0304 vintagekc spring 2015

Home. Fashion. DIY.

VintageKCSpring 2015 | Vol. 3 iSSue 4

shop05 Etsy finds Gardenparty

learn06 dEsign book JenniferBertrand08 buy and sEll Vintageoutdoorchairs27 dEsigning with dEb Adviceonatticspaces

do36 Crafty Windchimes42 dustin’s diy Outdoorinstruments44 thriftCyClE Woodentray+china

read46 vintagE mEmoriEs Pastfarmhousedays

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3vintagekc spring 2015

Contents18

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inspiration10 gardEn guidE ThebeautifulandvariedgardensofHootOwlHill

16 vintagE momEnts Aspring-filled,vintage-inspiredengagementparty

18 vintagE spaCEs CottagechicnestledinNorthKC

28 vintagE fashion Getgildedwithnight-lifegoldfashion

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4 vintagekc spring 2015

ou might notice a little bit of a theme running through this issue. Okay, so it’s a big bit. While we’re putting together the spring issue, we’re smack dab in the middle of the post-hol-iday, dreary, cold, bleak bucket of suck that is Midwest win-

ter. I know, I know, some of you like the cold. I, for one, literally cannot stand up on skiis or ice skates, so I dislike it. Sure, I like to build a snowman and drink hot drinks and look at the pretty white outside. Sure, last issue I talked about the re-connection that happens with my little family in winter—and that’s wonder-ful—but after a couple of months, my 1940s house starts closing in on me. So, can you blame us for dreaming up more ideas for the outdoors with the spring issue?

We’re dying to get outside, to get our hands in the dirt, to feel the sun on parts of our body that haven’t been seen in ages ... like our arms. We’re ready for beau-tiful scenery to take our breath away instead of icy air.

Let’s start with the garden guide. When we visited Steve and Brenda Wrischnik at Hoot Owl Hill last year (you’ll remember their awesome glamping tents), we were overtaken by the beauty that surrounded their property. So of course we had to show you. They have really taken ad-vantage of their space by not only maintaining a beautiful butterfly garden, but also a growing vegetable garden, vineyard and loads of other plant-filled beds that are just for fun. They host chickens, ducks, guinea hens and, as of last year, bees on their property. I hope you find some inspiration from their gardens.

Next, the Fosters’ North Kansas City cottage is packed full of light and airy springy goodness. I’m in love with the stylish way they utilize every space in the small home.

Our fashion section showcases the versatility of gold elements in your wardrobe. A spring night out on the town would be incomplete without metallics.

We’re taking a bit of a walk down memory lane with Becky Budke’s gorgeous vintage engage-ment party that she threw for her son. Becky’s house was featured in our very first issue in the summer of 2012! I’m so thankful for this community and that you all stay in touch!

And of course any issue would be incomplete without a host of DIY projects to keep you busy. This time we’re tackling wind chimes, outdoor instruments for the kids, and an upcycled garden-

inspired tray. We’ve also got sound advice from our experts on attic spaces, mid-century chairs and exterior paint colors.

I hope you find a little—or big—bit of inspiration from this issue and get outside. Check out our little reader chal-lenge on page 39 and you might win $20 to Hobby Lobby. It’s just our way of saying thanks and hoping that you’re feeling encouraged to DIY!

Publisher/EditorErinShipps

[email protected]

Sales DirectorErikSalmons

[email protected]

Fashion Director/Editorial Assistant

[email protected]

Staff

C ontributorsKimAntisdelDustinBates

JenniferBertrandMichaelFryJamesFry

KirstenHudsonJamieKaczmarczyk

MeganKappleAudreyKuetherAbbieMarshallAmyMcCarterDeborahVogler

ViNTAGEKCVOluME3,iSSuE4iSPuBliSHEDquArTErlyByViNTAGEMEDiA,llC,iNKANSASCiTy,MO.COPyriGHT2015,ViNTAGEMEDiA,

llC.AllriGHTSrESErVED.rEPrO-DuCTiONiNPArTOriNWHOlEWiTH-OuTWriTTENPErMiSSiONOFTHE

PuBliSHEriSSTriCTlyPrOHiBiTED.PriNTEDiNTHEu.S.A.

P hotographyTiffanyN.Cody,SmashGlamWilliamandJillDiMartino

Anatticbedroomfitfortwo.Photo by William and Jill DiMartino

On the C over

Outdoor Love

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Erinvintagekc

vintagekc

vintagekcmagazine

Fol low us!VKC vintagekcmag.com

vintagekcmag

^from the editor


Garden Party

Clockwise from top left:Herb-embroidered,floursackdishtowels,$29(setof7),usediscountcode:20ViNTAGEKCladybuglaneemb.etsy.com. An-chorHocking,petiteflowerpot,3.75”tall,$22,kolorize.etsy.com. Hangingglassterrariumprint,$20,mindfullymade.etsy.com. 1950sHullPotteryCompanychartreuseswanplanters,$30large,$23small,brushcreekcottage.etsy.com. Handmadesoftyellowroseearrings,sizeofaquarter,$6,pureaspearl.etsy.com. Customizedwoodburnedgardenstakes,$3eachorfourfor$10,theshoutoutshop.etsy.com. 1970sfloraldressinspiredbythe1950s,bust:34”,waist:25”,nolabel,cottonorcotton/polyblend,greatcondition,$50,adelaidehomesewn.etsy.com.

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

shop^our favorite etsy finds


hgtv ‘design star’ winner Jennifer bertrand knows all

about thinking outside the box!

re you scared to give your home an exterior facelift? By asking yourself the right questions and following this quick recipe for

gaining exterior confidence, you can pull off the look you really want with much less intimidation.

Questions to ask yourselfWhat do you want your exterior to say

about you? Are you going for classy, calm, happy ... you get the idea.

As you know, colors evoke feelings. Because my family has gone through so many medical issues, I needed our house to feel light and airy overall. However, I also love dark and dramatic. Later in life, I know my husband and I will have a charcoal and black home. But for now those colors are nowhere near our house!

How often do you crave change?If you find that you like change, it’s all about

creating a neutral backdrop. This gives you the flexibility to layer varying accents of color. Now, that does not have to mean beige or khaki. I just designed a space where my neu-tral was a dark forest green. Just ask yourself, How many different things can I do with this color? For example, with the forest green, it can be paired with charcoal, turquoise, camel, another shade of green, and on and on. So as you pick a color, think, How many variations can I layer into this so I can evolve with the color over time?

