Top Five Faves: Non-Traditional Holiday Decorating

December 17th, 2010 by jennifermyers

Today the weather outside in Southern California is frightful, but luckily inside it’s so delightful, thanks to some beautiful ideas on decorating your home that aren’t mass produced or seen on every street. What do we mean by that? Well, the best way is to clear your table, enlist family and/or friends, get the glue and pretty paper out, and get creating! But it could also just be getting away from the standard red and green colors for the holiday and mix it up a bit. Here’s some tips from Senior Designer Jan Smith and Design Assistant Melissa Morgan.

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. (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…)

We Won Gold at the 2010 ASID OC Design Awards!

September 24th, 2010 by jennifermyers

Our luxury Newport Beach bachelor pad took Gold in Home of the Year Award! (over 3,500 sq. ft.)

Our luxury Newport Beach bachelor pad took Gold in Home of the Year Award! (over 3,500 sq. ft.)

This year’s ASID OC Design Awards took a nautical turn, as they were held aboard the Endeavor as it cruised through Newport Harbor. “It was a beautiful night,” recalls Lisa McDennon, who attended the awards with her husband Kevin, Senior Designer Jan Smith and new design staff member Melissa Morgan. “It was lovely to glide through the harbor and sip cocktails on the deck while mixing with some of Orange County’s top people in the industry!” (read the rest of this post…)

We Like to Rock and Roll

September 17th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Even bachelor pads deserve to shine.

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…)

LRM Needs Your Vote!!

September 8th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Please vote for design #20!

Please vote for design #20!

LRM Interior Design is up for the People’s Choice Award for the 2010 ASID OC Design Awards! Please help us by voting—it’s simple. All you have to do is click here, scroll to Design #20 and vote. The photo should look like the one to the left.

Vote now! Tell your friends and family! The awards are this Saturday night, so please vote right away.

For 2010, LRM Interior Design has entered two projects in to the ASID competition, and both are upscale bachelor residences. The People’s Choice Award is a separate category, and we would certainly love to get that kudos!

Last year, in 2009, you may remember that it was LRM Interior Design’s first time up to bat in the ASID OC Design Awards. For the first time, LRM Interior Design entered the competition in two categories. Our fearless leader, Lisa McDennon, barely had time to sit down before she was called up to receive her first award. And if you think she was floored by that one, you should have seen her when they called her name for the second time!

Then there was the win for the Designer Runway Extravaganza and, although not technically an interior design award, it showed Lisa and her team’s ability to adapt, roll with the punches and show grace under pressure.

So for the 2010 ASID OC Design Awards, we expect nothing but the highest marks and to take home all the awards we can. So keep your fingers crossed on Saturday night, when Lisa McDennon and Senior Designer Jan Smith will be at the ceremony, sailing Newport Harbor on The Endeavor. And keep your eyes peeled for an update after the event! Best of luck!

Top Five Faves: Bedside Tables

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

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…)

LRM Presents Les Indiennes Fabric and Wallpaper

August 27th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Dramatic and original patterns from Les Indiennes

Dramatic and original patterns from Les Indiennes

The beautiful and exclusive Les Indiennes fabrics and wallpapers are now available through LRM Interior Design. We are very happy to be the sole California representative for this Arizona-based company, as we love their colors, patterns and textures.

In fact, we have had custom fabrics made by Les Indiennes for use in a client project. The clients had a chair that they loved and wanted to work into the bathroom design as a vanity chair. We convinced them to have it reupholstered so that it would fit into the project. Once the canvas was designed, created and ready to be used, we sent it to our upholstery workroom so that they could recover the chair. “The finished product is gorgeous, timeless and detailed,” comments Kristen Rusert, LRMID administrative manager and lover of Les Indiennes designs. (read the rest of this post…)

Designing In The Club

August 20th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Bathroom lighting will never be the same again.

Bathroom lighting will never be the same again.

Orange County has its share of bars and clubs, but not quite on the scale of cities like San Francisco, Miami, New York or London. In big cities like that, you have to concentrate on being the next big thing, even before anyone knows what it is. As a bar or club owner, you need to create the trends so that the place is packed every night.

And how do you do that? How do you create cutting-edge design in a place that is likely going to be dark and (hopefully) packed with people? You hire a talented interior design firm. All of us at LRM Interior Design are on the hunt for a high-end, luxe bar or club to redesign or relaunch, and while we’re looking, newest designer to the team Melissa Morgan had a few ideas. (read the rest of this post…)