Northland, MO March 2024

The Home and Design Issue

A reflection of ourselves in our homes

Home reminds me of coffee brewing in the morning and soulful dinners on Sunday. Home is a place of refuge, laughter, love and peace. As I think of the places in which I’ve considered home, those include a house in the inner city of St. Louis, MO, the dormitories on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a studio loft in the 18th Vine District and my current residence in the Northland — all of which are vastly different but served a purpose in that chapter of my life.

Those homes were the central hub for nurturing relationships, fostering emotional connections, and creating my sense of belonging and identity. I’m incredibly grateful for the memories and lessons learned in all of my homes and I know I wouldn't be who I am without the lessons learned within those four walls.

A home reflects the personality, values, and preferences of its inhabitants, providing an opportunity for self-expression through interior design, decor, and personalization. In this month’s home and design issue, we are thrilled to have the stunning art of a local talented photographer, Nate Sheets, grace the cover and explore the architecture of a Northland residence. Come along with us as we do a deep dive of the classic home he photographed, designed by Liberty firm Collected Living Design. We also tour another Northland home — that of one of our own writers, Kim Antisdel, who updated her 1984 dwelling to something a little more modern that fits her family and style.

Lastly — a nod to design rather than home — we visited the brand new and long-anticipated Rabbit hOle in North Kansas City. The Rabbit hOle is an immersive children’s museum that features reimaginings of beloved children's books, and many beautiful illustrations and artistic designs.

Good neighbors make a place a community, and a house a home. Remember to support local home and design-focused businesses that partner with us and follow us on social media!

From my door to yours,

Connecting You to Better Health

Liberty Hospital Primary Care

The path to better health is guided by primary care teams who provide connections and personalized care for all ages. With several convenient locations, same-day appointments, urgent care and more, Liberty Hospital Primary Care is the premier choice in the Northland for whole-person care.

libertyhospital.org/primarycare

Solar Shield is locally owned by Tim & Denise Sanders. With 20 years experience in window treatments, they have focused on building amazing customer service experiences. Because of this, Solar Shield has become the highest rated window treatment company in the KC Metro on Google with more than 470 5-Star reviews. Solar Shield is not brand or product specific, so they can offer the best solution for any type of window treatment project imaginable. Their team is made up of professionals who value customer experience as much as Tim and Denise. They are always excited to earn new clients and would love to help you too!

business monthly

A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Don’t miss NKCPL’s weekly Storytimes!

Have littles? Looking for a low-key, learning outing? Join us on Tuesdays @ 6 pm (a new time!) and/or Wednesdays @ 10 am for our regular Pre-K Storytime at North Kansas City Public Library! These sessions include readaloud stories, songs/movement, and a super-simple craft. If you want, plan to stay after the Wednesday Storytime for some Stay-and-Play time with LEGOs and DUPLOs. Storytimes are geared toward pre-k kiddos, but children of all ages are welcome.

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City officials in Riverside approved a plan for a $110 million project involving

Riverside. Construction is expected to begin soon,

Walk into the office of Collected Living Design in Liberty and you’ll understand exactly what traditional and classic interiors feel like. This renovation and design firm understands that trusted relationships, attention to detail and timeless style all play a critical role in every project.

Owners Laurie Champ, Abby Humphreys and Trent Raines invite us into a recent new build project in the Northland that showcases what timeless style looks like when a collaborative design truly hits home. Understanding that design – either in a new build or renovation – can be incredibly stressful, the Collected Living Design team provides the guidance, planning and expert eye to bring clients’ vision to life.

“People can get the scale all wrong with bookshelves,” Laurie says. Tall shelves need large accessories, which can be daunting for homeowners to select on their own.

CONTINUED >

Careful not to block the large sliders going out onto the deck, they arranged the living room for a classic, yet comfortable space. “It’s about both form and function,” Abby says.

The dark walnut of the kitchen island and hutch add warmth to the room, and the paneled refrigerator creates a seamless-looking space. With a marble countertop and unique accent lighting, the ledge and hutch provide unique areas to display artwork and other accessories.

Darker tones, especially in smaller areas, can be scary for homeowners. “If you’re going to do it, a small space is the place,” Laurie says. The dark wallpaper in the main floor bathroom, although admittedly a bit risky, adds a cozy feel to the space. Although ample lighting is important in primary bathroom spaces, a half bath is the perfect area to experiment with design and add the unexpected.

