Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

As shocking as the numbers were in our blog last week about the time spent in our bathrooms, can you imagine how much more time you spend in your bedroom?  Maybe that’s why Master Bedroom remodels are hot right now.В  We are looking for a place to retreat, relax and rejuvenate and what better place than where we sleep? From start to finish, remodeling a master bedroom can be a greatly rewarding experience if only for the fact that you’ll probably sleep much better once it’s done! But where do you start?

Your bedroom should be a place where you can shed the stresses of the day and surround yourself with comfort, both visual and tactile.В  A master bedroom remodel can range from major to minor depending on how much change you intend to introduce. Whether you are gutting the space for a complete redo with new windows, walls and flooring or taking a less dramatic approach with changes in paint, window treatments, linens and accessories, your room should convey a warm and relaxing message. Above all else, that space is where you should be getting a good night’s sleep!

Once you have decided about the structure itself and whether you are going to make any adjustments with the walls, floors, fixtures and electrical, the next step is to think about how you are going to furnish the space. Do you have existing furniture to use or will you buy new? What about storage? Making sure that furniture and your belongings will fit in the space is key. No one likes to have a cramped bedroom where there is no room to move around so take a hard look at what goes where. Having a space planner to show you exactly where everything will go and how it will fit can be a lifesaver!

Creating a Space You’ll Never Want to Leave!
Nothing has more impact in a master bedroom than a fabulous and inviting bed that you’re just dying to jump into. Think big fluffy pillows, soft bedding and cozy coordinating throws to pull the look of your room together with panache. Add in a plush rug, some soft lighting, art and accessories such as cushions, candles or a comfy chaise perfect for unwinding with a book at the end of the day.

Let’s Talk Bedroom Design from A to Zzzzz’s!
When you plan your master bedroom, using a skilled interior designer to help you plan your space down to the last detail is so important. At Design Connection, we have the resources you need to help you reach remodeling nirvana with the least amount of stress. We can assist with your space planning, decor and remodeling projects big and small. If you are in Kansas City, we will be at the Remodeling Show Feb 12-14, 2010 at the American Royal. Come by booth 1034 and meet the Design Connection Team and let’s talk about your remodeling plans and how we can help!

Not ready to tackle a whole-house or large room remodel just yet? If that sounds like you, then you are probably considering doing something new with your bathroom. Sometimes it’s better to start small. Bathrooms are one of the most used rooms in the house, a quick google search yielded some surprising statistics. Apparently we spend an average of 210 min per week in the bathroom. (Yes you read that right!) That adds up to about 10,920 minutes per year, 182 hours or 7.58 days.В  So considering that we all generally spend quite a bit of time in the bathroom, it is only natural that the idea of remodeling that space is so appealing. In an economy where some people are hesitant to commit to a larger project, a bathroom is the perfect place to start.

Showering you with ideas!
Having a spa-like experience everyday is something many of us dream about. Beautiful and heated tile floors, a towel warmer, maybe a gorgeous sink and shiny new fixtures to compliment the ultimate bath or steam shower…ideas and options abound. The key is taking the ideas you want and working them into the existing space that you have in a way that is not only eye pleasing but livable. We love comfort and beauty but we also like convenience of surfaces that are easy to clean and maintain. When you plan a bathroom remodel you need to consider whether you are wanting to do a partial or full remodel. Partial might involve replacing existing sinks, baths and toilets with newer models but keeping the same layout. A full remodel could include gutting the entire space and restarting from scratch. Depending on your lifestyle and your budget, you can and should work with an experienced interior designer to plan out your space. Not only can they introduce you to the latest products that are on the market, they will ensure that the choices you make
compliment each other to give you the spectacular bathroom you deserve.

Ready, Set, Remodel!
If you are thinking about remodeling, you are in luck! The Design Connection Team is going to be at the Kansas City Remodeling show February 12-14 at the American Royal. We would love to see you there and talk to you about your ideas and show you some of the great remodeling projects we’ve done in Kansas City, including bathrooms that we love.В  Look for our booth at the show. We will post details closer to the event on our website but you can always ask questions here, or on the Design Connection Facebook or Twitter pages. Looking forward to seeing you at the show!

