Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

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’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/

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.

So many people are remodeling these days and the most popular areas seem to be kitchens, master suites and basements. That being said, we recently wrapped up an absolutely spectacular master suite remodeling project that I simply couldn’t wait to share. I get so excited when I can help a client achieve the kind of space they’ve been dreaming of and that’s exactly what we did in this Leawood, Kansas home.

Master suite before remodel

Out with the Old!

For this client, it was time to bid goodbye to the old decor that didn’t reflect their personal style and usher in pure contemporary style that was clean, elegant and restful. Looking at the before pictures you can see that the bedroom and bathroom consisted of a mix of traditional furniture, wall treatments and accessories that were badly in need of updating. We were charged with the task of creating a zen-like space that was up to date, functional and stunning.

Master bath before remodel

Master bath before remodel

Hello Space Plan!

After meeting with the client at length, we got to work on a space plan. One of the biggest issues was with the bathroom layout. The placement of fixtures weren’t very conducive to everyday living and felt very unbalanced.В  What made it even more difficult was the fact that there isn’t a door between the main bath area and the bedroom, making the bathroom visible to anyone who walked into the room. We decided to redo the bathroom completely to make the best use of the space and give the client something they would love to gaze upon AND use! The new bathroom would feature new tile floors, custom cabinetry and beautiful “accessories” with the tub, shower, and special touches with tile and hardware and lighting.В  The bedroom would get a major facelift with new paint, carpet, furniture, bedding and accessories.

Master bath space plan - Design Connection

A Sweet Suite

Master Bedroom after remodel

Master suite closet after remodel - Design Connection

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Without a doubt, the completed space is just gorgeous in person. The pictures just don’t do it justice but you can see how dramatic the difference is from what it was before we came in to refresh the space!В  The bedroom is restful with a neutral warm grey tones for the walls and floors that perfectly compliment the rich browns of the hardwood and upholstery of the new custom bed and night tables. Simple prints on the walls draw in red as an accent color and minimal accessories help give the feeling of an upscale hotel. The custom bedding draws the eye to the welcoming bed and tie the look together between the bedroom and bathroom color scheme of greys, blacks and reds. The look is carried through to the oversize walk-in closet which was newly outfitted with built-ins that are to-die-for! This closet is an absolute dream and the client is able to easily access their clothing and personal items in this new and highly organized space.

The bathroom consists of a gorgeous freestanding deep soaking tub with modern fixtures that provides a beautiful focal point for the space. We even made sure a touch of of bling could be found with a sparkling crystal chandelier directly above.В  A roman shade with wide black and grey stripes tops the large window and draws the eye to the tub in addition to providing instant privacy when bathing. Flanking the tub are his and hers custom vanities, complete with Carrera marble countertops, beautiful marble and granite mosaic tile backsplashes, and elegant chrome faucets and hardware. We incorporated plenty of recessed lightingВ  into the vanity design to ensure the space has plenty of light that works well with the simple and streamlined finish but what you can’t see are the LED lights that are hidden behind the mirrors that provide an ideal amount of illumination. There is even a makeup mirror surrounded by lights behind one of the vanity doors for perfect makeup application lighting. Those are the custom touches you just can’t get anywhere else and are a signature part of our exclusive C3 Design process. In this case we took our client’s wish list and came up with a solution that we then had custom built locally to suit their specific needs.

Master bath after remodel - Design Connection

Master bath tub after remodel - Design Connection

Master bath shower after remodel - Design Connection

Hidden behind the privacy of the bedroom wall, we incorporated a brand new glass enclosed shower that echoes the mosaic tile used on the backsplash in the shower base along with the gorgeous Carrera marble on the walls. Outfitted with plenty of shelves, multiple shower heads and a built in bench, this shower is pretty and practical. For the ultimate in bathing luxury, there’s nothing like having a nice warm towel which is why we also installed a gleaming, heated towel rack just outside the shower door.

To view the larger photos from this project, please visit our online portfolio at DesignConnectioninc.com. If you have a remodeling project in the Kansas City metro that you would like some help with, the Design Connection team is here to help.В  Feel free to call or contact us to schedule your complimentary in-studio appointment and let’s set how we can help you take your next interior design project to the next level with our award-winning C3 Design process and services!

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!

It’s time for the third and final installation in Design Connection’s C3Design series and our featured project. If you missed the previous articles, feel free to check them out. First we talked about Connecting with your interior designer and the importance of establishing a great relationship and a consistent flow of communication. Then we talked about the Creating stage of interior design where the work begins and your space starts to take shape. The final stage is Customizing and while there is fun and creativity to be had in the first two stages, this one is by far everyone’s favorite as they get to make the design their very own!

Time to Get PERSONAL.

