Dramatic and original patterns from Les Indiennes

The beautiful and exclusive Les Indiennes fabrics and wallpapers are now available through LRM Interior Design. We are very happy to be the sole California representative for this Arizona-based company, as we love their colors, patterns and textures.

In fact, we have had custom fabrics made by Les Indiennes for use in a client project. The clients had a chair that they loved and wanted to work into the bathroom design as a vanity chair. We convinced them to have it reupholstered so that it would fit into the project. Once the canvas was designed, created and ready to be used, we sent it to our upholstery workroom so that they could recover the chair. “The finished product is gorgeous, timeless and detailed,” comments Kristen Rusert, LRMID administrative manager and lover of Les Indiennes designs.

A client's chair gets a new life with Les Indiennes fabric

The way we see it, owner and designer Mary Mulcahy deserves to have her work known throughout the world. Mulcahy fell in love with Indian textiles, and soon saw an opportunity to take the complex traditional designs and creating simple yet authentic patterns that would appeal to a Western market.

Her technique for creating the Les Indiennes patterns sounds easy, but in truth takes skill and inherent talent. Mulcahy extracted and clarified the intricate traditional Indian designs into single motifs and placed them with careful spacing onto a rich, white background. The fabric and wallpaper is made in India, and Les Indiennes is very proud of the fact that they have not tried to “upgrade” or “improve” their existing process. Les Indiennes’ production doe not cause pollution nor does it disrupt the lives of the people in the village—in fact, the company provides fair-trade employment for over 50 families.

Mary Mulcahy uses the ancient technique of Kalamkari, a process which takes 40 days, the skills of a master and the patience of a saint. The fabrics are sun-bleached cotton, and both the fabric and wallpaper are hand-blocked with patterns created in carved wood. The village and environment collaborate to produce this unique fabric with a combination of river washing, rinsing and steaming over a rice-chaff fire set the colors. Talk about natural: the ayurvedic dyes are as natural as can be, derived from plants, earth, rock and roots.

Call LRM Interior Design for a consultation on how we can use these gorgeous, earth-friendly fabrics and wallpapers in your home.

A beautiful way to use Les Indiennes fabric—for dining.

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

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.

The Electrolux washer in Red Hot Red

Who says laundry can’t be fun? We love designing laundry rooms, and can’t wait to use a washer and dryer from Electrolux’s latest collection. When it comes to laundry, we all want our whites white and our colors bright, right? With Electrolux’s new line, what we want on the inside is right on the outside. The washers and dryers come in Red Hot Red, Mediterranean Blue, Turquoise Sky, Island White and Silver Sands, and will add that extra spark to a laundry room.

There are so many features that make the machines themselves wonderful (18 minutes to wash, 18 minutes to dry, extremely quiet and eco-friendly), but we also like how they, ahem, stack up. From a design standpoint, their versatility is very attractive; they can stack, be freestanding or under a counter, the doors can be reversed and they have optional pedestal drawers.

Other appliance companies have followed suit with the colors, so check out LG, GE and Whirlpool, to name a few. Like with cars, many people have their favorite appliance brand, so make sure you shop around to find the color and manufacturer of your choice.

An example of a well-designed laundry room

We at LRM Interior Design are fans of the under-counter washer and dryer, and have been known to build them into a custom cupboard. Laundry rooms are supposed to be practical, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful too. Organization is key, as is space to work so that the laundry doesn’t have to be spread out all over the house; having a laundry room means that you contain your laundry in one space. There are so many ways to tuck away ironing boards, hampers and washing accessories that your laundry room will be tidy 24/7…especially when you feel like you’re doing laundry for that long!

As designers, we are space planners, and always look for the best way to design a home to suit a family’s needs. Homework doesn’t always get done at the kitchen table anymore, now that computers are essential to work, homework and play. If your laundry room is large enough, create an area for a home office. A desk can easily be built into a corner, bookshelves and cabinets line the walls around it, while the whisper-quiet laundry machines work their magic on the other side of the room.

Plus, these washers and dryers are so versatile—and so nice to look at—that you can actually consider adding them to your existing home office!

