Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

Space…the final frontier. Ok, maybe not so much the final frontier in this case but it is something many people don’t spend nearly enough time thinking about when they are considering design for their home. You’d be surprised at how many calls I get from people who need help “fixing” their design mishaps but I’ll let you in on a little secret that I employ religiously…space planning.В  Yep.В  Space planning.В  It involves the simple concept of taking a room and analyzing all the elements that incorporate that space like ceiling height, window size and placement, hallways and entries etc.В  Then we take that data and plan a room with furnishings and accessories that support good design and accommodates the traffic flow your lifestyle demands. It may not be the sexiest aspect of the work that we do, but it is one of the most essential. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes bit of work that not only helps you visualize the end product but also helps you achieve the look you desire before you ever have to move a single piece of furniture or change a thing!В  Now that’s what we call design smarts.В  Read on to learn more about space planning and what I’m talking about!

BEWARE! Hidden Obstacles Await
So you finished the basement but before you go shopping for furniture and appliances, you need to make sure you have a way to get them installed on that lower level. If you have a walkout basement it makes life much easier but for those of you who don’t, make sure you take into consideration the size of your furniture and appliances to ensure that you can get them down the stairs, through any doorways and into your basement area.В  Oftentimes tricky angles in halls and doorways will force you to get creative, sometimes you can remove doors, railings or even dismantle parts of the furniture but better to be safe than sorry.В  I had a friend who bought a full size fridge for the basement only to find that it simply would NOT fit through the existing door and hallway. They had to return it for a smaller one which cost them money for restocking but also the time & effort to find a new one, and have it brought to the house and installed.В  Their superbowl weekend unveiling of their newly finished basement didn’t happen as they had hoped. All of which could have been avoided had they planned in advance!

For Good Measure
I remember one year I bought a live Christmas tree that looked amazing at the farm but when I got it home it turned out to be WAY TOO BIG for the space. Ended up having to move furniture out of the room to accommodate it since taking it back wasn’t an option. My husband wasn’t exactly pleased about having to haul furniture around in the cold weather because I hadn’t bothered to measure the space AND the tree.В  This same idea applies to your rooms- you have to measure not only the room but also the features that make up the room like windows, doors, fireplaces and built-ins.В  Once you have the dimensions you have to measure the furniture you plan to put in the space, then try to figure out how to place it so that it works well for traffic flow as well as being visually pleasing. Sounds easy, right? You’d be surprised at how many people skip this step and end up with a room they are not happy with. If you are planning on new furnishings you can save a lot of time, money and heartache by making sure everything is going to work in the space BEFORE you buy!

Endless Possibilities!
Being able to take the data from room and furniture measurements and laying out a floorplan digitally is one of the things we do with EVERY DESIGN. Not only does this enable the client to visualize how the pieces will work in their unique spaces, it gives everyone a chance to test placement and design before a single piece of furniture is ever touched. It is one of my favorite things about the advancements in interior design technology and I am so proud of the fact that Design Connection has our very own space planner on staff to assist with making sure we get our rooms right the first time.В  If you are considering remodeling, we can even move walls and make major adjustments that you can see before you ever get started, it’s an example of how thorough we are with the design process.

Here’s the Plan!
We love challenges in interior design and one such challenge is when we are faced with rooms that have unusual dimensions or angled walls.В  As seen here in this actual space plan for a client, you can see how the windows, angled wall and hallway leading to this living area needed to be considered when placing the furniture and creating areas for traffic to flow easily.В  This particular project was one that I really enjoyed because we started with a completely blank slate and were able to work with the client to include the pieces they wanted without crowding the space.В  Whether it’s for a living area, bedroom or kitchen you should have a professional space planner to make sure that everything on your wish list is addressed, tested and incorporated before you commit to any kind of refresh or renovation.

The Finished Space
The space plan above eventually became the space you see pictured above.В  Everything from the height of the window treatments to the placement of each piece of furniture was pre-planned, checked and approved ahead of time which made for a perfect room from the get go. We did space planning and design for this whole condo from start to finish. If you would like to get a look at the great furniture, accessories, fabrics and other design elements we used for this project, click here to view our portfolio.

