Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

Have you ever had to arrange the furniture in a bare room and not know where to start? Well, you are not alone with the many new or current homeowners who are faced with this exact predicament and feel absolutely overwhelmed with the possibilities and insecurities of furniture arrangement. Today, Design Connection Inc,  put together some helpful tips just for you.

If you’re like most families, the living room is used mainly for lounging and Tv-Watching. This is a great space for a sectional sofa. Sectionals offer great flexibility and comfortable seating. Many come in a variety of units, from armless chairs to love seats, ottomans, and chaises that you can mix and match to fir your own personal space. At Design Connection Inc, we often time recommend the sectional because it reflects family living. The big comfy sectional is great for snuggling with your loved ones, or comfortably relaxing with a good book. We carry the furniture line C.R. Laine for their comfort, quality and fabulous style.

An effective room arrangement starts with a focal point. If your living has a fireplace, this step may already be done for you. With a fireplace you can direct your main seating toward it to give it all the attention, or two sofas facing each other, as seen in the picture below, gives a nice conversation area.

If you have a very large space and are having trouble pulling everything together, a large area rug will help unify the room. An area rug can also help with selecting accent colors for your space. In the picture below, notice how they pulled the blue from the rug for the pillows and vases that really pop out from the dark brown sofa and stark white shelf.

Don’t have a living room big enough for the usual sofa or love seat? Our you prefer a more formal layout? Our solution to you is using four comfy chairs! This is an orderly, compact, yet welcoming seating group. You won’t be able to snuggle with your sweetie, but it is a great layout for easy conversation.

Last tip of the day we’d like to leave you with is to create order with symmetry.  You can do this by pairing matching sofas, side tables, lamps, side chairs, whatever you may have.  The symmetry you create imposes a sense of order on the space.  If you feel like this will be too boring or stiff for your taste, introduce some variety like a bean shaped table, or artwork to add blasts of color.

Design Connection, Inc. can take a client’s project from concept, space planning and selections to complete design and remodel. Your end result will be both beautiful and functional. Take a moment to view our online portfolio to see our work. If you would like a complimentary in-studio consultation, you can meet our team and learn more about the process.

If you’re like many homeowners, somewhere in your house there is a closet stuffed with everything and anything you can imagine, all in disarray! We’ve all been there: Just got home from work or picking up the kids from soccer practice, and as soon as you walk in the door, everything is thrown in the entry closet. Then when you go back in the closet to find one particular thing, it seems like a hopeless task since everyone’s lunchboxes, coats, gloves, purses, boots, and even the cat gets stuck in there every once in awhile.

Family Closet BEFORE

This Design Connection Inc project features a family with just that problem. As you can see from the before pictures, this cluttered closet needed a major face-lift. This mother of two wanted something sophisticated that would hold everyone’s “stuff”. The solution we went to her with was a new, more functional boot box.

Design Connection Inc Space Plan

We totally removed her old boot box and closet and replaced it with new boot box that houses 4 separate spaces, one for each of the 2 kids as well as one for mom and one for dad! After removing the existing boot box we needed to update the flooring. We were practical with our choices in selection a tile since mud and dirt is tracked when entering through the garage.

As a professional interior designer, I help you analyze your lifestyle so that you can get the most our of your home. We make function look beautiful – that’s our job. If you are ready to see how to better use your space, give us a call: 913-851-8776

Other options are to use a closet system to better organize your items. Kansas City Closet Company is a great resource! Click Here to visit their website.

If you don’t have the space to build in a boot box, consider a piece of furniture. We can help you select the perfect piece that looks fabulous and really works with your home.

Design Connection, Inc. can take a client’s project from concept, space planning and selections to complete design and remodel. Your end result will be both beautiful and functional. Take a moment to view our online portfolio to see our work. If you would like a complimentary in-studio consultation, you can meet our team and learn more about the process.

We hear it all the time here at Design Connection Inc. – Should I sell my home or stay and remodel?

We help you navigate this question by exploring the quality of your lifestyle. Some homes really are great and just need a little bit of remodeling to make it your dream home. We help our clients to see the potential of their space, then present a budget. With this type of information they can make a better choice. And sometimes, we can help a client’s understand that the house they are in, really isn’t giving them what they want for their family. No matter what you decide, having a professional interior designer help you navigate this big decision is a wise investment.

