The Kevin Lane Design Estate

West Coast Modern | Art, Graphics, and Design for Living

Kevin Leigh Lane collected design as a way of life.

Originally from the Kansas City area and later based in California, Kevin immersed himself in the West Coast modern tradition where art, architecture, graphics, and everyday objects exist in constant conversation. His career in marketing and entrepreneurship ran parallel to a lifelong commitment to modern design, preservation, and the belief that good design should be lived with, not set apart.

As co-owner of Placewares, a respected design shop and studio with roots in California and a strong presence in Palm Springs, Kevin worked closely with artists and designers who understood production as an extension of artistic practice. That philosophy is evident throughout this estate.

The auction includes an extensive selection of Jim Isermann production pieces, reflecting Kevin’s long personal and professional relationship with the artist. Rather than focusing solely on singular works, Kevin embraced Isermann’s exploration of pattern, color, geometry, and repetition across functional objects meant for daily use. His collection also included an Isermann work connected to the artist’s 2020 “Copy. Pattern. Repeat.” exhibition at the Palm Springs Art Museum, placing Kevin firmly within the contemporary design conversation.

Graphic and conceptual modernism is further represented by Barbara Stauffacher Solomon Super Signs, works that trace directly back to the origins of architectural supergraphics and the transformation of typography into spatial experience. These pieces underscore Kevin’s appreciation for design that engages architecture itself.

The collection is further strengthened by signed works by Sister Corita Kent, whose silkscreens merge bold typography, Pop aesthetics, and social commentary. Her work brings intellectual and cultural depth to the estate and reflects Kevin’s interest in design as a carrier of ideas.

Anchoring the collection as a fully realized modern interior are classic and influential design objects meant for everyday living. These include Heller dinnerware, emblematic of democratic modern design; Richard Schultz patio furniture, designed for architectural outdoor spaces; and a group of custom furnishings that speak to Kevin’s commitment to cohesive, intentional environments. These are joined by Italia design, Raymor Italian ceramics, Bennington pottery, Sonneman lighting, textiles, and decorative objects chosen for their form, function, and context.

Taken as a whole, this estate represents a collector who understood how modern design moves fluidly from studio to showroom to museum, and ultimately into lived space. This auction offers buyers the opportunity to acquire pieces from a thoughtfully assembled modern environment shaped by knowledge, proximity, and genuine engagement with design culture.