Bold colors and thoughtful accents make LRMID's design perfect for a Joie de Vivre hotel.

When the Pacific Edge Hotel, the latest addition to Laguna Beach’s upscale cadre of hotels, needed some interior design in a jiffy before the season ended, they called LRM Interior Design.

After reading about Lisa McDennon’s qualifications and accolades, and finding out that she runs a local company, the owners of Pacific Edge were sold. Joie de Vivre Hotel Group, the company that owns and manages Pacific Edge, is known for their cutting-edge design and style for boutique hotels here in California, and it’s no surprise that LRM Interior Design was chosen for the job.

Without a lot of time to finish the hotel’s Greenroom Lounge, the team at LRM couldn’t take the time to special order or custom design any pieces, and relied on some of their trusted suppliers to furnish the lounge—that also happen to be open to the public, both online and at their retail locations.

For instance, the dining table was selected from Z Gallerie, and the wood chairs and coffee table came from Crate & Barrel. West Elm provided a glass-topped, kelly-green contemporary table, while pillows came from Pier 1.

Some items were from local sources, naturally, like the stunning photography on the walls from Tony Clark. Many of the accessories came from a local’s treasure trove, Laguna Colony Company in the heart of downtown, where the team selected many of the shell-decorated items and teak bowls.

But there are some things that have to be provided by the best, and that was the fabric by Kravet. The yellow and blue pattern of the communal table’s banquette could not be a better choice to complement the dramatic photo of the wave that hovers above.

This project finished just weeks before the 2011 ASID Orange County Awards, where Lisa and her team won yet another award, this time for Commercial Projects. Winning the Gold Award in this category with their modern designs for Golden Comm, a strategic web design firm in Orange County, proved LRM Interior Design’s prowess in this area that they seem to be moving into more and more frequently.

If you have an office, restaurant or hospitality space that needs just freshening up or a whole new look, contact LRM Interior Design for a consultation. With award-winning talent and the ability to translate a client’s dream into reality, it’s no wonder LRM Interior Design is one of Orange County’s top interior design firms. Call now on (949) 497-6806 or click here to use our online form to contact us.

Don't you want your next party here?

This glass-topped table with a natural-tree base is from Z Gallerie.

Pillows from Pier 1 and chairs from Crate & Barrel, accessories from Laguna Colony Company.

Cozy up next to the warm fire at the Pacific Edge Hotel's Greenroom Lounge.

Khloe Kardashian applied a glamourous touch to her office.

What’s glamour all about? It’s about making a statement. For instance: an actress like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn or (more recently) Gwyneth Paltrow would be called “elegant” rather than glamorous. So which actresses would sum up the definition of glamour?? Think Rita Hayworth, Sophia Loren or our modern siren Angelina Jolie—even Joan Collins says she’s the only leading lady of today to stand up to the glamorous beauties of her time.

But we digress. What makes an interior glamorous? It’s definitely not gingham curtains, beige carpet or heavy, dark antiques. Our Project Manager, Kristen Rusert, has a few ideas. And she should know, being involved with each and every beautiful interior that passes through the LRM Interior Design studio!

You may not think that any of the Kardashian sisters know anything about taste, but Khloe certainly knows something about style. Can a home-office space look glam? Kristen says yes: “I love, love, love this room!” she says. “Khloe and her designer really made this space so girly and glamorous. The warm tones in the room are contrasted with pops of black.”

Her favorite touch? “Her chair is TO DIE FOR!” says Kristen. The bold zigzag pattern stands out in the center of the room as a focal point, elevating the mid-century modern feel of the furniture to a contemporary height.

Second tip? Color! Glamour needs drama, and well-chosen, bold colors can really bump up a room’s glitz levels. Orange a little too strong for you? Not when it’s used

Mary McDonald uses orange in a striking context.

as a striking accent color with oversized, zebra-skin covered footstools, sleek side tables and lamps made from steel columns. Still too modern? Try pairing a turquoise with white and shell pink—still popping with color, but less masculine.

Kristen also recommends combining textures with sleek lines, like a steel-mesh formed chair, sheer curtains, polished chrome barstools and tufted contemporary easy chair. But ultimately, like beauty, glamour is in the eye of the beholder. “As with all interior design, it has to be what the client wants,” Kristen explains. “At LRM Interior Design, we are all about keeping with the client’s taste while applying our professional touches.”

