If It Was Your Home That Won, Would You Jump, Scream or Cry?

There is nothing more thrilling than watching my client’s eyes light up when they walk into their home and see my design for them, for the very first time.  Some jump up and down, some cry, some scream (and keep on screaming for a long time) and some flap their hands. I have also gotten the quiet hands over their mouths clasped in amazement.  For that one, I have to gently remind them to breathe!  It is moments like that that make all the work I do worth every minute.

But, those moments belong to my clients to enjoy every day of THEIR lives.

For me, I get an additional moment in time…an interior design award.

At this year’s Design Excellence Awards on the lovely terrace at 909 Walnut, hosted by Kansas City Home Design magazine, I was honored with two.  One was a gold for Living Room Design and the second was a silver for a precious baby girl’s room I designed in the Specialty Room catagory.  It is hard not to smile (or flap my hands!) when someone recognizes all of my work, creative thoughts and ideas for each space.  We all want to be appreciated.  What many don’t realize about me, is that those awards add to my hopes and joy for each of my clients’ lives, too.  Each design I create is a dream come true for me, as well as them.

Thank you, KC Home Design, Zach Lieberman, Katie Van Luchene, Eryn Swanson and the rest of the staff.  Also, a big thank you to the judges:  Richard Wetzel, Kevin Harden, Kim Tucker, Erin Calvin, Katie Van Luchene, Suzy and Erich Goldstein, Jeremy Knoll and fellow fab blogger Heather Clawson.

Our Before and After Shots Not Included In KCHandG Mag for NARI Homes Tour With Our Featured Project

Andrea Darr of Kansas City Home & Garden magazine chose my work and the construction work of Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction to feature in her beautiful magazine announcing the NARI Homes Tour. So great to see my designs on their pages once again. The home really did turn out famously. The homeowners were absolutely spectacular (see the pic) from start to finish and couldn’t be happier. It was exactly what they wanted! They communicated their wishes to Clay and I and then let us perform the magic we do best.

The article in KCH&G, titled “Family Ties” (April 09′) shows the ‘after’ shots, but I am going to give you the insiders look at the ‘before’ shots below!

We blew out the back wall in the kitchen and added the room with the arched door out on to the new deck. Downstairs, we blew out the back wall to add the indoor pool. Clay and I had such fun designing the fireplace, pizza oven and placing the Green Egg.

Thank you Andrea, Brooke Pearl and Keith Sauro!

"BEFORE" Eating Area, Hearth Room, Family Room

"AFTER" Eating Area, Hearth Room, Family Room

"BEFORE" Hearth Room fireplace

"AFTER" Hearth Room fireplace

"BEFORE" Looking through the window at the new family room

"AFTER" The windows have been removed and the new family room is complete. The chair at left is for their daughter to snuggle and read. Notice the client's beautiful new desk...and her views!

"BEFORE"

"AFTER" For the outdoor gourmet! Notice the all-season fireplace and pizza oven on the far right.

"AFTER" Such a fantastic, relaxing and energizing room for the whole family.

Myself, our wonderful clients and Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction.