Lecture by Domiane Forte: “In Search of the Beautiful: Architecture, Painting and Furniture”

On March 12, 2026, Domiane Forte gave a talk as part of the Architectural Lecture Series, curated by Superintendent Diane Sipos, titled, In Search of the Beautiful: Architecture, Painting and Furniture at The Virginia Robinson Gardens.  Domiane Forte received his master’s in architecure from the University of Notre Dame. After 25 years of working for several top architecture firms in Southern California, he turned his passion for furniture making into a second career.  The theme of his talk was what underlies the nature of beauty in art and the natural world, our innate need to search for it, and how to go about finding it.

“The Story the Landscape Tells Back” by Landscape Designer Christine London

As part of the Architectural Lecture Series curated by Superintendent Diane Sipos, landscape designer Christine London shared her journey designing a garden on February 5, 2026, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. Aptly titled  The Story the Landscape Tells Back, Christine explained her intentional process.  She began by saying that gardens engage the five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch and taste, but there is a sixth sense evoked by gardens: a feeling of well-being. Drawing inspiration from a former garden she designed, the goal was to create an edited, restrained palette providing numerous moments of the human experience. Whether the intention is to provide sanctuary, contemplation, entertaining, space for children to play, or “vacation at home,” careful planning offers spaces throughout the garden for these different experiences.  The result is a balanced landscape that harmonizes with the architecture. 

Mumsey Nemiroff’s Wonderful Lecture on Claude Monet

On February 26, 2026, art historian Mumsey Nemiroff gave a delightful and beautiful, sold-out, lecture on the painter Claude Monet and his gardens at Giverny at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. A long-time friend of Mumsey, Friend Ann Petersen introduced her, saying that Mumsey was raised in Beverly Hills and graduated from UCLA with a degree in art history. She taught at UCLA for 18 years. Mumsey has led tours all over the world and has gone to Africa 42 times, supporting hospitals for injured animals. She has lectured at many museums. “I am her total fan,” declared Ann. “She is a force, and I want to present to you the inimitable Mumsey.”

David Silverman’s Fascinating Lecture on the History of Bel-Air

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, architectural historian David Silverman spoke to a packed room of guests excited to hear about the history of Bel Air at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. David, a Los Angeles native and former attorney, found his love for researching original estates -- ones that were built in the early days of Los Angeles -- from the idea of a birthday gift for his sister who owned the 1927 home “Mille Fleurs.” From that fun project that he started in 2018, he launched a new career researching and writing books about homes from the past. As of now, he has written approximately 25 books, many of which were commissioned by owners who were curious about their estates.

Renowned Colour Maven Gillian Rose at VRG

On November 1, 2025, in the Pool Pavilion at The Virginia Robinson Gardens, Ann Petersen introduced Gillian Rose, founder of Hue Are You, to a rapt audience. Ann explained, “It is a groundbreaking color practice that pairs everyone’s unique energy with colors that make them feel radiant, confident, and seen.”

Gillian said that after getting a degree in environmental design from Parsons School of Design in New York City, she worked for top interior designers and architects in New York before starting her own firm in the late 90s. In 2006, she discovered an organization based in Salzburg, Austria that … Read More

Fascinating Lecture by Thomas Callaway: “Gone West…From East Coast to West, My 80 Year Pursuit of an Artistic Life”

The Friends were delighted to host celebrated interior designer Thomas Callaway for a talk on October 3rd at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. This lecture was the fourth installment of the 2025 Architectural Lecture Series curated by Superintendent Diane Sipos. Thomas began his presentation by recounting his early childhood influences and sharing some of his very early childhood works as a budding artist. He left for Paris to study art as a young adult, an experience which would prove to be life-changing. This period of exploration and travel in Europe eventually led him to New York where he discovered an art school in Harlem that took him in as a student. He shared some of his earlier artworks that were exhibited in a show from this period. 

Eleanor Schrader Lectures on the Glamour of Old Hollywood: Architecture of the Stars

Guests arrived at the Pool Pavilion at The Virginia Robinson Gardens on June 14, 2025, buzzing to hear from award-winning educator, lecturer, and author Eleanor Schrader.  An expert in her field, Eleanor wears many hats including serving as an instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture and decorative arts, and Professor Emeritus of Art and Architectural History at Santa Monica College. She also did graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York. Eleanor enjoys a large following from her years teaching and leading architectural tours; guests came as far as from the Bay Area to hear her lecture.   

Timothy Corrigan and His Enthralling Lecture on His Book, “At Home in France: Inspiration and Style in Town and Country”

“Fantastic!” “Spectacular!” “One of the best lectures I have ever heard!” were some of the excited comments after the superlative lecture by famed interior designer Timothy Corrigan on April 29, 2025, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. Timothy mesmerized his audience with his exuberance, humor, warmth, and fascinating tales (and travails) based on his book At Home in France: Inspiration and Style in Town and Country. Supremely talented and knowledgeable, Timothy showed how he repurposed and decorated rooms in the Chateau de La Chevallerie, the beauty of which took one’s breath away.

A Compendium on Architect Timothy Barber’s Lecture on the Robinsons’ Italianate Revival Pool Pavilion in Beverly Hills, California

Photo by Josh Johnston

Architecture is an expression of the human condition. In one sense it’s an intellectual pursuit with an emphasis on functionality and tastes relative to the client.  The design process is without limitation, except for perhaps the limitation of the materials and mathematical formulas that allow the intangible idea to become a physical expression on the land.

Tim Barber

Mr. Barber, the founder of Tim Barber Architects and the founder and former President of the Southern California Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA), examined the process and design intent of the Robinsons’ Italian … Read More

A Lecture by Architects Raun Thorp and Brian Tichenor on Their Book “Outside In”

Left to right: Brian Tichenor and Raun Thorp

On March 20, 2025, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens, architects and landscape designers Raun Thorp and Brian Tichenor presented an engaging talk to the Fellows based on their book Outside In: The Gardens and Houses of Tichenor and Thorp, sharing their approach to integrating architecture and landscape into a unified whole. Their guiding philosophy of creating outstanding residences is simple but powerful: “start with the garden.”

In Southern California, where large homes are often built on small lots, outdoor space is at a premium. Raun and Brian begin every project by identifying … Read More

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