Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

Let’s face it, there is only one of you on this earth, which makes you completely and utterly unique. So, why settle for mainstream when you can incorporate one-of-a-kind style choices into your home decor that reflect your personality? I come across so many interesting individuals in my work which is what makes it so fun to do. Getting to know people, finding ways to make their homes sync with their personalities and tastes is one of the things I enjoy most about interior design. There is nothing better than to have a client say how much the love the work you did or exclaim over accessories you found that seem to have been made especially for them!  This week we’ll take things a little bit further and show you some ideas for the creating amazing spaces with uncommon elements that highlight your individuality.

Deck the walls with custom wallpaper or murals

If Walls Could Talk…
They would tell you it’s their turn to shine in your interior decor. Did you know you can design your own custom wall murals from scratch? You can go with a template where you simply pick a pattern and colors or completely design from the ground up if you are artistically gifted, better yet use a favorite photo for a larger than life wall that will make you smile!

Choose and customize a sofa, loveseat or chair from start to finish, hello personality!

A Neat Seat
Forget just choosing the fabric for your sofa and go for the whole design experience by choosing your wood finish, style, upholstery AND pillows. The result will be a combination that is completely YOU.  Living Green has an easy to use customizing tool on their website where you can create your own furniture on the fly like I did with the sofas pictured above!

Creative patterns and colors come to life on custom lampshades and light fixtures!

Switch On Your Creativity
I love being able to design my own lighting and with companies like Lamps Plus, it’s easier than ever when you can pick your own light fixture, floor or table lamp and dress it up with a myriad of colors and tons of patterns. Serious fun to be had here (can’t you tell from the light fixtures and lamps I created above?!)

Custom wallpaper and accessories could be perfect for your home's interior

Wallpaper is NOT Dead
In fact, it’s alive and well and for your particularly creative souls, you can create your very own custom printed wallpaper online anymore. I am so impressed with the tools that are available to experiment with different looks and see results instantly. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun in one afternoon…

Soft wool rugs are perfect for your home decor in a pretty pattern you pick out

Cut a Rug!
Bet you had no idea you could have your very own custom wool rug hand-loomed to your specifications by Peruvian artists did you? You start out with a blank slate and add the design which is then created especially for you to showcase in your home. There won’t be another soul out there with the same rug that you have- AND as an added bonus you can even customize pillows to match. Now that’s divine design!

Serious style points for creating your personalized custom bedding

Beautiful Bedding
Inspire sweet dreams with bedding that screams with personality. I love the custom options from InMod where you can choose everything from the fabric (cotton, silk etc.) to the pattern to the color of the thread used for the embroidery. Plus, the prices are so reasonable for this level of customization!

Isn’t it amazing the level of customization you can get for everything you could possibly want from the floors to ceiling these days? I just love all the options that are available out there to really make a space go from ho-hum to simply brilliant. Self expression in interior design is key to making your home a place you can truly enjoy spending time in.  By customizing pieces, you give them meaning and turn them into something truly special that goes beyond owning a one-of-a-kind item.  Beyond the things I showcased here there are many more ways you can put your personal stamp on your decor with custom finishes, furniture, window treatments, artwork, accessories and more.  If you need help, you know who to call!  We have the resources you need to make your dreams a reality and can customize just about anything you can dream up. We love creating inspired spaces and can help make sure you end up with something that is as unique and as special as you are!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks:  TotallyCustomWallpaper.com, Living Green, Lamps Plus, Alluminare, Jonathan Adler, InMod

School is out, summer has kicked in and on those days where it’s either raining or too hot I’ll bet many of you are wondering what to do with the kiddos. If you ask me, the answer is simple, let them design! I love incorporating items with a personal touch into my design and there are some very cool, interactive accessories out there that not only look great, but keep the little ones occupied. Design with function, what’s not to love?  Here are a few fun ideas for projects you can undertake with the kids to use throughout your home. The best part is that you’ll get to make memories and a statement with your design style all at the same time.

Chalkboard paint from Rust-Oleum

Art on every wall!
Remember when it was taboo to write on the walls? Indulge your future graffiti artist with chalkboard walls in either classic green or black! The thing I love about this paint is that the walls are not just a frame for your design, they become a living and changing part of it and the kids will have a blast customizing it with their handiwork.

