Lights That Light Up Our Life

From geometric pendant lights to elegant wall sconces, this Valentine’s Day, when candlelight is not enough, set the mood with our favorite lighting fixtures.

Laura McMahonFebruary 7, 2024Comment

Soak in Style

Love is in the air this month so we thought we would share some bathtub designs that we love (you thought we were going somewhere else with this didn’t you?). What could be more indulgent than soaking in a claw footed vintage bathtub? How about soothing aching muscles in a jetted tub? Here are some bathtubs that will inspire you to pamper and treat yourself this Valentine’s Day.

Laura McMahonJanuary 31, 2024Comment

The Art and Design of Feng Shui

Want to feel more energized, productive, and less stressed? Some believe harmony, balance, and overall wellness can be achieved through the ancient technique of feng shui. Designing using the principles of feng shui became popular in the west after President Nixon’s historical visit to China in 1972, and remains popular today.

Laura McMahonJanuary 24, 2024

Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle through Design

From eating better to exercising more, we all strive for healthier lifestyles, especially this time of year. Whether you are constructing a new home or looking to make simpler adjustments, design can impact and support healthy habits and overall physical wellness.

Laura McMahonJanuary 17, 2024

Designing Spaces with Mental Wellness in Mind [and Body]

Designing spaces with mental health in mind is on the rise; from at-home gyms to spa-like bathrooms, in-home wellness rooms are trending now more than ever. People desire their homes to be an oasis, a place that allows us to escape the stress of daily life, a place of calm (well, at least after the kids go to bed!).

Laura McMahonJanuary 10, 2024

Designing with Wellness in [Body and] Mind – Natural Materials

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to be kinder to yourself? To do better to nurture your body and mind? January is a great time to focus on wellness, so we thought we’d do our part and share some ideas on achieving wellness through design.

Laura McMahonJanuary 3, 2024

“You taught me everything I know about exterior illumination, Clark Griswold”

Decorating the exterior of our homes with festive displays and lights has become a national obsession with contests, television shows and online posts. How did this lighting design craze start?

Laura McMahonDecember 20, 2023

Happy Birthday Bulldozer

This month the bulldozer turns 100 years old. From its humble beginnings as an attachment on a farm tractor, the bulldozer has become a sophisticated machine with hydraulics and GPS technology, sound systems and air conditioning, and has revolutionized the construction industry.

Laura McMahonDecember 13, 2023

SK’s Favorite Design Trends

From a bathroom remodel or a kitchen upgrade to a backyard addition or whole house constructionrenovation, SweisKloss’s designers blend current trends with timeless creations and emphasize the client’s experience, comfort and personal preferences. As this is the end of the year, we thought we’d take a moment to share some of our favorite design trends of 2023.

Laura McMahonDecember 6, 2023

A “Greener” Christmas Tree

The scent of pine needles, twinkling lights, dangling ornaments – for many, the Christmas tree is the hallmark of the holidays. We joyfully found some sustainable Christmas tree options that are environmentally friendly and festive.

Laura McMahonNovember 29, 2023

Don’t Let the Grinch Be the Only Green Thing this Holiday Season!

This year let’s make Black Friday a Green Friday by supporting local shops and purchasing sustainable gifts. To that end, we have some suggestions:

Laura McMahonNovember 15, 2023

Don’t Judge this Article by its Cover

With the abundance of e-zines, online newspapers, and e-readers, there is still something magical about wandering the aisles of a bookstore, sliding into a cozy chair and holding a book in your hands. Los Angeles has an abundance of eclectic and independent bookstores that offer readers everything from the latest bestsellers to rare finds and are also architecturally intriguing. In this article we highlight some of LA’s coolest independent bookstores.

Laura McMahonNovember 8, 2023

Hollywood’s Biggest Star Turns 100

Standing approximately 45 feet high on the hills overlooking the city, the iconic Hollywood Sign is recognized around the world. Those nine white letters have become a symbol of the entertainment industry and evoke images of the glamourous lifestyles associated with it.

Laura McMahonNovember 1, 2023

Designing with Mental Health in Mind

Design exerts a monumental influence over our well-being. We spend most of our time inside buildings that have been designed; designed with important physical life safety and comfort features such as smoke and fire detection, heating and cooling, and adequate egress. But what about mental health safety?

Jessica HandyOctober 25, 2023

Passive Solar Design Ideas for Homes in Southern California

Southern California is known for its abundant sunshine, beautiful landscapes, and mild climate. The region has emerged as a hub for environmentally friendly architecture and planning. Among the most efficient methods in this pursuit is passive solar design. In this article, we'll explore some tailored passive solar design ideas for the Southern California climate, ensuring year-round comfort and a reduced carbon footprint in your home.

Abeer SweisOctober 18, 2023

A Glimpse into the Most Popular Architectural Trends

In today's rapidly evolving world, architecture stands as a testament to both our history and our future. Recent years have seen the emergence of design trends that reflect our changing lifestyles, technological advancements, and commitment to sustainability. This post will delve into some of the most significant architectural design trends currently shaping our built environment.

Abeer SweisOctober 4, 2023

Petra: A Tale of Water Preservation and Sustainability

In the heart of the arid Jordanian desert lies a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site known as Petra, often referred to as the "Rose City." Its iconic rock-cut architecture and intricate carvings evoke a sense of wonder and amazement. Yet, beyond its artistic and historical significance, Petra also stands as a remarkable example of how ancient civilizations mastered the art of water preservation and sustainability in an unforgiving environment.

Abeer SweisAugust 30, 2023

Celebrating The Bones

Framing. It is the infrastructure, the skeleton, or the bones, of most residential and low rise construction in the United States, and it has been made of wood for a long long time. An exhibit currently at the Palm Springs Art Museum's Architecture and Design Center examines what the curator's refer to as "one of the country's most overlooked yet common construction systems." They refer to framing as "underappreciated."

Jessica HandyJune 21, 2023

Let this Earth Day go to the Birds!

If there were an election, I would vote for birds as Earth Day’s mascot. We have food because birds are pollinators and seed spreaders, we are not entirely overrun by insects because birds are predators, the forest and the fields are clean because birds are scavengers, and music fills the air because birds are musicians. Birds are amazing creatures we should be enjoying more and protecting better. To do this we need to be encouraging bird-friendly design.

Jessica HandyApril 19, 2023

Material to the issue

Our design team has proven that many materials that are non-combustible can be warm, inviting and still feel like home. We have made beautiful use of stucco, tempered glass, aluminum, steel, fire rated wood and native landscapes to create environments that are both fire-resistant and aesthetically stunning.

Abeer SweisSeptember 8, 2022