At Design Connection, we include space planning in all of our interior design projects. While not every designer in Kansas City employs the same ideals and concepts that we do, we feel space planning is a big part of what makes our service so extraordinary.В  We like to work with our clients closely to make sure that they are happy and in the process it helps us get to know them better and provide a level of service that you won’t find just anywhere.В  Saving clients time, money and potential headaches by planning in advance seems like a small price to pay for the big results they get when they end up with a room they absolutely love.В  Got a project? We would love to give you a free in-studio consultation! Simply click here then fill out the form and we’ll be in touch!

I sat and contemplated the other day how fast the summer seems to have just flown by. August is just around the corner and before you know it, we’ll be wearing our winter clothes to ward off the chill with the hot and humid days of a Kansas City summer fading into a distant memory! While I’m not particularly thrilled about how fast the summer has flown by, it does have me thinking already about the fall and current design projects on our plate that we’ll be wrapping up in time for the holidays. Of course that thought led me to thinking that given the heat we had this summer, perhaps we’ll get lots of cold and snow again this winter which means ultimately I will be spending a great deal of indoors.В  Being indoors in the winter can get old pretty fast so before you start staring at those walls and feeling like they are closing in on you, I came up with some fun ideas that you can implement now that will hopefully have you feeling cozy and not crazy this winter!

Flip The Switch!
Clever and quirky, these vinyls popped up recently on one of my web searches and I just loved the idea of doing interesting things to dress up what is probably the least interesting thing on your walls, your switches! While the designs above are obviously European, the possibilities are endless and you can count on these or your own custom designs becoming a conversation starter!

Forget Stucco!
Unusual and practical- these dimensional wall tiles can give a room some serious “Wow!”В  Made from recycled paper you can install them easily and use them as either a decor element or permanently affix them to the walls to add visual interest or cover up flaws. They are paintable and come in a variety of textures. I just happen to love the unique look of the dimensional textures that are available and the fact that you can rotate them to create any variety of patterns.

Mirror, Mirror
You know I’ve always been a big fan of mirrors and so when I come across really unique ones like this one, it just makes my mind race as I try to think of where I can find another wall to add a bit of light and reflection. Mirrors always add visual interest and this one in particular seems to make me think of a dancing and almost liquid portal into the imagination!

Immortalize The Family Vacation
I just love the idea of custom wall murals which I talked about in my blog last week. What a great way to take a favorite photo from that summer vacation and create a wall that can almost transport you back to your favorite place or a favorite time in your life!

Light It Up!
I have a great love for lighting as it can make all the difference in the mood a room projects. There are some really amazing offerings now in wall sconces like the fun and funky one pictured above that turns your lighting essentials into brilliant bits of art!

Tile with a Twist
I love the idea of accent walls and this one is executed flawlessly in a bathroom renovation project from SPI that incorporates gorgeous custom tile as a focal point. You can incorporate something similar in your bath or even in other areas like your kitchen or entry! (just make sure you love it before you do it since it’s a bit more difficult to change than a mural or hanging a photo)

Now that you have some fun ideas to kick around before fall and winter arrive, what are you going to do to get your house ready for those cooped up winter months? I hope that you’ll give some thought to your walls and how you can make them more visually interesting than just a place to hang a photo or two. There is so much potential from color to texture and even depth that you can utilize to create accents and highlights throughout your home. I love seeing details like these going into homes, personalizing your space goes so far to giving you peace of mind and helping you to relax an unwind after a long workday or a stressful week. As always if you need help with your walls, the Design Connection Team is here to help you come up with great ideas, hunt down accents and help you transform your spaces into great places!В  Come say hi or contact us today for a complimentary in-studio consultation on your next interior design project in Kansas City.  We would love to hear from you!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Behance, re:modern, ZGallerie, Totally Custom Wallpaper, Artisan Crafted Lighting, SPI/Ann Sachs tile

