Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

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!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and at Design Connection, Inc. we are thinking of all of our friends, family members and relatives whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. We are remembering those loved ones we’ve lost to the disease and are grateful for those who are still battling while we hope for the cure. There are many ways we can individually help to support causes and foundations that will hopefully result in a cure for this terrible disease. Donating time and money to local organizations like the Touched by Cancer Foundation and Turning Point can help right here at home. If you are thinking big, the Susan G. Komen foundation has many ways you can contribute, including shopping on their exclusive website ShopKomen where they let you “purchase with purpose to end breast cancer forever”.

During the month of October, let’s honor the ones we love.
We invite you to post about your loved ones who have been affected by breast cancer on our Facebook wall (click here>>>). Feel free to honor someone you love who has been affected by breast cancer by posting their name, and perhaps even a picture or a story on our wall about them. At the end of the month, we will choose one person and make a donation in their honor to the Touched by Cancer Foundation here in Kansas City.

In support of all of these brave and wonderful people, I am thinking pink this week and have some fabulous ideas on how you can incorporate it in your home’s design. It just so happens that pink is one of the current trends we are seeing in interior design with the “femme fatale” style becoming popular. Sumptuous velvets, lots of luxury fabrics and textures, fluffy rugs all with the pop of pink are in many fashion and style magazines.

This Living Room is in the Pink!
We love designer Betsey Johnson for many reasons but did you know she also has a passion for interiors?В  She is also a breast cancer survivor and is big on breast cancer awareness. She designed an entirely pink, and very hip apartment that was featured in a recent edition of Elle UK. While it may be a little over the top for most of you, I just love how the pink isn’t overpowering but definitely makes a design statement here. Click on the photo and you can shop Betsey’s website in her Breast Cancer Awareness section and support the cause.

A Pop of Pink!

I just love the combination of brown, goldenrod, white and this bold dash of hot pink on this gorgeous Chandra rug. Perfect for a surprising bit of pink underfoot in your room! If you like this rug or want to see others like it, Design Connection is your resource for Chandra Rugs in Kansas City!

Sitting Pretty
Utterly hip and obviously elegant, this plush dark pink velvet chair promises to be a conversation starter.В  Regardless of whether you’re a diva or not, it would be a great accent piece in your boudoir!

On the Lighter Side
Not ready for a whole room of pink yet? It’s ok, you can still commit to adding little bits of color to your space with subtle pink color. These sparkly jeweled branches would be a delightfully delicate accent for your home without having to go all out floral. It’s girly but with a contemporary edge.

Feisty Fabrics
Ready to breathe some new life into your room?В  Choose a custom upholstered sofa , a set of wing chairs or maybe an ottoman in a patterned pink fabric. There are options that are bold or delicate depending on your tastes and if you look at these offerings from C.R. Laine, you can see they are simply gorgeous. Don’t forget, Design Connection is your Kansas City resource for the furniture and fabrics from C.R. Laine!

Whether you do a little pink or a lot, you’d be surprised at how versatile this color can be when it’s done right in a room. It’s funny because sometimes when I work with couples, the men seem to be apprehensive about pink. I love it when they actually see it and comment on how amazing it looks AND the fact that it doesn’t always look girly. If you are considering adding some pink to your home’s interior and want to make sure you get it right, contact me and let’s have a design consultation in my studio. It’s complimentary and we can plan exactly how to get your spaces in the pink without going overboard!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Betsey Johnson, Amy Butler/Chandra, Neiman Marcus, ZGallerie, C.R.Laine

While I was out running errands earlier this week I happened to overhear a conversation between a young couple shopping for accessories in their home.В  The wife was frustrated because her husband didn’t like anything she picked and vice versa which had them at an impasse and apparently it wasn’t the first time. They were arguing over whether certain items would “go” with the style of furniture, colors etc. in their home and after listening to them for a good ten minutes, I finally introduced myself, gave them my card and invited them to come see me for a complimentary consultation.В  They thanked me, laughed and joked that perhaps it would save their marriage if a pro could handle it for them.В  At least then they would have a buffer!В  It made me start thinking about the many things interior designers can do and how there are still a lot of people out there who aren’t really sure what a designer does and why they might need one. Perception can be a tricky thing.В  The way you dress and act contributes to how people perceive you. The same goes for your home. Most people don’t think about interior design as part of their investment into their home but when you look at the benefits you’ll realize that the perception of the quality of your home is directly related to the quality of your interior design. So this week I’ve decided to tackle the topic and try to clarify a few perceptions about interior designers.

