Looking for a quick makeover of your room but not sure where to start? Here are 3 quick tips to get you started!

1. Shop Your House!Look in closets, spare rooms, attics, basements, and garages for items you may have forgotten.And if that strategy doesn’t work, make a list of what youneed including sizes and colors so you can hunt through flea markets, auctions, second hand stores or garage sales to get just the right item.And don’t keep storing those extra pieces of furniture. Turn them into cash at your favorite resale shop so you can get what you really love!

2. Take stock of your inventory and imagine ways that you canredesign with your furnishings whether its repainting them or repurposing them for a different function.For example I just took a men’s valet that was sitting in a corner of a client’s home and repurposed it as a towel rack in their master bathroom. And it looks fantastic!

3. Tell your story! Use items you loveto decorate your room but ensure that youcome up with aplanfirst so youknow what type of style and colors will be in your space. And of course if you can’t decorate, callyour favorite designer for a little help!

For more fabulous ideas fordecorating on a budget, don’t miss Living Large this Sunday at 10AM CST on NewsRadio98.1FM and 980AM KMBZ (streams live also on kmbz.com) as Iinterviewnationally known interior designer Matthew White!

Plus if you’re looking for ideas forremaking your bathroom, tune into Living Large with Karen Mills this Saturday at 10:30AM CST on Kansas City’s Business channel on 1660AM as Italkwith nationally known interior designer Timothy Corrigan.

And become a fanof Living Large on Facebook now or listen to a past podcast on our blog!

If you’re looking to create arefuge at homeand love the calming color of gray, I’m sure you’llfind inspiration in these beautiful new furnishings, fabrics, and rugs just being introduced at market!

Gray upholstered designer custom bed

Of course once again I went absolutely crazy over all the new fabrics at market that will be available soon, especially the ones witha great hand (feel) or shimmer like this sheer pictured below!

New gray designer fabric

Don’t you just love the way the fabric designers are combiningcoolgray withbrowns to make the fabric more warm and inviting? Andwhat about this fabric below thatresembleslayers of rock formed over thousands of years.

New designer fabric

And finallyI came across this delicate leaf fabric, that seems almost real with the textured overlay of leaf imprint.

For more cool new interior design and decorating trends don’t miss Living Large this Sunday at 10AM CST on News Radio 98.1FM and 980AM (also streams live on kmbz.com)as I talk with nationally known interior designer Barbara Barry about how to personalize your interior.

Or if you’re looking for interior design ideas for your flooring and walls, tune into Living Large with Karen Mills this Saturday at 10:30AM CST on Kansas City’s Business channel on 1660AM as I interview interior designer Paul DiMeo from ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show.

(Designer bamboo silk rug pictured above with the most incredible hand ever!)

Closetup of bedroom makeover by interior designer Karen Mills

This owner of this master above had a wonderful eclectic collection of found pieces so it was truly a joyto makeover this master using existing furnishings during alocal TV segment. To startI imagined a tropical serene spacewhere all the cares of the day would disappearso adding a palm tree and replacing darker fabrics with lighterfeminine touches seemed appropriate along with adding thepampered feel of breakfast in bed.Just imagine how nice it would be to wake up tothis room every morning!

Bedroom makeover before photo

Master bedroom wall before

This owners of this master had begun to create their design previously with this gorgeousraspberrycomforter and chocolate leather bed but needed a little help to complete the look of their space.

Since they obviously had a taste for Asian style, I continued the theme by placing inexpensive bamboo shoots behind the bed, layered over arichly textured raspberry designer grasscloth pluscustom bamboo blinds to convey a peaceful setting where they can relax at the end of a long day.

Master bedroom wall makeover by Karen Mills

In themaster below which is still a work in progress, I snapped a quick photo (sorry about the quality)after we finished installing acustom designed cornice board and beautiful duponi silk draperies along with a velvet textured taupe wall hanging.Doesn’t it look wonderful with our custommohair wingback bed, mirror nightstands, hanging lamps and designer fabrics?!Pefect for a Hollywoodglam space that’s not too feminine.I’m ready to dive in and spend the day lounging even though the space isn’t finished. What about you?!

Bedroom makeover currently in progress by Karen Mills

For more great bedroom design ideas don’t miss Living Large at 10AM CST this Sunday on News Radio 981.FM and 980AM KMBZ (also streams live on kmbz.com) this Sunday as nationally known interior designer and French Country author Charles Faudree shares his design secrets along with K.C. native and New York interior designer Marshall Watson!

