tima also mentioned the company’s support for staff with visas and the low turnover rate, attributing it to the strong friendships formed among diverse staff members.

Tima and I, both native Angelenos, discussed the importance of embracing failure and trying new things in design and architecture. They acknowledged the issue of perfectionism in American, California, and Los Angeles exceptionalism.

Thank you Tima for taking the time to share your thoughts. Thank you to my incredible partner sponsors, ThermaSol, TimberTech, Pacific Sales, Monogram and Design Hardware. Amazing companies and great friends to the trade so please give them an opportunity for your next project. And, thank you for listening, subscribing the show and sharing with your colleagues. If not already subscribing, please consider that so you receive every new episode automatically to your podcast feed. Until next week, thank you for sharing this time together, until the next episode, be well, stay focused and above the chaos. – CXD