So, you are considering making the move to Kansas City but you’re on the fence. As proud Kansas Citians ourselves, we would love to tell you all the reasons why Kansas City is a great place to live from a designer’s perspective.

The Basics

When you say Kansas, most people think of Dorothy’s home from the Wizard of Oz. But, we are not just a cow town. We’re known for our world class BBQ, championship sports teams (Go Chiefs!) and friendly people. Dubbed the “City of Fountains”, Kansas City is home to beautiful boulevards, two hundred officially registered fountains and the Spanish architecture of the Plaza shopping district. We also boast top quality schools, country clubs, golf courses and restaurants.

Art, Architecture & Design

However, Kansas City is anything but basic. It’s a city of art and design where many people, including Walt Disney, have honed their creativity. The Kansas City Art Institute draws in a creative crowd, including famous alums like Thomas Hart Benton and artist Nick Cave. Kelly Porter, along with her business partner Bridgett Cochran, operate their high-end handmade textiles and wallcoverings business, Porter Teleo, from here. Kansas City native, Kate Spade, was a fashion legend known for her iconic handbags.

You can see world class art for free at one of the many museums in town, including The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. We also recommend a stroll through the dynamic Crossroads Arts District during First Fridays, when galleries open their doors to visitors to view exhibits from local, national and international artists.

In addition to the influence of the arts, Kansas City is known for its emphasis on architecture. Dubbed the Sports Architecture Capital of the World by Forbes magazine, this is a town that knows how to design. Furthermore, many of Kansas City’s neighborhoods have their own unique architectural flair. Prairie Village, for example, is known to house many mid-century modern homes built by Don Drummond. There are three Frank Lloyd Wright designed structures in the metro area including the Bott and Sondern/Adler houses and the Community Christian Church. Ward Parkway was dubbed one of the top ten great streets in the U.S. by The American Planning Association, citing its picturesque scenery and magnificent houses.

Let Us Help

We know that moving to a new city can be a stressful experience. As Kansas City natives, Tran + Thomas Design Studio principles, Jill Tran and Carmen Thomas are a wonderful resource for those looking to relocate to this midwestern gem. Tran + Thomas Design Studio can work with you before you even purchase a home, helping you find your perfect Kansas City property. With our years of experience in luxury home design and rolodex of top realtors, architects and contractors, we can ensure that your move to Kansas City is a smooth one. Feel free to visit our portfolio of work and call (913) 268-9595 to discuss our turn key interior design services.