Laurie and Abby chose a color called Swiss Coffee for the main floor, including the eating area off the kitchen.

“You see small hexagon tiles in black and white, or the use of natural stone or brick, so I like to think, ‘Is this something that I could have found years ago?’”

Abby describes the color as “warm without being yellow” and the chandelier, a beaded statement piece, provides a design element to a functional space.

The use of texture adds interest to an area, like a grass-cloth wall covering they used in one of the home’s hallways. “We wanted to create little moments,” Laurie explains of the home’s design.

The key to a traditional style often lies in the timelessness of the material and patterns used. “You see small hexagon tiles in

“You might think the color will feel dark, but in the right lighting, it feels cozy. It makes a statement. When you have a client who trusts our choices, it all comes together.”

black and white, or the use of natural stone or brick, so I like to think, ‘Is this something that I could have found years ago?’” Laurie explains. Using classic materials with a modern twist is seen in the gray and cream large block tiles in the mudroom, or the antique dresser for additional storage also used in the space.

The walls, ceiling, built-ins and trim of the pantry are all painted in the same muted green, a charming shelf curtain a nod to the English cottage style. The pocket door was a custom build and the wicker light was a fun element. “You might think the color will feel dark, but in the right lighting, it feels cozy. It makes a statement,” Abby says. “When you have a client who trusts our choices, it all comes together.”

THEFATED R

“And to think it all started with just a Sunday drive.”

There is a special magic in the lazy Sunday drive. Without agenda or destination, the city opens up in a way that is impossible during the hustle and bustle of the week. That left-turn down a road you’ve never explored might reveal a new favorite restaurant. A quick fork in the road can lead to next year’s family photo shoot location.

One summer day in 2011, a leisurely drive around Liberty, Missouri revealed the forever home I didn’t even know I was looking for. In fact, my husband and I had only just recently moved to the city from the Kansas side. Though we were perfectly happy in our home, the interior designer in us simply wouldn’t allow for us to stay still long. We felt pulled to drive

around on the weekends, making a game of exploring nearby homes and chatting through the changes we would make if they were our residences.

That fateful day our car wound through the Camelot neighborhood and slowly crested the top of a steep hill on Kings Ridge Drive. Suddenly there it was, perched proudly on the corner of the intersection — our dream house. Angels sang and sunlight beamed off the roof. It had to be ours.

As a two-story 80s contemporary, the architecture was a stark contrast to the traditional homes that lined the street. Brad and I both felt a zing of electricity as we surmised the original condition, barely touched by its owners.

“Suddenly there it was, perched proudly on the corner of the intersection — our dream house.”

This meant it was flush with our favorite characteristic: potential.

We wanted to move in right then and there and actually considered knocking on the door to ask if the owners would consider selling. But it wouldn’t be until six years later that the dream of living of making this house our home became a reality. It was Brad’s addiction to bedtime scrolling on Realtor.com that made it all happen. He shook me awake at midnight, whispering excitedly, “Kim, it’s the house. The house. It’s for sale.” Our offer was accepted 48 hours later.

Built in 1984, the 4 bed, 4.5 bath corner home was built atop “Pill Hill,” a moniker earned thanks to the several physicians that lived on the street at the time. The design was all 80s, where excess reined supreme. Each bedroom seemed to be bigger than the next and there was no shortage of extra space – a feature we relished knowing our two-year-old son could run amok. The largest selling feature was the main living area - a massive volume complimented by sky-high ceilings and a second-level loft that looked down on the living space. Natural light flooded every nook and cranny thanks to enormous picture windows overlooking the backyard.

Though we respected the home’s long history, changes had to be made to accommodate our family. Wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the entire home was torn out and replaced with oak hardwood floors. The rainbow explosion of color on the walls – though creative – was replaced with a primarily fresh white hue, with the exception of the dining room and main bedroom, which were coated in dusty rose and cozy green. Trees in

the front yard were removed due to bug infestation and the entire back deck was replaced with a covered solution to support BBQs and warm weather fun.

Unlike many house renovations of today, our intent was to leave the floor plan largely the same. Moving walls is not only expensive and time-consuming, but in this particular home, it was simply unnecessary. One exception was the existing wall from the kitchen to the living room that constricted sight lines and the flow of traffic. It was an easy decision to bring the wall down and put support beams up, creating an optimal flow of energy, light, and function.