Perception #1: I can’t afford an Interior Designer

Like any service, it’s easier to justify the expense if you understand exactly what your benefits are. When it comes to money and interior designers, yes there is expense involved for time, expertise and material costs and labor.В  It’s no different from any other service you might pay for whether it’s an accountant at tax time or a painter to re-do your walls. However, the benefits can be huge when you consider how much your time is worth and then consider how much money you could save by getting it right the first time.

FACT: I save my clients money

• Direct access to vendors to negotiate cost
• Consultation and budget planning up front
• Design done right saves you Time AND Money

Perception #2: I don’t understand the benefits of having an Interior Designer.

I have studied interior design for years, it’s my passion in life. There are lots of obvious benefits of having an interior designer but think about it in the context of the investment you make in your home. If you ever plan to move, it is definitely something you should be thinking about. Competition in the housing market is intense and you and your home should be prepared if you want to get top dollar.

FACT: Good Interior Design can help increase the value of your home.

• Homes that have outdated interiors don’t show well and spend more time on the market.
• Homes in need of major updating sell for less
• If you want top-dollar for your home, you need to make sure you keep it up to date. Interior Designers can help you achieve that.

Perception #3: I can design my own space, surely it’s not that hard.

Of course you can do this if you are happy with your style and the choices you make. You’d be surprised at the number of people who try and can’t understand why their room doesn’t come together on it’s own. I have years of training and experience in Interior Design. My award-winning portfolio speaks for the quality of the work that I do. Much like ice skating, interior design may look easy but to do it right you need talent, training and experience.

FACT: A qualified Interior Designer will get it right the FIRST time.

• Save money by not having to re-do
• Save time with furniture and accessories that are chosen to work together instead of experimenting.
• Many people try and fail at doing it themselves then hire a designer to fix it.

Perception #4: Furniture is cheaper at the big retail stores.

With easy access to large furniture retailers in Kansas City who spend big bucks advertising discounts to get you into the store, it’s easy to assume that you’ll save big on everything they sell. Those big retailers are banking on the thought that you won’t want to make another trip so you’ll choose something while you’re there and get it done even if it ends up costing more than you expected.

FACT: I can compete with pricing & often deliver higher quality furniture

• I have direct access to manufacturers and furniture vendors which helps me pass on savings to clients
• The furniture lines I carry are often better quality than what you can buy off the shelf at retailers
• You can get unique furniture and accessories that you won’t find in the retail stores

Bottom line is that the benefits outweigh the cost and while I may not be able to change the public’s perception of Interior Designers overnight, I do think it’s a worthwhile topic to explore. Most people don’t think about interior design as part of their investment into their home but when you look closely it’s easy to see the benefits outweigh the cost.

Choosing a qualified interior designer should be based on these things:

• Examples of their work- look at their portfolio to see if you like what you see.
• Credentials & Recognition – Arlene is Kansas City’s ONLY Interior Designer to receive the ASID Award for Excellence 4 years in a row!
• Client Testimonials – seeing what past clients say about their experience with an interior designer prepares you for what to expect with yours

So I have to start this week’s blog with a bit of a sad story.В  I had this antique iron bed in my guest room that is over 100 years old that collapsed for the (sniffle) last time. Whether it was from sheer exhaustion or old age, I’m not sure- but it had been repaired enough times in the past that it was simply time to put it out to pasture once and for all before someone got hurt. As I stood there saying my last goodbyes to my beloved bed (it really was fabulous!) it occurred to me that I now had the opportunity to put a new bed in there and I felt the spark of excitement begin moving through my veins. With the myriad of choices that are out there, my mind began to race… should I do iron again, or how about wood?В  Perhaps a combination of materials or maybe just a headboard. What about the style?В  Should it be contemporary, traditional, modern or maybe a combination? You’d be amazed at how a simple bed change can impact a room. If you’re looking to change things up in the bedroom and want to phase in pieces to minimalize impact on your budget, my advice is to start with your bed or bedding.

