The neutral color palette is perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

We were captivated by the clean lines and organic materials at the Spa Cidade Jardim, a spa hidden on the fifth floor of the Shopping Cidade Jardim mall in Brazil’s bustling São Paulo. We’re not suggesting you get an entire spa installed into your home, nor jump on a plane to Brazil tomorrow to visit this delectable sanctum of relaxation, but we can help you take some of these beautiful ideas and incorporate them into your master bath at home.

The similarities we find between the hectic energy of Orange County life (busy parents with active, social kids to ferry around, the highest concentration of entrepreneurs in the country, great dining and lounging venues, stunning natural beauty) with the busting, expanding city of São Paulo is the need to escape once in a while. And not necessarily get out of town, but escape in your OWN town. Did you know that the traffic is so bad in Såo Paulo that the wealthy commute by helicopter? Doesn’t that make your crosstown journey sound a lot easier?

One thing we’d love to see Orange County take from the Cidade Jardim building is the combination of retail, residences and relaxation all in one place. It’s a cosmopolitan idea to provide community for city life, and it would be great to mix up the OC’s urban and suburban areas to create a more European feel to our Southern California enclave.

This VIP bathing area's tub would be a wonderful addition to a master bath.

But—on to the design. We love the neutral palette chosen by Studio Arthur Casas for the spa, especially tying the copious amount of blond wood into the color scheme. Creating a soothing effect should always be paramount when designing any kind of relaxation area, whether it’s a 10,700-square-foot spa or your own bathtime escape.

Showerheads are mounted on the ceiling, echoing the country’s infamous rainforests, and plenty of custom beds and benches are placed throughout the space to provide places for lounging or conversing.The private VIP bathing areas at the Spa Cidade Jardim could double as a master bath; imagine your calm-inducing view of the Pacific ocean from your window as you soak in this extra-deep oval jacuzzi tub with freestanding faucets.

Read the full article from Interior Design magazine here, and peruse the fantastic details, fabrics and design by Studio Arthur Casas. We know of so many ways to bring these touches into your master bath to create your own relaxing sanctuary. If you are ready to change your tired master bath into your own personal spa, call LRM Interior Design today for a consultation: (949) 497-6806.

LRM Interior Design featured in February publications

As February draws to a close, don’t forget to check out Lisa McDennon and LRM Interior Design in two of Orange County’s top publications: Laguna Beach Magazine and Live Orange County.

The Laguna Beach Magazine’s feature was an interview with principal Lisa McDennon, exploring her expertise in interior design for coastal properties. (To read the full article, click here.) As Lisa is a long-time resident of Laguna Beach, she was very proud to be featured in a magazine dedicated to the wonders of her favorite town. “I definitely feel that it is a badge of honor to be featured in Laguna Beach Magazine,” comments Lisa. “Last summer we celebrated our studio’s 10 year anniversary at the Lumberyard, and I thoroughly feel part of the business community here.” For those of you who don’t know, Lisa waited for a space to become available in the Lumberyard before moving her business out of her home. “It was the place in Laguna I wanted to be. The building itself is so distinctive, and our two-level studio fits us perfectly.”

The second article in February was a more extensive feature in Live Orange County, a fairly new magazine in the area that has been getting rave reviews and trying to keep up with a skyrocketing readership. Lisa McDennon was chosen by the magazine as their resident interior design star, providing a property each month for the readers to explore. “I love having the opportunity to explain what happens behind the scenes with an interior design project,” says Lisa. “It’s so fulfilling to work with the client to provide a home that perfectly reflects their style. In fact, we emphasize that our design maxim is ‘Your taste, our touch’.”

In fact, the Live Orange County article is called “A Designer Who Listened”, detailing how Lisa and her team focus on the client’s needs and wishes to create an environment that reflects their personality and fits to their lifestyle.

If you miss the publications and would like a copy, or to consult with LRM Interior Design about your project needs, email us or call (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!

Saarinen Round Dining Table

1. Saarinen Round Dining Table, Room&Board: Here’s one for the youngsters or twenty-somethings just starting out. Or, maybe even those with a new family who are trying to establish their own holiday traditions, and only need to seat about six around the table, but do it with style. This version from Room&Board is inspired by Earo Saarinen’s graceful 1956 design, and is still as beautiful and relevant today as it was over 50 years ago. Some designs never seem to get dated! “Unconventional but always stylish,” comments Jan Smith, Senior Designer. “This table is great for that hipster couple or bachelor looking to make a statement. That statement being: ‘I know a great design when I see it.’”

