Oly Studio's Jackson Chest of Drawers

1. Oly Studios Jackson Chest of Drawers: “Many companies make a chest similar to this, but no-one does it with the same panache as Oly,” says Lisa McDennon. “The lacquered wood looks amazing in white, but I like it in the dark colors, too.” Lisa also likes that this chest fits well as a bedside table in rooms that are contemporary, Asian or traditional, dressed up or down—it’s so versatile and practical at the same time. Talk about making a piece of furniture work well in many settings: Lisa also suggests that this white, lacquered-wood chest could look stunning in an entryway, or be a changing table for baby that will grow with them as they leave the nursery.

Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture

2. Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture: Barbara Barry is known just as well for her elegance as her design, and this bedside table is a wonderful representation of it. “I love the contemporary feel of this piece,” says Kristen Rusert. “It’s very simple, but the leg shape makes it stand out.” Kristen also points out that it’s size makes it perfect for a nightstand, but provides a handy amount of storage as well. Is the finish too dark for you? Don’t worry; Baker offers it in over 20 regular and premium finishes in order for it to match your boudoir perfectly.

Echo Table by Room&Board

3. Echo Table from Room&Board: Although technically an “end” table, Senior Designer Jan Smith loves this as a bedside table. “I think it’s a perfect choice for a non-matched set of bedside tables,” she explains. “The curving silhouette of the sculptural base and generous top is the perfect foil for a table with drawers and storage on the other side of the bed.” Made from bamboo with a lacquer finish, this contemporary table would look good in many design styles.

Milan Chest by Century Furniture

4. Milan Chest from Century Furniture: Again, this piece was not meant specifically to sit next to a bed, but it would look stunning in any bedroom, especially since Century has such a large selection of finish choices. Plus, it’s larger than a regular bedside table and has big drawers, and therefore would be perfect for a smaller home, where space was limited. “Who couldn’t use the extra storage?” asks Melissa Morgan, who was captivated by this chest. “I love the clean lines, and would love to experiment with some of the finish options, like silver leaf or sky blue.”

LRM Interior Design Custom Bedside Table

5. LRMID Custom Nightstand: When you’ve searched high and low and the perfect bedside table is nowhere to be found, sometimes you just have to do it yourself. And that’s what Lisa McDennon has done for many a client, and specifically with this bedside table. “I call this a ‘grown-up nightstand’,” says Lisa. “It has a complexity to it that makes it elegant yet fun.” In addition to an open shelf for accessories or book storage, what looks like a top drawer actually is a lined tray that pulls out when needed. “That way you don’t have to reach behind you for your hot tea or water while reading in bed,” says Lisa. She really does think of everything…!

See something you like? Have an idea for a piece of custom furniture for your home? Contact LRM Interior Design for a free consultation. The LRMID team are experts at designing and fabricating custom furniture, and love creating the perfect item for a client’s home. Contact us via phone on (949) 497-6806 or email us to set up an appointment.

The Electrolux washer in Red Hot Red

Who says laundry can’t be fun? We love designing laundry rooms, and can’t wait to use a washer and dryer from Electrolux’s latest collection. When it comes to laundry, we all want our whites white and our colors bright, right? With Electrolux’s new line, what we want on the inside is right on the outside. The washers and dryers come in Red Hot Red, Mediterranean Blue, Turquoise Sky, Island White and Silver Sands, and will add that extra spark to a laundry room.

There are so many features that make the machines themselves wonderful (18 minutes to wash, 18 minutes to dry, extremely quiet and eco-friendly), but we also like how they, ahem, stack up. From a design standpoint, their versatility is very attractive; they can stack, be freestanding or under a counter, the doors can be reversed and they have optional pedestal drawers.

Other appliance companies have followed suit with the colors, so check out LG, GE and Whirlpool, to name a few. Like with cars, many people have their favorite appliance brand, so make sure you shop around to find the color and manufacturer of your choice.

