Text by Holly Seng
Textile designer, owner of online store JSH Home Essentials, and blogger Jenny Steffens Hobick draws inspiration from nature’s timing when it comes to her seasonally driven collections of pillows, table linens, and wrapping paper. It just so happens Jenny takes the same approach when decorating her home, located in a charming Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood.
Although both Jenny and her husband are from the Kansas City area, they spent time living in Concord, Massachusetts, where they fell in love with New England style. When the couple returned to their roots 10 years ago, a 1940s Cape Cod-style cottage caught their eye. Since purchasing the home, they’ve added a two-car garage, kitchen, great room featuring a hearth area, and primary suite.
Upon entry, guests are ushered into a cozy front room filled with classic furnishings. “Typically, in our house, all of our soft—upholstered—furnishings are new and then I like to have all of our hard furnishings be an antique,” Jenny says. The room’s neutral palette sets a versatile backdrop where Jenny can bring in her latest collection of pillows, accenting with fresh florals. Situated in front of a window, a game table from the 1700s is a family favorite and is often pulled in front of the fireplace for evenings spent working on puzzles.
Jenny’s love of neutrals continues in the open-concept kitchen and family room, where the walls and cabinetry are painted Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White. While she selected an Arabescato marble for the surround countertop, Jenny chose alderwood with a marine finish to top the island. “I just wanted to have that warm feel of a kitchen table,” says Jenny. Autumn branches and freshly picked produce from local farms signal fall’s arrival.
The kitchen overlooks the dining and hearth area where the family often gathers. “I designed that whole space when our daughter was little so that I could give her space to play while I was in the kitchen,” says Jenny. The dining set was the one exception when it came to selecting a reproduction over an antique since Jenny would need a custom piece with extending leaves for holiday entertaining.
The main bedroom features an ivory-on-ivory scheme to create a soothing, easy atmosphere. “It’s not that big of a room, but just having everything tone on tone makes it feel light and airy,” Jenny says.
Timeless pieces and a neutral palette allow her home to evolve with each season and new collection. “That’s just how I like to live—with the seasons,” Jenny says.
To see more of Jenny’s collection, visit her at jshhomeessentials.com or on Instagram at @jennysteffenshobick.
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