Outdoor Living

Categories: Design Inspiration, Outdoor Living

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.

 

 

 

Getting Ready For Spring

Categories: Design Inspiration, Furniture, Living Areas, Outdoor Living, Spring Decorating Trends

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Living

Categories: Outdoor Living, Uncategorized

It’s time to get ready for outdoor living and here are a couple of design tips from us to help you enjoy your summer this year.

A back porch can be a wonderful extension of family life. Friday night barbeques in your outdoor kitchen can be a great way to unwind after the long work week. You can go as basic or grand with your outdoor kitchen. We can help you create an outdoor kitchen which will make throwing a party a breeze.

If your kitchen faces your porch or deck, consider creating a pass through ledge that can serve as an extra drink station, or buffet counter. It also makes for easy cleanup!

Gathering around a porch table with some great fun lights will make wonderful memories. I like glass table top for outside, because they are very easy to clean! Consider creating the ambiance with a mix of lighting. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes are a popular accessory this year. Hanging lights are now available in a multitude of themes. And candlelight always creates a great movement of light. Pottery Barn has many inexpensive options п»ї

Comfort is key! We can help ensure that your outdoor furniture is good quality and comfortable to your body scale. You can purchase the most beautiful furniture or the most expensive, but if it is not comfortable, you will never use it. That is just one of the benefits of using a professional interior designer; they help you find the perfect balance of beauty, price point and comfort.

Outdoor drapes can create a romantic and relaxing atmosphere. There are some great, ecofriendly and weather resistant fabrics available on the market today. We can create a great drapery shape for you, pick a fabric that works with your color scheme and get it installed for you.

A fire pit can be a fun element to gather around, even in the summer. The possibilities are endless in terms of design! Don’t limit yourself by installing the standard round stone pit. Get a professional to help you design it to your personality! Click here to check out cool fire pit designs.

If you have visions of spending long summer days on your porch with your family eating watermelon and just enjoying each other’s company, but your existing porch is nothing exciting, we can help. We see the porch as an extension of you home and we can help you create a space that will bring your family together! http://www.designconnectioninc.com/