Posts

outdoor living space

What Are Homeowners Really Looking For in Home Design?

When choosing a home what features and amenities are most important to you? Each prospective buyer has a different set of wants and needs but there are obvious trends in home design that appeal to many buyers. Recently released home survey reports show that kitchen amenities, bathroom features, outdoor spaces, and energy efficient upgrades are at the top of most buyers’ lists.

outdoor living space

Photo: Jeff Garland via Houzz.com

Analyzing the data more closely we find:

  • 65% of respondents report that overall living space and the layout of the home is important.
  • Nine out of ten buyers were willing to pay more for a home with energy efficient amenities that would permanently decrease utility bills.
  • Buyers are seeking storage options and organization. They want linen closets in bathrooms, a walk in pantry in the kitchen, a dedicated laundry room, and garage storage.
  • Kitchens and bathrooms continue the trend of being high on buyers’ priority lists. Respondents report wanting a fully equipped kitchen with plenty of cupboard and counter space and a nicely appointed master bathroom.
  • Outdoor features ranked high on the survey results as well. Buyers are seeking homes with outdoor living spaces such as large yards, patios, and decks that provide additional living space.
kitchen design 1

Photo: Phillip Mueller via Houzz.com

The home design experts with The Decorative Touch can help bring your design dreams to life and ensure upgrades will improve the likelihood of a future sale. Contact us to learn how partnering with an interior designer here in Lenexa, KS will lead to a home you love both inside and out.

Why hire a professional?

As a professional designer, I follow other professionals in the design industry’s blogs and articles on interior design.  One of my favorite writers is Maria Killam.  I follow Maria’s blog, as I respect her and much of what she has done in the design industry.

I feel she is right on target with her latest blog post on “How Do I Know What My Style Is?” I love this question from one of her readers…as it is one that I get from my clients as well.

Her answer is perfect, and well said… (I couldn’t say it better myself.) …there is a reason one hires a professional for advice in every category of their life.

When you are tackling the interior of your home there is no difference.  Mistakes are costly.  I value the experts who have invested in the time, energy and education to become experts in their field of study.  Interior designers are no different, and finding a good one, is a treasure.

Click here to read Maria’s blog post on the subject.

-Janine

The Decorative Touch Ltd

Reminder: Don’t Miss Fall Open House!

The Decorative Touch Ltd’s Fall Open House and Customer Appreciation Night is fast approaching! We would hate for you to miss this special event that’s in your honor! The Decorative Touch Ltd only has two open house events every year, and we have stocked up the studio just for you!

The Decorative Touch LtdThe open house will take place on Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 5 pm to 8 pm at Exclusive Interiors Design Studio, 14111 W 95th ST Lenexa, KS 66215. We would love for all our loyal customers, friends, and family to join us and enjoy 20% off stock items for one night only! There will be appetizers catered by Grandmas Catering, wine, and lots of wonderful raffle drawings! You are welcome to bring a friend!

Pick up some great decor to enhance your home interiors and design a brand new space! Perfect event to do some holiday gift shopping as well.

Feel free to call The Decorative Touch Ltd at 913-888-1388 for more information.

The Decorative Touch Ltd

Save the Date: Fall Open House and Customer Appreciation Night!

Save the date for The Decorative Touch Ltd’s Fall Open House and Customer Appreciation Event on November 1st! We only have two open house events every year, so you definitely want to come out and experience this awesome night! We’ve stocked up! Just for you!

The Decorative Touch Ltd

Our fall open house will have a happy hour, catered appetizers, and will feature a customer appreciation discount of 20 percent off the entire store for one night only! Whether you are looking for some great holiday gifts, or a few simple pieces that will finish your decor, drop by and choose from our collection of small throws, pillows, lamps, and etc.

The Decorative Touch Ltd Studio

We will also have a wonderful raffle that will be a great bonus for several lucky winners! And the first 100 guests will recieve a “goodie” bag with information about upcoming color trends from several of our vendors! Great for being ahead of the curve when decorating your home! We look forward to seeing you!

The Decorative Touch Ltdis located within Exclusive Interiors Design Studio at 14111 W. 95th St in Lenexa,Kansas.

 

 

Rustic, Traditional, and a Touch of Modern Décor

You’ve heard the old mantra, “Opposites attract.” Believe it or not, this saying couldn’t be more true than in interior design. In fact, I love the mix  of rustic and traditional, with just a bit of modern style infused. I saw a lovely home in the magazine Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles that was the ideal paradigm of this concept. These photos illustrate  a great mix of styles, merging today with yesterday and modern with timeless.
Are you thinking of redesigning your home? We can help you design the home of your dreams. Just contact us at 913-888-1388 or decorativetouchltd@yahoo.com. Also feel welcome to stop by in person at 14111 W. 95 Street , Lenexa KS. We can help you come up with ideas that will match your home’s look, feel and style.