Benchwright Dining Table

2. Benchwright Dining Table, Pottery Barn: Rustic, simple and versatile, the Pottery Barn’s Benchwright table is perfect for a large family gathering, especially Thanksgiving, which celebrates our early American roots. This table is inspired by early 20th century style of work tables, and the emphasis on craftsmanship. The extending table will seat 12, and shrink down for daily use for regular-sized family gatherings, and its weathered hardwood and wrought-iron construction will create a bold backdrop for entertaining. “I love the exposed hardware,” says Kristen Rusert. “I also like how it can take on different looks in so many types of spaces.”

Cross Extension Table

3. Cross Extension Table, Design Within Reach: Jan Smith explains: “I have always loved the modern lines of this table. We used this table for our beach-front condo project who wanted that clean contemporary feeling with a beachy vibe, even with a busy family.” As you know, Design Within Reach does not compliment an item that they don’t feel is top notch, and we don’t either. This table is a perfect blend of contemporary styling and the warmth of classic English furniture, and the design is truly amazing. It easily pulls apart in order to add two leaves, both of which store easily in felt-lined compartment on the table’s underside when not in use. Fancy that! No hiding the leaves under the spare bed until next year’s Christmas dinner!

Jeff Soderbergh's Vanderbilt Table

4. Jeff Soderbergh’s Vanderbilt Table: This table is stunning in itself, what with the reclaimed wood top and geometric polished chrome legs, and to top it off it was used in the House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year. (Winning designer Jeff Lewis is also the star of Bravo’s show Flipped, but it seems that stardom hasn’t dulled his design talent!) Jeff Soderbergh’s table was created using traditional hand tools and re-claimed vintage Southern Yellow Pine rafters and beams from the Vanderbilt family stable at Sandy Point Farm in Portsmouth, RI. With timbers dating back over 200 years, you can’t beat the authenticity of the grooves and marks on this timber. Truly a unique piece that will add drama to any event—hopefully distracting the family from the usual holiday dramas!

LRM Interior Design Custom Dining Table

5. LRM Interior Design’s Custom Dynasty Dining Table: Yes, we saved the best for last—our own custom dining table that was part of the home that won us our Home of the Year from ASID this year. “We used this in my favorite project—a contemporary home in Newport Beach,” says Jan Smith. “This custom table was designed to complement the unusual lines of the chairs. It is made from Macassar ebony wood and is the foundation for this gorgeous room.” When a home is this beautiful, sometimes a piece of furniture needs to be designed to make that room look perfect. That was definitely the case here, and the judges obviously felt the same. This dining room will make any meal eaten there a special occasion!

Lamp from Room 135

1. Room 135: We’ll start with the far away locales, and luckily they have products available online. Our dear Kristen Rusert left part of her heart in Colorado, and we don’t blame her. It’s a world away from Southern California, and this little shop in Steamboat has captivated Kristen: “I found this quaint little boutique while walking down the main strip of downtown Steamboat Springs,” says Kristen. “Their little space tucked at the base of the mountains provides a treasure trove for visitors, with gorgeous lighting, scents, antiques, Parisian maps and painted bamboo floor coverings. It’s a true gem, and a must-see when in town.” We definitely agree.

Fleur de Lys, Costa Mesa

2. Fleur de Lys: Want to take a trip to Paris without leaving the state? LRMID’s designer Melissa Morgan recommends a visit to Fleur de Lys on 17th in Costa Mesa. “This boutique has great home furnishings and accessories,” says Melissa. “Whenever I’m looking for something different or unique, I make my way to Fleur de Lys.” The store aims to feature an eclectic urban style as you’d see in San Francisco or New York’s SoHo, and it’s a great source to have in our backyard.

Need a hand? AREO can help.

3. AREO: Hmph. Lisa and her team have been shopping at AREO for years, well before Sunset Magazine got wind of it. But that’s because it’s filled with wonderfully whimsical items for home and garden. From antique, over-sized apothecary bottles to boxes of pinned butterflies, AREO is a fantastic experience, whether you’re window shopping or looking for that item that sets off the whole room’s decor. AREO is only down the road from LRM Interior Design, and we feel very happy it’s there.

