I was shocked as my new business partner, Carmen Thomas and I, kept hearing my name over and over at the Design Excellence Awards by KC Magazine.  I am flattered beyond flattered and oh, so humbled. It is such a joy to have my work, time, effort, ideas and dreams recognized.  No one knows how much work an interior designer REALLY does for their clients like the people in that room.

The people I would like to thank…Everyone at KC Magazine…Katie Van Luchene, Eryn Swanson, Erin Calvin, Dara Macan, Kim Tucker and all of the other wonderful people at KC Magazine.  Thank you, thank  you.

Of course too, I would like to thank my clients because if it wasn’t for their faith in me, none of the gorgeous rooms would have happened and I wouldn’t have been standing there without my umbrella.

Thank you all so much!

Yours,

Jill

Awards from KC Magazine:

Edward Tanner for Interior Design, Lifetime achievement award

Gold:  Interior, Speciality Room

Gold:  Interior, Bathroom

Silver:  Interior, Dining/Living Room

Bronze:  Interior, Dining/Living Room

Gold:  Interior, Best Use of Art

Bronze:  Interior, Best Use of Art

Silver:  Interior, Children’s Room

Once frustrated, Kerry and Mike Helmuth turned to me for wonderful design solutions.  Their home needed some TLC and a plan.  Once I discovered the direction they wanted to go with their home’s design, the challenge began.  How to combine a cowboy feel with Country French using greens and a bright color pop here and there?  More seating was a priority, too, but of course, not too much stuff.  Less is more, but sometimes, you just have to break the rules.  But when?  Now.

See the full KC Magazine issue as a pdf

Cover of KC Mag Jill Tran Interior Design's work is featured in.

A "before" shot of their living room. They wanted it to be much more beautiful and special.

Another "before" shot of the space. Kerry just wasn't pleased with it. It lacked color and interest for her.

The design I created for them starts to come together with wonderful details and exquisite fabrics. Jill Tran Interior Design.

The same room completed as shot by Bob Greenspan for KC Magazine. It is colorful, interesting, beautiful, has more seating and rich in special details and features to make it wonderful! Jill Tran Interior Design

The same page from KC Magazine. Jill Tran Interior Design

Notice the rich color pops…not too much, but just enough.  The seating is comfortable and welcoming with luxurious fabrics.  The cow art was commissioned from artist Mary Ann Johnson and is of the homeowners’ farm.

Close up of KC Magazine. Jill Tran Interior Design

Me standing in the space, it is fun to enjoy it for a moment. Jill Tran Interior Design

The original shot of the space we took with the bull I found (the plan was to move him to the back hall once the other piece came in, which we did). I love the croc skull I found, too. A little rough and tumble. Jill Tran Interior Design

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Make it fab!
-Jill

Click here to DISCOVER ALL OF JILL’S LATEST BLOGS FULL OF GREAT DESIGN, TIPS AND INSPIRATION

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

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***SEE PART I OF THIS SERIES click here

Click here to DISCOVER ALL OF JILL’S LATEST BLOGS FULL OF GREAT DESIGN, TIPS AND INSPIRATION

What do you think of these rooms?  Let me know by leaving a comment.

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

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Photos: Veranda

***SEE PART II OF THIS SERIES click here

Click here to DISCOVER ALL OF JILL’S LATEST BLOGS FULL OF GREAT DESIGN, TIPS AND INSPIRATION

Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Veranda

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

Contact Jill

“After” my design solutions were installed by our teams.

Speaking of, many of you always ask about my own personal home and want to see what it looks like.  I wish I had more time to work on my own home but I just get too busy designing great spaces for my clients!  Here it is ready for the holidays, in July.

I do love birds and wanted to be sure to bring them into the space.  I adore the close-up Jason took of the roses and bird seed.  It is so festive, warm and sweet.

Photo shoots are always so interesting and enjoyable.  I took a quick snap here from behind the camera to let you in on the fun.

During the photo shoot. Lights, lights, lights!

Make it fab!

-Jill

Click here to DISCOVER ALL OF JILL’S LATEST BLOGS FULL OF GREAT DESIGN, TIPS AND INSPIRATION

Tell me what’s on your mind….leave a comment here for me!

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

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I want to share these dynamic fabrics with you in a small series from that began last week and will wrap up this week.
If you have been dreaming of the right fabric for an accent pillow, bedspread or window treatment, one of these may spark your inner fashion diva.  While they are not for everyone, nor every home, it is still fun to watch them walk down the runway with this quick fashion shoot…

See more inspiring fabrics at Architectural Digest…

Want to see more great fabrics?  Continue this fabric series by clicking here

Make it fab!

