M Designs

DALLAS, TX, September 16, 2011 – Award winning interior design firm, M Designs, announces it is changing its name to Denise McGaha Interiors.  Principal, Denise McGaha, looks forward to delivering the same high level of design services the firm has been known for since its inception in 2001. 

Along with this name change, the firm will be launching its updated website featuring never- before-seen residential design projects and a fresh new look.

“Over the past 10 years, our clients have come to expect excellence in the projects we deliver.  We feel the time to re-brand ourselves is now and we plan to raise the bar even higher and to deliver even greater excellence and more expansive services for our sophisticated clients.  We look forward to expanding our client base throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and nationwide,” said Mrs. McGaha.

Denise McGaha was recently awarded an ARC (Associates, Remodelers, Custom Builders) Award from the Home Builders Association of Dallas for Best Design for a Remodel between $150,000 and $200,000.  Her design on this project encompassed the complete redesign of the multi-million dollar Preston Hollow home and she credits the builder and vendor partners on her team in playing a large role in the success of this project.

ABOUT DENISE MCGAHA INTERIORS:

Denise McGaha, principal of Denise McGaha Interiors, has a signature look that encompasses classic tradition with contemporary sensibility. Her fresh style and functional design, often incorporating fine art, has earned her accolades from both clients and the interior design industry.  Often nick-named Mrs. M by clients who couldn’t pronounce her last name, Denise offers her discriminating clientele access to Dallas’ best kept secret: her black book of high-end, concierge services. For over 10 years, Denise has designed residences for the Dallas area elite. Her sophisticated style and solid business acumen evolved through her decade in the corporate landscape of luxury retailer, Neiman Marcus. There, she learned valuable business skills, managed marketing campaigns, honed her eye for fashion and was an integral part of the team that launched NeimanMarcus.com.

For more information, please call 972-869-4914 or visit our current website at: www.mdesignsinteriors.com

The color Bordeaux!  It makes such a bold statement, is very fashion forward and HOT!  I’ve seen it popping up everywhere.  I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for fall – bring on the Bordeaux! 

Bordeaux by Essie

Lela Rose Embroidered Tulle Ballgown

Gucci Stole in Bordeaux

Eugenia Kim Carly Boho Cloche Hat

"Carrie" sandal by Gucci

You have seen them; I know you have…those strange trees that are EVERYWHERE…the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree or Ficus Lyrata.  I hope these aren’t a trend as I gave one to Mom almost 5 years ago and it still looks fab.  I tend to kill most living plants, but haven’t been able to kill one of these yet.  Good sign.  I’m not the only one who loves them.  Take a look at where they are showing up.  You will see them in several of our projects because they just look great and are oh-so hardy.

They are fairly easy to care for, but one side note…if you are allergic to latex, this would not be a good plant for you to have, as latex is made from the sap of these trees. 

My Love of the Week – Fiddle Leaf Figs.

Image: Elle Decor

Image: Elle Decor

Image: Style at Home

Image: O Magazine

As I previously mentioned, Little Master M arranged a private tour for us to Paramount Studios just by being the charmer that he is!! 

As we were boarding the plane, the producer for Dr. Phil’s show was boarding with us.  He struck up a conversation with Master M about the decaf frappacino he was sipping and they had a good laugh.  Once we were in the air, he dropped by our seats to pass on his card and invite us for a private tour if we had time to stop by while we were in town…..time??  Are you kidding??  The kiddies were over the moon and we had a great time.  

(These are all the dressing rooms for the starlets and I was most intrigued to learn about Lucille Ball raising her children in this “home away from home”)

I learned so much about the great history of Paramount and the big names they made celebrities and although there were no Jonas Bros. sightings, we had the opportunity to tour the New York Street lot where the Neiman Marcus Art of Fashion was shot, starring Drew Barrymore.  How great for the kiddies to see this and know that they were “there”.

The fashion and architecture combined in this shoot are so inspiring!!  I am ready for Fall now and new projects!

Our next stop was La Cienaga Blvd. – home to some of the greatest designs ever.  Of course, my young design assistants were more than happy to help at our various stops.