What is your favorite color? Envision how you could use your favorite

shade as a punch of color in your exterior curb appeal. Fun ways to use your favorite color could include on the front door, the

porch, concrete steps, railings, shutters, house numbers, etc. There are so many elements that exist beyond the main body of the house. So, if you play it safe with the main color, take a risk and try something fun elsewhere! I have a designer friend who changes his front door color every six months—awesome, right? Well, that’s a simple change.

Have you ever pinned something to Pinterest and chickened out right before you were going to pull it off? That is the difference between a DIY job and the at-mosphere a designer creates: We take risks that scare the average homeowner. If you’ve pinned the same concept in 20 different photographs and can’t pull the trigger, stop wavering and go for it! You obviously like it and just need me to high-five you into do-ing it! So go do it!

by Jennifer bertrand

A

House Love

Exterior

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learn^design book

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Common questions i’m askedWhat is on trend in the world of exterior

world painting?Right now I’m seeing a trend in strong con-

trasts. People are either painting their house all white or dark gray tones.

If my windows are white, can I paint the trim around it?

Yes, but it’s a fine dance. Trim should stay white if you have mullions inside of the window (the white crossed trim pieces). However, if it’s just a surround, you can paint the trim; it’s just a little trickier. Search for “painted trim around white window frames” and see if you can find im-ages you like. That way it shows you an end result without putting in any effort. Don’t be scared to paint your trim a color. Some of my favorite houses are simple and clean with a strong trim outline.

Does my exterior have to match the interior of my house?

Not exactly, but your home should have a

consistent feeling. Like you would expect, I have color inside my home. But on the out-side, it’s used in small punches of color that say—in a casual way—we like color.

What if I don’t like it in five years?You can’t live like that. I get it, changing

the exterior of your home costs money. But if you live like that you’ll never do anything. If you are freaked out by making a mistake or doing something too trendy, visit a local paint store and ask about classic exterior colors, or chat with a local painting com-pany. They know what colors most people in the area are choosing and which look best on a house.

All of the other houses in my neighbor-hood look the same. Is it bad if my house stands out?

This question depends on who you ask. I am okay if my home is different. If you have a HOA you may not have a choice. But if you do have a choice, it’s okay to shake things up. For me, I’m not a beige

or earth tone person unless I have a client who adores that. So I ask you to be true to yourself. Don’t pick things for others. And have fun!

Happy Painting!! ^

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

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

Email pics and questions to Jennifer [email protected]

instagram hgtvdesignstarjenniferbertrandfacebook JenniferOldhamBertrand

twitterjblovedesign

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t Brown Button we enjoy well-de-signed and unique furniture in the same way that many people appre-ciate a beautiful sculpture. Both

creations require craftsmanship, creativity, and artistic talents to design and build. In many cases, furniture is the tougher of the two as it adds the element of function

to the artistic form. Now that spring is upon us, we thought we would take

time to highlight a few of our favorite outdoor chairs that offer imaginative, ground breaking design in addition to a great

place to sit down. Five chairs, created by three

designers, top our list: the Clamshell, Orange Slice,

Sculptra, Bertoia Side Chair, and the Bertoia Diamond Chair.

salteriniFirst up are two Salterini chairs

designed by Maurizio Tempestini: the Clamshell and Orange Slice.

Salterini is often given credit for the resurgence of wrought iron furniture, which started

becoming popular around the 1930s. They made high-quality furniture for the affluent, and it was built to last. The

two mid-century pieces highlighted here are quite a

design deviation from Salterini earlier works or from previous patio

furniture styles altogether. The mid-century movement crafted furniture unlike anything previously created. These chairs are two of our outdoor favorites mostly due to our appre-ciation of their pioneering, unique designs. They can sell anywhere

between $100 to $500 per chair depending on the condition and how sure the buyer is that they’re not reproductions. The fact that the originals were not marked is both a pro and a con for resellers. On the one hand, it makes it easier to pick up a fantastic deal at a garage sale or antique shop. On the other, it takes more work to identify a true original. Refer to photos of the original chair online to make sure all the details are the same. We doff our hats to Mr. Tempestini for his well crafted contributions.

sculptraRussell Woodard and his two brothers

first started experimenting with cast-and-tubular-aluminum-constructed chairs at the very earliest stage of the mid-century move-ment. This experimentation resulted in their iconic Sculptura chair line. The following is a description of the chair in their own words from a 1950s brochure, “Three wonderful things about this new Sculptura chair of ours. You can leave it out-of-doors all the time. The woven wire makes it light and easy to move. And it’s very modestly priced. Extremely comfortable too—and, we think, very good-looking. Comes in black, pine-apple yellow, Ciel blue, antique pink, mocha, Pompeian green, and chalk white finishes. ‘Parkerized’, as is all Woodard furniture, for rust protection”. As the factory colors went out of style, many of these pieces were painted and they can be hard to find in pris-tine condition. The Sculptura line includes a simple garden chair, a lounge chair, rocking chair, and a settee. Prices vary per piece but can range between $125 to $600.

bertoiaArguably the most recognizable and

iconic on our outdoor list are two creations by Harry Bertoia for Knoll. In his young twenties Mr. Bertoia developed a passion and talent for jewelry design. His high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail in

this arena garnered him early recognition. He was able to take many of the skills learned from jewelry work and apply them to his furni-ture design. In the early 1950s, a former classmate, Florence Knoll, invited him to join her company as a furniture and sculpture designer. At Knoll he focused his attention on design with industrial materi-als, transforming them from their everyday utility into something significant. It was in this season that he was able to create the Bertoia Side Chair and the Bertoia Diamond Chair. Harry himself compared his furniture work to art: “If you look at these chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture. Space passes right through them.” Bertoia chairs are still in production today and can be purchased new from Knoll. The resell value of these chairs ranges from $100 to $1,000 depending on the style, age and condition.

Originals of these five chairs, especially those untouched by paint and rust, can command high prices for educated resellers ... that is, if you can let go of them once you have picked up one of these beauties. If you do happen to get your hands on a Sculptura chair in pineapple yellow, or one of the others listed above, you must care for them properly. Experts recommend that you take them out in the sunshine and sit comfort-ably for many hours with a good book and a glass of iced tea. We hope your spring is full of satisfactory sitting!