For a consultation on how to create the laundry room of your dreams, contact LRM Interior Design by clicking here or calling (949) 497-6806. Unfortunately, there’s one thing we can’t do—make the actual laundry disappear…

Second confession: we couldn’t even fit all of our favorite wallpapers into one Faves blog! So watch out for part two, when we present our favorite patterned wallpapers.

But now, for our favorite—shall we say off the wall?—choices:

Schumacher Kyoko Mica

1. Schumacher Kyoko Mica in Silver: Jan Smith wowed us with this one, especially since we have used it in one of our high-end bachelor pad guest bathrooms. “For that project, we used a bronze colorway of this paper, and in the small bathroom, it added sparkle, texture and a much-needed presence,” Jan explains. “It is the first thing you notice when you enter the room, and the impact of it stays with you after you leave.” It’s a lot to ask from a wallpaper, Jan admits, “but it delivers!”

Maya Romanoff Chevron Mother of Pearl wall tiles

2. Maya Romanoff Chevron Mother of Pearl: These wall tiles made out of real, hand-inlaid shell are sure to impress. “The chevron pattern gives this design and edge over the traditional horizontal application,” comments Melissa Morgan, LRM Interior Design’s latest addition to the design team. “Plus, this wall covering is so beautiful it can stand alone on any wall.” These 18-inch square tiles come in natural or golden pearl, and look like they were taken from a Russian imperial palace.

Phillip-Jeffries Horsehair Wallcovering Collection

3. Phillip-Jeffries Ltd. Horsehair: Kari Seydewitz, lately the model for the Designer Runway Extravaganza win for ASID, turns her pretty head back to design by choosing this textured wallcovering. “I couldn’t choose any of the colors—I love them all, and the texture,” she says. Phillip-Jeffries reinterprets a “true classic” with inspiration from the rich fabrics woven in early 19th century France. This elegant and modern collection certainly brings a nobility to any design.

The incredible Nest Collection from Schumacher

4. Schumacher Nest Collection: Yes. Real feathers. It’s hard to believe, and even more so when you see the large selection of patterns and colorways! This example is made from peacock and pheasant feathers, and all versions are crafted entirely by hand, and thankfully, the feathers are all humanely gathered. Not recommended for our clients with birding dogs or indoor cats…but for those with luxurious tastes and a lofty vision.

Innovations Murano Molto Beaded Wallcovering

5. Innovations Murano Molto: From the animal to the mineral…this wallpaper has to be seen to be believed. It is made from 100% glass beads, and as Jan Smith says, “The picture of this wallcovering doesn’t do it justice. You have to see, touch and experience the glamour of it to fully appreciate how special it is. I love it because it reminds me of a fabulous red carpet gown.” Jan also warns against the faint of heart installing this wallpaper, just for those who “have the aesthetic that’s just as bold and dazzling!”

Wallteriors Limestone Wallpaper

6. Wallteriors Limestone: Another favorite of our Senior Designer Jan Smith, this wallpaper comes in 30-foot long panels and five different widths, plus the choice of a straight or hand-torn stained edge. “This paper has it all! The look of a stone or natural rock wall, or even something you’d find in the deepest ocean. The application is so versatile that you can create patterns that are unique, evoking a feeling of nature and art.”

Innovations Grasscloth

7. Innovations Grasscloth Collection: We at LRMID love many things, and one at the top of the list is grasscloth. Why? Well, for one, it’s wallcovering with texture, and although it is subtle, it gives a room more detail. Another reason is that it’s a natural product that is more environmentally friendly, and we always like that. One more? It’s so versatile that it can work for any room in the house. Our favorites are Innovations’ Kyoto, Fuji and Sapporo-Soba.

As always, if you’d like a consultation on how to use these fabulous faves in your home, office, retail space or resort, please contact LRM Interior Design by calling (949) 497-6806 or click here for our form.

And remember, these wallpapers are not ones that are recommended for the DIY enthusiast. Many of these specialty fabrics are not only expensive, but are difficult to work with, and require expert installation.

Henry Road uses their Fleur Grande fabric on the front of this chair...

At LRM Interior Design, we get inspired by a lot of things. But we really love up-and-coming companies that inspire us with their creativity and innovation.

