The Dining Room at the KC Designers' Symphony Showhouse

The second in a series of articles on the 45th Annual KC Symphony Designers' Showhouse. Like them on Facebook and watch as the designers get ready.

45th KC Symphony Designers' Showhouse

The challenge for designers Kathy Carter, Missy Dean, and Alex Young is to create a dining setting appropriate to the 45th KC Symphony Designers' Showhouse.

This year's showhouse is again located in the Country Club District of Kansas City, Missouri. This home, built in 1921, was designed by the architectural firm of Hoit, Price and Barnes. The Jacobean design is one, which originated in the early 1600's. It is known for its ornate elements and  extravagant silhouettes. This home's outstanding exterior features include the symmetrical construction of porches, the well-intentioned griffins perched on the porches, three front facing gables, and the widow's walk at the top of the third floor. The construction material is native Kansas limestone.

Griffin

Designers at Traditions Furniture in Downtown Overland Park - Kathy, Missy, and Alex have chosen Stickley's Traditional Collection for the dining room.  This allows them to select near-period pieces and from styles that range from Queen Anne to Chippendale.

before dining room

The front door of the home leads to the foyer and a staircase that ascends to the second floor sleeping quarters. To the right of the foyer is the living area. To the left is the dining room. The exposure is southern, providing lighting throughout the day. One of the unique features of the home is the Jacobean style leaded glass windows throughout the home.

Landing area, windows and chandelier

Stickley's Traditional Collection offers several choices of breakfronts, tables and chairs. Graceful in design, the traditional breakfront or china, has intricate door mullions that match the pattern of the leaded glass of the home. The pediment top is optional. Choice of wood is mahogany and black cherry.

Stickley traditional china

A room should be balanced. And then, the addition of pieces should serve a function. Kathy, Missy and Alex suggest the addition of a sideboard an round table, the one piece as a server and the other as a gathering point, to leave a book, a phone, or just a place to rest. The Monroe sideboard can act as a server, if needed. It is also a focal point for a mirror or work of art. The small round table with brass lions feet is the perfect addition for a small space.

Monroe sideboard

Small round table

The table and chairs are without doubt the most important features of the room. The table is where we gather with family and friends to break bread and savor the life's better moments. The clipped corner dining table in solid mahogany extends to ten feet with four self-storing leaves. The Chippendale style chairs are comfortable and beautiful.

This year's designers' showhouse promises to be a great one with beautifully designed rooms from top to bottom. And don't miss the landscaped lawn and gardens. Join us and the Kansas City Symphony Alliance, and all the great designers this April and support a worthy cause, the Kansas City Symphony.