[email protected] BrownButton

pinterest BrownButtonCoinstagrambrown_button

twitterbrown_buttonyoutubethebrownbutton

with Style

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

Takeaseatonthepatioorinyourhousewithstylishvintagechairs

ByMichaelandJamesFry

Outdoorlearn^buy and sell


hot wheelsOneofthemorenotableitemsthatstandsoutisaHotWheelscar.itsmemorabilitycomesfromthefactthatwesellHotWheelsallthetime—usuallyforaquartereach.Thisparticularcarwasa1969pinkTwinMillredline.Dueto1969beingthesecondyearofHotWheelsproductionandthefactthatthecarlookedcompletelynew,wewereabletosellitfor$125.

CandelabrasThispastyearweranacrossapairofHenryPicardcandelabrasinasmallleawoodestate.Theywereornateandbeautifulbutthemarkwasfairlywornandtookabitofefforttodecipher.Afterfinallydiscov-eringwhatthemarkreadwewereabletoassignaprice.Thepairsoldthefirstdayofthesalefor$2,750.

desksinarecentsalewehadalarge,dated,not-overlyappealingofficedesk.Duetoshiftsintechnologysize,thedesirefortheseultrabulkydeskshasdroppedconsiderably.usuallywepricethemwellunder$100.Thatwasthedirectionthisdeskwasheadeduntilwepokedunderneathandfoundaverysmallstickerthatread“Knoll.”Becauseofthatstickerthedesksoldfor$1,100.

baseball cardMostbaseballcardvalueshavenotrecoveredfromtheearly1990scardbubbleandthebaseballstrikeof1994.Butlastyearwesolda1952ToppsAndyPafkofor$340.WhileAndywasagoodplayer,hiscardismainlyvaluablebecauseitwasthefirstcardinthe1952series.Boys

wouldrubberbandtheirsetstogether,andnotmany’52Pafkosescapedunscathed.

nativity setsAnothergroupofitemsyouwillseeinalmosteveryestatesaleisholidaydecorationsanddécor.Asageneralrule,holidaypiecesdon’tbringhighvalues(atleast10monthsoutoftheyear).Theexcep-tionsareANrinativitysets.Handcarvedinitalyfrommapleorlindenwood,wehavesoldthesebeautifulsetsformorethan$1,200.

bb gunWeoftensellBBgunsatoursalesinthe$20to$75pricerange,de-pendingoncondition.WhileworkinginadetachedgarageinBrook-sidewecameacrossa1928remingtonModel26pumpactionBBgun.DuetotheGreatDepressiontakingthebottomoutofexpensivetoys,only20,000ofthesegunsweremade.Wesoldthisgunontheopeningmorningofoursalefor$650.

Michael James

What favorite items have you sold for surprisingly high $$?

he said^he said

Overland Park, KS • 913-814-0300 • Paola, KS • 913-294-4499 The Painted Sofa • 1413 W. 11th St. KC, MO • 816-474-8832

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hen you drive up to Hoot Owl Hill in Paola, KS, you’ll leave all stress and worry behind you on the dusty country road. A sea of bright zinnias,

colorful coneflowers and white daisies greet you as you pass Brenda and Steve Wrischnik’s stunning A-frame house. The guinea fowl might also come out to say “hello.”

The gardens at this peaceful retreat, which hosts glamping, yoga classes and various workshops throughout the year, grew out of Brenda and Steve’s love of the outdoors. These no fuss gardeners wanted to keep it relaxed. If you can call 14 acres, with two vine-yards, a butterfly garden, a fruit tree patio and a large vegetable garden, relaxed. (That’s not to mention the chicken coop, beehives and 116 blueberry bushes.)

From nurturing the garden beds of broccoli, cabbage, kale, to-matoes, carrots, beans, okra and every other imaginable vegetable to tending their vineyards of Concord and Frontenac grapes, the pair manages the gardens all on their own. That really is where it becomes no fuss.

“I wanted it to be something that was fairly carefree because I don’t micromanage my plants,” Brenda said. “If it needed a lot of water, if it needed a lot of pruning, it wasn’t my thing.”

The couple planted flowers that reseed themselves, and they built drip systems to make the gardens as self-sufficient as possible.

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BrendaandSteveWrischniksharetheirphilosophyforcreatinglushgardensatHootOwlHill

ByKirstenHudson|PhotosbyWilliamandJillDiMartino

Garden

Glory

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^garden guide

TheWrischniks’gardensatHootOwlHillframetheirhomeandlandbeautifully,welcomingguestsinavarietyofways.


gardening with intentThey may have a laidback attitude, but Brenda and Steve’s gardening

philosophy includes crafting their gardens with purpose.“I wanted it to be purposeful in that I wanted it all to work together

and to have a symbiotic relationship,” Brenda said. The couple planted flowers, herbs and trees that bees, butterflies and birds need for food

and to lay their eggs on. You can find these host plants—eastern red cedar, hackberry trees, little bluestem, milkweeds, switch grass, violets and wild senna—throughout the property.

“I’ve tried to add those plants faithfully so that I can attract the butter-flies and the bees and be a little sanctuary for those insects,” Brenda said.

That focus on creating harmony is also why the couple refuses to spray

WhenwanderingthegardensatHootOwlHill,you’lllikelycomeacrosssomethinginterestingwhereveryouwalk.“i’vebuiltinalotoflittlesurprises,”saidBrendaWrischnik,whocreatedthegardenswithher

husband,Steve.Fromoldironbedframesholdinggardenbedstooldcoveredwagons,touniquesculpturesandsigns,there’ssomethingthatwillgrabyourattention.


any pesticides on their plants. They count on their bees for fresh honey, their chickens for eggs and their guinea fowl to keep ticks at bay. And, they don’t want to interfere with those relationships by using chemicals. (They prevent pests with natural methods, like tobacco and garlic juice.)

planning, waiting, growingManaging gardens of this extent is no small challenge, but one

Brenda enjoys. She plans the gardens throughout the year. “It never re-ally leaves my thoughts,” she said.

Every season, she pulls out her graph paper and makes notes about what worked and what didn’t. She also draws out all of the garden beds.

“I look at what I did last summer and I’ll shift everything over one or two beds and just keep rotating,” she said. “It’s very important for disease resistance for your plants.”

She also scours dozens of seed catalogs starting in December, looking for any-thing new or different. “I like to try new things,” she said. “So, I look for things that I think would be fun to grow. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.”

During the season, she’ll roam the paths in her gardens and just let the creativity

Bring in this ad to receive 20% offone item in the shop. offer valid through 5/30/2015. Not valid on furniture purchases.

