0203 VintageKC Winter 2013

V intageKC / Winter 2013 1

+Roaring Twenties fashion

Impress with a simple partyTips for buying on Craigslist

1 T I n y T R e e 9 way s | n e w y e a R ’ s R e s o l u T I o n s f o R yo u R h o m e

Home. Fashion. DIY.

new Column: Renovated Recipes!

2013 Gift Guide

faRmhouse

fResh

VintageKCVintageKCWinter 2013 | vintagekcmag.com

Features10 2013 Gift Guide Shop local and support small businesses with beautiful gifts14 Vintage Spaces We find peace and century-old style in southern Lawrence30 Vintage Fashion Drama, romance and glamour: Our take on 2013’s hottest trend

C olumns05 Our Favorite Finds What’s new in the world of online vintage sales?06 Design Book HGTV Design Star Jennifer Bertrand’s 2014 home resolutions08 Buy & Sell Tips for locally shopping through the world wide web of Craigslist44 Stores We Love Sentimental Journey Antique Mall and Bella B Décor46 Vintage Memories The best of our readers’ holiday recollections

Do-it-yourself24 Vintage Events Throw a sweet, simple holiday party 36 Renovated Recipes Make and give: Spiced Apple Sugar38 DIY Crafts 10 ideas for trimming tiny trees


ContentsWinter 2013 • Volume 2 Issue 3

V intageKC / Winter 20134

from the editorPublisher/Editor

Erin [email protected]

Editorial/Fashion AssistantCalli Green

[email protected]

Copy EditorAngela Snell

Staff

C ontributorsKim Antisdel

Jennifer BertrandGretchen Brittain

Michael FryJames Fry

Courtney JenkinsJamie Kaczmarczyk

Megan KappleAudrey KuetherAmy McCarterKristen PaulsonDeborah Vogler

Quinn WhiteHaley Williams

VinTAGEKC VOLuME 2, iSSuE 3 iS PuBLiSHED QuArTErLy By Erin SHiPPS

in OVErLAnD PArK, KS. COPyriGHT 2013, Erin SHiPPS. ALL riGHTS rESErVED.

rEPrODuCTiOn in PArT Or in WHOLE WiTHOuT WriTTEn PErMiSSiOn OF THE

PuBLiSHEr iS STriCTLy PrOHiBiTED. PrinTED in THE u.S.A.

P hotographyWilliam and Jill DiMartino

Audrey KuetherVixen Pin-up Photography

An old farmhouse breathes new life. Photo: William and Jill DiMartino.

On the C over

Peace and Joytepping my boot-clad feet onto Winnie Curtis’ gravel driveway in southern Lawrence for the first time was a special moment. Surrounded by tree-laden hills, crop fields and blue sky, it’s not hard to imagine why early

settlers moving West never made it to the mountains — Kansas and Missouri are truly beautiful places.

Winnie’s husband’s great grandparents were the first owners of her Prairie Four Square home, and visiting there now, it’s like time stands still. Though many, many years have passed, and the world has changed tremendously, it’s easy to visualize what it must have been like when the home was new.

It’s moments like those — standing in the peace and quiet, listening to the sounds of nature, just breathing — that connect

us to the past as well as the present. These moments wash away time and space and encourage us at our innermost being.

City life has its perks, its excitement, its grandeur. I feel alive in so many ways in the city. But working two full-time jobs (this isn’t my only gig), raising a preschooler, taking care of a home, nurturing my relationship with my husband, family and friends, can definitely be overwhelming. I know you’ve been there! If we let being busy get the best of us, it’s so easy to lose sight of the joy of this one life we’re all given.

And joy — family, friends, laughter, giving, celebrating, and new beginnings — is what this season is all about.

In this issue, not only are we featuring the amazingly restored Curtis farmhouse, but also a fes-tive holiday party to impress your friends. Our creative people are adorning trees, we’re exploring the decadent fashion world of “The Great Gatsby,” learning about buying on Craigslist, and taking note of Jennifer Bertrand’s 10 resolutions for the home. We’ve also filled four pages with unique locally made gifts for the giving season. New for this issue is a column devoted solely to what goes on in the kitchen. Our new writer Courtney is a whiz with reviving vintage recipes in healthy and exciting ways!

In 2014 we will enter our second year of publishing and we have lots of ideas in the works. Keep a close eye on us as we plan to offer a small business workshop (sign up for the email info list at vintagekcmag.com/small-business-academy), and we may just have a couple of special digital editions in addition to our print magazine for your viewing pleasure.

I think you’ll like what we have in store. However you spend the next three months, I hope you find time to be present, connect with

the past in some way and look forward to the future.

S

^


+Roaring Twenties fashion

Impress with a simple partyTips for buying on Craigslist

1 T I N Y T R E E 9 WAY S | N E W Y E A R ’ S R E S O L U T I O N S F O R YO U R H O M E

Home. Fashion. DIY.

New Column: Renovated Recipes!

2013 Gift Guide

FARMHOUSE

FRESH

VintageKCVintageKCWinter 2013 | vintagekcmag.com

Erinvintagekc vintagekc vintagekcmagazine

Fol low us!VKC vintagekcmag.com


our favorite Etsy finds

Vintage Baubles & Bits: Samsonite suitcase tables, false bottoms covered with vintage maps, $400 set. Party dress, Kappi, size M, $75. Leather gloves with rabbit fur trim, size M/L, $25.vintagebaublesnbits.etsy.com

AdelaideHomesewn: 1950s cocktail dress with velvet bodice and chartreuse plaid skirt, $125. 1970s “Montana Sunrise” space-dyed wrap sweater, $54. 1980s rayon “date night” dress with draped hip detail, $62. Free shipping in the Kansas City area.adelaidehomesewn.etsy.com

WheatStateVintage: Faux alligator suitcase, Samsonite, $45. Vintage salon reclining chair, $60. Snowflake blue Pyrex baking dish set, $75. Pickup, delivery or shipping available. Pickup or delivery only for chair in Lawrence or Kansas City.wheatstatevintage.etsy.com

Good Karma: Vintage handmade folk art log cabin basket, $18. Vintage Mid-Century brass and abalone pitcher, $28. Vintage hand-painted lacquered card box with abalone inlay, $24.goodkarmakc.etsy.com

All of these local Kansas City shops can be found on etsy.com, an online retailer.

The Rag Museum: Dress, Sue Mason Jr by Saba of Califor-nia, size M, $75. 1970s Persian lamb fur coat, size M, $325. Two-piece Pattullo-Jo Copeland dress, sold locally at Swanson’s on the Plaza, size M, $85.theragmuseum.etsy.com


1. CLEan OutIf you thought you were going to use an

item to create something and you haven’t done it in a year, you have to throw it out, donate or sell it!

