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!

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…)

Customized Artwork for Clients

August 11th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Quad, by Douglas--one of the many pieces from Phoenix Art Group.

Quad, by Douglas--one of the many pieces from Phoenix Art Group.

When designing for clients, whether it be an entire home or just a few select rooms, the finishing touches are just as important as the basics, like wall color and flooring. What really makes interior design sing is the sum of the parts, not the individual pieces.

That said, it means that the individual pieces have to be chosen carefully! Take hanging art, for instance. This can be tricky, especially if clients have existing pieces that need to be incorporated into the design, and that means that the designer will consider that at the start of the project, taking the leads on color and style from elements of the piece.

If a designer has carte blanche to design from floor to ceiling, then artwork can be chosen later in the project, after the initial concept has been decided. Although there are times when a designer can be so inspired by a single piece that they design an entire room around it, like the Lesley Anton lamp in our luxury Newport bachelor pad project. (read the rest of this post…)

What’s Red, Hot and Fast? Not a Ferrari—the new Electrolux Washing Machine

July 16th, 2010 by jennifermyers
The Electrolux washer in Red Hot Red

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…)

Top Five Faves: Patterned Wallpaper

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

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

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

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

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

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.

New Project, New Zealand!

June 27th, 2010 by jennifermyers
The dramatic New Zealand coastline

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!

Your Home: Protect Your Investment

June 4th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Your home is your castle--protect it!

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!

Lights, Camera and Action for LRM Interior Design!

May 18th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Christian Horan and his assistant Scott line up the living room shot

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.

June Lake Update: Mountain Lodge Design

May 16th, 2010 by jennifermyers
Lisa goes over plans with contractor and architect

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…)