Living Large Archives | Page 8 of 16

Interior Design: 3 Biggest Mistakes We Make in Basement…

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019

Karen Mills' blog — Interior design by Karen Mills

1. Not taking advantage of natural daylight – In this recent basement design we situated the bar area in a spot surrounded by natural light to make the space feel like the main level of the home. To further enhance the light airy feel we designed the bar with white counter tops and lighter paint colors to bounce more light around the room.

2. Not hiding the telltale signs of a basement living space. –When finishing your basement ensure that you hide all ledges, duct work, and niches or anything else that screams basement. Here in this space we added wood flooring, artificial light, and and accent lighting to give this basement a first floor feel.

3. Lack of adequate artificial light – As an interior designer I can’t emphasize enough the importance of artificial lighting. Here we started with general can lights, added task lighting over the island, and then topped it off with accent lighting inside the shelves and under the cabinets to create a wow factor.

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 5 Hottest Product Trends for Kitchen Design/Remodels…

April 18, 2019April 18, 2019

White Quartz Counter tops – Even though darker kitchens are making appearances across the U.S. and especially on the coasts, white quartz counters still dominate with interior design clients as the most popular material here in the United States. As an interior designer I’ve worked with over 1200 clients and believe wholeheartedly the reason for this appeal is because white reflected back onto our skin makes us look and feel younger. White also feels fresh after years of darker colors plus marble style patterns are classic and timeless.

Here in this kitchen the island counter has been designed with a mitered edge (thick) which is another huge kitchen remodel trend that gives a more luxurious feel and wow factor.

2. Counter Depth Refrigerator Here in this kitchen space a counter depth fridge creates a wider walkway through the kitchen to the garage and other rooms behind. Other trendy features include reflective tile back splash, and lit glass cabinets.

3. Touch Faucet – Touch faucets are gaining popularity because you only need to touch the faucet with a part of your body to activate or deactivate the flow of water at a preset temperature.

4. Steam Convection Oven – Who doesn’t love an oven that can cook food in half the time at a lower temperature plus keep foods moister and brown bread.

5. LED lighting

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 5 Questions to Ask Remodeler Before You…

April 11, 2019April 11, 2019

What to Consider Before Using a Contractor Besides Cost

What qualifications/experience do you have with my type of project and can you provide references? For example ask if the contractor belongs to NARI, National Association of Remodelers or HBA, Home Building Association.

2. Can your insurance company mail a current copy of your insurance policy(s) before we sign the contract? Contractors should have liability insurance to cover any damage to your property and workman’s comp for anyone working on your home to protect you if they get hurt on the job.

3. How do you charge? Normally remodelers give a bid/estimate of total amount for project minus any unseen issues or simply charge for time (hourly) and materials (products). If you want to buy materials yourself and just pay the contractor for your time, make sure they offer that option and that you can put a limit on the hours billed so project doesn’t get out of hand.

4. Can you complete work within my requirements and may I have a timeline/schedule of construction beforehand?

5. Will you provide a signed contract with scope of work to be done and warranty?

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Decorating: 3 Tips for Selecting the Perfect Color

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019

Helpful Hints for Selecting Paint Color

Color, the biggest issue faced by homeowners starting an interior design or interior decorating project is often an overwhelming task so I’ve broken it down into three manageable steps for you today.

View colors on a white background – First and foremost, when selecting colors, make sure that you’re viewing colors on a white background to get a true sense of the colors before placing them on a wall. Don’t wear colors that might reflect back on those paint colors while you’re making selections because red, for example, could reflect back on another color giving it a green cast.

2. Make color selections during daylight – Consider natural light along with artificial light in the room.

For trim and ceiling paint colors, look to the lightest end of your paint strip for possibilities along with whites.

3. Paint large swatches of your paint selection on a backed poster board – All too often I walk in as an interior designer and see clients who’ve painted a light neutral over another color on the wall and the original color is bleeding through or distorting the hue. Once you have the board painted, place against a neutral white background view during both daylight and after dark to ensure you still like it.

If you don’t know where to start with color, pull inspiration from a favorite item like artwork, a rug, fabric, jewelry or even nature and let the fun begin!

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Tips for Sprucing up Your Outdoor…

March 28, 2019March 28, 2019

How to Take You Outdoor Room from Blah to Beautiful

Who doesn’t love this time of year – warmer weather, food on the grill, and great parties outdoors! But when it comes to outdoor gathering often our outdoor space need a little sprucing up. Here are 3 tips for adding a little pizzazz to your outdoor room.

1. Add a pop of color with pillows

Here in this photo from Lexington Furniture sunny yellow pillows enhance the yellow chair cushion color to create a wow factor in this neutral spac.e

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. On this covered porch the homeowner 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

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Decorating: 3 Ways to Make Your Living Room…

March 23, 2019March 23, 2019

If you’re like me you’re ready for warmer weather and cheerful colors. Here are 3 ways to make your room feel lighter and happier.

