Santa's got a Secret

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Thanksgiving may be over, and there's a mad to get the best buys.

Well, Santa's got a little secret. The best in home furnishings and holiday decorations comes from Traditions Home at Douglas in Hillside in College Hill.

Traditions carries Stickley, Century, Hancock and Moore, Vanguard, Sherrill, Paul Roberts, Highland House - the best American manufacturers of case-goods and upholstery.

But did you know? Traditions also has the area's largest selection of fine art, lamps, home furnishings, and accessories. Looking for Santa? At Traditions you'll find Santas galore and Frosty too. There are reindeer and angels, in colors of red, green, and gold.



Oh, and one last little secret. Traditions is now on Facebook. Join us today and get all the latest updates on what is new and exciting at Traditions Home, in Wichita and Overland Park.

Gone to the Dogs

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It is no secret that we here at Traditions Home are dog lovers.

Currently, we are at three and holding. There are the Queen's dog, Lizzie, a Welsh Corgie; Sammy, the loyal German Shephard; and Toby, the Wonder Dog, as in, "I wonder what kind of dog he is?" dog. Actually, he is part Jack Russell Terrier, part Australian Shepherd, and a little Mountain Cur, which all adds up to a bundle of energy and a load of fun.




Dogs, what's not to love about them?

Our store reflects our love of animals and especially dogs.

In addition to the occasional canine visitor who comes in for a bowl of water and a dog treat, there are many wonderful decorative items that give into the love that most of us possess for our pets. These include art work, whimsical plaques, pillows to throw at your pet, when he or she is bad, and a porcelain dog or two to set around and guard the place. And if you are a cat lover, then there is also a place here for you.

What is our favorite item? Well, that's like asking me what is my favorite dog. To that I refuse to give an answer, for each dog has its own special attributes.




Dog Wisdom

As for dog wisdom, I like Dave Barry's remark:

"You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!'"

True thoughts, Dave might continue, are best expressed in devotion, not words.

Last Sunday I went for a walk in the country with my dogs. Through field and stream, I walked, they ran. For the very first time we came across an Armadillo. If you have never seen an Armadillo - nature's little tank. The dogs were as confused as the Armadillo by this first meeting. But, eventually, after a sniff here and there and even a bark by the dogs, the Armadillo slowly scampered down his hole. The fun was over.

We were gone for four hours and nary a cross word was said between us. Try that with a spouse or a relative.

Valentine's Day

To contact us Click HERE

Valentine's Day

This year Valentine's Day is Tuesday, February 14th.


My memories of Valentine's Days go all the way back to childhood. The sweet and chalky taste of conversation sweethearts always comes to mind. These classics included "Kiss Me," "Sweet Talk," "Charm", "Dream", "Be a Sport", "Teach Me", "Wild Life", and "Be Mine." Sitting at my desk, I often wished for a dictionary that would help me to decipher the meaning of a saying so arrogant as "Top Dog" or enigmatic as "Help Me". Don't we all remember that Necco, the maker of sweetheart candies beat Facebook to the punch with "Be my Friend" and "Like Me". And, finally, there was the oh so special "I Love You" reserved for the one and only.

Sitting in a second grade classroom, boys and girls spent countless hours deciding who would get what saying. Furtive glances were exchanged accompanied by the low level chatter of excited schoolchildren. Watching over all of us from her desk at the front of the classroom, sat our teacher. For her, we reserved the biggest Valentine and the candy that said "Ur Great". I suppose the teacher forgave the misspelling.

After the momentous decision of who got what was made, the candies were inserted into a self-made Valentine's card. I loved words even as a grade-schooler and always chose my words as carefully as I did my candies. Those deserving poems usually received a variation of something that sounded like, "Roses are red, violets are blue, you are swell and cute too." Those less deserving might receive a similar poem, but accompanied by an ending that was sure to bring a chuckle among friends.

(After all these years, the one ending I remember goes like this, "You look like a monkey, and smell like one too."  This, of course, was too racy for a second-grader to write down and could only be said out of earshot from the teacher.)

Now that I am older, Valentine's Day has a deeper meaning than childhood crushes. Valentine's is a celebration of love and friendship. And what better way to celebrate than with a poem.