Dazzling Holiday Decor Raises Money for Breast Cancer

This time of year is the season of giving. The Holiday House, presented by Traditional Home, keeps this tradition alive and well. Back for the fourth year, breast cancer survivors and advocates created a holiday-themed designer show house to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The 2011 participants were some of the top names in interior design, and visitors viewed many rooms inspired by several different holidays, including Christmas, Mother’s Day and the Chinese New Year. We were galvanized from the showcases and decided to share some of our favorite rooms this season.

Chinese New Year by Inson Dubois Wood

Chinese New Year by Inson Dubois Wood

 

Christmas by Bradley Thiergartner Inc.

Christmas by Bradley Thiergartner Inc.

 

Mother's Day by Ally Coulter Designs

Mother's Day by Ally Coulter Designs

 

The 2011 designers and participants included:

  • Aline Matsika Interiors
  • Ally Coulter Designs
  • Avram Rusu Interiors
  • Audio Command Systems
  • BITTT Networking Group
  • Bradley Thiergartner Interiors
  • Bryant Keller Interiors
  • Charles Farruggio LLC
  • Charles Pavarini III Design Associates
  • Cooper, Robertson & Weatherly
  • Deb Landis Design
  • dineen architecture + design pc
  • Duneier Designs
  • Eileen Kathyrn Boyd
  • Felicia Zwebner Design
  • Gordon Photo Ink
  • GRADE Architecture + Interior Design
  • Hite Construction
  • Inson Dubois Wood LLC
  • Isabella Garrucho Fine Art
  • James Rixner Inc.
  • Jolie Korek & Co.
  • McCollum Interiors
  • Metamorfaux
  • Michael Rosenblum
  • Modello Designs
  • Niki Dankner Photography
  • Pompanoosuc Mills
  • Potterton Books
  • SFERRA
  • Suzanne Eason Interiors
  • Traditional Home

Proceeds from the event  benefited the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer. For unique ways to decorate your home for the holidays, contact The Decorative Touch.

Photos: The Holiday House

Celebrating Decorative Touch’s 200th Blog Post!

We have a very exciting announcement for the Decorative Touch blog: We have been blogging for about two years now, and have reached our 200th blog post! In honor of the occasion, we thought it would be fun to look at our most popular posts since the beginning of our blog back in December 2009. Here’s a look at the most highly-viewed posts so far:

One of the colorful hotels from our third most popular post to date.

1. Jennifer Aniston’s Stylish Platform Bed

2. Featured Project: Leawood Kitchen Remodel

3. Color Cues from Design Hotels

4. Glamorous Design Ideas for Your Home Office

5. Nursery Style Alert: Birds, Owls, Giraffes, Oh My!

Thank you so much to all of our readers! We hope you continue to follow our updates on interior design news and tips, what’s in style and Decorative Touch design projects. Do you have a favorite Decorative Touch blog post? Leave a comment to let us know your top pick!

Image via casasugar

3 Big Trends in Home Decor

Are you wondering what’s going on in the world of interior design? An array of new home furnishing products were introduced at the recent High Point Market, an important industry trade show. We were very excited to see the “Fall/Winter 2011 Market Style Report,” which includes information on all the latest trends in design. Here are a few of the big home decorating trends you should know about (interestingly, many of these are also big right now in fashion design):

  • Furniture and accessories are putting a modern spin on older styles, including glam Hollywood, midcentury modern and Venetian
  • Circular patterns are big, as are those resembling latticework
  • All shades of metallics are gaining traction, adding subtle sparkle to home decor

Visit the High Point Market website to learn more. Which of these interior design trends are you most excited about? Leave a comment to let us know—we’d love to hear from you!

Image via highpointmarket.org

Decorating for Christmas: Ideas and Inspiration

Even with Thanksgiving behind us, we’re still in the midst of the holiday season.  One great thing about the holidays is that they give you a chance to channel your inner “decorator” and really enjoy entertaining your guests.  I love thinking about creating a little Christmas feel in every area of my home; my half bath has a “Fraser fir” candle burning that smells just like a real Christmas tree!  I hope my favorite photos from this Houzz ideabook inspire your decor as you are undoubtedly stringing your Christmas garland and lights!

Happy decorating!

–Janine Terstriep, The Decorative Touch

Photos via Houzz

Beautiful Table Decorating Ideas for Entertaining

We’ve already shared ideas for designing the perfect Thanksgiving table, but this Thursday isn’t the only time you could be playing hostess this season! We love the idea of entertaining family and friends throughout the holiday season, and an ideabook we came across on Houzz recently—“Set Your Table for a Festive Dinner Party”—is full of ideas for dining table décor that will look beautiful in wintertime and some throughout the year. Here are a few of the table settings that really stood out to us:

Be sure to visit Houzz for a look at all the wonderful photos and ideas from the article.

Happy entertaining!

Photos via Houzz