Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Tips to Live Larger with a…

  • December 23, 2020December 23, 2020

An Interior Designer’s Perspective on How to Make Your Kitchen Remodel Appear Bigger

As an interior designer who specializes in kitchen remodels, I often get called on to design a kitchen to live larger. Read on for my 3 expert tips on how to do just that.

Interior design by Karen Mills – Kansas City
  1. Paint cabinets white or a light neutral color to reflect light around the room so the kitchen appears larger and cabinets seem to disappear. In this kitchen remodel natural light and interior lighting also give the room a larger feel.
Interior design by Karen Mills – Leawood

2. Incorporate open shelving or another design element to minimize cabinetry. In this kitchen refresh we not only tore up some upper cabinetry and replaced it with live wood shelves, but we also replaced the countertops with a beautiful white quartz counter that we ran up the wall as a back splash behind the shelving to offset the dark cabinets and lighten the room. Airy mini chandeliers also lighten the look and make the kitchen seem larger.

Interior design by Karen Mills – Kansas City

3. Glass lit front cabinets and open shelving open up the upper half of the kitchen to help it live larger. Interior lighting, sunlight, and light neutral painted kitchen cabinets add to the larger feel.

For more great ideas on design or interior decorating sign up for our weekly interior design blog here

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

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Decorating: 3 Tips for Selecting a Cozy Rug…

  • December 10, 2020November 30, 2021

An Interior Designer’s Ideas for Creating a More Inviting Feel in Your Living Space Using Area Rugs

Interior design by Karen Mills
  1. Create a cozy seating area for conversation. In this room we introduced a rug that not only adds another layer of texture but also nice contrast to this darker space, picking up some of the daylight beyond. To further enhance the coziness of this interior design we went with a wool and silk rug that has a luxurious soft texture so it feels great on bare feet or in socks. Tips for Selecting the Correct Size of Area Rug
rug sizing example
Interior design by Karen Mills

2. Layer an area rug under the furniture (or at least the feet) of your seating area. Placement of the rug under your furniture in a cozy arrangement draws onlookers into the space for a closer look like shown here where we used a high quality hand knotted wool rug that is both washable and comfortable to walk on. 3 Tips for Creating a More Inviting Living Room

Interior design by Karen Mills

3. Select a rug with a soft hand or texture that feels great underfoot. In this living space our interior design firm layered in a super lush long shag area rug where you can dig in your toes and snuggle up for conversation, reading, or just watching a movie.

For more great ideas and photos, 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 or Instagram here!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 5 Easy Steps to Space Planning Your…

  • May 7, 2020May 7, 2020

5 Secrets for Creating a Cozy Inviting Living Space Using Existing Furnishings

blog post example
Shawnee Interior design by Karen Mills
  1. Make it Functional – The first question I ask interior design clients who want us to space plan their living room is how they will use the room and what they need. For example if they entertain regularly how much seating do they need or if they take a nap how long does the sofa need to be. In this great room a coffee table and sofa table provide surfaces to place things while a nearby end table holds a much needed lamp.
to explain point
Prairie Village Design by Karen Mills

2. Determine Your Focal Point – In this outdoor living room the focal point is obvious because we put it front and center but if you don’t have a fireplace a great outdoor view or a furniture vignette created to be a focal point can work also such as a table, artwork, and lamp arrangement. Click here for 3 Ways to Make Your Living Space Bloom for Spring

rug sizing example
Overland Park interior design by Karen Mills

3. Place your sofa or largest upholstery (seating) facing your focal point. Here in this great room the sofa faces the fireplace, the focal point of the room while the other chairs sit nearby adding the to cozy appeal. Click here for 3 Tips for Refreshing Your Living Room for Less

Karen Mills' blog
Interior design by Karen Mills

4. Make furniture arrangement inviting and cozy but not too crowded. In this living room the sofa is facing a focal point, the view out the window. A round ottoman helps create a more spacious feel in this cozy room. Click here for How to Mix Up Furnishings in Your Home to Create a Fresh New Look

Karen Mills' blog
Interior design by Karen Mills

5. Layer in tables and a rug. Tables are critical in your room for lamps and to place drinks or other items. In this hearth living space we designed a comfortable rug was layered underneath bringing all the furniture into a cozy grouping.

If you would like to re decorate you living spaces right now check out our  interior design and decorating options that we have whether its for remodel/new home builds, a design dilemma, or just decorating.

