The Les Alizés Collection from Brunschwig & Fils.

Everybody knows that we love Kravet—we love their furniture (especially the KravetSmart line!), we love their fabrics, we love their trimmings. And now there’s even more reason to love Kravet—they saved the esteemed fabric company Brunschwig & Fils.

This American company was founded in 1900 and has always been highly regarded in the industry, not just for their fabrics, but as a resource. Unfortunately, due to the economic upheaval, Brunschwig & Fils was forced to file for bankruptcy in late 2010.

But wait, that’s not all. Kravet president Cary Kravet swoops in like a superhero to Brunschwig & Fils’ rescue. Although they seem like a competitor, it makes complete sense for Kravet to add them to their line of offerings.

“It was pretty close to disappearing,” said Cary Kravet. “We all revere Brunschwig, which produced the most fantastic traditional and historically important patterns. It had to be respected.”

And respect it, they did. Kravet added Brunschwig & Fils to their stable of deluxe brands, right where it should be, alongside Lee Jofa and GP & Baker. Lee Jofa’s executive vice president and creative director Stephen Elrod couldn’t wait to dig into Brunschwig & Fils’ extensive archive after the transaction was complete. He was searching for historic patterns that could be adapted for a new generation, and Elrod hit the proverbial jackpot. He combed through thousands of patterns, some even dating from the 1700s, to create this season’s Les Alizés collection. The name means “trade winds” in French, and includes bold prints, substantial wovens and intricate embroideries.

Like when Jean Paul Gaultier took over the helm at Hèrmes, Kravet has brought Brunschwig & Fils into this century without damaging its dignity or integrity, while still being a little cheeky with their updates. Reducing the number of colors in a paisley and introducing a pink and orange colorway were just two of the ways that Elrod updated some of Brunschwig & Fils’ historic patterns.

We’ll be keeping our eyes out for more of Elrod’s fantastic innovations with Brunschwig & Fils’ deep archives of patterns, textures and delightful fabrics, so watch this space!

We are experts in upholstery, reupholstery and custom furniture. Do you have a sofa in your house that you love, but it needs a facelift? Perhaps some new Brunschwig & Fils fabric? Is there a piece that is missing in your house, but you just can’t find? Please call LRM Interior Design for a consultation; we have the solution for you. (949) 497-6806 or click here to use our online form.

We couldn’t quite make this a Top Five Faves as we couldn’t whittle our choices down from six. We felt that these fabrics presented a range of reasons why we squeal when the new Robert Allen fabric books hit the studio. So, without further ado, here are our top picks:

1. Romantic: The rich cream fabric sets off the beautiful, sable-colored lace overlay, and we just love how this fabric is romantic without being sentimental or too Victorian. We use this “Royalty Lace” in Slate for window treatments and bedding, just for that reason—it’s something that appeals to women but men don’t think is too “girly”.

2. Eastern-Inspired: We had two picked for this category, but we settled on this one, as it has the Chinese-painting branches plus the addition of flowers and birds. Although this is available in three colorways, we love this Vintage Blossom fabric in Jade, as it can add a great sense of color to a room without being overpowering. Did we mention we like the birds?

3. Geometric: Another favorite, Omheining in Fog, is a graphic design print in a great neutral. So? Being a neutral allows it to be used as an accent fabric with multiple color schemes and design styles, and still have it’s own sass with the pattern. We like a fabric that’s both useful and knows how to sass.

4. Color: Pillows and smaller fabric-covered items are the best items in a room to use with bright colors, if you don’t want to be too dramatic. Why? Because it’s easier, and less expensive, to change out a few accent pillows rather than painting over the mustard yellow walls. Why not choose Mesa fabric in Lemon Curry? Not only does it sound yummy, it looks yummy.

5. Animal: We do love an animal print at LRM Interior design, and we can’t get enough of a zebra print. That’s why this one is so amazing—it’s grey on grey, rather than black on white, giving it a new subtlety. This way we can sneak in an animal print and not overpower the room! Zebra Lines in Twine is very durable and great for upholstery.

6. Stripes: Last but not least. We would love this one as a wallpaper, if we only could! True Lines in Cement is a modern classic, in our opinion, because it uses both light and dark colors and the thin lines provide an optical elegance. Interior design tip: Accenting with a bold stripe adds interest to coordinating patterns and prints.

Are you stuck on fabrics? Can we help you with a consult? Or perhaps your problems go beyond fabric and you need a whole room redesigned. Don’t be afraid to call us for the whole home or office, either; we’re ready to transform your home with your taste, and our touch. Call today to make your consultation appointment: (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.

The neutral color palette is perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

Sferra also makes a luxurious line of the finest baby bedding ensembles and blankets.

Welcoming a new bundle of joy into the family?  Babies may not be discerning when it comes to room and interior design, but as creatures that sleep the day away, they will need some comfortable bedding and sheets to accommodate their not-always-peaceful slumber. Sferra bedding is the top name in the world for beautiful, luxurious and custom-ordered linen, having manufactured the highest quality products from Italy since 1891.  We have already discussed how you can get lovely, soft, beautiful and custom bedding from Sferra (and with LRM Interior Design’s help, you won’t even have to step out your door for linen perfection!), but now you can also share this luxury with your baby.

Sferra‘s Baby Collection offers baby ensembles, blankets and basics all in true, lavish Sferra fashion. Start off with Baby Basics, the softest bedding woven from classic white Egyptian cotton crib sheet, accompanied with a gently gathered crib skirt and a soft baby pillow made of poly-fi.  Toss an unbelievably soft Nursery Stripe blanket on top of it all, and let it cocoon your little one in its 100% cotton yarn weaves.  Or, we personally love the Bambino blanket, an even plusher option, made from the softest cashmere available.