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Whimsicaltouchesdotthegardens(oppositepage).GuineafowlroamthegardensatHootOwlHillkeepingticksatbay.Chickensprovidefarmfresheggs,andBrendaandStevekeepbees,too.Thecoupleisthankfulforthereciprocalrelationshiptheyhavewiththeiranimals.ThecouplegrowsConcordandFrontenacgrapesandsellsthegrapestoNightHawkVineyard&Winery,alocalwineryinPaola,KS.

flow. “I take a glass of wine and wander,” she said. “I’m always think-ing when I do that. That’s how I decide what I want to change or add. I just look around and come up with ideas.”

And then she’ll go inside and add them to list, Steve said of their never-ending “to do” list.

a helping handThe hardworking couple is quick to point out that they couldn’t have

accomplished what they have without the help of friends. “Why would you reinvent the wheel when you have friends and experts

around that love for you to have the knowledge they have?” Brenda said.

Road trip!

The “Kansas” Antique ShopWhat antique shops were meant to be

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From learning how to keep bees to choosing plants that support but-terflies, friends have helped the couple along the way.

“I’ve found that other people who garden love to share,” Brenda said. “Because they’re on a mission and they want you to be on a mission, too.”

One block west

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

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913-261-8183

Monday-Saturday 10ish am - 6 pm

above:lastyeartheWrischnikscreatedstructuresforbeansintheirlargevegetablegarden.right:Bright,colorfulzinniasbloomaroundtheentranceofHootOwlHill.They’reBrenda’sfavoriteflower.BrendaandStevetriedtoaddplentyofflowersandotherhostplantsforbutterfliesandbees.opposite:TheviewfromthehilltopthattheWrischnikscallhomeissimplystunning.


913-209-94796009 Johnson Dr.Mission, KSvintagemissionkc.com

Kirsten’s a budding gardener who’s inspired by Brenda and Steve’s gardening philosophy. Check out her vintage decorating ideas, DIY projects and occasional gardening post on her blog, Red Leaf Style, at redleafstyle.com.

534 N. MAIN | OTTAWA, KS | 785-242-6355MON-SAT 10-5 | SUN 11-5

A wide select ion of v intage, pr imit ives, rusted and funky pieces at reasonable pr ices come in and out of our doors every day!

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Outdoor Flea Market, Saturday, May 9, 9am to 4pm

Chosen Best Antique Shop every year for 6 years!

Front Porch Antiques

Caring for the earthAfter a long day of gardening, the couple likes to walk down to their pond.

They’ll watch the sunset and feed the fish. “That’s a really special time of evening because everything’s calming down,

and the light is just beautiful,” Brenda said. Or, you might find them sitting on their fruit tree patio eating dinner

or appetizers.“It’s another good spot to watch the sunset,” Brenda said. “You can just get a

good view and rest because usually we’ve been working out there all day.”That sense of serenity their gardens bring is special to the couple.“When you come here, I want it to feel like you just get this washing of peace

over you,” Brenda said. “And people have told us that really is how it feels.” ^


She Said Yeshe very first issue of VintageKC featured Becky Budke’s beautiful home, designed with our friend, interior designer Deb

Vogler. So when Becky told us she threw an engagement party for her son, Brett Budke, and his fiancé Jessica Geiss, we definitely wanted to see. Here’s some of our favorite ideas from her romantic, spring-filled, vintage party.

Becky gathered family wedding heirlooms from generations for the vintage celebration.

Guests were greeted on the front porch with bride and groom Barbie dolls in vintage wedding attire tucked inside a flower urn. Once inside, the main decorative attraction was a fresh floral arrangement inside a 1950s powder-pink bridal gown. All floral designs were by Deb Huber, a family cousin and interior decorator.

Heirloom dishes displayed custom sugar cookies and creme-filled cupcakes. Two masculine surpirs-es awaited the groom: antique golf clubs accenting the bar area; and a “tie the knot” table of neckties from years gone by. A Gourmet popcorn tree with tags that read “he popped the question” added to the take-home treat selection. A stone wine bar was transformed into the “He Put a Ring on it Saloon” with signature drinks like, “Brown Eyed Bride” and “Lucky in Love Lemonade.”

A getaway suitcase for the honeymoon was packed with a mirror and brush set from the 1920s, a wedding purse from the 1950s, bridal magazines, and a going-away dress from the 1930s.

An antique wedding topper and tiny brides-maid dolls added charm to the décor.

With a party this fun and creative, we’re sure Brett and Jessica’s wedding will be a hit this May!

TCelebratelovewithasuperchicvintageengagementparty

^

Fromlefttoright:BrideJessicaGeiss,hermomSondraGeiss,groomBrettBudke,and

hismom/hostessBeckyBudke.

^vintage events

17vintagekc spring 2015 17

BeckyBudkethrewavintage-inspiredengagementpartyforhersonandhisfiancéinherbeautifulhome.Welovetheplayonpopculturewithwordsmixedwiththetimelesselementsofthepast.


Cottage ChicWords Kim Antisdel FlowersAndreA K. Grist florAl desiGns, Wild Hill floWers PhotosWilliAm And Jill dimArtino

Smallspacesdon’thavetomeansmallideas.Gobig,andpackapunchofstylewithloadsofvintagecharm.

ecoming an empty nester has its benefits. Fewer mouths to feed, less stuff to keep in the house—a simpler life. But for Jackie and Darren Foster, becoming empty nesters doesn’t

necessarily mean less stuff. Instead, it simply means more opportunity to fill that nest with amazing things. Two years ago, when their children moved out and onto college, the couple saw an opportunity to search for a smaller home—and fill it to the brim with character, memories and amazing finds.

B

^vintage spaces

HomeownersDarrenandJackieFoster


Cozydoesn’tbegintodescribetheFosters’livingroom,packedwithvintagefindsanduniquepiecesoffurniture.Everynookhasapiece,butthereisstillabeautifulordertotheroom.

The 1920s four-bedroom, two-bathroom two-story home is nestled on a quiet and unique street in the Northland, avoiding the dreaded cookie-cutter fate of many other neighborhoods. But it took some look-ing to find it.

“We easily looked at 10 different houses before we found this one,” Jackie remembers. “And we found it in a gigantic snow storm with over two feet of snow on the ground.”

While that house hunting experience may sound like a nightmare, for Jackie, the weather only illuminated the little home’s possibilities. The beautiful stone exterior provided the perfect backdrop to the freshly fallen snow, framing the entire residence like a fairy tale. The Fosters were officially in love. They bought the house and immediately began to make it their own.


