Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

As technology continues to progress and information is always at our finger tips, the way we work is being redefined. Corporate standards are changing to include workplace flexibility, which means that home office is become a more prevalent room in the home.

Work today is being done in new ways and in new places. If you find yourself working from home on the kitchen table or on a desk shared by kids craft projects, it might be time to carve some of your own space. Design Connection Inc. can help you re-purpose a room, or finish out your basement to include a fully functioning home office.

The facts are in. According to the conclusions of psychologists who examined 20 years of research on flexible work arrangements, telecommuting is a win-win for employees and employers. “We found that telecommuters reported more job satisfaction, less motivation to leave the company, less stress, improved work-family balance, and higher performance ratings by supervisors,.” said Ravi S. Gajendran, lead author of an analysis of 46 studies of telecommuting involving 12,833 employees, reported in the Journal of Applied Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Here at Design Connection, we realize how important this trend is and even more important, is creating that space in your home where you will be working several hours a day. It needs to be clean, uncluttered, ergonomic, and safe. We have the resources to help you make the right decisions for your home office as part of The Office Evolution.

Design Tip: Function first! Make a list of your office needs, the design should evolve around these needs. If the new home office doesn’t accommodate everything you need to work efficiently then you will never be as productive as you can be. If storage is important, then it is key to plan for shelves and drawers and file cabinets. If a big work surface is needed then a large desk will be key. There are may pieces of furniture that can expand and contract as needed.

If you love this idea, but don’t know where to start call us today for an appointment with our professional design team. Our business hours are: 9 a.m – 5 p.m. central standard time Monday – Friday Call Arlene Ladegaard at  (913) 851-8776 or email her at Arlene@DesignConnectionInc.com

(Office examples are courtesy of office-dd.net, sixrevisions.com and femtalks.com)

High Point Furniture Market is the only internationally esteemed Furnishing Industry Trade Show.   High Point Market is the Fashion Week of Furniture Design and it is every bit as fabulous. Retailer representative attend High Point Market to order furniture lines in person from manufacturers to stock in their stores for the upcoming months.  However, the more exiting more relevant purpose of High Point Market is for high end designers and decorators to convene.  They gather in anticipation of seeing the latest designs and to stay up to date on the latest trends in furniture. They find inspiration for their current design projects, compare the quality and design among different manufacturers, and to search for unique and beautiful furnishings for their clients.

Here are some of our favorite fabulous picks from the designs debuted at this years Spring 2012 High Point Fashion Market.

Norwalk Furniture “The new Norwalk Furniture silhouettes are highly stylish, while offering tremendous flexibility in creating a personal look with new combinations of color, pattern and texture.”  -Norwalk Furniture, You Tube Channel

Norwalk Furniture Spring 2012 Introductions

We couldn’t agree more!

Hickory White We love the new Antique and Classic Collections by Lillian August for Hickory White.

“Artfully crafted, with a timeless sense of design, Lillian’s Classics Collection combines modern techonology of reproduction with archival references. Luxurious details like marquetry inlays, marble tops, and eglomise panels set the stage for furniture that will become family heirlooms.”  (2012 Spring Catalogue)

C.R. Laine

The C.R. Laine collection is an “extensive premier collection of frames and fabric/trims touting a very high degree of customized features.” (C.R. Laine Website)

We love that C.R. Laine provides tons of customizing options in over 900 beautiful environmentally friendly organic  fabric choices. http://www.crlaine.com/ShowResults.asp?pg=1&viewall=true

Stanley Furniture

We love the Classic European Cottage Stanley Furniture Collection.  It embodies some of Design Connection’s design aesthetics and principles that we have built over 35 years of interior design experience. A Classic look with European influence will always be in style.

Design Connection, Inc. is an authorized furniture dealer for all of the beautiful collections above.  We buy furniture directly from these and other manufacturers and have built strong long-term business relationships with them to receive manufacturer direct pricing.  The savings from bypassing retail stores or showrooms is passed on to our clients.  To refurnish with some of the design collections you’ve seen here please visit our website at www.designconnectioninc.com or call us at 913.851.8776 to schedule an appointment. We would love to hear from you!

This weekend families will be gathering around tables to celebrate Easter or Passover. This is the perfect opportunity to add a bit of style to your table and home. Simple can be fun. A simple tin can with a ribbon and some wild flowers sets an easy and relaxed tone to the holiday. If you want something a bit more formal consider a large vase overflowing with beautiful flowers. This helps set a celebratory tone to your tablescape. For more ideas Click Here to read: “Elegant Passover Table Settings”

Placing holiday inspired decorations around the house reminds everyone that taking a bit of time off to gather with family and friends is an important part of life. Take the time to create a bit of magic for your little ones, or enjoy the traditions that are being passed on by the older generation.

Formal or family oriented – you choose. Here is an example of a Design Connection Inc. home. We updated both the family room and formal dining room. Both rooms are elegant but create a very different atmosphere. One aspect of good design is to have a consistent design statement throughout the house. Click Here to see the whole project.

If your house is ready for an update, and you are ready for a home that reflects your lifestyle and taste, give us a call 913-851-8776 to schedule a complimentary in-studio consultation. Click Here to visit our website DesignConnectionInc.com

It’s March Madness time and with Kansas City’s gorgeous weather the past couple days, I’m going mad working inside all day! Everyone needs to get out of the office and out on the patio. And this is Kansas City, home of great Bar-B-Q, so you better get to grilling! And Design Connection is here to make your backyard the best on the block! If you’ve been wanting to re-vamp that back deck or just want some help picking out the most comfortable lounge chairs you and your family enjoy, give us a call.

