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DVF Home Floral Batik

Launch of Diane von Furstenberg Home

Are you ready to wear home? We hope so because iconic women’s wear designer Diane von Furstenberg officially launched her home line. DVF Home debuted this past Monday during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The fashion designer dropped by Bloomingdale’s in New York to perform a personal walk through of each collection in her home line.

Mimicking von Furstenberg’s ready to wear clothing line, DVF Home features bold patterns paired with bright colors. The collections include Urban Jungle, Sun Stripe, Animal Garden and Floral Batik, which were all inspired by nature and contemporary art. Each collection consists of tabletop decor as well as bedding. In addition to DVF Home hitting stores, the Star Lounge VIP area at the Lincoln center was  designed with the collection. We think DVF is fresh and extremely eye-catching, take a peek for yourself…

DVF Home Animal Garden

DVF Home Animal Garden

DVF Home Mirco Flowers dinner ware

DVF Home Mirco Flowers dinner ware

DVF Home throws

DVF Home throws

DVF Home Floral Batik

DVF Home Floral Batik

Images from Bloomingdale’s

After seeing von Furstenberg’s home line, are you ready to wear home? Leave a comment and let us know!

romantic interior design

Add Romance to Your Interior Design

Do you love all things romantic and flirty, but it doesn’t translate through the interior design of your home? Romantic decor is gaining popularity and the flirty look can be achieved with a few key pieces. Feminine and romantic decorative accessories soften a room and deliver just the right amount of romanticism. Keep these tips in mind if you want to add romance to your interior design:

romantic interior design

  • Use pink. Incorporate the ultimate romantic color in any room with small pieces in light or dark shades.
  • Keep it soft. Add soft textured fabrics such as silk, velvet or faux fur, avoid denim, microsuede and leather.
  • Make a statement. Add a large mirror to make a statement and brighten up a room.
  • Remember the details. When it comes to upholstery choose tufting and nailhead trims to play up the romance.
  • Add pattern. Use floral patterns in small amounts such as a decorative pillow or small ottoman so the design isn’t overbearing.

If you are in the Kansas City area and want to discuss additional ways to add romance to your interior design? Call Janine of The Decorative Touch today to begin brainstorming for your design!

Tips and image from shelterpop.

Bathroom interior design by The Decorative Touch

Lock Lloyd Master Bathroom Addition

Today I am happy to show a photo of a newly completed renovation in a secluded subdivision in Kansas City called Lock Lloyd that I was fortunate enough to work on! This master bathroom project was so exceptional that it’s easy to see how  fabulous taste and great design come together. I honestly think this bathroom is some of my best work ever.

The addition called for a specific need to create a “slip resistant” area due to the steps leading up to the soaking tub. I drew a “carpet look” runner made out of mosaic tile so that the grout lines would create a more durable surface. The result ended up being a gorgeous, custom tile creation that is truly a focal point in the bathroom.  The bath is a true oasis of relaxation and elegance, from the spa blue wall-covering to the crystal chandelier, and all the beautiful accent tile. The homeowner is truly reflected in their choices of materials, and our design has brought together interior design perfection!

Take a look at just how beautiful the project turned out to be…

Bathroom interior design by The Decorative Touch

Interior design by The Decorative Touch.

Tip of the Week #19: Why Hire an Interior Designer?

Janine Terstriep

Janine @ Decorative Touch

I have been asked a lot lately…

Why use an interior designer when there is so much “do it yourself advice” out there?  What does an interior designer really bring to the table?

Boy, if I had a dollar for all the times I have been asked that question in the last few years! It really does seem like out of all the professions, we designers seem to have to “justify” our positions and experience more than any other certified field.

And I think that is the point.  A true designer has years of experience and/or a certification in the field of interior design.  As the client, you have to do your homework and ask for referrals as well as credentials.  Hiring the right designer can save you money, quite the opposite from what most people think.

A good designer should have an interview with you about your project and your goals. Your designer should then explain how he or she works, and ask a lot of questions about your desires for the project you are about to begin.  Your first appointment after the initial meeting should be a productive one. You should feel like you are making some progress in communication and decision making on the first pieces of the puzzle that fit into your design scheme.

Your designer should help make choosing items easy by having selected things she feels would suit your needs based on previous conversations. He or she has access to an extensive reference library that you couldn’t search without having a design degree. My opinion is that you can’t afford not to use a GOOD designer on your project, but you have to find a GOOD one.

Ask your friends and family for referrals and ask your potential designer for references. If you are not comfortable, find a new one…your home is your haven, it’s as important to trust your designer as your doctor.  After all they are doing a type of surgery on your home, and spending your money as wisely as possible. You have to trust them with decisions that can be very costly, which are investments in your home and your lifestyle.  A high level of communication throughout is very important for the process to go well.  So be sure to find someone you can talk to and are comfortable being with.

If you find the right person you will know he or she will have your best interest at heart.  As a designer with 27 years experience, I know my joy comes from truly helping reach beyond my client’s goals…and even better if we achieve that within budget!!

