Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

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

We had some great feedback last week on the recycled glass countertops featured in our blog on earth friendly design so this week we decided to explore the wonderful world of countertops! For the kitchen or bath, few things have more impact both visually and from a usability standpoint than countertops. The materials used, color and functionality all play into making the right choice and while granite is often the first one that comes to mind it’s not the only option available to you anymore. At Design Connection, we do a lot of kitchen remodeling and design, so we are always on the lookout for that perfect combination of form and function so this week we are bringing you some countertop choices that are off the beaten path!

Baja countertop from Caesarstone

Real Quartz Made Better!
Manufactured stone countertops have been around for quite some time, but these are something special.  Made from crushed quartz, they have the beauty of stone countertops but with more consistent coloring, durability and need we say how pretty they look? With a multitude of colors to choose from, these countertops will easily match any decor.

Stainless Steel patterned bar top from Handcrafted Metal

Steel yourself! This will look gorgeous in your kitchen…

While it can sometimes be a bit on the industrial side, the fact is that stainless steel is a wonderfully neutral (gray) and affordable addition to any kitchen. Natural antibacterial properties due to the non-porous nature of the metal mean happy times for you and your food prep, plus easy cleanup with soap and water make this material one you can’t help but adore.

Award-winning concrete countertop design from Reaching Quiet

Did you say that was concrete?
You wouldn’t believe the possibilities with concrete countertops these days and if you don’t believe me, you have to click on the picture and browse the residential portfolio from Reaching Quiet. Truly stunning, concrete is like the chameleon of countertops. It can be embedded with details and accents like shells and stones or stained to resemble a slab of natural stone, polished to an ultra modern sheen, textured and formed. I really could go on and on here…

End Grain Carbonized Bamboo Countertop from Grothouse Lumber

Wood = Good
When you yearn for a countertop that is natural and warm, it’s hard to go wrong with wood.  A huge variety of standard and exotic hardwoods are available now and many are eco-friendly. Consider reclaimed wood or even a distressed finish to give your kitchen a design boost!

ThinkGlass by Mailhot Backlit Glass Countertop

A Brilliant Idea!
Combine glass with light and what a delight you’ll find at night!  OK so maybe we’re channeling our inner Dr. Seuss,  but seriously, who wouldn’t be dazzled by this stunning and simple glass countertop?

Concetto by Caesarstone Puro Countertop

Leave No Stone Unturned…
In your quest for a one-of-a-kind countertop that is made of natural stone, you have to check out Concetto by Caesarstone.  From Amethyst to Petrified Wood, you’ll find something to like. Semi-precious stones are individually cut to create these gorgeous countertops.  A small sampling of options are on the photo above, plus some of them can be cut thinly enough to allow light to shine through. Gorgeous!

While I love to look at materials that are definitely not mundane, most of my clients do need some advice when it comes to practicality. When you choose a surface material for your countertops, be sure to consider your lifestyle and the amount of use those counters will get.  Some of the more porous materials may be prone to stains while some of the non-porous ones could suffer from scratches. Research is key so that you can make a wise choice that will merge seamlessly with your design style as well as live up to normal everyday use. As always if you are looking to remodel your kitchen or do any other design work around the house that needs a bit of contemporary flair, I hope you’ll contact me.  I would like to invite you to join the Design Connection discussions on Facebook and Twitter.  I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Caesarstone, ThinkGlass, Grothouse Lumber, Reaching Quiet, Handcrafted Metal

Not ready to tackle a whole-house or large room remodel just yet? If that sounds like you, then you are probably considering doing something new with your bathroom. Sometimes it’s better to start small. Bathrooms are one of the most used rooms in the house, a quick google search yielded some surprising statistics. Apparently we spend an average of 210 min per week in the bathroom. (Yes you read that right!) That adds up to about 10,920 minutes per year, 182 hours or 7.58 days.  So considering that we all generally spend quite a bit of time in the bathroom, it is only natural that the idea of remodeling that space is so appealing. In an economy where some people are hesitant to commit to a larger project, a bathroom is the perfect place to start.

Showering you with ideas!
Having a spa-like experience everyday is something many of us dream about. Beautiful and heated tile floors, a towel warmer, maybe a gorgeous sink and shiny new fixtures to compliment the ultimate bath or steam shower…ideas and options abound. The key is taking the ideas you want and working them into the existing space that you have in a way that is not only eye pleasing but livable. We love comfort and beauty but we also like convenience of surfaces that are easy to clean and maintain. When you plan a bathroom remodel you need to consider whether you are wanting to do a partial or full remodel. Partial might involve replacing existing sinks, baths and toilets with newer models but keeping the same layout. A full remodel could include gutting the entire space and restarting from scratch. Depending on your lifestyle and your budget, you can and should work with an experienced interior designer to plan out your space. Not only can they introduce you to the latest products that are on the market, they will ensure that the choices you make
compliment each other to give you the spectacular bathroom you deserve.