I decided to seize the opportunity and chose a gorgeous upholstered bed (you’ll see which one below) and I can’t wait for it to arrive. While I was trying to choose the perfect bed, I came across some really wonderful upholstered beds that I would like to share with you.В  Upholstery just adds that “custom” feel to a bed that I just adore and paired with the right bedding can make it absolutely stunning!

If Sleep Had Angel Wings…
It would look like this gorgeous bed from Hickory White. It just happens to be the very bed I chose to replace the one that collapsed in my guest room.В  If you click on the link you can see the pictures from an angle that makes the distinctive “wings” on the sides of the headboard really pop. If I were to choose a word to repeat over and over about this bed it would be FABULOUS!

The High Point at Market
I fell in love with this bed when I went to High Point Market this year. It blends the best of both worlds with a mix of materials: wood and gorgeous linen. Combined with the jaw-dropping new “Blonde” finish from Stanley, this bed will make you look so lovely you may want to stay in there forever.

Sleek and Elegant
The classic combination of sumptuous leather and polished dark wood lends a classic elegance to this bold bedroom. Combined with a soft and textured bedding it transforms the bedroom into a delightful smorgasbord of materials that delight the senses!

Parles vous Français?
Pretty tufts and perfect pleats make up the finely upholstered headboard and footboard for this beautiful French inspired bed. One of the trends I’ve seen this year that I mentioned in my blog from High Point Market is the re-emergence of linen. I just love the effect when it’s combined with the beautiful wood and the unique curvy lines of this bed.

A Modern Take
A larger than life headboard more your style?В  You can make a bold statement with an expanse of quilted fabric in a funky and modern platform bed like this one that you can get with or without the wall sconces!

Let’s hear those Sleigh Bells jingling…
Winter and snow may not be here just yet but this completely fabric covered sleigh bed makes me think warm and cozy thoughts…in fact….yawn…I could really use a snooze in one of these right now.

Pretty Patterns
At first glance you might think this headboard had a printed pattern on it but it’s actually upholstered fabric in a fantastic geometric pattern.В  If you go with something so bold, make sure to keep your bed linens simple so they don’t take away from the styling details in the furniture.

Sometimes choosing a single piece of furniture can be difficult especially if you are trying to change things up but still make it “go” with the rest of your furnishings and accessories.В  If you are looking to replace any of the furniture inВ  your home or bedroom, Design Connection can help! We have access to several lines of furniture that you just won’t find in the retail stores and you might be surprised at the comparison in cost.В  Just because furniture is in a retail store, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best value. Come into our studio for a Free Interior Design consultation and we’ll be happy to show you what you’ve been missing and help you choose the perfect piece that’s guaranteed to fit your space AND your style!В  That’s the Design Connection way: You Talk, We Listen, You’ll Love!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Hickory White, Stanley, Brownstone, Baker, Usona, Zgallerie

So I have to start this week’s blog with a bit of a sad story.В  I had this antique iron bed in my guest room that is over 100 years old that collapsed for the (sniffle) last time. Whether it was from sheer exhaustion or old age, I’m not sure- but it had been repaired enough times in the past that it was simply time to put it out to pasture once and for all before someone got hurt. As I stood there saying my last goodbyes to my beloved bed (it really was fabulous!) it occurred to me that I now had the opportunity to put a new bed in there and I felt the spark of excitement begin moving through my veins. With the myriad of choices that are out there, my mind began to race… should I do iron again, or how about wood?В  Perhaps a combination of materials or maybe just a headboard. What about the style?В  Should it be contemporary, traditional, modern or maybe a combination? You’d be amazed at how a simple bed change can impact a room. If you’re looking to change things up in the bedroom and want to phase in pieces to minimalize impact on your budget, my advice is to start with your bed or bedding.