1. Add bold pops of spring color

One of the easiest ways to add spring hues begin with bright colored pillows. Other simple ideas could include removing dark heavy drapes, adding white cotton slipcovers to your upholstery, or replacing a heavy darker rug with a sisal one.

In this room bold patterned pillows create a dramatic contrast against the white sofa and custom blue green drapes beyond while the red orange flowers and artwork add to the tropical look.

2. Introduce fresh flowers and/or plants

Nothing says spring like a bouquet of fresh flowers, a beautiful orchid or live plants. Here in this outdoor living room the orange flowers pick up the color in the napkins, creating a cheerful spring look.

Karen Mills' design blog — Interior design by Karen Mills

3. Swap out dark furnishings for lighter ones when possible

If you have a lighter area rug like the one pictured here that you can swap out for a darker one, the entire room can be transformed from winter to spring. White coral and a rope glass lantern with a blue candle enhance the spring/summer feel along with the light airy pillows and fresh plant beyond.

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Biggest Mistakes We Make in The…

March 8, 2019March 8, 2019

How to Make Your Bedroom More Appealing

1. Lack of a Focal Point – Often as an interior designer I walk into a bedroom to discover a stark cold space that has no focus. With interior design a bed becomes the focal point and we need to enhance it.

Here in this beautiful inviting bedroom we enhanced this poster bed with crisp white bedding, a fabulous textured leaf wallpaper, and a warm hand knotted wool rug with matching lamps and nightstands flanking it and a bench.

2. Uninviting – To create a more inviting bedroom with the existing American antiques our interior design firm layered in a upholstered bed with wallpaper behind, an attractive chair, and washable European linens that invite to come jump into bed.

3. Too Cluttered or Crowded – In this tiny converted attic bedroom we didn’t want the room to feel to crowded or cluttered with this king size bed the clients requested so we designed a bed that didn’t overwhelm the room along with floating bedside tables and lamps that didn’t take up any more room on the floor. The lamps also add an inviting element with their low light. Headboard and custom bedding fabrics in more neutral calming colors help keep the space from feeling too busy.

Looking for more great bedroom design or decorating ideas? Sign up for our weekly interior design blog here

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 8 Secrets to Creating Interiors That Stand…

February 8, 2019February 8, 2019

How to Design Spaces That Are More Enduring

As an interior designer I’ve been fortunate to have the innate ability to create living experiences that are more enduring whether its a living room like this one or a work space like the shower in the next photo. In this living space quality upholstery, less patterns, and simple lines create a lasting appeal.

Even though finishes on furniture are important the most critical element to making an interior more timeless begins with finishes that are classic and enduring like this marble type tile we used on this bathroom high rise to make it last for years to come.

To read all 8 of our secrets to creating spaces with staying power that we wrote for HOUZZ, including specific examples of each, click on the link below.

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8 Rooms with Staying Power

Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design with Intoxicating Color, Rich Texture, and International…

February 1, 2019January 25, 2019

Read on to Learn How We Created a One of Kind Showstopping Design in the Heart of the U.S.

This project was a labor of love for this wonderful family who wanted a place to entertain family and friends. We started with designing the main entry – shown in orange and beige then worked our way through the home and up to the third floor guest suite we affectionately call “The Flat” – pictured in blue and white here, to create a space that’s one of a kind.

Click now to read the rest of this fabulous article by Kansas City Homes & Style magazine, plus see several more photos, some which have never been seen before.

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Interior Design/Interior Decorating

Interior Design: 3 Big Mistakes People Make in Their…

January 23, 2019January 23, 2019

How to Make Your Entry More Interesting

Unwelcoming – If you want your guests to feel welcome then its important to create an inviting foyer like this one we designed where you are greeted by rich colors, great lighting, a comfortable rug underneath, and warm textural wall coverings that wrap you in a big hug. Of course Lucy (the dog) will be sure to say hello if she’s around too!

2. Zero Personality – As an interior designer I can’t repeat enough the importance of showcasing your personal style in the foyer. I believe the entry to be the most important area in your home because it gives people a hint of who you are and what you like. In this entry area we showcased the clients’ love of animal prints on this traditional custom designed stool while also showcasing their sophisticated taste in mixing styles with the abstract art above.

3. Lack of Intrigue I always tell our interior design clients to think of their entry as the advertisement for their home because your entry should give visitors a glimpse into what’s coming next from colors and style to personal mementos like this entry where we began with a family heirloom piece (one of many) and dressed it up with a beautiful landscape painting, vase, and lamp that give you a preview of the color scheme and what’s next.

For more 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
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And for more foyer inspiration, click here to read my article on & Color Palettes for Pleasing Entryway

or my budget tips titled Refresh Foyer for Less