Ready, Set, Remodel!
If you are thinking about remodeling, you are in luck! The Design Connection Team is going to be at the Kansas City Remodeling show February 12-14 at the American Royal. We would love to see you there and talk to you about your ideas and show you some of the great remodeling projects we’ve done in Kansas City, including bathrooms that we love.  Look for our booth at the show. We will post details closer to the event on our website but you can always ask questions here, or on the Design Connection Facebook or Twitter pages. Looking forward to seeing you at the show!

Call it the comeback kid, this is not your grandmother’s wallpaper! (photo) As a designer, I still cannot think of a better way to complete a small space than using one of the amazing textured or hip patterned papers that are on the market today. I am often told by realtors to take down all of the wallpaper in resale homes. In some cases I can agree with them, but generally speaking I think wallpaper gets a bum rap. With the vast array of choices out there, there’s no reason why you can’t find a great wallpaper that you’ll love so much you won’t even consider taking it down!

Despite the well meaning advice of my realtor friends, I have not stopped using wallpapers – especially in powder rooms and dining rooms or feature walls. I’m a little “old school” in that I keep a large collection of sample books in my studio that I’ll crack open whenever I need a little inspiration. From natural woven textures to papers that shimmer because they contain tiny glass beads throughout, how could you NOT love wallpaper? It’s inconceivable! Trust me, there’s something out there to suit everyone. All I’m saying is give peace – I mean WALLPAPER a chance! If you love wallpaper too, I hope you’ll reach out and let me know. You can comment here or send me an Email. We need to stick together…

[Images from the fabulous York Wallcoverings collections

Stylish soaks that are sure to inspire your bathroom decor.

Last week’s blog about the high number of clients requesting to replace their traditional bathtubs with showers brought on plenty of discussion and input from people who love a good old-fashioned soak in the tub.  So we decided to dedicate this week’s blog to continuing our thoughts on ideas for bathroom remodels and to focus on bathtubs.

For some, there’s nothing better than a steaming hot bath, a good book and a glass of wine at the end of the day to ease away their stress from a hectic workday. The bathtub has a history of being rather mundane but fear not, you can still have your bubbles and bliss with some of the very inspiring and, dare we say, good looking bathtub models being offered today!

OPTIONS OPTIONS OPTIONS

Often bathtubs are an afterthought and most people don’t realize that you have more options than choosing a plain white recessed, corner or freestanding tub. Modern technology has made it possible for you to not only have choices but very innovative options depending on your personal preferences and needs. There is a wide array of colors and materials to choose from.  One of the latest trends we’ve seen at Design Connection is the desire for a deep soaking tub.  The kind where you can sink in up to your chin and just unwind either in a reclined or upright position.

Asian influenced japanese whirlpool bath from Diamond Spas

Taking a page from traditional japanese soaking tubs, there are now several options with a modern twist incorporating beautiful elements such as copper or stainless steel with comforts such as whirlpool jets or stunning ceiling mounted water fixtures. If you are considering incorporating more of an eastern flair, you should definnitely consider an upright soaking tub especially if space is an issue.  They take up less horizontal space than a traditional bathtub but still give you the beauty and comfort of a good deep soak.

Sleek stainless steel soaker from Diamond Spas

Of course if you prefer to recline there are plenty of options there and exciting new offerings from some of the well known manufacturers we often use in our designs.

If you love the look of a freestanding tub but want something other than the traditional claw foot, ivory bath we have definitely got some eye popping tubs for you that are so stunning you’ll definitely want to make one the centerpiece of your bathroom retreat.

The handcrafted bases and color choices make these freestanding baths by Jetta absolutely stunning

Jetta is a company that is probably most recognized for their innovations in whirlpool and jetted tubs. With their WaterDance Bath series you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that they have ventured into the realm of artistic and freestanding soaking tubs with plenty of style. Imagine soaking your stress away in what can only be considered a piece of art. We think you’ll agree that these tubs are just simply stunning with the handcrafted metal bases and designs to suit contemporary to traditional tastes. Freestanding tubs will never be the same!

While soaking is great for many, there are still those of you who love the idea of jets and bubbles to give you that personal spa experience. If that’s your thing, you’ll definitely want to check out the sōk® Overflowing bath from Kohler. They have a great video that shows how the tub works and it’s definitely worth watching. CLICK HERE to watch!

