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.

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.

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.

The main lobby for Golden Comm, an website design firm in Irvine.

We are officially over the moon! For the third year running, our bustling design firm, LRM Interior Design, has taken home awards from the ASID OC’s annual Design Awards! This year’s was held on September 11, 2011 at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. Although Lisa McDennon, our esteemed leader, has always had a bit of a competitive streak, she only entered our work for the first time three years ago, and has won a total of four Gold awards during that time.

This year we took home the Gold Award in the Commercial category—for the first time. Our previous three awards were for residential projects, so it means a lot. The winning project we entered was for the offices of Golden Comm in Irvine, where we created bright and modern interiors that matched the web design company’s technological arena.

“Competition in the Commercial category was fierce this year,” commented Lisa on the award. “We were up against all types of commercial designs, including restaurants and other corporate offices, and we are so honored to have won the Gold Award. It is a phenomenal feeling to be recognized in this way by my peers in the industry!”

Last year’s Gold Award in the prestigious Home of the Year category showcased our work on one of Lisa’s luxury bachelor residence projects in Newport Beach, and the previous year’s awards were for Best Living Room and Best Special Room, and both properties were in our home town of Laguna Beach.

This year’s award in the Commercial category tracks the progression of both Lisa and the design firm, as she has been taking on as many commercial projects as residential over the last year. One such project is for acclaimed lighting company Hinkley Lighting, who has hired us to redesign their national showroom in Dallas, plus we’ve also been hired for special projects by luxury Orange County resorts such as the Montage and Pacific Edge.

You may remember last year how Lisa McDennon was recognized by House Beautiful magazine as one of their Top 20 Designers to Watch and was named Top 20 Women To Watch by OC Metro magazine—obviously an accurate prediction by both publications. Lisa (and, of course, her firm!) has continued her trajectory of success in 2011, and she has no intention of slowing down in 2012 and beyond!

Are you ready for award-winning design in your home? Have you been searching for the right interior designer to take on your new office space, or redesign your restaurant? Call Lisa McDennon and her team of talented designers on 949-497-6806 now to schedule an appointment.

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.

It's him! Jonathan Adler!

Frankly, we’re surprised that those fashionable, stylish Brits haven’t jumped on Jonathan Adler, bundled him up and taken him off to their damp but decadent wilds of London. Luckily they haven’t, because we feel, here at LRM Interior Design, that he’s a national treasure. And he’s all ours.

Although, of course, we will allow him to have a store there, on the ever-so-posh Sloane Avenue in South Kensington, or “South Ken” to locals and those in the know. He’ll be hobnobbing with all the top names there—Paul Smith and Joseph, two of the UK’s top clothing brands—plus be right around the corner from Sloane Square and all the fab shops down the King’s Road. But don’t get us started; we’ll be booking tickets on British Airways in a minute if we keep going on about it!

It’s not opening til next month, but to give you a preview, we wanted to show you some of our top faves from the glorious Mr. Adler. So, as the Brits say, let’s get on with it, then!

1. The iPad Cover: First of all, it’s LRM policy that everyone has some form of Jonathan Adler stationery at work, be it file folders, pencil cases or a notebook. We’ll be surprised if Jan Smith, Senior Designer and recent recipient of an iPad2 for her birthday, isn’t sporting one of these very soon. For $30, you’ll have the most stylish iPad ever made because it’s covered in one of Jonathan Adler’s signature bold designs. Don’t ever let anyone borrow it; they’ll steal the cover even if they can’t steal the iPad!

2. The Adler App: What else would you have on your Adler-covered iPad but the Jonathan Adler app? Unfortunately it cannot summon the man himself, but you get all sorts of amazing, interactive goodies, from a gift finder and the “Product du Jour” to inspirations, photos and comments from fans. It’s all kinds of wonderful, and frankly, we can’t get enough!!

3. Horse: No, not the playground game, but this midnight-glazed horse head sculpture. We love horses as a masculine décor accessory, and this one has the cleanest of lines with an unusually gorgeous color. This high-fired stoneware piece is over a foot high and just over 10″ wide, and is part of the Menagerie collection. Each prototype is hand carved, then made by a studio in Peru, which Adler found through Aid to Artisans, a non-profit organization that links American designers to artisans in developing countries. Nice!