This shop is so secret you can only find them on Yelp.com

4. Laguna Colony Company: This place is so secret, it doesn’t even have it’s own website. For reals? Yes, it’s true. This place attracts tourists, for sure, but that’s because it’s not selling the usual tchotchkes. Find Laguna’s own Voluspa candles in every imaginable scent (our favorite of the moment is Vervaine Olive Leaf), peruse the most amusing card collection and browse fantastic home accessories from all over the world. Laguna Colony Company manages to be totally “of Laguna” while still injecting a sense of adventure. It’s a place you can always find a gift, especially if you’re on your way to a dinner party and need a hostess gift. Not that we’ve ever been empty handed…

Marimekko wallpaper at Vertigo in Laguna Beach

5. Vertigo: We have saved the newest Laguna spot for last. This little diamond just popped up on the radar in the last few months, mainly because they do upholstery and pillows. But the difference is that their filler is made from recycled plastic bottles, but feels like down feathers! How fantastic is that? Also, they specialize in Northern European design, which means fantastic items from Marimekko and Normann. Fancy finding that item that no one else will have? Vertigo is the place for you.

Please vote for design #20!

LRM Interior Design is up for the People’s Choice Award for the 2010 ASID OC Design Awards! Please help us by voting—it’s simple. All you have to do is click here, scroll to Design #20 and vote. The photo should look like the one to the left.

Vote now! Tell your friends and family! The awards are this Saturday night, so please vote right away.

For 2010, LRM Interior Design has entered two projects in to the ASID competition, and both are upscale bachelor residences. The People’s Choice Award is a separate category, and we would certainly love to get that kudos!

Last year, in 2009, you may remember that it was LRM Interior Design’s first time up to bat in the ASID OC Design Awards. For the first time, LRM Interior Design entered the competition in two categories. Our fearless leader, Lisa McDennon, barely had time to sit down before she was called up to receive her first award. And if you think she was floored by that one, you should have seen her when they called her name for the second time!

Then there was the win for the Designer Runway Extravaganza and, although not technically an interior design award, it showed Lisa and her team’s ability to adapt, roll with the punches and show grace under pressure.

So for the 2010 ASID OC Design Awards, we expect nothing but the highest marks and to take home all the awards we can. So keep your fingers crossed on Saturday night, when Lisa McDennon and Senior Designer Jan Smith will be at the ceremony, sailing Newport Harbor on The Endeavor. And keep your eyes peeled for an update after the event! Best of luck!

Bathroom lighting will never be the same again.

Orange County has its share of bars and clubs, but not quite on the scale of cities like San Francisco, Miami, New York or London. In big cities like that, you have to concentrate on being the next big thing, even before anyone knows what it is. As a bar or club owner, you need to create the trends so that the place is packed every night.

And how do you do that? How do you create cutting-edge design in a place that is likely going to be dark and (hopefully) packed with people? You hire a talented interior design firm. All of us at LRM Interior Design are on the hunt for a high-end, luxe bar or club to redesign or relaunch, and while we’re looking, newest designer to the team Melissa Morgan had a few ideas.

First was the Luminist sink by TOTO, a Japanese plumbing product company that happens to be the largest in the world. Known not only for their innovation but also their small living spaces, the Japanese are always thinking ahead of the rest of the world. Let’s face it—they always have the best gadgets! This sink caught Melissa’s eye because of the fact it can be lit by LED lights: “It looks so magical! I can see it in a club’s bathroom, being one of the only light sources,” she says.

The sink is translucent, made from a combination of glass and epoxy resin. It also comes with a choice of a white or black drain cover, depending on the desired look. The hybrid epoxy resin from which they are made “combines the translucence of glass with exceptional resistance to impact, heat and staining,” according to Dr. Lenora Campos, spokesperson for TOTO USA. The sink is also available in a rectangular version—also a great selection for a club or bar lavatory.