Deep frames from Pottery Barn Kids

You’ve been Framed!
Remember shadowboxes? A perfect rainy-day project for you and the kids to capture a piece of their childhood that you can proudly display on the walls.  All you need is a glue gun, found items like bits of toys and games to make a colorful and whimsical statement in any room of the house. These would be so cute as a grouping!

Train photo frame wall decals from Uncommon Goods

Choo-Choose to frame some photos!
Fun and harmless for the walls- if you have a train aficionado, these wall decals are for you. Spend a few hours choosing the photos you want to display and then get them on the walls with these bright and simple train graphics!

Ty shower curtain from Grain Design

Scrub-a-Dub
There are so many things to love about this shower curtain it’s hard to know where to start. They are made of plastic so they won’t off-gas, plus they come with your choice of color in permanent markers so that you can customize and create your own bathroom masterpiece.  Get the kids involved and let them do their own shower curtain for their bath- with plenty of room to draw, this could be a fantastic family project!

Interactive Rug from JustKidsRugs.com

Fun on the floor
These require little effort other than finding the space in a room (perfect for a playroom!) and the great thing is that you can set the kids up with some toy cars, people and animals and let them have a ball playing in this “town”  There are several rug options out there anymore, from train tracks to cities, and even baseball diamonds or soccer fields.  More fun that you could ever imagine!

Picture hangers from The Land of Nod

No Room on the Fridge?
No sweat- these fun and practical picture hangers will do the trick by giving you another way to decorate your walls with your kid’s artwork. Just make sure you have plenty of paper and crayons on hand!

Bendant light from re-modern

A bright idea
A bit of quick fun here with flat packaged lighting (left) that you bend to form your own idea of a chandelier. Have the kids do the bending and let them make this artistic light fixture their own!

So now that you have a few ideas, go grab the kids and have a little bit of design fun when you’re not in the sun. As always if you need any help with your decor or a bit of interior design inspiration and ideas, feel free to stop by or give me a call. Design Connection offers free in-studio interior design consultations and we love to help our clients find ways to involve the whole family in the design process.  Do you have more ideas that you’d like to share? Feel free to comment on my blog or check us out in our interior design page on Facebook or send us a tweet on Twitter!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Rust-Oleum, Potery Barn Kids, Uncommon Goods, Grain Design, JustKidsRugs.com, The Land of Nod, re-modern

Do you love the idea of organic and green design for your home but don’t know where to start? We’ve been really intrigued by eco-friendly products as of late and have been getting lots of questions about where to find them. So we thought this week we’d talk about one of our favorite materials, Bamboo! From floors to walls, there are products made of Bamboo that will not only enhance your decor, but give you comfort in knowing that you are using products that are good for you and for the planet.

Bamboo picture frame fence from Cali Bamboo

The grass may be greener on this side of the fence! Bamboo is a great choice for outdoor fencing that looks great, is durable and happens to be  a marvelously renewable resource.

Organic Bamboo & Cotton Towels from GoodFibers.com

Bamboo for the Bath!  Organic, soft AND eco-friendly make bath and shower time a delight!

Red Shag Bamboo Rug from Re:modern

Fossilized Bamboo Flooring from Cali Bamboo

There are several styles and colors now available in Bamboo flooring from all the traditional earth tone colors to rainbow colors- there is something to suit anyone’s design tastes!

Bamboo Kitchen from Laguna Bamboo

Looking for the warmth of wood in your kitchen? Perhaps you should consider cabinets and countertops made of beautiful bamboo!

Bamboo Architect Wall Flat from Re:Modern

Thinking of Bamboo for your walls?  Try these textured panels to add a unique  and modern twist to your walls- added bonus… it’s made of bamboo pulp!

There are lots of bamboo accessories for the home as well, from dishes to decoration, textiles to tableware, it’s pretty clear that bamboo is going to be around for a while.  So, we want to know, do you bamboo?  How do you incorporate this fantastic material in your home and everyday life?  We want to hear from you!  Join the discussion on Facebook, Twitter or comment here on our blog.  We look forward to hearing from you!

