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.

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!

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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.

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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

Let’s be real, the family lives in the hearthroom! And your space should be comfortable and flexible so that everyone can enjoy spending time in the room. When updating a space, you will get the most out of the room by adding special touches that reflect your family’s lifestyle!

Subtle and refined this beautiful hearthroom was transformed by a cozy sectional and accented with suede pillows and fun, black and white patterned pillows. Soft and wonderful underfoot is this great looking silk rug, you almost have to walk on it to believe it. This client had beautiful crystal family heirlooms that we featured on the glass coffee table, candles used in the evening make this space appear magical. The crystal lamps with linen shades are very much up to date. We loved the steel table, though twenty years old, we found it was timeless and worked in our new update.

Design Tip: Accessories can transform a room, but you don’t have to get them all at once. Your collection should tell a story about your travels and interests. Don’t overdo it; consider the quality of the item and its placement. Change out your objects as the seasons change, and if you need a change in the space declutter!

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. Please feel free to ask us questions or schedule our complimentary  in studio consultation at 913 851-8776. You can also connect with us through  Facebook

We all have TV’s, and as an interior designer, I am always coming up with solutions on integrating televisions in a space. Some of my clients want to showcase them all over the home and others prefere them to be hidden until in use. Luckily there are great ways of dealing with both prefrences and today I wanted to share some solutions with you!

Have relaxed space with modern flare? The easiest way to keep a TV that you want visible at all times is a wall mounted unit. Not only does it provide you with space below but by mounting your flat screen to a panel rather than a wall gives you the ability to move the unit without having to patch your walls. This unit blends the warmth of antiques with a cool contemporary appeal. This great wall unit comes from a line which Hooker Furniture provides. Click here for more info on this unit.

Love to have your TV in the room to but want the space to be sophisticated and your flat screen hidden? Then a lift console is solution to your problem! A 3-piece console combines contemporary styling for flat panel TVs with a rich traditional dark cherry finish. Features: remote controlled lift, ample storage for audio-visual equipment and accessories, interchangeable door panels of wood, or speaker grille. You can find all the options for this unit at Sunrise Home Furnishings Click here for details.

If you are looking to add drama to your space, using a dark large unit not only adds contrast to the room but make a statement that will be worth your money. Features include one canister light with touch switch, one adjustable wood framed glass shelf, two adjustable shelves, one solid wood panel door, one adjustable shelf behind the door and adjustable levelers at the base. You can even choose an optional cloth door for added design flexibility. If you love this you can find out more at Stanley Furniture.

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

What Makes A Comfy Chair? If I had to answer this question with one sentence I would say that – One Size Does Not Fit All!

There are many beautiful furniture options out there – and many people have a love at first sight reaction, when they see a glossy example of the perfect room. It is my job as a professional interior designer to help guide you in making sure that perfect piece of furniture is also perfect for your body size. A petite woman will want a different seat height than a man of 6 feet.

When I begin to select the best chair for my clients, I think about the back height of the piece. Some people like to rest their head against the back of the chair, but it bothers others! If my clients have long legs, I will look for a higher seat height and depth. For shorter visitors the solution is simply a fabulous extra cushion behind one’s back. Some like a firm seat while others like a gentle comfy sink. These are all questions that I ask and answer during the design process, before we commit to purchasing the perfect chair.

Furniture is an investment, and my clients trust me to guide them through the options, so that they can enjoy their comfy furniture for many years to come. Check out our portfolio to see examples our projects and the many great chairs I have provided along the way. www.designconnectioninc.com

Ok, I admit, I have painted a couple of walls beige, but I brought in fabulous furniture, fabric and texture to create the drama in the room. When starting a project, you have to make a choice. Are your walls going to do the talking, or is the furniture and items in the room going to make the statement?

If you want a great couch, with fun pops of color on the pillows I recommend going with a neutral color on the walls. You can bring in textures with your rug, drapery and accessories to keep the room interesting. Neutral walls also showcase art better, allowing the picture to draw your attention, rather than competing with a strong color.