As busy as we are in today’s world, the more need there is to hire an interior designer to help make your home your haven, there truly is a difference.  Costly mistakes of purchasing the wrong pieces, painting the wrong colors, and buying the wrong accessories will keep adding up to money used in the wrong direction.  Call your designer today, you simply can’t afford not to!

Sincerely,
Janine Terstriep
Certified Interior Designer

Warm Up Your Room with Cable Knit

It’s winter and cable knit sweaters rule supreme. Who could possibly resist the tightly stitched designs that make you want to curl up and get lost in them on sight? We love the warming look and feel of cable knit sweaters, not to mention the childhood memories they stir up. While looking around for inspiration we found an idea book on houzz that intertwined warm cable knits into interior designs. What a perfect idea for the winter.

You can instantly bring warmth into your room by tossing a cable knit blanket across your bed, or by slipping your pillow into its own personal sweater. We can already imagine being wrapped up in cable knit while watching TV on the bed, or being nice and cozy with a cable knit pillow in front of the fire with a book. Take a look at the designs we found and let us know if you would warm up your room with cable knit.

Images from houzz

HGTV 2011 Dream Home

HGTV 2011 Dream Home’s Warm Interior Design

Are you dreaming of rich, warm colors, plush blankets, and a cozy fire as we experience freezing temperatures? We are and we’ve found our warm interior design inspiration in the 15th annual HGTV 2011 Dream Home. The home is the perfect example of  a warm and elegant interior design. The Dream Home is nestled at Spruce Peak in Vermont’s Stowe Mountain Resort. It features modern architecture with a design that still manages to pay tribute to the classic rustic mountain style. The three bedroom, three and a half bath home is extremely innovative full of unique and creative living spaces. To make the home one with mountains it features over sized windows which showcase breathtaking views of Mt. Mansfield and its rolling hills, winding roads and superb ski slopes. In addition to the wonderful design of the home, its location in the village of Stowe offers an extremely active community full of cultural activities that mimic those of large cities. We can’t imagine anything more warm and charming than spending a few weeks in the 2011 Dream Home. Are you ready to see the warm interior design? Take a look…

HGTV 2011 Dream HomeHGTV 2011 Dream HomeHGTV 2011 Dream HomeHGTV 2011 Dream HomeHGTV 2011 Dream HomeHGTV 2011 Dream HomeHGTV 2011 Dream HomeHGTV 2011 Dream HomeImages from HGTV

Want to warm up the interior design of your home? Call Janine Terstriep of The Decorative Touch today at 913-219-7333 for a consultation.

Honeycomb Predicted to be Pattern of the Year

We’ve already discussed the color of the year, Honeysuckle, and we have another honey to add to the list. While looking for inspiration we came across the 2011 Pattern of the Year Prediction on ShelterPop and low and behold it’s another honey. The predicted pattern for this year is slated to be honeycomb. Fresh out of 2010 where there was an increase in bold patterns being used on virtually everything honeycomb is  breath of fresh, textured air. The print has already been seen throughout a great deal of interior design magazines and catalogs. Take a look at a little honeycomb inspiration…

honeycomb patternhoneycomb patternhoneycomb patternImages from ShelterPop

Will you be adding a little honeycomb to your home?

The Decorative Touch Wishes You a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from The Decorative Touch, we hope you have a happy, fulfilling and prosperous year!

Image from Elizabeth Ann Designs

Dining Room Alternative: Semi Formal Dining

Many of us lead such busy lives that we hardly have time to sit down with our families for a meal in our formal dining rooms. And with the ever present kitchen island dining has become quick and informal. Luckily, if we don’t have time for formal dining on a regular basis there are holidays and special parties. One of the reasons we enjoy formal dining rooms so much is because of the exquisite decor reserved for them. We also revel in the fact that it’s a large room where everyone can dine together. Eating in a formal dining room daily may not be practical for everyone, but what about an alternative?

If you are longing for sit down dinners that are a little more upscale than gathering around the kitchen island, consider a semi-formal dining room. A semi-formal dining room offers all the benefits of a formal dining room but toned down for daily use. Think amazing, but slightly casual furniture, smaller amounts of luxurious fabric, not so ornate china, and a more casual centerpiece. Take a look at these examples we found and let us know where you would rather eat: in a formal dining room, a semi formal dining room or where ever you happen to crash.

semi formal dining room

semi formal dining roomsemi formal dining roomImages from Apartment Therapy

semi formal dining roomsemi formal dining roomImage from the LENNOXX

Merry Christmas from The Decorative Touch

The most wonderful time of the year is finally here! We’re taking some time off to relax with family and our closest friends, while enjoying a little festive holiday decor. We would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and happy holidays. We will leave you with some elegant Christmas decor to keep you satisfied until we get back…enjoy!

christmas interior designchristmas interior designchristmas interior designchristmas interior designchristmas interior design