Start your little one off right with Sferra’s baby bedding collections.  You already love the feel of luxurious bed sheets, so why not share it with your baby and their smooth, sensitive skin? Your baby will appreciate the deliciously soft bedding as he or she drifts away into dreamland every night.

What better gift for a baby shower than a Sferra set? What mother would not appreciate the finest quality in blankets, sheets and bedding for their new arrival? At LRM Interior Design, we can help you create the perfect collection of items for your friend or family member who is expecting a little bundle of joy.

LRM Interior Design will help you coordinate your baby’s bedding so that the ensembles harmonize with the rest of your home’s design.  We carry all of Sferra’s samples right in our studio, so please feel free to stop by to touch, see and choose.  LRM Interior Design can also come by your office or home.  You’ll never need to shop for your baby’s bedding in-store ever again.  For a complimentary consultation by LRM Interior Design, please call us at (949) 497-6806.

Lovely, soft, CUSTOM bedding with Sferra and LRM Interior Design

Raise your hand if you don’t like a good night’s sleep….Nobody? That’s what we thought. Who doesn’t hear the siren call of a wonderfully soft bed bursting with just the right amount of pillows? We know that there’s some people out there that jump out of bed each morning with boundless energy, but even they know the delight of snuggling in for another hour of well-deserved slumber once in a while.

Did you know that LRM Interior Design is more than qualified to help you in this department? No, we don’t mean helping you sleep. We mean helping you create—literally—the bed of your dreams.

How? It’s simple. We create custom furnishings for clients all the time (see photo!), and custom bedding is one of our specialties, down to a personally designed and built headboard. But custom doesn’t have to mean expensive…

Sferra bedding is some of the top on the market. If you’re not lucky enough to have this brand on your bed at home, you may have experienced them at a high-end, luxury hotel. Yes, the ones you contemplated tucking in your suitcase because they were that delicious.

As usual, the best and most luxurious home items come from Europe, and Sferra is no exception. These world-renowned linens are Italian, and have been making their superior products since 1891. And practice makes perfect, that’s for sure. There is something for everyone—from romantic, embroidered designs to sleek, modern styles—with a price point to match every budget.

We can help you with creating your perfect bed in many ways. One: we can help you choose the ready-made Sferra bedding options that will complement your existing bedroom decor.

Two: we can provide you with all of the Sferra products without you having to step into a store—not just high thread-count sheets in beautiful colors and patterns, but also duvets, down-alternative comforters, blankets and down pillows (plus bedding for babies! More on that later…).

Three: we can redesign your entire bed with custom-made Sferra bedding, with personalized embroidery, amongst other choices. We love designing custom decorative pillows, bolsters and cushions too, as shown in the photo. Four: we can redesign your entire bedroom, with not only a bed that meets your exacting specifications for color, comfort and style, but also built-in cabinetry, flooring, wallcoverings and window treatments.

Interested in changing your bed from lumpy to comfy? Bored with your sheets and want to treat yourself to a little luxury? Does your bedroom need an entire face lift? We carry all of the samples in our studio, so please feel free to stop by to touch, see and choose! We can also come by your office or home. You’ll never need to shop for sheets in-store ever again! Call LRM Interior Design for a complimentary consultation by calling (949) 497-6806.

Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House in gingerbread

1. Gingerbread Modern Houses: You don’t need to throw tradition out the window; that’s not what we’re saying! But how about getting a little creative with the spiced-and-baked architecture? Gingerbread houses can easily be built from using a kit that you buy at the store, but that’s too easy. How about a gingerbread house inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House? Before you think you need to be an Ace of Cakes—oh wait, yes you do. This one was created by April Reed Cake design and took over 25 hours to make! And you don’t even want to know how much it cost….but 15% of the proceeds went to the restoration project in the works for Farnsworth House when it was damaged in a flood a few years ago.

Dress up your pillows for the holidays

2. Pillows as Presents: We’re not advocating that you take your sofa pillows, wrap them up and start distributing them as gifts; not at all. (You could give someone a new pillow as a gift though!) But in the spirit of the holidays, why not take your pillows and wrap them with ribbon just like a present? Be creative: mix and match colors and ribbons to create a festive room. “It’s like a gift for your sofa and chairs!” says Jan Smith.

Z Gallerie's antler candlesticks are great alternative decor

3. Reindeer, Interrupted: Don’t worry—this is not Rudolph or Prancer, and they have not lost their antlers. These Marquette candlestick pair from Z Gallerie are cast in brass with a pewter finish. No animals were harmed in the making of these antler candleholders! Melissa Morgan says that these are “a fun, unique, and festive way to dress up your table!  Can be used for either a formal or casual dinner party.  These would also look great on a mantle or anywhere else in the home.  I love these!” But still, perhaps not the best choice for those with small children…

Use found items and gold paired with an unusual color

4. Ban Red and Green:  “I love the use of colors not normally used for the holidays like teal, brown and aqua,” says Jan Smith, Senior Designer. Many of us near the beach like to use found objects for decorating, especially for special occasions.  “I like the use of shells for not only the napkin holders but as table accents. Great for a sophisticated, beachy motif.”

Make your own centerpiece with branches and glitter

5. Get Your Glitter On: Nothing’s more fun than creating decor or gifts by yourself. With or without little ones to help you, get the Elmer’s glue out and as many kinds of glitter you can find at a craft store. Take a walk in your nearby nature area, be it a park or actual nature, and pick up some twigs and branches. Cover the table with newspaper and just go crazy! Melissa Morgan, a fan of all things glitter, found this idea from Martha Stewart, Queen of all things decorated, baked, sewn and generally gorgeous. “I love to use glitter in all of my holiday decorations, says Melissa. “This is sure to impress your friends and family, young or old.” For detailed instructions on the Martha Stewart site, please click here.