If you feel more comfortable with a neutral furniture scheme, then I would defiantly bring in some color on the walls. You can create beautiful monochromatic furniture layouts, by paying attention to details and creating interest through pattern and texture. Then you can use the walls to either make a bold color statement, or more subtly enhance your room with just enough color to keep the room fascinating.

Everybody has a different definition of beautiful and that is the fun part of interior design, that we can cater a project exactly to the lifestyle and needs our clients. That is our design philosophy here at Design Connection Inc. and our clients agree.

What our clients have to say!

“Arlene and her team did a phenomenal job with our new home. They listened to what we wanted and delivered in a huge way! When we bought the home, it was traditional and ordinary and did not reflect our tastes, but Arlene was able to completely revamp it with a contemporary, fresh look that we love!

- Chris B.

I would like to make a fresh start in my bedroom. I have always had traditional furniture and bedding, but, this time I want to create a fun, colorful bedroom. What are your suggestions?

-Karen Stark

Who said a bedroom had to be stuffy and beige? You should feel great when you enter your bedroom. If color inspires you, go in that direction. I just returned from High Point Market, the largest furniture trade show in the world. I was thrilled to see bold pops of bright colors in fabrics and furniture.

I recommend starting with a neutral wall color; it blends well with many color pallets and allows the fabrics and accessories to make a bold statement.

When it comes to furniture, the bed is usually the focal point. There are many lines of ready-made custom bedding, which allows for a custom look without the custom price tag. As an example our client requested a refreshing and fun bedroom. So I selected a lime green and aqua color scheme, balanced with a transitional charcoal color. By subtly repeating the fabrics around the room, you can create a balanced feel without being matchy matchy.

If the bed is the statement piece, approach the other furniture in the room as the supporting cast. Clean, elegant and interesting bedside tables along with great shaped lamps add ambiance to the room, rather than compete with it.

Think outside the box. Instead of using a traditional bench, two fun ottoman cubes do the trick. Instead of a reading chair, consider a chaise with a great fabric pattern!

A room is never really finished without accessories. Remember less is best in today’s streamline style. Enjoy your new room!

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about creating a unique space in your home. To view this project please visit my online portfolio. As a professional interior designer, I enjoy introducing design options I find outside of the Kansas City area. www.designconnectioninc.com

It felt a bit like déjà vu, as I walked the halls of High Point this year. I kept seeing furniture with a “pickled finish”. It is interesting how trends can be reinvented every few years. The old pickled look has been given a new name, and is now known as a Blond Finish.

Pickled wood furniture was popular in the 1950s and many of the pieces are now collectibles. It is no wonder that furniture lines are bringing in this interesting finish that gives furniture a light color option with a rich depth to it. You can play this finish up and create an elegant focal point, or play it down for great decorative charm.

I especially like linen headboards and they are the rage right now. I can pair the blond finish with a great fabric for an old world feel that also feels very modern and relevant. Stanley Furniture introduced a new farm bed with great finish options. The old world distressing gives it a timeless look and the finish options give it character. I love the heavy rubbed through white finish, that offers close to the wood matte finish with a cream colored accent glaze.

Hickory White offers discerning furniture with some great new finish options. I love that moment in a project, where you decide which piece will become the statement in the room and which design elements will complement it. The more finish options I have to work with the more creative I can get. You can call it Blond or Pickled, I can make it look fabulous in your home! Click Here to view our portfolio to get inspired about how we can help you transform your rooms!

Arlene relaxing on the furniture to test how comfy it is!

