Blair & Blythe: Westwood’s Newest Design Destination
Kansas City’s design scene is getting a fresh new addition with the opening of Blair & Blythe in Westwood, KS. This carefully curated home and design store is set to become a go-to destination for those seeking timeless style with a modern touch. We sat down with owner Sarah to learn more about the inspiration behind Blair & Blythe, what makes the store unique, and the biggest interior design trends she’s seeing for 2025. Whether you're refreshing your space or just love great design, you won’t want to miss this inside look at KC’s newest home boutique.
What interior design trends are you seeing in 2025, and how does Blair & Blythe reflect or inspire these trends?
- Pattern drenching - reaching every inch of a project with coordinating and complimenting patterns.
- Lighting that makes a statement - fixtures have never been so artistic and sculptural! Fixtures are being used to make a statement in almost every room of a home.
- Bold paint colors - although farmhouse gray has been ‘out’ for a little bit, I am seeing pops of bold colors being requested from clients and in the market showrooms! This year we will definitely see a lot of maroons/reds, spectrum of blues and greens, and of course the Pantone color of the year: mocha mousse!
Blair and Blythe is working hard to be the color and pattern destination of Kansas City! Bringing pops of colors already for our clients/customers to browse, buy, and create within their own spaces. The design team works with some of the best lighting vendors and are eagerly awaiting to work together with you on finding your light fixture statement piece upgrade!
“This year, I anticipate a continued evolution toward customization and individuality in interior design. While still cherishing timeless finishes, designers are eagerly embracing the opportunity to showcase our client’s personalities through unique color stories, artful wallpaper applications, and one-of-a-kind upholstery detail.” -Allison Giesen, Senior Designer at Blair and Blythe
Can you share the story behind Blair & Blythe? What inspired you to open this store in Westwood, KS?
Blair and Blythe are names hand-chosen that bring the true essence of traditional and trend! I needed a pair of names or words that would highlight trends (Blair) and traditional (Blythe) and they flowed perfectly together after narrowing down about 5 other name pairs for months. They are not tied to me personally or professionally in any way but I can now kind of consider the names as my 2nd child (lol)
What makes Blair & Blythe unique compared to other design stores in the Kansas City area?
Blair and Blythe fills a hole here in Kansas City: a locally owned store with tabletop selections to shop! We will proudly carry fine china lines down to everyday dinnerware lines including serveware, drinkware, and flatware. We have so many hosts and hostesses in this city and our tables deserve a moment of their own. Your tablescape makes or breaks your event/room aesthetic and we are so proud to draw from southern and east-coast trends and design points to bring you the perfect moment for your home or next party.
How would you describe the style or aesthetic of Blair & Blythe?
Blair and Blythe brings a sense of joy and individual personality of colored personality and elevated living. I pull from southern and east-coast trends and patterns within the home and tabletop worlds. You can expect a lot of color, texture, layers, and patterns!
What’s your favorite piece or collection currently in the store, and why?
My favorite collection in the store right now will be the spring collection debuting the first day of our grand opening! I truly find my passion and energy with the refreshing colors, patterns, and table-setting that each new spring season and year brings. I am SO eager for everyone to experience it with me.
How do you curate the items you feature in Blair & Blythe? Do you have any favorite brands or designers?
I draw a lot of inspiration from paper magazines that include everything from home/garden magazines to high fashion magazines. I source unique brands and items through those pages, and I am constantly drawing inspiration and trend forecasts from each of them that I bring in the store for everyone to enjoy in KC! I don’t just follow designers, fashion and lifestyle influencers have a huge impact on me when I am creating and executing aesthetics and trends for each new curated collection. In addition to magazines, I have a handful of my favorite social media influencers that give so much visual inspiration! A few of my favorites are: @mallorymathisoninc @jeanne_andreaa @m.g._style @maryahafner
What can customers expect when they walk into Blair & Blythe for the first time?
A gorgeous store with gorgeous pieces! We will have an area to create your dream curated tablescape, furniture displays, art, vintage oushak rugs, lighting, decor, and so much more! I want this to be a shopping experience unlike any other in the city.
What role does the Kansas City community play in your store’s vision and design approach?
I ultimately created not only what I was wanting and shopping for, but what KC was wanting but not having easily at their fingertips. We have so many people here looking for fresh brands, new trends, and elevated pieces for their home and tabletop and B&B is so excited to provide options for them.
Do you have any tips for homeowners or renters looking to refresh their space in 2025?
For 2025 - the dinner party is BACK and better than ever! Refresh your dinnerware collection with a new and improved set, buy those martini glasses on your wish-list, coordinate your napkins with your tablecloth; just go for it! Go the whole mile when it comes to elevating your tabletop this year and make amazing memories with those gathered around it at the same time.
For design, look at upgrading a piece in the room you use the most - we have many clients that are investing in larger pieces in their most-used rooms via upgrading their couch, sitting chairs, or even their beds. The pieces you use every day should be the ones that bring happiness and style to your space and upgrading is a way to achieve that!
What’s next for Blair & Blythe? Are there any events, collaborations, or launches we can look forward to this year?
We offer our space for Mahj Club KC to host their Monday open play sessions at the store from 10:00AM until 12:00PM. Reach out to Katie with Mahj Club KC to sign up and reserve your spot to play with us! Otherwise, we are actively finalizing our event calendar for the year so stay tuned!
What does a typical workday look like for you? How do you balance running a store, designing spaces, and finding inspiration?
A typical workday for me: I wake up and take my morning coffee slowly and help get my 9 year-old daughter out the door for school. My mornings are very sacred as the moment I walk out the door - the hecticness begins! As of right now since the store isn’t open officially, I am running around from meeting to meeting in between design client appointments, and answering emails. Inspiration comes from my full calendar and actively being involved in the renovation project of my store. Being around those in the industry (from retail side, construction, to design) always keeps me feeling encouraged and motivated for more.
I don’t ever forget to make time for self-care like facials, tennis, mahjong, and friendships that I sprinkle throughout my weeks, every week! Self-care keeps my tank full and keeps me going with confidence and gratitude.
Ready to explore Blair & Blythe? Visit them at 4812 Rainbow Blvd. in Westwood, KS, and follow along on Instagram at @shop_blairandblythe for the latest arrivals and design inspiration.
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