Living Large Archives | Page 14 of 16

Interior Design: 8 Steps to Follow for a Successful…

April 21, 2017

Like any project that involves money, you need a budget or at least a range before you start. Do some research or bring in the experts – an interior designer, contractor/builder, and/or architect – to give an estimated investment.

Karen Mills' blog — Interior design by Karen Mills/Photography by 29 Pixels, LLC

Decide on a design style or mix of styles that will flow with your architecture and existing furnishings you will be re purposing. As an interior designer in Kansas City, I always suggest clients select several photos of room designs they 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 – interior designer and/or contractor/builder- 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 from bad decisions 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 designs need 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. Then order.

8. Purchase artwork, hardware pulls, lamps, and all other furnishings needed.

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 long running Living Large design show, Karen Mills, on Facebook here!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Tips for Creating an Outdoor Space…

April 13, 2017April 13, 2017

When I daydream about the beach, it’s usually one of my favorite vacations like this one on St. John’s island with great views, fabulous restaurants, and wonderful friends.

When you’re planning your own outdoor space, why not recreate one of your favorite vacation spots that you can enjoy in your own backyard whenever the weather permits. I did and here are my 3 tips accomplishing that.

Tip #1 Create a dedicated space outdoors with the feel of a room – floors and maybe a ceiling or walls. Then add seating and possibly a table for meals.

Here in this photo above, the floors are tiled and a roof lingers overhead along with pillars that become the walls of the space.

In my own backyard, I designed a pergola to recreate that look but made one that was my own style. I still mimicked the round pillars at St. John’s and a partial roof overhead for a similar feel. Then I layered in palm trees and tropical flowers to recreate the laid back island vibe.

2. Select a look or style that reminds you of one of your favorite vacations. To accomplish that look in my own backyard space, I mixed in found antique metal seating fitted with custom white cushions along with a couple of new wicker chairs to achieve a more collected aesthetic. Then I threw in a weathered old trunk on wheels for a coffee table and placed a tray of shells from diving trips and walks on the beach on top.

3. Add a specific element that reminds you of your favorite spot. That element for me was a touch of romance so we added LED lights at the top of the pillars to create a wonderful ambiance at night and accessories in turquoise to remind us of the blue blue ocean.

For more great interior 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 Living Large, Karen Mills, on Facebook here!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Tips for Creating a Sophisticated Rustic…

April 7, 2017May 27, 2020

The romantic lure of the rustic style home or cabin is undeniable. Maybe its because of our rich heritage of building log cabins to protect our families from the weather. Or maybe its the way rustic homes connect us with the outdoors with their rough hewn beams, simple style, and organic materials like stacked stone fireplaces.

But even though we still love our rustic home, sometimes we crave furnishings that are more refined and luxurious to offset the rugged architecture for that perfect mix of masculine and feminine. If that’s you, here are my 3 tips as an interior designer to help you create a beautiful blend.

Select a muted color scheme that picks up the hues reflected in your finishes. By picking up existing colors in the home’s architecture for the furnishings, the overall design style is strengthened and the furnishings connect better with the hard surfaces . Here in this photo, we pulled out the beautiful gray blue and taupe color scheme from the hues found in the stone fireplace. By selecting furniture with a softer hand and more luxurious feel, the room also took on a more timeless complex look that adds interest.

Layering in an area rug with an organic pattern in those same hues brings everything together while the lighter colors of all the furnishings help bounce around much needed light in the room.

2. Keep it simple Because of the rugged nature of the rustic interior, to create a sophisticated feel its important to balance the mega sized fireplace, wood columns, and other rough elements with furnishings with cleaner lines and softer edges to create the perfect balance of rugged and sleek. Here the softer lines of the sofa and tables help balance the rough hewn fireplace and stone columns.

The same is true with this family room where the textural pillows, shag rug, and airy swivel chairs add texture and light to the darker hard surfaces of the fireplace, floors, and leather sofa.

3. Layer in organic materials that coordinate with the room’s rugged finish to soften room such as natural cottons as seen in the bedding and the casual fabrics on the chairs. The textural rug also adds light and interest to the room.

A beautiful simple pale blue shimmery wallpaper in an organic pattern provides a nice juxtaposition against the stone columns and paneled wood ceiling.

For more great tips 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 Living Large, Karen Mills, on Facebook here.

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Tips for Warming up Modern Living…

March 17, 2017

As I’ve matured as an interior designer I’ve come to love clean simple design that stands on it’s own. Of course it’s much more difficult to attain a modern look because each piece of the design has an important role and you don’t want the room to become sterile. So if you’re looking for more simplicity in your life without sacrificing warmth, here are 3 tips for creating an inviting contemporary look.

