Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

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!  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.

Deck the walls with custom wallpaper or murals

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!

Choose and customize a sofa, loveseat or chair from start to finish, hello personality!

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.  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!

Creative patterns and colors come to life on custom lampshades and light fixtures!

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?!)

Custom wallpaper and accessories could be perfect for your home's interior

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…

Soft wool rugs are perfect for your home decor in a pretty pattern you pick out

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!

Serious style points for creating your personalized custom bedding

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

Summer is here and whether you work at home on a regular basis or find yourself taking care of tasks at home during time off or on the weekends, it’s important to have a space that functions and flows, especially if you ever want to get anything done. After last week’s post on cramming a lot of function into a small kitchen space, I received a few questions about home office spaces from some teacher friends who are “off” for the summer but end up working quite a bit from home which inspired me for this week’s post. Ready to get some work done?  Don’t let the lack of space cramp your style, we’re here to inspire the office you truly desire!

Grassy Charging Station from ThinkGeek

Give your Gadgets a Rest!
Tidy up those messy cables and recharge your portable devices in style on a fun and functional bed of grass. Not only does it hide cables, it cushions your electronics and might make them feel like they are on a summery vacation (plus it looks cooler than a standard charging station!)

Lax wall desk from Mash Studios

Put it on the Wall!
In a small space furniture can take up so much room so why not put it on the walls? It gets everything up neatly off the floor, creating the illusion of more room AND utilizes the space you might not use for anything other than art and accessories!

Conceal book shelf from Umbra

Got Books? Defy Gravity!
I love the idea of these fantastic and conversation starting bookshelves that convert an existing book into a shelf to make your books look like they are floating on the wall! Not only can you organize your books, they actually can become your wall art!

Wall cleat from Oboiler

Wrap it up
Living in the electronic age means we have lots of cables and things to plug in. Don’t let your cords and cables trip you up. What to do when you’re not using them? Here is a simple and wonderful solution that makes both practical and stylish sense!

Talak LED desk lamp from Artemide

Small footprint, Big light!
Adequate lighting doesn’t always come with the space so if you want to make sure your desk area is illuminated, look no further than a slim LED light that takes up very little space but gives off plenty of light! There are lots of designs in a multitude of colors and even clamp versions in case you’d rather hang your light from a bookshelf and keep the desk area nice and neat!

Charles Pollock chairs from Hive

So much more than just a chair
I am a huge fan of really good seating and task chairs in your home office is no exception, in fact it should be one of your better investments simply because if you plan to spend a lot of time working at your desk, you’ll feel better if you are comfortable (and you’ll get more work done if your neck and back don’t hurt from the strain of sitting in a bad seat!) Ergonomic task seating can be found just about anywhere and you can inject your style  by choosing unique colors, finishes or upholstery to make your seat compliment your space beautifully!

Inspired yet? I have lots of space challenged clients and one of the things I’m a big believer in is space planning. Especially in smaller areas, it’s so important to lay out the room and determine where everything will go and make sure it will all fit before you ever pick up a paintbrush or start making improvements. At Design Connection that’s one of the things we do best, helping take the challenges out of a space and creating areas that our clients can use and love for years to come.  We do complimentary in-studio consultations for interior design in Kansas City, so if you are interested in some home decor one-on-one time with the Design Connection Team members, contact us today. You can either fill out the form, give us a call or come by the office to make an appointment.  We would love to help your optimize your space whether it’s an office, kitchen or other room in your house, design is our passion.  You talk, we listen, you’ll LOVE!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: ThinkGeek, Mash Studios, Umbra, Oboiler, Artemide, Hive

Turn on the news lately and chances are you’ll see someone talking about the oil spill in the gulf and the effect it will have on our environment and the way we live. Most of you probably haven’t thought about the impact it will have on design, but everything from concept and fabrication to shipping and installation probably factors in oil in some way, shape or form. We don’t know exactly what the results from the spill will be but one thing is for sure, it has made us even more aware of the importance of considering eco-friendly and renewable resources when making design choices. Recently we have featured blog posts on some of the more mainstream “eco” topics such as earth friendly design, bamboo flooring and cork flooring. This week I wanted to take a minute and tell you about other rapidly renewable resources that you can incorporate into your home decor from floors to walls, these are choices you can really feel good about.