The dark and dingy kitchen had the largest potential for positive change, with its outdated appliances, inefficient corner sink, and angular floor plan that simply did not function for our family of five. Tiny cabinets were removed and re-purposed in the garage for tools and toys. Spacious soft-close cabinets and an oversized large kitchen island were added, perfect for meal preps and the inevitable hurried lunch packing that would occur once our son was older.

As interior designers, Brad and I were acutely aware of how fast trends can change, so the kitchen palette became a simple black and white with an accent of green to add contrast and warmth. A simplistic staggered 6x6 tile kept the aesthetic from going stale, and rattan stools found on Facebook Marketplace kept the 80s contemporary vibe alive and well.

Over the six years that we’ve lived in this home, every inch has been handled with love and intention. Rooms have changed uses and occupants, our daughters have grown up and out, and our son

has become a full-on adolescent within these walls. But what has remained steadfast is the community of people in Liberty who share this neighborhood with us. They’ve never failed to offer advice when the grass won’t grow or remind us how far we’ve come since it all started and how much they appreciate the work we’ve done.

And to think it all started with just a Sunday drive.

Kim Antisdel lives in Liberty, Missouri with her husband and son. Drive by their house anytime and say hello.

Handmade Soap

Add a spa-like feel to your home with this refreshing soap recipe that's simple to make at home.

The art of soap making has come a long way since our grandmothers’ day. All the nourishing oils, beautiful colors, scents and exfoliants would have been a dream to her. Today, it is easy to custom make soap for any skin type. Adding oils such as avocado, olive, jojoba, and argon are just a few ingredients to make a rich smooth bar.

Not only do handmade soaps get super-fatted oils to add moisture, they can also include some amazing exfoliants, additives and scents. A few of my favorites are honey, aloe juice, goat’s milk, activated charcoal and clays.

If you want to get started making soap try this simple pour and mold recipe.

ingredients

•2 lb. goat’s milk melt-and-pour soap

•1 lemon rind, zested

•3 tablespoons of dried lavender buds

• 2 tablespoons of honey

•15 drops of lavender essential oil

•6 drops of lemon essential oil

• Jar or bowl for melting soap base

• Silicone mold

directions

lavender honey

lemon soap

Chop soap into smaller pieces. It will melt faster this way. Place in bowl and microwave (or double boil). Be careful to watch soap and not let it burn.  If you are using microwave, heat in 30 second increments, stirring frequently. Once soap is melted add your essential oils first. Once essential oils have been added and mixed thoroughly, add the lavender buds, lemon zest and honey. Have your mold ready to go, on a flat, even surface. You’ll want to move quickly before the soap cools too much. Mix everything thoroughly again, and pour mixture into mold. Let the soap cool for 2-3 hours until bars are completely solid. Wrap or package however you like.

Recipe from Sisoo.com

THE LONG-AWAITED IMMERSIVE CHILDREN’S LITERATURE MUSEUM OPENS THIS MONTH IN NORTHTOWN

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

While childhood can have memories of family vacations, an obsessively-watched cartoon or a favorite toy opened on Christmas morning, there’s something uniquely transporting about opening a book you read as a kid. Children’s books are enjoyed

last century of children’s literature. Inside, museum-goers will find exhibits for beloved characters including Curious George, Madeline, Frog & Toad and Babar the elephant, and can step into the familiar spaces such as the kitchen from “Blueberries for Sal” or

“IT’S OUR MISSION TO INSPIRE THE READING LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS.”

over and over, and remind us of times in our childhood bedrooms, sitting on an adult’s lap and the coziness of that time of focus and quietude that seems reserved only for reading time, especially in the loud, rambunctious days of youth.

That’s why the opening of North Kansas City’s The Rabbit hOle, an immersive museum for children’s literature, is so special. It brings the characters, colors and the feeling of reading as a child to life, taking two-dimensional stories and turning them into interactive, art-filled exhibits that are anything but static.

The Rabbit hOle is a project years in the making, started by married couple Deb Pettid and Pete Cowdin, who originally owned the Reading Reptile bookstore in Kansas City. The two, who also raised five children, set out to make the nation’s only immersive museum for children’s literature in 2016, and it finally opens March 12.

The museum has secured rights and permissions to over 70 works from the

the green great room from “Goodnight Moon.” They will also be introduced to lesser-known settings, such as the cliffs from “My Father’s Dragon,” or the Harlem-based bookshop from the works of late author John Steptoe, created in collaboration with his children. The museum has worked closely with the authors and illustrators and their estates, explaining their unique educational project and gaining the rights to bring these books to life.