Who doesn’t love to BBQ -If an outdoor kitchen or patio is on your list of things to do here are some fun design ideas to consider. Here are 5 great tips for mouth-watering BBQ from the Stone Soup blog. For a more local source check out http://www.bbqfans.com BBQ Fans has everything for the perfect night outside from grills to tools to spices and rubs! Everything you need to make a perfect meal for the family

1. Don’t cook cold meat. Make sure meat is at room temperature.

2. Preheat properly. The grill should be nice and HOT before you throw on your steaks.

3. Don’t poke & prod Only turn meat once or twice. And definitely don’t squash everything down as this forces the juices to run out and leaves you with sad dry meat.

4. Rest. It’s all about letting the muscle fibers relax and take back the juices after the  intensity of the heat.

5. Clean your BBQ. Enough said!

The simple pleasure of enjoying your outdoor furniture, hosting a barbeque or watching a sunset can serve as a fantastic escape and lead to a calmer, more peaceful life. An outdoor space is not complete without some comfy furniture that can stand the elements. Design Connection Inc. Can help you space plan the perfect layout for you deck, porch or patio. We carry many lines of amazing and durable furniture.

It has definitely been a very mild winter here in Kansas City.  And with that come a fast approaching spring! Whether you’re ready or not, it time to start thinking about putting all your winter décor away and begin spring cleaning. As you clean and re-organize for a new season, you may also want to change out a few things, invest in new spring-inspired furniture, or even paint a few walls and as always Design Connection Inc is here to help.

Entryway Transformation via Real Simple

One easy weekend project is painting. Sometimes a drastic change can be so exhilarating and it definitely gives the room a whole new look. In this foyer, the family decided to go with a vibrant tangerine color. Adding a new floor runner, some white furniture and couple lamps, the space went from blah to fun, inviting and very functional. For more ideas visit Real Simple online, then call us to see how we can make this an easy and wonderful reality in your home here in Kansas City.

Office Declutter via Real Simple

The home office is a reality in most homes. Whether you just pay your bills or bring home work overflow, an organized space is a more efficient space. Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to get organized? Well if you’re like many out there, you haven’t quite checked this off your list yet.  A simple file cabinet and magazine bins will only help you out a bit. But the right piece of furniture and cool space-saving shelves will make a difference. Don’t forget the matching rug and chair help to pull the whole room together.

Kids Room via Real Simple

Kids! We’ve all got them and it is important to realize that the whole house does not have to be the kids space. Pick a dedicated spot for the kiddos and recapture the rest of your home for yourself. Next, know that the playroom doesn’t always have to be the “junk” room as this “Before” picture so perfectly portrays. With a full wall of cubbies clearly marked for toys, markers, paints and books, you can create a space that is clean and safe for your kids to hang out in. Design Connection Inc can help you make some smart and strategic decisions to create a transitional space, that will grow along with your kids.

Fun & Fashionable patios via Better Homes & Gardens

The end of winter means that we can finally start playing outside again! I bet you even picked up an issue of Better Homes and Gardens, the same source as the pictures we featured above. This is your chance to convince your spouse to get that outdoor set you’ve been eyeing since November. Fun accessories and a fire-pit will make your backyard THE hang out space of the neighborhood. Design Connection Inc, carries several lines of amazing outdoor furniture sets. And we can select the fun colorful pillows and interesting accessories such as candles, wind chimes and fountains as well.

Spring trends via Martha Stewart

Sometimes the small things are the ones that make the most impact. Try switching out your dark-colored pillows to bright pops of color for your sofa. Add some flair with some flowers. Or even one side chair in a lively color will help take the room to the next level. Martha Stewart put together the above trends, but Design Connection Inc can make them a reality for you. So get up and let winter know we are done being cold! It’s time to get out in the sun and get a little color. And your home deserves a little color too, don’t you think? And if you need some help Design Connection Inc is just a call away 913-851-8776.

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.

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

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

Halloween is right around the corner, let’s have some decorating fun. You don’t need gory decorations to spook your dinner guests. Go to your local craft store and stock up on some fun decorations, then use pieces you already own to arrange them, like a three- tiered cake stand and candle sticks.  Long black candles help create a tall grim centerpiece. In addition, a patterned tablecloth helps provide depth and texture to any tabletop to make the dining room a delightful experience with various Halloween decor.  If you want to add more of a scare, hang yellow CAUTION tape on the windows. This dinner table is sure to lead to a thrilling night.

Design Tip: As you are putting your arrangement together think height, texture and contrasting colors.

Many of our clients think that wallpaper is outdated. Not when it looks like this! Powder rooms are a great space to insert great style. Here we used a gorgeous snakeskin suede wallpaper to set an elegant tone. A great shaped mirror is the dramatic focal point along with the modern fixtures. A crystal chandelier above cast a wonderful glow in this jewel box powder room.

If you have a bland and boring powder room, it might be hard for you to visualize the possibilites. Here is a great example of a powder room transformation. Design Connection Inc. gave it some pizzazz! To create this ‘jewel box’, we faux painted the original cabinet, added a granite countertop with a glass vessel sink and updated faucet. The mosaic tile covering the entire wall makes a dramatic statement – Wow

If you love this idea, but don’t know where to start, connect with us and we will help you create a space that you will absolutely love. Click Here to e-mail Arlene

Reminder – It’s Time to Think About the Holidays Now is the perfect time to begin the process to ensure that your spaces will be finished before your family arrives for the holidays. We welcome everyone into our studio for a consultation. This is a great way to see our space and meet our team and learn all about the design process that can transform your home! 913-851-8776