Does Your Place Need "Sprucing Up?"

It has been said that “home is where the heart is,” and Spruce Home is no exception.   Just two short years ago, four women owners with lots of heart went to market on a handshake and a dream.  They were starting a store on good faith that they would have the right space soon.  As fate would have it, things fell together and “Spruce Home” was born!  A welcoming destination for making your house a home or finding a treasured hostess gift for your next gathering.

According to one of the owners, Christy Higgins, “It all goes back to paying attention to what you’re drawn to and trusting in that.  Your home is where you spend the majority of your time, and it should feel good to you.”

One of the feel-good trends this store specializes in is its connection to nature.  A walk through the aisles and you get transformed to the outdoors with earth tones and organic materials such as mango wood, and preserved plants like cypress trees, boxwoods and moss balls.  There are even authentic turtle shells displayed on curator-style stands for sale with ornate designs that could only be created in nature.

One of the best ways to bring the outside in, says Christy, is the best-selling boxwoods they sell.  These were once live plants that are beautifully preserved, and such a hassle-free way to get that fresh feeling in your house.  Whether you prefer topiaries, wreaths or balls of boxwoods, they provide an instant update.

In keeping with the Spruce Home theme is this year’s Pantone Color of the Year, “Greenery.”  This has been a huge year for decorators and designers of all kinds to bring that color into their creations.  One trendy design element frequently seen in this year’s color is Palm Frond (foliage or leaves of a palm tree) which you can find at Spruce Home in artwork, placemats and dishes.

What started as an affordable place to update your home or find the perfect hostess gift has turned out to have even more significance in the community of Leawood.  These owners love coming to their jobs each day, and you feel that the minute you walk in the door.  Spruce Home has even been compared to the TV sitcom, “Cheers” where “everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came.”  Christy laughed, “If you didn’t know the people in the store when you came, you will when you leave.”  

The owners have really enjoyed promoting local artists and jewelry designers with receptions, focusing on small local business.  This is something that wasn’t in the plans but has become a big part of their operation.  One benefit the owners enjoyed hosting was with the Junior League of Kansas City.  Young women listened to educational seminars put on by the owners followed by a shopping night for members where a portion of the proceeds supported the organization.

Local companies partner with Spruce also, selling items such as Mer-Sea candles, wraps and sweaters, Pickwick candles, natural landscape paintings and Kansas City Country Club Plaza by local artists.  “It helps to grow our customer base and helps community,” says Christy.  They even sell fresh-looking signs with trendy phrases, painted by a high school sophomore, with proceeds going to a backpack program supporting terminally ill children, “Bags of Fun KC.”

Other best selling items include pillows, lamps, art and fun tea towels with sayings that make you laugh.  Customers range from age 25 with an apartment to any age with a home.  But regardless of age, the owners, Christy Higgins,  Kristi O’Keefe, Leslie Slaughter and Christie Walton, are dedicated to you and your needs.  One of these ladies is always available in the store to help you make decisions quickly and provide conversation with someone who is in charge.  They want to communicate how blessed they feel to be living in this generous community and to now have a business where they can interact with new acquaintances and old friends all day long, helping them build a beautifully curated home.