Get Smart! And Beautiful Custom Furniture Can Be Yours

July 18th, 2011 by jennifermyers

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! (read the rest of this post…)

Whether It’s a Little or a Lot, LRMID Can Make Homes Beautiful

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…)

Soak Up Total Glamour

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…)

Missoni: It’s not just for your wardrobe

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…)

Elegant Home Fragrance Options

March 18th, 2011 by jennifermyers

Sea-inspired fragrance diffusers from Zodax

Our Senior Designer Jan Smith was visiting the Montage Laguna Beach recently, and saw a home fragrance diffuser that got her thinking. Most fragrance diffusers are nothing more than a jar filled with essential oils. “Most of these diffusers use bamboo reeds that stick out of the top of the jar by six inches or so,” comments Jan. “I can’t think of a room where this is an attractive accessory. So when I saw the diffusers at the Montage, I was happy to know that there’s options!”

Many people nowadays are sensitive to the chemicals that have made their way into our homes over the last 50 years, and are trying to avoid them. (read the rest of this post…)

Lisa McDennon to be Featured in Hinkley Lighting Catalog

March 14th, 2011 by jennifermyers

Lisa McDennon

We’re very proud to announce that Lisa McDennon and LRM Interior Design is featured in Hinkley Lighting‘s latest catalog feature “Lighting Style Tips and Ideas from Fabulous Designers“.

In a series featuring renowned interior designers from across the country, Hinkley Lighting composes a simple yet articulate guide on how to properly utilize lighting, both natural and artificial, as an essential component in designing interior and exterior spaces.  Lisa McDennon has lent her impeccable eye for design to this guide, offering stylish tips on how to maximize the effectiveness of lighting in order to create the perfect ambiance. (read the rest of this post…)

New Year, New Resolutions, New Inspirations

January 14th, 2011 by jennifermyers

As we start the new year, and look forward to a bright and prosperous 2011, the team at LRM Interior Design presents some of the things they are inspired to do around their home. Even as we design and furnish the homes and offices of our clients, we are mentally thinking: “Would that look good in my house?” Which is quite fun, as we have access to some of the best and most unique home decor providers in the world. Yes, the world is literally our oyster…so if any of these ideas tickle your fancy, you know what to do. Give us a call so we can give you a new home in the new year!

An example of Jan's inspiration

Jan Smith, Senior Designer, is always focused on the client. Her inspiration is definitely one she takes home with her—everything at her home, from the spare room down to the dinner table, is thought through to the last detail. “In 2011, I want to emphasize the importance of completing the room design to our clients,” says Jan. “Paint, wallcoverings and furnishings will only give you part of the design story, not the full picture. It is essential to complete the room or home with soft goods and accessories. A finished look is a layered look, and at LRMID we stress the importance of those final touches, which include art, accessories, window treatments, accent rugs, portable lighting…the list is as long as the imagination!” (read the rest of this post…)

Top Five Faves: Ready-Made Bedding

November 30th, 2010 by jennifermyers

Now the nights are drawing in, and there’s a nip in the air. Our thoughts turn to snuggling, and that can mean one thing: BED. We at LRM Interior Design love bedding that is so beautiful, soft and decadent that the first thing you think of when you wake up is getting back in to bed that night!

And without further ado, here’s our staff’s top picks:

Palmer by Niche Bedding

1. Palmer by Niche: Anyone who knows Senior Designer Jan Smith knows that her favorite colors are black and white, preferably together. So no surprise that she picked out Niche Bedding’s Palmer line, a modern but versatile bedding ensemble. “You can never go wrong with a crisp, white duvet cover,” says Jan. “And you can always add a pop of color to this set to make it your own.” Jan’s favorite part? “The graphic design on the shams is just delicious.” It brings a new meaning to eating in bed!

John Robshaw Indigo Turban Bedding

2. Anything by John Robshaw: Lisa McDennon is a fan of John Robshaw, and although we chose the Indigo Turban bedding pattern for the photo, all of his patterns are hits for her. “He has a great niche in the market,” explains Lisa. “His patterns have an ethnic, Moroccan and Indian influence that I love. The color and patterns are amazing—subtle yet unique.” Robshaw traveled to India as many young people do, but he fell in love with the textiles, and has decided to recreate them back here in the U.S. And we say thank you!

Giacosa by Designers Guild

3. Giacosa by Designers Guild: Melissa Morgan loves this British textile manufacturer. “They always have on-trend fabrics and wallpapers—and now bedding!” she says. And sticking with our gorgeous to touch theme, she also notes that the Giacosa collection is made from cotton sateen, so it doesn’t just look great, it’s feels great too. Those Brits understand the importance of a warm, comfy bed, we’ve realized…

Yvonne by Wildcat Territory

4. Yvonne by Wildcat Territory: Don’t worry, this bedding won’t attack you, but rather keep you snug in it’s stylish and modern design. Can you guess who picked this one? Yes, it’s Jan Smith again, loving the monochrome look. “This is a simple, classic bedding design that is like a blank canvas for whatever you want your bedroom to be,” Jan explains. “The sky is literally the limit with this ensemble,” she says, as it can be paired with either contemporary or traditional accents for a beautiful result every time.

Gate Ash by Dwell Studios

5. Gate Ash Duvet Set by Dwell Studios: This is a monochrome set too, but in a different way, as it starts with a rich, dusty brown. The bold pattern caught Melissa’s eye: “I absolutely love this pattern! Being monochromatic, you can add any color you wish to the palette.” Again, the LRMID designers are always looking at ways to customize even “off-the-shelf” products for their clients.

LRMID can create custom bedding and furniture

6. Custom Bedding by LRM Interior Design: Okay, this one’s cheating. But we were really pleased with how the custom bed turned out in this room. It wasn’t just the linens that were custom designed and made, the headboard, the curtains and the pillows on the window seat were all made to order. This bedroom won an ASID award, by the way! So when you can’t find the perfect bedding, just call us at LRM Interior Design, and we’ll design something that’s completely unique and just right for your room. Kari Seydewitz loves creating soft furnishings; she’ll be happy to get started right away. We also make custom furniture. It’s the perfect idea for a holiday gift for that person who has everything!

Top Five Faves: Dining Tables

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!

Top Five Faves: A Shopper’s Paradise

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

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…)