Once we have the space plan for the design completed, we begin working with our clients to choose the final elements that will pull everything together visually. Color, texture and materials for everything from the floors to the ceilings are reviewed and chosen from the custom selections we’ve made for our clients based on their personality, lifestyle and design style preferences. We present options to the client and work closely with them every step of the way to help them make decisions that will ensure everything comes together beautifully at the end of the project. From start to finish, with our exclusive C3Design process, we are able to create custom, unique and beautifully functional spaces.

After the creating process is done, the contractors have cleaned up and the space is ready, the Design Connection team begins to transform the space with custom furnishings and accessories. As we begin placing artwork on the walls, rugs on the floors and our favorite – custom furniture, the space begins to take on it’s new personality. A direct reflection of the client, each space is completely unique and fine tailored to fit beautifully.В  You can see from the final pictures of this kitchen remodel, that the results are stunning AND functional.

Achieving an interior that you absolutely love shouldn’t be a hardship. With the right help from experienced designers like the Design Connection Team, you should be able to transform any space in your home from one you like to one you adore. Spaces that function for day to day living are critical in today’s busy lifestyles. You deserve a home that is a haven where you can relax, unwind and enjoy your life. Contact Design Connection to set an appointment and begin the C3Design process in your home today!

As the seasons in and around Kansas City surely change, so do our styles and tastes.В  It’s one of the reasons why our clients hire us, to transform their spaces and keep them up to date and gorgeous! Interior Design is what we do and we love nothing better than a fabulous makeover which is why we are so excited to introduce you to our Brand NEW website!В  While we’ve been busy making our client’s spaces stunning, we have been also working on updating our website where we showcase those projects for you to review and become inspired.

A fresh new color palette and design, our new website is built to be easier to navigate and find the information and ideas to put to work in your next Design Connection project! We will be highlighting key points of our exclusive C3Design Strategy so that you can see how the process works for each space and how it can work for you. You asked for it, so we made our portfolio photos nice and big so that you can see all the beautiful details in the spaces we design from the faux paint to the custom furnishings and textiles.В  We hope you like what you see and think you’ll agree the website is beautiful which we felt was the perfect compliment to the stunning rooms we showcase from our clients. Let us know what you think, feel free to comment here or drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter! Hope to hear from you soon.

Come on by and have your interior design questions answered by Arlene and the Design Connection Team!

We hope you’ll come by and see us at the Johnson County Home and Garden Show! Today through Sunday you can speak one-on-one with us in booth #1308.

Details for each show are below along with links to get tickets, more information and driving directions. Visit with us and learn about all the hottest trends and the latest innovations in interior design and visit with us about the C3Design process and how we can put it to work for you to achieve stunning results in your home. We hope to see you there!

Johnson County Home and Garden Show

February 25-27, 2011
At The Overland Park Convention Center

Design Connection Inc will be in Booth # 1308
Click here for information >>
The Johnson County is a boutique show emphasizes higher quality products and services that meet the discriminating demands of contemporary-minded homeowners who are seeking to improve the value, comfort and appeal of their home.

What is the key to achieving a beautiful interior in your home? If you have enlisted the help of an experienced and qualified interior designer it can be as easy as 1-2-3. Our signature service is comprised of three essential steps- we call it C3 Design and you’ll only find it at Design Connection. We have been talking about our exclusive interior design process in the past few blog posts starting with CONNECTING and this week we continue with the second C in our design process, CREATING.

The Interior Design Process

Once we have connected with the client and established an action plan, the hands-on work begins. Furniture is moved, and spaces are cleared and prepped. Our contractors will begin working on transforming your space.В  At Design Connection, we have worked hard to establish solid relationships with the best contractors and vendors in the business as part of our commitment to our clients. We always do our best to keep disruption to the client’s daily life to a minimum as the project progresses and our contractors echo that sentiment. The Design Connection team is diligent about staying in touch with both clients and contractors during this critical time to ensure that everything is proceeding as planned and that expectations are met.В  This highly personalized level of service and communication is what sets us apart and has resulted in many of our clients coming back for more as their tastes evolve and design needs change over the years. Just take a look at our testimonials and you’ll see why.

Creating a Stunning Interior

The creating stage involves all of the necessary construction or refinishing of the space to achieve your final design. Everything from installation of electrical, lighting and appliances to stripping and refinishing floors and walls is accomplished in this phase to prepare for the final phase of customizing where the space becomes complete. We work with our contractors and use space plans, and architectural drawings to effectively communicate the desired result then we turn them loose to work their magic.

I love the CREATING stage because it’s where a space says goodbye to it’s old self and becomes something completely new. Watching the craftsmen work and transform old surfaces into something inspired is exciting and I love it when my clients comment on how much betterВ  their space looks even before the work is complete! From tearing down old wallpaper to faux finishing kitchen cabinets, with a little creativity and a lot of hard work from seasoned professionals it is amazing what you can accomplish. Check in soon for our next installation in the series where we will get into the really fun stuff, the CUSTOMIZING of a space and you can see how our kitchen and dining area project was transformed from blah to breathtaking!