Remember less is more. You don’t need something on every wall and it actually feels great to the soul to get rid of stuff. And as I like to tell people, just watch an episode of “Hoarders” and you will clean your house. Or you can hire organizers — like Eliza Cantlay of Simplicana, or Sarah Carpenter The Clutter Maven — both Kansas City residents who specialize in helping you make sense of the madness. (They are both amazing!)

2. CREatE a COLOR StORY In YOuR HOME

If someone asked you what your home color palette was, would you know? For ex-ample our home color palette is white, Tiffany Blue and yellow.

If you don’t have one, then that’s an area

design book

you need to work on. Each room should flow into the other rooms bouncing colors throughout the spaces. For example, I have a white entryway with a Tiffany Blue chest on one entryway wall. Then you peek ahead to see a Tiffany Blue office with a white cabinet on one wall and some yellow accents. My living room is white with a yellow coffee table and a wall of bookshelves painted Tiffany Blue. It’s a constant push and pull of your color palette in various ways.

3. CREatE a DRaMatIC FOCaL pOIntWhether it’s in a massive grouping of

16 to 20 large photos hung on the wall or a huge 5’x6’ canvas, find a way to push the boundaries. Perhaps you paint your fireplace black or dark gray to separate it from the wall of bookshelves. Or you find a way to finally use a collection of tea pots that you’ve been collecting over the years and you place 30 of them on shelves on a wall. Whatever it is, creating a dramatic

focal point involves taking the time to ask yourself where you want you want some-one’s eyes to look when they enter a room. Serious business, right?

4. takE a RISk anD DO SOMEtHInG Fun

Is there a photo you’ve pinned on “Pinter-est” that you’ve been dreaming about forever, but have never had the courage to do? Well, now’s the time to try something new! This resolution just encourages you to stop dream-ing about it and take action. To keep yourself from getting overwhelmed with all you want to do in your house, just focus on one item. So go get ‘em!

5. aDD SOME ORIGInaL aRt tO YOuR WaLLS

All too often people do not have any original art in their homes. This is the year to add an original painting, lithograph, pencil drawing, whatever! Whether it’s finding a

By Jennifer Bertrand

Ever wonder what an HGtV Design Star winner would say about designing your space? Lucky you, we’ve got one!

Resolutionsfor your home

10


vintage piece in the West Bottoms, going to the Art Institute’s “Starving Artist” sale, or Prairiebrooke Gallery’s lithographs and prints they have stored away (just ask to see what they don’t have out), you have no excuse not to add an original to your collection. And if you really want to have fun, pick a theme and start collecting paintings or photographs. Whether it’s paintings of whales, landscapes, paint by numbers, whatever; there is no wrong answer if you love it!

6. paInt a pIECE OF FuRnItuREHave you discovered Annie Sloane Chalk

Paint yet? If not, you should. Bella B Décor and Restoration Emporium teach classes and carry the amazing paint. There are also other great furniture paints like CeCe Caldwell, van Gogh, Miss Mustard Seed, local Mother Earth Paint, etc., or you can even make your own. It’s an easy way to make a dining room buffet or nightstand have a fun and happy design moment! You can also mix Annie Sloan paints together to create your own custom color.

7. MakE DESIGn a SOCIaL EVEnt

Create a list of your problem design areas in your home. Print pictures of rooms you like from online or tear out images from magazines. Then, don’t be scared to have friends over and (over wine) ask them your questions and see what solutions they dream up. Start the evening by saying, “Don’t be offended if I don’t use your suggestions but I’d love to hear what others would do with the space.”

Obviously don’t give anyone too much wine or you might hear more than you want to! But why not help each other out? Having photos of what you like will keep the sugges-tions geared toward your dream style rather than theirs.

8. InVOLVE YOuR WHOLE FaMILY IntO tHE DESIGn OF YOuR HOME

Even though it may slow the process down, it’s important for all people who live in your home, of all ages, to have a say. Hang hooks at kid level, or display kids’ art in a prominent place, like over the fireplace.

9. anD 10. HaVE Fun anD tHEn HaVE MORE Fun

If you’re not enjoying it, then something is not going well.

I wish all of you an amazing new year! Here’s to happy new beginnings in your homes and design adventures!^

Jennifer Bertrand is the winner of HGTV’s show “Design Star” season three, and cohost of “Real Life Design” on cravingtalk radio.com. She resides in Weatherby Lake, MO, with her lovely English husband

Chris, her happy son Winston, and has big plans in life to conquer the design world … again.

design book

Email pics and questions to Jennifer [email protected]

Instagram hgtvdesignstarjenniferbertrandFacebook Jennifer Oldham Bertrand

twitter jblovedesign

eO

JRiver Market

Antiques

TOpen Daily

10 a.m. to

6 p.m.

gFind your Own Look by Recycling some amazing Lifestyles from the Past

For information contact: [email protected]

k816.221.0220115 West 5th StreetKansas City, MO 64105

30,000 SQ. FT.

RiverMarketAntiques

~ ~


typewriters, the deal could be yours without the price increasing.

The quest then becomes how to find those deals before anyone else. One of the keys is to search regularly. Often a really good deal will be sold within one or two days of it being posted, sometimes within hours. This means that you have a very small window of opportunity to find the deal, and searching often will increase your chances. There are two major options to stay on top of your Craigslist searches.

Option one: Manually search Craigslist every day. Search early in the morning or whenever you have a few free minutes. This past winter a friend of ours purchased 10 Herman Miller parchment Eames fiberglass side chairs for $450. He got the deal because he took the time to search early one Sunday morning and stumbled across them first. The more often you search, the greater your chances for success.

Option two: If you have a smartphone you can download one of several Craigslist apps (CraigsPro+, Craiglist Mobile) that enable you to set up alerts for custom searches. Say you are always on the lookout for antique doc-tor’s bags; you can create a custom search for “antique leather Dr’s bag” and any time one is posted in the Kansas City area your phone will alert you to the listing.

Another effective technique is to run searches using common misspellings of a name or brand. If you are on the hunt for Broyhill Brasilia furniture, try searching Broy-hil. Also run searches for common variations of words/phrases like mid century, mid-cen-tury, and midcentury. Lastly, (this is our most time-consuming suggestion but possibly the most profitable) cast a wide net by searching with broader terms. If you are looking for Eames chairs, try searching with terms like “vintage chair” or “plastic chair” instead of searching “Eames Herman Miller.” A Brown Button regular told us he purchased three Carter Brothers Scoop Chairs this past year by running a search only using the keyword “retro.” He purchased all three for $425 and has since sold two for more than $400 each.

Craigslist rewards those who put the time (and gas) into hunting down the deals. As with any treasure hunting activity, be safe, and use common sense. We wish you well on your Craigslist cruising.

t is a pretty good assumption that if you buy and sell on a regular basis then you have had some type of interaction on Craigslist. Most resellers have at least a few

stories detailing their triumphs and tragedies with this online marketplace. In our Fall 2012 article, “The Art of the (Re)Sell,” we touched on the pros and cons of selling on Craigslist. With the selling side covered, we thought we should delve into the other half and focus on effective buying.

