Kansas City, KS, is a real marvel, serving as the Heart of America since its founding in 1868. Cowtown is known for having the most barbecue restaurants per capita and its unique status as being split with its sister city in Missouri: a unique quirk of politics that reflects its status as a bridge between two zones of the United States.
If you’re fortunate enough to live in this beautiful Plains city, it’s only natural that you’d want to show your hometown pride throughout your living space. Today, we’ll explore some ways to really make your Kansas City home come alive, reflecting all that is special about the Fountain City.
Get Jazzy With Musical-Themed Decor
Kansas City is known as the homeplace of jazz, which first waltzed into the world in the 1920s and 30s. Some of the biggest names in jazz have their roots here, such as Count Basie and Charlie Parker; over 100 nightclubs and bars pumped out this fun, freewheeling music style, entertaining locals and visitors alike. In its heyday, Kansas City also served as a beacon in the dry darkness of Prohibition, where alcohol flowed freely despite the legal restrictions on drinks.
To get a true feel for Kansas City, you should consider including touches of jazz throughout the home, recalling the smoke-filled parlors of the Roaring Twenties with a more homey feel. Small elements such as bright brass fixtures and dark wood will bring to mind a classy jazz club; you may also consider choosing decor such as Art Deco paintings and vintage furniture. A few well-placed paintings of jazz clubs will also look wonderful without seeming too overdone.
Respect the Scenery Through Natural Elements
Kansas City is blessed with great natural beauty, being situated on the Blue River, which flows into the Missouri, and the Kansas River. Gentle prairie wildflowers and towering trees like the flowering dogwood, maple, Eastern black walnut, and basswood all call Kansas City home, making it an oasis of warm wheaten comfort throughout the year.
If you’d rather go for an earthier look, consider using naturalistic elements such as live edge dining room tables; you might choose one with blue resin insets, recalling the mighty rivers that have given Kansas City its important status as a place of transit and commerce. Botanical sketches and prairie scenes will remind you of how the city comes to life in a burst of colors during springtime, while earthy reds and yellows reflect the rich farmland that was so essential to Kansas City’s founding.
Honor Kansas City’s Prairie Roots Through Farmhouse Chic
Kansas is a land of majesty, known for its important status as a place where immigrants from all over the world made a place for themselves and raised vital cash crops. Its occasionally harsh climate spawned stories of bravery and innovation for those who trekked across its plains to make a better life for themselves in the West, or who set up shop and lived off the earth under boundless blue skies.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie has lent an edge of romance to a pioneer life that could be dangerous yet beautiful in turn, captivating the hearts and minds of those who would love to imagine themselves as courageous explorers of the vast wilderness.
Farmhouse chic is the aesthetic for you if you want to imbue your home with all the pragmatic comfort of a prairie home. This uniquely American style uses rough-hewn but beautiful natural materials, as well as cozy touches like embroidery and handmade items, to provide a down-to-earth class that is all Kansas.
You most often see farmhouse chic in kitchen renovations, where you can choose elements like wood pantries, slab countertops, and the eponymous farmhouse sink. However, it can be a whole-house philosophy that lends a sweet venerability to every part of your decor. Liven it up with needlework found in antique stores; you can even make your own using patterns from long ago, aware that it needn’t be perfect to be perfectly loved. Colorful quilts and warm knitted fabrics encourage you to snuggle down when the cold season comes, while lustrous paintings of pioneer life will remind you of the sacrifices that built Kansas City.
Charming KC is a place to enjoy all that nature offers and think back on its important status as the cradle of innovation. There’s no better way to show your love for such a special city than through carefully designing your home to capture the things that make it so great. Whatever you decide, relying on local artisans, antique shops, and well-known Kansas City furniture makers will provide you with a real sense of belonging in the Heart of America.
