Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

You say “Tomato” I say “To-mah-to”
It’s not uncommon to have clients who come to us with completely different ideas in regards to the type of design and style they prefer. That was exactly the situation we had recently when we had a fantastic young couple come to Design Connection looking for an interior designer who understood and could finesse the task of merging their two very different tastes, traditional and contemporary.

We love a good challenge and were definitely up to the task of making this couple’s first home together into a place where they both could feel comfortable and enjoy their surroundings.

Before/After pictures of the Hearth Room and the Space Plan. We made sure that the furniture would fit and allow plenty of room to move about.

We painted the walls in variations of the same color of green which really brought out the personality of each room. With the white woodwork and trim, the addition of bold color really made their spaces match the vitality and youth that that we felt personified this couple.

In addition the contemporary light fixtures – especially in the entryway- added a bit of style and whimsy the minute you walked into the house!

The right color and furniture can make all the difference. Now our happy homeowners can dine in stylish bliss with their new furniture and accessories from Design Connection!

We had a clean slate to work with for their lower level  and wow what a difference from the before and after pics!

The husband dislikes clutter and too many accessories, so we opted for neat, crisp and clean design to create a phenomenal space for them to entertain on their lower level.

From painting,  electrical work, and space planning to the furniture and accessories,  we took care of it all and kept everything on schedule for our clients. They were thrilled with the end result! We really had fun with this project and the challenge of combining their styles to enable them (and their individual style preferences) to live in harmony!  I want to give a special thanks to my husband, Ed, for his assistance in helping with the final touches and hanging things on the walls for me.   If you want to give us a challenge to design your space, please feel free to contact us at 913-851-8776 or fill out our Contact Form online and we’ll contact you.  Don’t forget to say hi to us on Facebook and Twitter, we love to hear what you think of our work, the things we talk about on our blog or just design in general because that’s what we love!

Oooooh that’s Bamboo?  Shock and surprise are often a common response when we show samples and ideas for bamboo flooring to our clients. There are a variety of styles and finishes to choose from that make Bamboo a serious contender for hardwood flooring choices. Typically when we think of bamboo, visions of lush green forests and zen design styles come to mind, but did you know it’s one of the most renewable resources out there? Bamboo is an extremely fast growing plant which can reach maturity in as little as 3 years unlike traditional hardwood trees which can take decades to regenerate. From kitchens to living areas, there are lots of great ideas out there and many great galleries to look at to become inspired.  For instance, check out this Flooring Gallery from Bamboo Hardwoods for some great photos and ideas on how different bamboo floors can look.

Bamboo Hardwoods flooring gallery

There is an ever growing selection of colors and finishes from traditional to the visually stunning and unique strand woven finishes that can suit any style from conservative to dramatic! Another great gallery to check out for ideas and reviews of bamboo floors  is from Ambient Bamboo Floors. Bamboo is an ideal flooring choice for everything from kitchens to living rooms and even bedrooms and bathrooms.

As a flooring choice, bamboo is so versatile, easy to care for and it’s beauty will last for years to come.  We especially love the tiger stripe finish for a beautiful and unusual floor that will definitely get everyone’s attention! The internet is such a great place to research and get ideas, and since we’re all about sharing information and great resources, we’d also recommend you check out these websites for some ideas on terrific types of bamboo floors as well as unique ways to incorporate them elsewhere in your countertops, cabinets, vanities and furniture!

Kirei Bamboo Kitchen Gallery

Cali Bamboo Flooring Gallery

If you are considering a bamboo floor, we would love to help you find one that is perfect for your home.  Or if you already have a bamboo floor, Design Connection would love to hear what you think about it. How do YOU Bamboo?! You can comment right here on the Design Connection blog, or find us and interact on Facebook or Twitter.  We look forward to hearing from you!