My love is like a Valentine,

Caring beyond measure,

Sharing all that is mine,

With memories to treasure.

So, on this Valentine's Day

Be my true friend

In every way

Until the world shall end.

President's Day 2012

To contact us Click HERE

Presidents' Day in 2012 is on Monday, the 20th of February. This date is a compromise of sorts, for it was suppose to honor both George Washington's birthday, which falls on February 22nd, and Abraham Lincoln's birthday, which falls on February 12th. In 1968, Congress chose the third Monday in February to allow federal workers a Monday off.

Perhaps, Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota symbolizes President's Day best. The project, under the direction of Gutzon Borglum, was begun in 1927, and most of the work was completed during the Great Depression. The granite faces of our four most illustrious presidents face south into the sun as if still watching to be sure that America is still strong. Two million visitors come to South Dakota annually to pay homage to what the memorial stands for.

The name "President's Day" is what the public commonly calls the holiday, a day celebrating all the presidents who have served their country. Actually, it is still officially called "Washington's Birthday", since Congress could never agree on a change of names. I think we can all agree that dedication to the service of one's country is one of the highest callings. This nation has much to be grateful for. We should be thankful to the presidents who have served it so well.



At Traditions Furniture in Overland Park and Traditions Home in Wichita, Kansas,  we are choosing to celebrate the day by having a sale on Stickley Furniture, one of the oldest furniture companies in America and the standard of American Arts & Crafts design. For our sale we are offering 45% off any one piece of Stickley Furniture and 40% off all other pieces.

Stickley Style

You, the customer, can choose from Stickley's iconic Mission collection, or any of the other red, white, and blue styles including Colonial Williamsburg, Traditional, Finger Lakes, Valley Forge, and Metropolitan. Stickley has even given a nod to our British cousins with other collections - English Oak Antiquities, John Widdicomb, and Edinburgh, to name a few.

Celebrating President's Day means celebrating a  tradition.

And we at Traditions Furniture believe that nothing epitomizes tradition better than Stickley Furniture. And that tradition is one of excellence in design and manufacture, backed by a company that is over 100 years old and still growing.


Gustav Stickley

Gustav Stickley and his four brothers burst into prominence at the turn of the 20th century with their American Arts & Crafts design. This style became popularly known as the Mission furniture. Gustav Stickley's simple idea was that furniture should be “honest” and that it should reflect the ideals of the American people with its use of native American oak and cherry wood and in its construction which emphasizes quality, construction, and beauty.

Over the years at its plant in upstate New York, Stickley Furniture has maintained its rock solid commitment to the same ideals that Gustav Stickley and his brothers began. Their motto then, "Als ich kan" or "to the best of my ability" still holds true.

And today Stickley is ever moving forward while looking to the past for inspiration. The new Finger Lakes collection draws on the ruggedness of frontier life and the beauty of nature. American cherry woods from New York combined with a hand-planed look recreate the craftsmanship of the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. The same area where Stickley still makes its furniture. Stickley's unique design in its round pedestal table incorporate a bird-cage pedestal base and the beauty of cherry wood. It is destined to become a classic.

We think that you will agree that any time is a good time to invest in Stickley Furniture. It is destined to be around for a good long time, like America.

43rd Annual Kansas City Symphony Designers' Showhouse

To contact us Click HERE
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.

Stickley Winter Sale

To contact us Click HERE
Stickley Winter Sale

It is always a good time to buy Stickley Furniture, but it just got better with the 40% off Sale starting now at Traditions Furniture. Traditions with locations in Downtown Overland Park and the College Hill  neighborhood of Wichita, is your single source for Stickley in Kansas.

The sale includes all of Stickley's great products, from its fine upholstery and leather to its Mission, Williamsburg, Modern, Pasadena Bungalow, and Antiquities Collections. What a great time to come in from the cold and watch a game of basketball in front of a Mission Entertainment Center that will house all of your electronic equipment. Game On!