Add texture to your room. In this living space shown above a textural rug was layered underneath to ground the seating area along with a throw, books, and plant. Textural fireplace tile, art, and wood logs also add more interest to the room.

In this modern contemporary living room below texture is introduced through the fabrics on the upholstery and pillows along with the sisal and fur rugs underneath. Wood furniture also plays a key role in adding warmth.

Karen Mills — Photo courtesy of Design within Reach

2. Introduce live elements like the branch cutting shown in this living room create a more inviting feel. Other live elements you can introduce include fruit, flowers, and plants. Pops of color also help warm up this living room along with a book, art, and color.

3. Use Color to warm up a room especially if its a orange sofa like the space above. The tree in the corner, wooden spools, and pillow also add warmth to the room.

In this modern living room above the leather chair, pillows and sofa all add texture and warmth along with the rug and wood topped coffee table.

For more great tips and photos 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 on Facebook here!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 5 Tips for a Budget Kitchen Makeover

March 3, 2017July 21, 2017

If you want to update your tired old kitchen but don’t want to invest in a full remodel, here are 5 tips for freshening up your kitchen for less.

1. Refurbish your existing kitchen cabinets. If your cabinets are in good shape and not too dated, sand, repaint and seal them. In this kitchen above we painted the cabinets different colors, added a mitered (thicker) edge island counter top, and replaced some upper cabinets with live edge shelving to create a more interesting look.

If your cabinet door styles are dated, have them refaced with new doors and fronts. You can also add glass inserts, replace your dated moldings and add crown molding overhead to completely transform them. Plus pull out those dated appliance garages housed in the corner.

2. Replace your dated or worn appliances with more updated ones you can find for less in a clearance section or replace appliance fronts only if that updates the look. In this kitchen above we also painted the cabinets, added a vintage chandelier the homeowner already had for a Hollywood Glam feel along with new light fixtures above the table which she had finished to a more grayed out rustic look.

3. Update your hardware finishes by replacing pulls or knobs, your sink faucet, and light fixtures. If you don’t have the budget for new light fixtures, have your old ones spray painted or do it yourself.

4. Replace your dated counter tops and back splashes ensuring you add under cabinet lighting to show them off.

5. Refurbish your existing floors by refinishing hardwoods or by replacing flooring with stone tile found on clearance and install yourself. As an interior designer, I’ve used faux wood tile more than once on kitchen remodels to create a cozier rustic feel when wood isn’t an option.

For more great tips and trends subscribe to 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!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Secrets to a Comfortable Living Space

February 24, 2017February 24, 2017

Is there anything better than a comfortable relaxing space at the end of a long day? Not for me. That’s why my focus at home and with interior design clients is just as much about comfort and function as beauty. So here are my three tips for creating a comfortable interior design.

1. Comfortable seating. To begin make sure that you’re selecting upholstery that’s comfortable for long periods such as the custom furniture shown. When seated on a sofa or chair ensure your legs are able to touch the floor and that your thighs fit the seat depth so you’re not having to lean back uncomfortably. Plus consider adding an ottoman for a late afternoon snooze or to relax while watching TV.

2. Layer in texture in everything from area rugs and/or soft window treatments to accessories like pillows or throws remembering that each layer of texture creates a cozier feel.

3. Select a color scheme that includes elements of warmth whether that’s on walls, ceilings, floors, windows, or accessories. For example on a wall you might add textural wallpaper or go with a warmer color. On the windows you might introduce a bamboo window shade under draperies. And finish off the room with textural pillows.

For more fabulous interior design trends, 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!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Universal Design: Bathroom Trend of the Future

February 17, 2017February 16, 2017

Whether you’re planning to grow old in your home or not, you should seriously consider incorporating some universal design practices into your home.

Why? Because universal design is becoming more in demand by an aging baby boomer generation, plus universal design features can add value.

Glass enclosed showers make your room not only appear larger but large zero entry showers can usually accommodate a wheelchair or walker.

Interior design by Karen Mills Zero entry shower

For years, homeowners have thought of universal design as utilitarian or ugly like the white bathroom grab bars and plastic bath benches, but the good news is that universally designed homes, especially bathrooms have become beautiful thanks to the interior designers and those savvy architects or builders who understand universal design and how to make it beautiful.

Some additional considerations besides large walk in showers for a more universal design include wall mounted sinks, 36″ wide doorways and grab bars that look like towel bars.