I love the color purple and I have seen it in the stores as a hot color for fall. But, this rich and fabulous color has disappeared from the fabrics that we are using in our homes. I have a client that loves all the shades of red and purple, so recently I have spent many hours researching fabrics. I felt challenged to find the right shades for her. In the end, I came up with fabrics the client loved, but I realized we are still behind the time in using the color in our designs.

We will be seeing more of this color in our interior designs, in the next two years. Home fabrics are usually right behind great fashion trends.

Since we have just researched these fabrics, Design Connection Inc would be happy to assist you, if these are the colors you love, and can’t live without.

Check out these sites for some good ideas.

http://www.robertallendesign.com/

http://www.fschumacher.com/

I had a client come to me because she wanted to change her front door. There are few things to consider when doing this. A typical Johnson County home has a grand entrance with sidelights. My first suggestion is to create an interesting pattern with the glass. This will look wonderful when the sun trickles through it.

An older home should have a more traditional door with the panels. Trim is what really creates the visual and stylistic interest. The shape and color of the hardware will make it more authentic.

For modern homes- a clean look with a pop of color can really make a statement. There are many sleek house numbers available that will solidify the look. If adding a light fixture, keep is clean and simple.

 Design Tip: You can dress up your front door or entry porch with a seasonal wreath, textured floor mat or colorful potted plant.

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

Have you thought about adding some new fall colors to your home now that you are going to start spending more time indoors?  I found an intriguing I-Phone application that actually helps you select paint colors.  See attached link to Benjamin Moore for a high tech way to get paint color recommendations for your home.  As “cool” as this sounds if you feel more comfortable discussing paint with an experienced interior designer who has actually seen many paint color options applied to various settings and lighting conditions, please give me a call and “ask Arlene” about paint for your home.

www.DesignConnectionInc.com

An interesting furniture layout is to face two chairs directly in front of each other. You can put a small coffee table or an ottoman in the center. The perfect distance from the firebox is a personal preference, if you like it warm and cozy slide the chairs closer but if that is too hot, slide them away. You can add an accent throw to add color, which can be changed out throughout the year.

Don’t block the view of the fireplace with the chairs, rather,-flank the fireplace so that it becomes a visual focal point in the room and use the chairs as elements to frame the view.

We have done some really interesting things with fireplaces; check out the projects in the portfolio section for ideas. 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.

Simpler, cleaner lines, in the form of panels, are in.

Window treatments are usually a major focal point in any room. They frame your view, and are an opportunity to coordinate with your interior design. Large, heavy, massive drapes are out. Simpler, cleaner lines, in the form of panels, are in. We have been offering our clients ready made/custom treatments. You pick from a line of fabrics, and then we get your panels ordered to size. This is a very cost effective way to get an updated look in your home. And often times the rods can be custom cut!

Lately, people have been talking of nothing else but the economy. We have also been talking about it at our own office, both professionally and personally.  I have never been about budget decorating, but about the value in doing design that is classic in styling.  It is about a beautiful environment and creating a home that will withstand the years of use by both pets and children, yet still look great.  Trends come and go, and if we buy what’s in style today, and not think about how it will look a few years from now, we often will ask ourselves “What were we thinking?”. When we invest in design pieces that are classic in styling, we will generally love them today and tomorrow.

I dated a man in the eighties who had a home with a lime green shag carpeting.  It was definitely installed in the early seventies and looked dated.  I knew I wasn’t moving into this home with the lime green carpeting.  If the carpeting had been a great neutral color, which could range from any beige, brown, whites or grays, I wouldn’t have remembered the carpet to this day and would have been happy to live with what was there until it could have been changed.  It was a deal breaker for me.

What I am recommending today is to stay neutral and play up the trends in wall color and accessories.  Feel good this year, and buy a few pieces of beautiful classic furniture or simple drapery with beautiful lush fabrics.

I am ready to turn the page from last year to this year.  We want to wish all who read this blog a healthy and happy New Year and a year that is calmer and has hope for peace.

Arlene

visit www.designconnectioninc.com