1. Outdoor living rooms over dining rooms.  Gone are the days of just simply buying  a large table with six flanking chairs for an outdoor space.  Now homeowners are demanding living areas that can handle conversation and dining whether it’s a sofa and chairs or a fabulous sectional.

2. Smaller scale features that can fit into a tighter space such as outdoor grills instead of kitchens and small fire pits or patio heaters over full size fireplaces.

3. Multifunctional furniture that can transform from living room seating to dining area chairs such as sectionals made of individual seating that can be moved around as needed. Or furniture that can transform from a coffee table to a fire pit.

For more fabulous ideas on outdoor living, you don’t want to miss Living Large with Kansas City’s designer Karen Mills Sunday at 10AM CST on KMBZ on 98.1FM and 980AM as DIY Network host Jeff Devlin shares his insight along with Eric Liskey, gardening editor for Better Homes & Gardens magazine, plus September Trible,  a representative for Hope Raiser, shares the amazing stories victims of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado are writing on the back of  their T shirts.  www.raisesomehope.org And if you’re wanting to give your bedroom a makeover, then tune into Living Large with Karen Mills tomorrow at 10:30AM CST on the KMBZ Business channel on 1660AM as Kansas City native and New York interior designer Marshall Watson shares his tips for beautiful bedroom interior design. Plus become a fan of Living Large on Facebook now!

1. Add pops of color throughout your room using scraps of wallpaper, fabrics, repainted décor or items you already own.  Possibilities for color might include the backs of shelves, lamp shades, stair risers, ceilings, floors, or even headboards.

2. Introduce pattern and/or texture on your walls with wallpaper, fabric, stick on decals, or another wall covering.  Isn’t the black tree decal pictured just delicious?

3. Add layers (and texture) to your room’s design with soft window treatments, area rugs, pillows or throws.

For more great ideas on how to decorate on a budget, don’t miss interior decorating on a budget with interior design author and decorator Christopher Lowell along with nationally known interior designer Matthew White on Living Large with Kansas City’s designer Karen Mills this Sunday at 10AM CST on KMBZ on 981.FM and 980AM.

1. Pick a color scheme that will embody the experience you want to create in your space whether it’s relaxing and sleeping or a more exciting feel.

If relaxation and rest are at the top of your list, why not try one of my favorite color choices, watery blues or blue greens that evoke a wonderful calm atmosphere.

Still unsure?  Hire a professional interior designer to help you select colors and design custom bedding with gorgeous designer fabrics.  Or if your budget doesn’t allow, simply purchase ready made bedding.  Then simply pull out your favorite colors from the bedding for your color scheme including walls, window coverings, flooring, and accessories.

2. Enhance your focal point (your bed) in the room.   Begin with fabulous bedding and a gorgeous bed that draws you in every time you enter the room.   Then add more elements like wall screens, artwork, nightstands with beautiful lamps, wonderful accent lighting, and an attractive wall covering whether its simply paint, wallpaper, or even an entire upholstered wall!

3. Layer, layer, layer!  Once your bed and furniture are in place, layer in a hand knotted area rug underneath,  gorgeous throw pillows or a throw on the bed, and layers of window treatments often include a combination of both hard and soft elements.

For great bedroom design tips tune into Living Large Sunday mornings at 10AM CST on 981.FM and 980AM!

(A group of fabrics I put together for a client’s room)

As an interior designer, I don’t like to push my own design style on a client but would rather help them explore their own style to create a room that showcases their personality.  That’s why I like to meet clients at to the trade only showrooms where they can show me the fabrics or furniture they truly love we can incorporate into their design.

(Another group of fabrics I put together for a room)

(New designer only fabrics)

For more great interior design tips on how to add personality to your space, don’t miss Living Large with Kansas City’s interior designer this Sunday at 10AM CST on KMBZ on 98.1FM and 980AM as I interview interior design icon Barbara Barry along with other experts about the secrets to personalizing your room’s interior design.

And if you’re thinking about updating your bathroom, then tune into Living Large with Karen Mills this Saturday at 10:30AM CST on the KMBZ Business channel on 1660AM as nationally known interior designer Timothy Corrigan shares his design secrets to creating beautiful bathrooms.

Plus become a fan of Living Large on Facebook now!

1. Select your theme - Pick a theme that’s relevant to the type of event or time of year and carry the theme throughout in everything from decorations to food.  For example I threw an event in the dead of winter so my decorations included everything from bare branches and snow to pinecones and snowflakes in a neutral winter palette.   Then I continued the theme with food that fit my wintry scheme and colors such as hot chocolate with marshmallows, spiced cider with cinnamon sticks, and comfort foods that warmed the soul.

Some other great ways to decorate with food might include placing appetizers or desserts in martini glasses or clear containers or any bold color food on white dinnerware to create that “wow” factor.

2. Determine color scheme - One of the most effective color schemes for an event and my personal favorites are a monochromatic (one color) or complementary color scheme such as orange and blue or red and green.  For example, for one event I selected blue as my main color, layering in neutral white and silver to create a beautiful classic color palette that my guest of honor loved!

3. Set the table - For most homeowners, setting the table and decorating in general often becomes the most daunting task.  But if you break it down into simple steps, its much easier.

