Written by Megan FellingĀ |Ā Photos by Brynn Burns
Woodson Antiques & Interiors
ocated in a Civil War-era farmhouse that has been lovingly renovated into a retail destination, Woodson Antiques & Interiors is filled to the brim with fine antique furniture and vintage finds that owner Blake Craghead discovered on buying trips to France, Belgium and Holland. With an extensive list of contacts, he hunts for unique and well-crafted furniture for the store. Blake also offers a will-call service, searching for specific pieces for his clients.
āI select items that are designed to bring distinctive elegance to a home,ā Blake says. āI really love history and learning how each piece would have been used and the setting it was displayed in.ā
In business for more than 50 years and with a reputation for good values, Woodson Antiques & Interiors is one of the few Kansas City area antique stores that still embarks on buying trips to Europe. Blake, who has owned the shop for 11 years, normally schedules four to five annual excursions. He only recently went on his first buying trip since the start of the pandemic.
After each trip, he resets the store with new arrivals and holds an open house for patrons to enjoy the many stately antiques and accessories. Watch the website or contact Blake for the next date and time.
318 W. Walnut Street Raymore, Missouri
Samsara Home
The Sanskrit word samsara means āthe continuation of life.ā Itās an appropriate name for Samsara Home in Parkville. The story of the storeās owners, cousins Alex Iglesias and JuanCarlos Quintanilla, is an interesting one of chance encounters.
A conversation with a textile store owner while on vacation in Aspen led to a job offer for JuanCarlos, and the cousinsā relocation from El Salvador. In Kansas City, a friendās offer of tickets to a local Antiques Roadshow taping led to an unexpected business opportunity.
The painting they brought with them to the Roadshow was worth quite a bit more than the few dollars JuanCarlos had paid for it at a garage sale, providing the cousins with some seed money. JuanCarlos had a knack for revitalizing their estate sale finds, and Alex would display them in vignettes in their home for garage sale shows. They soon began selling their pieces at an antique mall in Parkville and did so well that they readied themselves for their own store.
Opened in May 2014 with business partner Michael Coyazo, Samsara Home offers an eclecticmix of new, vintage, antique and repurposed or revitalized items for the home. The interior is finished with salvaged wood from a friendās barn, creating a warm and rustic ambience. The shelves were crafted from an old fence. The ceiling tiles were removed to showcase beautiful wood rafters.
Youāll find everything from an antique secretary to a Mongolian trestle table to a new cozy reading chair. Look for unique lighting options and accessories that include pottery, artwork and locally crafted candles. The store also offers a wide selection of seasonal floral and decor items in addition to interior design and remodeling services.
āItās been a labor of love,ā Alex says. āWe just love what we are doing. Each step felt like it was meant to be. Parkville is a warm and welcoming community; we have had a lot of support along the way, helping us continue to grow and make new friends.ā
Ā 12 S. East Street Parkville, Missouri
Ā www.samsara-home.square.site
@samsarahomeparkville
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