Let’s start with the basics: Craigslist is the foremost online searchable database of classi-fied ads in the world. Everything imaginable is for sale, from Mid-Century Modern to motor-cycles — it is listed somewhere on Craigslist. The site is organized into geographical regions; if you live in the Kansas City metro area you would search at KansasCity.craigslist.org.

One of Craigslist’s greatest attributes for buyers is that the prices are set, and you don’t have to bid against anyone else. If someone lists a vintage red Underwood typewriter on eBay for $50, the bidding system kicks in and the typewriter could end up selling for well over $150. Even though the seller may not have been edu-cated on the value, the system enabled the item to sell for more. If the same owner of the Underwood lists it on Craigslist for $50 and you are actively searching for vintage

I

^Michael and James Fry are brothers and owners of Brown Button Estate Sales.

Part diligence, part luck, shopping locally from your computer or smartphone is easier than ever.

By Michael and James Fry

buy & sel l

CraigslistThe Ins and

Outs of

Website brownbutton.comEmail [email protected]

Facebook Brown Buttonpinterest theebrownbutton

twitter brown_button


My wife and i have been in the process of restor-ing a turn-of-the-century fixer-upper for the past several years. As a surprise for her birthday this past year i secretly finished all the restoration projects in our library, including a custom hanging pendant chandelier with exposed light bulbs. i attached a vintage 1950s teak wooden bowl with really clean lines to the ceiling. it worked out well for two different reasons: The teak grain added a nice aesthetic to the light, and the bowl shape operated practically with the inside facing the ceiling, con-cealing the light wiring. A humorous side note to the project was that my wife had purchased the bowl several months back, setting it aside as a birthday present for her sister. After seeing the light, she deemed it a worthy sacrifice.

He said ... He said

buy & sel l

A month or two before my second son was born last year, my wife told me that the nursery needed to be completed in short order. not being one to argue with a pregnant woman, i got right on it. We had inherited an early 1960s low boy dresser from my wife’s great grand-mother. it is a nice piece, other than being a sort of minty green, and my wife wanted to use it as

a changing table. We painted it and a night-stand blue-gray and added new brushed nickel pulls. We found several wire bicycle models and baskets at sales around town and hung them on the walls, along with our son’s name spelled out in vintage metal letters. The crib and bookshelf in the room are modern espresso, but when paired with the older pieces, we had a vintage nursery that any pregnant woman would be proud of.

What vintage DIY project are you most proud of?

Michael James

901 S. Parker Olathe, KS 66061

913-768-0084Shop Monday - Saturday 10 - 6

Sunday 12 - 5

SEE MORE ON FACEBOOK

LONE ELMANTIQUE MALL

LONE ELMANTIQUE MALL


2013 Gift Guide

Creamy C oconut Milk Solid Hair C onditioner and C ocoa Cream Solid LotionMILk anD HOnEY natuRaLS$10.50; $7.50milkandhoneynaturals.netMilagro Midwestern Spa & Collective, LeawoodFrom a locally owned family business, this solid hair conditioner uses a warm and inviting blend of creamy coconut milk, chrysanthemum extract, rose flower water, fruit extracts, rich oils of macadamia, jojoba and avocado. It will tone, soothe, repair, protect and moisturize. The completely organic solid lotion is a one-of-a-kind blend of therapeutic extracts, oils and butters. Accompanying unrefined cocoa butter is butter of shea, botanical extracts of calendula, sunflower, aloe, Irish moss, marshmallow root and rich oils of grapeseed and sunflower. The lotion creates a protective moisturizing layer that is water and sweat resistant.

Ideas $25 & Under

Hand-poured Cand lespICkWICk & CO.$22pickwickandco.comCharm, Martin CityThese small batch, hand-poured candles feature premium fragrances using natural and essential oils with an all natural soy and vegetable blend wax and a clean burning cotton and zinc wick. Available in 72 scents, we love everything from the masculine Burl Wood to the cheery Holiday.

Be Happy Bath and BodyBY B! BOutIquE$1.95-$20By B! Boutique, Shawnee

Crafted locally for By B! Boutique, this line includes a soap bar ($1.95), hand

soap ($9), shea lotion ($14), room mist ($16) and candle ($20). Winter Wonderland

Mini Makeup KitaSHLEY nELSOn

StuDIOS$25

ashleynelsonstudios.comSolera Salon and Spa,

Overland parkThis holiday special

includes 15 custom minis of your choice, made in

house with the finest all -natu-ral ingredients.

V intage Tie P insMIDGE’S CLOSEt$5-$8tLC thrifty BoutiqueUse these versatile pins made from vintage men’s ties on pillows, clothing or even as tiebacks for curtains.


Darnit Dol lsMIDGE’S CLOSEt$10tLC thrifty BoutiqueQuirky, fun and each one unique, we love these locally handcrafted “ugly” dolls and all their vintage charm.

Bath and BodyMIxtuRE BatH anD BODY$9-$20By B! Boutique, ShawneeBrown Sugar Soap ($9), Brown Sugar Shine and Shea Lotion ($14 each), and Fall Harvest Magnum Votive ($20).

Mustache ChalkboardRazzBERRY WIMzY$15Razzberry Wimzy, Lee’s SummitWe really “mustache” you a question: Don’t you just love this funky chalkboard?


2013 Gift Guide

Chalk Enhanced PaintMOtHER EaRtH paIntS$34.95 (quart)motherearthpaints.comStudio 1404 (kansas City), ReChic Boutique (Mission), as time Goes By (Greenwood)This locally made paint is perfect for the do-it-yourselfer in your life. Available in 11 colors, now including sleek and neutral black and brown. Shown here in Sea Glass, Dove Gray and Vintage Lace.

Lil Mister Soft-Soled Infant Shoes and Girls Soft-Soled Infant and Todd ler ShoesBItSY BLOSSOM$36-$38bitsyblossom.etsy.com, kansas CityAdorable, functional and practical, these locally hand-made soft-soled shoes are the ideal gift for the little ones in your life. Use code FREESHIP when you order online for free shipping in the Kansas City area.

Ideas $50 & UnderWinter Wonderland Makeup KitaSHLEY nELSOn StuDIOS$49ashleynelsonstudios.comSolera Salon and Spa, Overland parkThis kit includes full-sized custom blended lip glosses and eyeshadows to create the perfect holiday look for this winter season!

Swarovski Crystal and Sterling BraceletsBY WICkED RED$30-$35bywickedred.com, kansas CityHand-beaded bracelets are custom made with Swarovski crystals and sterling silver beads. Matching earrings and necklaces also available. Customize for birthstones, sports teams or even breast cancer aware-ness as seen above.


