How to Create a Grand Foyer at any Scale

Every house has a main entrance, which is the first impression of your home. The way you furnish and accessories this small space can do wonders for the welcome that it gives you after a long day at work, or your visiting guests.

A gardener at heart, McKee designed her entry hall to embrace the garden beyond. Foyer shown, as seen in Southern Accents Magazine

Functionally, there should be some kind of a small side table, or large console. Here you can arrange objects to create a look or set the mood. An interesting lamp, maybe a fabulous glass dish for keys or a seasonal plant are just a few ideas. Balance and proportion are very important in the design of small or large entrances.

Tip: A small carpet can be a great focal point, but it has to be properly sized for the space. You don’t have to sacrifice durability for style; we work with great carpet companies. http://www.fabrica.com and http://www.chandrarugs.com

Other things to consider in a foyer include: Lighting fixtures, art work and paint colors. The best way to make sure that everything works together is to consult with an interior designer. Visit our website to view our work. www.designconnectioninc.com

Clean and Chic, Cork Flooring is a Green Choice

Did you see the article about cork flooring in the Sunday House and Home section of the Kansas City Star? My opinion on cork is that it is a wonderful green alternative material. But… it must be used in the right room with the right conditions. Cork is perfect for a fun playroom because it is soft and durable. However, if you have a traditional kitchen, the casual look of cork would probably not work. It works best with transitional or modern designs. I suggest consulting an interior designer before you make major home improvement decisions. You might be focusing on the qualities of the material, while we can see how it will impact the look of your home. www.designconnectioninc.com

Design Tip: Cork is a flexible material and can be cut into a variety of sizes. We can create interesting borders or patterns just like we would with tile or wood.

Hardwood Trends

DesignTips KC: Adding a medallion in your foyer creates a special detail that creates a great first impression of your home.

Deep, dark, rich colors like chocolate and espresso are the new way to go with your hardwood floors. Things to consider with flooring – in addition to color - are plank width, wood texture and layout patterns. Your floors are an important consideration in the design of your home. They visually tie your rooms together, don’t take them for granted.

We work with www.svbwoodfloors.com for their quality attention to detail.

If you are interested in an interior design consultation contact us! www.designconnectioninc.com

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A New Room for the Holidays

This cocktail table can be added to most rooms to add interest or focus.

We get a lot of clients who come to me thinking that their furniture has to match. Nothing could be further from the truth. When every aspect of your room matches, it becomes very boring. Our approach has always been to combine quality pieces that make a statement individually, but work with all the other items in your room.

If you are planning on updating or redesigning your home for the holidays, now is the time to order your new furniture, drapes and custom pieces. We can ensure your holiday delivery date if you order by September 30.

The table shown is a John-Richard cocktail table. You can see more furniture by visiting www.johnrichard.com. You can order this furniture line from our office.  www.designconnectioninc.com 

Kid’s Rooms From Blah to Boom!

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/