Cork mosaic sideboard from Iannone Design

Surprise! It’s cork furniture
Cork isn’t just for wine bottles and flooring anymore. Check out this really cool sideboard from Iannone Design- you don’t have to look far anymore for interesting and stylish pieces made from renewable resources!

Wool carpet from Straw, Sticks and Bricks

The natural choice in carpet
Most carpet used in homes is made from nylon which is derived from oil. Choosing natural fibers like wool not only helps us migrate away from oil dependence, but it also can be better for your health as wool carpets don’t give of any toxic fumes or gases.

Vases from Natural Territory

High style with Hyacinth!
Made from one of the fastest growing plants, these fabulous vases are constructed from the dried stems of the water hyacinth plant. So stylish and you can buy as many as you want, the plants grow so fast they will definitely make more.

Linoleum flooring at the UNC Health Sciences Library

Don’t forget Linoleum!
Often overlooked, linoleum can be  made from linseed oil, pine rosin, ground cork or limestone dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers. Highly durable, in tons of colors and finishes AND you can rest easy knowing that compared to vinyl flooring, it produces less off-gassing.

Buffet table from Sublime Home

Custom Furniture with a conscience

You’d be surprised at the kind of furniture you can find from local artisans with a conscience, like this gorgeous buffet table made of bamboo, palm wood and oak complete with a low VOC finish.

These are just a few ideas for you to look into but don’t forget other renewable resources being used in homes from recycled sunflower seeds, wheatboard, grass and straw, and cotton. I expect them to become more mainstream as we become more aware of how our choices affect not only our planet but our health. As always, if you are looking for a little inspiration on how you can incorporate renewable, sustainable or eco-friendly resources into your home decor, the Design Connection Team is here to help. You can connect with us online on Facebook, Twitter, here on our blog or contact us anytime at the office at 913-851-8776. We would love to hear from you on how you have incorporated any earth friendly materials into your everyday life, so come by and say virtually or in person!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Iannone Design, Straw Sticks and Bricks, Natural Territory, Sublime Home

Things are heating up in the midwest this week with temperatures rising and summertime finally announcing it’s arrival with nothing short of a bellow! Already I’m thinking of idyllic days by the pool or vacationing at the lake or the beach. Water seems to call to me as a relaxing element both inside and outside of the home which is probably why it’s my inspiration this week.  If you haven’t seen Frank McKinney’s Acqua Liana home, prepare to have your jaw hit the floor!  It is nothing short of stunning and incorporates water in ways you’ve probably never thought of into the home. If you want to see a video virtual tour, click the photo of the breathtaking entryway below.  Then when you’re done, come back and check out some of my ideas for incorporating water and design in your home!

If You Love Water…
You will adore this home. Take the time and click on the image above to watch the video. You will be amazed. Yes, there are water floors and walls in this home, an eco masterpiece!

Water wall from Bluworld

Not a waterfall, a water wall!
Bluworld does some really spectacular work incorporating water into design both for residential and commercial installations. Look how pretty this rippling sheet of water is in this home.  Aaaahhhhh.

Fish Tank Coffee Table from Clear-Seal

Swim with the fishes…
Well or put your feet up on them. Funky coffee table brings water into the living room, and perhaps some fish too!

Recycled Bottle Vases from Re-Modern

Water and Blooms
Recycled bottles see a new life as vessels to hold water and your favorite flowers. Beautiful for the environment, and for your home!

Water dish from Everyday Studio

Fluffy and Fido need water too!
Hydrate your four legged friends in style with a minimalist water dish like this one. Who wouldn’t want to drink out of this?

Katagami by Kohler

Function and Form
The gorgeous bronze Katagami from Kohler is so pretty you almost forget it’s a bathroom sink!