The Rabbit hOle is located in one of North Kansas City’s many industrial areas, in a four-story 150,000 square foot building. While many cultural institutions choose to situate south of the river or in Johnson County, Rabbit hOle development and grant manager Emily Hane says that the city of North Kansas City has been instrumental in getting the museum going and is especially supportive.

“North Kansas City is certainly having a renaissance,” says Emily. “This is a project that — I don’t know that it could have happened in any other place.”

She says she loves the museum’s location, joking that the nearby train tracks are an extra attraction for young children. You can see the neon rabbits atop the building from the interstate and it’s close to most pockets of Kansas City.

“You always want to have an artistic anchor in a community and The Rabbit hOle gets to kind of provide that for the Northland,” says Emily. “All the kids who come through [for] school field trips, our goal is that they leave wanting to read a book. But there’s probably going to be a lot of kids who leave who are like, ‘Oh, I want to build giant tiger statues when I grow up.’ It’s going to help inspire artists, too, which I think it’s really cool.”

While so many programs for children focus on children’s literacy and the ability to read, Emily says that not many programs serve to solely foster the love of reading.

“It’s our mission to inspire the reading lives of children and adults,” says Emily. “We want to be a place where kids can really discover the types of stories that they like that they’ve maybe never been exposed to before — whether it’s because they’ve never seen a picture book with a kid who looks like them, or heard cultural stories that might resonate with their own household.”

Behind the robust and imaginative construction of the museum’s exhibits is a staff of two dozen fabricators, all with different specialties and backgrounds. The book exhibits range from animated shadow boxes to larger-than-life mechanized sculptures. The exhibit’s makers

“NORTH KANSAS CITY IS CERTAINLY HAVING A RENAISSANCE.”

studied the original books carefully, paying close attention to colors, lines and illustration styles, making models of the exhibits before painstakingly bringing them to life with wood, metal, foam, concrete, paint and more.

All of the fabricators will remain employees once the museum is open because although there will be completed exhibits on opening day, The Rabbit hOle hopes to continue adding exhibits to all four floors of the building indefinitely.

One of these fabricators and artists is Kelli Harrod, who has a background in theater design. I witnessed her a month before the museum opened, painting scenes from Shel Silverstein’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends.”

She said one of the hardest challenges of bringing the books to life is taking a two-dimensional page and making it into a three-dimensional object. There are some sides of characters or rooms — like the wall behind the point of view in the great green room from “Goodnight Moon” — that you never see in the books.

So the fabricators derive inspiration from the author or illustrator’s real life to complete the scenes.

Above all, though, Kelli says her favorite part about the work is how much joy it brings her.

“I get to show up and have fun every day,” says Kelli.

On top of the immersive exhibits inside The Rabbit hOle, the museum will also feature a bookstore with a space for author talks, a “Tons of Fun” room for making literacy-based arts and crafts, a resource library for scholars and educators, a rotating exhibit space, a more traditional white wall museum gallery, and a story lab and print shop, with spaces for writing activities and residencies for authors and illustrators.

Emily says that the museum, overall, wants to be a rare place that celebrates the culture of children. The Rabbit hOle takes special care in making something interactive and artistic, drawing inspiration from St. Louis’s City Museum. The exhibits are built to withstand the enjoyment of children while still being interactive and imaginative so all generations can enjoy the displays.

“Whenever you’re talking about children’s culture, there is this [idea of], ‘Oh, it’s good enough. It’s for kids, you know, just make it cheap. They don’t really deserve anything beautiful,’” says Emily. “And that’s the exact opposite of how The Rabbit hOle feels. We believe that kids deserve something beautiful. Yeah, it’s going to be durable. Yeah, we’re going to be able to sterilize it and clean it and everything. But just because it’s for children, doesn’t mean it is a lesser art form.”

MARCH 2024

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Storytime Stay and Play

North Kansas City Public Library | 10:00 AM

Join us after our Wednesday storytime for a playtime. We will get out some Lego Duplos for creative play. Some weeks NKC Schools Parents as Teachers will join us and provide educational toys for infants and toddlers and creative play kits for toddlers and preschoolers.

