That said, every good guest knows that if you’re invited to a person’s home for an event, a hostess gift is not only a way to make yourself very popular, it’s also a great way to thank the host or hostess for spending the time and money to throw the party, plus using their home as the venue.

With New Year’s Eve just a few days away, we thought we’d give you some of our favorite tips for hostess gifts this season. Many will be available online, which will take a lot of the hassle out of gift-buying! Don’t be tempted to ship it straight to the party’s hosts—it’s much better to see their face when they open it.

1. Jonathan Adler Squirrel Canister: Who loves Jonathan Adler? We do! And we love to share his whimsical sense of design and humor, like in this high-fired stoneware canister with a matte white glaze. Fill it with a nice surprise, some home-baked cookies or, dare we say, nuts and a nutcracker? Give this gift to your friends that have quirky style and that love to laugh. “You’ve got to give it to Jonathan Adler to find humor in the smallest of things,” says Jan Smith. “This gift can be used all year round and will bring a smile not only to the host but also to everyone that feels like a ‘nut’.”

2. Solid Cashmere Throw: This is a great gift when you are already familiar with your host’s home and can pick a coordinating color for their living room or bedroom. Who doesn’t love to snuggle under cashmere!? Williams Sonoma have provided so many colors to choose from. Just don’t give it to those friends who let their dogs lie on any piece of furniture. You might get a shock on your next visit and find that Princess has claimed that cashmere. Smart dog…

3. Set of Three Oslo Candleholders: Leave it to Crate & Barrel to create something so simple and so stylish. These candleholders suit almost any table—the brilliant lead crystal has polished, beveled edges for a modern architectural feel. The receiver can use them alone or cluster them for a beautiful effect. Jan says: “I personally own these and have always felt that the best gifts are the ones that you want to keep for yourself. These candleholders are simple yet elegant and add sparkle to any lucky table.”

4. Personalized Champagne Bucket: Save this one for people you really like, and for those who do like a nice, chilled bottle of bubbly or white wine. Nothing says “elegant gift” like silver and Champagne. At almost $90 before tax and shipping, this is not a gift you give to every host—unless of course that’s a drop in the bucket of your gift budget. Add a bottle of your hosts’ favorite wine, Cava or Champagne to be the belle of the ball, right when you arrive. And if you bring it chilled—well, you might just get a glass…

Have a wonderful end to your Holiday Season, and all of us at LRM Interior Design wish you a joyous and prosperous 2012!

1. London Calling: Make a statement in the living room, but keep everyone guessing what exactly it was you changed. Was it the sofa? No. Was it that painting? No. It was the amazing rug from Luke Irwin, with its rich color and subtle geometric pattern. Changing an area rug can be a great way to alter the tone and feel of the room without breaking the bank. Of course, this rug, called Hex 2, comes from London, is hand knotted to order and made from wool, silk and cashmere. You can have it in any “colour” or size you’d like, so be creative!

2. Top Me Up: Let’s face it: When relatives come to stay, sometimes a drink is just what the doctor ordered. Make sure they know that you respect your alcohol by rolling out this delightful faux-shagreen bar cart that is just to die for. Why faux shagreen? Because you would not want to be setting anything containing liquid down on real shagreen—it’s just too precious. And, as our fearless leader Lisa McDennon says: “Who does not love faux shagreen and chrome together?” Enough said. The is custom made from SkateModerne.

3. Behind Closed Doors: Now, we don’t always discuss this part of the bathroom, but we just couldn’t resist—this product is about as space-age, high-tech as it gets. It’s a delicate area, literally, but you must be told about the NUMI toilet from Kohler. Listen to the list of features—wait, there’s a list of features for a toilet? Yes, we know. That’s how cool this is: Motion activated lid and seat, advanced bidet functionality, integrated air dryer, deodorizer, heated seat, feet warming, illuminated panels and—wait for it…..music. We’re thinking that the heated seats and feet warming alone could give us a wonderful new reason to linger in the ladies room….

There you have it. Three lovely, quick ways to wow your guests with simple upgrades. Call us, LRM Interior Design, for more information about these products, how to get them delivered before Christmas or Hanukkah, and how to get them expertly installed, in the case of the toilet. Orange County’s award-winning design team is at your service: (949) 497-6806.