You’ll notice I didn’t include any swimming pools in this week’s post.  That is one that I’m savoring writing as things get even warmer in the midwest.  Love the sunny days of summer and the cool refreshing element of water no matter how you work it into your home and your spaces.  If you have any unique ways of working water into your design, I’d love to hear about it.  Be sure to say hello on Twitter and Facebook and as always I welcome your comments here.  If you are getting inspired and want to trickle some water inspiration into your home decor, I hope you’ll contact me or the Design Connection Team to collaborate!

As the seasons change and spring turns into summer, I find myself sometimes idly sitting on the deck contemplating life and design. Have you ever found yourself in a mental rut only to realize that it has been raining and cold outside for a week and the moment the sun comes out, you suddenly start to feel better?  The sunlight coming in a window or the brilliant blue hue of the sky peeking between the trees in the backyard are always an instant lift to my spirits. The play of light on the walls of my house and how it changes the mood of a room at different stages of the day, made me start thinking about some of the fundamental elements of design and how our spaces can have a profound impact on our sense of well being. With summer comes a sense of excitement, flowers are in bloom, I get a chance to get outside and plant things that I can nurture and grow and with that comes a feeling of optimism. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could bottle that up and bring it out when we need it the most? The good news here is that I think you can and you don’t even have to bottle it up. You can experience it everyday by the design choices you make for your spaces. From a simple coat of paint to a bunch of fresh flowers, the thought you put into your design is as important as the design itself.  If it makes you feel good, that’s all that truly matters.  Here are some of my ideas to brighten up your world, starting with your home!

Sofa from Little Pond Design

RENEW

Not only can this fabulous sofa renew your spirits with its super chic lines, you can feel good about knowing where it came from and its impact on our environment. Because it’s made of earth conscious and renewable resources, you can take a deep breath and relax knowing that you achieved killer design without killing the planet!

A room with sunshine and cheery yellow! source: DecorPad

ENERGIZE
In traditional Feng Shui, yellow is an energizing color bringing joy,  happiness,  luck,  and wealth. It also happens to be my favorite color! Why not invite a splash of yellow into your rooms where you need a little positive reinforcement and happy vibes?

Zen inspired room - source:DecorPad

RELAX
When you think of relaxation the first thing that comes to mind is sleep.  Using soft linens, comfy pillows, and choosing colors that help you unwind at the end of the day is just the ticket when it comes to making your space help you relax! Ahhhhhhhhh.  Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Seablue Sky Candle from Votivo

AWAKEN
Aromatherapy is a simple yet effective way to set a mood in a room. I love burning candles year-round and one of my favorite “smelly” candle brands is Votivo. Their candles smell just heavenly and they can make your home  that way too.  If you’re all about the total sensory experience, don’t forget to include scent in your home! Sit back, and take a deep breath and revel in the wonderful space you’ve created for yourself!

Zen pool and gazebo - source: DecorPad

INSPIRE
Where do you go to find inspiration? Personally I love the water, whether I’m at the lake, on a beach or soaking in my tub the element of water soothes my soul. This pool just made me think of how relaxing it could be to lay poolside and lounge on the cushions or listen to the song of the sea while I dream up new design ideas for my clients!

Decor with meaning, wall photos! - source: DecorPad

COMFORT
A friend of mine once said that everything in his house has a story. He chose to create and fill his spaces with decor that had meaning, whether it was a piece from childhood or something that had a fond memory attached. Finding comfort in your surroundings is so key to your mental well being. Decorating with personal pictures, or maybe a funny accent that you have joked about for years with a friend can make a space special!

The bottom line here is that your space should make you feel good. Negative thoughts about a room can make their way into your life and none of us need that kind of drama.  So go ahead, think about your rooms and what you can do to them to make them into places you’ll identify with and love! If you need more ideas for how you can personalize and energize your space so that it helps you to stay positive, all you have to do is contact me! I offer free in-studio consultations at Design Connection and I specialize in creating custom solutions for the interior design needs of my clients in Kansas City.  If you like what you see, feel free to comment and give me feedback either here or online at Facebook and Twitter!  Now that I have such a burst of fresh ideas and inspiration, I think I will go play in the yard a bit. Who knows, it might help me decide what I feel like writing about for next week! See you then.

