But the month that really gets us fired up is December, where we have Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve, and that means decorating for family gatherings, cocktail soirées and friendly parties. Stuck for new ways to get the house—or office—festive this season? Read on, dear friend, and see what ideas LRM has for this most wonderful time of the year.

1. Garland, Traditional: Designer Kari Seydewitz loves how garlands look in the house during the month of December. She says that they “spruce up a room”, and we all agree. Whether they are over the mantelpiece or up the staircase, garlands made of pine bring the holidays into the house, especially in places where palm trees are more prevalent than pine trees. Add a little sparkle with ornaments and leaves spray-painted silver, which will reflect the light around the room and make everyone feel happy and bright.

2. Garland, Unique: This garland that uses feathers for attention caught Lisa McDennon’s eye, and inspired another version. She found this on the House Beautiful website, and she loves the vibrant colors. “I suggest tweaking the feather colors to match your décor,” says Lisa. Another idea she recommends is that those by the beach, either here in her hometown of Laguna Beach or across the country in Miami, should try using shades of turquoise and blue to reflect the colors of the ocean. “Or, use all white and dapple antique silver ornaments throughout,” adds Lisa. “If you’re really crafty, get your silver spray paint and glitter, and spray some holiday berry branches to tuck in for an added touch of sparkle and texture.”

3. A Recycled Tree: No, it’s not what you’re thinking. It’s not the pine tree from last year you carefully nurtured in a pot and brought back in after Thanksgiving, but a tree created from driftwood found on the beach. And yes, you guessed it, it’s perfect for celebrations on the coast! “I love the organic aspect of this tree, which can come in a multitude of sizes from 8 inches to 8 feet,” says Jan Smith, Senior Designer. “Beachside homes will rejoice at finally having a tree that represents the sea.” This one is available from 1st Dibs.

4. Unique Ornamental Placement: We love how Royal Copenhagen treated ornaments in this photo. This is a perfect use for ornaments that are too fragile and too special to place on the tree. This way you have a sturdy display for the ornaments that allows you to use sturdy material for attach the ornaments. By hanging them from your chandelier, you’re not only creating a stunning centerpiece for your holiday meal that shimmers with the chandelier’s light, but you’re also showcasing your precious ornaments from years past. Throw in some new ones to complete the display and to match your color scheme for the event.

5. Let There Be Light: Everyone loves candlelight, especially us ladies. It adds warmth to a room and a special light that cannot be recreated artificially. Jan loved these tea light holders from West Elm, and no surprise—they look amazing grouped together, and Jan’s a fan of grouping items to beautiful effect. Jan recommends to “mix holiday candle holders with everyday holders to create more interest and that dreamy glow to any room or festive event you have this season.”

Are you ready for the holidays? Perhaps your gift to yourself is to have your living room, master bedroom or bathroom redecorated in the new year? Call LRM Interior Designs, Orange County’s premiere and award-winning design firm, for all of your interior design needs, from window treatments to full home remodel, residential and commercial projects: (949) 497-6806

We wanted to share with you some easy, fun and affordable table decorations for Thanksgiving that didn’t involve pumpkins, corncobs, turkeys or cranberries. We love tradition, but we love to mix it up at this festive holiday time of year. All of these items can be purchased online, except of course the Martha Stewart item, which is more of a do-it-yourself. But that just makes it all the more special when everyone sits down at your beautiful Thanksgiving table.

1. Rona Amber Placemats and Aubergine Napkins: Who can resist Crate & Barrel? We can’t pass the store without going in and browsing their products, which are always made with that perfect combination of good design and great styling. This combination is no different—the richness of the purple cloth napkins bring out the berries’ color and bring out the sparkle of the metallic leaves. And we just love the embroidery that gives these placemats a wonderful texture! Hopefully no one will spill cranberry sauce on them at Thanksgiving…

2. Acorn Vase Fillers: Even though these are made of plastic, we don’t have real acorns lying around here in Laguna Beach. We could head out to the foothills and find some under the oak trees, but Pottery Barn has us covered if we don’t have time to forage in the forest. We love the combination of the hanging jars, candles and acorns, and we’d leave these up all holiday season for a festive look that doesn’t scream “Thanksgiving!” Just please do remember to extinguish all candles before you retire for the evening, even though these are in glass jars.

3. Grape Centerpiece: Ahh, Martha Stewart. No one makes you feel lazier than Martha Stewart when it comes to decorating. What we forget is that she has a team of people creating all these stunning ideas, so don’t beat yourself up about it. What we loved about these centerpieces is that they are edible and, as Ms. Stewart reminds us, please make sure to use washed grapes and non-poisonous leaves to accompany them, just in case your guests start nibbling. With all the farmer’s markets around these days, it shouldn’t be a problem to find some big, beautiful grape clusters to use for your centerpiece! Do note in the photo that Martha has added them above the fireplace, too.

