Posts

The Elephant in the Room

The Elephant in the Room

At The Decorative Touch, we’re not afraid to use animals for our interior design plans. In fact we like to add a little animal flavor whenever it’s appropriate. For this blog, I’d like to address the elephant in the room — literally. Elephants are beautiful symbols and when infused into decor in unique, these animals enhance any room. The pure symbolism of elephants draws us, with them representing strength, honor, stability and good luck in many Eastern cultures.

Have the desire to let the animal out of you? Then get inspired with the photos I’ve included with elephant decor. And don’t forget us to let us know what you think. Just leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. Enjoy the pics.

The Elephant in the Room

The Elephant in the Room

 

The Elephant in the Room

The Elephant in the Room

The Elephant in the Room

The Elephant in the Room

Photo via elementsofstyleblog.com

 

Kansas' First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

Kansas’ First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

As a Kansas City resident, I have to say that this made me proud. Our city can now boast of its first LEED platinum-certified remodeled home in Arkansas. To me, this shows that sustainability and stylish design can complement each other like never before.

The  home was completely remodeled since the design literally had not been done since 1968, so the home was outdated to say the least. But we’ve got the ‘after pictures’, following nine months of hard work.

The homeowners made sure to buy items made in the US, designed with upholstered pieces with earth-friendly fabrics, and  chose native, drought-tolerant plants. Look at the photos below, and leave a comment below to tell me if you adore the eco-friendly way.

Kansas' First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

Kansas' First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

Kansas' First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

Kansas' First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

Kansas' First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

Kansas' First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

Kansas' First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

Kansas' First LEED Platinum-Certified Home

Photos via athomearkansas.com

Good Day Sunshine: Yellow Décor

Just a touch of color can change the vibe of a room or even an entire home.  Yellow is a great hue that denotes sunshine, warmth, happiness and joy – characteristics everyone wants to include in their home design.  The Decorative Touch thought we’d embrace the sizzling temps this summer with some fun yellow décor.  From a vibrant, sunny front door to a bright airy home office, enjoy these unique ideas that work in almost any space.  Share some of your summertime ideas with us on our Facebook page or simply post a comment below.

 

Warm Front Door

Warm Front Door

Yellow Kitchen Island

Yellow Kitchen Island

Yellow Home Office

Yellow Home Office

Sisal Rugs Garner Great Coastal Style

Sisal Rugs Garner Great Coastal Style

Who says that you have to be seaside to enjoy bona fide beach decor? The Decorative Touch knows just where to start to help establish a coastal look for your home. Think of including the sisal rug of your choice to place over a hardwood floor or wall-to-wall carpeting. Great characteristics of the sisal rug that any homeowner will appreciate are durability and smooth texture. The fiber that makes fiber is very strong, making the sisal rug an ideal flooring choice. Designers  often use this rug as a choice to foster the ocean ambiance. And with the right design, a  sisal rug can fit into your seaside decor, even beyond. Here are a few pictures below of sisal rugs that show off just how beautiful they can be.

Sisal Rugs Garner Great Coastal Style

Sisal Rugs Garner Great Coastal Style

Sisal Rugs Garner Great Coastal Style

Sisal Rugs Garner Great Coastal Style

Sisal Rugs Garner Great Coastal Style

Sisal Rugs Garner Great Coastal Style

Photos via google images

Designing with Linens

Designing with Linens

Soft. Luxurious. And certainly versatile. When it comes linen, just the word conjures up lovely thoughts for nearly everyone. And by the pure nature of linens, The Decorative Touch encourages clients to think of ways to included linens through and through. The bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen, and beyond. Just a touch of linen can transform a space from utilitarian to cozy and inviting. And we’re in love.

We’ve placed a few visuals showing how to let the linen way manifest through the entire lifestyle of upscale decor. Here are several clever ways to add linens to your home . If you can think of more, jot us a note by leaving a comment below. And enjoy what we like to call linen mania.

Designing with Linens

Designing with Linens

Designing with Linens

Designing with Linens

Designing with Linens

Designing with Linens

Designing with Linens

Designing with Linens

Photos via greigedesign.blogspot.com

Interior Trim Ideas for Your Home

Interior Trim Ideas for Your Home

Oftentimes I discuss interior trim and the various ways we can take advantage of for your home. To show you exactly how trimming can enhance your decor, I wanted you to know of  ways to use trimming as an accent.