Plus if you want more tips about furniture and fabrics, tune into Living Large with Karen Mills this Saturday at 10:30AM CST in Kansas Cityas I interview HGTV’s host of Find Your Style, Karen McAloon plus Christopher Lowell.

Plus join us on Facebook or Twitter!

Looking for the latest in casual style?! Here’s the latest interpretations from different designers and manufacturers around the world.

Casual kitchen by designers Bonesteel and Trout on Cultivate

As you can see, design has progressed towards a more organic undecorated relaxed look that makes you feel right at home. Some of the ways we as interior designers accomplish this look is through layering materials of varying textures, using organic products/design,keeping simpler lines, and leaning toward a more undecorated look such as the asymmetrical pillow layout on the striped sofa below..

William Yeoward's new Manton collection available through Osborne & LIttle

For more great tips on how to create a casual look including sandblasted granite, don’t miss Living Large this Sunday at 10AM CST on News Radio 98.1FM and 980AM KBMZ (also streams live on kmbz.com)as I interviewnationally known interior designer Charles Allem who created this beautiful island style design below.

Design by Charles Allem

And if you’re looking for outdoor living designideas, tune into Living Large with Karen Mills this Saturday at 10:30AM CST as I speak with DIYNetwork’s Billy Derian about design tips for outdoor spaces.

Plus become a fan on Facebook or Twitter now!

Ready to celebrate the bestspring ever in your own backyard? Here are some great inexpensive tips to make the most of your outdoor space.

When I caught the spring fever of the season, I immediately went shopping in my own home to search forextra decor that could be repurposed outdoors. It’s amazing what I discoveredfroma bamboo birdcage, a metalcandle chandelier, and chinese paper lanterns that willhang from my pergolatoshells, a candlebra,a wicker tray and an old sisal rugthat will addgreattexture to my space.

Backyard design featured by House Beautiful magazine

So why not shop your house for hidden treasures toothat you can bring outdoors or peruse stores and estate sales for vintage items you can repaint or remake to create a one of kind space instead of buying a matched set of furniture that doesn’t show off your personality!

Of course I’m also a huge fan of hammocks and even though I hadn’t had one for a fewyears, my son recentlyturned me on topolyester hammocks that set up anywhere, last longer andfold easilyinto a tiny pouchallowing you to take them around the worldwhich is exactly what my son plans to do with his ashe heads overseas next semester.

But if around the world isn’t an option for you why not take your hammock to you own backyard,the woods behind your house like our family doesor even to a nearbypark where you canjust enjoy the day!

For more great outdoor living ideas don’t miss Living Large this Sunday at 10AM CST on News Radio 981.FM and 980AM KMBZ as I interview DIY Network’s Matt Blashaw of Yard Crashers as he shares wonderful ideas on making over your backyard along withTraditional Home magazine style editor Krissa Rossbund.

Clam chairs from Walmart

Or if you’re wanting to makeover your kitchen tune into Living Large with Karen Mills in Kansas City at 10:30AM CST on the KMBZ Business channel on 1660AM as the HGTV Kitchen Cousins Anthony Carrino and JohnColanerishare their ideas for remaking your kitchen.

Plus become a fan of Living Large on Facebook or Twitter!

Don’t know if you’ve noticed but in the last few years we seen a shift towards bathrooms becoming more integrated with the master similar to the way kitchens have become moreconnected toour living areas. Butnow I’m seeing a shift

Bathrooms from Realtor.com

toward bathrooms that connect with the outdoors or are physically located outdoors. Check it out!

Bathrooms from Realtor.com

But that’s not all I’m noticing. The shower walls in contemporary bathrooms have begun to disappear too. And along with that we’re seeing exciting new options like this floor level shower tray below by Kaldewei.

For more cool bathroom ideas and trends, tune in this Sunday at 10AM CST on Living Large on News Radio 98.1FM and 980AM KMBZ (also streams live on kmbz.com) as I talk with nationally known interior designer Timothy Corrigan along with the Kitchen Bath Design News editor Janice Costa.

Terrence Conran bath

And you missed the color trend forecast for this year or next, then don’t miss Living Large with Karen Mills on Kansas City’s KMBZ business channel on 1660AM.

Bath by Patrick Ladeau

Looking for the latest wallcovering trends for your interior design?! Here they are!

Crocodile skin

I can’t believe how far we’ve come with wall tiles like the orange crocodile skin tile featured above!

But don’t forget about wallpaper for your living spaces too like this deliciously rich croc skin wallpaper in purple.

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