Lounge at the Pacific Edge, Laguna Beach’s Hottest Boutique Hotel

September 14th, 2011 by jennifermyers

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. (read the rest of this post…)

Top Five Faves: Metal Tiles

August 23rd, 2011 by jennifermyers

Designing tile for kitchens, bathrooms, indoor rooms, outdoor spaces—wherever you want to put it—is one of our favorite things. And we don’t just make up a nice little picture to show the tile installer, we go through a complete process with our client.

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. (read the rest of this post…)

Top Five Faves: Modern Lighting

August 12th, 2011 by jennifermyers

With last week’s special on Hinkley Lighting, we’ve gotten a bit light-fixture obsessed. It’s not a bad thing, for sure, in our business—as you keep hearing us say, the right lighting can transform a room!

We can’t put every one of our favorite light fixtures on the blog, but we’ve decided to round up some of the modern, edgy light fixtures that have caught our eye recently; there’s a lot of organic shapes, spaceship influences and mixed media here to be inspired by. We certainly were!

And yes, there’s more to come about our new project with Hinkley…be patient!

Box Light

1. Box Light—Design House Stockholm:”Everyday objects can be sculptural, too,” says Jan Smith, Senior Designer at LRM Interior Design. What looks like a simple, powder-coated aluminum rectangular container actually slides open to reveal a lamp. Slides open? Oh, yes. That means that you can actually control the illumination, almost like a dimmer switch, but more like an Aladdin’s lamp! Thank you to designer Jonas Hakaniemi—we love the Swedes for their design sensibility. The lamp stands 3/4-inches in height, uses an incandescent bulb and can be laid on a surface or suspended like a pendant lamp. Group two or more together for a dynamic lighting display.

Caviar Cluster

2. Caviar Cluster Chandelier—Arteriors Home: Beautiful glass globes encase what looks like illuminated, polished nickel trumpets in this dramatic chandelier. It would be like having delicate bubbles suspended permanently in your home! The organic shapes do not detract from the intrinsically elegant nature of this ceiling light fixture, and we think that it could be used to great effect in a contemporary home, or even as a surprising accent in a more traditionally styled home. Caviar is always a sign of good taste and luxury…

Infinity Pendant

3. Infinity Pendant—John Pomp Studios: How can something almost invisible pack so much punch? We’re not sure, but we think it’s the simplicity that does it. This hand-blown glass is the epitome of organic shaping, and has a slight iridescence to it, making it almost ethereal. Can you even really call it a “shade”? The pendant is delicate but stunning, and we can see a row of them over a long dining table or a single one over a contemporary round dining table. What a perfect lamp—it’s shade goes with every color and pattern!

Ice Block Pendant

4. Ice Block—Conant Metal & Lighting: This lamp perfectly blends vintage with contemporary; an old-fashioned set of ice tongs holding a lamp shade made to look like a block of ice! Our mind is spinning thinking of the fun ways you can use this lamp. Restaurant, historic property, or even a mountain lodge-style home, like the project we’re finishing up in June Lake—all would be great places to install this hand-crafted light fixture. Did we mention the glass is recycled?

 

Atlantis

5. Atlantis—Hinkley Lighting: We couldn’t leave off Hinkley, what with a new project in the works. This lamp is made for the outdoors, one of the more recent collections that Hinkley has released. We loved how sleek these wall sconces were, and the subtlety of the light itself, perfect for gently guiding people through a garden or outdoor space. Choose from aluminum or bronze to accent your landscaping, and Hinkley provides many variations in the Atlantis collection, including post lighting and pocket lamps.

If you are interested in any of these light fixtures, or need a consultation on your home’s lighting needs, please contact LRM Interior Design by calling (949) 497-6806 or click here to use our online contact form.

Hinkley Lighting Strikes Again

August 3rd, 2011 by jennifermyers

We loved this photo from the Hinkley website, since it could be our own Lisa McDennon modeling!

Remember earlier this year when we announced Lisa McDennon’s inclusion in Hinkley Lighting’s website and nationwide catalog? Lisa was extremely flattered to be chosen as one of their top picks for giving “Lighting Style Tips and Ideas from Fabulous Designers“, and was even quoted in the blog as saying she looked forward to a long relationship with the distinguished brand.

And that turns out to have been quite the prediction—we don’t want to spill the beans, but keep your eye out for some exciting news here on the LRM Interior Design blog about that very thing! In the meantime, we wanted to talk a little bit about why Lisa felt so privileged to be included in Hinkley’s cadre of favorite designers. (read the rest of this post…)

Get Smart! And Beautiful Custom Furniture Can Be Yours

July 18th, 2011 by jennifermyers

Ooh la la! Designer furniture at a price everyone can afford.

If you think that affordable furniture can only be found at Ikea, and that any piece of furniture you get through an interior designer is overpriced—we’re happy to inform you that you’re wrong!

Ikea furniture might have some cool, European styling, but it’s not built to last. And let’s be honest: you’re not in college anymore, right? But with everyone feeling the crunch of the economy, LRM Interior Design wants to remind everyone about a product line from one of our favorite furniture and fabric companies: Kravet.

Look at the photos on this blog post. Do they look “affordable” to you? Do they look “budget”? Do they look like they come from a do-it-yourself store? No, we don’t think so either. These are all examples from Kravet’s Kravetsmart line, which we can’t get enough of.

What’s to love? What’s NOT to love! (read the rest of this post…)

Missoni: It’s not just for your wardrobe

May 31st, 2011 by jennifermyers

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…

(read the rest of this post…)

LRM Loves: Area Rugs

April 1st, 2011 by jennifermyers

Kyle Bunting creates stunning area rugs, furniture and wallcoverings.

In the warm climate of Southern California, we’ve noticed that many homeowners like choosing tile or hardwood for their floorcovering, which makes a lot of sense. Why have deep, plush, wall-to-wall carpeting if it’s not going to keep the house cool during the heat of the summer? And in California, our “summer” lasts longer than most areas.

But that large expanse of flooring or tile can appear a bit….well, dare we say it: naked. There could be many reasons for not putting an area rug down. First of all, many people think if they have such beautiful hardwood or tile, why should they cover part of it up? Secondly, many might find the patterns or designs of rugs too complex, and aren’t sure how to add them to their current decor.

As you know, all of us at LRM Interior Design are addicted to accessories, and an area rug is one of the best ways to add pop to a room. And, to top it off, it’s easy to change out, unlike wall-to-wall carpeting, or even an expensive sofa or some custom cabinetry. Choose the right rug and it complements that beautiful flooring, rather than covering it up. (read the rest of this post…)

Wood I? LRMID’s Favorite Wooden Accessories

March 25th, 2011 by jennifermyers

At LRM Interior Design, we love trees. Now, we’re not necessarily saying that we’re “treehuggers” or anything, but we’re fans. That said, it’s not always easy to include trees in interior design.

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. (read the rest of this post…)

Elegant Home Fragrance Options

March 18th, 2011 by jennifermyers

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. (read the rest of this post…)

New Year, New Resolutions, New Inspirations

January 14th, 2011 by jennifermyers

As we start the new year, and look forward to a bright and prosperous 2011, the team at LRM Interior Design presents some of the things they are inspired to do around their home. Even as we design and furnish the homes and offices of our clients, we are mentally thinking: “Would that look good in my house?” Which is quite fun, as we have access to some of the best and most unique home decor providers in the world. Yes, the world is literally our oyster…so if any of these ideas tickle your fancy, you know what to do. Give us a call so we can give you a new home in the new year!

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!” (read the rest of this post…)