I’d like to introduce you to an old friend of mine. Reader, meet Neutral. Neutral, meet Reader. Yes, you read that right, I consider Neutrals to be my friend. Now, before you go picturing a boring room done up completely in beige, I beg you to reconsider. Neutrals (like Wallpaper) seem to get a bum rap and with the variety of colors, materials and textures out there it’s easy to overlook what is typically considered a safe and oftentimes boring choice. I beg to differ because Neutrals are always in style precisely because they are neutral!В  They go with ANYTHING.В  So when I have a client who is hesitant to choose or commit on color, I introduce them to Neutrals.

Textures like wool and silk look wonderful in neutrals and compliment a variety of woods and metals. You can have a classic and sophisticated array of neutral furniture that you can dress up with colorful walls, rugs and

accessories like pillows art, and plants. A bright orange couch might go out of style fast, but a neutral one? Never! Just paint a wall, change the rug, get some colorful new accessories and you’ll have a new look.В  Now that you’ve gotten to know neutral a little better, I’ll bet you’ll be fast friends too!

A fantastic neutral room that I love that was done by J. Robert Scott, click the image to view more pics on their wonderful website

It all started when Mom and Dad gave you the old couch when you got out of college.В  Sure, it didn’t really go with anything but it was a place to sit and of course you were grateful to have any furniture at all. Fast forward to the present and you realize that you’re still hanging onto that old couch, that old kitchen table, recliner or other piece of sentimental furniture because you just don’t have the heart to let it go.

With the last week of the year, and one that was especially challenging for most of us, I think it’s a great time to take a look at your surroundings and reassess things in order to gear up for the new year.В  It’s a clean slate and many of us are looking for 2010 to be an uplifting and “better” year than 2009 with jobs, economy and quality of life. If you head to your local bookstore, you’d be amazed and the many offerings of books to help you attract abundance or learn the art of positive thinking in order to improve your lot in life.В  Your surroundings play a major role in your personal sense of well being and if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably agree that when you love your surroundings or your home, you simply feel better and can take on the world! If you’ve heard ofВ  Feng Shui, it is all about creating harmonious spaces geared specifically toward helping you achieve a better life and success in your work and relationships. I truly believe that having a space that makes you feel fantastic can have an incredible impact on the other areas of your life.

So in an effort to close out 2009 on a positive note, I am going to say it’s time to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new.В  If you can’t afford to get rid of that ugly old couch and splurge on a new one, look into updating the look with a great slipcover and some throw pillows.В  You’d be amazed at how it can transform a room AND your attitude. You can refinish that table or donate pieces to your local goodwill.В  When you let go of the old, you open yourself up to attracting the new, which is probably just what you need! Here’s wishing all of our clients, friends, fans and family a wonderful, harmonious and prosperous New Year.В  We are welcoming prosperity, balance, love and joy in 2010 and we hope you will too!

The “to-do” lists seem to make us a little frazzled around the holidays, so much to do and seemingly so little time.В  Depending on your list, you may be done or nearly done with the decorating, baking, shopping and planning but have you had time to think about preparing for your out-of- town guests? As we put a dent into our holiday “to-do” lists, we started thinking about what we can do to make our guest rooms warm and cozy for our holiday guests within the next week or so and decided to share some of our ideas with you.

Quick Design Help for your Guest Room

Warm and Cozy is the goal and we can have you well on your way to surrounding your guests with comfortable blissВ  in 3 easy steps.

1. Some TLC and Tidying up:В  Go through the room and do a thorough cleaning, vacuum and dust. Guest rooms seem to be a catch-all for odds and ends since they are often out of sight, out of mind.В  Clean out the clutter for an instant good impression.В  If you have time, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for sprucing up a guest room and making it feel brand new.