Baby boomers are asking this question more and more. With kids going off to college and moving out, you might find yourself with more home, than you need. If your ‘golden years’ are in sight, you might consider downgrading your mortgage and upgrading your lifestyle with a new construction home. Our team here at Design Connection recently helped one couple achieve this goal, and with a lot of class, if we do say so ourselves!

Our clients came to us because their children were all off to college and they were ready to find their next home. Originally they wanted an apartment on the Plaza, but couldn’t find anything that truly met their criteria. They decided instead, to go with a “main level living”, new construction home. They found a community they liked and a house that was the perfect size. They knew this was going to be a long term home and wanted to add their own personal touches to make it special. Since it was a new construction home they needed to make a lot of design decisions fast. The selection process can get overwhelming very quickly, and our clients didn’t want to make a mistake. So they called us to help them with the interior design.

The kitchen is always a very important part of any home. This kitchen had all the function, we added the finishing touches to our client’s tastes to make it just their own. With the granite countertops and multi-tiled back-splash, our clients can dine in style.

There are so many window treatment options to choose from, it can become over-whelming. Here, we decided to go with shutters to allow our client’s full control of the light that enters the room. Shutters provide a sleek built in look that really finishes off the space.

It is always nice having a fireplace in your home. Although there was already one in the plan, Design Connection took it a step beyond and made it look even more fabulous with mosaic tile and a dark stained finish on the surround. With the wood fireplace surround being a bit darker than the wood floors it really creates a beautiful and striking contrast from the floor and walls.

Extra storage always has a plus, especially if you’ve had years to collect little knick-knacks and sentimental items. We spruced this built-in storage cabinet with some mosaic tile as well as back lighting. By picking up on the elements from the kitchen, we began to create a unified look throughout the home. This is a subtle, but important detail in making a house a home.

Another very important part of any home is the master bath! Spas are becoming more and more popular, so why not create your very own spa at home. We took this OK master bath and turned it into an elegant space our clients are sure to enjoy getting ready in and purely pampering themselves!

Also in the master bath is this amazing shower! Design Connections is always checking in during the construction process to ensure work is being done to our high expectations. And it sure does pay off. Who wouldn’t want to start their day in this fabulous shower?

Everyone enjoys an occasional drink after a long day’s work, right? Now our clients won’t have to wait until happy hour. This functional, and not to mention beautiful, bar will be open 24/7 for our clients to enjoy or entertain guests.

Staircases are a guilty pleasure of mine! Just by selecting iron spindles, you can completely transform a normal staircase to something more stylish and tasteful. Not to mention that these are the stairs that lead you down to the lower level bar.

It’s not always only about great style. We have a large selection of materials that are extremely functional as well. This bonus room has very durable carpet that allows the space to become whatever our client needs it to be, from a work-out room to an extra bedroom. The contrast of the deep brown carpet and the warm walls is a beautiful blend.

One thing I love about being able to help with the design of a whole house is consistency! As you can see, we incorporated the same colors throughout the entire house and even showcased the same tile in the kitchen to the bathroom to even the lower level bar area. I pride our team with its attention to details that can take a construction-grade house to a custom built home.

Last but not least here is what our client had to say about Design Connection Inc.

“Arlene is great.  We met Arlene years ago when we moved to Overland Park, Kansas.  She helped us decorate our house (selected paint colors, selected furniture and accessories, and remodeled our kitchen and bathrooms).  Arlene was prompt and professional and did exactly what we asked of her.  What we liked about Arlene is that she listened to what we wanted.  We loved working with her.  We recently moved into a new house, and we are again using Arlene.  Arlene worked with our builder in all respects, i.e., selected colors, stains, fixtures, carpet, and hardware and designed the bathrooms, kitchen, fireplace, and bars.  She has created furniture designs throughout the house, which we are in the process of implementing.  We highly recommend Arlene and her team.”

-        Jill W 2012

Design Connection, Inc. can take a client’s project from concept, space planning and selections to complete design and remodel. Your end result will be both beautiful and functional. Take a moment to view our online portfolio to see our work. If you would like a complimentary in-studio consultation, you can meet our team and learn more about the process.

Becoming more green, by changing out your light bulbs, used to be a personal choice. But now with the Energy Independence and Security Act going into effect, we might be saying goodbye to the traditional incandescent bulb forever. If you want to learn more about the lighting legislation click here.

The good news is – you have many options at your disposal for replacements. The trickier news is – you need to know a bit more about light bulbs to make the right choice for your home. The bad news is – with longer lifespans, upfront costs are higher.