Winter Wonderland Spa PackageaSHLEY nELSOn StuDIOS$49ashleynelsonstudios.comSolera Salon and Spa, Overland parkIncludes a peppermint twist enzyme facial and lots of pampering upgrades. A Frostbitten Mittens heated hand treatment (hands are massaged, wrapped in shea butter, and heated to lock in moisture), a Toasty Toes heated foot treatment (feet are massaged, wrapped in shea butter and heated to lock in moisture) and a Clarisonic/Collagen deluxe eye treatment. Perfect for gifts, great for all skin types. 90 minutes, $175 value, for VintageKC readers only.

2013 Gift Guide

www.shopbonner.comDirections: I-70 to K7 Hwy, Exit 224. K7 to 32 Hwy,Right on 32 (Front St). Shops located on Front, Oak &Cedar Streets & 100 block of N. Nettleton Ave.

Did you knowDowntown Bonner Springs has

several specialty retail shops & locally-owned restaurants?

Let’s plan a day trip to do some holiday shopping!

• Bittersweet on Oak• Dee Dee’s Jewelry

& Vintage Décor• Found It On The Corner• Go Lizards Exotic Pet Store• Hidden Treasures

Thrift Shop• Moon Marble Company

• Sunflower Embroidery, Quilting & Fabric

• The Pink Zebra Boutique• This & That Antiques

& Collectibles• Wishes of the Heart

Scrapbooking & Supplies

Bring this ad to

participating shops &

receive 20% off one item.

Certain limitations apply.

Bonner Springs Ladies ad 1_Layout 1 11/1/2013 12:36 PM Page 1

V intage Heart Lariat NecklacetRES MELInDaS$50*Bottoms up antique Market, kansas CityThe heart pieces are from the 1880s, and the keys are true vintage. *Regularly $55, mention VintageKC to receive discount.

Imag

e us

ed w

ith a

cc

licen

se fr

om fl

ickr

.com

: pho

to b

y ze

nspa

1


By kim antisdel | photos by William and Jill DiMartino

When Winnie Curtis and her husband Kevin moved to Kansas and rehabbed his great grandparents’ home, they fixed more than just drywall and paint — they restored the soul of this century-old farmhouse.

The Ties that Bind

inston Churchill once famously said, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” If there is one person who truly embraces that sentiment, it is Winnie Curtis. As the stay-at-home wife of her husband Kevin, who

works for the army at Fort Leavenworth, Winnie never imagined being immersed in family history. But now, sitting in the small, cozy kitchen of her renovated farmhouse, surrounded by rows of her own canned tomatoes and pickles, plates dating back 50 years and warmth that seems to seep from the walls, Winnie can tell you anything you could ever want to know about her house and the people who have lived in it. It was a long journey to get here, but for Winnie, the journey has been half the fun.

In the fall of 2007, Winnie and Kevin ventured from Corpus Cris-ti, TX, to visit Kevin’s hometown of Lawrence, KS. Much of Kevin’s family, including his sister and mother, all live on farm acreages that have been in the family for more than 100 years. Those tended and loved acreages also included a lonely farmhouse, abandoned on the family property (pictured at right).

“The home was a mess when we first saw it,” remembers Winnie. “No one had been there in over six years, and it was a disaster.”

While Kevin’s family saw a deserted old farmhouse, Winnie saw a true opportunity. After Kevin’s mother deeded the land over to her son, the ball started to roll and Winnie’s dream farmhouse began to take shape — slowly.

W


vintage spaces

Winnie’s vibrant kitchen is the hub of her home, with homemade canned goods, vintage bowls, mugs and cake platters. Her pantry is a welcoming general store. Winnie and her husband kevin widened the doorway between the kitchen and dining room (below) to open up the old farmhouse. they also added pillars from the original front porch. the house had been vacant for years when they fell in love with its possibilities (below left).


vintage spaces

Built in 1903, the house is called a Prairie Four Square, largely due to the fact that the original floor plan is an actual square. Four rooms upstairs, four rooms downstairs — simple. But as plans for the home began to take shape in February of 2011, Winnie real-ized that simplicity wasn’t going to be an option in her renovations. Her aspirations to keep the original windows, woodwork, brick and floors were non negotiable, but the house needed a complete gut job, including new drywall, wiring, plumbing and heating. It was going to be a delicate dance to essentially rebuild the home without damaging the original portions, but Winnie was up to the challenge and the sacrifice. In fact, as renovations were underway, Winnie

stayed in a badly heated airstream in her sister-in-law’s yard. No one doubted her dedication to the project.

“I knew exactly what I wanted for this home and what I needed to do to get there,” said Winnie. “I had kept a notebook for a long time with ideas. I had no desire to modernize this house at all. I wanted it to be as close to the original as possible.”

Kevin’s great grandparents had been the first to live in the house, and with the exception of a few renters over the years, the home had stayed in the family. That family tie was imperative to keep in the house for Winnie. She wanted to respect those who had come before her. That respect is captured in every square inch of the home as it sits today.


Opposite page: the prairie Four Square home has wonderful sight lines from one room to the next. Items original to the home like the photo of kevin’s great grandparents (the original owners) and the telephone have strangely found their way back to the home.

This page: a warm hearth invites visitors to get cozy in the living room. the beautiful woodwork is original to the home, and kept per Winnie’s wishes to stay true to the home’s character. Family photos line the stairs, showcasing all the generations this home has housed.


vintage spaces

there are four grand bedrooms on the upper level, each with its own colorful character, from the lightest lavender welcoming summer breezes to a cool and cheerful tur-quoise accented in a map of Winnie’s world travels.


vintage spaces

Winnie’s Findsupholstered Gold: The sofa and chairs in Winnie’s living room were a Craigslist find, in the original upholstery.

knock knock: Winnie recently found a box of old glass doorknobs at an estate sale. She hopes to use the doorknobs somewhere in the home.

Hanging beauties: Almost all of the chandeliers in Winnie’s home are from estate sales or antique stores. She’s always on the lookout for the next great one.

new Find: Winnie just found a gold framed mirror at a thrift store for $5!

Exposed brick from the fireplace, a warm handmade quilt and hints of the outdoors make this farmhouse bedroom beautiful. Every detail fits the grand scheme (left).

In the kitchen, a portion of the wall that functions as a coat hanger was actually built from wood of the original cellar door. The original porch wood was reused by Kevin to make a long picnic table for family to share meals in the backyard. The archway from the kitchen is flanked by two posts from the original porch. Upstairs, in what Winnie calls her “girlie room,” a pair of old white coveralls hang on the back of the door. The coveralls belonged to Kevin’s aunt while she worked at the Sunflow-er Ammunition Plant during WWII. The aunt’s trunk full of items was one of the treasures Winnie found while fixing up the house.

“If I found it in this house, it stays in this house,” Winnie says, her voice full of determination. “I could have thrown these things away, but why would I? They’re history, and they belong here.”

