July 16th, 2010 by jennifermyers

The Electrolux washer in Red Hot Red
Who says laundry can’t be fun? We love designing laundry rooms, and can’t wait to use a washer and dryer from Electrolux’s latest collection. When it comes to laundry, we all want our whites white and our colors bright, right? With Electrolux’s new line, what we want on the inside is right on the outside. The washers and dryers come in Red Hot Red, Mediterranean Blue, Turquoise Sky, Island White and Silver Sands, and will add that extra spark to a laundry room.
There are so many features that make the machines themselves wonderful (18 minutes to wash, 18 minutes to dry, extremely quiet and eco-friendly), but we also like how they, ahem, stack up. From a design standpoint, their versatility is very attractive; they can stack, be freestanding or under a counter, the doors can be reversed and they have optional pedestal drawers. (read the rest of this post…)
Tags: appliances, ASID, beautiful, beautiful laundry room, cabinetry, California, California Contemporary, color, colored appliances, contemporary, decor, designer, dryer, eco-friendly, eco-friendly dryer, eco-friendly washer, electrolux, electrolux dryer, electrolux washer, elegance, GE, hampers, home office, home office design, homework, inspiration, interior design, interior designer, ironing boards, Jan Smith, Laguna Beach, laundry, laundry room design, laundry rooms, LG, LG washing machines, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, modern, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, pedestal drawer for dryer, pedestal drawer for washer, remodel, Southern California, space, stacking washer and dryer, style, washer, washer and dryer, Whirlpool
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July 9th, 2010 by jennifermyers
We warned you—we have more to say about wallpaper. Not quite as much as last week, as we were able to narrow down our patterned choices to the required five…just. Where last week presented wallcoverings that were nigh on incredible, this week we’re staying more in the realm of what most people would call wallpaper. But that doesn’t mean they’re boring….

Schumacher Imperial Trellis
1. Schumacher Imperial Trellis: This pattern is a staff favorite, and although it comes in 14 colorways, including Parchment/Midnight, Citrine and Cinnabar Gloss, we love it in Charcoal. Although it’s in Schumacher’s “Modern” section, we think that the pattern has such a classic feel to it that it could be used in a traditional setting, too.

Romo Kimura in Turmeric
2. Romo Kimura in Turmeric: The name and color of this wallpaper conjure up two different Orients—Japan and India. The combination of florals, using both lotus flowers and cherry blossoms, give this wallpaper a balanced pattern, and the grey looks fantastic against the deep yellow background.

Graham & Brown Drama Wallcovering in Boheme
3. Graham & Brown Drama Wallpaper in Boheme: This pattern also comes in burnt orange and black, but we love it in chocolate—could it be the name? Actually, we love how the retro feel of this paper comes into its own in the chocolate color, but the updated pattern keeps it feeling modern. This paper would be great for a den, game room or dining room, and we can’t wait to use it to create something fabulous. And when we do, we’ll definitely post it!

Cole & Son Apana Gold on Blue
4. Cole & Son Alpana in Gold and Blue: This wallpaper made us feel like we were going to have high tea at the Ritz in London, what with its delicate gold design on the eggshell blue. Think about an elegant afternoon sipping tea and nibbling on cucumber sandwiches and scones in the most divine setting. Designer Kristen Rusert commented: “The pattern is beautiful, and I love the color combinations—it also comes in gold on black. It looks so regal!”

Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon
5. Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon: Back to the Orient, but this time—China. We’ve loved this pattern in a fabric, and we love it just as much as a wallcovering. Out of the four colorways, we love the Aquamarine over Lacquer, China Blue and Alabaster. We are enchanted with the dragon winding through and peeking out from behind the peonies and dahlias.
Tags: alabaster, aquamarine, California, California Contemporary, charcoal imperial trellis, chiang mai dragon, china, china blue, color, contemporary, decor, designer, drama wallpaper, fabrics, furniture, Graham & Brown, graham and brown, imperial trellis, inspiration, interior design, Interior Design Institute, interior designer, Jan Smith, Kari Seydewitz, lacquer, Laguna Beach, Laguna Design Center, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, London, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, Orient, remodel, retro, retro wallcovering, retro wallpaper, Romo, ROMO fabrics, ROMO wallcoverings, Schumacher, Southern California, space, style, The Ritz, top interior designers, turmeric, wallcovering, wallpaper
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June 27th, 2010 by jennifermyers