Both Jackie and her husband Darren are entrepreneurs with a similar taste in de-sign and careers. While Jackie owns the booth “Le Roost” at Restoration Emporium (RE) in the West Bottoms, Darren is a self-employed remodeler, furniture repair-man and furniture builder, and assists Jackie with her booth. So, it’s easy to see why every nook and cranny of the home is infused with cozy, cottage charm.

The home is typical for a 1920s residence, with warm wooden floors and a tightly knit floor plan of several small rooms throughout the two levels and base-ment. Jackie and Darren wanted to avoid the open and airy floor plan associated with many of today’s homes, opting instead for a more compact feel. Though the more compressed floor plan was a must-have for the couple, Jackie admits there are days when she wonders what they were thinking.

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ThefinishedatticinDarrenandJackie’shomeisalessoninfunctionanduseofspace.Withtwoseparatesleepingareasforguests,multiplesittingareasandadedicatedcraftspace,thebrightandairyatticisperfectionincottagestyle.

“We call this ‘the hobbit house’ in a good way and a bad way,” she laughs. “When we’re bumping into each other or something goes wrong that pertains to the home’s size, we say, ‘ugh, this is such a hobbit house!’ But by the same token, it’s so cozy and warm, and forces us to be together. That’s the good version of the hobbit house.”

Before she went out on her own with a booth at RE, Jackie made her livelihood as a residential interior designer. That time in her career forced her to keep her previous homes in “model” condition, leaving her the time to decorate her home as she really wanted. But for this French country cottage chic home, every stick of furniture, painting and finish are exactly what she wants.


Thekitchenin“thehobbithouse”featuresbrightwhitecabinetsandceramics,andaccentsofrobin’seggblue,withnaturalstonecuttingboardsandDarren’shandmaderusticwoodcountertops.

Thediningroomshowsoffafanciersideofthecouple’sstylewithwallpaper,heavydrapesandacrystalchandelier.Butitmaintainsthecomfortablefeelofthehousewithmismatchedchairsandnaturaldécor.

23vintagekc spring 2015V intageKC / Spring 2015

TheMulkeySuitefeaturesan1850sJerseylinenpressforclothes,aVictorianleatheredwritingdeskandironbed.Tuckedawaytotherightofthedeskisacozysittingroomwithaviewofthegarden.Theensuitebathincludestiledwallsandanartisantowelrail.


Smallspacesareallaboututilization.A

large,plushbedcommandsthe

masterbedroom,flankedbya

mismatchedsidetableand

dresser.Theclosetwas

transformedintoafunctional

officespace.


TheFosterswereabletoturntheirmasterclosetintoadeskbecausetheynowusethesecondmainfloorbedroomasawardrobewithrecycledshelving,seatingandplentyofroomforstyle...bothhomeandfashion.

“I feel like this house is more ‘me’ and ‘us’ than any other home we’ve owned,” she says. “It’s a reflection of our true selves. A chip on the old dining table adds character rather than an ‘oh no, we have to fix that!’ moment.”

It may be hard to imagine now, but when first moving in, Jackie started with an almost entirely blank slate. Now, each and every corner of space has been decorated and filled with great thought and precision. A few family heirlooms, however, will always take center stage in the home.

“My mom and dad bought the vanity in my master closet when they were married. When they got into a bit of a financial bind, they sold it to my aunt, and she used it for years. Then, when she passed away, the vanity was willed back to my dad, and he gave it to me. I use it to hold my jewelry, and I love that it’s made its way throughout our family and will stay there.”

It’s stories like this that keep Jackie feeling connected to her family and her home. She intentionally chooses pieces that speak to her design aesthetic and sensibility, even if those pieces may not be used the way they were originally intended. For example, Jackie’s favorite room in the

house—a bedroom converted to a walk-in-closet—wouldn’t be possible without a little creativity and repurposing.

“Someone once brought this shelving into RE, and we had it sitting in the warehouse

for a long time,” Jackie says. “I knew immediately that it would work per-fectly in our closet, so when RE moved into a new building, we snatched up the shelving and got to work putting it in the house.”

As it turns out, those shelves weren’t just from some random space, but rather, they were remnants from the North Kansas City Library. Jackie is thrilled that she could extend the life of the shelves, while in turn making her closet functional and historical.

“The greatest thing about this closet is that the shelves fit perfectly,” she says. “In fact, I have a little bench in there that fits so tightly be-tween the shelving units, we didn’t even have to screw or nail it in place. It’s literally in there like a glove. Like it was supposed to happen.”

The color palette for the Foster’s hobbit home is uncharacteristic compared to Jackie’s previous track record. In her past homes, color took center stage, revolving around rich greens, golds and reds. Now, she is content with a neutral palette of grays with an occasional pop of a bluish-green, found in the curtains of her dining room. The neutral background allows her to swap out pieces and try new things without having to paint


every single surface each time she makes a change.

“I love shopping in my own booth,” Jackie says. “If I buy something to put in my booth, and I realize I just love it, I can always keep that piece and swap it out with something I have in the house. It’s a fun way to keep the house updated and current.”

As for where she gets ideas for her décor, no source is off limits. Magazines, television, movies, Pinterest—they’re all fair game. In addition, the places to find her unique pieces is no secret either.

“I love auctions, antique malls, flea markets, thrift stores—you name it, I’ll go to it,” she says. “In fact, some-times my husband and I plan little vacations around it. It’s a way for us to have a great time together since we share the same love for all of this.”

Don’t make the mistake of thinking Jackie’s husband Darren is just one of those “go with whatever the wife wants” types. His passion for the home is apparent in every room, especially the master bedroom. Since

the couple’s closet resides in one of the renovated extra bedrooms, the existing closet in the master bedroom was open to interpretation. Darren single handedly created and installed a large barn-style door across the closet opening, allowing for Jackie to have an in-home office. The door is an amazing architectural addition that is as unique as it is beautiful.

DetailsaboundintheJeffersonHouseB&B:Fromtheoriginallightfixturefoundinthebasementtorefurbishedhardwareandquirkytouches.you’lllookaroundaroommanytimesbeforeyounoticeeverything.


The second level of the home is one large open space, with several beds. For the moment, it serves as place for the kids to sleep when they visit, but Jackie hopes (someday) it will be a place for her grandchildren to play.

