Comforting Touch

Soothing tones and textures bring a relaxing vibe to this renovated Lake Quivira home.

Words by Corinne L. Casazza |

When a Lake Quivira couple envisioned remodeling their home, they wanted to create a peaceful environment where their active, young family of six could relax and unwind. Designer Karen Mills, owner of Interiors by Design, evoked the feeling with warm wood, various textures and calming blue tones.

“Tone on tone, that monochromatic look, or colors in similar hues, bring in relaxation,” she says.

The major challenge for the 1974 home was gaining light.

“The whole kitchen was dark and dreary. We took out support pillars that were really detracting from the kitchen and opened it up to be more functional,” Karen says.

General lighting, work lights over the island and accent lighting add ambiance and brightness. The walnut on the front of the island prevents scuffs

The walnut on the front of the island prevents scuffs and brings warmth to the kitchen. Here, Karen went with a more enduring look instead of something contemporary.

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The kitchen is now a multifunctional space for entertaining yet is still intimate enough for family only. Karen created multiple zones in the space—such as the small table where someone could do homework. Opposite that, a set of swivel chairs provides a cozy spot to watch snow fall while enjoying warmth by a fire.

Originally, the hearth room fireplace donned old-looking, gold-and-gray stone. For the remodel, Karen bumped the fireplace out and raised it to the ceiling. She used a stacked stone to texturize it.

“What’s really important about texture is it gives you that sense of calm,” Karen describes. “Touch determines how we feel about a finish. When we touch soft fabric or a textural fabric like the soft stone of the hearth, it gives it a feeling of physical contact that creates comfort. Even if there’s no one in the room, it’s still providing sanctuary.”

The back of the hearth room is simply a view of woods over the lake. Karen trimmed the windows in dark charcoal to stand out. The organic rug brings the feeling of nature indoors.

The abstract painting in the dining room draws the eye up to highlight the two-story ceiling, which makes the hearth room feel bigger. The chandelier over the table adds to the effect. A well-placed bowl on the table looks like someone just crafted it with their hands. Sourced from The Showroom, it adds a rough-hewn, naturally textured feel, seamlessly melding the different elements of the space together.

Interior Designer: Interiors by Design, @interiordesignaholic

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