I sat and contemplated the other day how fast the summer seems to have just flown by. August is just around the corner and before you know it, we’ll be wearing our winter clothes to ward off the chill with the hot and humid days of a Kansas City summer fading into a distant memory! While I’m not particularly thrilled about how fast the summer has flown by, it does have me thinking already about the fall and current design projects on our plate that we’ll be wrapping up in time for the holidays. Of course that thought led me to thinking that given the heat we had this summer, perhaps we’ll get lots of cold and snow again this winter which means ultimately I will be spending a great deal of indoors.В  Being indoors in the winter can get old pretty fast so before you start staring at those walls and feeling like they are closing in on you, I came up with some fun ideas that you can implement now that will hopefully have you feeling cozy and not crazy this winter!

Clever Switchplate Vinyl Designs from Ziemowit Maj

Flip The Switch!
Clever and quirky, these vinyls popped up recently on one of my web searches and I just loved the idea of doing interesting things to dress up what is probably the least interesting thing on your walls, your switches! While the designs above are obviously European, the possibilities are endless and you can count on these or your own custom designs becoming a conversation starter!

3-D tiles to dress up your walls from re:modern

Forget Stucco!
Unusual and practical- these dimensional wall tiles can give a room some serious “Wow!”В  Made from recycled paper you can install them easily and use them as either a decor element or permanently affix them to the walls to add visual interest or cover up flaws. They are paintable and come in a variety of textures. I just happen to love the unique look of the dimensional textures that are available and the fact that you can rotate them to create any variety of patterns.

A wall mirror from ZGallerie

Mirror, Mirror
You know I’ve always been a big fan of mirrors and so when I come across really unique ones like this one, it just makes my mind race as I try to think of where I can find another wall to add a bit of light and reflection. Mirrors always add visual interest and this one in particular seems to make me think of a dancing and almost liquid portal into the imagination!

Custom wall mural from Totally Custom Wallpaper

Immortalize The Family Vacation
I just love the idea of custom wall murals which I talked about in my blog last week. What a great way to take a favorite photo from that summer vacation and create a wall that can almost transport you back to your favorite place or a favorite time in your life!

Totally Unique Wall Sconce from Artisan Crafted Lighting

Light It Up!
I have a great love for lighting as it can make all the difference in the mood a room projects. There are some really amazing offerings now in wall sconces like the fun and funky one pictured above that turns your lighting essentials into brilliant bits of art!

SPI's renovated bathroom project with custom wall tile

Tile with a Twist
I love the idea of accent walls and this one is executed flawlessly in a bathroom renovation project from SPI that incorporates gorgeous custom tile as a focal point. You can incorporate something similar in your bath or even in other areas like your kitchen or entry! (just make sure you love it before you do it since it’s a bit more difficult to change than a mural or hanging a photo)

Now that you have some fun ideas to kick around before fall and winter arrive, what are you going to do to get your house ready for those cooped up winter months? I hope that you’ll give some thought to your walls and how you can make them more visually interesting than just a place to hang a photo or two. There is so much potential from color to texture and even depth that you can utilize to create accents and highlights throughout your home. I love seeing details like these going into homes, personalizing your space goes so far to giving you peace of mind and helping you to relax an unwind after a long workday or a stressful week. As always if you need help with your walls, the Design Connection Team is here to help you come up with great ideas, hunt down accents and help you transform your spaces into great places!В  Come say hi or contact us today for a complimentary in-studio consultation on your next interior design project in Kansas City.В  We would love to hear from you!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks: Behance, re:modern, ZGallerie, Totally Custom Wallpaper, Artisan Crafted Lighting, SPI/Ann Sachs tile

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!В  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.

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!

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.В  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!

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?!)

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…

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!

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.В  By customizing pieces, you give them meaning and turn them into something truly special that goes beyond owning a one-of-a-kind item.В  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.В  If you need help, you know who to call!В  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:В  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?В  Don’t let the lack of space cramp your style, we’re here to inspire the office you truly desire!

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!)

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!

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!

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!

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!