Once I’ve selected my theme and color scheme, I begin by creating a fabulous centerpiece where its a budget friendly collection of bare branches stuffed into an oversized glass container with pinecones at the base or an elaborate cupcake tree brimming over with delicious cupcakes fresh from the oven.

Just remember the key to success in tabletop decorating is to keep it simple and often organic whether you’re using something from the great outdoors or simply placing rows of carrot sticks and celery upright in a square clear glass container to show off the beautiful orange and green color scheme you selected.

Decorating by Karen Mills

If you’re still lost, trying introducing a tray to hold all your items in the center of your table, creating a vignette with the tall items at back, mixing it up with different textures and shapes in varying sizes.  And don’t forget to have fun with your table settings too!

For more great ideas on interior design or decorating, don’t miss Living Large with

Love the detail on this wallpaper.  Too fun and perfect for a man cave!

What a perfect mix of pattern and aged effect.

Weathered rustic industrial furnishings.  Still a hot trend!

Petrified wood coffee table

Fabulous spring color in fabrics and more!

Want more great interior design ideas and trends?!  Don’t miss the Living Large interior design show with Kansas City’s interior designer Karen Mills this Sunday at 10AM CST on KMBZ on 98.1FM and 980AM as nationally known interior designer Timothy Corrigan shares fabulous ideas for timeless bathrooms!

Or if you’re thinking about a makeover for your outdoor space, then tune into Living Large with Karen Mills this Saturday at 10:30AM CST on the KMBZ Business channel on 1660AM as the DIY Network host of Yard Crashers, Matt Blashaw shares his tips for beautiful backyards!

Plus become a fan of Living Large on Facebook now!

Can you guess who designed these fabulous blanket fabrics with an aged patina?  Hint:  He’s a classic designer with a collection of teepees on his ranch full of Indian style blankets, comfortable furniture, and interesting collections.

Of course, these fabrics were just a few of the countless fabrics introduced, but they remind me of a rustic space I’m currently working on so I wanted to share them!

For more great fabric and furniture ideas, don’t miss our celebrity guest interior designer and author Christopher Lowell this Sunday at 10AM on Living Large on KMBZ on 98.1FM and 980AM!

Or if you’re looking for fabulous interior design ideas, then tune into Living Large with Karen Mills this Saturday at 10:30AM on the KMBZ Business Channel on 1660AM as interior designer and author Thomas Pheasant shares his secrets to success!

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

Design by Richelle Plitt

1. KCTV5‘s anchorwoman Carolyn Long finds inspiring ideas for making over your  space from interior designer Karen Mills, host of design show, Living Large, and through photos of this year’s Symphony Designer’s Showhouse!  Watch video below.

VIDEO – KCTV5

2. Kansas City Star reveals Symphony Designers’ Showhouse Resource room provided by interior designer Karen Mills and KDR Showrooms.  Read full article below.

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/04/20/4193752/find-inspiration-at-the-symphony.html

Photo by Rich Sugg

3. KCH&G magazine‘s  Symphony Designers’ Showhouse special edition highlights the Resource room provided by Karen Mills and KDR Showrooms. 

Browse the full digital issue here!  http://issuu.com/ncihomedesign/docs/kch_g_showhouse?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true

For more great interior design tips, join our design blog now, listen live to Living Large on KMBZ Sundays at 10AM on 98.1FM or 980AM, Saturdays on the KMBZ Business channel on 1660AM at 10:30AM in Kansas City, or follow us on Facebook!

1. Fire pits and fireplaces top the list of desirable features I believe because they create an inviting atmosphere, while adding warmth and extending the life of outdoor spaces during colder winter months.

2. Grills or outdoor kitchens are a great way to keep the kitchen from heating up in the summer while also providing another opportunity to enjoy some grilled food in the great outdoors.

3. Seating or dining areas top my list because they extend your living space and provide an opportunity to sit in comfort while you entertain or just relax on a beautiful day. And don’t you just love this hanging bed featured at this year’s Symphony Designers’ Showhouse in Kansas City?!

For more great ideas on outdoor living trends, don’t miss our all star lineup of celebrity guests this Sunday at 10AM on Living Large with Kansas City’s designer Karen MIlls on KMBZ on 981.FM or 980AM as the DIY Network host of Yard Crashers, Matt Blashaw, along with the DIY Network host of Extra Yardage, Billy Derian, share their secrets to beautiful backyard spaces.

Plus if you’re looking for fabulous ideas on interior design or architecture, then tune into Living Large with Karen Mills this Saturday at 10:30AM on the KMBZ Business channel on 1660 AM as nationally known interior designer and author Barry Dixon shares some incredible design ideas!

Plus become a fan of Living Large on Facebook now!

In the photo shown above are fabrics I recently selected for a client’s fuchsia sofa we had previously specified.  Which fabrics pictured do you think were created by the same  interior designer?

For more great tips on interior design, don’t miss Living Large Sunday with Kansas City’s interior designer Karen Mills as one of the interior designers who created some of these beautiful fabrics, Thomas Pheasant, shares his secrets to gorgeous living spaces on KMBZ (also streams live on kmbz.com) on 981.FM and 980AM!

Plus, become a fan of Living Large on Facebook now!