Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

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

School is out, summer has kicked in and on those days where it’s either raining or too hot I’ll bet many of you are wondering what to do with the kiddos. If you ask me, the answer is simple, let them design! I love incorporating items with a personal touch into my design and there are some very cool, interactive accessories out there that not only look great, but keep the little ones occupied. Design with function, what’s not to love?  Here are a few fun ideas for projects you can undertake with the kids to use throughout your home. The best part is that you’ll get to make memories and a statement with your design style all at the same time.

Chalkboard paint from Rust-Oleum

Art on every wall!
Remember when it was taboo to write on the walls? Indulge your future graffiti artist with chalkboard walls in either classic green or black! The thing I love about this paint is that the walls are not just a frame for your design, they become a living and changing part of it and the kids will have a blast customizing it with their handiwork.

Deep frames from Pottery Barn Kids

You’ve been Framed!
Remember shadowboxes? A perfect rainy-day project for you and the kids to capture a piece of their childhood that you can proudly display on the walls.  All you need is a glue gun, found items like bits of toys and games to make a colorful and whimsical statement in any room of the house. These would be so cute as a grouping!

Train photo frame wall decals from Uncommon Goods

Choo-Choose to frame some photos!
Fun and harmless for the walls- if you have a train aficionado, these wall decals are for you. Spend a few hours choosing the photos you want to display and then get them on the walls with these bright and simple train graphics!

Ty shower curtain from Grain Design

Scrub-a-Dub
There are so many things to love about this shower curtain it’s hard to know where to start. They are made of plastic so they won’t off-gas, plus they come with your choice of color in permanent markers so that you can customize and create your own bathroom masterpiece.  Get the kids involved and let them do their own shower curtain for their bath- with plenty of room to draw, this could be a fantastic family project!

Interactive Rug from JustKidsRugs.com

Fun on the floor
These require little effort other than finding the space in a room (perfect for a playroom!) and the great thing is that you can set the kids up with some toy cars, people and animals and let them have a ball playing in this “town”  There are several rug options out there anymore, from train tracks to cities, and even baseball diamonds or soccer fields.  More fun that you could ever imagine!

Picture hangers from The Land of Nod

No Room on the Fridge?
No sweat- these fun and practical picture hangers will do the trick by giving you another way to decorate your walls with your kid’s artwork. Just make sure you have plenty of paper and crayons on hand!

Bendant light from re-modern

A bright idea
A bit of quick fun here with flat packaged lighting (left) that you bend to form your own idea of a chandelier. Have the kids do the bending and let them make this artistic light fixture their own!

So now that you have a few ideas, go grab the kids and have a little bit of design fun when you’re not in the sun. As always if you need any help with your decor or a bit of interior design inspiration and ideas, feel free to stop by or give me a call. Design Connection offers free in-studio interior design consultations and we love to help our clients find ways to involve the whole family in the design process.  Do you have more ideas that you’d like to share? Feel free to comment on my blog or check us out in our interior design page on Facebook or send us a tweet on Twitter!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Rust-Oleum, Potery Barn Kids, Uncommon Goods, Grain Design, JustKidsRugs.com, The Land of Nod, re-modern

We all know that heat rises and in the summertime that can mean expensive a/c bills to keep your home comfortable. By necessity, many of us have become more budget conscious and are looking for ways to save money and energy since they seem to go hand in hand. I was talking to a client the other day who has several large, sunny, floor to ceiling windows and she was saying how amazing the difference was once we added window treatments. She loved the added warmth it gave her room on the inside and the fact that it kept the hot sun on the outside. It’s easy to overlook your windows as a space where you can really make an impact on  your energy bills AND your style which is why we are going to take a look at some hot trends that will help keep you cool as a cucumber!

Sumptuous Silk Panels from West Elm

Silky Splendor
Large grommets make these gorgeous panels slide easily to block the sun by day and look clean, modern and amazing by night.

Alustra Woven Textures from Hunter Douglas

Filtered Light
Taking a cue from the trend toward natural woods and textures, Hunter Douglas developed their Alustra line of window coverings to softly filter light. One extra feature I adore is that you can choose to have them motorized- no more pulling cables, which saves me energy so I can spend more time admiring the decor!

Solar roller shades from Smith and Noble

Let Light In
Keep UV Rays out and reduce heat transfer with a little technology in your window coverings. This isn’t your Grandma’s fabric!

Woven Wood shades from Hunter Douglas

So Chic!
Window treatments made with natural woods, reeds and materials are very popular right now. The natural textures age beautifully and add a natural warmth and organic feel to a room’s decor.

Pottery Barn's Outdoor Grommet Drape

Bring the Drapes Outside!
Creating a cozy space and providing a little shade, outdoor draperies can lend your deck or patio an intimate air while providing practical protection from the hot sun.

Honeycomb shades by Kirsch

Sweet and Simple
Honeycomb shades have come a long way and options abound in fabrics, level of opacity (and sun blocking) and wonderful combinations of sheer and opaque fabrics like in the picture above. With top down and bottom up options, you can control the view and the light.