While I was shopping for fabrics at Hollywood at Home, Master M was typing an important document with the help of Little Ms. M.

These Felix Agostini sconces, circa 1960, by Therien & Co. were beautiful! 

When we stopped off at the Christopher Farr Showroom – the adults shopped upstairs while the kiddies designed new rugs for Christopher.  They were treated so well there and the beautiful rugs were amazing!!  I found a keeper for the family room.

After all this shopping, we decided it was time for some R&R on the beach the next day.  We loved the Santa Monica Pier and the cool weather (have I mentioned the cool weather?)  The aquarium and the carousel were a must stop as well.

And finally, the night before we left, every hotel room visit deserves a GREAT PILLOW FIGHT!!!  Mr. M was terrified someone was going to fall out off the balcony, but lots of laughter was worth the worry!

I hope you enjoyed my California trip and you are as inspired as I was.  I loved the fashion, architecture, and overall casual style of LA and Santa Monica.  I think that casual DOESN’T mean sloppy and every stop we made proved that the West Coast definitely has a look and style of its own.  I hope you can make it to the West Coast soon for inspiration and relaxation – I came back revived and re-inspired.

As many of you know, one of my favorite on-line magazines is Lonnymag.com.  I was just catching up on the latest edition and found this George Cocktail table.  I love the sleek base with gold detailing (I am totally into brass and gold finishes right now) with the depth of this great oval top. 

What do you think…do you have a spot in your family room for this terrific table?

Love this fresh, new Mexican restaurant…Wild Salsa.  Their menu is AMAZING!   They are located in Downtown Dallas  across from Dallas Chop House.  It is SO worth the trip!

My love of the week is the new Au Naturel fabric collection from F. Schumacher & Co.

In this collection, Schumacher uses a neutral color palette and natural materials such as linen, silk, and wool to create beautiful fabrics with dynamic patterns and textures.  I am using these in the redesign of my dining room and they are beautiful.  I especially love the amboise linen. 

I think there’s something for everyone in this collection.  What do you think?

I recently returned from our family vacation in Santa Monica and we spent lots of time in LA while we were there.  We DID NOT do the Universal Studios tour or anything remotely tourist-y.  (Don’t tell the kiddies – they have no idea that a theme park even exists in California…shhhh). 

I am so excited every Tuesday evening to watch Million Dollar Decorators on Bravo and when we planned our vacation, it wasn’t even out yet.  It’s been so fun to see them in the episodes at trade showrooms that I visited while I was there….restaurants too.  So here’s a little Mrs. M tour of LA, with Mr. M and kiddies in tow.

We stayed at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, just steps away from the beach and the Santa Monica Pier. 

We had lunch once we arrived at The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel.  This was the perfect way to start our trip and get a view of the Hollywood Hills.  The weather was a bit dreary the first day, but the temperature was heavenly at 75 degrees and under every day. 

Day 2 was Hollywood filled.  Of course, while I was taking pics of the family on the Walk of Fame, I also had time to photograph a few wonderful details at the old theatres.  I want to use this great pattern for a wall detail in a dressing area I am designing.  Our travels always inspire me for projects I am designing.

We ended the evening at Capo – an amazing restaurant across from the Viceroy Hotel.  The food was amazing, and even though we were suffering from a bit of jet lag (Little Ms. M crashed in her seat after the appetizers), I still enjoyed my Lobster Risotto with abandon.  The interior design of Capo was rustic modern with a wonderful art collection – chic and eclectic (I know, I hate that descriptor too, but it was….take a look)

Tomorrow I will share the details of how Little Mr. M managed to get the entire family a private tour of Paramount Studios.  That boy is a charmer!

With all the buzz over my favorite new docu-drama, Million Dollar Decorators, I thought it would be fun to share with you all the fun experiences I had recently on our family vacation to Santa Monica and LA.  Stay tuned for posts on our week long trip to cooler climates, ultra – chic dining and design and lots of inspiration.

While on a recent trip to LA, I found Peter Dunham’s textile line.  I loved it so much, we are now carrying it at the studio.  Take a look at these beautiful hand printed textiles – fresh from LA.  I love the Fig Leaf…look for it in upcoming projects.