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Little Pond Design, DecorPad, Votivo,

We had some great feedback last week on the recycled glass countertops featured in our blog on earth friendly design so this week we decided to explore the wonderful world of countertops! For the kitchen or bath, few things have more impact both visually and from a usability standpoint than countertops. The materials used, color and functionality all play into making the right choice and while granite is often the first one that comes to mind it’s not the only option available to you anymore. At Design Connection, we do a lot of kitchen remodeling and design, so we are always on the lookout for that perfect combination of form and function so this week we are bringing you some countertop choices that are off the beaten path!

Baja countertop from Caesarstone

Real Quartz Made Better!
Manufactured stone countertops have been around for quite some time, but these are something special.  Made from crushed quartz, they have the beauty of stone countertops but with more consistent coloring, durability and need we say how pretty they look? With a multitude of colors to choose from, these countertops will easily match any decor.

Stainless Steel patterned bar top from Handcrafted Metal

Steel yourself! This will look gorgeous in your kitchen…

While it can sometimes be a bit on the industrial side, the fact is that stainless steel is a wonderfully neutral (gray) and affordable addition to any kitchen. Natural antibacterial properties due to the non-porous nature of the metal mean happy times for you and your food prep, plus easy cleanup with soap and water make this material one you can’t help but adore.

Award-winning concrete countertop design from Reaching Quiet

Did you say that was concrete?
You wouldn’t believe the possibilities with concrete countertops these days and if you don’t believe me, you have to click on the picture and browse the residential portfolio from Reaching Quiet. Truly stunning, concrete is like the chameleon of countertops. It can be embedded with details and accents like shells and stones or stained to resemble a slab of natural stone, polished to an ultra modern sheen, textured and formed. I really could go on and on here…

End Grain Carbonized Bamboo Countertop from Grothouse Lumber

Wood = Good
When you yearn for a countertop that is natural and warm, it’s hard to go wrong with wood.  A huge variety of standard and exotic hardwoods are available now and many are eco-friendly. Consider reclaimed wood or even a distressed finish to give your kitchen a design boost!

ThinkGlass by Mailhot Backlit Glass Countertop

A Brilliant Idea!
Combine glass with light and what a delight you’ll find at night!  OK so maybe we’re channeling our inner Dr. Seuss,  but seriously, who wouldn’t be dazzled by this stunning and simple glass countertop?

Concetto by Caesarstone Puro Countertop

Leave No Stone Unturned…
In your quest for a one-of-a-kind countertop that is made of natural stone, you have to check out Concetto by Caesarstone.  From Amethyst to Petrified Wood, you’ll find something to like. Semi-precious stones are individually cut to create these gorgeous countertops.  A small sampling of options are on the photo above, plus some of them can be cut thinly enough to allow light to shine through. Gorgeous!

While I love to look at materials that are definitely not mundane, most of my clients do need some advice when it comes to practicality. When you choose a surface material for your countertops, be sure to consider your lifestyle and the amount of use those counters will get.  Some of the more porous materials may be prone to stains while some of the non-porous ones could suffer from scratches. Research is key so that you can make a wise choice that will merge seamlessly with your design style as well as live up to normal everyday use. As always if you are looking to remodel your kitchen or do any other design work around the house that needs a bit of contemporary flair, I hope you’ll contact me.  I would like to invite you to join the Design Connection discussions on Facebook and Twitter.  I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Caesarstone, ThinkGlass, Grothouse Lumber, Reaching Quiet, Handcrafted Metal

As I watched the beautiful daffodils waving at me in the sunlight outside my office window yesterday, I heaved a huge sigh of relief. Spring has officially arrived in the midwest! There’s nothing like a sunny day or a gentle spring rain to give me that urge to go and enjoy the great outdoors. Beckoning blue skies, birds singing in greeting, a gentle wind rustling the new leaves on the trees…ahhhhh bliss.  One of the best things about spring in the midwest is the weather because it’s not too hot during the day, not too cold in the evening – so it’s perfect for spending time outside planting flowers or enjoying the deck or patio. With visions in my head of lounging about on my deck instead of sitting at a computer, I decided to share with you some design inspiration for spring and decorating your outdoor space!