Wanting a little glamour in your life? Or a lot? Then call LRM Interior Design for a free style profile for your whole home, or just a room. Looking for the perfect piece to finish off the design you started? That’s not a problem—LRMID excels at custom furnishing design and fabrication. So if you’re looking for zebra footstools or zigzag fabric for your easy chair, we can help. Call us on (949) 497-6808 or use our online form to make an appointment.

For more femininity, use a bright color with two softer ones.

Just try to get us out of this Missoni deck chair!

Ah, Missoni. The name itself sounds like a breezy, beautiful day on the Italian coast, perhaps in Amalfi. With Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses to block out the sun bouncing off the Mediteranean, the wind stirs the multi-colored folds of our Missoni dress…

Okay, so perhaps not everyone has dreamt that dream, but if you love the fashion of Missoni as much as we do, you’ll love Kristen Rusert’s inspiration for this week.

Missoni has taken their trademark knitted weaves and put them on outdoor furniture. Yes, it’s true! Missoni teamed up with T&J Vestor in 1983 to start the home line, which has continued to expand over the years, to great success. And no wonder! Who wouldn’t want to have these sleek, colorful pieces of furniture gracing their outdoor living area? Our only worry is that every guest would be green with envy…

“Keep it clean and simple with a pop of color. As usual, Missoni is perfection!!” says Kristen. “These outdoor pieces would be a fantastic addition to a contemporary outdoor space. To be extra stylish, throw in one of their gorgeous beach towels and layout in luxury!”

You'd never leave your towel if you took this Marlon towel from Missoni to the beach.

The Missoni home collection was designed by Rosita Missoni and embodies every inch of quality and beauty that Missoni has come to be known for. The collection exudes a sunny personality and creative spirit that are showcased by Missoni’s legendary manufacturing skill. Not surprisingly, the inspirations and emotions of fashion also color Rosita Missoni’s ideas of home design, made possible through the collaboration of missoni, one of italy’s top fashion designers, and T&J Vestor, a firm that boasts a long family tradition in home fabrics and furnishings.

But how can you use them in your outdoor living space? Are the colors too bold, the designs too modern? Don’t be scared to try a little of something different—just because your style is on the opposite side of these Missoni pieces doesn’t mean they won’t work in your space. Let LRM Interior Design show you how you can inject a bit of Missoni’s lively color and style into your backyard, so you can feel like you’re on the Amalfi Coast any day of the week.

And if you’re still not sure, you can always just buy a Missoni beach towel, and enjoy the envious looks you get from your fellow beachgoers. Now wouldn’t that be fun!

Where can you purchase these fantastic furniture items? Just contact LRM Interior Design and we can order them in no time. Just call (949) 497-6806 for more information on how to order.

Missoni Easy Chair

Put your feet up in this chair and matching footstool.

Side tables have never before been so glamorous!

But, luckily trees share their bounty with us, as if every tree was The Giving Tree. They give up their sturdy, strong trunks and branches to be chopped, cut and otherwise transformed into many items that we use today, from paper, pencils, flooring, building materials—the list is endless.

But some of our favorite uses of wood are in the interior accessories category, allowing us to bring the organic feel of the outdoors indoors. A few of our top picks are listed below:

Munio wooden vases

1. Munio Vase: Fine wood items and water don’t sound like good bedfellows, but that’s if you think that only live flowers in water go in vases. In a word: no. Just the curvaceousness of these vases is enough to stop traffic; adding flowers would only detract from their singular beauty. These vases, made of wood from the rain forest with Forest Stewardship Council certification, come in three sizes and designs, ideal for single placement or a fantastic grouping. We like grouping items—when it’s done well, of course. Don’t worry, we can help.

Built to withstand the outdoors, but elegant enough to use indoors.

2. LatticeStix Folding Screens: How do you divide a room without adding a wall? At LRM Interior Design, we have many ways, many gorgeous ways, to segregate areas of a room. One of our favorite ways is the old-fashioned way—use a folding screen. These screens from LatticeStix are unique, elegant and completely customizable. These screens use more than 100 pieces of wood, and all are connected using the Arts & Crafts tradition of exposed joinery. You don’t get that kind of craftsmanship often in today’s world of mass production. But then again, we at LRM Interior Design only use the best for our clients.

Odegard's India-inspired wooden tile collection.

3. Odegard’s India-Inspired Tiles and Panels: We’ve fallen head over heels for these stunning, carved-wood panels. These handcrafted artisanal tiles and panels can be customized to nearly any size and use, from wall treatments to tabletops. Can you imagine one of these panels four-feet square as a tabletop, covered in glass? We certainly can, plus many more exciting ideas to bring a little bit of the exotic into your home.