4. Gold Nest Runner: Give your table that extra sparkle with this beautiful woven gold runner from Z Gallerie. This piece adds texture and interest to the center of the table, and best of all, can be used all year round for special occasions! This would work well with the grape centerpiece and the purple napkins, but keep the placemats simple with this runner. The trick is to dazzle your guests, not give them a headache!

5. Hobnail Pitcher: We usually think “clothes” when it comes to Anthropologie, but they’ve got the same unique tastes when it comes to home goods, too. We loved the rich color and texture of this pitcher, which would be perfect to have as a water server on the table. The pitcher feels vintage, but with such a modern look that we know Jonathan Adler, one of our faves, would adore it too. And did you notice, this would definitely go with all the other pieces mentioned above…

Are you ready for family visiting for Thanksgiving? Do you need a few rooms refreshed, or perhaps new furniture to accommodate guests? Call LRM Interior Design now for a consultation—there’s no time to spare now that we are so close to the holidays. We would love to help you get your home in tip-top shape for your holiday guests. (949) 497-6806

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.

We design the whole area and make our tile suggestions that fit within the client’s budget, of course. Then we go through all the tile selections with the client, either at their residence, business or at the showroom, whichever is most appropriate for the client and the size and quantity of the tile.

Then we create a detailed CAD drawing that measures out every little thing, down to the millimeter, down to the space for the grout. We leave no room for chance at LRM Interior Design; we want that tile installer to know exactly what we want him to do. We even make up styleboards that show each type of tile that will go in a certain area. And yes, the contractors love working with us for just this kind of attention to detail, because we help them get the job done right the first time.

But we digress. Today’s blog is not just about tile, but about cool, decorative metal tiles. Tile doesn’t just have to be ceramic, or even glass. The tile in a room, shower, backsplash or floor doesn’t have to be made from all one material. We love to mix it up!

And by metal tiles, we don’t mean those crazy tin ceiling tiles that you see in restored Victorian homes and buildings. Oh no, these are much more exciting…

Diamond Tech Tile

1. Round It Up: These metal tiles from Diamond Tech Tiles’ Metal Series™ are uber-modern and sleek, and we’d love to use them in a bathroom or kitchen backsplash in a luxury bachelor pad or other contemporary home. Unfortunately, they can’t actually be used IN the shower, which we’re trying not to be upset about. We’d love it if someone else will come up with a rust-proof version. Titanium, perhaps?

Westminster Verdigris Field Tile

2. Aged to Perfection: What’s better than copper? Verdigris copper. And Westminster Tile has this beautiful, 4″ x 4″ patinaed field tile, perfect for bathroom accents, powder rooms and kitchens. Especially kitchens—can you imagine how cozy and welcoming a kitchen would be with these tiles in it? We can. Let us show you how wonderful it would be in your kitchen.

Creative Metal Tiles

3. Waves of Water: These stunning tiles evoke the image of a clear stream, rain down a windowpane, or a waterfall, all wonderful images that make them a perfect addition to a master bathroom. They are versatile enough to be used in a traditional or contemporary setting, and if that wasn’t enough, they’re also made out of 50% post-consumer recycled content. Creative Metal Tile, we thank you.

Arizona Hot Dots

4. Straight to the Point: Don’t feel like getting all heavy metal in your interior design? Sometimes less is more, a philosophy we truly believe in. Arizona Hot Dots® have created bronze metal tile liners in a stunning Antique Brown finish. We could match these with the perfect non-metal tile for a design that you would fall in love with!

Crossville's Mixology Collection

5. Star-Crossed: For over 25 years, Crossville has created some of the most innovative tiles on the market, and their latest collection keeps to their tradition of breaking the industry mold. Their Mixology collection features seven designs in two sizes, 4″ x 4″ and 6″ x 6″, plus 10 trim options and two random mosaics  available in four distinctive finishes, providing 98 pieces to “mix” and match for commercial or residential installations. These also contain 50% post-consumer recycled content, continuing Crossville’s commitment to sustainability.

Looking to refresh the tile in your kitchen or bath? Want to create a statement with a beautiful tile design, or just need help with tile selection? Give LRM Interior Design a call to set up a complimentary consultation: (949) 497-6806.

Here you can have breakfast surrounded by Tiffany blue.

We didn’t think it was possible. How could one of the most glamorous cities in the United States—nay, the world!—become even more glamorous?

We have the St. Regis New York to thank for this addition of elegance to the Big Apple. NYC is home to many wonderful delights, but one of us girls’ favorite things comes in a little blue box….with a white bow. Know what it is yet?