In the past year many of my clients have made the shift from traditional two inch blinds towards a softer and more organic type of window covering like you see in the options above. Woven woods are hugely popular with varieties in bamboo, grasses and reeds helping people bring the organic textures from the outdoors in and making their spaces warm and inviting. Another trend I’m seeing is in light filtering with just enough covering the window for privacy but letting natural light in which reduces the need to use lighting during the day and early evening hours. All in all, window treatments can be such a great investment for you from both an energy and design perspective.  We are spending more time at home so it’s important to make sure our spaces suit our lifestyles and budgets ,right? Want to talk about window treatements? If you’re needing help, you know where to find me and the Design Connection Team. We are always willing to spend time listening and helping you with your interior design needs whatever they may be!  Contact us today for a complimentary in-studio interior design  consultation and let’s talk design!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: West Elm, Hunter Douglas, Smith and Noble, Pottery Barn, Kirsch

Mother Nature has turned up the heat in the midwest and with the long holiday weekend and the beginnings of those muggy midwest summer days, once again my mind has drifted toward thoughts of water. The Memorial Day weekend usually marks the openings of many a pool both public and private.  If you’re one of those who are lucky enough to have your own backyard pool, this blog is for you! Why not bliss out and rejuvenate poolside this summer in style and comfort?

Whether you look at unique and extra special lighting, adding dreamy wisps of outdoor drapery to give your space a tropical island feel or incorporating colorful accents and accessories, there is an abundance of options available now that are not only weather resistant but look absolutely smashing! I found some great ideas to help you accomplish exactly that, so get those flip flops out, throw on a swimsuit, grab a towel and let’s head outdoors for some fun in the sun!

Moonlight's floating battery operated light

By The Light… Of The Silvery Moon
I am simply captivated by moonlights.  They are so unusual I featured them in my blog on outdoor spaces. Now you can have floating moonlights to lend a surreal and serene glow to your pool in the evening. Sooo pretty!

Modern Outdoor's Talt Lounge Chaise

Kick Back and Relax
Love the clean lines and the combination of wood and metal in these gorgeous chaise lounges from Modern Outdoor. Simply beautiful.

LED Beverage Tub from Frontgate

Be the Light of the Party!
Don’t forget to dress the tabletop! Who wouldn’t look forward to having a drink when it’s chilled in ice that is catching the nuances of colored lights?

From Brown & Jordan's Kensington collection

Create an Intimate Setting
It’s amazing what a little color, outdoor drapery and timeless wicker outdoor furniture can do to create a space that is cozy and beckons you to spend time outdoors.

Outback Chair Company's Urban Balance Wave Hammock

An Extraordinary Hammock
Forget the old rope hammock and opt for a stylish, comfortable and contemporary alternative from Outback Chair company. You can choose different patterns and colors for the pillows and chances are you’ll want to wile everyday away gently swaying in one of these under bright and sunny skies.

Colorful melamine plates from Pottery Barn

Dish it out!
When you are hanging out by the pool it only makes sense to have pool friendly melamine dinnerware that is festive and eyecatching.  Just another way to make your time outdoors extra special with these festive plates, simply top with your favorite food and oooooh life is good!

Havana Outdoor Lamp from Ylighting

I Love Lamp.
Who says you can’t put a floor lamp outdoors? If it’s good enough for the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, then surely your backyard could benefit from having these phenomenal lamps providing a bit of art and illumination!

There are so many great ideas for personalizing and making your outdoor pool area warm and inviting enough for you to consider it your own personal tropical retreat! Plus when you take the time to make it a place you truly enjoy spending time at you’ll find yourself relaxing in your outdoor space more than ever. Do you have anything special you incorporated into your pool area to make it uniquely yours? I hope you’ll tell me by visiting with me on Facebook, Twitter or commenting here on the Design Connection Blog! Wishing you many sunshine filled days and warm summer nights to laze by the pool.

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Ylighting, Outback Chair Company, Brown & Jordan, Frontgate, Moonlight, Modern Outdoor and Pottery Barn,

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,

Earth Day. What’s not to love about this big, beautiful planet?
What could be better than a day celebrating this marvelous planet we all call home. While Earth Day 2010 has recently come and gone, the fact remains that green, earth, or eco-friendly design is definitely getting a lot more attention these days.  And why not?  With the fabulous offerings that are available anymore, scarcity and price are becoming less of an obstacle for homeowners and designers alike. With such a blog worthy topic, we decided to share a little fun from Design Connection’s earthy inspiration files.  Enjoy and remember to show the earth a little love both inside and outside of your home!

Delightful Details
Sometimes it’s all about the bling. Sparkling recycled glass in eye catching colors make these drawer/cabinet pulls something you can feel good about using in your home everyday.

Flowered eco-friendly chair from Crate & Barrel

Purdy as a Posey
This fantastic floral chair comes with a serious eco-pedigree! Click on the pic if you want to see specifics but let’s just say these flowers will always be in bloom and in style!