“I love the idea of grandkids coming and playing in this home,” Jackie says, motioning to a large wooden table in the center of the room. “I can see us doing crafts or playing hide and seek up here.”

As Jackie continues to make over her home, she admits it will never be completely finished, and she’s always looking for ways to make it better. In fact, one of the newer additions to the home is actually in the backyard—a pair of chickens the couple lovingly call “the girls.”

No matter what Jackie and Darren add to their home, one thing is clear. It is truly a reflection of their love and passion for design. And that’s what fairy tale homes are made of. ̂

oumightloveyourhomebutstillneedmorespace.Goaheadandstepinto

that“forbidden”area–theattic!itcanprovidesomuchmorethanjustablackholecollectingthattrashbagofoldclothes,theChristmaswreathsinJanuaryandbagsofoldvacationmementos.

Thereareafewnecessarystepsyoucantaketobringthatdeadspacetoawholenewlevel.youneedtoverifythatyourhouse’sfoundationandframingcancarrytheextraweightofafinishedspace,whichtendstoweighmorethanwhatistypicallystored.it’sbesttobringinanexpert(engineer)forthisveryimportantphasetogivehis/herprofessionalstampofapproval.Onceyoudetermineyouratticcanmeetbasiccodes—suchasaminimum7’clearancefromfloortoceiling(50percentofthatspacemusthavea7’clearance)withaminimum70squarefeetineachdirection—it’stimetoconsidersomebasics.Althoughthesemaynotbethesexypartsofdecoratingyournewfoundaddition,believeme—youwillbegladyouaddressedthemwhenitcomestimetoenjoythatnewbedroom,playroom,bathroomoroffice.•youmayneedtobeefupfloorjoiststohelpsupporttheaddedweightofafinished/functioningroom,anditwillalsohelpwiththoseannoyingsqueakyfloors.•lightingisparamounttotakingan“OK”roomtoanawesomeroom.recessedlights—andplentyofthem—aregreatforlowerceilings.Skylightsareafantasticresourcefornaturallightifyoucan’taddanywindows.Evenbetter,addbothifyourbudgetpermits.•Temperaturematters!Atticsaren’ttypicallyheatedorcooled.Don’tskimpontheinsulation,andyoumaywanttoturntotheexpertswhenextendingtheheatingandcoolingintoyournewroom(s).•Takeadvantageofeverypossiblesquarefootwhetheritisfororganizedstorageorliving.•Amoney-saverifyouareaddingabathroomistoplaceitoveranexistingbathroomorkitchentotakeadvantageofplumbingplacement.

Nowthatyou’veaddressedtheimportantfunctionissuesofyourremodelprojectit’stimetoexpressyourself.letyourimaginationbeyourguidetocreatinganotherdreamcometrueforyourhome.

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].

y

-Deb

Turn Dead Space into Drop-dead Gorgeous Space

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 two dogs and two cats fighting for a spot on her lap.

TheFosters’outdoorspaceisjustasinvitingastheindoor.

^

^designing with deb


he versatility of gold in fashion continues to be reinvented. This time around, we’ve seen it dressed up, casual, subtle or used as the piece that pulls you into a finished look. Gilding looks from head to toe was

not hard for us (with our love for all things gold). We definitely think that a spring night out on the town deserves to be a golden one.

PhotostiffAny n. Cody, smAsH GlAmHairlotus BeAutyMakeup AisHA simon, sHeliCe sHeppArd, smAsH GlAmModelslACey lee, sCArlette o’sHeA, VoiCes&; VeroniCA teVes, exposureConcept and StylingCAlli GreenLocationtHe Kill deVil CluB*itemsnotcreditedarefrommodels’closets.

Everything’scomingupgoldenthisspring.Addsomeshinetoyourwardrobewithadaptablemetallicpieces.

GildedT

^

^vintage fashion


on laceyJacket,VintageVogue;top,CulturedTrashatriverMarketAntiques;skirt,editor’scloset;shoes,necklace,VintageVogue;clutch,BurlapatTopHatMercantile.


on scarletteTop,shoes,VintageVogue;shorts,CulturedTrashatriverMarketAntiques;clutch,redouxFashionsatriverMarketAntiques;jewelry,VintageVogue;longnecklace,editor’scloset.


on veronica Cardigan,riverMarketAntiques;jewelry,VintageVogue;shoes,editor’scloset.


on laceyHat,AprilMaddenStudioatTopHatMercantile;top,bangles,BurlapatTopHatMercantile;shoes,VintageVogue.


on scarletteJewelry,belt,BurlapatTopHatMercantile;cardigan,estatesale;skirt,VintageVogue.


on veronica Necklace,VintageVogue;tops,editor’scloset;skirt,riverMarketAntiques;purse,BurlapatTopHatMercantile.


do^crafty

Raid Grandma’s sewing basket to create this whimsical wind chime, perfect for any craft

lover. Made from a variety of vintage sewing and needlework notions, a simple embroidery hoop

serves as a base for hanging aluminum knitting needles and metal thimbles. Hung with clear fishing line, they dance in the breeze, creating a sweet sound. A wooden spool of thread and embroidery floss finish the top for a little extra vintage charm.Jamie, kolorizekolorize.etsy.com

our creative people take on wind chimes with found and vintage items

elovethesoundsofspring,espciallythesoothing,rhythmicding,tapandclankofwindchimes.ThistimearoundwechallengedourbloggersandEtsysellerstocraftwindchimesusingmostlyantique,

vintageand/orthriftedpieces.We’resoproudoftheirre-sourcefulness.Whatdoyouhavearoundthehousethatyoucouldturnintoafunandwhimsicalwindchimethisspring?