You'll never get bored with the Matera bedside table.

4. Design Within Reach’s Matera Side Table: This infinitely versatile table fascinates us. It can be used as a super-sleek in-bed dining tray, or in any of six other possible configurations. On it’s “side” it forms a “C”, creating a large amount of storage for reading material; or point the “legs” toward the wall for the illusion of a solid block; or with “legs” straight out for an open feel. There’s also a matching bed, and this bedside table’s versatility allows the bed’s under-bed storage drawers to be accessed without moving the table. Clever design—that’s what we expect from DWR.

Endgrain Wastebasket

5. Endgrain Wastebasket by Dransfield & Ross: Details, details, details. If you don’t know us by now, we’ll let you in on a little secret. We are obsessed by details, and that’s what makes us stand out from the rest. Are wastebaskets important? Will somebody see them in the room? Then YES, they are important design accessories! The extraordinary detail in this Dransfield & Ross wastebasket made us think it would be perfect in a corner of a room in our Mammoth Lakes residential project. Yes, just perfect.

If you’re looking for unique ways to accessorize your home, call LRM Interior Design for a consultation. We can transform your room with some carefully selected furnishings, window treatments and accessories that will make you feel like it was completely redecorated. Or, try our Design in a Box service to completely redecorate your home one room at a time. Call (949) 497-6806 to set an appointment or send an email.

Everything a client needs to redesign a room fits inside this beautiful box.

Everyone is talking about “Design in a Box” nowadays, and more and more clients have been asking for it. What is Design in a Box, actually? How can someone who knows nothing about design put together a room that’s been designed by a professional? Especially a multiple award-winning designer like Lisa McDennon?

LRM Interior Design has perfected the process, offering a complete road map from a client’s starting point to their dream design. LRM Interior Design does all of the hard work, from creating a color board, a space plan, selecting furniture, designing architectural details, window treatments and lighting, and manages to fit all of it inside a beautiful, richly colored box. In addition, LRMID provides two folders containing paint swatches: one that outlines the color palette for the room, and the other to be used as a quick reference guide for furniture and accessories. And, last but not least, a shopping guide that lists all of the retail stores where the furniture and accessories can be purchased.

Why has Design in a Box been so popular? Firstly, because you get a professionally designed room for much less the potential cost of having the designer on the project from start to finish. With some legwork, shopping and a little elbow grease, a client can avoid the fees that a design firm has to charge for purchasing materials, hiring contractors and generally keeping on top of the project (aka project management).

Another reason is that the client gets to play designer! How fun is that? With a magic box that lays out a spectacular design, a client can be involved hands-on in creating beauty in their home.

The greatest thing about Design in a Box is that the LRM team does not have to be near the client to produce it. Because LRMID has perfected the process, they give the client a questionnaire to fill out and instructions on taking photographs and measurements, all of which can be mailed or emailed back to the studio. If you are in Orange County, a client can request an on-site consult that includes professional site measurements and a presentation in the studio for a $500 surcharge.

Prices for the LRM Interior Design Design in a Box service starts at $1,500, and increases are based on additional services. If you are interested in LRMID’s Design in a Box services, or the full design service, please contact us by email or by calling (949) 497-6806.

An example of Jan's inspiration

Jan Smith, Senior Designer, is always focused on the client. Her inspiration is definitely one she takes home with her—everything at her home, from the spare room down to the dinner table, is thought through to the last detail. “In 2011, I want to emphasize the importance of completing the room design to our clients,” says Jan. “Paint, wallcoverings and furnishings will only give you part of the design story, not the full picture. It is essential to complete the room or home with soft goods and accessories. A finished look is a layered look, and at LRMID we stress the importance of those final touches, which include art, accessories, window treatments, accent rugs, portable lighting…the list is as long as the imagination!”

Even a simple arrangement adds warmth to a room.

For designer Kari Seydewitz, the new year brings flowers. “My New Year’s design resolution is to promote adding live flower arrangements to at least one room in their house,” says Kari. “And I don’t mean just for special occasions, but to have arrangements all year round!” Kari feels that having flower arrangements brighten and liven up any space—think of it as temporary interior design that can be changed and updated at your whim! “It can really change the look and feel of the room, adding warmth and a sense of completion to the space.”

An antique clock is an interesting accessory to use over the fireplace.

