A Kansas City Real Estate Blog by Realtor, Sarah Snodgrass

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Thanks for always coming up with something groovy, bon bon girls. I love the retro kitchens and baths they are always writing about. Saw in an older post that one of the girls has been house shopping recently- sure wish I could have helped her because I love clients that appreciate the old charm of the Dible Tudors. Napoleon Dible was one of the first and only builders to build homes especially with women in mind. His homes had colorful and feminine colors in the bathrooms and kitchen (think lots of pink, mint, yellows), built-in ironing closets, laundry chutes and so forth. It was a different time when kitchen appliances were still a new idea and becoming affordable for all. Some of my clients hate these original features and colors, but some absolutely love them - just depends on your style and how nostalgic you may be. I recently remodeled my bathroom and I stuck with the Dible style though I greatly toned down the colors to bring it into the modern times.

Thanks BonBon Blog for calling my attention to the Ink photos of the annual West Eighteenth Street Fashion Show. I had to miss it for the first time this year because I had a previous engagement, but at least I can see the Ink photos and there will be a DVD that I can watch, and, I believe, will probably be for sale probably at Birdies Panties & Swim.

This is one of our best, most beautiful and creative events that goes down in KC, so if you haven’t heard of it or if you have always put off going, then please get down there next year and check it out. It’s one of my favorite things and you will absolutely not regret it. Be sure to buy a seat too - they are totally worth it because they have more and more designers every year and who wants to stand the whole time? Not me.

Last weekend was the annual Urban Tour, a downtown housing tour coordinated by the Kansas City Downtown Council. It is a great way to see what is new in the way of condos lofts and similar new housing projects in our urban core. The tour is free, and it provides free shuttles, which are constantly running so you are never stranded at any building, and you can get on or get off at your leisure. The tour is geared toward the public as a way of advertising new properties and projects, but I do it anyway. I know its cheating because I am a realtor, but what better way to see a bunch of new stuff than by riding a shuttle and learning about the projects from hosts. I don’t have to do any legwork - it’s awesome! Anyway, if you attended - what were some of your favorite places? If you didn’t attend, then try to make it next year. If it is a nice day outside (last weekend was gorgeous weather), then it is a great way to spend a spring day.

I would say my favorite project that I saw for the first time was 2 places (i’m indecisive). First was City Homes at River Market East which are upscale free standing single family homes, and second was The Summit (photo above) which is a condo conversion in the old antique building across from Fervere Bread (by far best bread in town) and Bluebird Bistro. I wish I would have seen First and Main Lofts (photo at left), because I later learned that they have great balconies and are modern in style which is right up my alley, but I missed out. I’ll check them out later. One more of interest was the Union Carbide Condos. They are in a 1930’s Art Deco building at 912 Baltimore. The building is still in renovations and they don’t have any actual finished units to see, but they do have a model showroom. They looked like they were going to be nice and I’m encouraged because the architect is El Dorado which has a great local reputation, plus that is a lovely downtown street.

Not only is it the Friday, but it is Leap Day, and the Year of the Rat. Aren’t we lucky to have an extra day this year? I hope you are making the best of it…

Anyway, I just wanted to leave you a an event for the weekend… I am holding an open house in Prairie Village this Sunday from 1-3pm. The house is a $235,000, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 car garage Cape Cod home. It has elegant decor, many updates and it is very clean and comfortable. Plus, it has the perfect sized fenced yard with a nice newer deck and an inviting screened in porch. If you haven’t heard - screened-in porches are THE thing to have. I have a screened porch at my house that we call Club Snodgrass… It’s the happening spot on my block from late March-November. It closes for the Winter though. More on Club Snodgrass later.
Here are some photos of the open house:

I’m holding an open house this Sunday, Feb 10, from 1-3pm, at 4525 w. 74th Place, Prairie Village, Kansas (map). Please stop in for a visit. It is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath house in a fantastic Prairie Village location close to the shops and very centrally located. I really think this is one of the best in that price range - it is well taken care of, updated and stylish, and it has a great finished basement. Plus, it is on a pretty street with a nice size yard. VIEW LISTING DETAILS. See you there!

Powell Gardens is hosting a Garden Symposium at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art on February 22, 23. I received a brochure for it, and as someone who enjoys gardening, it looks very interesting. There are a couple of sessions on Friday the 22nd, but the bulk of the sessions are on the 23rd and they actually look more interesting because they seem a bit more practical - things I can actually learn ideas and tips from which I might be able to use someday (like tips on plant combinations and about hardy plants), though I am very intrigued by Friday’s class on forming and shaping trees into a living chair sculpture which sounds very cool.

Contact Powell Gardens for registration information and more details.

Last weekend I hosted a Christmas wreath-making party for my neighbors and friends, and it was so successful that I wanted to share my thoughts on it. I ordered a big batch of fresh mixed evergreen from my favorite florist, and bought the wreath forms and hardware for everyone. I asked them to bring their own items to decorate their wreath, because this is such a personal thing and a fun way for people to get creative with their wreath. It was a great way to get to know my neighbor ladies, and they all had so much fun and had something beautiful and wonderful smelling to take home.

In a follow-up to my recent post about Vintage Kansas City Postcards, the Kansas City Museum will host a lecture by Northeast News Publisher, Michael Bushnell, titled “Historic Postcards of Old Kansas City.” The lecture is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, November 18th at 2 p.m.

Apparently, Mr. Bushnell has quite a collection of interesting Kansas City postcards, and has even written a book on the subject.  See the Events Page of the Kansas City Museum website for more info on the lecture (be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page).

The Parade of Homes started yesterday September 16, and will continue until Sunday, September 30. See the latest in new home construction, new condo construction, and visit the new home communities. There are homes to tour all over the metro area, with a whopping 644 homes on the tour!

I’m giving away two free tickets to one of my favorite annual events - the Historic Kansas City Foundation’s Fall Homes Tour. This year’s tour highlights the mid-century charm of Old Briarcliff. This neighborhood is architecturally diverse with historically-based designs as well as modern styles. More details about the tour can be found on the foundation’s website.

In addition to the tour tickets, the winner will also receive a gift certificate good for $30 at a Briarcliff shop. To enter the drawing, simply fill out this entry form. Deadline for entries is 11pm Monday, September 25th. Good Luck!