The windSingsW

Difficulty mild Time mild Cost MilD


By taking apart a toy xylophone, I created colorful and musical wind chimes. I painted some stripes on a branch and hung the xylophone

pieces from it using yarn. I love how it adds a fun and whimiscal touch to my porch!

megan, homemade gingerhomemadeginger.com

This rustic do-it-yourself wind chime is crafted out of an old mattress spring and antique skele-ton keys. I knew I wanted to use skeleton keys to

create a wind chime, but the mattress spring was a burst of last-minute inspiration. Its circular coils

function as the perfect structure to assemble a chime. I added the skeleton keys by winding silver 24-gauge wire around the keys and attaching them to the mattress spring. An old keyhole plate connected with more wire serves as a spot to hang the chime. It’s a bit whimsical (and I think that’s why I like it so much.)kirsten, red leaf style redleafstyle.com

The combination of a trashed-out lampshade, crochet thread (metallic in size 10 thread), a 3.5mm crochet hook, large eye needle (to weave in thread ends and attach

chimes), glue and some assorted jewelry and lamp finds from my collecting stash turned into this sparkly wind chime. Most of the gutting of the lampshade was courtesy of the

shade’s previous owner. Reflective glitz was the look that I was going for, so first I chose gold metallic crochet thread. Using two strands of thread, I worked several single crochet stitches around the stays and the top and

bottom rings of the frame. Most of my creating time was spent choosing the jewelry and the chimes. After some experimentation with light refraction, sound and “swingability,” I decided on lead crystal tear drops

and the remnants of a broken 1950s necklace. These choices provided a wonderful accent of the desired glitz. Again using double strands of metallic gold crochet thread, I attached the beads and the teardrops using chain stitches to the desired lengths. I tied the center chime in place and secured the tie with glue. I then

stitched each of the remaining chimes in place and also secured their attached areas with glue. The definitive layer of glitz was complete. After a mere two hours, that which was once a pile of “collected stuff ” became a

sparkling, chiming, messenger of spring. karen glasgow follett

karenglasgowfollet.wordpress.com


My husband and I are renovating a 1955 Drummond ranch that we bought last winter. After some plumbing work, we were left with a giant piece of cop-per tubing. We thought it would be cool to make a windchime from items we have taken out of the house. Since copper is a soft metal, we could easily cut the pieces to size using a hack saw. Once we were happy on the amount and length, we decided to give the copper a rustic brushed look by taking 80 grit sand paper and sanding the discolored, dull layer off. Then we drilled holes in the top of each and attached them to the wood piece with fishing wire. The wood piece is

an old piece of trim from the kitchen. It was a wonderful project that my husband and I enjoyed working on to-gether! We created something beautiful out of items that came from our first house renovation, which otherwise would have been hauled to the junk yard. It sounds great, and I can’t wait to enjoy it for the years to come. It will be a good reminder of all the hard work and love we put into this house. abbie, the marshall made Co.marshallmade.co

do^crafty

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I created a wind chime using 15 vintage skeleton keys, which I spray painted in bright colors. You can find keys like these at your favorite local antique store or on eBay. I used a mason jar lid, four mini gold binder clips, and and some fishing string to pull it all together—it only took about 30 minutes. Hanging outside on our deck, it puts off a beautifully soothing, springlike sound. audrey, oh so lovely ohsolovelyblog.com

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You’re Invited! June 13, 2015Join us as we celebrate year one! Open house, food, giveaways & fun!

1Raised in CottonFinds for the Wonderfully Spoiled Home

Wed-Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. raisedincotton.biz

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Wewantyoutohavefunwithus!CreateyourownwindchimeoutofvintageandthrifteditemsbyApril30,[email protected]’llcompilethemonourwebsiteandpickourfavorite.Thewinnerwillreceivea$20Hobbylobbygiftcard.Getcraftyfriends!

Reader Chal lenge


Because I live in a loft down-town without a yard or porch, I love having reasons to bring the outside in. This wind chime makes its own song, as well as doubling as a dream catcher. This was one of the easiest projects I have made yet! I used an embroidery hoop and a doily for the top, then used ribbon and lace to tie bells, gears and metal jewelry to the bottom. I can’t wait to open my windows to let the spring in, and hear its unique sound!Calli, fashion directorVintageKC Magazine

as good as gran

dma's...

...maybe better!

Inside Pryde’s Old Westport115 Westport RoadKansas City, MO816-561-4990

Downtown Overland Park7943 Santa Fe Dr.Overland Park, KS

913-642-2999

3600 S. Leonard Rd. St. Joseph, MO 816-279-4310

stjosephantiques.com

St. Joseph Auctionand Antique Market

Open 10 am to 6 pm dailyWe carry Fiesta seconds!

20,000 SQUARE FEET!

do^crafty

Formoregreatideas,visitourPinterestpage:pinterest.com/vintagekc/wind-chimes/

Andwhileyou’rethere,checkoutallthefunstuffwe’vepinned—everythingfromofficestokitchens,fromweddingstofashion,fromlightstodo-it-yourselfprojects.ifit’svintageorawesomeorfunnyorhelpful,we’repinningit.Comejoinus!

P interest


My son has a playhouse in our back yard. I wanted something fun and kind of junky to hang from the house that also made noise—and not necessarily a pretty sound. I also wanted my son to be able to help me assemble it. I had collect-ed some bottle caps and found the rest in the “Parts and Wrecks” department at Top Hat Mercan-tile. My son and I searched for a metal top at the Salvation Army and thought the blue loaf pan was perfect. I used a nail and hammer to punch holes in the bottle caps and then drilled holes in the pan. My son helped me string it all together and he loves his new house decoration!Erin, editorVintageKC Magazine

Proudly stockingMother Earth

Paints!

Paint workshops Friday nights,

pre-registration required

6015 Johnson DriveMission, Kansas 66202

913-333-0026 [email protected]

Check us out on Facebook and in Studio 1404, West Bottoms


hen warm weather returns, I love to get back outside, and I know parents are grateful to be able to send kids out to play in

the yard. So we came up with a fun and easy DIY project that turned scrap from the local Habitat for Humanity Restore into colorful instruments (Or, maybe let’s just call them noise makers!).

I built a simple frame out of scraps of wood. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be fun!

ByDustinBates

Getoutsideandmakesomenoisethisspring...it’ssupereasyandfun!

Scrap

^

Instruments

VentilationbendscoveredwithDuckTapeformdrumsandpainteddownspoutsof

varyingsizessharedifferenttones.

do^dustin’s diy

W

Difficulty moderAte Time most Costmost


Dustin’s DIY is sponsored by Habitat for Humanity Kansas City Restore.

Dustin started Varsity Construction after graduating college in 2005. He builds new construction and remodels homes. He also builds small furniture pieces in his spare time. Connect with him at facebook.com/varsityconstllc.

Above,wedisassembledalightfixturebecausethepieceslookedlikebellsandtheymakeacoolmetal“tink”sound.Ashuttermakesagreatrhythminstrumentwhenthedrumstickisdraggedalongtheslats.Atleft,wecutafewpipesanddrilledholesinthetops.Weattachedthemwithparachutecordtomakeafunswingingchime.


he minute this issue had a strong garden/outdoor theme going, we knew we had to upcycle some-thing with a floral motif. Florals

aren’t necessarily “in” like they used to be, but that’s good because it means there’s an abundance of floral materials you can revamp from the thrift store.