Neoteric Contract's Spartan Daybed

Wile away the day!
An open weave design that lets just enough sun peek through.
All I need is a pool or even better, an ocean to go along with this. I’d never leave…

Moonlight Usa Inc - Globe outdoor lighting

You’ll look lovely in the moon light
Create your own fairy tale setting wtih unique outdoor lighting from Moonlight USA.
These half globes will add an ethereal glow to your outdoor space at night. Simply beautiful.

From Brown Jordan - Parkway Curvilinear Sofa

Showstopper Seating
From the durable metal frame to the sumptuous cushions, this sofa would look amazing indoors or out.

HomeInfatuation.com - Modern Wicker Lounger

The Wizard of Aaaaaahhhhhhs
Clean contemporary lines lend elegant grace to these loungers. I want to lay on one and meditate

Frontgate Medallion Outdoor Rug

Comfort and Style beneath your toes
Kick off your shoes! Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you can’t have some of the comforts of the indoors.
We have incredible options now for weatherproof and sun proof materials for outdoor rugs!

HomeInfatuation.com - Largo Rectangular Fire Table

Gather ’round the Fire!
Anyone up for some roasted marshmallows? Cozy up around these stylish flames that give you fire without the fuss.

Design and Durability
When you choose furnishings and accessories for your outdoor space, you’ll want not just amazing products but amazing quality as well.  Rain or shine this stuff needs to be tough as nails but still look amazing enough for you to want to spend time there.  If you live in an especially wet climate, I’d recommend having waterproof storage outdoors where you can store your cushions etc. to keep them mold and mildew free as well as free of any dust/debris they might collect from leaving them out all the time. Just because it’s an outdoor space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style and if you need help, you know I’m more than happy to assist.  In Kansas City our outdoor furnishings need to be sturdy to withstand the dramatic changes in weather. Design Connection can help make sure your outdoor space has the style you need for any season!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Brown Jordan, HomeInfatuation.com, Frontgate, Neoteric  Contracts, Moonlight USA

Furniture with an Edge: Sleek, Chic and Unique (like you!)
Kansas City is a sprawling city with a potpourri of various cultures, styles and the people to go along with it. If you look around the midwest, we are one of the larger cities. While some folks think we have cows running in the streets and just managed to gain access to the wonderful invention of electricity, KC is actually very much on par with the times! That being said, with the hodgepodge of big companies intermixed with the small, you’d think it would be easy to find high-style furniture and accessories for your home that are unique. Afterall we are centrally located, surely all the design trends have to pass through Kansas City at some point when they are on their way to the opposite coast, right?  Not so.

Now don’t go thinking that Kansas Citians dwell in the Dark Ages of Interior Design.
Our central location makes it very easy to ship items and it also makes it easy for me to go to shows and further my quest every year to see what’s new on the market to share with my clients. I get a lot of requests for custom furniture from people who simply don’t want to get exactly what everyone else bought off the shelf at the big chain stores (and believe me, we have some seriously big chain stores around KC for furniture). I adore clean, sophisticated and edgy contemporary designs.  If you read my blog on transforming furniture, you’ll know that I’m not afraid of exploring new ideas and you’d be amazed at how well these things can blend in with some of your existing pieces. I delight in discovery, and I wanted to show you some really unique furniture in this week’s post. So don’t fret my pet, I’m about to rescue you from the thought of never finding the furniture that is as unique as you are! If you happen to be around Kansas City and are on a quest for high quality, unique and custom furniture, we happen to have a lot in common. We simply must meet and perhaps you’ll let me help you end your search by assisting you with choosing the perfect piece.  Afterall, there’s no one else quite like you so why should you settle for ordinary? You can find me and Design Connection on Facebook, Twitter, here on my AskArlene Interior Design blog or you can fill out my Contact Form or call the office (913) 851-8776.  See how easy it is to track me down? Now let’s track down your furniture!

Menlo Park Sectional from Jensen-Lewis

Hello Gorgeous!
Would you get a look at those curves? One of the things I love about this sofa is that it’s like a chameleon. With the sectional elements, you can make it a curvy couch, or an S curve among others. With the custom upholstery it’s definitely a centerpiece design element!