Recycled Flip-Flop Doormat from Re:modern

Don’t Flip Flop on recycled goods!
Those flip flop sandals you wore all summer then sadly had to kiss goodbye after a blowout have been  given a second chance at life! This time as a fantastic, colorful doormat made of recycled shoe bits.

A seriously earth loving Love Seat from PURE Inspired Design

I Love This Seat.
Design that’s almost good enough to eat! With soy based foam cushion options and your choice of either organic canvas or eco-leather, these custom handcrafted pieces of furniture are as in love with the earth as we are.

Recycled glass countertop from Vetrazzo

Shiny as Glass
Can’t do an article on earth friendly design without having a look at some lovely recycled glass installations. Old bottles and glass emerge as a durable and delightful countertop!

Bamboo Truss bench/coffee table from Re:modern

Do You Truss Me?
Bamboo-la-la…say hello to a multipurpose bench/coffee table made with (you guessed it) environmentally friendly materials and processes. Beautiful and functional!

100% Bamboo Sheets from SleepBamboo.com

Sleep Tight.  Don’t let the bed bugs bite!
100% Bamboo sheets not only regulate heat, they repel bugs too! Double duty luxury and style for your bedroom.

We can all do our part to contribute to the health of our planet by making wise choices when it comes to our homes, their construction and the things we put into them to make them lovely. By consciously seeking items that are sustainable, we will make green mainstream. If you are wanting environmentally friendly furniture, fabrics and accents… well you know where to find me and the Design Connection Team.  Together we can hug this planet and still make everything look simply out of this world!

Going Retro with the Beatles and CR Laine

High Fives to everyone at High Point Market Spring 2010!

I just got back to Kansas City this week from High Point Market and I’m near to bursting with excitement over the things I saw that I want to share with you! With the economy being what it is, it was encouraging to hear many people report that business is improving which added to the overall high energy and upbeat optimism that seemed to pervade the market atmosphere this year. So refreshing! Turnout was fantastic, buyers were buying, vendors were showcasing fantastic new products and ideas which made for a truly wonderful show. I spent a lot of time wandering around gathering ideas, visiting showrooms and connecting with old and new friends.

Let’s Get Inspired!

I had plenty of opportunities to get ideas and inspiration from the many fantastic vendors showing products at High Point Market this year. From the burst of gorgeous colors I saw in the rugs from Jaunty to the fabulous new “Blonde” finish from Stanley Furniture, it was definitely a show worth getting excited about. Black & White was making a dramatic statement in many of the displays along with many vendors showing off lots of gorgeous linens and newer lighter finished woods (say goodbye to the dark woods and hello to to the light!). Bright bold colors were everywhere and I was pleased to see mirrors showing up in a variety of places. Fresh with an abundance of new ideas I’m ready to incorporate some of my finds into your design. So if you find you’re getting inspired too, let’s chat and soon! I hope you’ll give me a chance to show you why Design Connection should be your choice for interior design in Kansas City!

Dining Set from Design Master

Ebony and Ivory
Living once again in perfect harmony, these classic colors were definitely making a statement at High Point Market this year. I also noticed many furniture pieces sporting plenty of curves and emphasizing comfort.

Pretty Puffy Patterned Pillows
You won’t find boring throw pillows anywhere near this market. More beautiful black and white. I noticed lots of really wonderful and bold patterns in the fabrics that were used on products in the show this year. Trends seemed to include lots of bold prints, calligraphy and interesting patterns.

Bed from Stanley Furniture

Light and Dark
A stunning bed combining gorgeously finished dark wood and the unexpected touch of linen.

Pleat to meet you!
I just loved these draperies- the combination of fabric, perfect pleats and a touch of detail. Superb!

L

Shiny Happy Dining
I saw lots of really gorgeous linens at the show this year. Just loved the detailing here, the shiny finish and two tone table.

Fantastic chairs from Rowe

Hip to be Square
Bright bold patterns in a pair of chairs that I just fell in love with! These chairs practically scream optimism and fun!

Mirror Mirror on the what?!
Another trend on the rise, the reappearance of mirrors! Not just for the wall anymore folks!

Delightfully Dazzling
Aaaah memories of the 70’s came flooding back as I saw this lovely piece. I simply had to get a picture. Oddly reminiscent of a disco ball, it brilliantly combines the mirror trend with a touch of whimsy and yet manages to stay beautifully sophisticated at the same time.

Market is even better with friends
I got to spend time with my dear friends and colleagues.  We had such great fun together!

Stick a fork in me, I’m done!
Whew, after days on my feet taking in all of the wonders of High Point this year, I finally got to kick back and relax on the unique and custom furniture at C.R. Laine. This fantastic oversized chair was so comfortable I almost fell asleep and missed my flight home!

I would love to know if you liked the finds from High Point as much as I did.  Feel free to comment here, or come by and say hello to me and my team at Design Connection on Facebook or get your daily dose of Kansas City interior design news, tips and information on Twitter! Hope to hear from you soon!

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.