July 30th, 2010 by jennifermyers
There are so many elements in creating the perfect dining room that it’s hard to focus on one aspect. But for you, readers, this week we’ve managed it. Behold our Top Five Favorite dining room chairs, and from the looks of it, we at LRM Interior Design like to be comfortable while we eat.
And why not? A good designer should be able to choose or create a chair that suits its purpose, i.e. an occasional chair need not be as comfortable as a reading chair, where one would spend much more time. When entertaining, as a dining room suggests, we want to make sure that our guests are happy in their seats, not waiting for the moment that dessert is finished so that they can retire to the softer furnishings of the living room!
Three of our five chairs are tufted, suggesting maximum comfort and luxury while dining; the remaining two are certainly plush. But please, dear reader, choose your own Top Fave…
Kravet Ensemble Chairs
1. Kravet Ensemble Chair: If you are ever lucky enough to be invited to Senior Designer Jan Smith’s home for dinner, don’t dare say no. It’s no wonder that her choice of chair includes arms—one bite of her husband’s cuisine and you’re likely to fall out of your seat with delight.
Jan is the ultimate hostess, and prefers staying at the table to being in the kitchen: “Dining is an experience for me, and I prefer it to last for hours and through multiple courses,” Jan explains. “These chairs are perfect for extended periods of sitting. Plus, I like the idea of using a “club-style” chair at a dining table.” (read the rest of this post…)
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July 23rd, 2010 by jennifermyers
Blue mission-style tiles? Yes and no...from SRS Energy.
With government tax credits and the amount of sunshine we get in California (granted, we haven’t seen much sun yet in Laguna this summer!), solar panels seem like a fantastic addition to a roof, especially if you’ve already planned to update or fix your roof, or even if your home is under construction. Economical and eco-friendly—what’s not to like?
What’s not to like? How about a grey rectangle stuck to the side of your roof? In the coastal areas like Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Crystal Cove and Emerald Bay, there can be fierce criticism about solar panels from your neighbors, especially if it is in their view. And from the homeowners, too—what’s the point of spending a huge amount of money on a gorgeous mission-style roof when you have to ruin it with a slab of a solar panel? And in Southern California, from San Diego up to the Central Coast, red-tile roofs reign supreme. In fact, Santa Barbara has strict rules about the height and style of buildings in their downtown area. (read the rest of this post…)
Tags: beautiful, California, California Contemporary, central coast, contemporary, Crystal Cove, designer, eco-friendly, ecofriendly, economical, elegance, Emerald Bay, exterior design, home construction, interior design, interior designer, Laguna, Laguna Beach, Laguna Design Center, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, mission, mission-style roof, mission-style tiles, modern, new roof, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, red tile roof, red tile roofs, roof, roof construction, san diego, santa Barbara, solar panels, sole power tile, Southern California, space, srs energy, style, top interior designers, upgrade roof
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June 13th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Henry Road uses their Fleur Grande fabric on the front of this chair...
At LRM Interior Design, we get inspired by a lot of things. But we really love up-and-coming companies that inspire us with their creativity and innovation.
Take Henry Road, a textile studio in Studio City, California, just up north from us here in Orange County. They design beautiful, bold and modern patterns for textiles that look stunning on all types of furniture, from chairs to sofas to footstools.Their patterns look amazing on more than just furniture, as we found with their Gloria tablecloths and Havana tote. Let’s not even start on their adorable storage sacks for kids.
...and a coffee sack to upholster the back.
Or shall we? This is where Henry Road’s real inspiration comes through. In many cases, as shown by the storage sacks and with items of furniture, Henry Road owner Paula Smail combines her large-print textiles with coffee sacks. We love this combination of texture and re-use, especially in the occasional chair covered in Paula’s Fleur Grande pattern on the front and coffee sacking on the back.
They’ve also covered church benches, footrests and cubes in coffee sacks, and according to their website, they’re pretty popular–almost all of their furniture has been sold.
Paula Smail seems like a person who is as interesting and enterprising as her designs. She spent part of her childhood in South Africa, in a house on Henry Road. It was the Marimekko blinds in that home, plus seeing the African women swathed in bright fabrics, that has shaped her design aesthetic.
We can’t wait to see what she does next! In the meantime, check out Henry Road’s collection of unusual accessories and home goods. And if you’re in Los Angeles, you may just want to stop by and peruse the intriguing items in her shop that are not available online.