In 2011, Kristen Rusert is focused on the details, starting in her own home. “I want to put on those finishing touches and accessories to make the house feel complete,” says Kristen. Some of her plans are to find a great piece for above the fireplace, shop for some cool accessories, find a runner for the entryway, buy some new pillows to add color to the bedroom, find a ceiling fixture for the bedroom and finally, purchase some frames to line the hallway walls with personal photos.

An example of work by California Closets

Melissa Morgan, assistant designer, has resolved to get organized! “Although I’m looking to organize my whole home, I’m starting with my most important area: my closet,” explains Melissa. “Having an organized closet makes life—especially mornings!—a lot less hectic. Either you choose to install a custom, built-in closet organizer or a do-it-yourself kit from retail stores like The Container Store, you can’t go wrong.” There are many custom closet builders, like California Closets or Tailored Living, who will come to your home and give you a quote on the spot. If you’re feeling industrious (and were good at Lego® as a kid), then get to The Container Store, design a closet using their Elfa system, drag it home and start building. Your closet will be tip-top in no time!

Lisa is looking forward to making her garden grow, and succulents are in!

Lisa McDennon, our fearless leader, has been saved for last. “This year my new year’s resolution for my home is to pay more attention to my outdoor spaces and provide more “TLC” to my plants, flowers—and actually replant all of my empty containers.  I have several areas that are finished and look appropriately sweet and quaint for a 1920s cottage in Laguna Beach. However, they are mostly in the front, of course, and I have several small spaces and nooks that have so much potential. I walk by them with swirling ideas, and then life gets in the way and the idea has soon faded until I pass by the space again!  So, this year I want to turn my thoughts into reality and take a few weekends to care for and create the spaces that have been neglected, so that we may enjoy them as to what they aspire to be.

My first project: I have a great spot below my kitchen windows that makes for a great sitting area – I would love to jazz it up with a contrasting paint color or wainscoting.  I would love to finally fill my terra cotta pots with something that won’t die – so, thank goodness succulents are in, so let’s see if I can avoid killing them this time.  I have two great footstool ottomans that need cushions, and I am going to put them together to create a coffee table, and pick up two benches that I can flank them with and add tons of mix-and-match pillows.  A bright rug will finish off the space, and I think the result will be fun, cozy, and a bit bohemian—a place that my daughter and I can set up a great tea party, or I can sit and sip wine and watch the sunset with my husband.  That sounds much better than the uninspired catch-all that is it right now.

We will definitely post the results of these resolutions as we go through the year. LRMID wishes everyone a prosperous 2011!

Even bachelor pads deserve to shine.

As you know, we at LRM Interior Design love a little sparkle, whether it’s sinks, wallpaper or chandeliers. We like to add it somewhere in most of our designs. Hmmm…you may think. Isn’t LRM Interior Design known for designing Orange County’s best luxury bachelor pads? Well, yes we are. So how do you get sparkle in a gentleman’s home?

Sparkle can be masculine too, especially when it is in rock form—agate geodes, specifically. “Agate and other geodes are nature’s sculpture,” says Jan Smith, Senior Designer at LRM Interior Design. “We like to include them in rooms, as they are great for added abstract shapes and color.”

In LRMID’s Newport Beach luxury bachelor pad, which just won the 2010 ASID Award for Best O.C. Home Design over 3,500 sq. ft. (don’t worry, more on that soon!), an agate geode mounted on a stand creates a wonderful accent for the powder bathroom on the ground floor. The metal veins running through the agate are brought out by the organically shaped, solid bronze sink and faucets, and creates a look that is elegant—but not girly in any way.

And we don’t just tuck them away, either. Larger agate geodes look wonderful as table-top decorations, especially paired with succulents in the living area. “Putting the two together emphasizes the organic and elemental,” comments Jan. “Plus, they come in so many shapes and colors, you can definitely find one for any room you’re working on.”

We also never forget the Bauhaus motto: form and function. You can find many agate geodes online that have been polished and split in two, perfect for using as bookends, and heavy enough to actually work. Jan explains: “They add a little sparkle to bookcases while serving a purpose.”

We’re not shy about our talent for accessorizing, and we always are available for shopping trips with our clients to pick out accessories for a room or decorating for a special occasion; the big holidays of the year are approaching rather quickly! Hallowe’en will be here before we know it. There’s no time to delay. Call LRM Interior Design now to organize that shopping trip or for a free consultation for accessorizing one or more rooms in your house. Make sure it’s tip-top for when family comes for the holidays! Call (949) 497-6806 or click here to send us an email.

