Design Blog
2016 NARI’s REMY Awards: Design Connection, Inc. Wins GOLD For Designs and Plans!
Last Tuesday, I was honored to have my work as an interior designer acknowledged at The National Association of The Remodeling Industry (NARI) annual REMY awards. I won NARI’s REMY 2016 Gold Award for Designs and Plans!! The Remy Award winning projects are chosen from homes completed throughout Kansas City and represent the highest quality projects found in the metropolitan area. I am so honored, and somewhat speechless, to receive such a recognition.
I’d like to share this project with you in the hopes that it will inspire you to make the changes that you long to see in your home.
To begin the process of remodeling their whole home, my clients initially contacted Brackmann Construction Company and, at their recommendation, Design Connection, Inc. was brought it on the project. Brackmann Construction also won two NARI REMI 2016 awards from this project!
One of the first steps in our design process is to determine not only what changes you would like to make, but how you currently use your space. How do you live and move throughout your home on a daily basis? What will your future needs be?
With insight into how this space will be used going forward, we created a space plan. As with all of our projects, from selecting new furnishings and accessories to whole home remodels like this project, a space plan is created. This to-scale floor plan allows us to account for every inch of space and ensures that the new furnishings are sized perfectly for each unique space.
The original kitchen was dated by the style of the oak cabinets and the aged appearance of the appliances and countertops. The original cabinets were a dominant design feature and gave the impression of boasting a large amount of storage. In actuality, the storage was inadequate and the layout of the original kitchen did not maximize the potential of this space.
A load bearing wall was removed, allowing the kitchen and breakfast room to be open to and flow seamlessly into the newly styled great room. A new island was designed to maximize the use of this space and provide additional custom storage.
The staggered pattern of the sleek gray glass tile puts a fresh spin on the current subway tile trend. This unique patterned backsplash gives the impression of elongating the space both horizontally and vertically, as it flows behind the new stove top and oven hood.
Aside from updating this kitchen with new quartz counters, gorgeous new appliances and updated modern lighting, one of my main considerations in planning this kitchen was my clients’ need for more storage. Custom cabinetry was designed in both the kitchen and the adjoining laundry/pantry area where storage was tailored to suit the specific needs of my clients.
The accessories and furniture were carefully selected to reflect the new contemporary design in this whole-home project. Many of the accessories and finishing touches that made this space perfect were carefully selected from my trips to High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina.
While other areas in this home were being transformed and our design vision was beginning to come to life, my clients requested that I add their outdated master bathroom to our Must-Do list. I was THRILLED! The original bathroom boasted carpet, dated light fixtures, steps which lead to a rarely-used sunken bathtub, and gold. Lots and lots of gold.
Like the rest of the rooms in this home, this master bathroom was rescued from the 1980’s and given a fresh, timeless, transitional design. London Gray Caesar Stone countertops were installed and adorned with sleek, modern fixtures. The dark wood was replaced and the counter height was raised with clear Alder cabinets designed specifically with our clients’ storage needs in mind.

Photographer: Aaron Leimkuehler
Is your home in need of a design update? I hope that seeing my award winning interior designs will inspire you to make the changes that you want to see in your home. We know that figuring out where to start can be the hardest part of a home decor update or remodel. We make your tough design decisions easy–Contact us for a complimentary design consultation.
From choosing new furniture to re-facing your fireplace to managing a complete home remodel, we can help you with all of your dream home features, all under our roof. When visiting our extensive in-studio sample library, you can see and touch all of your design selections together. Not only can you make all of your design choices in one place, this convenience makes it easy to envision your new space and be confidant with your decisions. Call us today!