House & Home, Kansas City Star
Posted on Sun, Dec. 31, 2006

KAREN MILLS, OVERLAND PARK
JOB DESCRIPTION: Host of radio show “Living Large” about interior design. The show airs at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays on Classical 1660 KXTR and 1 p.m. Sundays on News Radio 980 KMBZ, www.enter comkc.com/livinglarge. She is also a designer, (913) 764-5915.
Is it hard to host a radio show about design? It’s so visual.
It’s theater of the mind. I love to share my ideas and the ideas from other designers, including TV celebrities.
What design trends are you seeing?
It’s about getting back to nature — bamboo, rattan, blues, greens, handcrafted pieces and sustainable design.
Tell us about your design vision.
I want Kansas City to become known as a design mecca like New York and Los Angeles. I want better products to be sold here and for this area to be known for setting its own trends. The Crossroads District has been a great start. I want to meet with other designers and architects to get this going.
In September you traveled to Kohler, Wis., to do the Kohler Spa Experience. Kohler, a plumbing products company, paid for your stay. What was it like?
I took classes about Kohler products, toured the factory and went to the Kohler Waters Spa. (At the spa) you walk into a room with a waterfall. It’s mesmerizing and calming. You want to just lie down and go to sleep.
What was your favorite spa treatment?
The H20 Inspiration. I walked across a bed of rocks barefoot, then sat in front of a fireplace. There was also chromatherapy, aromatherapy and different jet settings such as “calm” and “rapids” in the Riverbath. I would describe it as a very, very nice hot tub.
Have you done anything to turn your home into more of a spa?
I went out and bought white towels. They’re crisp, clean and minimalist like a spa. They’re relaxing.
If you could bring back a product for your home, what would it be?
I liked the keypad-controlled shower. You can customize water pressure and temperature cycles for each person in your home. It’s called the DTV Custom Showering System.
What was your favorite sink in the Kohler Design Center?
The Artist Editions above-counter vessel that I loved is called Serpentine Bronze. The vessel was based on an ancient Chinese bronze basin of turtle, fish and serpents. Aesthetically, my other favorite Kohler product was the Moxie wall-mounted lavatory with a curtain of dazzling beads cascading down from the sides.
Tell us about the “Great Wall of China” at the Kohler Design Center.
It’s a two-story wall of toilets, sinks and tubs — all different colors, shapes and sizes through the years. It’s hilarious.

| Stacy Downs, The Star