I am so excited to share the pictures from our latest interior design project! This home underwent an incredible transformation. How did we do it? Read our Design Story and see all of the Before and After pics here:

My clients were ready to find their dream home. After two years of researching builders and exploring the area, a contemporary home became available in the area they preferred, but it required extensive remodeling. After much consideration, they decided to purchase the resale in the neighborhood they loved in the hopes of transforming it into the home of their dreams.

That’s where we came in!

My Team and I at Design Connection, Inc. were chosen from a list of many qualified designers. After viewing the home with the clients, a wish list was formed and a contractor assigned to complete the remodeling portions of the project.

Arlene Ladegaard (front) & Design Connection, Inc Team (L to R: Bailey, Pam, Dana, May)

Many parts of the original kitchen worked for my clients; the appliances, island, and the cabinets were in great condition and worked beautifully with the new design plans. After viewing many countertop options, a honed quartzite was chosen. The soft gray coloring and honed finish was the perfect choice for my clients’ dream kitchen.


The pass-through connecting the dining room and kitchen areas was transformed into a wet bar and butler’s pantry. The steel gray walls, the honed quartz countertop, and the gorgeous honed marble backsplash in a geometric pattern continues from the kitchen and through the wet bar, unifying the new designs and materials in this updated casual contemporary home.

This home also features two separate living areas. The living room that is open to the kitchen was created for their daughter to have her own space where she can hang out and watch her own TV away from the main living room area. With careful space planning, this area works with just the right amount of furniture.

The furniture is modern in styling, yet so cozy and comfortable. I selected the colors and chose performance fabrics known for their easy-clean features and long-wearing durability. My clients love the color combination of the bright blues, grays, and neutrals!


The original black granite fireplace surround was updated with beautiful gray honed quartzite that matches the kitchen countertops, blending these two areas together. Artwork provided by a local artist and friend of the clients is displayed on the mantel, adding an additional burst of color in this fresh, comfortable space.

Incorporating family heirlooms, artwork, and cherished furniture pieces into our new designs is a request I receive often, and a challenge I embrace wholeheartedly. In this project, my clients loved their existing sofa from their old home. Because their sofa was Italian in styling and sat very low to the ground, the new furnishings had to complement this one item in both color and scale.


The new furniture was chosen with style, size, and comfort in mind. The existing artwork was brought over from their previous home; the oranges, blues and grays were pulled from the colors in the paintings. The large wall behind the sofa includes a new custom cantilevered cabinet. Zebrawood was used for this contemporary custom cabinet and a natural floor stain was used to complement the furnishings.

The steel gray wall was the perfect color selection to compliment the furniture, warm leather tones, and the geometric wool area rugs. The clients are thrilled with their new space and love the accents by the fireplace, which display their own treasured accessories.


The remodeled master bathroom also checks all of the boxes on my clients’ wish list. The customized steam shower features a quartz bench, extended Euro glass door and panels, and tile accents and niches that add height and interest to the design of this space.


Although the shower is one of my clients’ favorite elements, it is the bathtub that steals the show as the stunning focal point in this space.


My clients LOVED the idea of having a freestanding bathtub in their updated master bathroom. With the symmetrical design of the vanities on opposite walls, centering the space with a beautiful stand-alone soaking tub was a design-WIN!


New cabinets were designed with soft close doors and drawers in a washed oak finish. The chrome-framed mirrors were custom made for this space while the new chrome sconces add an extra design element while emphasizing my clients’ personal style.


Design Connection, Inc. provided; Space plans and elevations, furniture and custom cabinetry, countertops, tile, granite, plumbing, lighting fixtures, area rugs, paint colors, stain colors, and project management.