Design Blog
Leawood Lifestyle Magazine Features Our Project: INTERIOR TRANSFORMATIONS BEFORE AND AFTER
As a Greater Kansas City interior designer, it is such an honor to be featured in the August 2016 publication of Leawood Lifestyle Magazine. The team at Design Connection, Inc. would like to share with our feature story with you.
KITCHEN & MASTER BATHROOM MAKEOVER
Photography By Chad Jackson
As is often the case in remodeling and updating a home, this Leawood homeowner thought the kitchen was the only part of the home that needed to be addressed. However, this one area was just the beginning of a complete makeover of the kitchen and master bathroom.

Because friends and family congregate in the kitchen, Arlene Ladegaard, principal designer of Design Connection, Inc., took this space from 2002 to 2016 by darkening the existing perimeter cabinets to a rich java finish, then designing and installing a new island in a classic white painted finish.
Mixing the finishes created dynamism and prevented the space from looking dated over the years. Exotic granite counters added beauty and translucency and blended the colors of the space. New high-end appliances were added, as well as a beloved Wolf gas cooktop.
“Using the existing cabinets and changing out the island breathed new life into this kitchen and created a transitional new look,” Ladegaard noted.
The renovation then slid into the master bathroom with a complete gut and redo.

The new vanity and mirrors, in a dark java finish, achieved a classic and timeless style that blended beautifully with the gray and white porcelain Italian tiles and striking dark gray glass accents.
Topping out the owners’ wish list was the addition of a freestanding bathtub. The high-end silver finish plumbing fixtures added metallic sophistication to complete the space.
“The crowning jewel of this room is the gorgeous vintage-inspired chandelier that sparkles light off the polished nickel fixtures, and the unique single sconce between the mirrors offers extra allure,” Ladegaard said.
We love our homes, don’t we? They reflect our past and celebrate our present, but from time to time they need an update. This Leawood home is now classically elegant, timelessly beautiful, and ready to make new memories!
Content for this article was provided by Arlene Ladegaard, principal designer of Design Connection, Inc. Design Connection, Inc. is an award-winning design studio located in Overland Park, Kan. Arlene can be reached at 913-851-8776.