I just got back from High PointВ Market and am so happy to see that big bold pops of color are in. Green and gray were both the color of the season! We now have available in our upholstery lines the use Benjamin Moore Colors on the furniture frames that are wood. What a great way customize the look in your home.
I talk about going to High Point Market – but do you know what it is? Twice a year I travel to North Carolina to view a rich variety of home furnishings to stay up to date on international furniture trends. I sit in furniture to test comfort level; I purchase unique and different art to show off in our design studio. I get to view great light fixtures and accessories and so much more! This is how I can bring together a special look for your home and create that beautiful Design Connection Inc touch.
The High Point Market is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, with 10 Million Square Feet of Showspace. One of the reasons I attend is because new product lines are launched here and I want to make sure that I have a pulse on the most up to date trends! There are 2,000 exhibitors and if I can’t find what you need at High Point… it probably doesn’t exist.

It’s not all work at High Point here we are at a C.R. Laine Party enjoying the food and alcohol and we danced the night away to a live band.

Here is a room that I loved! Showrooms put together room vignettes for lots of great ideas for us designers that I can then, help you achieve in your home.

 At Design Connection, we love interiors and we love making your ideas and dreams come to life. Our creative and detailed approach to interior design is what sets us apart and we’d love to sit down and talk to you about how we can help you accomplish your goals with your home this year.  We offer complimentary in-studio consultations by appointment and invite you to contact us anytime by phone 913-851-8776, filling out this form online CLICK HERE>>>, or coming by the office at 10520 Barkley Suite 140, Overland Park, KS 66212.

Of all the things I could write about this week, for some reason furniture is on my mind.

Fact: One of my favorite topics in the world is furniture.

Yes, you read that right.В  Furniture. Some people might think that is a bit boring but I’m thinking maybe they just haven’t been exposed to the truly fabulous and inspired pieces like the ones we carry at Design Connection.В  One of the more surprising facts about custom furniture is that it is priced competitively with the items you see in the big chain stores.В  Why settle for having the exact same furniture as everyone else when stunning furniture is not only affordable, it’s UNIQUE! Hopefully after reading this you will be just as excited as I am about furniture. Read on my friends,В  and enter the wonderful world of possibilities that await in the realm of custom, designer furniture!

ELEGANT CURVES AHEAD
I always look forward to the chairs from C.R. Laine. They have a way of creating divine shapes that are so beautiful and elegant that they can be upholstered in practically anything and always look stunning, like the Dautry chair. Sit in one of these and it’s pure bliss!

Stanley's Louis Louis Westons low profile sleigh bed from Design Connection

SLEIGH RIDE
I love this updated take on the traditional sleigh bed.В  The elegant curved wood base provides a beautiful frame for your gorgeous bed linens and everything is nice and neat, clean and classic.

Lilian August for Hickory White's Gregory Chest from Design Connection

A CHEST OF STYLE
Drawers don’t have to be boring and furniture with drawers is perfect for keeping your space nice and tidy! Enter this to-die-for chest with it’s wonderfully contrasting matte black wood finish with faux shagreen drawer fronts. With the cool wood and leather-like texture of the faux shagreen this piece is simply divine.

DesignMaster's Melbourne dining table from Design Connection

CLEAR MASTERY
Why settle for an ordinary glass table when you can have one with STYLE like this one.В  With bent glass, stainless steel and wood, the look is an original and is a practical and beautiful variation on the standard glass top dining table.

C.R. Laine's Iliad chair from Design Connection

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
Of the many wonderful benefits of custom furniture is the ability you have to create something one-of-a-kind that is so unique you simply won’t find it anywhere else and certainly not in the mainstream department stores. A great example of this is this very cool chair from one of my favorites, C.R. Laine.
Seeing this chair from the back is one thing, and seeing it from the front makes it a show stopper!

I could talk all day about beautiful furniture if you let me.В  The pieces above are just a small sampling of the possibilities I can help you with at Design Connection in Kansas City. We are probably one of the best kept secrets in the industry and can certainly help you with your custom furniture purchase from start to finish. If you are in the market for furniture, you owe it to yourself to look into custom furniture that is as unique as you are.В  Call or contact us today and let’s get together to talk Furniture!