We started with this basic tray, which hap-pens to rest with spring-loaded legs on the arm of a chair or couch. We liked the angles and the fact that it was pretty ugly to start. That blond wood veneer was calling our names!

First, we found three-four plates with floral patterns in the center. They typically cost $1-$2. Look for plates that are the same depth with complementary colors. The centers of the plates are flat, so don’t think you can use the decorative edges of plates, as they are tapered and will make the surface of the tray uneven.

To break the plates, grab some safety glasses, heavy gloves, a hammer and newspaper. We used cardboard to protect our floor, but if you break the plates outside, you can just use the newspaper. Place a plate between two sections of newspaper and bash away. It’s a very thera-

peutic process. You’ll need a variety of sizes in your pieces and make sure each one is flat.

Next, clean the tray and prepare to spend some time figuring out a puzzle. We thought this part would be wasy, but the mosaic can take hours! For this angular piece, starting at the edges was very helpful. Once you’re happy with the design, grab your mosaic tile adhe-sive and rubber gloves. Pick up each piece and squeeze glue on the plate and the tray. Gluing both surfaces helps the bonding. When all the pieces are glued down, let it dry according to the glue’s directions.

After the tiles are set, it’s time to grout. We used a simple pre-made grout from the crafts store. Work the grount into the cracks with a putty knife. You may need two coats for larger gaps. After a copule of hours, scrape away excess grout and use a wet cloth to clean it up further, polishing each tile.

Now, you can paint the tray before laying the tile, ours just didn’t play out that way (be-cause we’re not very good planners). Ha! But it was simple enough to tape off the tile and paint after it was finished. We used Americana Wasabi Green acrylic paint.

You can apply this method to any tray or even a table. It takes a bit of time overall, and multiple drying times, but we love the finished look.

Tray

T

Afunctionalthriftstoretraygetsaprettyfacelift

^

Upcycled

do^thriftcycle

Difficulty moderAte Time moderAte CostmoderAte

skill MilD:1-2stepsMODErATE:2-4stepsMOST:4+steps

timeMilD:HoursMODErATE:2-3daysMOST:3+days

Cost MilD:under$10MODErATE:$10-$25MOST:$25+

proJeCt Key

before


The National Kidney Foundation presents the Magic of Giving Gala;

an evening to recognize the courage, care and compassion of

Kansas City’s renal community.

Thursday, June 4, 2015 | 6 PM to 9 PM | The Gallery61 E 14th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105

For Sponsorship Information and Dinner Tickets, Contact Alexandra Wilson at 913-262-1551 or

[email protected]

www.kidney.org

201 East Gregory BoulevardKansas City 64116

(816) 523-9911

specialty cakesbirthday cakeswedding cakes

dessertscookies

McLain’s Bakery

Home of the Chocolate Cup Cookie

VintageKC

Coming this spring...

vintagekcmag.com/vintagekc-tv

TV

flick

r.com

/fre

dsei

bert


Growingupacrossthestreetfromyourgrandparentshasitsadvantages...anditsadventures!

had the great joy and pleasure of grow-ing up right across the street from my grandparents. They lived in an old white farmhouse built in 1890 that had once

been the Kimbal Dairy Farm. Situated on just over an acre by the time I came around, it was set off the road at the end of a long driveway lined with giant oak trees. One of those trees still holds the tire swing Grandpa made for us.

Every Friday night I would cross the road to spend the night with them. “Friday night is our night,” Grandma would remind me. So my mom would pack my little red suitcase that, no lie, said “I’m going to Grandma’s house”, and my dad would stand on the front

porch to make sure I survived all the perils of crossing a rural Kansas road on my own. Grandpa would be waiting on his own porch with the light on.

“Hey, Little Bessie,” was his warm greeting. I earned the nickname by reminding him of his mom. Inevitably, the house would smell of the corn they’d just popped, and I’d get a little bowl of it with maybe some cheese or sliced apples sprinkled with salt. We’d watch the evening news, and they’d let me jabber about my day at school.

We always turned in early, and poor Grandpa was relegated to the guest room so that Grandma and I could lie in their bed while she read me the entire “Little House on the Prairie” series, one chapter at a time. I’d lay my head on her belly and follow along as she read, her tiny wrinkled hands holding the pages wide. Her white cotton nightgown smelled of the outdoors where it’d dried on the line, and before long the soothing sound of her voice made my eyelids heavy.

On extra special occasions, my cousins would arrive in town to stay with us at the old farmhouse. We’d spend summer evenings in the sprawling front lawn catching lightning and lady bugs and trapping them in the bug houses Grandpa had made for us. Our parents lounged on the porch with Grandma and Grandpa,

swinging or rocking, and sipping Diet Cokes.When it was time to turn in, Grandma

would make us girls a little pallet in their room under the open window. We’d carefully place our bugs in the sill so they had plenty of air to breathe as we slept. Somehow, even in the middle of summer, their house never felt too hot. The breeze that floated in carried the sound of cicadas singing, and the peaceful-ness of that setting ensured a sound sleep even though we were already anxious for the adventures that awaited us the next day.

Likely those adventures would include tinkering in Grandpa’s workshop or on one of his old cars. Or maybe we’d head into town to see if we could find any antiques Grandma couldn’t live without.

Little did I know then how much I would come to treasure those precious memories, or how much I would give now to have even one more Friday night with my grandparents in that old white farmhouse.

Amy is a writer, wife, mother, dog lover, wine drinker and chocolate eater who just published her first book! Find it at amystearman.com.

IByAmyMcCarter

^

AdventuresAdolescent

Amy’sgrandparents,MaryandDwayne,ontheirweddingdayinWichita,KS,in1946.

Amyandherbrotheroutsidetheirgrandparents’farmhouse.

read^vintage memories

901 S. Parker | Olathe, KS913-768-0084

Mon-Sat 10-6 | Sun 12-5facebook.com/LoneElmMall

Where vintage, antique & repurposed mingle

Join usMARCH

20-22as we celebrate the start of Spring and

storewide savings!our Fourth Anniversary with

Vendor inquiries welcome

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0304 vintagekc spring 2015

Documents

spring issue

issue 4shop05 etsy

spring night

growing vegetable garden

beautiful butterfly

gardeninspired tray

becky budkes gorgeous

little family