Leave Them Open

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If your kitchen design is starting to bore you then it’s time to switch things up. Redesigning your kitchen cabinets will give your kitchen the slightest, but noticeable face lift. Traditionally we store all our everyday dishes behind opaque cabinet doors while our finest china gets all the attention in a display case. Transform your kitchen by opening up your cabinets and showing off your stylish dishware. Your cabinet doors can be removed, replaced with glass or simply left open. Painting the inside of the cabinets  adds a pop of color and makes your kitchen inviting. What do you think about open cabinetry?

Open cabinetsImage from Southern Living

Open cabinetsImage from Coastal Living

Open cabinetsImage from House Beautiful

Open cabinetsImage from House Beautiful

Ceiling Color

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Look up. Literally. What do you see? When the majority of us look up we see plain, white, standard ceilings. When designing a room, the ceiling is often neglected, but they shouldn’t be. Painting the ceiling of your space enhances and completes your design.  Choose the dominant color in your room, or one that was used to accent and give your ceiling some color. Have fun with it by choosing a glossy paint, one that is pearlized or even lacquered. Call us today to help bring your ceiling color ideas to life.

Room with painted ceilingRoom with painted ceiling

Room with painted ceilingRoom with painted ceiling

Room with painted ceilingImages from Belle Maison

Tip of the Week #12: Inspiration

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Have any of you seen the July issue of Architectural Digest?   The article and photos of Cher’s Indian Fantasy are amazing!  What I really love about this is that this home is such a reflection of the home owner. If you don’t see Cher reflected in this space, you are missing something.  She is exotic and over the top in her performances as well as her use of large scale accessories that enhance the rich neutral palette chosen for this daring diva. I commend her designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard. He truly represented the spicy, bold, woman who lives in this space. And yet, this feels serene and romantic at the same time. Bravo!

I do love Architectural Digest as one of the best design resources for great “ahhh” photos. If ever you need great inspiration there is always something wonderful between the pages of this magazine.  Perhaps our lives are not so grand, but there is always something to modify into our own space. For example, the neutrals chosen for Cher could be a great starting point for many of you, and your accessories like hers  should reflect your personal taste. Accessories are the “jewelry” of the home.  Choose those that make you feel at home. Maybe you would prefer more color, look to your closet. What we wear reflects what we love.  As always, look to your designer for expert advise!
Happy Inspiration,
Janine

Fourth of July Celebrations

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America’s birthday is in a few days and it’s time to get any last minute celebration plans underway. Do you usually celebrate by relaxing with family, attending a parade or fireworks show, taking a trip or barbecuing? Well if you are staying in and hosting, try creating some patriotic dishes. Food Network’s Flag Cake and Fourth of July Cocktail are sure to please party-goers.flag cake

If you don’t have any plans, celebrate with these community events close to Lenexa:

All White Everything

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If you are considering redecorating for summer, in addition to all the bright colors floating around throw in white. White walls, white furniture, white lamps—all white everything. White is just as bright as any summer color and it will make your room seem clean, cool and crisp. Your white interiors will also attract amazing summer sunlight and make your space seem bigger. Check out these beautifully design white rooms and call us to being planning your all white everything space.

White living roomImage from Coastal Living

White kitchenImage from Country Living

White bedroomImage from Elle Decor

White bedroomImage from Apartment Therapy

Tip of the Week #11: Sex and The City 2 Interiors

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To ‘all the single ladies’ and all the married ladies for that matter, if you haven’t yet seen the movie “Sex and the City 2”  let me just say, I for one genuinely enjoyed it. While watching the very talented Sarah Jessica Parker and team, you can certainly get a tip or two not only for your interiors (Carrie even admitted to cheating on fashion with furniture), but fashion on as well. In true form, interiors always follow fashion. Take a special note as to how much wallcovering is used in Carrie and Big’s Manhattan penthouse. What a gorgeous uptown showcase!  I would want to relax a little more comfortably, in a less stream lined sofa, but leave it to Carrie to select the sofa that doesn’t make perfect sense. Sex and the City 2 is a movie that takes you away for an hour or two and leaves you wanting to go shopping in more ways than one (You single girls know what I mean!). Enjoy every minute and who knows, maybe we will see a nursery in Carrie’s next penthouse.  It’s possible right?  Are you a Carrie Bradshaw fan??  Or have the Sex and the City girls gone far enough, traveling across the world?  Let us know what you think…