2. Ambiance & Aromatherapy.В  Easy and inexpensive to do, find a pretty vase or a festive mug and fill with fresh flowers for the room.В  Comfort has as much to do with sight as it does with smell. Add to the appeal of the room by burning candles for a soft glow and a welcoming scent or try a decorative diffuser for aromatherapy without the flame.В  Don’t forget the lighting of the room can add to the atmosphere. It is important to have good lamps in the room so your guests have a place to retreat and read or relax away from the family when needed. For that extra-special something that will make your guests smile with delight, leave them a small box of chocolates or some holiday candies with a note welcoming them to your home for the holidays.

Some great locally made candles in Kansas City can be found at these links:
AJ’s Country Cottage
5B & Co. Candlemakers
Creative Candles
Indigo Wild

3. Good Bedding Equals Bliss. Especially around the holidays, we all appreciate a good night’s sleep. Ensure your guests have good, soft sheets and warm blankets for their bed. A down mattress pad is an inexpensive way to give your guests a great rest and if you can, incorporate a mix of two down and two regular pillows to choose from.

Design Connection Bedroom at The Ravello

Cindy, our office manager loves to entertain and her guests are welcomed with a glass of wine and a wonderful guest room retreat using the many of tips we’ve shared with you. She says her secrets for keeping her guests happy are fresh flowers and wonderful bedding. We’re thinking we want to go visit her too!В  We hope you are able to use some of our quick holiday design tips to get your guest room ready for company. From the team at Design Connection, we wish you the best and hope you enjoy the festivities of the season with your family and friends!

We love the things in life that are easy to do, so we wanted to share some great ideas for holiday centerpieces to dress your Thanksgiving table without the stress!

Think simple.В  Whether your approach is casual or sophisticated, sometimes less is more. When you’re out getting your staples for dinner, why not pick up some small to medium sized pumpkins or gourds for your table? The fall colors look fabulous and you can group them together or spread them out along the length of the table and alternate them with some small votive candles on a beautiful table runner. Not into the less is more look? If you want to get creative, consider hollowing out a couple small pumpkins to hold candles or a combination of beautiful fall flowers and leaves. Minimal effort for maximum impact!

Read the rest of this entry »

I am getting requests for kitchen face lifts. Many of my clients are choosing to darker their cabinets, change hardware, update their appliances, change countertops and back splash. This could easily make the budget around $15,000 or higher. To gut a kitchen and reinstall all of the above will run $35,000 to over $100,000. It is clearly less expensive to have the face lift.

I am of the opinion that when my client’s go to sell their homes they will get their money back from a kitchen face lift. With the market as competitive as it is, home buyers are optioning for the homes that have updated kitchens and are willing to pay a higher dollar for them.

I tell my perspective clients be aware. There are very few faux painters that can repaint kitchens cabinets and have them look nice after a year or two. They are not willing to take the time to strip and sand the cabinets back to the original surface. I am hooked up with painters that I personally over see toВ  make sure that the prep work is done and completed correctly before the paint or stain is applied.

I have more to do now. Design Connection, Inc. is now on Face book. I will continue to blog on my website for I think that is really important, but also catch us on Facebook for news, photos of projects, and other happenings.

Arlene’s thought for the day. “Do your homework before you have any work done on your home”.

Arlene Ladegaard IIDA

Allied ASID

www.designconnectioninc.com

Wallpaper is a great way to spice up a space. We use it mostly in bathrooms and dining rooms to add a pop of interest. Wallpapers come in many designs; we especially like the ones with metallic accents. The papers are of a high quality, and very easy to clean and change when its time for a new look.

Updating your staircase can be a great accent to your home. I recommend using an accent runner or carpet that compliments your existing flooring. This can be a pattern with multiple colors or a simple one color cut loop.

Iron spindles are very much in style and can cost as little as $5.00 a piece. I sometimes recommend wood painted spindles if it compliments the style of the home.

Slab wood stairs are beautiful but costly. You may faux paint and darken the handrails for around $250.00 to $400.00.
Changing your staircase can be a dramatic change and a great accent to your home and it doesn’t have to break the bank.

Arlene

Design Connection, Inc.

www.designconnectioninc.com

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

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

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

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

Arlene

visit www.designconnectioninc.com