The sōk® bath has a combination of unique options that are becoming popular with bath aficionados. Chromatherapy and Air Bath technology. The Chromatherapy features are based on the idea that light and color can affect bio-rhythms and life balance. Including this with the soothing bath waters, you can get a true spa experience at home with a Chromatherapy tub and even if the color doesn’t affect your mood, the ambiance and the waters will definitely leave you feeling relaxed. They have a great blog about Chromatherapy and how it can affect your mood at the Kohler site that we’d recommend you read if you want more information about the concept.

Immerse youself in water, Chromatherapy and Champagne-like Bubbles in a Sok bath from Kohler

Last but not least, we want to talk about bubbles and Air Baths. The idea is to move away from blasting jets and toward a more tranquil experience with thousands of tiny champagne-like bubbles caressing you as you bathe. There are several companies who offer Air Baths including well known brands Jetta, Kohler and Jacuzzi and options definitely abound. With the various features on some where you can control zones and even have your bathtub clean itself it is almost too good to be true.  We have heard some funny stories from clients whom we have installed Air Baths for who have said sometimes when they self clean it sounds like the bathtub is burping! While it makes us chuckle, what makes us smile is the thought  of the bathtub cleaning itself. Now if it would only do dishes and run the vacuum that would be perfect but we’ll take what we can get.

Jacuzzi's Pure Air® Bellavista Bath

There are countless options out there if you are considering a bathroom remodel, but we think there is a perfect fit for everyone whether you are a fan of showers or baths.  We love both and would invite you to contact us if you want to get even more inspiration and help with planning your home bath retreat to suit you. One thing is for sure, with a bathroom remodel or new bathroom design from Design Connection you’ll probably be so relaxed you’ll never want to leave your bathroom!

We are getting prospective clients calling that are ready to make changes in their master bathroom. They want to eliminate large bathtubs and have great walk-in showers, they have been seeing in the model homes. Most of the time we are able to accomplish what they are requesting. I always remind my clients most things are possible, but there is a price to pay for such a modern large update. 

 We are enlarging showers and upgrading to body spray systems or integrated custom showers. Kohler has some really great new and updated products that can turn your outdated master bathroom into something magical and spa like. For inspiration on bathrooms visit our portfolio.

Tip: We have been told by realtors that you should still have one bathtub on the same floor.

We are at your service, how can we help you? www.designconnectioninc.com

Wallpaper is a great way to spice up a space. We use it mostly in bathrooms and dining rooms to add a pop of interest. Wallpapers come in many designs; we especially like the ones with metallic accents. The papers are of a high quality, and very easy to clean and change when its time for a new look.

The master bathrooms I am designing today are always tiled on the floor and sometimes with radiant heated floors. The counter tops are mostly granite, but are sometimes Onyx with built in sinks, or tiled with over mount sinks of natural stone.  It is very expensive to replicate the bathrooms in the magazines in a cost effective manor. I try to use expensive decorative tile in small amounts which can give the feeling of being very expensive without using expensive tile all over. Another trick is to keep the plumbing hardware at a median price point, but to use something wonderful on the walls.The interior designers in Kansas City are designing bathrooms as beautifully as on the coasts. As a certified interior designer I have seen an increase in professional interior designers in the Kansas City area that are doing creative and interesting designs in the master bathrooms.I have many calls per week from prospective clients that are not wanting to move but do want to have an updated bathroom. They feel that often they will have to do the same updating in a new home that they will have to do in their existing home. So, they feel it is less expensive to stay where they are and then just update what they want to change. In my own home, In my own home, I am slowing changing what is outdated or just wearing out.

My own bathroom fixtures have to be replaced. What a decision for me! My personal tastes reflect a brushed nickel, but my bathroom would look great in oil rubbed bronze. The old brass fixtures did look great 10 years ago, but a little worn and dated today. I wonder, will they ever come back in style? I asked myself that back when, about brass and avocado appliances.The colors today most popular with interior designers in Kansas City are the oil rubbed bronze an brushed nickel. We still use chrome in our more contemporary jobs and brass, well maybe never.What choices would you consider for your own home? Sometimes the decision is easy and sometimes not so easy.

With the housing market in a funk, homeowners are often choosing to stay in their homes and updating the bathroom. We help our clients with many bathrooms during the year. It is best to look at magazines or bathroom books to get ideas. You may like one style, tile from one book and fixtures from another. It is best to decide if you want a spa, casual, or dressy look. In my master bathroom, I am changing out all the brass to oil rubbed bronze fixtures because it will look best with the granite and tile I have installed. I am keeping what works and changing what is dated.

It is best to call in a professional for help. It saves time in looking for sources and an interior designer can help with the layout, lighting & other selections.