June 27th, 2011 by jennifermyers
Lisa's inimitable style can be seen on the landing of the large, custom-built home.
Recently the home developer Terra Bella came to Lisa McDennon, principal of LRM Interior Design, and asked her to help with one of their “spec” homes in Covenant Hills. Covenant Hills is the area of Ladera Ranch where homes are exclusively custom built, and this one is on one of the best lots in the development with stunning views over Orange County.
A “spec” home is a custom home built by a developer or investor, not by an actual homeowner. In order to show the beautiful home in its full glory, Terra Bella knew they needed the deft touch of Lisa McDennon and her team.
Since it was more of a staging than a home remodel, Terra Bella did not want to spend the money for the LRM team to design the entire property, but they knew that any additions she made would add that perfect touch. They asked Lisa to focus on architectural details, one of her specialties, plus items such as advising on flooring choices, wall finishes, lighting, and the tile work on the pool and the master bath. (read the rest of this post…)
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June 13th, 2011 by jennifermyers
This classic design has been updated for the 21st century
June is all about glamour at LRM Interior Design. Wait—it’s always all about glamour at LRM Interior Design! But this month we’re really going to highlight it.
Senior Designer Jan Smith starts us off with glamour in an unexpected place. Yes, it’s where we go to transform ourselves from ho-hum to va-va-voom, but can it be glamorous in the bathroom?
Absolutely! “Focal freestanding bathtubs are luxurious and can make or break a bathroom,” explains Jan. “The sky is the limit when you’re choosing a style direction, and the current market has a plethora of choices for even the most discerning bather.” (read the rest of this post…)
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May 31st, 2011 by jennifermyers
Just try to get us out of this Missoni deck chair!
Ah, Missoni. The name itself sounds like a breezy, beautiful day on the Italian coast, perhaps in Amalfi. With Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses to block out the sun bouncing off the Mediteranean, the wind stirs the multi-colored folds of our Missoni dress…
Okay, so perhaps not everyone has dreamt that dream, but if you love the fashion of Missoni as much as we do, you’ll love Kristen Rusert’s inspiration for this week.
Missoni has taken their trademark knitted weaves and put them on outdoor furniture. Yes, it’s true! Missoni teamed up with T&J Vestor in 1983 to start the home line, which has continued to expand over the years, to great success. And no wonder! Who wouldn’t want to have these sleek, colorful pieces of furniture gracing their outdoor living area? Our only worry is that every guest would be green with envy…
(read the rest of this post…)
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April 12th, 2011 by jennifermyers
One of the things we are allowed to do in our job is see a lot of what is behind closed doors in many clients’ homes. We’re not snooping, of course, but to find out what spaces can be used for, repurposed or remodeled, you need to see everything. And we’ve found that many people are what’s commonly known as “packrats” or “hoarders”.
And that’s not to say that much of what they’re hoarding needs to be thrown out, but if you’re not using these items, perhaps it’s because it’s packed so far back in a cupboard you forget about it. Or, you could be like Katherine Caporale, the newest member of the LRM Interior Design team, someone who was brought up to save the best items for special occasions. “I subconsciously incorporated my mother’s philosophy into my attitude towards my possessions,” Katherine explains. “For instance, my Christofle sterling silver sits waiting for a holiday to be admired. But this year’s spring cleaning will be a rebirth for all the lovely pieces that have been leading a cloistered existence in the china closet!”
And why don’t we all take Katherine’s lead? Clear out those items that you put in the cupboard to hide, and take out the beautiful items that should be admired by all who see it, every single day. Here’s some fantastic ideas on how to showcase those items, plus some refreshing spring ideas from our fearless leader, Lisa McDennon herself!
The perfect storage solution for a shoe collection
1. SHOES: Now, we know that there are ladies out there that like sensible shoes, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But let’s face it, whether they are sensible shoes or fabulous Manolo Blahniks, most of us girls are obsessed with our shoes. So why shut them away in the closet? We love this shoe storage tower with space for 18 pairs of shoes and six handbags. Lined with pale grey fabric that keeps shoes and handbags in great shape, the cubbies can be readjusted to hold boots or specially sized shoes or bags. I don’t know about you, but I’m looking for the “buy!” button! Just call the girls at LRM Interior Design and they can get you pricing: (949) 497-6806. (read the rest of this post…)
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March 25th, 2011 by jennifermyers
At LRM Interior Design, we love trees. Now, we’re not necessarily saying that we’re “treehuggers” or anything, but we’re fans. That said, it’s not always easy to include trees in interior design.
