Tom Pryor's century-old house in Kansas City, Mo., was one of many built for liverymen who delivered the city's newspapers.

Tom Pryor's century-old house in Kansas City, Mo., was one of many built for liverymen who delivered the city's newspapers. Upon purchasing his house in a historic neighbourhood of Kansas City, Mo., Tom Pryor started doing what he does with every interior design project he undertakes: "I took Polaroid pictures - but only in my mind. When filling rooms with the antiques I like, I can visualize exactly how it all will look, and it always comes out that way."

Yellow ware Vintage Reproductions

"I am drawn to the good, old muddy colours of American country antiques," says homeowner Tom Pryor, "and yellow ware is a favourite example of those." Tucked into a vintage cubby-hole unit fitted with reproduction shelves is Pryor's collection of vintage yellow ware (left) and reproductions (right).




Antique Kitchen

Such aesthetic confidence is borne out in the rooms of the 1,500-square-foot home he has occupied for nearly four years. "I bought the house gutted and stripped, so it was a clean slate for me. I was my own contractor, and within nine months I was able to move in." "Not everything in my kitchen is functional," admits Pryor, "but it sure looks good! I wanted the room to look like a real country kitchen."




Brick Fireplace

What i collect: American country antiques, including painted furniture, pantry boxes, yellow ware, even vintage American cars. The living room fireplace was refaced with salvaged bricks.




Flowers in a Kitchen

Flowers in a blue and grey pouring pitcher grace the kitchen harvest table.




Hurricane Lamp

A hurricane lamp on the front porch is attached to a gas line so that it emits a real flame; vines of bittersweet frame the lamp and box in which it is situated.



Yellow ware Collection

Kept on a shelf above his yellow ware collection are bolts of homespun fabric that Pryor uses as tablecloths and decoration.



Vintage Textiles

"I collect all types of vintage textiles" says Pryor, including coverlets, pillow ticking, quilt remnants, and homespun. "Just having them out adds colour and texture to the room."




Sugar in a Glass Canister

Pryor keeps his sugar in a vintage hand-blown glass canister and uses a blue willow cup as a measurer; a flea-market purchase, this glass shaker contains a mix of cinnamon and sugar for Pryor's frequent breakfasts of French toast.




Wool Hooked Rugs

As a hobby, Pryor hooks rugs and uses old wool that has been overdyed (the original hues have been redyed); he stores the many varieties in an antique drugstore cubby-hole unit, in front of which leans a sign made from an old door panel.




Pewter Candlesticks Chargers

Pewter candlesticks and chargers define a portion of the living room mantel, beside which resides a stack of graduated wooden candle boxes from the mid-19th century; an old ox yoke that once hung in his boyhood home.




Text: Kelly Smith

photo credit: Susie Gushner