This week we present the guru of mid-century modernity, Senior Designer Jan Smith. Jan is a true fan of classic styling, and appreciates the quality that only good craftsmanship and design can provide. She’s also a stickler for comfort—Jan is not one to take beauty if it’s uncomfortable. As the Bauhaus motto enforced “form and function”, so does Mrs. Smith.

To the point, this girl knows what a good dining room chair looks like! Let’s get her top five picks:

1. Møller Model 77 Side Chair: Our Lady of the Table loves the clean lines of mid-century modern, and this is a great example. “Danish furniture is close to my heart,” explains Jan. “I love the use of bent wood, the clean sweep of fabric on the seat and the overall feel of this chair.” The bent-wood back makes it perfectly comfortable for long, leisurely dinners like Thanksgiving—which is right around the corner! This chair is also very versatile, and could be used in other seating arrangements, like a guest chair in a corporate or home office.

2. Wegner Wishbone Chair: Too much Danish furniture is never enough, and especially when they’re a classic like this one. The Wishbone is one of Hans Wegner’s most identifiable designs, and it was introduced back in 1950. This Danish Modernist created a frame of solid wood, and the seat is made from “papercord”, a resilient rope woven of paper that was developed in Sweden. “I love everything about this chair,” says Jan. “It has lovely lines and a timeless style that speaks to me.” We’re sure it’s saying “Take me home, Jan!”

3. Caribou Club Armchair: Moving from Northern Europe to the Wild Wild West with the weathered look of the Caribou Club armchair. The exposed wooden frame is complemented by the dark tones of the leather and the meticulously hammered upholstery tacks that line the wings and the arms. “I love this clean yet rustic take on the wing-back chair. It makes the art of dining almost business like,” explains Jan. This would be a great chair to have at both heads of the table for a fine family gathering.

4. Coral Side Chair: After the imposing nature of the last chair, this is a softer, gentler side of Jan’s selection, with the beige seat offsetting the almost pearlescent white of the base and back. The row of upholstery tacks make this chair less feminine than it could be, allowing it to cross into more grown-up territory like the dining room. Jan comments: “I like the sculptural elements of this chair. The coral detail can go either beach-chic or glamorous.”

5. Settee: Any of them. Jan’s right when she says “I am a huge fan of settees at a dining table. It encourages snuggling and leisurely dining.” And many of us have lost the tradition of lingering over a meal, enjoying friends a food and not just finishing the food and rushing off to the next event. With a meal like the one at the Smiths’, you’ll need a settee—not just to lie down on when you’re stuffed, but because the company, the food and the libations are so wonderful you’ll never want the meal to end. And every holiday meal should be like that!

We know we’ve given you way too many choices, and some of our favorites won’t necessarily match your style or your home. Why not arrange a consultation to see how we can help you get your home in shape for the holidays? Or, if you love these selections, please call us so we can help you purchase them and get them delivered to your home. Call right away if you need the furniture before the holidays to ensure it is delivered in time.

Let LRM Interior Design provide your taste with our touch this holiday season. Call now for your consultation: (949) 497-6806.

And if you are organizing Orange County’s premiere party (even if it’s a small gathering at your home or office), you need to pull out all the stops and look at every detail. And that’s why we are looking at chairs for the dining room this week.

We’re also putting our new Assistant Designer on the spot this week with her list of favorite chairs and why. We’d like to introduce Ali Bacon, who recently joined the LRM team! Welcome!

Ali has a fresh modern take on dining room chairs, and we like it—many of us are traditionalists, and we see a dining room, or even just the table, as a sober, formal area of the home. It doesn’t have to be that way! The combination of style and function works every time. Shown here:

Eiffel Chair: Nobody, and we mean nobody, has the chair-designer recognition like Charles and Ray Eames. You’d have to be under the age of 16 to have not heard of them, or at least seen this pair’s classic stylings. The Eiffel chair was designed in 1948 and first presented at MoMA’s International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture, and it was the first plastic chair to be mass-produced. Our Ali is all over it, choosing the Eiffel chair for one of her recommendations. “Not only has this chair become a classic (like so many of the Eames’ chairs), it’s easy to add a pop of color to a room by mixing the Eiffel chairs in with more traditional dining chairs,” explains Ali. Add a bit of mid-century modern to your dining room with one of these chairs in an delectable bright color.

