Kari Seydewitz, aka The Mad Hatter, on the final catwalk run for the ASID Designer Runway Extravaganza 2010
We prepped. We planned. We found out what TO do and what NOT to do. Kari worked on her makeup for hours. We built the maddest top hat outside of Disney. And we frantically worked for 90 full minutes at the Fremarc showroom on Wednesday night turning designer Kari Seydewitz into the Mad Hatter. (read the rest of this post…)
Lisa McDennon
This year Lisa McDennon and the team at LRM Interior Design will be participating in the 4th Annual Designer Runway show. This event is like a combination of Project Runway and Divine Design, but even more challenging. Teams of four will have 90 minutes, seven yards of fabric and one sewing machine, and their task is to create a couture outfit for the Laguna Design Center’s runway.
Forgive us for being biased, but we already think that Lisa McDennon looks like she’s just stepped off a runway most days. Hopefully she’ll be the one to shimmy her way down the Designer Runway next month, after giving her superb fashion advice to the others on her team.If so, the other teams won’t have a chance!
There will be martinis, wine and hors d’oeuvres for the audience to enjoy while the evening’s events transpire. The team’s outfits will be judged: not by Heidi Klum, but by a panel of celebrity judges hand picked for the occasion.
Tickets are on sale now! Prices start at $35 for general admission, and $75 for VIPs. Join us at the Laguna Design Center on June 16th at 5:30PM to cheer on LRM Interior Design as they strut their stuff down the runway at this exciting event.
Christian Horan and his assistant Scott line up the living room shot
Last Thursday the setup started early, with accessories and home goods being carefully unpacked and unwrapped after a week of shopping. Hours of arranging, rearranging and careful placement followed. Finally, one of LRM Interior Design’s Newport Beach bachelor projects was, shall we say, ready for its close up.
It wasn’t just the LRM team that was involved in setting up the shoot, there was help from the outside. For the green touches that bring an almost unconscious beauty to a room, Instant Jungle was called in for their expert eye and green thumb. Lisa McDennon uses no one but Instant Jungle for all of her plant needs, both internal and external. Greg Wallace, owner, was on site to make sure everything looked perfect—and he should know, as he’s been supplying plants for gardens, interiors, and home staging for 30 years.
Another integral part of the team was our favorite photographer Christian Horan, whose eye for detail, light and composition beautifully complements Lisa’s interior design. He and his assistant Scott moved furniture, helped style tabletops, climbed up and down ladders like monkeys to get the perfect shot every time. Catching Christian between his international shoots in Mexico and the Caribbean was tricky, and we were lucky to get him—and his special blend of energy, humor and talent—on the shoot.
It was an exhausting day, but it will be worth it when we see those photos of the house in print….hopefully soon! In the meantime, check out Lisa McDennon’s work and Christian’s photos in the upcoming August issue of Romantic Homes magazine.
Lisa McDennon, Principal of LRM Interior Design
Tomorrow at 10AM, students of interior design will be crowding around a podium at the Laguna Design Center, waiting for the keynote speaker. Seeing how the event, the Second Annual ASID OC Student Career Day, is co-sponsored by House Beautiful magazine, it’s no surprise that the keynote speaker is our own Lisa Rachelle McDennon.
Students will have the opportunity to have their portfolio reviewed, and learn about all aspects of interior design from Lisa and other award-winning designers attending the event. Topics of discussion and presentation include model home design; restaurant and hotel design; high-end custom home design; corporate spaces; oceanfront and estate property design; kitchen and bath design; yacht and small space design; and even landscape design.
Students can learn a great deal from the course that Lisa chartered, back before she was published in House Beautiful magazine and was a mere student herself, earning a degree in Fine Art at the University of Irvine.
LRM Interior Design Featured in House Beautiful Magazine
Between ASID Design Awards and being named as one of the top designers to watch in 2010, it was time for LRM Interior Design to launch a Press page on their website.
Over the last three months, Lisa McDennon and LRM Interior Design have been showcased in three publications. The first was in Orange County’s premier magazine, Orange Coast magazine, after she was the only entrant to win two ASID 2009 Design Awards in September.
The second, and potentially most exciting, was House Beautiful’s first issue of 2010, announcing their top 20 interior designers to watch across the country.
Thirdly, Victorian Homes Magazine interviewed Lisa as an expert in her field, asking for her recommendations on the best door hardware for an authentic or vintage look in a home.
Continue to check back on the Press page for new media coverage of Lisa McDennon and LRM Interior Design—there’s more in the pipeline…
The finished table at the client's home
After attending the Christofle event on etiquette, a LRM Interior Design client asked Lisa if she was interested in a new project.
“He said that the event at Christofle was very timely, as he would be entertaining a special guest at his home, and wanted to host a few parties. He’s a bachelor, and confessed that he had nothing appropriate to serve dinner with or on,” Lisa remembers. “He owned some casualware, but wanted to create the right atmosphere with new silverware, glassware, china, and linens.”