The dramatic New Zealand coastline
LRM Interior Design is pleased to announce yet another new project, and an international project, no less! One of LRMID’s longstanding clients has recently decided to redesign a beach house on the New Zealand coast, and has awarded LRM Interior Design with the project.
Lisa has a way with beautiful designs for coastal properties, maximizing the natural light and bringing the organic elements of the seaside to the interior. The project is sure to be another wonderful example of the talents of Lisa McDennon and the LRM team, and it’s suggested that it will lead to another redesign project for the same client.
The team has their bags packed for a trip down under, but before that happens, there is much preparation to be done. The client is in the process of sending over photos of the rooms to be redesigned, and when we get them we will definitely share. Colorboards and space plans will be created, and we will keep you all updated with everything that inspires the team on this project.
So stay tuned for an update on the New Zealand project!
Tags: ASID, California Contemporary, coastal, coastal design, coastal property, color, colorboards, contemporary, decor, designer, elegance, fabrics, furniture, inspiration, interior design, interior designer, international interior design firm, international interior designer, Laguna Beach, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, modern, modern space, New Zealand, New Zealand Coast, New Zealand interior design, New Zealand interior design projects, Orange County, Orange County's top designer, organic design elements, organic elements, organic motifs, outdoor furniture, remodel, seaside, Southern California, space, style, top interior designers
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June 4th, 2010 by jennifermyers

Your home is your castle--protect it!
After spending the time, money and resources on interior design or on a remodel, be it one room or the entire home, doesn’t it make sense to protect that investment?
Insurance is an obvious way to do so, but did you check with your insurance agent after you finished the remodel? Your insurance needs may have changed, and if you don’t get it amended, you may think you are covered when you’re not. Installing a hidden home safe can save you on your insurance premiums, if you make sure to keep all valuables locked inside.
Security systems have come a long way over the last few years, and can be customized to your needs. From alarms to carbon monoxide alerts, home security can keep you safe when you’re away, but even while you’re sleeping. Security can also be combined with home technology, which has become so advanced that you can control your entire home, from turning on your coffee maker or jacuzzi to closing blinds–all from your iPhone, using Savant AV technology.
Do you have children or pets, or perhaps have furniture in direct sunlight? Protect your new furniture with the revolutionary product MicroSeal. And don’t discount the ability to discourage burglars with window treatments–safety can be beautiful, too. Have you thought about your entry doors? If you’ve wondered if you can have glass in your front door and still have privacy and security, we can help you answer those questions.
Always keep your plumber’s emergency number in your cell phone. When water is pouring out of a sink or burst pipe, it’s not the time to be scrambling for a phone number! And even if the plumber gets to your home quickly, you still may need to repair some water damage. Make sure to have the number of a reputable fire and water clean up and restoration company in your contact list.
And last but not least, you should remember some annual home maintenance, including checking the roof, changing your heating and air conditioner filters and getting a termite inspection.
If it sounds like a lot of time and effort to complete everything on this list, think of what the cost would be of not doing it. Your home and your family’s safety is worth it!
Contact us at LRM Interior Design for a complete list of our preferred vendors, or for us to organize a personal introduction to the professional to help you with any of these home security issues. We are always happy to help!
Tags: annual home maintenance, beautiful, California, California Contemporary, carbon monoxide alerts, contemporary, Crystal Cove, designer, eco-friendly, emergency plumber, entry doors, fire and water clean up and restoration, furniture, glass entry doors, hidden home safe, home insurance, home safe, home security, home technology, homeowners insurance, insurance premiums, interior design, interior designer, Laguna Beach, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, microseal, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, plumber, protect furniture from sun, protect furniture from sun damage, remodel, savant av, security systems, Southern California, termite inspection
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May 18th, 2010 by jennifermyers