Of all the pieces of history in the house, there is one relic that surpasses all the rest: An original wedding photograph of Kevin’s great grandparents (the first owners of the home) hangs regally in the dining room, enclosed by its original frame. It is this piece that pays true hom-age to the original owners, and, Winnie believes, one of those owners’ energy is still alive and well.


vintage spaces

“We believe Iva, Kevin’s great grandmother, has helped bring us to this home,” Winnie said. “Once we arrived, some unusual things just started happening.”

When renovations started, Winnie would occasionally hear voices in the home, verified by her sister-in-law. The pair would be working in the living room and hear a soft voice in the basement, but nobody would be there. Later, artifacts from the original home began to find their way back to the house.

“We would have random relatives, like second cousins who live thousands of miles away, show up on our front door to visit unan-


a landing at the top of the stairs mixes antique oil lamps with a vintage modern painted chest (opposite page). the large second floor bathroom was crafted when Winnie and kevin renovated the home. they’re not sure what the room was before, but the wide open airy room overlooking beautiful greenspace outside is the perfect addition to the home.

nounced, and they would have things with them that belonged to Iva and this home,” Winnie said.

Items like Iva’s oil lamps, her Bible and rosary, pictures and artwork that were original to the home were slowly brought back to the house, with no rhyme or reason. One day, as Kevin was walking in the yard, he stumbled upon something shiny buried in the ground. It was a beautiful, pure crystal.

“I think some people might get rid of it, but not me,” Win-nie said. “We brought it in to the house and cleaned it up and

have it here. If it belonged to the house in any way, I want it here.”If Iva’s spirit and energy are indeed still around, they clearly are happy

about Winnie’s decision to respect the house as it once stood. Nothing sinister or scary has ever occurred to Winnie. In fact, she believes it was destined for her to be here, to help keep the home as it was, because the stories of the house are what make it a home.

One story that sticks with Winnie is the disconnected doorbell on the front door of the home. The last time the doorbell’s sound was heard was when a doctor came to the home to tell Iva her husband had passed away. Iva never wanted to hear the sound again, and subsequently


vintage spacesvintage spaces


s more and more people are buying older homes for their charm and character, it makes sense to talk about what to appreciate in those homes and what to modernize a little.

the Farmhouse The Curtis home featured in this issue is a prime example of a Midwest farmhouse. By widening the doorway between the kitchen and dining room they were able to maintain the original Prairie Four Square but open up the space to create great flow and sightlines from room to room. When they enlarged the porch on the front of the house, they were able to repurpose the original posts in the doorway to the kitchen for some architec-tural detail.

the tudor We all know what a Tudor-style home looks like: Large two-story buildings with major cross gables in the middle of the home, ex-posed wooden beams, floor-to-ceiling English paneling, stucco, plaster, brick, heavy doors — very dark. Doing away with the floor-to-ceiling paneling and keeping the exposed wooden beams would be a great way to stay true to the Tudor feel while brightening and updating your home. When choosing furnish-ings, select large-scale items. Worn leather and nail heads can also capture the feel.

the Ranch it is easy to maintain the intended feel of a ranch-style home. its design is based on simplicity, openness (fewer walls), and more efficient use of space. Less is definitely more when it comes to designing spaces. Decorative detail is used almost exclusively on the exterior. Keep that large picture window as a main fea-ture on the front of the home. While trying to stay true to the architecture of your home is great, character and interest come from mixing it up a bit, too. The interior of your home should complement the exterior, but architecture can only say so much. Think of it as the cover of a book and the rooms inside as the pages of the book. Anyone walking through your home should be able to read your personality by what you have added to the structure.

How do I update my old home while keeping its character?

Deb Vogler has been creating her own brand of Comfort by Design for more than 15 years. She deals with all aspects of design, from budgeting, to floor plans (renovation or new construction), to furniture, to color at her full-scale design firm. Have a designing question for Deb? Send it to [email protected].

A

-Deb

Ask a Pro

Deb Vogler

Kim is a writer, interior designer and sales rep. She is also a complete klutz that can crank out a killer cartwheel on demand. Her favorite place to write is curled up on the couch with her weiner dog and two cats fighting for a spot on her lap.

Opposite page: Winnie’s “girly room” is a creative space and a reminder of her travels and family. Wood from the old cellar door was repurposed into a coat rack at the back of the house. the back porch is big and welcoming for country summer nights and coffee on brisk mornings. Above: post renovation, the farmhouse shines in all seasons, beckoning guests during a snow in 2012.

disconnected the doorbell. It will remain that way for as long as Winnie has any say in the matter.

Keeping the home’s history intact is clearly important, but it’s only natural for Winnie to want a touch of her own life entwined as well. Upstairs in her girly room, Winnie displays trinkets and treasures that represent her entire life. Several replicas of the Eiffel Tower are included in the display, denoting her love for Paris. A figurine of a flight attendant sits proudly on the shelf, a gift from Winnie’s sister as a reminder of when Winnie worked for an airline. Of course, some of the trinkets are original items from the house, and that’s just how Winnie likes it.

“All of these items were either given, found, inherited or bought by me in my travels,” Winnie said. “They all have stories and are all special to me.”

Whether Winnie and her husband were destined to be in the house or the whole thing is a huge coincidence, there is no doubt that the couple belongs here. From the moment she arrived Win-nie has felt that she is a part of this place and part of its continuing history. She will still make improvements to the home, but always in keeping with what once was. Next on her to-do list is the installa-tion of a white picket fence as the original home had. And no matter what changes occur to the house, one thing is sure — it will never leave the family.

“This is it. I’m never leaving this home,” Winnie says as she knocks on the kitchen table. “My children and my children’s children will be a part of it, and we’re keeping it in this family as far as I’m concerned. I’ve lived a lot of places and can’t imagine being anywhere else. God willing and the creek don’t rise, we’ll be here forever.” ^


vintage events

Styling | Gretchen Brittainphotos | audrey kuetherLocation | the Vintage House

When we saw what Gretchen Brittain of Three Little Monkeys Studio was doing with printables, we just had to throw a party with her.

Beautiful Holidays

ith the right resources and plan, throwing a stunning holiday party can go become a reality. We chose a simple red and white theme that can likely be pulled off with items you already own. Cake stands, milk glass pieces, candy jars,

vintage ornaments, easy printables, and elegant treats will make your next party shine. We invited our blogger/Etsy buddies to share in the joy of the season at the perfect small party venue, The Vintage House, in Overland Park.

W


vintage events

Invitations set the mood for the celebration: simple, elegant and bold.


vintage eventsWho said you can

have too many sweets? Everything

seen here was crafted by small

business entrepreneurs

from all over the country. Clockwise

from right: Cake pops, reindeer and

snowflake sugar cookies, red velvet macarons, fondant

wrapped oreos, cupcakes, and

gingerbread men with eggnog. (see

page 28 for vendors).


Vibrant topiaries and vintage ornaments accent a side table, with utensils, plates, napkins and cups of hot cocoa.