Window Casing

Window Casing

No. 1 Base: Using trimming where the wall and floor come together is called the base or the baseboard. The trim will cover gaps between floor and wall finishes plus will protect the wall finish from swinging feet, jostled furniture, and more.

No. 2 Chair Rail: In a practical sense, a chair rail protects the wall finish from any furniture that gets placed against the wall. Also from an interior design prospective, the chair splits the wall into horizontal layers, which help with the proportions of the wall in your home. It looks stunning too.

No. 3 Waiscot: The space between the chair rail and baseboard can be a paneled area. Think of including simple wood panels, beadboard, raised panels or horizontal wood paneling.

No. 4 Window Casing: The traditional method of casing a window or a door is supposed to be used  to separate pieces on the  side, top and bottom. But you can also use it from a design standpoint. The trim can be richly detailed.

For more trim ideas, go to houzz.com to read about additional options for interior trims. And if you are interested in adding such lovely detailing to your home, contact The Decorative Touch.

Office Space

Much of our time is spent in the office.  With a standard, 40-hour workweek, we can expect to spend 2,080 hours a year at work.  So with all of that time spent at the office, it’s important to make your work space comfortable and productive.  Adding touches of style, lots of trends and a few personal ideas will inspire great thinking and a plethora of productivity.  There are seemingly endless choices for the perfect office décor – including everything from traditional to modern or feminine and masculine.  Take a look of some of the office spaces The Decorative Touch has chosen as great ways to liven up your work space.  Leave a comment or tell us on Facebook some of your home office décor ideas.

Traditional Office

Modern Office

Masculine Office

Feminine Office

Mod Design in the Summertime

Summer is a great time of year to transform your home into a space with simple, bright, modern décor. I feel one great way to achieve that look is the mod trend. The mod culture originated in London during the 1950s and today is the perfect trend for those in favor of simple lines, minimal approach and elegant touches.  Summertime gives way to the light and bright touches of the mod décor.  And I’ve chosen some great ways you can incorporate mod style into your home.  Try a few accent pieces or coffee tables made from glass, artwork with sharp geometric shapes or installing wood floors that are bleached oak.  Just take a look below to see how these ideas can fit seamlessly into any space.  Then let us know what you think by commenting below or join The Decorative Touch on our Facebook page.

Geometric Shapes in Wall Art

 

Glass Table

 

Mod Design

A Whole New Way to Tuft

A Whole New Way to Use Tuft

OK. Random thought. What if we saw the true potential in tufting? What if we can see how it can add glamour to any room or any space? How about if we don’t just assume it belongs in our grandmother’s living room but instead maximize all that its beauty can be. And that’s exactly what the Decorative Touch loves to do — tuft our hearts galore. We saw some amazingly beautiful pictures in Elle, and these photos prove our point. No matter the room — the bedroom, living room or dining room — somehow in some way, it just seems to work. And we can make it work for you. Connect with us at the Decorative Touch if this look is something you’d like to try. We can help. And in the meantime be moved by the glamorous pictures below.

Dining Room

Dining Room

Tuft Headboard

Tuft Headboard

Tuft Accent Wall

Tuft Accent Wall

Tuft Settee

Tuft Settee

Nail-Head Tuft Work Space

Nail-Head Tuft Work Space

Photos via materialgirlsblog.com

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

I consider the kitchen the heart of the home. So it’s no surprise that I dedicated this blog to the design and style of the summertime kitchen. When creating and shaping a space for this time  year, I love to embody the essence that this season naturally brings. The lighthearted feel. The airy look. The carefree flavor. It all meshes so well together when it transcends from idea to reality.

To give you a few ideas of what a summer personified looks like, I’ve chosen these stellar photos that do just that: personify the summer. Take a look at what I’ve curated for you , and leave a comment below to let me know which is your favorite. And if you need help molding your summertime design into something divine, just give me a call: 913-888-1388. Enjoy.

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

Summertime Kitchen Design

Photos via houzz.com