Take Henry Road, a textile studio in Studio City, California, just up north from us here in Orange County. They design beautiful, bold and modern patterns for textiles that look stunning on all types of furniture, from chairs to sofas to footstools.Their patterns look amazing on more than just furniture, as we found with their Gloria tablecloths and Havana tote. Let’s not even start on their adorable storage sacks for kids.

...and a coffee sack to upholster the back.

Or shall we? This is where Henry Road’s real inspiration comes through. In many cases, as shown by the storage sacks and with items of furniture, Henry Road owner Paula Smail combines her large-print textiles with coffee sacks. We love this combination of texture and re-use, especially in the occasional chair covered in Paula’s Fleur Grande pattern on the front and coffee sacking on the back.

They’ve also covered church benches, footrests and cubes in coffee sacks, and according to their website, they’re pretty popular–almost all of their furniture has been sold.

Paula Smail seems like a person who is as interesting and enterprising as her designs. She spent part of her childhood in South Africa, in a house on Henry Road. It was the Marimekko blinds in that home, plus seeing the African women swathed in bright fabrics, that has shaped her design aesthetic.

We can’t wait to see what she does next! In the meantime, check out Henry Road’s collection of unusual accessories and home goods. And if you’re in Los Angeles, you may just want to stop by and peruse the intriguing items in her shop that are not available online.

Your home is your castle--protect it!

After spending the time, money and resources on interior design or on a remodel, be it one room or the entire home, doesn’t it make sense to protect that investment?

Insurance is an obvious way to do so, but did you check with your insurance agent after you finished the remodel? Your insurance needs may have changed, and if you don’t get it amended, you may think you are covered when you’re not. Installing a hidden home safe can save you on your insurance premiums, if you make sure to keep all valuables locked inside.

Security systems have come a long way over the last few years, and can be customized to your needs. From alarms to carbon monoxide alerts, home security can keep you safe when you’re away, but even while you’re sleeping. Security can also be combined with home technology, which has become so advanced that you can control your entire home, from turning on your coffee maker or jacuzzi to closing blinds–all from your iPhone, using Savant AV technology.

Do you have children or pets, or perhaps have furniture in direct sunlight? Protect your new furniture with the revolutionary product MicroSeal. And don’t discount the ability to discourage burglars with window treatments–safety can be beautiful, too. Have you thought about your entry doors? If you’ve wondered if you can have glass in your front door and still have privacy and security, we can help you answer those questions.

Always keep your plumber’s emergency number in your cell phone. When water is pouring out of a sink or burst pipe, it’s not the time to be scrambling for a phone number! And even if the plumber gets to your home quickly, you still may need to repair some water damage. Make sure to have the number of a reputable fire and water clean up and restoration company in your contact list.

And last but not least, you should remember some annual home maintenance, including checking the roof, changing your heating and air conditioner filters and getting a termite inspection.

If it sounds like a lot of time and effort to complete everything on this list, think of what the cost would be of not doing it. Your home and your family’s safety is worth it!

Contact us at LRM Interior Design for a complete list of our preferred vendors, or for us to organize a personal introduction to the professional to help you with any of these home security issues. We are always happy to help!

Jaeger 6-Tier Horn Chandelier

1. Jaeger 6-Tiered Horn Chandelier: Our love affair with capiz-shell chandeliers is still strong, don’t worry—after all, they helped us win one of our ASID awards! But it will have to share our hearts with this Jaeger horn chandelier, as the color and shape of the horn pieces are gorgeous. The hammered antique brass canopy is beautiful, as is the light diffused by the polished pieces of horn. This is a light fixture that does not melt into the background, but is rather more of an attention-getter—we must feel like it’s one of the LRM gang…

St. Tropez Boutique's Moroccan Chandeliers

2. Moroccan Chandelier: Another lighting fixture that’s not shy, and this one is not for small spaces. Can you say “detail?” The intricacy of metalwork on this piece is incredible, as is the overall shape and scale of it. Perfect for a double-story entry hall or great room, but also fantastic for a large outdoor space. These are handmade in Casablanca, Morocco, and are as authentic as a souk. Find this style and more at Saint Tropez Boutique.

