B. David Levine

I was born as a designer. I did art all my life. I took extended studies in art in high school, after graduating, I went to art school and then I studied Interior Design and Architecture. My parents were artists and as a child my toy were art supplies and building blocks. As a child I was always either drawing or painting or making models of buildings and furniture. I always planned to work in design.

My company is located in La Cienega Design Quarter of Los Angeles. We do interior design, architectural design, industrial design, furniture, fabrics, wallcoverings for the luxury market. We also have a showroom where we curate fine furnishings and accessories from Europe and America.

I like to design total projects. Everything from architectural design, interior design, furniture design. Everything from initial concept to all the details.

I like to work with things we can mold. Metal, from a modern sculptural approach. I like to combine wood, metal and plastics to create sculptural design. I like using computer aided machinery to shape my ideas.

If it functions for its purpose and it is aesthetically pleasing from all angles.

Form, balance, whether it is functional for its purpose, proportions.

When working with a company you must set up the rules and guidelines each time specifically for that company

Interview some designers, look up their websites, get references, compare designers, look for creativity, reliability, look for value, see if your values match, and most importantly make sure that you feel trust. You have to allow the designer the space to create the design, you have to demand what it is that you want out of the design. Listen to what the designer is suggesting before deciding. Be honest with your budget at all times. Tell them as much information as you can about what you like and are looking for.

My design begins with an idea or a random sketch. Then I think about it and sketch more, play with the design. Then the sketch is taken to a drafting stage to work out dimensions. Some times research is necessary, more sketches and 3D cad drawings, working drawings and sometimes prototypes.

My Charles Eames chair and ottoman, my Steinway baby grand piano, an abstract expressionist painting by my step father, the first chair I designed and fabricated when I was in design school and an antique oriental rug.

Go by your instinct feelings with your designs and design what is in your heart. Don't be afraid to take chances. Don't let other people opinions influence your designs (unless they are your clients)

Positives: You get to create, work out challenges, every time you create something, it is different. Negatives: Budgets, deadlines are sometimes unreal.

Sketch pads, drafting equipment, computers, Auto CAD, Rhino, 3D Max, Photoshop.

The first home that I designed by myself, where I designed everything from initial sketches, architectural drawings, interior design down to the last details.

My clients are affluent creative people in various places in the world.

My future plans are to continue designing architecture, interiors and furniture, and to bring design culture to California.

We are designing our new showroom. It will be showcasing my own designs and my curated European designs I can find of furnishings, wallcoverings, fabrics and art.