Joan Behnke

Her projects have been as varied as her clients including private planes, beach houses, penthouses, golf courses—and they have spanned the globe, from Southern California and Washington, D.C., to Tokyo and Abu Dhabi.

Which neighborhood of LA do you call home?  

Westwood 

Have you discovered anything unexpected while staying at home (about yourself, about your neighborhood)?

There are lots of children in my neighborhood and during the pandemic it was great to see families on bicycles riding around the streets. It reminded me of a small town.

More Americans are getting vaccinated and people are cautiously reemerging from lockdown. What are some places or activities that you are looking forward to revisiting?

The most important activity for me is to be able to travel again. I have managed to partake in zoom dance classes and weekly visits with family and friends, but the idea of being able to travel is so important to me both for work and pleasure.  

Big broad question: from where do you draw inspiration?

I try to stay open to all sorts of inspiration and of course travel is critical, as well as design/architectural websites and magazines have helped this past year. I also find that cultural experiences from concerts, dance performances to art openings/ museums all provide fantastic inspiration. 

What kinds of projects is your office currently undertaking? 

We are working on large and small projects from Vermont to Montecito. Some projects are ground up to remodels and some are modern, and others are historic. 

You work with artisans from around the world, what draws you to a certain artisan? What makes a certain chair or design special?

We love working with artisans from around the world. as they are a very important part of what inspires our creativity. What draws us is a willingness to collaborate. There is nothing like meeting an artisan that loves what he/she does. 

Most of your clients are likely collectors; of art, of objects, etc.  What is your approach to including art and light in architecture?

Art is like the cherry on top of any project. I have an art history undergraduate degree and so I love sharing what I know about art and of course continuing to learn from advanced art consultants about new and emerging artists.  Lighting has become an art form and most of the design for our houses take full advantage of lighting designers with styles that might add whimsy and sophistication to each project. 

Her favorite artist of the moment, or favorite art book that she is currently devouring?

I love George Condo’s works, the Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco, and Loie Hollowell.  It is nearly impossible for me to have a single favorite artist. Currently I am reading Obama’s autobiography . It takes me back to his presidency. 

Her favorite song or playlist?

I always love listening to Pat Methany for jazz guitar, and Brazilian music is a must in my life including such artists as Venessa Da Mata, Seu Jorge, Caetano Veloso and Ana Carolina.

A recipe for her favorite dish or cocktail?

I love making ratatouille as a healthy vegetarian dish each week. I experiment with various spices that I brought back from India to make the dish unique from week to week and it reminds me of my travels and the incredible flavors from the Indian spices.  

Is there something, an object, that she simply can’t live without?

I still use an Osterizer blender from the 1940’s that was a wedding gift to my parents. It is not only nostalgic but works better than any other appliance I have ever owned. I also love my Pyrex lemon juicer. There is nothing like picking fresh Myer lemons from my backyard and mixing the juice with hot water each morning.