Nicole Mertz spent the first part of her life on a three-generation farm, where the house was filled with heirlooms and antiques and the attics served as treasure-hunting grounds for the curious. When Nicole and her family moved from the farm to a bustling district in Manhattan, KS, also known as The Little Apple, it felt like going from one extreme to the other. “Living in these two completely different environments really molded me,” Nicole explains. These experiences, along with her mother’s and grandmother’s love for antique malls and estate sales, all had their share in inspiring Nicole to pursue a self-taught career as a vintage dealer and furniture artist in her 30s. Today, Nicole lives with her husband Josh Wright in Overland Park, KS, and sources and sells vintage items through her company Kansas Girl Vintage.
Nicole and Josh met during a difficult period in Nicole’s life when her mother was battling cancer. “I feel like he was brought into my life to help me heal,” Nicole shares. After starting their journey together in Arizona, the couple eventually moved back to Kansas, where Josh runs his own investment advisory firm. Nicole and Josh have lived in their current home, a 1959 split-level, for eight years. They wanted something in an older neighborhood close to the city, surrounded by mature trees and oozing with character — this home checked all of those boxes.
When Nicole and Josh first bought the house, they tackled bigger renovations — they remodeled the kitchen, redid the hardwood floors, converted the attic into a master suite, widened doorways and painted the house inside and out. Creating a home with all the color and personal flair we see today has been a steady process, developing along with the couple’s taste. “I always enjoyed decorating in general, but it wasn’t until I immersed myself in my vintage business that my style began to evolve,” Nicole shares. “The pivotal moment for me was a couple of years ago when I asked myself, ‘why am I selling all of this great vintage I’m finding and why am I not keeping any of my uniquely painted furniture pieces?’ This opened the floodgates and I began to curate the house into my current eclectic style.” As Nicole and Josh share a love for colorful decor and vintage pieces, adding personality to the home has felt natural. The main goal for both Nicole and Josh is to only add items to their home that they love to look at. With this in mind, the couple has created a sanctuary for themselves and visiting friends, a home that feels comfortable, cool, and relaxed. “I want a space where I can have a cup of coffee, a pup on my lap, and feel inspired,” Nicole adds. Needless to say, I think Nicole and Josh can check that box, too! —Sofia
Photography by Torri Marsh Photography
Image above: Nicole and Josh’s living room features mid-century inspired pieces mixed with bold textiles that brighten up the space. “My design style is definitely equal parts nature and nurture. Growing up, I always enjoyed creativity and color,” Nicole says. The charcoal accent wall adds drama and depth and highlights the lucite dining chairs and sputnik-style chandelier.
from Design*Sponge http://www.designsponge.com/2018/01/a-vintage-dealers-kansas-home-filled-with-curiosities.html
from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/169306821714
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