That’s right, it’s Tiffany & Co. And there’s not many glamorous girls alive who have not swooned over the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s with Audrey Hepburn, one of the most beautiful leading ladies the world has ever seen.

So what does Tiffany’s have to do with the St. Regis? Only a brand new suite not only named after it, but decorated with the help of Tiffany & Co.’s Design Director Emeritus John Loring. That means the suite is full of sophistication and subtle neutral colors, with the signature Tiffany blue as an accent color throughout.

The entry—stunning!

Delectable. Delightful. Drop-dead gorgeous! The suite features impressive views of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street from it’s 14th floor perch, and combines a wonderful balance between opulence and whimsy. At 1,700 square feet, if you have to ask how much it runs a night, you might not be able to foot the bill. But luckily, these photos (kindly provided by the St. Regis New York) give us a taste of the suite’s beauty.

Tiffany blue accents are dotted throughout the suite.

What we want to know is: what other famous brand would you want to see a room or home designed in? Check back—we might have a few ideas of our own…

The elegant living room.

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.

Lisa's inimitable style can be seen on the landing of the large, custom-built home.

Recently the home developer Terra Bella came to Lisa McDennon, principal of LRM Interior Design, and asked her to help with one of their “spec” homes in Covenant Hills. Covenant Hills is the area of Ladera Ranch where homes are exclusively custom built, and this one is on one of the best lots in the development with stunning views over Orange County.

A “spec” home is a custom home built by a developer or investor, not by an actual homeowner. In order to show the beautiful home in its full glory, Terra Bella knew they needed the deft touch of Lisa McDennon and her team.

Since it was more of a staging than a home remodel, Terra Bella did not want to spend the money for the LRM team to design the entire property, but they knew that any additions she made would add that perfect touch. They asked Lisa to focus on architectural details, one of her specialties, plus items such as advising on flooring choices, wall finishes, lighting, and the tile work on the pool and the master bath.

Lisa was very pleased to get a call from the developer last week, raving about the finished product. Each room he went into, he said, he was amazed by how Lisa’s input had elevated the space, making each room she’d added to so much better. It was a definite confirmation that even just hiring her for direction, for choosing key materials and design services in certain areas had a huge payoff.

If the look of the place wasn’t enough to convince Terra Bella’s owners that they had made the right decision, the offer they received within days of the first open house certainly did. That was another happy call that Lisa received last week!

The home, at 81 Bell Pasture in Covenant Hills, is still open for viewing by appointment only. Take a tour through the home and see that hiring a designer is worth every penny, even if it’s not a full remodel. By using their knowledge and guiding you through choices for materials, furniture, accessories, lighting and fixtures, you can not only save money, time and your sanity, (think of all the mistakes you WON’T make!) but you’ll also elevate your home’s design to a level you only dreamed of.

Ready to have LRM Interior Design consult on your design needs? Call (949) 497-6806 for your complimentary consultation and a customized design profile.

The chair next to the contemporary fireplace are strategic details arranged by LRMID.

A stunning chandelier, chosen by Lisa McDennon, hangs in the vaulted ceiling of the stairwell.

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!

Sea-inspired fragrance diffusers from Zodax

Our Senior Designer Jan Smith was visiting the Montage Laguna Beach recently, and saw a home fragrance diffuser that got her thinking. Most fragrance diffusers are nothing more than a jar filled with essential oils. “Most of these diffusers use bamboo reeds that stick out of the top of the jar by six inches or so,” comments Jan. “I can’t think of a room where this is an attractive accessory. So when I saw the diffusers at the Montage, I was happy to know that there’s options!”

Many people nowadays are sensitive to the chemicals that have made their way into our homes over the last 50 years, and are trying to avoid them. Cleaners, fragrances, disinfectant sprays and other household items can actually be toxic. Diffusers utilize essential oils instead of chemically created fragrances to produce scent. Many people have made the switch to diffusers in recent years, choosing them over the more traditional “plug-in” wall-socket room scenting options.

But how to get around the ubiquitous reeds sticking up unglamorously from the diffuser? Now many companies are using shaped porcelain stoppers that absorb the essential oils by using a cloth wick, that brings the scent up to the porcelain stopper and releases it into the air.

The LRMID favorite is the coral-shaped stopper from Zodax (shown above), but we also loved the Dragonfly porcelain ball diffuser. To release the fragrance of the essential oils, this diffuser uses a wick that burns slowly. It does get warm, unlike the Zodax diffuser, but that just means that the aroma is stronger. For those who like florals, Zodax also makes stoppers in the shape of peonies, narcissus and rose flowers.

Dragonfly diffuser from Greenleaf

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.

Zodax's flower-shaped diffusers

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.