Bold, bright, and beautiful—that’s Carrie Kiefer’s style. The artist-turned-small business owner cofounded Ampersand Design Studio with her longtime friend, Morgan Georgie, in 2010. “Our art has found its way onto wallpaper, home décor, stationery, apparel, and more,” says Kiefer. After working at Hallmark for over a decade, they turned to designing their own merchandise, collaborating with other local businesses, and building a brand with love.
The dynamic duo designs everything from rugs and quilts to stationery and wall art. “Everything we sell is designed at our studio in Waldo where we opened our flagship store last April,” Kiefer says. What she loves most about their first brick-and-mortar location is creating what she hopes is the perfect shop for gifts. “It’s so fun to interact with customers in a way we haven’t been able to in the past, and we love our new home in Waldo. It doesn’t hurt that we’re two doors down from McLain’s Bakery,” she says. “We have a small but mighty team of women who are amazing at making Ampersand a successful and fun place to work.”
Born and raised in KC, Kiefer’s always been passionate about her hometown. “This feels like the most exciting time to live here yet,” she says. “The arts scene is vibrant, the restaurants are excellent and diverse, and our sports teams are so fun to watch. Kansas City honestly just keeps getting better and better and, as always, the kind people here are the best part.”
Carrie’s essentials...
Hidden Gem: Weston. It’s such a charming, easy getaway. I love grabbing lunch from Green Dirt Farm, doing a little antique shopping, and sampling local wine.
Repeat Eatery: A go-to in our family is Billie’s Grocery. My daughter has celiac, so we are always on the search for gluten-free options. Billie’s has the most amazing selection! I love everything from their bakery—the biscuit sando is an indulgence that you wouldn’t suspect is gluten-free.
Cozy Cocktail: My new favorite for its intimate vibe and creative drinks is The Primrose. I love their signature cocktail—it’s a mix of gin, Campari, rosemary, lemon, and egg white.
Locally Made: I’ve always loved The Object Enthusiast’s ceramics. Her pieces are delightful and modern, and her use of color is spot-on. The Terracotta Rainbow Vase is at the very top of my wish list.
Shopping Small: It’s hard to choose just one shop, but Sierra Winter Jewelry is always a fave. Basically, I want one of everything in her store. Right now, I’m eyeing the Easy Rider ring and Sunrise necklace.
Self-Care Sesh: A favorite place to recharge is Hand & Land. It’s a lovely spot for a massage or facial and everything is soothing—right down to the scent as you walk through the door. They also have great gifts, and I love knowing that everything is non-toxic and sustainable.
KC Scent: I find the most amazing scents at The Corner Candleshop. At Ampersand, we’re such big fans that we just partnered with them on a pretty, new candle! It’s our Cut Paper Love design on a glass candleholder, filled with the “Love Notes” scent. It’s colorful and smells like clean cotton.