Christian Horan and his assistant Scott line up the living room shot
Last Thursday the setup started early, with accessories and home goods being carefully unpacked and unwrapped after a week of shopping. Hours of arranging, rearranging and careful placement followed. Finally, one of LRM Interior Design’s Newport Beach bachelor projects was, shall we say, ready for its close up.
It wasn’t just the LRM team that was involved in setting up the shoot, there was help from the outside. For the green touches that bring an almost unconscious beauty to a room, Instant Jungle was called in for their expert eye and green thumb. Lisa McDennon uses no one but Instant Jungle for all of her plant needs, both internal and external. Greg Wallace, owner, was on site to make sure everything looked perfect—and he should know, as he’s been supplying plants for gardens, interiors, and home staging for 30 years.
Another integral part of the team was our favorite photographer Christian Horan, whose eye for detail, light and composition beautifully complements Lisa’s interior design. He and his assistant Scott moved furniture, helped style tabletops, climbed up and down ladders like monkeys to get the perfect shot every time. Catching Christian between his international shoots in Mexico and the Caribbean was tricky, and we were lucky to get him—and his special blend of energy, humor and talent—on the shoot.
It was an exhausting day, but it will be worth it when we see those photos of the house in print….hopefully soon! In the meantime, check out Lisa McDennon’s work and Christian’s photos in the upcoming August issue of Romantic Homes magazine.
Tags: bachelor, bachelor laguna beach, Bachelor Newport Beach, bachelor Orange County, bachelor pad, bachelor pad design, bachelor san clemente, California, California Contemporary, Christian Horan, Christian Horan Photography, decor, designer, elegance, fabrics, furniture, garden, green thumb, home staging, inspiration, Instant Jungle, Instant Jungle International, interior design, interior designer, kitchen, Laguna Beach, Laguna Design Center, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, modern, modern space, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, photo shoot, photographer, remodel, Romantic Homes, Romantic Homes magazine, Southern California, space, top interior designers
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May 16th, 2010 by jennifermyers

Lisa goes over plans with contractor and architect
Can you believe it’s already May? It seems like just yesterday when Senior Designer Jan Smith and I braved the cold snow and met with our clients at June Lake to help redesign their mountain home. Five months later, Jan and I have begun to really implement and put our design into action. Last month Jan and I headed up to June Lake and conducted a final walkthrough with the architect, the cabinet maker, the electrician, the tile contractor and the lighting specialist to ensure that all details were set in place.
Jan and I spent a great deal of time with the tile. We showed our client the selections we had picked, laying out every design out in the house to gain a better overall perspective of the space and to see if everything flowed together well. We sat down with the tile contractor and went through each tile drawing to ensure that every detail, down to the finishing of the tile edges, was correct. I’ve always believed that it is best to discuss everything with my contractors, because sometimes not everything translates perfectly from paper or the contractors might have a particular style of finishing that doesn’t work with our design. Strong communication is key in successful designing! (read the rest of this post…)
Tags: architect, beautiful, brackets, cabinetry, California, California Contemporary, chandelier, chandeliers, contemporary, decor, designer, elegance, fabrics, fireplaces, floating television, furniture, GBI Tile, hand-forged iron, hand-forged iron pieces, Holly Hunt COllection, House Beautiful, inspiration, interior design, Interior Design Institute, interior designer, Ironware International, Jan Smith, June Lake, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, modern, mountain lodge, natural stone, Orange County, Orange County's top designer, remodel, space, stone fireplace, style, tile, tile design, tile finishing, tile installation
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May 9th, 2010 by lisa

Details are an important part of interior design
I believe that it is a combination of our innovative design skills and our impeccable and savvy ability to manage our projects. So often we hear tragic stories of clients working with designers that display talent, but fall short when it comes time to carry out their business practices. Or just as often, we witness atrociously designed interiors, obviously done by unqualified designers who misled their clients—and got paid for it.
At LRM Interior Design, we help our clients avoid both circumstances by following our infallible formula for success. Here are our top 10 qualities that help us continually achieve that success.
- We start by listening to our clients’ needs. From that, we create a cohesive design plan starting from the very beginning. We follow through on that plan, never straying away from it. This ensures consistency and efficiency.
- We build trust by educating our clients throughout the entire process, ensuring that they understand every reasoning behind our decisions. We have established such a reputable rapport with our clients to the point where they consult us even for the minutest decisions. (read the rest of this post…)
Tags: ASID, beautiful, billing process, California Contemporary, client communication, communication with client, contemporary, creative, decor, designer, drawing skills, elegance, fabrics, furniture, House Beautiful, innovative, innovative design, inspiration, interior design, interior design drawing, interior design renderings, interior designer, Laguna Beach, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, listening to client, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, modern space, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, quality control, remodel, Southern California, space, style, top interior designers
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April 16th, 2010 by jennifermyers

