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Interior Design: 8 Steps to Designing a Beautiful Space

August 22, 2018August 22, 2018

Karen Mills' blog — Interior design by Karen Mills

Commonsense Tips for Creating a Beautiful Interior

Designing a new or remodeled interior design can be both exciting and daunting. Read on for my 8 tips as an interior designer for creating a functional and beautiful space.

1. Decide on an interior design style or mix of styles that will flow with your architecture and existing furnishings you will be re purposing. Start by selecting several photos of room designs you like and make sure any spouse or significant other involved agrees.

2. Determine your color scheme ensuring it coordinates with adjoining rooms and any existing furnishings to be used in the interior design. If you have no idea, take a look in your closet to see what colors you’re drawn too or pull colors out of an inspiration piece such as art, a rug, or fabric.

3. Create a floor plan so you know what fits in your space and the sizes you need. To do that go online and use space planning software or get an expert to help.

4. Set a timetable. At this point you might want to bring in an expert to review your design plan/timetable because investing a few dollars for a master plan and viable timetable can help avoid thousands of dollars in costly mistakes or huge delays.

5. Design and order custom furniture and any built in cabinetry after consulting with your interior designer or tradespeople if you’re managing the project yourself. At this point all custom interior design needs to be finalized and ordered. In addition permits need to be pulled for construction.

6. Select and order all plumbing, flooring, tile, and general lighting needed.

7. Design any custom draperies, bedding, rugs, wall/floor/ceiling finishes or pillows needed along with choosing hard window coverings, light fixtures, and any ready made furnishings. Place orders.

8. Make final purchases including artwork, hardware pulls, lamps, and all other furnishings needed.

For more great interior design tips and ideas, sign up for our weekly blog here

plus become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer and former host of the Living Large design show, Karen Mills, on Facebook here

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Tips for Creating a Beautiful Bedroom

August 9, 2018

If you’re getting tired of your dated or uninviting master bedroom, then its time to incorporate my top 3 tips for designing a beautiful bedroom.

Select a color scheme and design style that fits how you want to feel in your bedroom. After working on over a thousand home projects as an interior designer, I would say that most of you want a comfortable cozy inviting space where you can unwind. One of the most popular choices for a relaxing bedroom are the variations of blues, blue greens or greens, but neutrals and even dramatic colors can still work in a calm environment. If you’re looking for another feeling in this space, though, then listen to your heart and create exactly what you are dreaming about for your room.

2. Create an eye catching functional floor plan

Normally it’s best to place the head of your bed on the longest wall and in a position where it can be seen from the entrance. Add end tables and lamps for functionality and ambiance along with a chair or bench for seating.

3. Texture Texture Texture To accomplish this feat consider adding different textures around your room from walls, bedding fabrics and window treatments to furniture and accessories because variety in texture is what keeps a space from being too cold. Plus as an interior designer, I recommend keeping busy patterns to a minimum because if overdone, you’ve suddenly created a room with competing patterns that can be unnerving.

For more great bedroom design ideas and photos, sign up for our weekly blog here

plus become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer and former host of the Living Large design show, Karen Mills, on Facebook here

and instagram here!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

WHAT’S NEW AND NEXT!

August 1, 2018

So excited to share a few of the incredible things going on this summer – a new book titled Architecture Today Interior Design. our new showroom, a couple of TV segments plus a revolutionary new design concept we developed for better sleep and stress management!

Thanks to FOX4 TV for asking us to do a fun outdoor decorating series! Here’s part one.

Our book signing on the Plaza was a huge hit thanks to Ursula at Terrasi Living who hosted the event! Click here to purchase a copy of Architecture Today Interior Design on Amazon now featuring top interior designers/architects around the globe and stop by Ursula’s fabulous shop if you get a chance.

Viewers loved our latest TV segment on KCTV5’s Better KC with sweetheart host Alexis Del Cid where I revealed The Secret to Translating Your Outfit into a Room Design.

Want to give a big shout out and thank you to our wonderful clients for allowing your fabulous homes to be featured in the book and more, plus thank you KCTV5 for your wonderful TV segment on Better KC titled Local Designer Puts Kansas City on the Map.

Come see our new kitchen and bathroom showroom (entry shown above) in Lenexa, Kansas! We’ve partnered with an incredible custom cabinetry company – Custom Wood Products to be a one stop shop for world class interior design and custom remodels/new builds. (By appointment only)

We’ve also launched a revolutionary design concept in sleep management and stress reduction called SLEEP BETTER LIVE BETTER! I have spent years researching sleep and have personally been testing it out this concept for months. It’s been life changing! Sleeping great for the first time in years and have so much more energy! So if you’re tired of taking pills and are ready to take responsibility for improving your overall health click here now!