Everyone is familiar with Gustav Stickey and the Arts & Crafts Movement. Gustav and his brothers were Modern before it was cool. The Arts & Crafts Movement, Mission style as it became popularly known, was a transition to simplicity and craftsmanship. Instead of imported mahoganies, the Stickley brothers worked with native American hardwoods of oak and cherry. Quarter-sawn wood cuts reflected the natural beauty of the oak. Emphasis was placed on the quality of the craftsmanship and the practicality of the design. And after over 100 years, Stickley Mission Furniture is still highly sought after by collectors. Anyone who has watched the Antiques Roadshow will recall the many appearances of a well-worn but still beautiful Stickley furniture piece.

Fingerlakes Collection

This year Stickley has brought out a new collection that reflects the rugged beauty of upstate New York. The Fingerlakes Collection is made in cherry. Its hand-planed finish captures the spirit of the northern woodlands and the beauty of the Fingerlakes Region of New York. It is not a coincidence that Stickley Furniture, located in Manlius, New York, should choose this style. Stickley is all about American style.

When we say, "Gather the family and create beautiful memories," we hope to suggest a return to better, simpler times when sitting around the table with family and friends meant something. Sure, going out to a restaurant is all the rage today. Sometimes, it is a necessity. In the hectic pace of life, we don't have time to sit down at home and share the day's stories. But, life is short, and priorities should be the home spun values we prize. The relaxed feel of the Stickley chair, the smooth hand-rubbed patina of the cherry wood, will re-create the perfect environment for your kitchen or dining room. Share again the experience of dining at home with family and friends.

Stickley Story

There is a lot to the Stickley story. Come in today to Traditions Furniture in Downtown Overland Park or Wichita and take a seat in one of Stickley's Morris Chairs or kick back in a recliner and watch TV. You can see it all at Traditions, and enjoy the Stickley Winter Sale, going on now.

Atlanta - Home of the Braves

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Atlanta, home of the Braves and Falcons, headquarter to CNN and Coca Cola, and the location of AmericasMart, the Atlanta Gift Show, that is held every January come rain or come shine. Thankfully, it is shining and the sky is a robin's egg blue. The air is crisp and cool. The trees line the streets like so many soldiers standing guard as the guests march to market. In winter the leaves have all fallen and the limbs point to heaven. And we are reminded that life on earth is short. The city, mindful of its night time guests, provides brightly lit streetlights in a turn of the century style. Oh why can't Wichita do the same along Douglas Avenue?



Unlike the High Point Market in North Carolina which showcases the major furniture manufacturers, Atlanta's market highlights apparel, rugs, gifts, and decor. The show is located in downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Avenue, Atlanta's answer to New York's Fifth Avenue or Chicago's Madison Avenue. If you are coming by plane the subway has a stop on Peachtree right at the market. Even so, we prefer to cab it from the airport to any number of hotels in walking distance of the market. The fare is a reasonable $35 and the cabbies are all friendly and foreign.

The more than 4,000 permanent showrooms are housed in three towering buildings that overlook Centenial Square and the CNN headquarters. Bridges connect the three towers on several levels making it easy to wander and walk back and forth between showrooms.



Traditions has been coming to the Atlanta show for over 20 years. Some of the recent finds at the showrooms have included brilliantly colored glassware, scented floral bouquets, and French milled soaps that have an air of Provence. There clearly is no rhyme or reason to what is shown at Atlanta, it is only the unique that strikes us.

More to come...

Valentine's Day

To contact us Click HERE

Valentine's Day

This year Valentine's Day is Tuesday, February 14th.


My memories of Valentine's Days go all the way back to childhood. The sweet and chalky taste of conversation sweethearts always comes to mind. These classics included "Kiss Me," "Sweet Talk," "Charm", "Dream", "Be a Sport", "Teach Me", "Wild Life", and "Be Mine." Sitting at my desk, I often wished for a dictionary that would help me to decipher the meaning of a saying so arrogant as "Top Dog" or enigmatic as "Help Me". Don't we all remember that Necco, the maker of sweetheart candies beat Facebook to the punch with "Be my Friend" and "Like Me". And, finally, there was the oh so special "I Love You" reserved for the one and only.

Sitting in a second grade classroom, boys and girls spent countless hours deciding who would get what saying. Furtive glances were exchanged accompanied by the low level chatter of excited schoolchildren. Watching over all of us from her desk at the front of the classroom, sat our teacher. For her, we reserved the biggest Valentine and the candy that said "Ur Great". I suppose the teacher forgave the misspelling.