4. Bedding: Live in Hollywood wherever you are in the world with Adler’s stunning Hollywood bedding set. We can’t decide between the simpler embroidered design or the full on grey-and-white patterned version. Of course the sheets are made of 100% cotton percale and even the duvet cover has a 400 thread count. Who wouldn’t want to sleep surrounded by a Jonathan Adler pattern?

5. Ventana Mirror: Mirrors are an essential part of a home’s décor, in our opinion, and Mr. Adler certainly has a few that make our pulses race. This Ventana mirror being one of them. It comes in brass and black—perfect for our luxury bachelor pads— and nickel and white, which will fit nicely in our contemporary designs. We certainly can’t wait to use either of them. Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the best OC designer of all? LRM Interior Design? We thought so.

If you need help accessorizing your home, we can help. We are constantly on the lookout for the perfect pieces for our clients’ homes, scouring physical and online sources to bring them the best pieces on their budget. Call (949) 497-6806 to arrange a complimentary consultation with Lisa McDennon, our fearless, and fiercely talented, leader. Or click here to send her an email directly.

We can’t put every one of our favorite light fixtures on the blog, but we’ve decided to round up some of the modern, edgy light fixtures that have caught our eye recently; there’s a lot of organic shapes, spaceship influences and mixed media here to be inspired by. We certainly were!

And yes, there’s more to come about our new project with Hinkley…be patient!

Box Light

1. Box Light—Design House Stockholm:”Everyday objects can be sculptural, too,” says Jan Smith, Senior Designer at LRM Interior Design. What looks like a simple, powder-coated aluminum rectangular container actually slides open to reveal a lamp. Slides open? Oh, yes. That means that you can actually control the illumination, almost like a dimmer switch, but more like an Aladdin’s lamp! Thank you to designer Jonas Hakaniemi—we love the Swedes for their design sensibility. The lamp stands 3/4-inches in height, uses an incandescent bulb and can be laid on a surface or suspended like a pendant lamp. Group two or more together for a dynamic lighting display.

Caviar Cluster

2. Caviar Cluster Chandelier—Arteriors Home: Beautiful glass globes encase what looks like illuminated, polished nickel trumpets in this dramatic chandelier. It would be like having delicate bubbles suspended permanently in your home! The organic shapes do not detract from the intrinsically elegant nature of this ceiling light fixture, and we think that it could be used to great effect in a contemporary home, or even as a surprising accent in a more traditionally styled home. Caviar is always a sign of good taste and luxury…

Infinity Pendant

3. Infinity Pendant—John Pomp Studios: How can something almost invisible pack so much punch? We’re not sure, but we think it’s the simplicity that does it. This hand-blown glass is the epitome of organic shaping, and has a slight iridescence to it, making it almost ethereal. Can you even really call it a “shade”? The pendant is delicate but stunning, and we can see a row of them over a long dining table or a single one over a contemporary round dining table. What a perfect lamp—it’s shade goes with every color and pattern!

Ice Block Pendant

4. Ice Block—Conant Metal & Lighting: This lamp perfectly blends vintage with contemporary; an old-fashioned set of ice tongs holding a lamp shade made to look like a block of ice! Our mind is spinning thinking of the fun ways you can use this lamp. Restaurant, historic property, or even a mountain lodge-style home, like the project we’re finishing up in June Lake—all would be great places to install this hand-crafted light fixture. Did we mention the glass is recycled?

Atlantis

5. Atlantis—Hinkley Lighting: We couldn’t leave off Hinkley, what with a new project in the works. This lamp is made for the outdoors, one of the more recent collections that Hinkley has released. We loved how sleek these wall sconces were, and the subtlety of the light itself, perfect for gently guiding people through a garden or outdoor space. Choose from aluminum or bronze to accent your landscaping, and Hinkley provides many variations in the Atlantis collection, including post lighting and pocket lamps.

If you are interested in any of these light fixtures, or need a consultation on your home’s lighting needs, please contact LRM Interior Design by calling (949) 497-6806 or click here to use our online contact form.