Caesarstone's Concetto Masterpiece Collection

The second idea that Melissa had was more front-of-house, and something that would make a bold, luxurious statement. Over the years, bar owners have played around with different surfaces for their bars: from the standby of wood jazzed up with unusual species, to copper and even bringing back zinc or pewter, a material that the French have been using since the early 1800s. But Melissa’s idea for a bar top is from Caesarstone‘s new masterpiece collection made entirely of semi-precious stone. These extraordinary surfaces are hand-made out of individually cut and bound semi-precious stones. They have fused nature with technology for a product that architects, designers and high-end builders have only dreamt about before now.

“I can see Viola, the amethyst slab, looking crazy cool in a nightclub, as a bar top with LED lighting underneath,” Melissa explains. It’s true—the Concetto range looks amazing in its normal state, but because of the nature of the material, whether it’s amethyst, agate, quartz, feldspar or something called “Apple Jasper”, the products glow with an unearthly magic when lit from behind. There are those who feel that crystals have healing powers, and whether you believe it or not, it couldn’t hurt to bring a little energy from the stones into your establishment, now would it?

Do you know of a bar or club that’s in need of a facelift? We’d love to hear about it. Remember, LRM Interior Design also specializes in select commercial projects, and has completed several projects in this vein, including an exclusive resort in Fiji. Call (949) 497-6806 for an appointment or email us with your contact information and needs.

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

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.”

Baker Dining Chair N. 7841

2. Baker Dining Chair No. 7841: Much more elegant and beautiful than its name, this chair from Baker has two things us LRM girls love: tufting and nailheads. The designers at Baker were inspired by chairs of the 1940s, and they’re great to pair with more simple chairs, especially in a dining room setting.

Kari Seydewitz loves how the traditional style at the top of the chair belie the modern style of the legs below. “And, as many would see the chair from the back, I love the decorative ring hardware,” Kari says.

Kravet Complex Turn Side Chair

3. Kravet Complex Turn Side Chair: Much of the detail on this chair is in the French nailheads and turned-wood legs, features that Lisa McDennon is fond of—remember the Ebanista Coimbra sofa from our Top Five Fave Sofas?

This chair is ultimately customizable for any dining room, as it allows you to choose from 60,000 fabrics for upholstery, 13 wood stains and three wood paint finishes, making this a fantastic and flexible choice for many styles. Plus, there’s a version of this chair with arms, which would be perfect at both ends of the table.

Gina B's Lexington Chairs in our luxury bachelor project

4. Gina B Lexington Chair: How much do we love these chairs? We love them so much we used them in our luxury bachelor pad project in Newport Beach. Between these chairs, the silk rug and the zebrawood dining table, this dining room has it all—sleek, sexy and still masculine.

The detail on the back of the chairs is nothing short of spectacular—carved wood sinuously climbing up the frame like a python. Kari Seydewitz speaks for us all when she says “I love the design and woodwork of this chair. It is unique and just gorgeous!”

Baker St. Germain Chair

5. Baker St. Germain Chair: These chairs look like they have been taken from a 1920s salon in Paris, where the crème de la crème of society would sit as they discussed philosophy and the great novels of their time.

The elegance of these chairs is emphasized by the white “Italian Crème” finish on the legs and the clean lines of the design. The nailheads are so close together they almost look like dark piping, and this tailored chair would create a dramatic look in a dining room scenario.

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.

Solé tiles seamlessly integrate with US Tile's clay tiles.

It’s hard to see how to integrate a solar panel at all in an aesthetically pleasing way. And now, thanks to the geniuses at SRS Energy, we don’t have to. A drumroll please….the Solé Power Tile. Yes, that’s right, it’s a mission-style tile with special powers to soak up the sun’s energy. As the website says: “the economical benefits of solar technology with unmatched curb appeal.” It’s not only ingenious, it’s strikingly beautiful.

These tiles are lightweight and glass-free, and they integrate perfectly with US Tile’s clay tiles, that are sustainable, LEED® rated and come in the biggest array of colors of any clay tile manufacturer in the U.S. Therefore, you have plenty of choice to get a sophisticated roof in the color you want with cutting-edge electricity-generating technology.

Are you in the market for a new roof, or a roof upgrade? There’s no excuse not use Solé Power Tiles and start generating electricity for your home. If you have any further questions about Solé Power Tiles, get in touch with us at LRM Interior Design and arrange a consultation. We can’t wait to redesign a home’s exterior and use these amazing tiles.