Sex and the City 2 decorSex and the City 2 decor

Janine
Images from Elle Decor

Battle of the Barbeque

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Great Lenexa Barbeque BattleWell Lenexa it’s time for the official Kansas State Championship, the Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle. Keeping with tradition, the battle will be held the fourth Saturday of June which is this weekend the 25th and 26th. The 195 contestants from all-over will bring their secret recipes and personal smokers to compete for the coveted title of the Grand Champion of the Great Lenexa Battle. Samples will be judged by 240 judges in the following categories: brisket, pork, ribs, sausage, chicken, whole animal, and miscellaneous. Come out to Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park this weekend for barbeque, children’s activities and music with the community!

  • What: Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle
  • When: 5pm- 11pm Friday June 25, 9am – 5pm Saturday June 26
  • Where: Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park
  • Admission: $5 Friday, Free Saturday

For more information visit the city of Lenexa site.

In Shape With Your Decor

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measuring tapeDoes your interior design make you eat more or less? According to Dr. Oz there are ways your home décor can help you stay in shape. Sounds too good to be true right?  Well Dr. Oz said it so we are going to keep an open mind. Try some of these home décor tips and see if they help you keep the pounds off this summer.

  • Open and Airy: Keeping the windows and shades in your home open this summer makes you indoor environment light, which will reduce your appetite.
  • Fruit on the table: Keeping a fruit centerpiece on your dining room table will help you lose an extra 5 pounds a month studies show. The sweet smell of flowers increases your appetite while fruit decreases it.
  • Opaque Dishes: Using opaque dishes reduces your appetite because you can not see through them.
  • Go Outside: People naturally eat less in the summer when its hotter outside. Sun light also decreases serotonin levels which reduces any depression or need for comfort foods.

In addition to these tips, remember to eat healthy and continue with your regular exercise routine.

First seen on casasugar.

All-America City Awards

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All America City logoThe time is here Lenexa. This week The National Civic League will present the All-America City Awards in Kansas City. The National Civic League serves as an advocate for democracy in communities by bringing together public, private, non-profit sectors. As you know we are one of 27 finalists along with Riverside for the 2010 All-America City award. To be considered we had to submit an application and demonstrate three examples of problem–solving in our community.  The 10 winners will be announced Friday so keep your fingers crossed and ears open! For more information visit All-America City Awards.


Photo Credit All-America City Awards



Janine’s Tip of the Week #10: Area Rugs

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It seems like lately I have been asked how to transform a space with a reasonable investment.  Well,  given the economy that is certainly understandable.  If you have good “bones” in your space, you might consider a great new area rug.  Often that is the one piece to the puzzle that is transforming and will give you the “wow” you were looking for that can change everything. If you are at the luxury of starting your design project then I suggest you begin with the area rug. Area rugs ground an entire space and add texture, color, and pattern. They tend to give the entire space the much needed connection that was once lacking. It can set the stage for the rest of the  pieces  and help you select the wallcovering, furniture, fixtures, drapery and accessories. Area rugs truly are a great accent to any room…living, dining, hearth, and bedrooms.  I might suggest a few favorites that we carry in our showroom:  Jaunty Rug Company, Feizy Rugs, and Davis and Davis Rugs.  Happy rug shopping…as always, we are here to help!
Jaunty Rug

Jaunty rug

Feizy Rug

Feizy rug

Davis & Davis Rug

Davis & Davis rug

Janine
Images of rugs from Jaunty, Feizy Rugs and Davis&Davis Rugs.