Design Connection, Inc. Interior Design

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

Children’s bedrooms are great fun to design. Kids want a space to express their personality. In our featured project the daughter had a beautiful collection of Barbie dolls that we showcased. And accented her walls with paisley shapes with strong bright colors. 

My advice is to pick a theme or color that will tie the whole look together. Then start with the furniture, replacing the big pieces first. Click here to get started with Young America for ideas and direction. Make sure to measure your room, you want the furniture to fit well, and not overwhelm the space.

DesignTipsKC: A room with lots of shelves and cubbies can help a child organize their belongings. A couple of shelves can be dedicated to displaying their crafts and trophies.

 We always have a lot of fun designing children’s spaces. If you want help with your space contact us! http://www.designconnectioninc.com/

There is an ongoing battle in the design world of trends vs. things you love. Many times we are shamed by decorating gods pushing trends and themes. You go back into your home and look at the things you love and wonder if you need to get rid of them. No you don’t! I feel very strongly about mixing in elements that you love with good design.

Many people chase trends, and become vulnerable to what stores and magazines advocate. But that only leaves you with an overexposed purchase, meaning that you are likely to run into your same lamp at a couple of neighbors and friends homes.

Your life, home and family are unique and your design should reflect that in a comfortable way. If you like a certain look, material or texture, go for it! A designer will show you how to mix and utilize it in a balanced way. We believe in the value of design that you love and one that lasts.

Redesign is getting your home or space up to date. Staging prepares your home for sale.

Redesign can range from rearranging your existing furniture to painting your walls. This maintains or expresses your personality throughout your home. This is can be used to keep your home feeling fresh and new. Our staging services help you eliminate extra pieces of furniture and, in the right amount, to remove personal touches. By doing this we help your house look like a model home. The key is to provide just enough warmth to convince a person that they could live here, without distracting them with too much of your personality that may be very different from yours.

Call us! 913-851-8776 We offer half day and full day on site consulting.

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.

You master bedroom represents your sanctuary, it is the room that helps you rest and relax after a hectic day. Many people neglect their bedroom and it is often the last to be redesigned. Here are some quick fixes to help inspire any bedroom.

Keep it as unisex as possible, focus on brining in masculine and feminine touches with details and accessories. That might mean neutral colors on the walls and bolder pieces of furniture, then a pop of color with throw pillows and a flower arrangement on the nightstand. Pillows and flowers can be changed to match the seasons, which will keep a fresh new feeling all year round.

Tone down the patterns. If you have more than three major patterns, you are on the verge of going overboard. Instead focus on textures and interesting details, this will make your room unique and special. The quality of your materials is always worth it.

Begin with a plan. Start by picking out your color scheme, then move onto fabrics and textiles, try to have a color or theme that brings all the elements together. And remember it is always easier to add items, than take them away. You don’t have to create the perfect bedroom in one day. Good Luck!

When creating a unique and special room you should consider using host and hostess chairs.В В Using host and hostess chairs helpsВ lend aВ presence in any room of your home.В  These chairs can be used at the end of a dining table, or used as an accent inВ any room in your home.В  The advantages of using upholstered host and hostess chairs can be the addition of another important fabric to the room, which then can enhance the overall scale and color.В  The scale of the chairs themselvesВ are very important as proper clearance is needed for arm chairs, especially ifВ  being used at a table.В  Host and hostess chairs can give great detail to any room.

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