This week, Elyse and Laurent get serious about their love for Los Angeles and all California has to offer as they sit down with LA Manufacturer, Founder of Fuse Lighting Kevin Kolanowski. Long-time friend of Laurent Rebuffel and Kimberly Denman, Kevin began his career in design as a design student in Chicago who relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his career as an interior designer. What he didn't expect, was that a need for a piece of lighting that did not yet exist would create a path toward becoming one of the most notable LA-based makers of fine and luxury lighting fixtures over the course of 25 years.

In a time of economic instability and an unpredictable future for importing and outsourcing within the interior design industry, Kevin and Laurent share something of a saving grace in common: local manufacturing and custom production. Kevin, through Fuse Lighting, is known to work closely with designers, creating custom pieces that the greater market lacks, in a Los Angeles-based workroom. This was no accident, either: Kevin shares his story of knocking on doors at workrooms and warehouses in DTLA, curious of what they were creating, and whether he might be able to work along with them.

Finding vendors and custom workrooms is a challenge for any designer, but Kevin and Laurent share their experiences building their networks and creating a tightly-knit team of designers, creators, artisans, and vendors to support their vision for great interior design in Los Angeles.

This episode was filmed on-location at the Kimberly Denman Showroom in Koreatown, Los Angeles, CA

Directed by Elyse Cizek

Edited by Elyse Cizek

Theme Song: The Poker Player by Anthony Vega

Where to Find Us:

Instagram.com/clutterbravado

clutterbravado.com

Discover more about Fuse Lighting and Kevin Kolanowski:

https://fuselighting.com/pages/about

https://www.instagram.com/fuselighting/