With all my love… Karen

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: How To Remodel a Small Bathroom to…

July 20, 2018March 24, 2019

From Ugly Duckling Bath to Beautiful Swan

Master bath before remodeling

As an interior designer I think you will find this master bath remodel quite amazing not only because of the transformation of this historic high rise built in the early 1900s but also because of how it lives so much larger in the same space.

When you entered the master bath as shown here the space was chopped up by a walled in shower placed in the middle of the room making the space feel cramped, small, and unattractive.

To the right of the shower was a dimly lit dressing area with a small amount of storage that didn’t function well.

To solve this interior design dilemma we ripped out everything but one small closet and started over. By pushing back the shower we gave the bathroom a bigger sense of volume and were able to expand the vanity to accommodate two people instead of one just like the shower.

As you can see the transformation was amazing! By placing the same marble style tile from Italy on the floor and walls the room suddenly visually expanded into a beautiful timeless space with an over sized shower for two. To help the bathroom live even larger we also eliminated the shower curb and placed a solid glass panel along the front so the shower space virtually disappears.

For the former dressing area I designed a double vanity that included usable top drawers that wrapped around the plumbing for more storage.

The result? A gorgeous bathroom that ended up in Kitchen Bath Design News – the national design magazine for kitchens and baths. Click now to read article!

Looking for more great bathroom design ideas that you can implement?
Sign up for our weekly interior design blog here

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Decorating: How to Translate Fashion Style into a…

July 13, 2018

As an Interior designer clients often tell me they lack inspiration for their room design. To solve that dilemma we often start by looking at the clothes they love or favorite furnishings. So if you’re having the same trouble deciding what to use for your home’s inspiration why not start with your closet!

On this week’s KCTV5 Better KC show I shared some examples of how to translate your fashion sense into a beautiful interior design. (see link below)

Model and photographer Haley Johnston

Haley’s love of florals comes through in the vase of flowers and fresh spring/summer color scheme of fucshia, green, and blues in the accessories on the table and in the glass cabinet to create a classic southern hospitality style.

To successfully transform your room using a favorite outfit as inspiration start by taking the dress or main part of the outfit and using it (color or pattern/color) as your focal point. Then begin to layer in other components as additions such as purses, shoes, and accessories while trying to keep the same sense of style.

The red dress worn by Haley translates easily into this sexy dark and moody entry shown here. The red artwork, a focal point in the room, repeats the color of her red dress while the black wallpapered walls by Ralph Lauren add to the sophisticated style.

While I was on the TV show, the host Alexis Del Cid asked about my dress which is pictured above and how I would transform the dress into a room. Here’s one example of how to take a dreamy ocean inspired summer dress like mine and use it in a room.

Looking for more great ideas that you can implement? SIgn up for our weekly interior design blog here

Plus become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer and former host of the Living Large design show, Karen Mills, on Facebook here!

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: What to Consider Before Remodeling Your Kitchen

July 6, 2018

If you’re considering remodeling your kitchen or even designing a new kitchen, here are my suggestions as an interior designer to consider before signing any contracts or starting construction to avoid costly mistakes.

First I recommend that you look for design inspiration in interior design magazines or online to get ideas of what you like so you can effectively communicate your design vision to the team you assemble.

Make a list of items you absolutely must have in your kitchen and another list of things you would like to have. If you’re not sure, make an ongoing list as you use your kitchen on a daily basis for a couple of weeks.

Next hire an interior designer to show you how to layout a kitchen that’s both functional for your family and beautifully designed. An interior designer will have great resources for contractors, architects, and trades people to help you accomplish your goal, will act as a trusted advisor, and will help create flow in the space along with coordinating finishes, assisting with lighting, and giving advice on storage to ensure your kitchen design looks great!

If you can’t afford an interior designer for the whole project, I would recommend hiring a designer for at least a couple of hours to help you create a master plan that makes sense.

Looking for more great kitchen design ideas that you can implement? Sign up for our weekly interior design blog here

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Tips for Designing a Relaxing Living…

June 27, 2018

Nothing’s better than coming home to an inviting relaxing home. That’s why my focus as an interior designer has always been as much about function as beauty. Read on for three tips for creating a comfortable interior design.

1. Comfortable seating. Select upholstery cushions that are comfortable for long periods of sitting. Plus ensure your feet are able to touch the floor and the seat depth is right for you.

2. Layer in texture Texture can be added with area rugs and/or soft window treatments along with accessories like pillows or throws. And remember each layer of texture creates a cozier feel.

3. Create a Cozy Seating Area for Conversation

When interior designers put together a floor plan for a living area, they focus on designing intimate seating areas like this one pictured.

