Tracy Wins ASID and Angeleno Design Competition

I’m so thrilled! Just found out that I won the ASID and Angeleno Magazine Modern Luxury Design Competition — Living Room Design — for my Malibu installation.

The story will appear in the next issue of Angeleno Magazine, so I’ll post all the details when it comes out. Wow! This is so wonderful!

Thank you ASID and Angeleno!!!

By admin
Published: October 4, 2011
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Inside the Mind of Top LA Designer: Tracy Murdock Talks Interiors, Gardens and Inspiration

by Karl Magendavid, March 25, 2011

Renowned designer Tracy Murdock recently won Architectural Digest’s “Open Auditions” as her design was selected from over 300 entries to win her this much coveted acknowledgment within the design community.

Tracy Murdock has been designing for LA’s celebrities and its business elite for over a decade now and she has been published in several design magazines and is renowned for her exquisite work. Her company not only works in interior design, but also outdoor and garden design, remodeling, event planning, property management and more.

The design world has always fascinated me as I’ve wondered what it’s like inside the mind of the great designers who see things through such an innovative and creative lens. In an attempt to get a better understanding of the processes and inspiration behind the great designs, I sat down with Tracy Murdock and asked her a few questions about her life, her work and what inspires her.

Karl: Tell me about what you do and what sets you apart from other designers.

Tracy Murdock: Actually there are many things that set me apart… As you know when I started doing interiors it was with my own houses that I purchased as investments. I built my business and reputation on that foundation. Because of my design ‘eye’ I have the ability to see ‘the big picture’ when looking at a property. I can spot potential that others cannot, not even a broker… and not just with the interiors, but with the exteriors and the landscape as well. The whole picture.

When considering the design, I always implement what will maximize and bring the most added value to the home. Good interior design is an investment, one that will bring a return on the money invested. Real estate is one of the single largest and the most important investments a person will make in their lifetime and the one that will appreciate the most over time. Investing in the interior design will only make the stock of that house go up. Likewise, if a house is not maintained and updated as needed, the stock will go down.

Karl: What initially drew you to design property, and how did you get started in the design business?

Tracy Murdock: I have always had an eye for detail, the artistic eye of a photographer, but it wasn’t until I worked alongside my former husband and ‘design mentor’, entrepreneur and real estate developer David Murdock did I discover the passion for it. He exposed me to so much and taught me so much.

Karl: What are some design concepts that you specialize in?

Tracy Murdock: I love to do remodels, taking a ‘fixer’ down to the studs, moving the walls, changing floor plans and completely transforming that house. I enjoy and am very good with space planning and utilizing every inch of a property including (at times) encroaching ‘inside’ the walls to gain a few more inches necessary for a cabinet or for a niche or even an ‘indoor window’.

Karl: What was your favorite or perhaps most interesting job that you worked on?

Tracy Murdock: Seriously my favorite clients are bachelors! They are certainly the easiest, they just want you to ‘pimp it out’, they don’t want to be bothered with the details, they notice everything and are so appreciative of what you are doing and they are happy to write that check… with a big thank you!

Karl: Have you noticed any signs of recovery or worsening from your business point of view?

Tracy Murdock: Oh yes, recovering for sure! Two years ago I went from having three projects going simultaneously and a three month waiting list to having my clients in productions cut back or stop completely to all the projects in the pipeline canceling all together. I have been lucky over the last two years to have one project in production.

Much to my delight, with the New Year came a flood of new clients and great projects. Literally for the first three weeks my phone did not stop ringing with inquiries… I actually had to turn a few down and I am completely booked pretty much for the entire year. I am working 16-hour days, 7 days a week and thrilled. Productivity breeds creativity!

Tracy Murdock’s success is a testament to the impact the interior and landscape design of a home has on raising the value of a property. Style has the potential to play a prominent role in the sale of home; a unique and inspired design allows one to become attached to the character of a home and bring added value both monetarily and emotionally to the property for many potential buyers.

How important do you think the interior and garden design of a home is when it is on the market? Do you think potential buyers like to be inspired by minimally designed space or have a more daring and obvious design excite them? Please share your ideas and leave your comments below.

By admin
Published: April 4, 2011
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Tracy’s Cover Story in LA DESIGN

Tracy is featured as “Los Angeles Design Star” in the Winter 2010 Issue of LA DESIGN

LA DESIGN ASID Winter 2011 Issue

Excerpt: Part one of our cover story series begins with trendsetting Tracy Murdock, Allied Member ASID. She’s spent decades perfecting the art of fine design for LA’s celebrity and business elite. This award winning professional has been recognized by Architectural Digest, California Homes and Dream Home Awards. She does it all flawlessly and brings back glamour to the title of interior designer.

LD: What are your favorite design books, magazines, and blogs?

