College Hill House of H.W. Darling

H.W. Darling House, 3755 E. Douglas

We loved Barry Owens' article in the College Hill Commoner, July 2012, on the Lumberman's Big Brick House, A Look at the Life, Times and College Hill House of H.W. Darling.  The College Hill Commoner is the neighborhood paper for College Hill, one of Wichita's oldest and most historic neighborhoods.

The two and one half story Colonial home, 3755 E. Douglas, was built in 1907 for lumberman Howard Wetmore Darling. Darling was a self-made man, engaging in numerous occupations, including the furniture business, something near and dear to us, before finally making his money bringing lumber to the broad treeless plains around Wichita and the Arkansas River Valley.

The home has been re-purposed by Victory in the Valley, a non-profit cancer support organization whose mission is,

 “To encourage cancer patients and families on their journey by offering HOPE through emotional and spiritual support, while providing practical services to improve the quality of their lives.”

Thanks Barry for a great article.

College Hill Homes on the National Register of Historic Homes.

Want to learn more about Howard Wetmore Darling?

Bless us O' Lord

What is in a word - Traditions, for example? Traditions is part of our name, and we chose it for a reason. Traditions implies something cultural, something shared by family and friends. Literally, it is  the handing down of beliefs and customs from generation to generation.

One custom my family had while growing up was to say grace before dinner. It began, "Bless us O' Lord ..." It was a good traditions, one that I carry on with my own family. Whoever gives thanks, add a special thought asking for extra care to be given to those less fortunate.

While at the Atlanta market, we came across many unusual items. One such item was a collection of handmade crosses in a wide assortment of colors, sizes, and shapes. We think that these crosses remind us of our traditions and the reasons we have for giving thanks for family and friends.

We hope that you enjoy them too.

Fine Dining

Fine Dining

Sorry, the two of us are in a bit of a rush. We are here in Atlanta shopping for the best and newest in home furnishings. All we have time to do now is to give you a taste of what is to come. 

 The Legend of Blue Willow Pattern

Once there was a wealthy Mandarin, Tso Ling, with a beautiful daughter, Koong-se. She fell in love with her father's humble clerk, Chang. The father was angry and dismissed the young man, building a high fence around his house to keep the lovers apart.

The Mandarin then planned for his daughter to marry a local Lord. Bearing jewels as a wedding gift, the Lord arrived by boat to claim his bride. On the day the blossom fell from the willow tree, the wedding was to take place. On the eve of the wedding, Chang the clerk, disguised as a servant, slipped unnoticed into the palace. The two lovers escaped with the jewels, running over a bridge, chased by the father, whip in hand.

The lovers fled on the Lord's ship to a secluded island, where they lived happily for years. But one day, the Lord learned their secret. He sent soldiers, who captured the lovers and put them to death.

The Gods then transformed the lovers into a pair of dove.

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Art is Expressive

Science magazine researchers report that a red disk painted in Spain's El Castillo cave is 40,800 years old - and possibly older - making it the oldest known European cave art. Could Neanderthals have painted it?

I confess that I am an NPR Science Friday fan. Listen to the entire story on NPR's podcast.

The point is that mankind's need to express himself artistically goes back a long way. Here, at Traditions, we love our art work. We have hundred's of subjects, sizes, colors, and figures that touch on our human need to express ourselves. And like the cave art of Spain's El Castillo, the images do not need long explanations. Art touches our emotions in a unique and individual way.


Here are just a few:

Aspen Trees

Harbor Boats

Beached Boat

43rd Annual Kansas City Symphony Designers' Showhouse

There is only one week left to see the 43rd Annual Kansas City Designers' Showhouse, located, just off of the Kansas City Plaza, at 47 W. 53rd Street.

The historic house was built in 1909 for businessman and civic leader Wallace Goffe and his wife Beverly. The style is English Tudor Revival. The home was designed by famed Kansas City architect Henry Hoit and later remodeled in 1937 by his successor firm, Hoit, Price and Barnes. In 1984, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The walls of the Showhouse are even rows of coursed limestone. the roof contains a steeply pitched gable and there is half-timbering on the central bay which projects from the second story, supported by curved volutes.

The houses of the district were built to the natural contours of the landscape.Thus, many of the houses in this district are located on rises with steps leading to the main entrance. There are uniform setbacks from the street of 40 feet.

Read the full story of the house. Kansas City Symphony Alliance. 

The Showhouse is a project sponsored by the Kansas City Symphony Alliance, a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting classical music throughout the Kansas City area, and in particular the welfare of the Kansas City Symphony. Hundreds of volunteers and the area's top designers work together to create something magical. Traditions Furniture is proud to again participate in the decoration of the sun room.


Traditions designers, Linda, Kathy, Julie, and Carol went for a coastal theme. This is in keeping with the naturalness of the setting and lightness of the sun room, which catches the afternoon sun. The upholstery is by Stickley Furniture. Stickley is perhaps best known for American Arts and Crafts, but, as the room demonstrates, there is a softer side to Stickley. The art is modern, pulling in a blue shade to complement the azure blue of the sky. The sideboard is Pasadena Bungalow by Stickley. The matching lamps are faux stone.

There are many other designers who have contributed to the beauty of this year's Designers' Showhouse. And, while we would like to show you everything, we will give you just a tease. Better that you come and see for yourself, and support a great cause, The Kansas City Symphony Alliance.

How do I love thee?

Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13th

It seems to me that we often search for ways or words to express our love to our mothers. Ways never seem adequate and words can never express the depth of our feelings. After all, how do you repay one who has spent her entire life with one objective - loving us. Then again, love is expressed in so many different ways. Love can be shown with a simple a smile on a cloudy day, a flower chosen at random from a garden, or a kindness unexpected and unrequested.

While Mother's Day is celebrated one Sunday a year, we should all remember that mothering is a 24 - 7- 365 day-a-year job. Mothers don't stop loving us, and neither should we stop appreciating all that our mothers have done for us throughout the year.

If I had to choose the words that come closes to expressing my love for my mother, it would be the classic lines from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Express yourself

Here is a simple test to take:

Don't think about it, be spontaneous: close your eyes, lean back, and accept the first color that comes into your mind.  Don't second guess yourself, don't analyze your choice. Your choice of a color tells you a lot about yourself.

This color does not have to be one you wear all the time, for different seasons and different days, even different times of day or occasions require a change in mood and color. But you do have one or more favorite colors that excite you the most and makes you feel alive.

 Express yourself with color, it will bring you joy.