We’re Showered With Design Awards

It was an amazing evening.

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

Living Room Gold Award, Before and After

One of my favorite things to do after completing a space, is to walk around and remember what it used to be…

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

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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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A Gold Award For A Comfortable Forest

After winning the Gold for this room from Kansas City Home Design magazine’s Design Excellence Awards, I received a lot of questions so I thought I would answer some of them here!

I always try and bring the outdoors inside as it is important not only for the sake of an interior design but for good health.  Whether it be stone, trees, marble, cotton, silk, shaped woods, metals, etc., such materials promote a hearty closeness with nature and an opposition to the slick materials man has created.  Even Fung Shui encourages using those elements for a balanced life.

I always try to look at a space with new eyes and thought with this room, ‘Who said these bookshelves had to be used for books?’  With that, we ripped them out and brought the outdoors in.

"BEFORE"

The stone fireplace was a work of art hidden behind a wall, ordinary shelves and a dull palette. The unusual solution for a couple that loves the outdoors?

"BEFORE"

Bring the outdoors in!  Birch, oak and walnut trees now complement the natural beauty and colors and veins of the rock. The tree’s hand-made leaves colored in coppers, golds and silvers echo the metallic embroidered silk drapes and luxurious custom love seats. Now let it rain or snow outside all it wants.

"AFTER"

To create your own oasis plan a natural stone wall or floor for rich texture for the eyes and feet.  For placement, let the rock ‘speak’ to the stonemason.  In this room, I used soft cottons and lush silks to contrast the roughness of the stones.  For depth and a directional change, real trees, grasses and twigs add a fascinating interest and color.  If you choose to do the same, just be sure your pieces are free of any critters.  Though Fung Shui encourages live plants in all rooms, I think dried naturals can be beautiful in addition to.

Bring in a bowl of beautiful rocks, shells, small sticks or pinecones you have collected.   Let your children add to the bowl so they can contribute and increase their observation skills while playing in the sun.

I found this head of Quin Yin while shopping with my friend in Seattle. Carried her home on the plane. She is 45 pounds and just fit under the seat in front of me.

A Few More Pics…

Another quick mention and photo from the evening…such an honor!

I collect costume jewelry so I am a little partial to this cover.

That is me in the upper right-hand corner.