Luxor platform bed from Haiku

No worries, just sleep.
With eco-friendly construction and an E1 rating, the planet will be as happy as you are when you sleep in this gorgeous and oh so chic bed from Haiku. Why should you stay awake worrying about the planet when your bed already did it for you? Beats me, but I’d be willing to try in this one.

Contemporary chairs from Saloom Furniture Design

Pull up a chair and let’s chat about furniture!
Not just any chair, mind you. I think just sitting on one of these beauties will up your style ranking by at least 90%. Now introduce them to an amazing table and let the magic begin!

Valentino table from Cattelan Italia

Did someone say “amazing table”?
Clean lines and your choice colors for the marble base make this piece truly unique. Hey and if your name begins with a “V” imagine the possibilities!

Innovative, modern and organic lighting from Aqua Creations

Don’t dim the lights!
What’s not to love? Lights that you can use on your ceilings, walls, tables and floors. Don’t believe me? Check out the inspiring and unlike anything you’ve seen lighting offerings from Aqua Creations. Lit panels of silk to accent your room in just about any configuration. If you ask me, these lights are worthy of someone as unique as you are.

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Aqua Creations, Jensen-Lewis, Haiku, Saloom, Cattelan Italia

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!

“I just wish this room was BIGGER.” Have you ever said that to yourself? Maybe it was after you ran into the edge of the dresser for the thousandth time as you made your way toward the closet, or as you sat at your desk feeling like the walls were closing in on you. Sound like you? Read on my friend!

One of the challenges I’m faced with often is how to get the maximum livability out of a minimal space. For my clients this often involves a great deal of space planning and perhaps pairing them up with some great looking furniture that can serve multiple purposes. When space is at a premium, who wouldn’t love having furniture that becomes WHAT you need it WHEN you need it? So without further ado- I felt compelled to share with you some pretty cool, practical and unique pieces of furniture that you could incorporate into your decor that enable you to have space that works for you instead of the other way around.

Hello- you gorgeous table, you. I mean loveseat, I mean desk…
This triple threat piece of furniture is to die for if you are especially space challenged. You can use it as a desk, it extends to form a dining table OR you can use it as a loveseat. Plus it’s environmentally friendly  made of reclaimed woods with a low VOC finish from EcoSystems. I think I’m in love…

It’s an ottoman…it’s a bed…wait, it’s an ottoman!
Pressed for space but expecting guests? If you like them, let them sleep on the ottoman! Introducing the perfect compromise and it’s outfitted in gorgeous leather. From Gump’s San Francisco (I just love them- if you can’t check out their store in San Francisco, treat yourself to their website.)

It’s a door no more.  Anyone up for a game of ping pong?
Having a little fun with doors and design.  When you have a small space, sometimes you have to get a little more creative when it’s time to play. So why not turn your door into a ping pong table? This design by Tobias Fraenzel is what I consider to be fabulously fun design!

Can YOU turn a couch into a Bunk Bed in a matter of seconds?
The folks at Resource Furniture can make it so that you can do exactly that. If you don’t believe me you should check out this video. Who said only cars can transform on video? Proof that couches can do it too!

Don’t forget about Fluffy or Fido!
Fur sure, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. I couldn’t do a blog post on transforming furniture without paying homage to the king of space saving furniture- the Murphy Bed.  Except this one from Solutions is for your favorite little four legged companion!

Stylish Seating or a Hip Place for Eating?
From inmod- the Futaba table. Another fun and funky table that you can actually sit in not just on!

Wasn’t that fun? Even if transforming furniture isn’t perfect for you, making sure your furniture fits your space is something everyone should be interested in. Afterall, no one likes bumping into furniture just to make their way around a room. So if you need help with that, give us a call at (913) 851-8776 or fill out the contact form on the Design Connection website.  We just happen provide some rather excellent space planning services! Of course, if  you’re looking for contemporary interior decorating and design services in Kansas City we offer a Complimentary In-Studio Design Consultation for your convenience.

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Gump’s San Francisco, EcoSystems, Tobias Fraenzel, Resource Furniture, Solutions and inmod.