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.

Mamagreen's Bogard daybed

All of us at LRM Interior Design love to design with the environment in mind, but we never want to compromise on quality, beauty or craftsmanship. That’s why we were so excited when we found Mamagreen, a Belgian-born company that creates sustainable, contemporary furniture. The website says “rustic contemporary”, but we don’t see anything rustic about the sleek and sexy lines of this collection of dining, lounge, bar and outdoor furniture. All of the Mamagreen products are hand-made form FSC-certified reclaimed teak; eco-friendly, non-toxic synthetics; and recycled/recyclable stainless steel, setting them distinctly apart from the competition.

As a matter of fact, we adore their outdoor furniture, especially for our Orange County clients who usually want an interior design that links with their outdoor living arrangements. And many of us in Southern California are conscious of our skin, so Mamagreen’s range of canopied, deep outdoor sofas, perfect for lounging alone or for sharing. The Bogard collection is as handsome, rugged and elegant as the name suggests—although, we think they meant Bogart… All the furniture in this collection has brushed reclaimed teak wood or handwoven leather-look wicker, and the cushions are either in Sunbrella fabric or Batyline material.

More graceful and generous designs are evident in the Jane collection, especially this oversized corner sofa, which just makes us want to arrange a pool party in a luxury, oceanview property. Margaritas, anyone?And what about the delicious green in the Icon collection, perfect to liven up an outdoor area.

Call LRM Interior Design to arrange a consultation for a new outdoor living design. With the sun just finally showing itself, it’s the perfect time to get your backyard ready for an Indian summer! (949) 497-6806

Mamagreen's Icon sunlounger for two

Ideal lounging on the Jane corner sofa

This month’s Top Five Faves capitalizes on those elegant pieces that accessorize a room. As always, it was tough to narrow them down to just five, but we managed to…

Sea Urchins from Oly Studios

1. Sea Urchins in cast resin from Oly Studio

Lisa McDennon chose these from many wonderful accessories and gift items at Oly Studio. “I like the depth. It makes them interesting and eye catching,” remarks Lisa. “They are chalky and organic, but very modern.” The three sizes are unusual and make them fun to use; there’s a 10-inch, a 11-inch and a 25-inch version. “Two large sea urchins would look great under a console, while a smaller one would be perfect on a small bookcase shelf.”

Black Stallion sculptures from Gump's San Francisco

2. Black Stallions from Gump’s

Both the style and the terra-cotta composition make these complementary stallions look like they were recovered from Ancient Rome. Made entirely by hand using techniques by Tang-era artisans, these pieces have a washed and distressed black glaze that allows glimpses of the clay beneath to shine through. “These are fantastic accent items for shelves or consoles,” says Jan Smith, senior designer at LRM Interior Design. “They are neutral, interesting and masculine—without being offensive.”

Manzanita branches can be made into a beautiful jewelry tree, like this one from Viva Terra.

3. Manzanita Branches from Gold Leaf Design Group

Lisa loves the twisted branches of the manzanita tree as a decorative item. “They work so well as a room divider, or just as a sculptural accent,” says Lisa. “I’ve even used smaller ones in tabletop floral designs.” Manzanita branches are very versatile, and can be painted using any type of paint and transformed into almost any type of decor. They look great in a planter, combined with succulents, as a retail or home display of jewelry and even as contemporary holiday decor, whether it be Christmas or Easter.

One of three sizes of horn boxes from Roost Co.

4. Horn boxes from Roost

“These boxes’ laquered finish is absolutely beautiful, the interior is crafted from natural wood—and they make perfect gifts,” comments Lisa. Choose from three sizes to add to a desk, a coffee table, bookshelves or even a chest of drawers. “I keep paperclips in one of the small sizes on my desk, and they are perfect for hiding the remote control in a nice family room or game room.” These boxes are a firm favorite with the entire LRM Interior Design staff.

Corsage Vintage Brass Accessory from Arteriors Home

5. Vintage Brass Corsage from Arteriors Home

Arteriors Home has brought on board their first branded signature collection with Laura Kirar, a noted interior and product designer known for being inspired by nature. These brass flowers look like gardenia dipped in metal, and are perfect for a coffee table. “Coffee tables need a hint of glamour,” says Jan Smith. “And, if the item is from a top-rated designer, that helps too!” The flowers come in two sizes: a 5″ x 4.5″ and a 7″ x 6″. Pair them on a coffee table for a double dose of glamour.