I also love the idea of the bathroom melding into the bedroom to become one large space.

For more great information on how to create a beautiful universally designed bathroom space, subscribe to our weekly interior design blog here

Plus become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer Karen Mills on Facebook here!

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 8 Ingredients of Timeless Design

February 13, 2017June 1, 2017

Timeless spaces are beautiful, sophisticated, and understated. They tell the story of their occupants and their belongings like nothing else can. Plus they hold their value and memories of loved ones for years to come, as they bring family closer to live, love, and grow. That’s why I love to design timeless spaces. So if you would like to avoid trendy decorating and have a more enduring design too, here is an informative article I wrote on Friday for Houzz . (Click link below to read)

8 Rooms with Staying Power

Kansas City’s interior designer Karen Mills

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Decorating: What Does Your Favorite Color Say About…

February 10, 2017February 10, 2017

Ever wonder what your favorite color says about you or how to use it in your interior?

As an interior designer and color expert, I can tell you that’s not always an easy task because it takes years of experience to learn how colors can impact rooms based on lighting and location. So here’s some insight on what color says about you and how you might use it.

If you love red like I do you most likely live life to the fullest with spontaneity and excitement. But what does a red interior say to others? The color, associated with blood and fire, can raise your blood pressure and grab your attention! So if you don’t want to go completely red, try incorporating red as an accent color like the photo above to make your space a little more vibrant.

Blue, however, exudes stability, tranquility, calm and reliable. Blue’s also the favorite color for the majority of men. A perfect color for bedrooms, blue helps you unwind, especially blue greens that are soothing, and lovers of this color tend to be responsible stable citizens who do the right thing.

Yellow, like a ray of sunshine adds warmth and optimism, making it perfect for a kitchen or a sunny living area, and big fans of this color are often optimistic people with a happy misdemeanor.

Green, the color of nature exudes calmness and warmth, making it also a good color for bedrooms or spaces where you need a more relaxed feel. Fans of this color are usually warm, kind, and charitable.

Purple, a favorite color among children, denotes creativity. Lovers of this color are often more complex artistic, fascinating individuals who sometimes may seem mysterious.

Orange, the color of hunger and vibrancy fits perfectly into that dining room or kitchen area where you need some life or excitement. And if you’re an orange lover, you probably show the same vibrant spirit as the color with your enthusiastic zest for life.

But what if your favorite color is beige? Beige means you’re more timeless, basic, conservative, and simple. Taupe leans toward traits of well balanced, classic, and fair, but brown usually denotes down to earth and no nonsense.

Grays tend to be intellectual, wise, calm, practical, and conservative and lovers of white lean toward cleanliness, neatness, and purity.

Black, the absence of color leans toward classic good taste but can also mean that you enjoy power, confidence or just being conservative.

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

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

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

INTERIOR DESIGN: 3 TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR ROOM FROM…

February 3, 2017

Does your interior feel “blah” or boring even though its filled with furniture? Often the reason a space looks unfinished is because rooms either lack the key ingredients to make them come alive or the key ingredients aren’t placed in a way that creates harmony and variety. So here are my 3 tips to transforming your interior ordinary to extraordinary!

1. A Color Story – The first thing that’s usually missing in a home is color. And I don’t necessarily mean bold color, just a lack of cohesive color throughout. Take a look at this bedroom design above from Circa. Even though the grayed out blue isn’t dramatic, by placing it on the headboard, bedding, bench, and drapes it creates a color story of calm and quiet for the person who sleeps there.

In contrast this dramatic living space by Kravet above shows how you can create drama in a room by using bolder colors like the warm reds used throughout to draw your eye around the room along with the blue that plays a supporting role and nice contrast in the interior design.

2. Accent lighting – Having ample accent lighting in a space makes it more inviting and interesting. And as a general rule, I you need at least three lamps in every living space to add ambiance to your interior design.

3. Groupings of large accessories – Most people tend to buy small accessories which when grouped together often creates a feeling of clutter that adds to the tension in your space instead of enhancing your interior design. Instead strive for a balance of accessory sizes with more emphasis on large than small.

Another key to successfully accessorizing includes selecting colors, styles, and textures that will enhance your design and grouping accessories together to create vignettes or points of interest throughout your space. For example when I’m adding the final touches to a project as an interior designer, I often mix not only sizes of accessories but also textures which gives the vignette or grouping a more interesting mix.

For more great photos and tip for accessorizing and ideas on interior design, become a fan of Kansas City’s interior designer and former host of Living Large design show, Karen Mills on Facebook here

or sign up for our weekly interior design trend blog here!