Marais A Chair: Ahhh….Paris… That’s what we think of when we see the Marais A chair designed by Xavier Pauchard and first produced in 1934. Each chair is still handmade in Autun, France, and because of the 100 manual operations necessary to make this chair, each one is also unique. “This chair brought the art of galvanized steel to France,” says Ali. “It is a classic café chair and can contribute to the industrial feel of a space.” Although indeed used at countless cafés around France and immortalized on the decks of the S.S. Normandy, this chair is a great alternative to a standard dining room chair. You don’t have to have a city loft to inject some industrial style into your home—used in the right setting, this chair could be the pièce de résistance. (No pun intendend, but we couldn’t resist!)

Louis Ghost Victoria Sidechair: That crazy Philippe Starck! Leave it to him to take a classic like the Louis XV armchair and turn it into a modern masterpiece. And with the Louis Ghost Armchair and the Victoria Ghost Sidechair, he has done just that. Imagine a traditional, beautiful wood dining table surrounded by the crystalline perfection of these chairs, is made of injection-molded polycarbonate. Or, for another great example of this chair’s use, visit the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles, where Starck has created a Baroque yet modern and totally unique hotel lobby. “This piece is timeless reinvention of a historical classic piece,” Ali explains. “It can adapt to many settings, including a modernist or classical aesthetic.” It is also good for outdoor use, like the Marais A, and in our mild California weather, why shouldn’t you hold your Thanksgiving dinner outside?

Please call us to order any of the chairs listed here, or for a personalized consultation on your dining area. We can help you completely remodel or just freshen up your dining room, kitchen or outside living space to create a wonderful area for entertaining—holiday or everyday! Call LRM Interior Design on (949) 497-6806 for your appointment.

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.

And that just means that our job = what we love the most. Shopping! And even if we don’t shop in the traditional manner, we bookmark these items we fall in love with, both digitally and literally, to refer back to when the time is right to purchase for a project.

So, here are some pieces that were picked out by the award-winner herself, Lisa McDennon, with her inimitable taste and style.This time we’re looking at pieces that are categorized as “modern”—whether that’s Mid-Century Modern or contemporary. Enjoy!

—Acrylic Tables by ArtStyleInnovation: Are they side tables? Ottomans? Art? All three? These pieces are so versatile, we just can’t get enough of them! Especially when you can get them in clear OR smoked acrylic. We love the smoked acrylic for our  luxury bachelor pad projects; they’re masculine and contemporary all at the same time. Don’t be shy—use more than one! They’re only $450 each and you can get custom-made pieces. They’re perfect to pull out for those occasions where you have more than the usual number of people over. Not enough room for drinks? Voilá! Pull out one or more of these acrylic tables. Problem solved—stylishly.

—Buckley Chevron Lamp by Jill Rosenwald Studio: Mmmm, this lamp is delicious! The oval base comes in white and your choice of navy, taupe or coral. What a perfect lamp to brighten up a dull corner of a room! This oval-base lamp and shade are only $395, which makes it a perfect choice for not breaking the bank. And beware: Lisa loves this lamp so much she wants to design a room around it! She’s done it before—click here for that story. Each of these slender, chic lamps come with a Belgian linen shade, a nickel plated 3 way socket, and a matching finial; it was also featured in Elle Decor, so you know it’s HOT.

—Mid-Century Modern Collection by Chelsea Textiles: Say “Mid-Century Modern style” to Lisa McDennon or Jan Smith, and watch them swoon. These ladies love the clean lines and enduring design of the period’s furniture, be it true vintage or reproductions. And we all love the collection by Chelsea Textiles. Can you say “ooh, details!”? Yes, we thought you would when you saw them. The bedside tables are to die for, and the chest of drawers are just perfect. When was the last time you saw a credenza that you liked that much? A dining table where the chairs actually slot in? If the devil’s in the detail, we’re definitely in bed with this devil…

If you’re interested in any of these pieces, let us shop for you! We can procure these pieces for you easily and at a great price. Plus, we can let you know if that chest of drawers will really fit in your spare room before you buy it. Call us to find out more: (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.

For some young adults, this will be the first time they really have a place to themselves. Yes, they’ll still be surrounded by tens or even hundreds of other students, but they won’t be surrounded by family. So make it nice for them! But a word to the wise—don’t take over. Let them personalize the space and make it their own. We’ve compiled some of our favorite items we think would look great and be useful in a small space.