Clockwise from below left: Vary the serving platters using jars, cake stands and wooden boxes. add sparkly woodland creatures and miniature trees to your tablescape. Spray paint pinecones white, and add red accents to coordinate.


vintage events

C omfort By Designby Deb Vogler, Interior Designer

ElEVatE your housE to a homE

14111 W. 95th st., lenexa, [email protected]

913-522-2860

as seen in VintageKC magazine

As Time Goes By

As Time Goes By at 605 W Main

Antiques Collectibles

Vintage Home Décor

816-366-0545 On 150 Hwy.

Greenwood MO 64034

Visit Greenwood’s

7 Shops

CakE pOpS | SwEET ChEEkS TASTy TrEATSsweetcheekstastytreats.blogspot.com (iowa)CakE anD pEppERMInt BaRk | Mixing iT uPfacebook.com/MixingitupKC (local)CanDIED appLES | TOPSy’S (local)COFFEE FILtER GaRLanD | PECklEdpeckled.etsy.com (richmond)FOnDant OREOS | kiMA’S kOnFECTiOnSfacebook.com/KimaKonfections (Philadelphia)FROStED SuGaR COOkIES | SwEET dOOdlE CAkESfacebook.com/SweetDoodleCakes (California)GInGERBREaD MEn | TrEATS 4 TA-TAS (100 percent of money earned goes to breast cancer research)treats4tatas.wordpress.com (Colorado)papER StRaWS | ThE PrETTy PArTy ShOPPEtheprettypartyshoppe.etsy.com (Ft. Lauderdale)pRIntaBLES | ThrEE liTTlE MOnkEyS STudiOthreelittlemonkeysstudio.com (local)RED VELVEt MaCaROnS | PAMElA’S CAkESPamelascakes.etsy.com (St. Petersburg)tOpIaRIES | grEySOn dESigngreysondesign.etsy.com (Grand rapids)VanILLa MaRSHMaLLOWS | lET’S gET ThiS PArTy STArTEdfacebook.com/Letsgetthispartystarted.events (Tampa)VIntaGE MILk BOttLES, tREat BaGS, utEnSILS & tWInE | ThE SugAr COnFETTi ShOPsugarconfetti.com (new Jersey)

Vendors


Big thanks to the always lovely Vintage House for hosting our evening. this beauti-fully furnished home is perfect for events.

Opposite page top: We invited our creative friends to partake in the party. You’ll recognize their faces from our vintage crafts section. We are so glad to know these girls! Opposite page bottom: Each guest took home a cheerfully wrapped favor.


vintage fashion

roaring 20s

On Alley: Dress, Barbara.Barbara, Vintage Vogue, $48; necklace, Brown Button Estate Sale, $2; hat, Vintage Vogue; shoes, no label,

Vintage Vogue, $28; earrings, Re-Runs Wearhouse, $2.

On don: Sweater, pronto uomo, $99.99; pants, pronto uomo Blue, $69.99; shoes, Florsheim, $159.99; all Men’s Wearhouse.

he Great Gatsby,” in all its big-screen flair, has brought 1920s fashion back to the spotlight. From simple and elegant, to bold and

flashy, it’s not as difficult as you might think to res-surect this style. Because finding true vintage items is rare (and expensive) look for 1980s dresses with dropped waists, or anything covered in sparkly bits. Grab a ton of jewelry, a hat, throw on some t-strap shoes and wave up that hair. For men, think prep-py, classy, mix patterns and always have a bow tie and wingtip shoes at the ready. Maybe we’re suck-ers for drama, but the extravagance and romance of the Roaring Twenties was right up our alley.

“T


vintage fashionOn dana: Dress, Swee Lo, Vintage Vogue, $58; hair comb, the Yellow peony, $32.

On Tanner: Sport jacket, tallia, $299.99; self-tie bowtie, tommy Hilfiger, $45; pocket square, $19.99; all Men’s Wearhouse.

vintage fashion

VintageKC / Winter 201332

On Alley: Dress, Steppin Out, Vintage

Vogue, $38; fur, Vintage Vogue; headpiece, the

Yellow peony, $135; necklace, the

Yellow peony, $18; earrings, editor’s

closet.

On don: Camel hair sport jacket by

Joseph abboud, $299.99; pants, pronto

uomo, $149.99; bow tie, Egara, $45, all

Men’s Wearhouse.


vintage fashion

On dana: Dress, no label, Brown Button Estate Sale, $4; bustier, model’s closet; bracelets, the Yellow peony, $6; headband, the Yellow peony, $26.

On Tanner: Suit, tommy Hilfiger, $649.99; self-tie bowtie, tommy Hilfiger, $45; pocket square, $19.99; all Men’s Wearhouse.


On Alley: Dress, no label, Vintage Vogue, $38; hat, estate sale,

$4; necklace, Vintage Vogue.

On don: Suit, English Laundry,

$399.99; self-tie bowtie, tommy Hilfiger, $45; all

Men’s Wearhouse.

Producer|ErinShippsPhotos |NikkiMoreno-Whipple|VixenPin-UpPhotographyMakeup|CandyCunningham|VixenPin-UpPhotographyHair |BrookThompson|HeadHouseHairParlourModels|AlleyGageandDanaLarson |TannerChrismanandDonLampert|ManifestTalentStyling |CalliGreen;ErikMundorff|Men’sWearhouseLocation|UnionStation,KansasCity


vintage fashionOn dana: Dress, no label, Vintage Vogue, $58; earrings, Re-Runs Wearhouse, $2; hat, estate sale, $4.

On Tanner: tuxedo, tommy Hilfiger, $649.99; bowtie, Calvin klein, $29.99; all Men’s Wearhouse.


renovated recipes

his is a phenomenal modernized vintage candy recipe that dates all the way back to 1638, originating with the Benedictine Monks of France!

Fast-forward a few centuries, and it was a wildly popular, simple little snack for English school children. Today in my kitchen, it’s been renovated into the perfect winter treat, with a traditional holiday kick of apple and spice.

the Vintage RecipeBarley Sugar from England: Recipe

excerpted from, “With a Saucepan Over the Sea, 1902.” Dissolve any amount needed, say 1 pound of granulated sugar, in only enough water to moisten. Cook it until clear and it will crack when dropped in water. Flavor with the juice of a lemon, pour into oiled pans, and when almost stiff, cut into sticks and twist these, dusting with powdered sugar.

TBy Courtney Jenkins

Very old recipes inspire simple, delectible, gift-able treats

Spiced AppleSugar

Courtney is part of a cute little family of four (including twin sons Parker and Eli) residing in Kansas City, MO. She’s a handmade

and vintage loving, clean eating, cooking, writing and photographing, circuit training addict, who owns a local natural solid body company called Milk and Honey Naturals (milkandhoneynaturals.net).

x


SERVES 12 (tHREE tWIStS EaCH)

InGREDIEntS

2 Cups Spiced Apple Cider

2 Pounds Sugar

Powdered Sugar for Dusting

SuppLIES

Candy Thermometer

Baking Sheet

nonstick Cooking Spray

Wax Paper

DIRECtIOnS

Set out a baking sheet, sprayed liberally with

nonstick cooking spray. in a medium-sized

pot, mix the spiced apple cider with the sugar.