An example of a well-designed laundry room

We at LRM Interior Design are fans of the under-counter washer and dryer, and have been known to build them into a custom cupboard. Laundry rooms are supposed to be practical, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful too. Organization is key, as is space to work so that the laundry doesn’t have to be spread out all over the house; having a laundry room means that you contain your laundry in one space. There are so many ways to tuck away ironing boards, hampers and washing accessories that your laundry room will be tidy 24/7…especially when you feel like you’re doing laundry for that long!

As designers, we are space planners, and always look for the best way to design a home to suit a family’s needs. Homework doesn’t always get done at the kitchen table anymore, now that computers are essential to work, homework and play. If your laundry room is large enough, create an area for a home office. A desk can easily be built into a corner, bookshelves and cabinets line the walls around it, while the whisper-quiet laundry machines work their magic on the other side of the room.

Plus, these washers and dryers are so versatile—and so nice to look at—that you can actually consider adding them to your existing home office!

For a consultation on how to create the laundry room of your dreams, contact LRM Interior Design by clicking here or calling (949) 497-6806. Unfortunately, there’s one thing we can’t do—make the actual laundry disappear…

Lisa goes over plans with contractor and architect

Can you believe it’s already May?  It seems like just yesterday when Senior Designer Jan Smith and I braved the cold snow and met with our clients at June Lake to help redesign their mountain home.  Five months later, Jan and I have begun to really implement and put our design into action.   Last month Jan and I headed up to June Lake and conducted a final walkthrough with the architect, the cabinet maker, the electrician, the tile contractor and the lighting specialist to ensure that all details were set in place.

Jan and I spent a great deal of time with the tile. We showed our client the selections we had picked, laying out every design out in the house to gain a better overall perspective of the space and to see if everything flowed together well. We sat down with the tile contractor and went through each tile drawing to ensure that every detail, down to the finishing of the tile edges, was correct.  I’ve always believed that it is best to discuss everything with my contractors, because sometimes not everything translates perfectly from paper or the contractors might have a particular style of finishing that doesn’t work with our design. Strong communication is key in successful designing!

Mixing up furniture from different vendors is a great way to add character to a space.  One of the companies we contracted is called Raw Urth, who creates amazing hand-forged iron pieces and iron strapping brackets for fireplaces and furniture.  We have also acquired a selection of furniture from different other companies, including the Holly Hunt Collection, Ironware International and a selection of custom-designed pieces.

On our completed tasks list is lighting, and we made sure that the jay box heights measured correctly and that we placed the chandelier pendants in the right spots.  We have all our sinks ready, one beautiful sink from Eurobath that Jan selected and the rest made from natural stone that we ordered from GBI Tile Company, a tile and stone distributor in Costa Mesa who does amazing custom orders.

Often times in an interior designer’s world not everything falls into place.  In our case, we had a little mishap our client’s fireplace, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise in the end.  Jan had laid out blue tape to double check the measurements of the furniture, and to our dismay we found that the fireplace was sticking out just a little too much for our liking.  We decided to switch our floor plans, and luckily our client liked it better. We went back to the architect’s office to redesign the living room fireplace, and now I’m currently working on the built-in entertainment system and trying to integrate it seamlessly into the stone.  I decided to stone the entire fixture and then have the television rest in the niche so that it could have a floating effect.  As you can see, designing is always an on-going process with many changes along the road!

Our next trip will be in June, when we will be inspecting all of the cabinet and tile details and picking out the grout colors.  It will definitely be a shorter visit, but of course there is still a lot of work to be done.  Stay tuned for our next installment of our June Lake series!

Lisa tours the house with the contractor

It was still cold enough in the mountains for warm clothes and hats!

Lisa discusses the project's progress with the contractor.

One of the solid forged brass levers from Baldwin's Couture Collection

Everyone at LRM Interior Design fell in love with the new Couture Collection from Baldwin. And no, it wasn’t just because “couture” was in the title, but because of the new designs’ elegance and variety of finishes that will give a greater range of choice to their clients.

LRMID, and Lisa in particular, is partial to a celtic knot, and the Baldwin Couture Collection features a door knob with a celtic knot of beautiful simplicity. The design also extends to the “rose”, or the part of the door handle that is affixed to the door.