I decided to seize the opportunity and chose a gorgeous upholstered bed (you’ll see which one below) and I can’t wait for it to arrive. While I was trying to choose the perfect bed, I came across some really wonderful upholstered beds that I would like to share with you.В  Upholstery just adds that “custom” feel to a bed that I just adore and paired with the right bedding can make it absolutely stunning!

If Sleep Had Angel Wings…
It would look like this gorgeous bed from Hickory White. It just happens to be the very bed I chose to replace the one that collapsed in my guest room.В  If you click on the link you can see the pictures from an angle that makes the distinctive “wings” on the sides of the headboard really pop. If I were to choose a word to repeat over and over about this bed it would be FABULOUS!

The High Point at Market
I fell in love with this bed when I went to High Point Market this year. It blends the best of both worlds with a mix of materials: wood and gorgeous linen. Combined with the jaw-dropping new “Blonde” finish from Stanley, this bed will make you look so lovely you may want to stay in there forever.

Sleek and Elegant
The classic combination of sumptuous leather and polished dark wood lends a classic elegance to this bold bedroom. Combined with a soft and textured bedding it transforms the bedroom into a delightful smorgasbord of materials that delight the senses!

Parles vous Français?
Pretty tufts and perfect pleats make up the finely upholstered headboard and footboard for this beautiful French inspired bed. One of the trends I’ve seen this year that I mentioned in my blog from High Point Market is the re-emergence of linen. I just love the effect when it’s combined with the beautiful wood and the unique curvy lines of this bed.

A Modern Take
A larger than life headboard more your style?В  You can make a bold statement with an expanse of quilted fabric in a funky and modern platform bed like this one that you can get with or without the wall sconces!

Let’s hear those Sleigh Bells jingling…
Winter and snow may not be here just yet but this completely fabric covered sleigh bed makes me think warm and cozy thoughts…in fact….yawn…I could really use a snooze in one of these right now.

Pretty Patterns
At first glance you might think this headboard had a printed pattern on it but it’s actually upholstered fabric in a fantastic geometric pattern.В  If you go with something so bold, make sure to keep your bed linens simple so they don’t take away from the styling details in the furniture.

Sometimes choosing a single piece of furniture can be difficult especially if you are trying to change things up but still make it “go” with the rest of your furnishings and accessories.В  If you are looking to replace any of the furniture inВ  your home or bedroom, Design Connection can help! We have access to several lines of furniture that you just won’t find in the retail stores and you might be surprised at the comparison in cost.В  Just because furniture is in a retail store, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best value. Come into our studio for a Free Interior Design consultation and we’ll be happy to show you what you’ve been missing and help you choose the perfect piece that’s guaranteed to fit your space AND your style!В  That’s the Design Connection way: You Talk, We Listen, You’ll Love!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Hickory White, Stanley, Brownstone, Baker, Usona, Zgallerie

Embracing your Animal Instincts in Design
Have you ever noticed how when you smile, it is an instant pick-me-up? You just feel better and your stress just melts away when you have a grin on your face. Two things that make me smile are really good interior design and animals,В  combine the two and I am a blissfully happy designer!В  Being off my feet these past few weeks due to my foot surgery had me spending inordinate amounts of time with my beloved dogs and while staying down has been beyond difficult, having them around makes it all better.В  Despite the pain of recovery, I found myself smiling! As I looked around from my perch on the bed or on the sofa,В  IВ  started to take note of all the things in my home decor that had a touch of inspiration from the wonderful world of animals.В  A print here, an accessory there. It got me to thinking that perhaps it’s time to dedicate a blog to animals and how there are countless ways to incorporate them into your interior for a bit of wild and whimsical fun!