TM: I love 1st dibs and now they have vintage jewelry and clothing. That website has started a huge trend in online research and information. I also love Houzz and Decorati by Shane Reilly.

LD: What are your favorite rooms to design?

TM: Small rooms like powder rooms because they’re intimate spaces. They make an impact. You can be so dramatic in them.

LD: You have one of the best residential closets I’ve ever seen.

How did you come up with the concept?

TM: I owned a boutique with my daughter and used the items from the store. I took two rooms and made a master suite. I always wanted to have boutique. Now I have one where I dress every day.

LD: How do you set yourself apart from other designers?

TM: I’m fast, quick with decisions and seeing the entire picture of how the architecture, garden and interiors work together. I’ve been lucky to become friendly with my clients. I’ve been fortunate to work with great people.

read more …

By admin
Published: January 27, 2011
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Tracy Wins “Open Audition” California!

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST: TRACY WINS “OPEN AUDITION” CALIFORNIA!

Tracy’s beautiful design for the Dunsmore home in Tarzana was selected from over 300 entries in Architectural Digest’s prestigious “Open Audition” for California. Publisher Paige Rense also liked the Shen Residence and the jury is still out on whether or not it will be published. Either way, it’s an important win for Tracy, a particular delight for the Dunsmore family and a promise of much more to come.

View in Architectural Digest Magazine

By admin
Published: January 5, 2010
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Tracy’s Fendi Casa Showcase

Tracy's installation at FENDI CASA

INTERIOR DESIGNER TRACY MURDOCK CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2008 FENDI CASA GUEST DESIGNER SERIES

The elegant FENDI CASA in Los Angeles was even more chic than usual on June 26, when many of LA’s business and celebrity elite came to celebrate Tracy Murdock’s bold and luxurious new installation.

FENDI CASA, the home design collection for the international luxury brand, will be featuring a guest interior designer every month, and Tracy was selected as the featured designer for the month of June at the Robertson Boulevard showroom.

Each guest decorator will be provided an area within the showrooms — at both the Miami and Los Angeles locations — to create personalized interiors in which to showcase the artists’ own aesthetics by drawing from the vast and stylish furniture and accessory lines by Fendi Casa. The launching of each month’s designer showcase will be preceded by a special by-invitation-only event. At the end of the year, a 2008 Designer of the Year award will be presented to the most popular design. This innovative program with its noted Designers began in January of this year and promises to add yet another dimension to the acclaimed Italian design maison.

The gracious sponsors for the June event for FENDI CASA were LUXE Magazine and the Moet Hennessy brands Veuve Cliquot Champagne and Chopin Vodka.

By admin
Published: October 5, 2009
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Tables of Ten

PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER: TABLES OF TEN

Tracy was one of the brightest stars of The Avenues of Art & Design and Pacific Design Center’s Tables of Ten: Dining for a Cause, a dynamic culinary arts and design event. Gathering for one special night, a select group of world-renowned designers, showrooms, restaurateurs and chefs united to create a unique dining experience.

From LA’s The Place website: “I met with Tracy Murdock, designer for the table of Chef Helene An of Beverly Hill’s Crustacean restaurant. “Elizabeth An (CEO and sister to Chef Helene) and I have been long time friends and when I heard about this benefit, I knew immediately I wanted to be a part of it. I chose to do a tabletop design “homage” to the late interior design legend Tony Duquette”.

Duquette is known for his over-the-top style in interiors, jewelry, costumes, and set design. Tracy calls her table a “shellfish story,” pieced together with lobster sculptures, coral designs, rickshaw bookends, Chinese figurines and abalone shellfish blending the Asian/European flair that mirrors the ambiance of Crustacean. Chef Helene prepared her first course baby zucchini flower filled with lobster mousse and endive soup, jumbo tiger prawn with An’s garlic noodles and for the third course, steam sea bass with ginger, pineapple sauce and garlic rice. For dessert, apple sorbet with pistachio cake. A perfect match for the event!”

SPECIAL THANKS to Publisher Abrams and author Hutton Wilkinson for donating 10 Tony Duquette Books for our table • Carol Splettstoesser at Creative Environments at the PDC (310) 652-3713 for GENEROUSLY donating the exquisite tile to create our table in the color of “malachite” • Pier One Imports for the Glass Chargers and glasses • Source Perrier for the coral flatware • Z gallerie for the peacock feather placemats, lobster ornaments, bookends and placecard holder men. • Tracy Murdock Interior Design for the centerpiece.

By admin
Published: March 5, 2009
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Architectural Digest Home Show

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST HOME SHOW

Tracy took the entire staff to New York for the Architectural Digest Home Show, where they were thrilled to meet and chat with the legendary Mario Buatta.

Images: Mario Buatta with Raven and Tracy; “the girls” in New York.

By admin
Published: December 10, 2008
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