And the Oscar Goes To…

And the Oscar Goes To…

Who can forget King Kong scaling the Empire State Building far above the streets of New York?  Didn’t you want to kick up your heals and dance watching Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling twirl under the stars at Griffith Observatory in La La Land?

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Laura McMahon
Spring Break

Spring Break

March means school’s out for Spring Break. But history class doesn’t need to end just because you’re on vacation. These interesting hotels have transformed turn of the century train stations, converted factories and adapted prisons into extraordinary places that are architecturally striking and chock full of history. Happy Travels!

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Laura McMahon
LA’s Iconic Midcentury Modern Homes

LA’s Iconic Midcentury Modern Homes

Palm Springs just wrapped up its two-week celebration of Midcentury Modern (MCM) architecture, art and culture. Don’t worry if you didn’t have time to drive to the desert to enjoy the tours and open houses. There are plenty of stellar examples of MCM architecture and stylings right here in Los Angeles. These residences have put LA on the MCM map.

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Laura McMahon
Gold, Silver, Bronze … and Green

Gold, Silver, Bronze … and Green

At the time of writing this newsletter, Italy has a lot to celebrate with 9 gold, 5 silver and 12 bronze medals at the Winter Olympics, but we’re more excited about celebrating the host country’s green accomplishments. Milano Cortina 2026 reflects Italy’s commitment to host a sustainable and environmentally responsible Winter Olympics.  They have designed many of the Games around existing venues, created an Olympic Village that will be repurposed into the community, and are relying on clean energy.

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Laura McMahon
Where to find Energy, Vitality and Adventure this Chinese New Year

Where to find Energy, Vitality and Adventure this Chinese New Year

This coming Tuesday, February 17th, is the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse. The horse gallops in with vibrant energy, symbolizes adventure and vitality, and is considered confident and independent. Visitors to Los Angeles’ Chinatown may enjoy a myriad of festivities to celebrate the New Year, as well as explore architectural splendors.

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Laura McMahon
Changing the Game for Women’s Sports

Changing the Game for Women’s Sports

This Sunday, the Seatle Seahawks and New England Patriots will face each other in Super Bowl LX at Levi Stadium. Built in 2014 in Santa Clara, CA, the stadium is home to the San Franciso 49ers, has a seating capacity of 68,500, has 9,000 club seats and 174 suites. The stadium is undoubtably a mega facility, hosting other entertainment giants such as premier soccer teams like Manchester United and global stars like Taylor Swift. And now, there is a new stadium on the horizon, one specifically for women’s sports.

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Laura McMahon
Architectural Album Covers that Rock

Architectural Album Covers that Rock

This Sunday, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, and Kendrick Lamar, among other musicians will contend for Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards. That got me thinking, or rather nostalgic, for album covers of my youth – Springsteen’s American flag (and backside) on Born in the USA, Prince on his motorcycle on Purple Rain, and the baby on Nirvana’s Nevermind.

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Laura McMahon
Sydney Architecture Aces It!

Sydney Architecture Aces It! 

An avid tennis fan, I was excited by the start of the Australian Open this week. And while I love watching Alcaraz and Sinner battle it out on the hard courts, I equally enjoy watching the segments around town. With the flight from Los Angeles to Sydney taking around 15 hours, please enjoy some of Sydney’s remarkable architectural landmarks without the jetlag.

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Laura McMahon
“If you build it, they will come”

“If you build it, they will come”

From a super skinny skyscraper to a presidential library, architectural projects underway in 2026 will change the skyline for many cities and landscapes across the United States.  Fortunately, most of these skyline changes include environmental, social, and aesthetically responsible features that make us eager for their completion.

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Laura McMahon
2026 Trends

2026 Trends

What design trends are we bringing to 2026? Let’s start with less “Instagram Perfect” and more real life. Less minimalistic and more lived-in. 2026 design trends will emphasize personality and authenticity. Blending mixed textures, warm earth tones and artisanal pieces to create an aesthetic that is stylish, individualized and welcoming.

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Laura McMahon
2025 Design Year in Review

2025 Design Year in Review

It’s been a busy year for the SweisKloss team.  We’ve designed a custom spiral staircase that had to be craned through a roof, turned an outdoor seating area into a spa and created a sunken bathtub. With every bedroom, bathroom and kitchen we have drawn and sketched, we’ve thoughtfully considered our clients’ needs and lifestyles.

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Laura McMahon
Spotlight of the Month: A Cozy Firepit

Spotlight of the Month: A Cozy Firepit

As temperatures drop at night this time of year, it becomes the season of gathering around the warmth and glow of an outdoor fire. This patio space designed by SweisKloss for this Bel Air estate is perfect for the season.

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Laura McMahon
A Paw-sitively Wonderful Time of Year

A Paw-sitively Wonderful Time of Year

Tis’ the season for gift giving to all family members, including the furry ones! Here at SweisKloss we love our four-legged pals and have put together a list of unique presents for pets and their owners.

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Laura McMahon
Get Your Kicks On…

Get Your Kicks On…

From giant green dinosaurs in Holbrook, AZ, and a 170-foot Catsup bottle-shaped water tower in Oklahoma City to kitschy general stores and vintage diners, Route 66 has quirky landmarks and peculiar roadside attractions that make taking a break well worth the trip.

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Laura McMahon
Speakeasys and Hidden Gems

Speakeasys and Hidden Gems

Hidden in backrooms and behind concealed doors, Los Angeles boasts speakeasys that serve crafted cocktails in cool settings. With the holiday season upon us, look for cheer in some of the city’s hidden gems.

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Laura McMahon
Spooky Sites

Spooky Sites

An abandoned amusement park, a floating prison, a ghost church. These deserted sites leave behind architectural, historical and cultural mysteries. Just in time for Halloween, let’s visit these creepy locations.

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Laura McMahon
When you gotta go, you gotta go… Public Restroom Design

When you gotta go, you gotta go… Public Restroom Design

Commuters to Santa Monica can now enjoy the royal treatment. Throne Labs’ recently installed a high tech and eco-friendly public restroom at the Downtown Santa Monica Metro Station. ADA compliant, Throne toilets are designed to serve a wide range of people from providing a baby changing station to offering complimentary menstrual products, with hands-free operations for most functions. To access the free restrooms, users scan a QR code and then have 10 minutes to do their business.

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Laura McMahon