Two popular alternatives to incandescent bulbs are the CFL (Compact Fluorescent Bulbs) and the LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes).

CFLs are 75% more efficient than a traditional light bulb and can last 8-10 years.

LEDs can be up to 85% more efficient and easily last decades. LEDs are the most popular choice right now, especially since they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

As a designer, I always start out with the feel I want to achieve in the room. Sometimes you want bright white lighting, other times you want cozy and warm. Home Depot has great, user friendly, tools online to help you navigate all your choices. You can go room by room and see three different mood options. What is also great about this tool, is that they address every type of light fixture, from down lights to sconces, and tell you which bulb is best for that fixture.

Click on the picture to use the Home Depot Lighting Tool

Good lighting is one of the upgrades we suggest to our older clients, who are interested in aging in place.  As people get older and their eye sight deteriorates, having more task lighting options makes life more comfortable. With a few smart updates we can add good lighting that fits into the style of your home.

Lamps are functional because, they emit the light we need for tasks, but they can also be an interior design accessory. Here is a great example of a Design Connection Inc project. This hearth room is really the heart of the home, because it is where the family gathers. We helped to create a cozy ambiance by mixing up the lighting – from floor lamps to table lamps combined with a fan and can lighting.

A Design Connection Inc Project

Since light bulbs have such long lifespans, I am now delivering light fixtures with the proper light bulbs already installed. As a professional designer, it is my job to think of all the details, so that you can enjoy your home. When I get a testimonial like the one below, I know that it’s the details that count.

Thanks to Arlene and her team for creating a beautiful master bedroom and bath. My husband and I feel like pampered guests in a five start hotel suite, but with our own personal touches! Arlene incorporated some existing elements to create a harmonious result in our home. The process was stress free and all the contractors were top notch professionals. –  Karen C 2012

Design Connection, Inc. can take a client’s project from concept, space planning and selections to complete design and remodel. Your end result will be both beautiful and functional. Take a moment to view our online portfolio to see our work. If you would like a complimentary in-studio consultation, you can meet our team and learn more about the process.

Kitchen appliances are amazing these days. As a designer I love all the new options that are being introduced. Technology keeps improving the quality and efficiency of these appliances. Here are some great options available to homeowners as they remodel or update their kitchens.

Refrigeration columns are my favorite because you can customize your refrigerator for your family style. No longer does the freezer need to be attached to the refrigerator, which gives me more design flexibility. Clients want larger refrigerators with the ability to rearrange the inside to their exact needs. But I will tell you, it becomes challenging to integrate a 42” or a 48” in a pleasing way, mainly because of the sheer size. With a refrigerator column I can get creative in how I layout out the kitchen.

Sub Zero Refrigerator Columns Click Picture to Learn More

One of the new kitchen design trends is beverage refrigerators built into the kitchen. These are especially handy for kids who can come in a grab a juice box at their own height. There is no way around it: everybody gathers in the kitchen. An integrated beverage center makes casual entertaining a breeze.

Sub Zero Beverage Center Click Picture to See Details

Refrigerator Drawers are a great way to squeeze a little bit more refrigeration into your kitchen. They are easy to work into any design. One idea is to store all your vegetables in a refrigerator drawer next to your chopping area. This makes cooking prep a breeze.

Sub Zero Refrigerator Drawers Click on Picture to Learn More

As I update kitchens, counter depth refrigerators are always my preference. They allow for better visual flow because the refrigerator doesn’t stick out. Just because you give up a few inches in depth, does not mean that your refrigerator will be cramped. The interiors are extremely flexible and accommodating for all your storage needs.

The kitchen is the hub of the home and with integrated refrigerator computers you can instantly access your family calendar as well as the grocery list.

Samsung Refrigerator Click Picture to Learn More

Refrigerator efficiency is probably the biggest value when you upgrade your refrigerator. Many people have combination refrigerator and freezer, which means that the same air circulates through the freezer and refrigerator. New models have separate fans which means your fruits and vegetables will stay fresher longer.

Kitchens are known for being the hardest working rooms in the home. Design Connection, Inc. can help your kitchen also become one of the most beautiful rooms in the home. We can take a client’s project from concept, space planning and selections to complete kitchen design and remodel. Your end result will be both beautiful and functional.

Design Connection Inc Kitchens Click on Picture to view our online portfolio

Every year we are faced with the challenge of finding the perfect Holiday gift. Here at Design Connection Inc, we came up with a quick list of five interior design holiday gifts. Here are some guidelines when selecting your gifts. Keep the style of the home in mind. Keep in neutral enough to be able to fit into any room. Your gift should not be practical, it should be the gift of a little bit of luxury.