But, luckily trees share their bounty with us, as if every tree was The Giving Tree. They give up their sturdy, strong trunks and branches to be chopped, cut and otherwise transformed into many items that we use today, from paper, pencils, flooring, building materials—the list is endless.
But some of our favorite uses of wood are in the interior accessories category, allowing us to bring the organic feel of the outdoors indoors. A few of our top picks are listed below:
Munio wooden vases
1. Munio Vase: Fine wood items and water don’t sound like good bedfellows, but that’s if you think that only live flowers in water go in vases. In a word: no. Just the curvaceousness of these vases is enough to stop traffic; adding flowers would only detract from their singular beauty. These vases, made of wood from the rain forest with Forest Stewardship Council certification, come in three sizes and designs, ideal for single placement or a fantastic grouping. We like grouping items—when it’s done well, of course. Don’t worry, we can help. (read the rest of this post…)
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March 4th, 2011 by jennifermyers
Everything a client needs to redesign a room fits inside this beautiful box.
Everyone is talking about “Design in a Box” nowadays, and more and more clients have been asking for it. What is Design in a Box, actually? How can someone who knows nothing about design put together a room that’s been designed by a professional? Especially a multiple award-winning designer like Lisa McDennon?
LRM Interior Design has perfected the process, offering a complete road map from a client’s starting point to their dream design. LRM Interior Design does all of the hard work, from creating a color board, a space plan, selecting furniture, designing architectural details, window treatments and lighting, and manages to fit all of it inside a beautiful, richly colored box. (read the rest of this post…)
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October 20th, 2010 by jennifermyers
As the holidays approach with incredible swiftness, our thoughts turn to entertaining and large family dinners. If you are lucky enough to have a dining area, then you’ll probably need to make sure that your dining room table is up to the task. How many people do you intend to have over for Thanksgiving and winter feasts? Space is usually an issue, and we at LRM Interior Design excel at finding the options that work for both group entertaining and everyday life. Have a look through our Top Five Fave Dining Tables to see if one catches your eye. Of course, we can always design a table that’s perfect for your space and have it custom made. Won’t that give the in-laws something to talk about over the turkey!
Saarinen Round Dining Table
1. Saarinen Round Dining Table, Room&Board: Here’s one for the youngsters or twenty-somethings just starting out. Or, maybe even those with a new family who are trying to establish their own holiday traditions, and only need to seat about six around the table, but do it with style. This version from Room&Board is inspired by Earo Saarinen’s graceful 1956 design, and is still as beautiful and relevant today as it was over 50 years ago. Some designs never seem to get dated! “Unconventional but always stylish,” comments Jan Smith, Senior Designer. “This table is great for that hipster couple or bachelor looking to make a statement. That statement being: ‘I know a great design when I see it.’”
Benchwright Dining Table
2. Benchwright Dining Table, Pottery Barn: Rustic, simple and versatile, the Pottery Barn’s Benchwright table is perfect for a large family gathering, especially Thanksgiving, which celebrates our early American roots. This table is inspired by early 20th century style of work tables, and the emphasis on craftsmanship. The extending table will seat 12, and shrink down for daily use for regular-sized family gatherings, and its weathered hardwood and wrought-iron construction will create a bold backdrop for entertaining. “I love the exposed hardware,” says Kristen Rusert. “I also like how it can take on different looks in so many types of spaces.”
Cross Extension Table
3. Cross Extension Table, Design Within Reach: Jan Smith explains: “I have always loved the modern lines of this table. We used this table for our beach-front condo project who wanted that clean contemporary feeling with a beachy vibe, even with a busy family.” As you know, Design Within Reach does not compliment an item that they don’t feel is top notch, and we don’t either. This table is a perfect blend of contemporary styling and the warmth of classic English furniture, and the design is truly amazing. It easily pulls apart in order to add two leaves, both of which store easily in felt-lined compartment on the table’s underside when not in use. Fancy that! No hiding the leaves under the spare bed until next year’s Christmas dinner!