Custom furniture for one of LRM Interior Design's clients. These two chaise longues can be combined to make a spare bed for guests.
Many people think that they know what an interior designer does. They design the whole room, the whole house, the whole project. Right?
Actually, it doesn’t have to be that cut and dry. A large part of many interior design firms’ business, including LRM Interior Design, is actually to do with furniture and purchasing.
Designing a house is not just about paint colors and fabrics. LRM Interior Design can furnish an empty house with lighting, furniture and upholstery, case goods, beds and bedding, pillows, artwork, accessories, rugs, plants, containers, patio furniture, tile and plumbing fixtures. We can also replace any and all of these items in a fully furnished home!
For example: recently a woman called us for her services after she had used the “free design services” at the store where she bought the furniture. The recommended furniture arrived at the house and, to her great surprise, was completely the wrong size for the room. She called us, and is now a new client, fully aware of the value of an interior designer’s services. As it turned out, those “free” services weren’t so free after all. (read the rest of this post…)
Tags: accessories, artwork, beautiful, beds and bedding, burned by home store design service, California, California Contemporary, case goods, coffee table, colorboards, containers, Crystal Cove, custom furnishings, decor, fabrics, free design services, furnishings, furniture, furniture and upholstery, furniture wrong size for room, home store design services, interior design, interior designer, Laguna Beach, lighting, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, modern space, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, outdoor furniture, paint colors, patio furniture, pillows, plants, plumbing fixtures, purchasing, purchasing furniture through an interior designer, remodel, rugs, Southern California, tile, wallpaper
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April 8th, 2010 by jennifermyers

One of the solid forged brass levers from Baldwin's Couture Collection
Everyone at LRM Interior Design fell in love with the new Couture Collection from Baldwin. And no, it wasn’t just because “couture” was in the title, but because of the new designs’ elegance and variety of finishes that will give a greater range of choice to their clients.
LRMID, and Lisa in particular, is partial to a celtic knot, and the Baldwin Couture Collection features a door knob with a celtic knot of beautiful simplicity. The design also extends to the “rose”, or the part of the door handle that is affixed to the door. (read the rest of this post…)
Tags: aged brass, American made door handles, Baldwin door hardware, beautiful, bronze finishes, buy American, cabinetry, California Contemporary, cohesive design, Couture Collection, decor, designer, distressed venetian bronze, door hardware, elegance, Estate Collection, exterior doors, forged brass door hardware, historical home, interior design, Interior Design Institute, interior designer, interior door hardware, interior doors, jewelry for the home, Laguna Beach, lifetime-polished brass, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, LRM, LRM Interior Design, LRMID, Newport Beach, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, period house, polished brass, remodel, satin chrome, solid brass door handles, Southern California, top interior designers
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March 28th, 2010 by jennifermyers
This month’s Top Five Faves from the LRM Interior Design team features the focus of the living room, that one essential piece that should speak as much to aesthetic as it does to comfort: the sofa.
As usual, it was an effort to narrow the list down to five from the 30 or so that the team originally picked. We did actually cheat a little bit and add a sixth, as it is technically a settee rather than a sofa! But here, in all their glory, is the shortlist:

Kravet's Quartet Sofa
The Quartet Sofa from Kravet
This sofa is a perfect example of classic styling and soft-as-a-cloud comfort. The team, especially designer Kari Seydewitz, loves a sofa you can sink into for complete relaxation. But the dreamy cushions weren’t the only appeal for this sofa: the nailhead detailing on the arms and along the bottom edge added to the elegance of the design. Being a Kravet sofa, it is also available in two sizes and 60,000 different fabrics, which makes this a great choice for many types of clients and rooms—dress it up in a more expensive fabric for the living room, and a casual, long-wearing fabric for a family or game room. Team the Quartet up with its matching sectional and chair for a complete set. Call LRM Interior Design and have them create the perfect Quartet sofa for your room.

