Our Award-Winning Project

Design Connection Inc. was recently honored with two ASID awards (American Society of Interior Design). We are proud that we can deliver high quality results. Below is a description of the project and how we approached the design.

The client hired us, after viewing our work and realizing his style meshed with our style of design. The client a bachelor wanted a turnkey project which the designer could act independently of the client. He lived out of town and wanted a residence in Kansas City where his children lived. We furnished everything from paint colors and wallpaper, to a complete kitchen which included dishes, pots and pans.

This residence was a condo space that had many angles interesting architectural features, but left you feeling cold. So, Warm tones and neutrals were selected to create an inviting space and to help support the custom art work in making a fresh, bold statement.  The linen drapery panels were hung using a satin nickel drapery rod to create a masculine feel; across the room the client’s desk is topped with granite and flanked with file drawers.  A wonderfully soft fabric was used to upholster the sectional sofa, where the client enjoys relaxing and entertaining.

The furniture floating in this area reflects the angles and the ten foot ceilings allow the space to feel ample.  The walls and ceilings are painted the same neutral khaki and the base boards are an even darker khaki.  When walking into this room the view is fabulous, with no furniture obstructing the line of vision.  Our client loves to spend time enjoying television, using his computer, and just hanging out!

If you like this look, click on the links to view the websites of  Stanley Furniture  C.R. Laine and Z Gallerie

To see the full project visit our website portfolio

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/

Free I-Phone App for Paint Colors!

Have you thought about adding some new fall colors to your home now that you are going to start spending more time indoors?  I found an intriguing I-Phone application that actually helps you select paint colors.  See attached link to Benjamin Moore for a high tech way to get paint color recommendations for your home.  As “cool” as this sounds if you feel more comfortable discussing paint with an experienced interior designer who has actually seen many paint color options applied to various settings and lighting conditions, please give me a call and “ask Arlene” about paint for your home.

www.DesignConnectionInc.com

New President – New Values

We now have a new President and with that the country has new hope and enthusiasm. I believe that if we all work together we will again have the United States of America that was once the envy of the world.

I lived in Europe in the ’90s for 7 years. I was happy to be an American, but realized that we, as a country, and consumers, behaved very differently than the Europeans. They were proud to be French and loved their own culture as well as did the Italians, Swiss and the Germans. The Europeans have sales in all their stores 2 times a year and nothing in between. They may not purchase a lot, but what they buy is good quality and will last a long time. “Less quantity, more quality”. They find value in having less.

I believe we as a country are now headed in that way too. We now value more what we purchase and are buying less. In making purchases for your home, it is when I returned from living in Europe that I had the philosophy that it is often best to have a smaller home that you could afford and have it nicely furnished with quality pieces, good appliances and carpeting that would last. This was not the popular philosophy at that time. I believe that is where we are headed as a country and I am excited to see the change.

Design tip:

To cut down a paint color instead of having the formula cut down by the paint store, you make take a cream colored paint and cut the mixture in half or three quarter yourself. You then take the mixture you have created to the paint store and have it custom matched to this color. It works great.

visit www.designconnectioninc.com

Arlene Ladegaard IIDA

Allied Member ASID

Certified Interior Designer

Design Connection, Inc.

www.designconnectioninc.com

Office  913 851 8776

Mobile 913 593 6919

Neutral Colors and Classic Pieces

Lately, people have been talking of nothing else but the economy. We have also been talking about it at our own office, both professionally and personally.  I have never been about budget decorating, but about the value in doing design that is classic in styling.  It is about a beautiful environment and creating a home that will withstand the years of use by both pets and children, yet still look great.  Trends come and go, and if we buy what’s in style today, and not think about how it will look a few years from now, we often will ask ourselves “What were we thinking?”. When we invest in design pieces that are classic in styling, we will generally love them today and tomorrow.

I dated a man in the eighties who had a home with a lime green shag carpeting.  It was definitely installed in the early seventies and looked dated.  I knew I wasn’t moving into this home with the lime green carpeting.  If the carpeting had been a great neutral color, which could range from any beige, brown, whites or grays, I wouldn’t have remembered the carpet to this day and would have been happy to live with what was there until it could have been changed.  It was a deal breaker for me.

What I am recommending today is to stay neutral and play up the trends in wall color and accessories.  Feel good this year, and buy a few pieces of beautiful classic furniture or simple drapery with beautiful lush fabrics.

I am ready to turn the page from last year to this year.  We want to wish all who read this blog a healthy and happy New Year and a year that is calmer and has hope for peace.

Arlene

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Outside paint colors for your home

I have been taking walks around my neighborhood and noticing the new dark colors on the houses. I think  that these colors are being chosen to duplicate the Tuscan homes in the surrounding area. The homes in my neighborhood are around 10 years old. Many of the homes have beautiful birch trees and maturing landscaping.  The orginial colors on the homes were more suited then the ones being chosen today. We still have the orginal shake roofs and cement walkways. Many of the homes have little accents that help with the break of the colors. We also have colonial homes that are being painted dark charcoal with black shutters. It is very difficult to see the difference between the shutters and the base of the house. I believe it is important to think about the style of the home and the accents that are used to make the color of the home really stand out. Does the house have brick, stucco,shutters,or carriage doors? If you paint the house all one color, what are you going to do to accent it? If you paint the trim around the same color as the body of the house is that going to look good? I saw one house that looked like the color of dirt and there was no house and see what colors catch your eye. The decide if the style of the home you like has any similarities to your home and if the color would compiment your style. You might want to paint a large portion of your home to see if the color works. Check with your nighbors and see if they like it. If all is a go then you have made the right decision. It is important to select the right color both for your own enjoyment, but also for resale. If it is very confusing call an experienced interior designer in the Kansas City area.

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What is new in the color palette for 2008?

As we move into the beginning of spring, we think about color changes in our homes. What is hot & trendy? The spa colors — blues & greens — take a back seat to the colorful burst of chinese reds, tangerines and canary yellows. These energetic colors will be paired with nature’s neutrals, adding a bit of energy to the home.