"Sub" Urban Dwellers Welcome

It is official! Urban Dwellings Design has opened a satellite shop (actually a booth) deep in the suburbs at Trendz Market, located at 151st and Nall in Leawood.

If you are not familiar with Trendz, the concept is similar to an antique mall. A large open shopping area is sectioned off into booths occupied by different local area stores. For many it is a second location and for some it is their only location. Visit the Trendz website for a complete list of vendors. One side is dedicated to clothing, jewelery, handbags, shoes etc. The other side that has only recently opened in December is Trendz Home, dedicated to home furnishings and design. This concept, unique to Kansas City has been extreemly popular and successful. Because there is so much offered in one space, it is hard not to leave with something in hand!

In an effort to generate more exposure for our River Market showroom, we hope to give a new audience a taste of what we are able to offer in our 10x20 space at Trendz. So if you live out south be sure to stop in to our new convenient location and take a look. If you like what you see make the trip down to our River Market location, or just call the store to arrange a consultation. We would be more than happy to meet you at Trendz or in your own home.

Ella Klara on Delaware Street

We have a new neighbor on the street: Ella Klara, a high end and chic tee shirt boutique. Limor Katz-Evans, a local designer creates beautiful and inspiring designs printed on ringspun cotton tees. Also available at her shop are printed canvas totes, scarves and jewelry. Limor's goal for her line is to put meaning behind the designs, to provide a message of self awareness that also speaks to her as a woman.





The wearable art is designed to elevate your thoughts. These are messages we can all incorporate into our daily lives: unconditional love, peace, listen. Come down and visit us in the River Market, and if you mention this blog post to Limor at Ella Klara, she will give you 10% off your purchase through the holidays.

DIFFA: Holidays By Design 2009

Last year was our first year participating in DIFFA'S Holidays by Design. We went simple and small, not really knowing what to expect. This year we knew better. Designers in Kansas City go all out to create holiday decor that is auctioned off to support the prevention of HIV and AIDS. From whimsical and campy to elegant and extravagant, the designs run the gamut. This year we decided to do something a little different. Instead of creating a wreath to hang on a door or the wall, we made a chandelier to hang from the ceiling; after all we are a furniture store!

Here is our chandelier along with some of the other beautiful creations made by local designers.

Setting the mood

Looking for a little ambiance or something shiny to spice things up at home for holiday entertaining? These mercury glass candle stick holders and chalice votive holders will do the trick. They make a lovely addition grouped on the dining table, buffet, or coffee table. Our silver sapling servers and salt and pepper shakers also seem appropriate for the season, as either a gift or for your own entertaining collection.

Enjoy the beauty in the people and things you love in your life!

LAFCO Candles at Urban Dwellings Design

A great new gift has arrived in the store! We are now carrying the luxurious House and Home Candle Collection by LAFCO New York. Each scent, named after a different room in the house is designed to compliment the ambiance and decor of each room.

The candles are clean burning 100% soy based wax housed in a hand blown glass vessel that you will surely keep after your candle has reached its 90 hour burn time. I know I will be keeping mine to use as a small flower vase.


The beautiful box they come in makes wrapping a non-issue. Check back soon, there are many more giftable items arriving for the holiday season!

What happens in High Point...part 2

As hinted in my previous post, I wanted to write about the fascinating people I was able to meet in High Point this time around. The highlight of my trip would be the very first night. My new partner in crime during market, Amy Jo Cosgrove (of Barbara Cosgrove Lamps), had graciously added me as her plus one to the House Beautiful party! I was beyond excited to attend and witness the happenings of a party where the guest list would include Stephen Drucker, Thomas O'Brien, Thom Felicia, Christopher Wilcox, Julian Chichester and many more design icons.

Among those I was lucky enough to meet and have a conversation with was Rob Jones. Rob started his own high end, to the trade, upholstered furniture line, R. Jones & Associates, at the early age of 19! Recently he has partnered with American Leather on some pieces, and I am eagerly awaiting the launch of his website to see more of his designs.

Another youngster getting into the furniture design biz is John Reeves. I briefly meet him at the House Beautiful party, and then again a few nights later at the Oly party. After talking to him more in depth the second night I learned of his furniture line, REEVESdesign, that has been extremely well received in the UK (his homeland) where Heal's-- London's premier home design store for modern and contemporary furniture, picked up his line with great success.


The next day I promptly went over to the Four Hands showroom where John was showcasing his line and fell in love with the pieces. This is definitely something I am keeping my eye on and hope to be able to introduce the line to Kansas Citians soon!

I loved the combo of the raw wood with the lacquered top on these Victoria side tables below.


John Reeves and I below, sitting on his gorgeous Louis four poster bed.

Below: Court and I in our costume hats at the Oly party.


On a more personal note, I was lucky enough to spend some much needed time with my dear friend Court Krippendorf. Court helped me open Urban Dwellings Design one year ago and it was always my hope that he would move to KC and we would run the store together--we make an incredibly fierce team! But alas, he won't leave his home state of Florida, where he works at Being, a furniture and design store with a similar aesthetic to ours.

For me, High Point is all about finding innovative designs that are unique enough to stand out but classic enough to stand the test of time. And of course, having a good time while on my mission is a must.

What happens in High Point...part 1

One of my favorite responsibilities of being a furniture store owner is traveling to the markets to see what fabulous new items I can bring back to the store. I especially love the High Point, NC market because of the intimacy created by it being held in such a small and secluded town. Most vendors host parties after market hours with food and drinks for buyers. As a buyer, you get to rub elbows with the creative master minds behind the product lines--which is a serious thrill for me! More on who I bumped in to this time around in part 2. For now I am going to share some of the highlights of the products I saw.

The Natural Curiosities team always puts together an amazing display in their booth. New framed pieces from their "macro collection" will be arriving in the store Dec-Jan.





The Barbara Cosgrove Lamps booth had a stunning display also. There were new pieces I had not yet seen that I am really thrilled about!

The new Hollywood Style Studio lights are so urban chic.

These new drum pendants are the perfect combination of sleek & rustic with the hammered polished nickle.

Oly introduced the new black cabinet you see here with birds on top. I loved this for a few reasons-the birds on top add an interesting and almost creepy element to an otherwise ordinary display cabinet. And if you have ever been to the store, you know that nature and birds are a big inspiration for us. The fact that the cabinet is called "Simone" (the name of my Brussels Griffon) is just a nice coincidence.

Oly was also glitzing things up with a new mirrored collection, including this chair with a mosaic mirror trim.

I ordered this sweet little loveseat from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in a beautiful natural linen. I just couldn't resist the sloping arm and camel back--so graceful!

More High Point Happenings to follow...