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.

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.

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.

Hinkley Lighting has been in existence for almost 90 years, and still holds a strong reputation for quality in construction, superb functionality and beauty in design. Phil R. Hinkley founded the company in Cleveland, Ohio in 1922, and the first catalog did not feature any designer style tips, only fourteen copper light fixtures made for both indoor and outdoor use.

In the 1930s, the Hinkley company started moving from copper fixtures into specially treated steel and copper plating. They also started to include crystal moss, amber cathedral and amber opal glass into their pieces. During the 40s, like many manufacturers, Hinkley Lighting’s new owner Stanley Wiedemer shipped his sons off to the war and started making airplane parts for the government. They reverted to lighting after the war, when the need for residential housing skyrocketed.

The 50s and 60s were great times for innovation both in technology and design, and in the 80s launched their landscape lighting division, which is going strong today. We’re happy that it’s still a family business after all these years, and continues to succeed based on those same values the company was founded on. We also love Hinkley Lighting’s dedication to reducing their eco-impact, with teams dedicated to creating lighting that are more efficient and less harmful to the environment, while still embodying the styling we expect. Their outdoor lighting conforms to almost every Dark Sky requirement that exists, and they continue to provide LED conversions and fixtures for fluorescent bulbs.

At LRM Interior Design, we know how a single lamp can not only transform a room, but anchor the entire design. Lighting should be something that complements, that wows, that delights—but always provides the right quality of lighting for the room’s purpose. Interior designers like the LRM team are experts at lighting, and would love to talk to you about a lighting makeover. Call (949) 497-6806 for a consultation today!

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!

• You can have any chair, sofa, banquette, sleeper, sectional, ottoman, bed or settee upholstered in your choice of over 60,000 different fabrics
• Those 60,000+ beautiful choices of fabric are at NO extra charge
• The sofas can be ordered by the inch. Yes, that means if you want a 73-inch sofa, that’s what you get.
• Seat cushions are made from soy-based foam and recycled fibers, and all springs are made from recycled steel
• The prices are ridiculously affordable

Interested now? We thought you’d be. Have a look around your living room. Is your sofa looking tired? Have you wanted to chuck it out and get a new one, but thought it would be too expensive? What about your dining room chairs? You could transform your dining room by just replacing them with a new style in some fantastic fabric. Need a boost in the bedroom? Have a closer look at the stunning collection of beds in Kravetsmart’s line, and you might just trade your existing bed in for a new one.

The possibilities are endless! Where to start? Start by calling LRM Interior Design to go in and look through the catalogs. Our designers can give you advice based on your style and needs, and help you pick the furniture that’s right for you.

Smart? You bet it is. Call (949) 497-6806 to set up your appointment now, or click here to fill in our online form.

Sumputous leather Dartmouth chair

Endicott upholstered bed? Yes, please!

Not your average Ikea sofa: the Yale sofa from Kravetsmart

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!

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.

Plus, there’s so much versatility with area rugs. They come in so many different materials nowadays, the choices are absolutely endless. Silk, leather, cowhide, natural fiber, chenille, wool…where to begin? That’s another reason people balk at choosing a rug—which kind do I choose? Do I want an Oriental pattern or something more contemporary? What happens if it doesn’t look right when I get it home?

All of these questions are easily handled by consulting with an interior designer. We love shopping for our clients, and rugs are our particular favorite. Speaking of favorites, one of our choices of rug supplier is the U.K.’s The Rug Company, who has four showrooms here in the U.S., including Los Angeles. Why do we love them so much? Because it’s not always enough to have a Diane Von Furstenburg dress or a suit by Paul Smith; why not have a rug designed by them too? The Rug Company has commissioned some fantastic rugs from these designers, and many more, including America’s own Kelly Wearstler.

Do you have a design of your own in mind? Or perhaps your interior designer wants to create a custom rug to be the perfect accent to your living room, dining room or bedroom. Alicia Keshishian‘s company can create custom rugs, and they also offer a fantastic range of existing rugs that are all made by hand in Nepal. Many of the rugs are contemporary in design, and all use vegetable or low-impact dyes which are gentle on the environment. Keshishian is a true artist, and prefers to collaborate with her clients, rather than dictate style or design.

For those with a love for tactile experiences combined with stunning beauty and creativity, look no further than Kyle Bunting‘s rug collection. This company, not surprisingly located deep in the heart of Texas, creates luxury rugs, carpets, furniture and wall coverings using cowhide. Yes, with the fur still on. Using the beauty of the cowhide and its nap, length and direction, and using dyes, they create rugs that are truly works of art.

Ready for a beautiful area rug now? Call LRM Interior Design for a complimentary consultation. We find that many clients save time and money by letting us assist them in choosing furnishings and accessories, especially since many items are only sold to those in the industry. We also save our clients from the frustrations of ordering furniture that doesn’t fit the room, colors that don’t match the room, or other problems that are easy for us to avoid. Please call the office on (949) 497-6806 or send us an email so we can set up an appointment to see how we can help you create the home of your dreams.

Kelly Wearstler for The Rug Company

"Mr. Crowley" rug from Kyle Bunting

BUtterfly rug from The Rug Company designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby

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.

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

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!