-Jill

Click here to DISCOVER ALL OF JILL’S LATEST BLOGS FULL OF GREAT DESIGN, TIPS AND INSPIRATION

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question?  Interior Design question…WWJD? (What Would Jill Do)

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Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

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You can almost do that now here as well.  Isn’t it amazing the difference?

The photos here are from our gold award for the Living Room/Dining Room category for the Design Excellence Awards from the prestigious KC Magazine.  They recognize  Kansas City’s best interior designers, architects and kitchen designers with gold, silver or bronze awards in a variety of catagories for residential and commercial interior and exterior design.  It is always such an honor to have your hard work appreciated.  Thank you again, KC Mag!

"Before"

This client was ready for a complete living room transformation.  She wanted to have her sectional worked into her custom design.  Like so many, she didn’t want to get rid of her oak trim and moldings, but knew the finish looked dated.  She loved the crisp contrast between creams and blacks, but wanted a hint of color here and there.  She desired the room be warm, spacious feeling, transitional (a look between traditional and contemporary) and traditional in feel, sophisticated and friendly.

"After" my design solutions were installed by our teams.

To fulfill the client’s wishes for a space she would love, I decided some crisper lines would be an essential first step.  She loved them.  Small patterns add texture and color.  Interesting artwork in rich hues and fascinating sconces add warmth and mood for entertaining in the evenings. We exchanged the “common” lamps and accent tables with more unique and handsome pieces to give the room a memorable look.  I also chose elegant furnishings for a fuller and more complete layout.  Our design using classic lines, hues and a discerning eye have transformed her main living area into a rich, transitional room for her to enjoy every day!

"Before"

"After" my design solutions were installed by our teams.

Another view of her living space:

"Before"

"After" my design solutions were installed by our teams.

Thank you so much again KC Magazine and judges for the honors!

Make it fab!

-Jill

• Click here to view Jill’s newest tips, advice and inspiration in her popular blog

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question?  Interior Design question…WWJD? (What Would Jill Do)

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Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

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To follow is our bronze in the Living/Dining Room category.

These wonderful clients had a living room space with an awkward floor plan.  It was a long room with great windows and a magnificent view, but the room itself left something to be desired.  They wanted a sectional and great seating for entertaining.  Lighting was an issue in the evening.  She loved green so she and I decided to complement the outdoors and frame them with beautiful pieces with great lines.  The silhouettes in front of the windows needed to be sleeker pieces were what would make her happy.  All of the aging oak needed to be toned down a bit as well.

Mag cover

"Before"

"Before" See the great view?

Our design solutions?

This new area for entertaining needed some wonderful color, softness and beauty so we played up the greens, added drapes up to the crown molding and some beautiful furnishings and accents.  The original oil was commissioned and is fun, unexpected and cuts the space perfectly.  For handsome silhouettes in front of the grand windows, natural sticks, a darling lamp with a semi-opaque glass body and a “tree” table base over marble were perfect.

They are both so thrilled now with their main living space.  It was great fun to help them take a room they had no feelings for and make it wonderful for them and their family to enjoy everyday.

"After"

"After"

"After"

Make it fab!

-Jill

• Click here to view Jill’s newest tips, advice and inspiration in her popular blog

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question?  Interior Design question…WWJD? (What Would Jill Do)

Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for her interior design clients in Kansas City and clients around the country.

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After hearing what my readers think about wallpaper, most of us hear “wallpaper” and our minds automatically go back to some very dated looks.  Think TV.  You all mentioned All In The Family, Dallas, Everybody Loves Raymond, Eight is Enough, Family Ties and Growing Pains?  Sooooo yesterday with those set looks, right?!  Today papers are showing up in grand spaces on shows of all kinds.  They are now in young hip shows.  The Apprentice and America’s Next Top Model.  Ant those are just a few.  Of course, paper never left some of the grandest homes I have had the pleasure of seeing in person.  Papers make spaces so amazing.

Another fear I am finding from my readers is not putting the paper up, but taking it down.  To remove it right, the walls must be sized first.  Sizing is similar to applying paint.  It rolls on.  It holds the paper tight to the walls, yet releases it the day you want to change the wall’s surface again.

As far as resale for a home, telling the buyer the walls were properly sized before the paper was hung could make them happy.  Keep in mind though that a fashionable and up-to-date home will attract buyers sometimes more than the “neutral” and/or “safe” home’s design.  When they think back to a home, they will remember the home that was the most beautiful…not the most neutral.