1. 10-Hook Overdoor Hanger: Umbra’s® Birdie hanger allows for hanging bookbags, purses, hats, scarves and coats on the back of a door and voila, there’s more space in the closet! And less clutter on the floor, which makes for better relations if your child is sharing a dorm room. We also like the matching Birdie wastebasket too, all available at The Container Store.

2. Pomeroy Dream Turquoise Reed Diffuser: Our young ladies aren’t as odiferous, shall we say, as their male counterparts, but that doesn’t mean that a few all-nighters with pizza boxes and way too many Starbucks cups in the trash won’t make the dorm room smell a bit. And that’s why Mom bought them a reed diffuser that looks, like, cool and stuff and not like yours. Especially not like yours.

3. BURSJÖN Stool with Storage: We think this would be a fantastic hamper, as it hides the dirty clothes (that’s if somebody bothers to put the clothes in there), has vents at the top, but is also a stool! It can be tucked in the corner most of the time, but if a fellow student comes over and seating is at a premium, they’ll be happy this stool has a dual purpose.

4. Tvilum Blink Bookcase: This compact bookshelf is 30″ square, which means you can stack two or more side by side or on top of each other to fit your small space! We love that the shelves are not evenly sized, and that there’s a wee drawer in the middle that gives not just a pop of color (it’s reversible and has a different color on the back), but also a little hidey-hole. Note: If you do stack these shelving units, please attach them to the walls so they don’t fall on someone during a “rager”—oops, we mean small get-together with tea and cakes, Mom.

5. Large Tint Stacking Drawers: These are seriously awesome, and not your regular stacking drawers. They come in six colors, plus boring “clear”, and they are perfect for clothes, stationery or any other item that you don’t mind having a little on show. If you can’t tuck these away in a closet (which would be a shame to hide them!), we recommend choosing two colors, like your son’s favorite sporting team colors, and alternate colors on the stack. We’d choose purple and gold, naturally.

Need any other tips for your young college student’s dream dorm room? How about remodeling their old room at home into that spare bedroom, office or home gym you’ve always wanted? Call LRM Interior Design now to arrange your free consultation: 949-497-6806.

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

Khloe Kardashian applied a glamourous touch to her office.

What’s glamour all about? It’s about making a statement. For instance: an actress like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn or (more recently) Gwyneth Paltrow would be called “elegant” rather than glamorous. So which actresses would sum up the definition of glamour?? Think Rita Hayworth, Sophia Loren or our modern siren Angelina Jolie—even Joan Collins says she’s the only leading lady of today to stand up to the glamorous beauties of her time.

But we digress. What makes an interior glamorous? It’s definitely not gingham curtains, beige carpet or heavy, dark antiques. Our Project Manager, Kristen Rusert, has a few ideas. And she should know, being involved with each and every beautiful interior that passes through the LRM Interior Design studio!

You may not think that any of the Kardashian sisters know anything about taste, but Khloe certainly knows something about style. Can a home-office space look glam? Kristen says yes: “I love, love, love this room!” she says. “Khloe and her designer really made this space so girly and glamorous. The warm tones in the room are contrasted with pops of black.”

Her favorite touch? “Her chair is TO DIE FOR!” says Kristen. The bold zigzag pattern stands out in the center of the room as a focal point, elevating the mid-century modern feel of the furniture to a contemporary height.

Second tip? Color! Glamour needs drama, and well-chosen, bold colors can really bump up a room’s glitz levels. Orange a little too strong for you? Not when it’s used

Mary McDonald uses orange in a striking context.

as a striking accent color with oversized, zebra-skin covered footstools, sleek side tables and lamps made from steel columns. Still too modern? Try pairing a turquoise with white and shell pink—still popping with color, but less masculine.

Kristen also recommends combining textures with sleek lines, like a steel-mesh formed chair, sheer curtains, polished chrome barstools and tufted contemporary easy chair. But ultimately, like beauty, glamour is in the eye of the beholder. “As with all interior design, it has to be what the client wants,” Kristen explains. “At LRM Interior Design, we are all about keeping with the client’s taste while applying our professional touches.”

Wanting a little glamour in your life? Or a lot? Then call LRM Interior Design for a free style profile for your whole home, or just a room. Looking for the perfect piece to finish off the design you started? That’s not a problem—LRMID excels at custom furnishing design and fabrication. So if you’re looking for zebra footstools or zigzag fabric for your easy chair, we can help. Call us on (949) 497-6808 or use our online form to make an appointment.

For more femininity, use a bright color with two softer ones.