MARCH 7TH

First Thursday Spring Open House Kick Off

Historic Downtown Liberty | 4:00 PM

On the first Thursday of every month, the shops stay open late until 8:00 p.m. Stroll down the streets and browse through the boutiques and shops. Enjoy a delicious meal at one of the restaurants or grab a drink. And don't forget to scan the QR code inside the shops to enter our $100 gift card giveaway!

MARCH 8TH-10TH

Kansas City Gem and Mineral Show

KCI Expo Center | 10:00 AM

Attend the second-largest gem & mineral Show in the Midwest. Cash only at the front gate, $7 for adults and $4 for kids 5-12.

MARCH 9TH

Nelly Don: The Musical Movie Showing

NKC Parks & Recreation Center, 1201 Clark Ferguson Drive | 2:00 PM

See the highly anticipated feature, Nelly Don: The Musical Movie! A true Midwest story about Nelly Don, a trailblazer who ignited a fashion revolution in the early 1900s to become a global sensation. Tickets are $20 and include the movie showing, fashion show and Q&A with the director, Terence O’Malley. Purchase your ticket at https://nkcparksandrec.org/nellydon.

MARCH 12TH

Acoustic Night at the Garrison

The Corbin Theatre, 502 N. Water St. Liberty | 6:00 PM

Enjoy a night of relaxing acoustic music performed by local musicians on the second Tuesday of every month. This event is free and open to the public.

MARCH 16TH

The Firehouse Market

201 Main Street, Platte City | 9:00 AM

Mark your calendars for the 3rd Saturday of every month, starting at 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. We're bringing the market indoors to make your weekends sizzle! Discover unique treasures, local crafts, farm-fresh produce, delicious treats, and so much more! From artisanal goodies to must-have finds, it's a shopper's paradise.

FAMILY TO YOURS

Your family’s comfort is important to us here at Gladstone Furnace & A/C Co. That’s why we only install the very best Heating, Air Conditioning, and indoor air quality products available in Kansas City, MO. Our trained and seasoned staff is fully equipped to handle your HVAC equipment and indoor air comfort questions and needs.

MARCH 21ST-22ND

Big Bunny Trail Hunt Starts

Westboro/Canterbury Park, Liberty | 9:00 AM

Join Liberty Parks & Rec to hop down the bunny trail at Westboro/ Canterbury Park! Pick up an activity sheet at Westboro/Canterbury Park, the Liberty Community Center, or download it online and start your hunt. Find each bunny and complete the activity sheet. Kids can return the sheet to the welcome desk at the Liberty Community Center for a spring treat! Find more information at libertymissouri.gov.

MARCH 23RD

Liberty Half Marathon and Jewell 5K

William Jewell College, Liberty | 8:00 AM

Come run or walk in the 7th annual Liberty Half Marathon/Jewell 5K Presented by Hy-Vee! All Half Marathon and 5K participants will enjoy a scenic race course starting and ending at William Jewell College and going through downtown Liberty. Proceeds benefit the Liberty Hospital Foundation. Find more information or register at libertyhospitalhalf.org

MARCH 23RD

Meet the Easter Bunny

Pocket Park on Main Street in Parkville | 10:00 AM

Meet the Easter Bunny and take photos as you browse the downtown shops of Parkville in the spring. Free event.

Where every child

events

MARCH 23RD

Sippin’ Into Spring

Downtown Excelsior Springs | 11:00 AM

Out with winter and in with spring!  Let’s celebrate by sampling wine throughout the eateries, drinkeries, shops, boutiques and galleries of downtown Excelsior Springs! Tickets start at $30. Find ticket and location information at  visitexcelsior.com/ sippin-into-springtime

MARCH 30TH

Spring Fest

Zona Rosa | 10:00 AM

Spring Fest features free photos with the Easter Bunny, kid crafts, a DJ, food trucks, balloon artists, and airbrush tattoos at Zona's Central Park, located near Bravo. At The Bridge and North Park, attend a local makers' market curated by The Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair, complete with bounce houses for the kids. The event is free and ends at 4 p.m.

MARCH 30TH

Easter Egg Hunt

Renner Brenner Park, 2901 NW Vivion Road, Riverside | 10:00 AM

The Easter Egg Hunt starts at 10 a.m. sharp. There will be categories for the following age groups: 1-3 yrs, 4-6 yrs, & 7-10 yrs. Bring a basket or a sack will be provided. Face painting and music bubble party available from 10 a.m.noon. For info or weather cancellation call 816-741-4172.