After the momentous decision of who got what was made, the candies were inserted into a self-made Valentine's card. I loved words even as a grade-schooler and always chose my words as carefully as I did my candies. Those deserving poems usually received a variation of something that sounded like, "Roses are red, violets are blue, you are swell and cute too." Those less deserving might receive a similar poem, but accompanied by an ending that was sure to bring a chuckle among friends.

(After all these years, the one ending I remember goes like this, "You look like a monkey, and smell like one too."  This, of course, was too racy for a second-grader to write down and could only be said out of earshot from the teacher.)

Now that I am older, Valentine's Day has a deeper meaning than childhood crushes. Valentine's is a celebration of love and friendship. And what better way to celebrate than with a poem.

My love is like a Valentine,

Caring beyond measure,

Sharing all that is mine,

With memories to treasure.

So, on this Valentine's Day

Be my true friend

In every way

Until the world shall end.

President's Day 2012

To contact us Click HERE

Presidents' Day in 2012 is on Monday, the 20th of February. This date is a compromise of sorts, for it was suppose to honor both George Washington's birthday, which falls on February 22nd, and Abraham Lincoln's birthday, which falls on February 12th. In 1968, Congress chose the third Monday in February to allow federal workers a Monday off.

Perhaps, Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota symbolizes President's Day best. The project, under the direction of Gutzon Borglum, was begun in 1927, and most of the work was completed during the Great Depression. The granite faces of our four most illustrious presidents face south into the sun as if still watching to be sure that America is still strong. Two million visitors come to South Dakota annually to pay homage to what the memorial stands for.

The name "President's Day" is what the public commonly calls the holiday, a day celebrating all the presidents who have served their country. Actually, it is still officially called "Washington's Birthday", since Congress could never agree on a change of names. I think we can all agree that dedication to the service of one's country is one of the highest callings. This nation has much to be grateful for. We should be thankful to the presidents who have served it so well.



At Traditions Furniture in Overland Park and Traditions Home in Wichita, Kansas,  we are choosing to celebrate the day by having a sale on Stickley Furniture, one of the oldest furniture companies in America and the standard of American Arts & Crafts design. For our sale we are offering 45% off any one piece of Stickley Furniture and 40% off all other pieces.

Stickley Style

You, the customer, can choose from Stickley's iconic Mission collection, or any of the other red, white, and blue styles including Colonial Williamsburg, Traditional, Finger Lakes, Valley Forge, and Metropolitan. Stickley has even given a nod to our British cousins with other collections - English Oak Antiquities, John Widdicomb, and Edinburgh, to name a few.

Celebrating President's Day means celebrating a  tradition.

And we at Traditions Furniture believe that nothing epitomizes tradition better than Stickley Furniture. And that tradition is one of excellence in design and manufacture, backed by a company that is over 100 years old and still growing.


Gustav Stickley

Gustav Stickley and his four brothers burst into prominence at the turn of the 20th century with their American Arts & Crafts design. This style became popularly known as the Mission furniture. Gustav Stickley's simple idea was that furniture should be “honest” and that it should reflect the ideals of the American people with its use of native American oak and cherry wood and in its construction which emphasizes quality, construction, and beauty.

Over the years at its plant in upstate New York, Stickley Furniture has maintained its rock solid commitment to the same ideals that Gustav Stickley and his brothers began. Their motto then, "Als ich kan" or "to the best of my ability" still holds true.

And today Stickley is ever moving forward while looking to the past for inspiration. The new Finger Lakes collection draws on the ruggedness of frontier life and the beauty of nature. American cherry woods from New York combined with a hand-planed look recreate the craftsmanship of the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. The same area where Stickley still makes its furniture. Stickley's unique design in its round pedestal table incorporate a bird-cage pedestal base and the beauty of cherry wood. It is destined to become a classic.

We think that you will agree that any time is a good time to invest in Stickley Furniture. It is destined to be around for a good long time, like America.

43rd Annual Kansas City Symphony Designers' Showhouse

To contact us Click HERE
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.

43rd Annual Kansas City Symphony Designers' Showhouse

To contact us Click HERE
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.