Arlene Ladegaard, IIDA, ALLIED ASID: Owner, Principal Interior Designer
Arlene Ladegaard is an award-winning certified interior designer known for creating spaces that are classic, timeless, livable, and styled with a unique sense of comfort and taste. With more than 40 years of experience, Arlene has provided innovative residential design services to more than 800 satisfied clients. The beautiful designs of Arlene and her talented team are showcased in some of the finest homes in Kansas City and Southern California.
Arlene discovered her passion for interior design as a young teenager when her mother encouraged her to re-decorate her bedroom. Arlene chose bright orange floral flowers and a career path – she was hooked.
She is the proud recipient of numerous prestigious interior design and remodeling awards, but more than that, it is the pleasure her clients receive from the years of enjoyment in the homes she creates that inspires her.
Arlene has had the wonderful opportunity to live in Switzerland and hails from Los Angeles, where she owned her own interior design firm and taught interior design. Her classic yet contemporary style is inspired by her time in these two influential parts of the world.
Her love of travel has honed her designer’s eye. Whether in Europe or stateside, she inevitably finds herself pulled into design centers and furniture markets, discovering the latest trends, innovative materials, and unique ideas that allow her to create one-of-a-kind spaces.
Alongside her love of design, she is deeply committed to her family in California and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and two adorable cocker spaniels. Arlene and her husband, Ed, enjoy weekends relaxing weekends on their boat at Lake of the Ozarks.
Arlene studied Interior Design at Universities in Missouri and California.
Professional Organizations
Certified Interior Designer- California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) #823 Since 1991
American Society of Interior Designers ASID Since 1998
International Interior Design Association IIDA Since 1984
National Association for the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Since 2000
Leawood Chamber of Commerce Since 1998
Better Business Bureau Since 2000
The Team
Dana Winley
PROJECT MANAGER AND INTERIOR DESIGNER
Dana brings 40 years of interior design experience to Design Connection, Inc. She has worked in nearly every aspect of the design business, including space planning, kitchen and bath design, construction project management, and in the furniture industry. She studied in Lucerne, Switzerland and completed her graduate degree with a private design school in Kansas City. Dana enjoys cooking, gardening and spending time with her friends.
Pam Tolbert
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Pam brings 20 years of corporate organization, bookkeeping, and customer service experience to the Design Connection, Inc. team. As office manager, Pam maintains Design Connection, Inc.’s daily workload and communications and ensures that all clients are aware of their project’s status. In her free time, Pam enjoys spending time with her family.
Ed Ladegaard
CO-OWNER, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND DESIGN ADMINISTRATION
Ed brings his considerable business experience and acumen to the strategic planning, marketing and administrative oversight role at Design Connection, Inc. Prior to forming Design Connection, Inc. with Arlene, Ed spent nearly 35 years as a senior executive with the Friskies Petcare division of Nestlé. His international assignments, which relocated the family to Switzerland, helped formulate the lifestyle tastes and ideas which permeate Design Connection, Inc. today.