Tags: accessories, California, California Contemporary, children's games, church bench, coffee sack upholstery, coffee sacks, contemporary, Crystal Cove, decor, designer, eco-friendly, elegance, fabrics, Fleur Grande, footstools, furniture, gloria tablecloth, Henry Road, home goods, inspiration, interior design, interior designer, Laguna Beach, large-print textiles, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, Los Angeles, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, marimekko, modern patterns, modern textiles, Newport Beach, occasional chair, Orange County, Orange County's top designer, Paula Smail, pillows, sofas, Southern California, storage sacks, studio city, style, tablecloths, textiles, texture, top interior designers, tote bags
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June 4th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Your home is your castle--protect it!
After spending the time, money and resources on interior design or on a remodel, be it one room or the entire home, doesn’t it make sense to protect that investment?
Insurance is an obvious way to do so, but did you check with your insurance agent after you finished the remodel? Your insurance needs may have changed, and if you don’t get it amended, you may think you are covered when you’re not. Installing a hidden home safe can save you on your insurance premiums, if you make sure to keep all valuables locked inside.
Security systems have come a long way over the last few years, and can be customized to your needs. From alarms to carbon monoxide alerts, home security can keep you safe when you’re away, but even while you’re sleeping. Security can also be combined with home technology, which has become so advanced that you can control your entire home, from turning on your coffee maker or jacuzzi to closing blinds–all from your iPhone, using Savant AV technology.
Do you have children or pets, or perhaps have furniture in direct sunlight? Protect your new furniture with the revolutionary product MicroSeal. And don’t discount the ability to discourage burglars with window treatments–safety can be beautiful, too. Have you thought about your entry doors? If you’ve wondered if you can have glass in your front door and still have privacy and security, we can help you answer those questions.
Always keep your plumber’s emergency number in your cell phone. When water is pouring out of a sink or burst pipe, it’s not the time to be scrambling for a phone number! And even if the plumber gets to your home quickly, you still may need to repair some water damage. Make sure to have the number of a reputable fire and water clean up and restoration company in your contact list.
And last but not least, you should remember some annual home maintenance, including checking the roof, changing your heating and air conditioner filters and getting a termite inspection.
If it sounds like a lot of time and effort to complete everything on this list, think of what the cost would be of not doing it. Your home and your family’s safety is worth it!
Contact us at LRM Interior Design for a complete list of our preferred vendors, or for us to organize a personal introduction to the professional to help you with any of these home security issues. We are always happy to help!
Tags: annual home maintenance, beautiful, California, California Contemporary, carbon monoxide alerts, contemporary, Crystal Cove, designer, eco-friendly, emergency plumber, entry doors, fire and water clean up and restoration, furniture, glass entry doors, hidden home safe, home insurance, home safe, home security, home technology, homeowners insurance, insurance premiums, interior design, interior designer, Laguna Beach, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, microseal, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, plumber, protect furniture from sun, protect furniture from sun damage, remodel, savant av, security systems, Southern California, termite inspection
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April 30th, 2010 by jennifermyers
All of the designers at LRM Interior Design love to accessorize, and there’s never a room that wasn’t improved by their confident style touches, whether it be on the floor, on tables or on shelves.
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.
Tags: Ancient Rome, Arteriors Home, beautiful, black stallion, bookshelf, brass flowers, California, California Contemporary, coffee table, contemporary, Crystal Cove, decor, designer, desk accessories, elegance, horn boxes, horse sculptures, horse statues, inspiration, interior design, Interior Design Institute, interior designer, jewelry tree, Laguna Beach, Laguna Design Center, Laura Kirar, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, masculine design, modern, Orange County, Orange County's top designer, remote control hide, Roost home furnishings, sea urchins, style, top interior designers
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April 16th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Custom furniture for one of LRM Interior Design's clients. These two chaise longues can be combined to make a spare bed for guests.
Many people think that they know what an interior designer does. They design the whole room, the whole house, the whole project. Right?
Actually, it doesn’t have to be that cut and dry. A large part of many interior design firms’ business, including LRM Interior Design, is actually to do with furniture and purchasing.
Designing a house is not just about paint colors and fabrics. LRM Interior Design can furnish an empty house with lighting, furniture and upholstery, case goods, beds and bedding, pillows, artwork, accessories, rugs, plants, containers, patio furniture, tile and plumbing fixtures. We can also replace any and all of these items in a fully furnished home!