Alison Berger's unique hand-scripted glasswork

3. Scripted Pendant Chandelier: Now, for something very modern, and very different. Alison Berger was inspired by fireflies and the stars to create her undeniably unique lighting pieces. We love her pieces with hand-scripted pendants, because when they’re lit up, the writing is projected on tho the surrounding surfaces to create a wonderful, ethereal mood. Jan Smith, Senior Designer at LRMID, sums it up for all of us when she says: “Brilliant design from Alison.”

2nd Ave's Calandra Chandelier

4. Calandra Chandelier: In California, we are surrounded by Spanish accents, with white stuccoed buildings with red tile roofs. Here we have a 2nd Ave design that echoes the days of California’s beginnings. The handcrafted scrollwork has an authentic feel, and as the photo shows, is just as comfortable in an outdoor setting as it is indoors in an entryway or over a large dining table. We also like the fact that 2nd Ave has been handcrafting their lighting pieces in an eco-friendly factory in the United States since 1979.

Ebanista's Carrillo Chandelier

5. Carrillo Chandelier: This chandelier from Ebanista is the belle of this blog’s ball. With the metalwork edged with crystals and the perfect number of pendants, the Carrillo is elegance defined. Did we mention that the pendants are not leaded crystal, but actually rock crystal? Yes, that’s one of the many details that sets this chandelier apart. Ebanista is known for their unique interpretation of European classics, and this chandelier is like royalty. And like a princess, the Carrillo only fits in to the most refined of environments.

Turquoise: The color of 2010

Jan Smith, LRM Interior Design’s Senior Designer, lets our readers in on a fantastic Insider Tip: “Various interior design sources agree that the main color palettes being used today in home interiors are one of the following three trends.”

“Trend number one: Anything eco-friendly involving ‘nature’ or ‘going green,’” explains Jan.  “Using an ecologically conscious color scheme is still very prevalent in today’s market, as are furniture and accessories, and how you apply or install the décor in your home.”

“Trend number two: Exotic-themed palettes,” says Jan. “Especially colors inspired by African or Moroccan fabrics and landscapes. These are still the latest palette to use when punching up a room with color nowadays.”

“Trend number three, and last but not least—purple is in! This color is so versatile and its hues can range from light lavenders to deep plums. All hail royal purple!” Jan notes: “This color is a favorite of our designer Kari Seydewitz.”

Jan goes on to say that as far as the neutrals are concerned, gray and taupe have become the new beige, while yellow and aqua are now the hot new accent color. Pantone, the color experts, have named turquoise the color of 2010. But then again, LRM Interior Design already knew that, as you can see from the photo, taken at one of LRMID’s projects at a coastal property in Newport Beach!

“It doesn’t matter what color you fall in love with,” says Jan. “LRM Interior Design can help incorporate it into your living space. Lisa has designed an entire room around the color of a lamp! Call us now for a color consultation. It could be the best, easiest and most cost-effective way to spice up your home!”

Moroccan fabric provides inspiration for a hot color palette for interiors.

Clean Breaks: 500 Ways To See The World

Valerie Hoisington, LRM Interior Design’s latest addition to the design team, has launched our new blog topic: LRMID Likes! This category of blog will highlight the news, topics and objects that have caught our team’s eye.

This week, Valerie had been reading the Los Angeles Times and found a book review that caught her attention. She loves traveling, but lately has been interested in staying at places that embrace an ecological ethos.“They’re not always easy to find, especially when you’re booking your trips over the internet,” says Valerie. “I bought these books because I know they will make it easier for me to make the travel plans that suit my budget AND my conscience.”

Both books are available on Amazon.com, and cover such interesting accommodations and locales as the Ice Hotel in Norbotten, Sweden and solar-powered bungalows on Chumbe Island, Zanzibar.

Planning a vacation? Make sure you check out “Bed in a Tree and Other Amazing Hotels Around the World” by Eyewitness Travel and “Clean Breaks: 500 Ways to See the World” by Rough Guides before booking your trip!

“I can’t help but think that choosing any one of the places suggested in this book would make for an unforgettable trip,” says Valerie. “I can’t wait!”