If you’re looking for interior design, decorating, or remodeling inspiration, ideas, and photos, 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 
INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK here!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Decorating: A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Original Art

  • February 27, 2020February 27, 2020
  • Original artwork by well known artists available through Karen Mills

After traveling the world in search of the perfect artwork to tell a client’s story in an interior design project I’ve learned a few things about selecting original artwork to fit the needs and personality of our clients. Read on for my tips and tricks to getting started with collecting your own original paintings or adding to your collection.

Original artwork available through Karen Mills
  1. Figure out what style(s) of artwork speak to you visually and emotionally. This depiction of a woman or figure would be an impressionist style because of its ethereal feel. To get a sense of what you love select three or more paintings and look for common factors like landscapes, abstract or figures.
Original art by well known artists available through Karen Mills

This colorful painting would be classified as a bold color abstract.

2. Select colors that you love which also gives onlookers a hint about your personality.

Orginal art by well known artists available through Karen Mills
Art available through Karen Mills

This painting tells the dramatic story of the parting of the sea with the hand of God hovering above.

3. Coordinate the paintings in your home or office to not only enhance your interior design but also to not compete with each other.

Artwork available through Karen Mills

This bold artwork depicts a more modern version of a landscape scene.

For more inspiration, ideas, and photos, sign up for our popular weekly interior design blog here with subscribers in over 130 countries.

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

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Tips for Selecting Quality Outdoor Upholstery

  • May 16, 2019May 16, 2019

How to Choose Your Outdoor Furniture Wisely

As Memorial Day is drawing near some of you are contemplating an investment in quality outdoor upholstery where you can spend the days outdoors relaxing with family or friends.   Here are my 3 tips as an interior designer for selecting outdoor furniture that will be a good investment.

Photo courtesy of B&B Italia

  1. Functional Furniture – Comfort is my top priority when selecting outdoor upholstery so make sure you try sitting on the furniture for at least 20 minutes to ensure it’s comfortable and fits your body type – seating height and depth plus arm location and overall size. Thicker cushions and sizes are also critical when purchasing because the furniture may too large for your space if you haven’t measured ahead. Here in this outdoor space by B&B Italia furniture the furniture is amply spaced apart providing comfortable seating.
Interior design by Karen Mills
Interior design by Karen Mills

2. A color that will stand the test of time I think we as consumers are naturally drawn to our favorite colors and often purchase based on that fact alone but when you’re investing in a quality piece(s) of outdoor furniture you might want to consider longevity of a frame when selecting colors that aren’t neutral.

Of course if a particular color is part of who you are and always has been, then it may not matter.  For me as an interior designer, my favorite color is usually what we are designing that day or week.  That’s why neutral seating frames and/or cushions like shown on this porch are often best because pillows and other accessories can create a fresh new look without a big investment.

Photo courtesy of Schumacher

3. Design Style

Style, a key factor in selecting furniture, plays a huge role outside because the furnishings must not only coordinate with the exterior of the home and the view beyond but also relate to the adjacent rooms inside.

In this outdoor space the white furniture and cushion color help marry the contemporary fabric with the more traditional Greek pillars to create a more cohesive feel.

For more great ideas and photos on outdoor design and furniture, 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 
INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK here!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: What’s New & Next in Fabrics and…

  • November 22, 2016

Karen Mills' blog
Kate Spade fabrics courtesy of Kravet Furniture

After attending several fall 2016 interior design markets  I wanted to share a few examples of what’s new and next in fabrics, patterns, and finishes.  The biggest trend I’m seeing?  Personalization!

Karen Mills' blog
Designer fabrics

img_0654

Karen Mills' blog
Kate Spade design from Kravet fabric

img_0653

Karen Mills' blog
Courtesy of Lee Industries

But bold colors, organic natural looks, antique reproductions and  patterns that allude to the 1970s or 1980s are still growing in popularity too.

img_0658

img_0662

 

img_0670

These fun finishes I discovered can be used as tops for furniture.

Karen Mills'
Ralph Lauren fabrics

And I had to share these luscious classic Ralph Lauren fabrics that have been introduced in their fall collection.

 

img_0664

img_0712

Also loved this fabulous linen stripe from Italy by Schumacher.    Perfect for a beach house or for that type of design style.

img_0664

For more great interior design photos and trends, sign up for our 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 now!