Even with less than two weeks to the party date, Lisa wasn’t worried, just excited at this fantastic project. After going to the house to assess what the client had—which was practically nothing—Lisa and senior designer Jan Smith were on a mission, gallivanting around Orange County to find the best tableware and accessories to go with his home.
“It wasn’t just “shopping,” explains Lisa. “We completely designed the table around the client’s décor, and even took fabric swatches with us.” (read the rest of this post…)
Robert Esterley, Marta Monahan and Lisa McDennon at Marche Moderne at South Coast Plaza
Before the holidays started in full, Lisa McDennon attended an event at South Coast Plaza’s Marché Moderne, held by Christofle and Robert Esterley, one of Orange County’s premiere interior designers.
The purpose of the event was not only to teach attendees about how to create the perfect table setting for your holiday guests, but also to instruct on the proper etiquette for social interaction.
Author Marta Monahan, whose book Your Bouquet of Beautiful Things has inspired countless readers, gave a presentation on etiquette that included the correct ways to place a glass on the table, fold your napkin in your lap, butter bread while dining, amongst other crucial tips on manners.
Lisa was fascinated by Robert’s grace as he placed the china, silver and other accessories on his display buffet table. “His movements were so smooth and full of intention, it was awesome,” remembers Lisa. “I felt like I was watching a choreographed dance!”
One of Lisa’s guests included a long-time client, who also happened to be a confirmed bachelor. During the presentations, he approached Lisa with a question. “My client had planned two parties for a special guest from out of town,” Lisa recalls. “The Christofle event reminded him that he did not own any matching china, serving bowls or plates, or even glassware or table linens! He needed my help.”
Lisa and Senior Designer Jan Smith leapt into action to create the perfect table for their client’s two parties. Don’t miss the upcoming blog about how it all turned out!
“My client’s request made me realize something,” says Lisa. “Many of my clients might not know all the ways I can help them!”
Do you need help designing your table or home for a special event? Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design can help.
A display created by Robert Esterley with Christofle products
An elegant table setting by Robert Esterley
Lisa McDennon at release party with Stan and Karen Andrade, of Andrade Architects, Laguna Beach
November 17th, 2009—Candles lit the entryway and soft music filled the air of LRM Interior Design’s studio in Laguna Beach, California as guests arrived at the party, arranged for a special announcement.
Lisa Rachelle McDennon and her team greeted guests, who included some of Orange County’s top architect and construction firms as well as LRM Interior Design’s long-standing clientele. Guests nibbled at the stunning array of cheese and hors d’oeuvres and sipped wine and champagne as Lisa McDennon stood to make her announcement. (read the rest of this post…)
Pelican Hill vignette by LRM Interior Design
The exclusive International Wine Ventures event at The Resort at Pelican Hill on September 19th was a huge success for LRM Interior Design.
After weeks of planning, designing and gathering the perfect elements for the vignette, the big day arrived. Over 75 people attended to enjoy the offerings from California’s top wineries while they perused the area that the team at LRM Interior Design had created. (read the rest of this post…)
This October, LRM Interior Design, Orange County’s award-winning interior design studio, is supporting two local children’s charities by donating a curated shopping trip with Lisa McDennon through the area’s trade-only design stores.
On Tuesday, October 13th, Stand Up For Kids will hold their gala event at the Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach in an effort to raise money for the more than 22,000 homeless children of Orange County.
On Thursday, October 15th, the March of Dimes is holding their Signature Chefs Auction at the Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, where top Orange County chefs will prepare their signature dishes and pair them with a perfect wine choice.
Lisa McDennon chooses children’s charities for many reasons: “I feel so fortunate that my two young children are healthy, and I want to give back to those whose children are suffering,” says Lisa.
Six years ago, Lisa donated her design services to the CHOC hospice room, and the experience stayed with her. “I met some great people and heard their stories. They thought that they had no resources, no way to help their children, and the March of Dimes supported them,” remembers Lisa. “I was pregnant at the time, and the enormity of the charity’s work really hit home. I knew right then that I wanted to find ways to help.” Children’s charities continue to be close to the heart of the LRM Interior Design team.
The LRM Interior Design silent auction prize is a 4-hour shopping session with Lisa, who will take the winner to the area’s trade-only design shops, recommend purchases and pass on her trade discounts (a $700 value).
For over ten years, LRM Interior Design has provided the Orange County and international community with full service residential design, assistance with the selection of architectural details, architect and builder collaborations, creating functional living spaces and designing custom furnishings. LRM Interior Design is the winner of two 2009 ASID Design Awards.
To find out more about Lisa Rachelle McDennon and LRM Interior Design, visit www.lrmdesign.com, or call 949.497.6806 to arrange a consultation.
Subscribe to RSS feed
Top Five Faves: Dining Room Chairs
What’s Red, Hot and Fast? Not a Ferrari—the new Electrolux Washing Machine
Top Five Faves: Patterned Wallpaper
Top Five Faves: Unusual Wallcoverings
ASID OC Designer Runway Extravaganza: OMG We WON!
Henry Road’s Creative Textiles and Furniture