Welcome back to the Chaise Lounge where Nick is trying something he’s never done before: talking to a designer who didn’t start the company he helps run. Jason Kalman is a Los Angeles-based designer who found his way to the top of Magni Kalman Designs by working his way up to the position of partner instead of starting from scratch. Magni Kalman also lends its name and aesthetic to a furniture line, Magni Home Collection.

Finance to Design

Like a lot of designers, Kalman found this industry as a second career, giving up finance at the age of 23 to pivot to design. His father used to tell him that “if you can’t be the best yet, work for the best,” so, when he got out of school, he went to work for the most famous designer he could think of, Kelly Wearstler. From there, Kalman worked his way through different companies doing all kinds of tasks and developing experience.

Design to Finance and Design

He eventually joined James Magni at his firm and was asked if he could help not only with all his design experience but also using his finance background until he took on so much responsibility that the company took on his name as well.

To see what kind of design work Magni Kalman does and what sort of pieces it produces, visit MagniKalman.com, MagniHomeCollection.com and follow @MagniDesign on Instagram.

If you’re a designer who has done work that should be recognized, enter the 2019 ANDYZ awards before April 30 to potentially be honored at summer Las Vegas Market.

Nick will be speaking at the Luxury Home Design Summit. Visit the website to learn how to attend.