Jeff Soderbergh's Vanderbilt Table
4. Jeff Soderbergh’s Vanderbilt Table: This table is stunning in itself, what with the reclaimed wood top and geometric polished chrome legs, and to top it off it was used in the House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year. (Winning designer Jeff Lewis is also the star of Bravo’s show Flipped, but it seems that stardom hasn’t dulled his design talent!) Jeff Soderbergh’s table was created using traditional hand tools and re-claimed vintage Southern Yellow Pine rafters and beams from the Vanderbilt family stable at Sandy Point Farm in Portsmouth, RI. With timbers dating back over 200 years, you can’t beat the authenticity of the grooves and marks on this timber. Truly a unique piece that will add drama to any event—hopefully distracting the family from the usual holiday dramas!
LRM Interior Design Custom Dining Table
5. LRM Interior Design’s Custom Dynasty Dining Table: Yes, we saved the best for last—our own custom dining table that was part of the home that won us our Home of the Year from ASID this year. “We used this in my favorite project—a contemporary home in Newport Beach,” says Jan Smith. “This custom table was designed to complement the unusual lines of the chairs. It is made from Macassar ebony wood and is the foundation for this gorgeous room.” When a home is this beautiful, sometimes a piece of furniture needs to be designed to make that room look perfect. That was definitely the case here, and the judges obviously felt the same. This dining room will make any meal eaten there a special occasion!
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September 30th, 2010 by jennifermyers
You may have guessed by now that one of the things we love about what we do is choosing all of the wonderful furniture, accessories, lighting and overall gorgeousness that goes in to each and every one of our projects. Where do we find our inspiration? Well, you lucky devils, this month we’re going to share some of our secret shopping sources with you, some of the fantastic little boutiques here in our hometown of Laguna Beach and beyond. Yes, we love you that much…
Lamp from Room 135
1. Room 135: We’ll start with the far away locales, and luckily they have products available online. Our dear Kristen Rusert left part of her heart in Colorado, and we don’t blame her. It’s a world away from Southern California, and this little shop in Steamboat has captivated Kristen: “I found this quaint little boutique while walking down the main strip of downtown Steamboat Springs,” says Kristen. “Their little space tucked at the base of the mountains provides a treasure trove for visitors, with gorgeous lighting, scents, antiques, Parisian maps and painted bamboo floor coverings. It’s a true gem, and a must-see when in town.” We definitely agree. (read the rest of this post…)
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September 17th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Even bachelor pads deserve to shine.
As you know, we at LRM Interior Design love a little sparkle, whether it’s sinks, wallpaper or chandeliers. We like to add it somewhere in most of our designs. Hmmm…you may think. Isn’t LRM Interior Design known for designing Orange County’s best luxury bachelor pads? Well, yes we are. So how do you get sparkle in a gentleman’s home?
Sparkle can be masculine too, especially when it is in rock form—agate geodes, specifically. “Agate and other geodes are nature’s sculpture,” says Jan Smith, Senior Designer at LRM Interior Design. “We like to include them in rooms, as they are great for added abstract shapes and color.”
In LRMID’s Newport Beach luxury bachelor pad, which just won the 2010 ASID Award for Best O.C. Home Design over 3,500 sq. ft. (don’t worry, more on that soon!), an agate geode mounted on a stand creates a wonderful accent for the powder bathroom on the ground floor. The metal veins running through the agate are brought out by the organically shaped, solid bronze sink and faucets, and creates a look that is elegant—but not girly in any way. (read the rest of this post…)
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September 3rd, 2010 by jennifermyers
It may seem like a simple thing to source, but good bedside tables are hard to find, believe it or not. We decided to help everyone out with our Five Faves and highlight some of the best on the market—even if they weren’t labeled “bedside tables.” A good designer knows how to convince a piece to do something it wasn’t made to do, and do it well. This month’s selections are no exceptions. So with no further ado, here are our Top Five Fave bedside tables:
Oly Studio's Jackson Chest of Drawers
1. Oly Studios Jackson Chest of Drawers: “Many companies make a chest similar to this, but no-one does it with the same panache as Oly,” says Lisa McDennon. “The lacquered wood looks amazing in white, but I like it in the dark colors, too.” Lisa also likes that this chest fits well as a bedside table in rooms that are contemporary, Asian or traditional, dressed up or down—it’s so versatile and practical at the same time. Talk about making a piece of furniture work well in many settings: Lisa also suggests that this white, lacquered-wood chest could look stunning in an entryway, or be a changing table for baby that will grow with them as they leave the nursery. (read the rest of this post…)
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