Looking for more great ideas that you can implement? SIgn up for our weekly interior design blog here

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: Kitchen Remodel – From Ugly Duckling to…

June 22, 2018June 22, 2018

Remodeling a historic high rise kitchen

When updating a historic high rise apartment like this one on the renowned plaza area in Kansas City, there’s much more to consider than the interior design of your home.

First you must find out the building’s requirements for construction from time of day limits to how the construction is completed. Next you need to know building structure limitations (especially for a 1931 historic building like this one) and if your finish materials or products will fit whether it’s up the elevator or via another method.

When I first entered this kitchen in Kansas City I knew as an interior designer it was going to be one of our more challenging interior design projects which was exciting because I new the change would be dramatic and could see the new open space in my mind almost instantly.

To start the process I got a barely legible copy of the 1930’s blueprints and immediately went to work creating an interior design that was an open floor plan. For the kitchen I had the wall between the maid’s room and kitchen torn out along with the wall between the dining room and kitchen.

In addition we right sized the windows from the maid’s room and kitchen to flow together and added layers of lighting. The result?!

A beautiful airy light filled kitchen that now opens to the hearth room (formerly a dining room.

Much of this high rise apartment had original wood floors so we weaved in new wood flooring in the kitchen to make the space live larger and feel more cohesive.

For the stove area we squeezed in a beautiful custom wood hood and beautifully lit glass cabinets flanking the hood to create a wow factor when entering the hearth/kitchen area. In addition we designed inset cabinetry drawers and doors (flush with cabinet frame) to create a luxurious look along with mixing it up with pulls and knobs.

At the end of the kitchen (formerly maid’s room) we designed pantry area that hides a permanent slanted wall and to provide much needed storage which includes cabinet doors that open up to reveal both a coffee station and appliance garage.

The thick mitered island counter by Cambria was juxtaposed against the light airy mini chandeliers for a perfect composition.

The bar area includes a wine cooler, bar sink, and lit glass cabinets to hold glassware along with a hidden washer/dryer area.

Overall as an interior designer I was thrilled with the outcome of this remodeled kitchen especially now as I’m reminded of where we started.

Looking for more great remodeling ideas that you can implement? SIgn up for our weekly interior design blog here

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Remodeling Tips for Making Your Bathroom…

June 16, 2018

If you’re tired of your cramped small bathroom, here are 3 tips to help your bathroom live larger when you remodel or build!

1. Increase your floor space – Start by swapping out an existing vanity cabinet for a floating vanity/sink or pedestal style sink. In this guest bath we designed a vanity with legs to make it appear lighter and visually smaller in size while also decreasing the normal depth of the vanity.

Also consider installing your toilet tank in the wall if budget allows or wall mount your vanity like the space here where we remodeled a former closet into a tiny powder bath.

2. Monochromatic color scheme – One of my favorite tricks to make a small bathroom look bigger begins with using one color on all the walls, furniture, floors, and decor like a light neutral to give it a fresh clean look and bounce existing light around the room. In this master bathroom shower we removed walls while covering the floors and walls in the same large scale tile to create a space where its more difficult to tell where the walls start and end.

2. Reflective surfaces – To visually enlarge your small bathroom, use mirrors or glass to reflect light and give your space a light airy feel. By adding tall mirrors to this master bath we visually doubled the size of the room. Shiny vanity pulls and vanity lights reflected in the mirror also add to the airy feel that expands the space.

Other great ways to enhance your small bath? SIgn up for our weekly interior design blog here

Plus become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer and former host of the Living Large design show, Karen Mills, on Facebook here!

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Ways to Spruce Up Your Outdoor…

June 6, 2018

Taking Your Outdoor Room From Blah to Beautiful

I love this time of year – warm weather, food on the grill, and great parties outdoors! But when its time for outdoor parties sometimes our outdoor spaces need a little boost to get them ready for guests so here are 3 tips for taking your outdoor room from blah to beautiful!

1. Add a pop of color with pillows

On this porch we helped clients design we started by layering in fun pillows with a beach theme in a beautiful blue color to remind them of the ocean, one of their favorite vacation destinations while also providing some contrast against the chairs. To see more about this fabulous porch design, watch my TV segment below.

2. Layer in textural decor

Texture in a space is critical – it softens the hard surfaces and creates interest. In this photo the large blue green vase on the hearth adds a pop of color while the branches inside add texture along with the orange flower and napkins.

3. Make it Personal

When you’re decorating or designing a space its important to add your own personal touches that show off your personality. In this porch the client had a painting done on wood and picked up an iron table base to give this outdoor room a one of kind look.

The same holds true for this outdoor patio space where a vintage trunk on wheels has been re purposed as a coffee table. Other personal touches on this patio include a vintage candelabra and wrought iron table that was handmade. To see more about this patio design, click on the TV segment below

For more great ideas and photos sign up for our weekly interior design blog here

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Porch TV segment (click here)

Patio TV segment (click here)