Crate & Barrel Petrie Sofa
The Petrie Sofa from Crate & Barrel
The mid-century modern look of this sofa appealed to the whole team, and could all imagine themselves lounging on it gracefully, like a female member of the TV show Mad Men, or as a modern-day Mary Tyler Moore. The wide bench, covered in supportive but extremely comfortable cushions, is the main reason for the sofa’s high rating amongst the LRMID team and Petrie purchasers, but another is the tufting on the back cushions—a detail that is hard to resist. Choose this sofa and you’re buying American, too; Crate & Barrel has this sofa made by a small, family-owned furniture manufacturer in West Virginia. Both beautiful and affordable, this sofa is a timeless, and favorite, choice.

Baker's Sofa-By-The-Inch
Baker’s Sofas-By-The-Inch
Not only does this sofa have great lines, it’s also amazingly easy to customize and size for rooms big and small. This sofa (6519) can be ordered in any width between 60″ and 102″, making it an interior designer’s dream. The styling is contemporary, with the long, sleek back pillows and extended seat cushions; but with touches of traditional, in the curvature of the arms and the perfection of the dressmaker’s flounce. The pleated skirt is what really drew the attention of LRMID’s designers. The only drawback to choosing this sofa would be if a client had their heart set on leather, as it’s not an available option. LRM Interior Design can customize this Baker sofa for your home; call for a consultation.

The Ebanista Coimbra Sofa
The Ebanista Coimbra Sofa
Ebanista, the sofa’s manufacturer, prides itself on an “old world charm with modern sensibility,” and they’ve definitely combined the two fantastically in this piece. Although it’s the turned-wood legs and stretcher bars of the Coimbra sofa that captivated Lisa McDennon, not least because there are four choices of wood finish. This elegant touch makes this sofa a great fit for so many California homes, especially any with a Spanish style. The Coimbra sofa’s high back would showcase strongly patterned or colored fabrics well. Such a tall sofa would sit just as easily against a room’s wall as it would standing separate in a large room, in order to break up the space. Equally as beautiful is the stately Coimbra chair. LRM Interior Design can recommend the nearest showroom to view Ebanista furniture in Orange County.

The Geoffrey Sofa by Bradley Hughes
The Geoffrey Sofa by Bradley Hughes
If you’re looking for a sofa that provides comfort, beautiful design and privacy, the Geoffrey Sofa is the ideal choice. This sofa’s arm height was not designed for setting actual arms on, as they stand at over 3′ high. The sofa is also 38″ deep, allowing for extreme relaxation, and would be as great in a small home theater room as in a large living room that demanded dramatic, large seating. It wasn’t the size that grabbed the LRMID team’s attention, but the exquisite attention to detail on the double row of nailheads that march up the arms and along the back of the sofa; and the simplicity of the pleated skirt along the sofa’s lowest edge. A consultation with LRM Interior Design will tell you whether or not this sofa is right for your home.

J. Robert Scott's Medallion Settee
The Settee: The Medallion by J. Robert Scott
We’re sneaking this one in on the end, as it’s not technically a sofa. “I’ve pined over this sofa for years, waiting for the right project to use it in,” explains Lisa McDennon. “This sofa just says, in no uncertain terms, that ‘you’ve arrived’.” And it does—it looks like a modern interpretation of something found in one of Versailles’ many rooms. And the craftsmanship matches its looks, with hand-carved wood covered in 22 carat French gold leaf with antiquing. If this settee has captured your heart too, call LRM Interior Design right away; Lisa will be happy to find a way to place it in your home!
Tags: affordable, antiquing, ASID, baker, Baker sofa, beautiful, bradley hughes, buy American, California, California Contemporary, california homes, choose your sofa size, Coimbra sofa, craftsmanship, Crate & Barrel, cushions, decor, deep sofa, designer, double row nailheads, Ebanista, elegance, extended seat cushions, fabrics, family room, French gold leaf, furniture, game room, geoffrey sofa, hand-carved wood, j. robert scott, Kravet, Laguna Beach, Lisa McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon, Lisa Rachelle McDennon Interior Design, living room, LRM Interior Design, Mad Men, Mary Tyler Moore, medallion, mid-century modern, modern, nailhead detail, nailheads, Newport Beach, old world charm, open plan living, Orange County, Orange County homes, Orange County's top designer, Petrie Sofa, pleated skirt, Quartet Sofa, relaxing sofas, remodel, settee, sofa by the inch, Southern California, space, top interior designers, tufted cushions, turned wood, turned-wood sofa legs, Versailles, west virginia
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