Candles are always a great gift. They add warmth and cheer to any space. They often come in pretty boxes or containers and make the perfect little accessory. I like to buy candles from local manufacturers because it makes the gift a bit more special. Remember- select a neutral scent since stronger smells are a personal preference. Trapp is a local store all about fragrance, we have been using and giving their candles for years. 

Baskets are very handy to have around the home. They are great for quickly rounding up items such as kids toys or blankets or clutter. I like Pottery Barns Havana baskets, because they come in all sizes, are sturdy and they can blend well into most room styles.

Trays make great focal points on coffee tables, desks or bedroom dressers. They have a great way of being able to group items in one place. Trays can be both decorative and functional. An extra tray at a dinner party is always appreciated. I love how there is a website for everything these days, we found these trays at – you guessed it, leathertray.com.

Blankets or throws are comfy and cozy this time of year. Here is an opportunity to give a bit of luxury with a cashmere throw. With this gift I would make it a bit more fun, but selecting a great bold pattern that is meant to stand out in a room. We found this blanket on cococozy check it out for more ideas on how to drape the throw in many creative ways.

Flowers are always a treat that instantly liven up a room. Whenever we finish a project and take professional pictures, we usually add a bouquet of fresh flowers. This adds a great feeling to the room. Go ahead and pick out a nice vase to add on to the gift. For unique and special arrangements go visit the Dan Meiners Studio downtown.

If you would like to take your gift giving to the next level and give the gift of design – We can help. Contact our office to learn more about about us and our process, and we will explain to you how we can make your gift of interior design happen. We hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season I hope that your lives are all blessed and that many great things will come your way next year.

The master bathroom is a magical place, where you can close the door and refresh. If you don’t feel the magic when you walk into your own master bathroom, it might be time for an update. Give yourself the gift of design this holiday season, and wake up to a brand new bathroom in the upcoming year. Here are some new trends and technological advances that we, as interior designers at Design Connection Inc. love.

Bathtubs: The bathtub makes a great focal point. The stand alone tub has come a long way since the claw foot tub. Today, you can select a gorgeous stand alone tub in almost any style.  If you still can’t find exactly what you want, we can always frame out the exact shape you desire, using tile or wood surround to capture the style. A great technological advance for bathtubs is the Pure Air feature. Think of a million small and gentle bubbles giving you the perfect mild massage.

If any of these tubs catch your eye, you can learn more about them by visiting Cheviot, Ariel and Jacuzzi

Vanities: The vanity should be beautiful and functional. There are many things to coordinate when designing a vanity. We always spend some time discussing with our clients, what their morning routine is. For women there are many tricks to making hair drying and makeup a breeze. For men an extra outlet for an electric shaver and toothbrush can make all the difference.

Trends in vanities: More people are asking for vanities that have more of a furniture feel. To accomplish this, you could reconfigure a great piece of furniture into a vanity. Or bring in certain details to capture the feeling of furniture into the cabinetry. By breaking up the height of the vanity top you create a vanity with more elements. These smaller elements resemble the characteristics of furniture, which combats the long typical vanity.

Design Tip: As time moves on, so do design standards. Back in the day, vanities were placed at around 30”, but today, we are designing them at 34”-36” which is a much more comfortable height. If raising your cabinets would make brushing your teeth more comfortable, you can do this by resetting your cabinet and adding a filler piece. Consider changing out your countertop, backsplash, hardware, sink and faucet, and raising your existing cabinet. This will create a dramatic new look.

These great vanities can be found by visiting Splash Kitchens and Baths and picking up a copy of Great Baths Collection

Showers: The shower experience keeps getting upgraded as new ideas in fixtures come out. Body sprays and rainheads are the most popular upgrades that people add as they renovate their bathroom. Kohler is a company leading innovation in the way we take showers.

From a design standpoint I love to bring in fun touches of design in the shower space. From boarders, to pops of color, the possibilities are endless.

Bathrooms are spaces that you can pack a lot of design into. I love working with my clients to design, space plan, renovate or update their master bathrooms. If you are ready to tackle your project, call us. We have the experience and industry connections to bring your project to reality, on time and on budget. Take a moment to view our online portfolio to see our work. If you would like a complimentary in-studio consultation, you can meet our team and learn more about the process.

