Decorative Touch

4 Things to Consider in the Kitchen

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It’s inevitable; whether simply you and your family catching up after a busy day or a large group of friends over for a party, people tend to gather in the kitchen. So why settle for a boring, run-of-the-mill design? Here are some easy ways to step up the look of your kitchen.

Decorative Touch

Image via Pinterest

  • The pantry is often a cluttered, catch-all mess, but by taking a little time to use matching containers and keep things organized, you’ll want to leave the pantry door open to show off this beautiful space.
  • Remove some upper cabinet doors to create showcase space for your beautiful dishes, whether a group of matching antique mugs or stunning modern plates.
  • Get organized by painting over part of your pantry door with chalkboard paint to create a visible and easily accessible spot to keep notes and make grocery lists.
  • Granite countertops are a winner because of their classic look and durability. You can make them fit the style of your kitchen by using different cuts on the edges, like playing to a modern room with a straight edge.
  • Deep, oversized sinks work well in kitchens with limited counter space as you can keep dirty dishes and prep items out of the way until it’s time for cleanup.

For help creating a new interior design in your kitchen call The Decorative Touch  today!

Remodeling Ideas

Great Ideas for Kitchen Lighting

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Although it can be an easy element to overlook, lighting sets the mood in a room. While there are many tried and true lighting options, consider taking a step back to consider more unique and impressive lighting options for your home.

Remodeling Ideas

Image via Pinterest

  • Over a kitchen island or large dining room table, nothing quite beats a chandelier. While the style options are endless, make sure to go with one that matches up nicely to the size of the island or table over which it will hang. You don’t want to keep any dinner guests in the dark!
  • Industrial lighting goes well with clean, utilitarian kitchens and really grabs your eye. Mount an industrial sconce on each side of your sink as functional statement pieces.
  • For the ultimate unique lighting experience, go vintage. Elegant and ornate pendants can beautifully highlight any room of the house

While lighting fixtures throughout your house don’t need to — and shouldn’t — all be exactly the same, ensure they work in harmony. If you have an open floorplan or certain rooms that naturally flow together, make sure fixtures line up and have similar styles.

Here at The Decorative Touch  we have been creating beautiful Kansas City interior design for nearly 30 years. Contact us today to start elevating your home’s style.

For more kitchen lighting tips, visit HouseBeautiful.com.

5 Bathroom Trends for 2013

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If you are looking to remodel your bathroom and are in the need of some stylish yet functional interior design ideas, then check out the following 5 bathroom trends that are expected to be popular in 2013.

  1. Stripes – Bathrooms tend to be very static, which is why the use of stripes on the wall can help to add a graphic design element. Stripes in particular help to bring pattern and movement to the space without making it seem cluttered.
  2. Hidden Medicine Cabinets – Medicine cabinets have always been a fixture in most bathrooms; however, homeowners are choosing to hide them behind mirrors to make them blend into the bathroom better. This is an excellent example of a design element providing both style and function.
  3. Bathroom Fireplace –You don’t often see a fireplace in the bathroom, which is why it would make such a unique addition. Just imagine taking a bath with a fireplace in the same room. It can’t get much comfortable and inviting than that!
  4. Vintage Dresser – Use a vintage dresser as a master bath vanity. You can even have it fit with drop in sinks.
  5. Pebbled Floors – The use of a pebbled floor gives the bathroom a feel of a spa. The pebbled texture will help give a therapeutic or relaxing feel to your feet.

Any of these five elements that are expected to trend next year will make a fantastic addition to your bathroom, so call The Decorative Touch at 913-888-1388 to begin planning your design.

Image: House Beautiful

Eddie Ross Christmas living room

Quick Holiday Decor Tips

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Eddie Ross Christmas living room

Photo Credit: countryliving.com

With the holidays fast approaching, The Decorative Touch would like to assist in giving you the least stressful holiday planning with these four quick tips below.

1. Don’t overdo it. I don’t encourage the use of too many bells and whistles; things that match and “go together” are comfortable on the eyes – too many contrasting colors does just the opposite.

2. Things in the open are often forgotten. The term “hiding in plain sight” is one of my favorites, and it can apply to home decorating. Windows are often overlooked because some think there’s not much you can do with them. On the contrary, windows can carry wreaths and other plants, supported by adhesive hooks.

3. Don’t ignore other flowers. Poinsettias are a common and overused flower on holidays. White amaryllis can be an alternative that truly stands out.

4. Keep the color wheels spinning. If you have contrasting colors, put a green and blue throw or rug nearby, to keep your design consistent.

For in-depth assistance, call The Decorative Touch for a design consultation in your Lenexa home.

HB kitchen island with stools

Great Updates for A 21st Century Family Kitchen

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Four of the hottest trends in Kansas City interior design focuses in on the family kitchen.

HB kitchen island with stoolsWide comfortable stools offer great seating in the modern kitchen. Stools made of hickory with a curved upholstery seat tuck neatly under any island. The stools make eating at the island easy as well as providing seating for casual conversation when someone is cooking.

HB Behind backsplash storageHave you ever thought of tucking things behind a moving backsplash? Adding a television to the kitchen offers entertainment options even when people are cooking. Placing it behind the stove covered by a moving backsplash provides an ingenious option for hiding and protecting it at the same time. This sliding backsplash is a great place to hide other things.

TH hiding appiances behind doorHiding appliances behind “garage” doors is an idea already used in many kitchens. However, automated garage doors is a new trend gaining popularity. The doors lift up to make access easy. Then a flick of the switch closes the doors and cleans up the kitchen.