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 styleВ  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.В  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.В  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.В  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

Ahhhh kitchens, the room in the home where we seem to spend more time than we realize.В  With open floorplans and multi-use spaces becoming common in homes, it’s easier than ever to hang out and socialize in the kitchen, have the kids do homework, or just hang out while cooking.В  It’s casual and comfy and no one seems to be able to resist the lure of food and drink right?В  The only problem is that if you have a small kitchen, it might have you wondering what you can do to maximize that space so that everyone can enjoy. I have been working with some clients this summer who have summer lake cottages and condos with limited kitchen space. The question always comes up, how can I make my kitchen seem bigger?

Open and Airy
Creating the illusion of more space are the increasingly popular open front cabinets that boast clean lines and help you clean up your act. With your dishware on display you’ll become more aware of what you do/don’t need and what you need to get rid of which means more space for you!

Time to Organize!
Keep your knives and other kitchen gadgets organized and easy to access with expandable drawer organizers that keep them off the countertops!

Utilize the Walls!
There are all kinds of ways to get your utensils, pots and other sundry items off the countertops and one space where they can be organized AND look great is on your walls. There are some terrific magnetic knife bars out there or if the exposed blades make you nervous, you can go for the look of a knife block but with magnetic properties like the one above!

Areas that Multitask
I love it when design meets function and this fabulous prep sink is a perfect example of a way you can utilize a standard item, in this case a sink, and make it better by rethinking the design and setting up the space to serve as a food prep AND cleanup station. Brilliant ideas like this incorporated into your home decor mean you need even less counter space!

Corner Creativity
I just love this corner drawer system from Blum. How practical for a space that is usually less than efficiently designed.В  If you are looking at incorporating some new ideas into your lower cabinets, this is a great way to use those often wasted corners of the kitchen!

Ready to retrofit?
So you don’t have time for new cabinets that take advantage of those corner cabinets you never use as much as you should? Never fear, you can retrofit with slide out units that will help organize just about any cabinet space in your kitchen. There are a variety of options out there for under the sink, slide outs, lazy susans, pull down or in this case, a pull out unit that let’s you say “Hello Storage” to those formerly unusable areas!

Think Clean
Bright light colored backsplashes, clean countertops and minimal clutter help to make a space feel much bigger.В  This small galley kitchen may be small in size but it’s definitely big on style and notice the lack of cabinet hardware and things on the counters which adds to the impression that this kitchen is bigger than it actually is!

Even if you aren’t ready for a complete kitchen remodel, you can take some of these ideas to tidy up your space and make it feel bigger simply by starting with organizing! Once you’ve tackled that,В  you can take a look at larger changes like paint, cabinets, countertops that will help to make your smaller kitchen seem bigger than life. If you’re ready to start planning your kitchen you have got to come in and talk to me. We do space planning so that you will be able to see exactly how your kitchen could be made more efficient but also how it will fit into your existing home’s design and layout. Whether it’s retrofitting or starting from scratch, Design Connection is here to help!В  Call or contact us today and take advantage of our FREE in studio design consulation and take a step closer to the kitchen of your dreams!

Click on the photos to visit the websites of these fine folks:В  Siematic, Crate and Barrel, Organize.com, Cutlery and More,

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?В  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.

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.

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.В  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!

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!

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.В  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!

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”В  There are several rug options out there anymore, from train tracks to cities, and even baseball diamonds or soccer fields.В  More fun that you could ever imagine!

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!

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.В  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 onВ  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!

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.В  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!В  Contact us today for a complimentary in-studio interior designВ  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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Don’t forget Linoleum!
Often overlooked, linoleum can beВ  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.

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.В  If you haven’t seen Frank McKinney’s Acqua Liana home, prepare to have your jaw hit the floor!В  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.В  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.В  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.В  That is one that I’m savoring writing as things get even warmer in the midwest.В  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.В  If you have any unique ways of working water into your design, I’d love to hear about it.В  Be sure to say hello on Twitter and Facebook and as always I welcome your comments here.В  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!