Bring to a gentle boil over

medium high heat. Con-

tinue boiling, while stirring

frequently, until the candy

mixture just reaches be-

tween 300 and 310 degrees

on your candy thermometer

(around 25-30 minutes).

Pour the mixture onto

your cookie sheet and cool

until it’s at a temp that’s cool enough to

touch, but it’s still pliable. it only takes about

five minutes, so be ready to work fast. Dust

the top of the candy sheet with powdered

sugar, then start pulling off silver dollar size

pieces, and twist them into pretty little candy

twists. Set them aside on your wax paper,

while you work the entire batch into twists.

use the outside candy first, working toward

the inside, as the outside cools the quickest.

When you’re all finished twisting, dust

everything with a final light coat of powdered

sugar, give a little shake and set aside to cool

completely. Store in any airtight container.

The Renovated Reciperenovated recipes

Spiced Apple Sugar

^

One Tree:


vintage crafts

Nine Ways

UWhat crafty person doesn’t love holidays? This year we put our creative types to the test with a simple task: Transform this $5 tree from Hobby Lobby.


Frugal Dwelling Design 1011.

Learn how to decorate on a tight

budget.

2. Have fun while developing your

own style.

3. Incorporate family pieces or use what

you have.

Frugal Dwelling Design 101

Four classes per session starting in January/February: $75 per person.

Each participant receives a treasure purchased especially for them.

Great gift for weddings/showers, birthdays, house-warming, Christmas or girls night out!

Contact Dana: [email protected]

q q

As seen in VintageKC magazine!

“Thinking back to the holidays of my childhood, the ornaments that meant the most were the ones that were handcrafted. Whether my siblings and I made them at school or at Grandma’s house, these ornaments held special status over any of the store bought piecesthat were hang-ing on the tree.”

Photo

by

Bra

ndi N

icol

e P

hoto

grap

hy

kristen from Hey paul Studiosheypaulstudios.etsy.comheypaulstudios.com/blog/vintageinspiredornaments

“I chose to do a 1950s-themed Christmas tree with antique glass ball ornaments found at an

estate sale and a retro tinsel star. I completed

the look by wrapping the base with my grand-mother’s handmade

tablecloth that I inherited from the same era.”

Megan from Homemade Ginger

homemadeginger.com

AvAilAble now At:Studio 1404

1222 W. 12th St., West Bottoms

reChic Boutique and Decor6015 Johnson Dr.,

Mission, KSAs Time Goes By605 W. MainGreenwood, MO

Liberty Antique Mall 1005 N. State Rt. 291

Liberty, MOFound It On The Corner

201 Oak StreetBonner Springs, KS

locally Crafted Chalk enhanced Paint from Robin Hammond of Junkfest Studios

For more info and retailers:motherearthpaints.com

So soft,so smooth& so easy

to use!


“Metallic silver spray paint transforms this basic tree into a DIY tabletop tinsel tree. Full of retro charm, miniature vintage ornaments and a felt skirt add pops of color that finish the look.”Jamie from kolorizekolorize.etsy.com

“My great grandma, Christine, left me boxes and boxes of vintage sewing materials. I used her vintage sewing mea-suring tape and ric-rac to decorate the tree. During the holidays this tree will live in one of our guest rooms next to the vintage sewing machine table combination that my great grandma left me.” audrey from Oh So Lovely ohsolovelyblog.blogspot.com

Sentimental JourneyANTIQUE MALL

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Monday-Saturday 10-6 • Sunday 12-5

913-768-8088 • 907 S. Chestnut, Olathe

14,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles

One block west

20 S. Gold St., Paola, KSOpen M-F 10-6 & Sat 10-5

[email protected]

913-294-8499

Antiques & Collectibles


“This is my take on an ‘old-timey’ Christmas tree.

The garland is stringed popcorn and fresh cran-berry. The burlap ‘star’ at the top was actually just pieces trimmed from the

covering on the bottom of the tree.”

amy from Buffalo Roambuffalo-roam.com

“I work a lot with feathers and vintage jewelry, so for my tree I wanted to incorporate some white feathers dipped in gold sparkly goodness. Then I draped some strands of vintage pearls I found at an estate sale as a garland. I love the bit of sparkle the feathers add and the repurposing of old jewelry. You almost always have a few old necklaces lying around and I love the idea of decking the tree with them!”Haley from the Yellow peony theyellowpeony.com


vintage crafts

“I decorated my tree with a knit version of a triangle banner,

embellished with embroi-dery stitches and buttons.

I then added some knit garland and a bow on top to fill the tree. I made it with non

traditional holiday colors just to

change things up a bit, but a red and green

version would be just as cute.”

quinn from ktogktogether.wordpress.com

“I went for a simplicity — something that would look lovely on a mantle or in the

center of a table. I sprayed the tree with Rustoleum’s

gold glitter spray paint and placed it in a mlik glass

trifle dish wrapped in a red striped ribbon.”

Gretchen from three Little Monkeys Studio

threelittlemonkeysstudio.com

GSmall Business Academy

VintageKC’s

Even if your small business is just a glimmer in your eye, we can help!

We’re assembling a team of experts to address all your questions and concerns about opening and maintaining your own business.

From online retail to local storefronts, we’ll host a beginning class in the spring and an ad-vanced class in the fall.

to receive all the latest info, sign up for our newsletter at vintagekcmag.com/small-business-academy


Silver-SchnauzerANTIQUES

Antiques | Needlework | Estate Sales | Art Gallery10912 W. Winner Road, Independence

800-256-3029 | 816-336-1595silver-schnauzer.com

facebook.com/SilverSchnauzerAntiques

Our holiday inspiration doesn’t stop here. For more great ideas, visit our Pinterest page: pinterest.com/vintagekc/holidays.

And while you’re there, check out all the fun stuff we’ve pinned — everything from offices to kitchens, from weddings to fashion, from lights to do-it-yourself projects — if it’s vintage or awesome or funny or helpful, we’re pinning it. Come join us!

Are you crafty and have an online store or blog? We’d love to see if you’ve got what it takes to be on our panel of creative experts. Do you have a craft idea you’d like to see our locals tackle? Are you just the chatty type?

However you roll, just drop us a line at [email protected].

