Honored to Moderate C.Next Designer Edition Keynote
Last month, a dream of mine was realized, thanks to my dear friend, Patty Dominguez. After much planning and coordination, it was a profound honor to moderate the C.Next Designer Edition Keynote Presentation: “Designing for the Future Brought to You by Studio M Lighting.”
This panel discussion delved into the essence of heritage and the profound responsibility of designing for future generations, featuring luminaries from leading family-owned brands.
Moderating this esteemed panel was a deeply personal experience for me. Having dedicated over 25-years to the interior design industry, these design icons—Francisco ‘Paco’ Cosentino, Stanley Cheng, and Laura E. Kohler—have not only shaped my career but have also been instrumental in shaping the landscape of design through their wisdom, vision, and innovative products.
Meet the Panel
FRANCISCO 'PACO' COSENTINO
Stanley Cheng
Laura Kohler
Studio M Lighting’s history of siblings working together for their father, Jacob, parallel to Cosentino’s legacy of Eduardo, Pilar, and Paco, Jr. carrying on their father’s vision, underscores the importance of understanding a company’s origins to effectively design for the future. Laura Kohler’s continuation of Kohler Co.’s legacy, especially after celebrating its 150-year anniversary, and Stanley Cheng’s remarkable journey from Hestan Culinary’s “king of cookware” to acclaimed Hestan Vineyards wines and Hestan Commercial and Residential appliances, further exemplify the profound impact of familial heritage on design innovation.
The insights shared by these industry titans during the discussion reaffirmed the significance of honoring the past while innovating for the future. Their collective dedication to sustainability, quality craftsmanship, and forward-thinking design principles serves as a beacon for designers striving to make a meaningful impact in their work.
I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to moderate this enlightening discussion, and I am inspired by the shared commitment of these family-owned brands to shaping a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come. Let us continue to embrace our heritage, innovate with purpose, and design spaces that not only inspire but endure.
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