Go bold with texture! One of the greatest things about using wall textures is the capability to stimulate a mood or dramatic feature in a room without having to alter the furnishings, flooring, or architectural details. Textured wall panels are a fun new way of bringing a new look into a room. They are sold in sheets that be attached to the wall, and then painted over.

Click on the picture to see more styles

Several wall panel varieties come in different colors, or many home owners prefer to leave them in the standard white. Depending on the aesthetic you are trying to accomplish, bold textured wall panels are a unique selection to bring emphasis to your space! Another bonus aspect is that they are incredibly durable, making them great for kids rooms. To see all styles and possibilities visit B&N Industries http://www.bnind.com/FINAL_ICONIC_PANELS/Iconic_Panels_Opener.html

With new technology come new products. Wall panels are a result of technology making the possibilities endless. For example these glamours wall coverings by Silven are works of art. This Tiffany wall finish was created with crystallized Swarvoski elements, gems which appear on the surface like rainbow coloured dew drops. To see more of what Silven has to offer, visit their website http://www.silven.it

If you love the idea of creating texture in your home. Contact Us! 913-851-8776 We can bring in just the right amount of texture that complements your home, furnishings and lifestyle. To learn more about our services visit our website. http://designconnectioninc.com/

Is Thanksgiving dinner at your house again this year? Do you need a design update to mix up your space? Or just looking to add a festive touch for the holiday season? Dramatically change the look of your space by replacing the end chairs. This is an easy switch and cost effective way to update a room. By having the two end chairs a different style adds contrast and visual interest to the space.  This modern touch in your dining space can also be achieved with using multiple fabrics on the seats or backs. There are many varieties that can put together to give your space a unique and fresh appearance for this holiday season!

http://media.photobucket.com/image/contrasting%20chairs%20in%20dining%20room/jkomenda/emma_jane_pilkington.jpg

Here is a great example of a print fabric used on the end chairs. On the left the floral print works wonderfully with the natural flower arrangement on the table. And on the right a bold black and white stripe provides a cool contracts. The example on the left shows matching chairs with different fabrics while the right room goes a step further and uses a completely different shape for the end chairs.

A pop of color can go a long way. This room is a balanced combination of colors, shapes and design trends. The two yellow hostess chairs are larger than the other chairs and the bright color draws your eye to them immediately.

http://browndesigninc.typepad.com/brown_design_blog/upholstery/

Maybe sleek contemporary lines are more your style. In this room, the two end chairs are vintage and the only curved element. The contrast of shape and lighter color provide a lot of interest to the dining room.

http://nelsonplachterdesign.blogspot.com/

Your home should be a reflection of your life. This room is a great collection of finds throughout a lifetime. There is so much energy and life with this combination and I can only imagine how fun a dinner party in this space would be.

Furniture is an investment, and my clients trust me to guide them through the options, so that they can enjoy their furniture for many years to come. Check out our portfolio to see examples of our projects http://www.designconnectioninc.com/portfolio

With the weather taking a turn for the cold, a fireplace is always great at creating a warm and cozy feeling within a space. There are so many options available to homeowners these days that adding or updating a fireplace is easier than you think.

Wishing you could enjoy one without the expensive cost of building? Electric fireplaces are not only cost effective but low maintenance and great looking! They range from traditional to sleek and modern, also come in multiple sizes and finishes that fit into any space for you and your family to enjoy this upcoming winter!

http://www.electricfireplacesdirect.com/

Is your old fireplace begging for an update? Replacing just your old tile with a more modern choice and staining the trim a darker color can do wonders. You can also replace your fire screen and accessories for a fresh new look.

http://www.susanjablonmosaics.com

If you are looking for elegant drama, a fireplace that trims out to the ceiling is the way to go. A great piece of art will add wow factor to the space. Don’t add too many accessories, let the beautiful shape and trim do all the talking.

http://designconnectioninc.com/portfolio/great-room/103

If you are looking for a little less drama, but want classy fireplace, a premade surround may be the way to go. These are semi-custom surrounds that can be adjusted to fit any shape, size or situation. I love having every possible design style available for my clients!

http://www.eldoradofireplaces.com

As you can see, there are lots of options to choose from and no matter what your design preference, there is sure to be a fireplace out there that is perfect for you. Want a fireplace but you’re worried about your room’s configuration or furniture setup? Don’t sweat it, I can help you find the perfect solution. It’s what I do! If you’re ready to re-do your fireplace or add one, then call or contact me to set up a complimentary in-studio interior design consultation.