TH tucked outletTucking outlets under the edge of the counter cleans up the backsplash. It is easy to access the inconspicuous plugs.The cords do not drape over work areas either.

If you need help putting these trends into your Kansas City area kitchen, contact The Decorative Touch.

 

Images: traditionalhome.com
Christmas Decorations in Dining Room

Color Coordinating for Holiday Decorating

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If you have not already started, now is the time to get those holiday decorations up in your Kansas City home. You probably have your staple traditional items that must go up like the wreaths, candelabras, lights, candles, and such. Right after the Thanksgiving holiday is when the Christmas decorations are ready for placement. It’s safe to say that with the Christmas holiday, we tend to let our children ‘run wild’ with the decorations. But this year, try a different approach. It’s easier than you think to create a beautiful holiday decorated home that is perfectly sophisticated for adults and absolutely enjoyable for the kids. The trick is in the colors.

 

Use Complementary Colors

Complementary colors christmas tree

Photo Credit: traditionalhome.com

Take a look at the sparkling jewel tone decorations. The jade and purple complement the  green of the tasseled velvet sofa quite nicely.

 

 Green and Gold

Christmas Decorations in Dining Room

Photo via houzz.com

Green and gold are a great color combo for a grand traditional dining room. Take special note of the gold ribbon and greenery hanging from the chandeliers.

 

Solid Color Christmas Lights

solid color christmas lights

Photo via athomearkansas.com

White Christmas lights are great for keeping the home festive as well as color coordinated! We know the kids love the multi-colored lights, but hang those outside or in their bedroom instead.

What are your favorite holiday colors?

 

eclectic-kids room with teepee

Fun and Creative Ways to Design your Teen’s Room

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It’s a fact that our teenagers can sometimes be the pickiest people in the world! However, that doesn’t mean you can’t work together to design the perfect fun and creative bedroom for your teen. Encourage your son or daughter with a room designed specifically for their interests and comfort. Take a look at a few creative ideas The Decorative Touch came across that could be the perfect design touch to get your teen excited about a room makeover.

eclectic-kids room with teepee

Photo via Houzz.com

What other teen in the neighborhood has a teepee as a cool reading spot or a place to relax and watch their favorite videos?

 

teenage-boys-room-beatles-theme-608x420

Photo via bilvil.com

Does your son have a love of eclectic music and urban flare? Try creating an urban bedroom that has a touch of musical inspiration.

 

Teen Girl corner office

Photo Credit: aldovega.com

Your daughter will love a beautiful corner office accented with decorative wallpaper and a funky designer chair.

 

teens room acFor those racing fans, this great teen boy’s room features eclectic racing art from Aaron Christensen.

 What great design ideas have you seen for a teen room makeover?

rich neutral space

Ways to Spice Up Neutral Rooms

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There is no need to be afraid of a neutral palette. A brilliant beauty comes out of a glorious neutral color scheme. However, to switch up the style and visual appeal in a neutral room every now and then, you have to be willing to try something new.

neutral space with yellow

Photo Credit: traditionalhome.com

Experiment and throw in a splash of color. And by throw, we mean, strategically place a few colorful decor pieces to accent the space. Go for subtlety if you’re still not sure about the color. Give it a chance to grow on you and see if your like for it grows into love.

 

rich neutral space

Photo via houzz.com

You can still have a neutral palette with rich colors. If it’s drama your room is missing, richer colors help bring the space to life.

 

Neutral with blue

Photo via eclecticrevisited.com

Go bold! A few bold furniture pieces can really cause a neutral room to pop!

Do you want to spice up the neutral color scheme in your Lenexa home?

 

 

fall leaf pressings encased in glass

3 Easy Fall Decorating Ideas

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Changing your home’s entire interior design scheme with every change of the season can be costly. That’s why you want to keep your classics, things like your furniture and photos the same. The feeling of the season can really be found in the details, or your home accessories. It’s in the details that new life is given to a space and a completely new ambiance is born!

Take a look at 3 simple fall decorating ideas from BHG.com that are perfect for an autumn home:

1. Pretty Leaf Pressings

fall leaf pressings encased in glass

You can’t go wrong with pretty and simple. Colorful fall foliage pressed, fully dried, and displayed in glass are elegant and bring nature inside the home.

2. Vase Variety

fall vases

Keep a variety of vases in storage so switch out can be easy when seasons change. For fall, vases with earth art or in fall colors like brown, orange, and red are great. Add some blooms of the season and twigs to finish the look.

3. Wreaths of the Harvest

autumn harvest wreath

 Wreaths add a warm touch to any home interior space. For the fall season, choose a wreath that is filled with the harvest of autumn.

How are you bringing in the beauty of fall to your Kansas City area home?

 

Images: www.bhg.com

green storage cubes

Kid’s Room Creative Storage Ideas

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When you have children, stuff comes home with them. Whether it be toys, sports equipment, book bags, uniforms, books, and whatever else, it all has to be stored. And we all know how the overstuffed closet can quickly become a safety hazard. There are plenty of storage options for your child’s room that are creative and will hide all of those things your child or children accumulate over time.

Take a look at three great creative storage ideas that are featured on bhg.com:

green storage cubes

Using easy to reach open storage cubes or shelves make cleaning a cinch! You can even put your child’s trophies, artwork, and awards on display.

 

underbed kid storage

The kids already put (hide) stuff under the bed anyway, why not make it organized? Not only do custom under bed storage drawers and shelves keep items off the floor, it’s also a convenient location for bedtime books.

 

green hutch

 A colorful armoire can keep things neat and out of view with doors that can be closed when guests are in the home.

What creative storage ideas have you used in your child’s room?

 

Photos Credit: bhg.com