Baldwin calls the Couture Collection “jewelry for the home,” and it’s definitely true. The selection of designs is outstanding, plus each lever and knob is available in each of their 21 finishes, which include patinas such as distressed Venetian bronze, aged brass, lifetime-polished brass and satin chrome, to name but a few.

Baldwin realized that many homes are using different styles throughout, and has designed this collection to address that. This is a boon for interior designers and their clients, as high-quality manufacturers are responding to trends and creating products that the public wants. It’s rare now for a home to be completely in one style unless it’s a period or historical house, but these homeowners still want door hardware that exhibits a timeless quality.

“Finishes are so important to a cohesive design,” explains Lisa McDennon. “Door handles are used so frequently, they can really make a statement by adding just the right accent to a room.” All of the Couture Collection’s knobs and levers are made from solid forged brass, and completely American made and finished in their Reading, Pennsylvania plant. All the the Couture Collection designs work seamlessly with Baldwin’s Estate Collection, making it even more valuable to existing and new clients.

A McDennon favorite: the celtic design on the door knob and rose

Bookcase and accessories in a client's home

Jan Smith, senior designer at LRM Interior Design, talks about the company’s talent for accessorizing those often-missed areas of the home, like a hallway or niche. Many times, it’s an area that the homeowner can’t seem to find anything to fill or fit the odd space.

The LRM Interior Design team has several sources to tap when we’re looking for those special and unique pieces that make the space complete. Some sources are local to Orange County, but many times LRMID’s designers need to access companies from other states or even countries for that perfect item.

Balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis and unity are the design principles that LRMID uses when accessorizing. The end result should always look like every item was meant to be there. Or—even better—it looks like the pieces were made specially for that space.

LRM Interior Design can transform those dull, forgotten or ignored areas into areas that shine, full of interest and wonder.

A beautiful front door creates curiosity for the visitor

Kristen Rusert, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design’s newly promoted Project Manager was inspired by something the other day that may seem dull, to the uninitiated designer eye.

Says Kristen: “I was having lunch in Laguna Beach yesterday at this great new spot and noticed this cute place nearby with an AMAZING door….  It totally fit with its surroundings and made me extremely curious about what the rest of the house looked like.  My curiosity was also piqued because I feel like doors are an added detail that can get overlooked.

This front door hints as to the design style inside the house.

The door creates the first impression upon arrival at a residence, so every detail—from color to hardware—should introduce what you should expect within the space.  Mirrored, hand painted, metallic or even antique doors could become that final touch that makes the room unique and complete.

Look for doors, hinges and doorknobs and keyplates when travelling to exotic locales, or even closer to home in one of the country’s many architectural salvage yards. Or, have a talented artisan create a custom door that complements  your property.”

Here’s a few to try:

Today’s Windows and Doors

Portera Doors

Ziegler Custom Doors

Ancient Architecture

Liz’s Antique Hardware

Or try this listing to find one near you. Happy hunting!

Filigreed door hardware from H. Theophile

The LRM Inspiration this week is cabinetry and door hardware by H. Theophile, and chosen by designer Hillary Nichols. According to Hillary, selecting hardware for cabinets and doors can be difficult even for professionals, especially when you find many manufacturers with similar designs.
“We always want to infuse interesting and unique details when designing beautiful rooms,” explains Hillary. “Hardware for cabinets and doors can be a great way to bring these details in.”Hillary absolutely fell in love with the collections from H. Theophile, a fine architectural hardware studio in Manhattan. They specialize in replicating antique door fittings and cabinetry hardware from the European 18th and 19th centuries, adapting them to suit modern spaces.
“H. Theophile welcomes custom designs, sketches and requests, which is so much fun for a designer!” says Hillary. The company also incorporates incredible details in many of their pieces, including horn, bone and semi-precious stones.
“My favorite piece is a filigreed knob, back plate and thumb turn based on Robert Adam’s period fittings at Kenwood House, London. It has such elegance and striking details.” Hillary explains. “It’s also wonderful to have a historical reference to share with the client, to tell ‘the story’ behind the details we’re adding to their house.”
H. Theophile does not restrict itself to creating replicas, and also creates many contemporary styles, including geometric forms and modern shapes. The interior designer’s job is to find the perfect hardware for the client’s needs, with the quality to back it up. H. Theophile is a wonderful resource to have at our disposal!

