This proud Kansas City tradition is the longest continuously running Showhouse in the country.
Story by Ann Butenas | Before Photos by Steve Severley
If you close your eyes and listen quietly, you just might hear a few inspiring stories from the walls that surround you in this historic Kansas City residence. At the center of the 50th Symphony Designers’ Showhouse, this 1922 Georgian Revival home stands across the street from Loose Park and has been home to many notable Kansas Citians over the past century.
Sponsored by the Kansas City Symphony Alliance, the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse is a highly-anticipated benefit for the Kansas City Symphony. Each year, a Kansas City landmark residence is chosen as the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse. Local designers are then selected to transform each room of the home into a design showplace, with the unveiling of the project to the public in the spring. This year’s home will not disappoint with its rich history, elegant presence, upgraded features and captivating personality. Although the current owners of this home, Dr. Scott Cozad and Dr. Shavonne Danner, have recently put it on the market, they will always hold close to their hearts the fond memories it has given them and their son.
Already hard at work, Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities recently completed this fabulous entertaining kitchen for this spring’s Showhouse tour. The hues of blue-greens and gold dot the kitchen with a graceful and artistic aesthetic, while the handmade hanging light shades add the finishing touch to the room.
“We consider ourselves the stewards of this decade of the home,” reflected Danner, who indicated they had work done on the home back in 2011 to bring up it to modern standards. Two years later they installed an addition to the three-story home, bringing it up to roughly 6,000 square foot of total living space that includes five bedrooms, four full baths, two half baths and two sunrooms. The sunroom to the right includes an office on the main level and the master bath just above. The windows have blinds that raise from the bottom to the top for added privacy, while still affording just the view one desires. The sunroom to the left of the home is part of the second master suite on the main level and just above is a casual gathering room, perfect for watching TV or catching up on computer work.
What initially drew the family to the home was its prime location, the welcoming outdoor areas and the stateliness of the home. Plus, it was close to Pembroke Hill, where their son attended school before heading off to college this past year.
“It’s time to downsize,” said Danner, who described the residence as a wonderful place to live. “We took care of it and have done our part. Now it is time for another family to take care of and enjoy it.”
Among the additional renovations overseen by Cozad and Danner include relocating the laundry room to the second floor, updating all five bathrooms and adding a sixth one to the main floor. They also installed all new windows, custom backsplashes in the kitchen, a third garage bay and a breezeway in place of the original apartment.
“Our 2013 addition to the home was on the north side, which had an exposed brick wall,” noted Danner. “That brick wall is now part of the inside of the home and has bookshelves on it.”
SHOWHOUSE BEFORE PHOTOS
As for the custom backsplashes, these were created by a local artist in the Crossroads District and one of the backsplashes that will stay with the home rests above the stove, featuring a gingko tree.
“That is a very hardy and old tree,” noted Danner. “We planted four of them outside.”
The outdoor grounds include a salt water swimming pool, completely redone with new tile in 2012. Two fish ponds with a stream running between them provide a tranquil setting.
“We’ve enjoyed spending quite a bit of time back here,” said Danner, who explained there are actually two backyard areas. The other is by the driveway and has a firepit area.
And catering to Danner’s and Cozad’s love of history, they enjoy imagining what the long-standing Witness Tree might have observed during the Battle of Westport in Loose Park back in October of 1864.
“That tree stands across from our home on the point between 51st and 52nd Streets going towards Wornall,” said Danner.
Another of Danner’s favorite part of the home is the basement. While not a finished area, it still has a subtle charming appeal.
“It’s a great basement for a 100-year-old home,” smiled Danner. “It’s a full basement but not finished. It has a sump pump and a cement floor. We put in a French drain and tuck-pointed the walls and also installed pylons. It’s a rock basement and dry as a bone. It is also where I have my wine cellar.”
Danner also appreciates the added third garage bay.
“The garage entry is just off 51st Street behind the house,” she indicated. “It is now connected to the house with a breezeway, whereas it used to be separate from the house.”
Kate Hodel, co-Vice President of the Symphony Designer Showhouse, is excited for this year’s presentation, especially since this home carries the memories of so many respected owners in the past, including Larry and Nancy Kauffman, who purchased the home in 1993 and lived there until Larry’s death five years later. Nancy added the expressive murals in the foyer with the letter “K” above the door. Those murals will remain with the home, adding just another layer of history and charm to a home that has been a steady presence in the lives of so many families.
“This is a solid home, and we hope it will last another century,” reflected Danner.
The Symphony Designers’ Showhouse has clearly picked a grand estate to celebrate its 50th home tour.
“All of the money raised from the Showhouse ticket sales goes to the symphony and will benefit many things, including outreach programs, supporting of world class musicians, and to support the real treasure the symphony is to Kansas City,” expressed Hodel. “It is also a great opportunity for designers to showcase their work.”
TOUR INFORMATION
April 20 – May 12, 2019
606 W. 52nd Street, Kansas City, MO
To purchase tickets online, visit showhouse.org
Look for the complete digital edition of the official Showhouse program with “after” photos on homesandstylekc.com/digital-edition starting April 11th.