Designer peacock chair from Haute House

Supreme Seating
I love the surprise element of these chairs.В  From the front they appear to be gorgeously upholstered chairs, thenВ  when you get around the sides and the back you can see the detailing and design. Whether it’s Peacocks or Butterflies, how can you keep from smiling when you see how beautiful these are?

Blown glass animal figurines from Steuben Design

Graceful in Glass
So you like a more contemporary feel to your accessories?В  Look no further, the graceful and fluid lines of these glass animals will complement any room, any color, any style. These in particular make me want to reach out and touch them they are so pretty!

Fauna animal pillows from Design Public

Purr-fect Pillows
I adore these little throw pillows! From puppies, to gorillas, to piglets and everything in between these puffy bits of ingenuity will definitely be conversation starters. Get a little wild and toss a couple on your couch or on your bed!

Origamis Hunter wall lights from Si Studio: Goat, Deer and Rhino

A Head on the Wall
There are creative alternatives to the hunter’s tradition of literally incorporating animals into your home decor. These amazing origami inspired lights are a fantastic way to give a nod to the tradition of hanging heads on the wall with all of the style and none of the gore!

Animal print rugs from Horchow : Blue Leopard, Wild Giraffe, Traditional Zebra

Don’t Fur-get the Floor
Bold statements for the floor that are harmless for our furry friends! Keep in mind that animal prints don’t have to be in traditional or realistic colors either as seen in the Blue Leopard rug design above.В  Fresh and fun!

Horse lamp from moooi

A Horse of a Different Lamp
If you are looking for over the top style, then you have to check out the lifesize horse lamp from Moooi. It’s a showstopper and need we say more? If you check out their site take a look at the pig side table too. It will make you smile for certain!

Tiger Striped Sofa from Neiman Marcus

Purrrrrrrrfectly Upholstered
Don’t forget there are a wealth of great textiles you can incorporate into your home decor with some great mix/match upholstery or even draperies. Whether it’s a touch of animal embroidery in your drapery sheers or a tiger striped couch you can find that perfect balance, just make sure you don’t overdo it!

Whether you start out with a small accessory or go for a fully themed room, incorporating animal inspired design into your home can be a wonderful way to put a smile on your face every time you enter. There are some truly wonderful fabrics and products out there that run the gamut from sophisticated to silly depending on where your tastes lie. If you need help getting a little wild with your interior design, I hope you’ll think of us at Design Connection. Located in Kansas City, we offer complimentary in-studio interior design consultations, so come on by or schedule an appointment here and let’s see how we can make your room roar!В  Don’t forget, we welcome your comments here or if you want to pipe up and say hi and talk about Interior Design on Facebook and Twitter we would love to see you there too!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks:В  Haute House, Design Public, Steuben Design, Si Studios, Horchow

Space…the final frontier. Ok, maybe not so much the final frontier in this case but it is something many people don’t spend nearly enough time thinking about when they are considering design for their home. You’d be surprised at how many calls I get from people who need help “fixing” their design mishaps but I’ll let you in on a little secret that I employ religiously…space planning.В  Yep.В  Space planning.В  It involves the simple concept of taking a room and analyzing all the elements that incorporate that space like ceiling height, window size and placement, hallways and entries etc.В  Then we take that data and plan a room with furnishings and accessories that support good design and accommodates the traffic flow your lifestyle demands. It may not be the sexiest aspect of the work that we do, but it is one of the most essential. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes bit of work that not only helps you visualize the end product but also helps you achieve the look you desire before you ever have to move a single piece of furniture or change a thing!В  Now that’s what we call design smarts.В  Read on to learn more about space planning and what I’m talking about!