If you are planning on moving when the recession recedes, that’s another reason to make a few home improvements – focus on adding value to your home before it’s time to sell. Besides, why not make your home more pleasant and up-to-date while you’re still living in it? And I’m not the only one who thinks so: Ed Del Grande, the Orange County Register’s home repair guru, recently told a reader the same thing. You can read the article online here, but read on for my top tips!

Make Smart Decisions
Interior designers can help clients make smart decisions about what improvements to make and how to go about them – there’s no point in planning an “upgrade” that will clash with the style or architecture of your home. Here’s a few target areas that are good places to start:

• Replacing windows and doors adds value to a home and can actually help lower utility bills
• A potential buyer’s eye will focus on a few key areas:

- The kitchen: think about updating the cabinetry
- The bathrooms: don’t underestimate the power of fresh paint and a new shower treatment
- Landscaping: make visitors say “Wow!” before they even step inside

• Upgrade finishes like mouldings and light fixtures
• Refresh living areas with new paint schemes
• Replace worn-out flooring for a new look in hallways, kitchens and living areas

A good interior designer can design a new kitchen or bathroom from the ground up, providing material selections and colorways. But why spend the money on a professional? Because of a little-known fact: due to their relationships with a wide range of vendors – including those for flooring, fabrics, fixtures and furniture – they receive prices that are better than sale prices you can find in-store or online. An interior designer worth their salt will pass these savings on to their clients!

Find New Space in Your Home

Where you see a jumbled mess, a talented designer will see the possibility of organized bliss. Pay for a consultation – or better yet, see if you can find a designer offering a free consultation – to find places ripe for transformation. Creating a new area for storage or a specific purpose takes a little planning but a lot of creativity, and if you’ve chosen wisely, your designer can take a small budget and a small space and make a huge change in your home, and your life.

•    Cluttered hallways or coat closets? Clear them out and replace with a custom, built-in desk or shelving system. With a specialized design, you should be able to organize what was once a mess – and make it look beautiful, too.
•    An odd niche? Turn into a dedicated office space or a beautiful hutch to display collections or photographs.
•    Lofty ideas? Open up a child’s bedroom with a loft area, or add high ceilings and light to a living space.
•    Want to relax? Formal living or dining rooms are being swapped for family or entertainment rooms, or combined with the kitchen for an open-plan living space.

Take a Fresh Look at What You’ve Got

Does it need to be a new purchase to feel like an update? Not if you do it right, in my opinion. Would you be willing to pay for a few hours of a designer’s time if they saved you thousands – or tens of thousands – in material costs by working with your existing furnishings? Here are some of my favorite ways how:

•    Get a new ‘do: Re-do and re-use – recycling is all the rage, don’t you know! With the right vision, we can reupholster, repaint and reinvent just about anything in your home. A tired coffee table can become a luxurious ottoman, and a fading sofa can come to life when the cushions get new stuffing, the shape is restyled and fabric is replaced.
•    Change the details: transform the sofa with new accent pillows; reshuffle accessories on table tops and mantlepieces and in display cabinets; reframe existing art; or even add some greenery by way of new houseplants.
•    Finer art: Can’t afford a Renoir? Why bother? Frame and hang something more personal, like existing photographs from a trip or album. Have a collection? Get a professional to mount, mat and frame them – even something as mundane as a button collection can look amazing when showcased in this way.

Shopaholics, Rejoice

If you’re more of a hands-on shopper, you can take advantage of both a designer’s eye and the numerous sales, clearances and close-outs that pop up in recession times. I’ve been hired to go shopping with several clients to advise on purchases, ensuring that they are right for the home and the budget. This is a great way to refresh and update your home on a low budget and in a short amount of time!
For more expert advice and ways to transform your home even when times are tough, contact LRM Interior Design for a free consultation.