For example: recently a woman called us for her services after she had used the “free design services” at the store where she bought the furniture. The recommended furniture arrived at the house and, to her great surprise, was completely the wrong size for the room. She called us, and is now a new client, fully aware of the value of an interior designer’s services. As it turned out, those “free” services weren’t so free after all. (read the rest of this post…)
Tags: accessories, artwork, beautiful, beds and bedding, burned by home store design service, California, California Contemporary, case goods, coffee table, colorboards, containers, Crystal Cove, custom furnishings, decor, fabrics, free design services, furnishings, furniture, furniture and upholstery, furniture wrong size for room, home store design services, interior design, interior designer, Laguna Beach, lighting, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, modern space, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, outdoor furniture, paint colors, patio furniture, pillows, plants, plumbing fixtures, purchasing, purchasing furniture through an interior designer, remodel, rugs, Southern California, tile, wallpaper
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March 20th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Lesley Anton Ceramics
There’s a few things that people don’t know about Lisa McDennon, and one of them is that she designed an entire room around a Lesley Anton lamp. The Lesley Anton “Lotus” lamp, to be exact, and the room is much, much larger than the lamp, with a vaulted ceiling and windows that stretch from the floor to the roof. But it was the lamp that got Lisa’s notice, and the cool green color of its ceramic base, which she used as a basis for the room’s colorways.
Lisa's design inspiration: the Lesley Anton Lotus table lamp
Now Lisa’s excited that Lesley Anton has started selling ceramic bowls and plates in her distinctive glazes. There’s even a plate that matches her favorite lamp, with the textured relief of the lotus root pattern.
Lesley Anton’s ceramics are handthrown, and available for purchase through her shop in Los Angeles. On the website, you can get a taste of the type of items that Lesley Anton’s shop carries. Every piece is handthrown porcelain and stoneware, and can you believe that it is microwave and dishwasher safe? This means that you can actually use these amazingly unique pieces every day.
Lisa likes the fact that Lesley Anton will take custom orders, and looks forward to creating a signature piece for a future project…perhaps another lamp to base an entire room design on? It’s always a surprise to find where inspiration springs from.
Tags: California, California Contemporary, ceramic lamps, ceramics, Crystal Cove, custom ceramics, designer, elegance, furniture, glazed ceramics, handthrown porcelain, handthrown stoneware, interior design, interior designer, Laguna Beach, Lesely Anton Ceramics, Lesely Anton Lotus lamp, Lesley Anton, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, Los Angeles, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, modern, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, remodel, Southern California, style, top interior designers
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October 5th, 2009 by jennifermyers
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…)
Tags: Crystal Cove, Diana Ferrone Gallery, lemon, Napa, Orange County, Pelican Hill, Sonoma, Southern California, tasting room, The Resort at Pelican Hill, vignette, vineyard, winery, winetasting event, yellow
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October 4th, 2009 by jennifermyers
The Tasting Room at Chateau Montelena
“I was inspired by the wineries at Pelican Hill Event that featured LRM Interior Design,” comments Jan Smith, LRMID Senior Designer. “LRMID has always specialized in high-end residential and select commercial projects, but recently the commercial projects have been more of a focus for us.”
LRM Interior Design is currently designing a wine bar in the Inland Empire’s Victoria Gardens center. When it was mentioned at the Pelican Hill event, a wine maker suggested that LRM Interior Design should design their tasting room. (read the rest of this post…)
Tags: Commercial interior design, Crystal Cove, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, Pelican Hill, residential interior design, tasting room, Victoria Gardens, vineyard, wine bar, winery
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September 14th, 2009 by jennifermyers
Next Saturday, September 19th, don’t miss your chance to see an example of the skill and flair of Lisa McDennon, principal of LRM Interior Design. You can celebrate California Wine Month at The Resort at Pelican Hill, in Southern California’s Newport Coast, while exploring the work of Orange County’s top designers, including Lisa Rachelle McDennon. The exclusive event will feature four of the most elite wineries in California and will be held at sunset so that guests can enjoy the 180° views of The Resort at Pelican Hill and Crystal Cove’s stunning coastline. (read the rest of this post…)
Tags: Baker Signature Lighting, Beacon Hill fabric, California Wine Month, coastline, Crystal Cove, Diana Ferrone Gallery, exclusive event, International Wine Ventures, Kravet Fabrics, Laguna Beach, Laguna Design Center, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County restaurants, Orange County's best, Orange County's best restaurants, Orange County's top designer, private villa, Robert Allen Designs, Robert Allen fabric, ROMO fabrics, ROMO wallcoverings, Southern California's Newport Coast, The Resort at Pelican Hill, Trina Turk, wine tasting, winery, winetasting, winetasting event
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