As I watched the beautiful daffodils waving at me in the sunlight outside my office window yesterday, I heaved a huge sigh of relief. Spring has officially arrived in the midwest! There’s nothing like a sunny day or a gentle spring rain to give me that urge to go and enjoy the great outdoors. Beckoning blue skies, birds singing in greeting, a gentle wind rustling the new leaves on the trees…ahhhhh bliss.  One of the best things about spring in the midwest is the weather because it’s not too hot during the day, not too cold in the evening – so it’s perfect for spending time outside planting flowers or enjoying the deck or patio. With visions in my head of lounging about on my deck instead of sitting at a computer, I decided to share with you some design inspiration for spring and decorating your outdoor space!

Neoteric Contract's Spartan Daybed

Wile away the day!
An open weave design that lets just enough sun peek through.
All I need is a pool or even better, an ocean to go along with this. I’d never leave…

Moonlight Usa Inc - Globe outdoor lighting

You’ll look lovely in the moon light
Create your own fairy tale setting wtih unique outdoor lighting from Moonlight USA.
These half globes will add an ethereal glow to your outdoor space at night. Simply beautiful.

From Brown Jordan - Parkway Curvilinear Sofa

Showstopper Seating
From the durable metal frame to the sumptuous cushions, this sofa would look amazing indoors or out.

HomeInfatuation.com - Modern Wicker Lounger

The Wizard of Aaaaaahhhhhhs
Clean contemporary lines lend elegant grace to these loungers. I want to lay on one and meditate

Frontgate Medallion Outdoor Rug

Comfort and Style beneath your toes
Kick off your shoes! Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you can’t have some of the comforts of the indoors.
We have incredible options now for weatherproof and sun proof materials for outdoor rugs!

HomeInfatuation.com - Largo Rectangular Fire Table

Gather ’round the Fire!
Anyone up for some roasted marshmallows? Cozy up around these stylish flames that give you fire without the fuss.

Design and Durability
When you choose furnishings and accessories for your outdoor space, you’ll want not just amazing products but amazing quality as well.  Rain or shine this stuff needs to be tough as nails but still look amazing enough for you to want to spend time there.  If you live in an especially wet climate, I’d recommend having waterproof storage outdoors where you can store your cushions etc. to keep them mold and mildew free as well as free of any dust/debris they might collect from leaving them out all the time. Just because it’s an outdoor space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style and if you need help, you know I’m more than happy to assist.  In Kansas City our outdoor furnishings need to be sturdy to withstand the dramatic changes in weather. Design Connection can help make sure your outdoor space has the style you need for any season!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Brown Jordan, HomeInfatuation.com, Frontgate, Neoteric  Contracts, Moonlight USA

Spring is just around the corner in the midwest and looking out my window at Design Connection, I can see the beginnings of spring flowers preparing to burst forth into the sunshine after a cold and snowy winter! I have flowers on my mind and thought I would treat you to some visual candy with some really gorgeous rooms that incorporate flowers into the overall aesthetic to bring a bit of the outdoors in!

We all know my favorite color is yellow so it’s only fitting that my favorite bloom is the Daffodil. So pretty and fresh. A beautiful bouquet is an instant pick-me-up for your room and your spirits!

Whether it’s on the walls or in simple accessories like a throw pillow or simple arrangement, flowers brighten any room.

Sweet and pretty dreams await when you incorporate floral patterns into your bedding.

Dramatic more your style? Fiber optic wallpaper is here and what do you know, the pattern is floral!
From traditional to modern, there are florals out there to suit anyone.

Have a seat! Gone are the days of your grandmother’s busy (and sometimes ugly) floral patterns on the furniture!

A colorful and modern twist on the floral pattern from the floors to the windows!

Fun and whimsical, cherry blossom branches that will light up a room with a dash of floral color! So whether it’s the lights, the floors, the walls or the doors- you can and should bring a bit of the outdoors in with some wonderful florals. What inspires you? I hope you’ll share with me your thoughts on florals in interior design on my Facebook or Twitter or even here on my blog!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Old House Gardens, Architectural Digest, Wildcat Territory, Designers Guild, Lovehome.co.uk, Camilla Diederich and Graham & Green

We have some great sources for custom area rugs. Rugs with custom designs, or borders, or simply a favorite piece of carpet can be bound around the edges and used as an area rug. Lots of possibilities!