BEWARE! Hidden Obstacles Await
So you finished the basement but before you go shopping for furniture and appliances, you need to make sure you have a way to get them installed on that lower level. If you have a walkout basement it makes life much easier but for those of you who don’t, make sure you take into consideration the size of your furniture and appliances to ensure that you can get them down the stairs, through any doorways and into your basement area.В  Oftentimes tricky angles in halls and doorways will force you to get creative, sometimes you can remove doors, railings or even dismantle parts of the furniture but better to be safe than sorry.В  I had a friend who bought a full size fridge for the basement only to find that it simply would NOT fit through the existing door and hallway. They had to return it for a smaller one which cost them money for restocking but also the time & effort to find a new one, and have it brought to the house and installed.В  Their superbowl weekend unveiling of their newly finished basement didn’t happen as they had hoped. All of which could have been avoided had they planned in advance!

For Good Measure
I remember one year I bought a live Christmas tree that looked amazing at the farm but when I got it home it turned out to be WAY TOO BIG for the space. Ended up having to move furniture out of the room to accommodate it since taking it back wasn’t an option. My husband wasn’t exactly pleased about having to haul furniture around in the cold weather because I hadn’t bothered to measure the space AND the tree.В  This same idea applies to your rooms- you have to measure not only the room but also the features that make up the room like windows, doors, fireplaces and built-ins.В  Once you have the dimensions you have to measure the furniture you plan to put in the space, then try to figure out how to place it so that it works well for traffic flow as well as being visually pleasing. Sounds easy, right? You’d be surprised at how many people skip this step and end up with a room they are not happy with. If you are planning on new furnishings you can save a lot of time, money and heartache by making sure everything is going to work in the space BEFORE you buy!

Endless Possibilities!
Being able to take the data from room and furniture measurements and laying out a floorplan digitally is one of the things we do with EVERY DESIGN. Not only does this enable the client to visualize how the pieces will work in their unique spaces, it gives everyone a chance to test placement and design before a single piece of furniture is ever touched. It is one of my favorite things about the advancements in interior design technology and I am so proud of the fact that Design Connection has our very own space planner on staff to assist with making sure we get our rooms right the first time.В  If you are considering remodeling, we can even move walls and make major adjustments that you can see before you ever get started, it’s an example of how thorough we are with the design process.

Here’s the Plan!
We love challenges in interior design and one such challenge is when we are faced with rooms that have unusual dimensions or angled walls.В  As seen here in this actual space plan for a client, you can see how the windows, angled wall and hallway leading to this living area needed to be considered when placing the furniture and creating areas for traffic to flow easily.В  This particular project was one that I really enjoyed because we started with a completely blank slate and were able to work with the client to include the pieces they wanted without crowding the space.В  Whether it’s for a living area, bedroom or kitchen you should have a professional space planner to make sure that everything on your wish list is addressed, tested and incorporated before you commit to any kind of refresh or renovation.

The Finished Space
The space plan above eventually became the space you see pictured above.В  Everything from the height of the window treatments to the placement of each piece of furniture was pre-planned, checked and approved ahead of time which made for a perfect room from the get go. We did space planning and design for this whole condo from start to finish. If you would like to get a look at the great furniture, accessories, fabrics and other design elements we used for this project, click here to view our portfolio.

At Design Connection, we include space planning in all of our interior design projects. While not every designer in Kansas City employs the same ideals and concepts that we do, we feel space planning is a big part of what makes our service so extraordinary.В  We like to work with our clients closely to make sure that they are happy and in the process it helps us get to know them better and provide a level of service that you won’t find just anywhere.В  Saving clients time, money and potential headaches by planning in advance seems like a small price to pay for the big results they get when they end up with a room they absolutely love.В  Got a project? We would love to give you a free in-studio consultation! Simply click here then fill out the form and we’ll be in touch!

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!В  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.

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!

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.В  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!

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?!)

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…

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!

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.В  By customizing pieces, you give them meaning and turn them into something truly special that goes beyond owning a one-of-a-kind item.В  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.В  If you need help, you know who to call!В  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:В  TotallyCustomWallpaper.com, Living Green, Lamps Plus, Alluminare, Jonathan Adler, InMod