P interest

Help us out!

vintage crafts

*NEW* mother earth paint

Custom painting and paint Classes available

6015 Johnson DriveMission, Kansas 66202

Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm913-333-0026 [email protected]

“My grandma made us ornaments out of wheat (woven or smashed into

paper as seen below) every year until she

couldn’t. So, to me, the holidays will always involve wheat. Add

some vintage fabric around the base,

burlap ribbon, gold accents and

a bit of Kansas flair at the top, and

I think Grand-ma would be

proud.”Erin, editorVintagekC

Magazine


VKC: How long have you been into vintage?Randy, Carol and Amy: 25 yearsVKC: What got you started?Randy, Carol and Amy: Living in Pennsylvania and going to flea mar-kets and antique stores.VKC: How did you decide to open a business?Randy, Carol and Amy: We were offered the opportunity to purchase Sentimental Journey in 1997 after we had a booth here for about a year. It was the right time.VKC: What are your favorite pieces to buy?Randy, Carol and Amy: Primitives and old architectural pieces.VKC: How do you choose vendors for your store?Randy, Carol and Amy: We have a waiting list so when we call we make sure they have the merchandise that is appropriate for our mall.VKC: How would you describe the style of the items in your store?Randy, Carol and Amy: We have everything from painted furniture, retro, antiques, repurposed items, vintage and primitives.VKC: Describe your favorite pieces in your own home, the ones you could never sell. Randy, Carol and Amy: A large primitive cabinet in my kitchen came out of an old barn.VKC: What is the biggest item you’ve ever sold? Randy, Carol and Amy: We have one vendor who always sells large an-tiques including a three-person desk and an old candy shoppe counter.VKC: What is your business philosophy?

Randy, Carol and Amy: We are a family business and include all of our dealers as part of our family.VKC: What experience do you hope your customers have in your store?Randy, Carol and Amy: We want them to always feel welcome and comfortable.VKC: Why do you continue to do what you do?Randy, Carol and Amy: It doesn’t feel like work and we get to be sur-rounded by things we love every day.VKC: Name five stores you love.Randy, Carol and Amy: Rusty Chandelier (St. Jo), Paramount (Wich-ita), As Time Goes By (Greenwood), Greenwood Mercantile, and The Jesse James Antique Mall (St. Jo).

Olathe

Variety is the name of the game at Sentimental Journey. We dare you to walk out with nothing.

stores we love

Sentimental Journey


stores we love

Overland Park

This south Overland Park store has your painting needs and ideas covered with tons of inspiration in stock.VKC: How long have you been into vintage?Lynn: Since I was a child. I didn’t know it at the time, but my frequent visits to estate sales and auctions with my grandmother would become a lifelong interest of mine. My aunt, Madeline, was the true “crafty” member of our family. She could make something beautiful out of various vintage pieces. She would always help me with my County Fair projects and I would always walk away with a blue ribbon! If only she were here today, she would make the perfect business partner.VKC: What got you started?Lynn: As the owner and operator of a custom framing and home décor business, I had been working with several different brands of paints, developing different finishes for my frames. I realized that not only did I need a versatile product, but one that was fast as well. In June of 2011 I discovered Chalk Paint decorative paint by Annie Sloan and the rest is history as they say. When I discovered I could apply it to almost any surface, I expanded way beyond frames. I have also recently added Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint to my product line. This paint also has very unique properties, which make it great for repurposing old pieces.VKC: What advice do you have for new business owners?Lynn: Be passionate about your business, treat others with respect, and always let your customers know how much you appreciate them. VKC: What are your favorite pieces to buy?Lynn: French-inspired pieces.VKC: How do you select vendors for your store?Lynn: We appreciate vendors who add to the character of our store.

Their unique style speaks through their space and really adds a nice touch to our store. VKC: How would you describe the style of the items in your store?Lynn: A sophisticated boutique with a little bit of everything from French Country to Shabby Chic to Rough Luxe to French Chateau.VKC: Describe your favorite pieces in your own home, the ones you couldn’t bear to sell.Lynn: My grandmother’s secretary and her dining room table. I also have a library table that I purchased from the Ursuline Sisters in Paola many years ago that ranks in my top five list.VKC: What is your business philosophy?Lynn: Follow your passion. If you love what you do it never feels like work.VKC: What experience do you want customers to have in your store?Lynn: An enjoyable creative experience that inspires them. We enjoy helping them create unique spaces for their home. We love to see the creative side of people shine through during our paint workshops. VKC: Why do you continue to do what you do?Lynn: I absolutely love what I do and enjoy the continuous creative challenges.VKC: What else do you want people to know about your store?Lynn: We offer a variety of workshops, in-home design consultations, variety of paint products, new and used furniture and home décor pieces.

Bella B Décor


vintage memories

With a multitude of holidays, family time and traditions, winter offers a plethora of memories from years gone by. We asked you to share your recollections, and here are our favorites.

Walking down the abandoned railroad tracks near my lil

hometown of La Belle with my buddy in search of that perfect

Christmas tree.- Ron English

Gathering all the icing and candies and other goodies to build and decorate our

graham cracker houses at Grandma’s house.

- Lindsay Fry

Making popcorn balls in the tiny kitchen of my grand-parents farmhouse. It was my grandfather who got the sticky goo to just the right temperature after we had cooked iron skillets full of popcorn and dumped them into overflowing bowls. - Annie Stowe

Singing “Jingle Bells” with my mom as we drove home with a giant tree hanging out the back of our Chevy Chevette. I was 5. Even though we

were both dressed in our 70’s puffer coats, we were freezing! We still

talk about it like it was yesterday! - Amanda Curtis

1985, I was 8 years old. My mom ticked me off because she wouldn’t let me open a present a few days early. I proceeded to take her present, which fittingly was a “world’s greatest mom” mug and threw

it out the front door. My mom, in retali-ation, grabbed her car keys, unlocked the trunk of her car, and proceeded to throw my presents across the street. I may have an exaggerated memory of this incident, but it is by far my favorite holiday “memory.”- Tamie Lynne McGranahan

Tis theSeasonThe Christmas I was six years old and Santa Claus brought my Tiny Tears doll and a red cradle for her to sleep in.- Sharon Ousley

Riding home from midnight Mass, trying to stay awake and looking at the sky to spot Santa. It was a 15-minute drive, but never DID see a trace. My Mother told us he prob-ably hadn’t gotten to the United States yet. It was the same story every year. I was the oldest child so no sibling to be the spoiler and I got to keep up the pretense for at least five years after I “found” out (which was the worst Christmas ever).- Patricia Wurtz Wickam

Images adapted with a cc license from flickr.com: gingerbread house by whistlepunch; train tracks by dennis; popcorn balls by Raymond Bryson; and pine tree by Savannah Roberts.


Season

“Summer I swim.

Year-round I ‘RIDGE.’”

Think “Ridge” for Hip gifts

Cool collectiblesVintage jewelry (best in town!)

Fab home furnishings

“Delish” cafe dining

75th and NiemanShawnee, Kansas

913-268-7979Mon-Sat 10am - 6pm

Sun Noon-6pm(Dec. 1-24 open until 8pm)

Documents

0203 VintageKC Winter 2013