See the paper I added to this little babe's room...it is white with little glass beads for a sheer, gorgeous and light sparkly look.

For thoughts on how to hang wallpaper, check out this link for Seabrook Wallpaper’s directions.  I think they are good instructions and cover most everything.  How To Hang Wallpaper

As far as choosing paper, be aware of the scale of the print.  Smaller rooms should usually have smaller prints, larger prints for larger rooms.  Unless you want a more fun and funky look….like we wanted in the hip bath we redesigned above.  Watch for flocked papers and foils in bathrooms or areas with moisture.  While a lot of papers are tough, some can take a little less cleaning such as with surface added details like the flocking or beads, ete..  Take a chance and make a fun, gorgeous choice. If you aren’t so sure at first, try a smaller space first like a bathroom.  Get a great paper hanger, too that has done this a million times.  They know all about plumb lines, prepasted -vs- non-pasted papers, tricky areas, etc. It is money well spent.

Wallpaper question?  Let me know and shoot me a comment.  Think bigger than paint…think paper!  Send me your pics…I want to see!

Make it fab!

Jill

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pics by Jill Tran Interior Design and Co. and Schumacher

I want my living room to look great.  I am having trouble deciding between paint, faux finishes and even wallpaper???  For some reason the paper scares me a bit.  What do you think?

Love your blog and work.  Thank you very much,

Anne in KC

Hello, Anne!

I get asked this so often…but who doesn’t love a great paper?  If you are thinking about your grandmother’s kitchen, your aunt’s bathroom or the guest room in the house you grew up in, you are thinking way too long ago.

Today’s papers are gorgeous, crisp and exciting.  They add such beauty to a space.  Paint is just not cutting it anymore!

Faux Finishes -vs- Wallpaper -vs- Paint

Faux paint finishes?  My thoughts are this:  Just like with anything in life and design, there are good ones and there are bad ones.  Just be certain you truly have a talented person do your faux finishes that have done them a million times before.  I would rather see a solid paint than a bad faux.  It can be easier to strip wallpaper that has been correctly applied (using sizing first) than to sand down and paint over a faux (depending on the faux)!  Many faux finishes are stained or have the color mixed in so if one was to paint over those finishes, the paint would “fill” the small cracks and the look would be lost.

Paint is well, just paint.  Yet there is nothing like the richness of a beautiful paint job highlighting trims and architectural details. Paint is easy to change or, even paper over!  Texture should be a consideration for you with paint too as there are so many different textures now…even metallic paints.

A few well said thoughts from Seabrook papers:  With so many design options in the world of home decorating today, why use wallpaper? Besides the obvious beauty that wallpaper brings to a home, the practicality of its durability and cleanability is a definite bonus in adorning your walls. Wallpaper is the single most effective way to change a room’s decor. By simply applying paper to a wall, elegant design is instantly present in your home to enrich your living quarters and your everyday experience. While wallpaper has astonishing historical relevance, it is also completely en vogue for today’s home fashions. Artistic designs and contemporary color palettes will enhance your home’s interior and ultimately contribute to the value of your home.

The opportunity to add depth, complex textures, intricate patterns, and varied colors is easily achieved when you choose to use wallpaper. Modern technology has integrated sophisticated printing techniques into today’s wallpaper, providing everyone with the chance to incorporate stunning art into their homes. The colors and patterns of wallpaper can subliminally affect your emotional well-being and attitude, adding a boost of energy, serenity, or cheer to your daily living.

Much attention has been turned to our children’s’ rooms within the world of interior design. Pattern is very important in decorating for children because of the repetition within a design. This repetition, or rhythm, of a pattern promotes problem solving and gives the child a sense of stability. Many visual learning aids have been combined into the designs of Seabrook’s recent children’s lines.  Yet another reason to use wallpaper in a child’s room is the inherent durability and ease of cleaning – always welcome where kids are concerned!

Add to your individuality by choosing a wallpaper pattern that is particularly suited to you, and watch your home transform into a one-of-a-kind backdrop that is a reflection of your life!

So, Anne….I vote wallpaper!  Just find a really great one!

Next blog:  How to choose wallpaper and install it correctly.

In the meantime, make it fab!

-Jill

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More blogs by Jill on Wallpaper, click here. Jill Tran is a Kansas City Interior Designer and creates beautiful, custom interiors for Kansas City Interior Design clients and clients around the country.