Designer Patty Nast Canton
When KC Studio moved into its new home on the second floor of Westport’s historic Fire Station No. 19, it didn’t just gain a new address – it gained a fresh burst of energy and style.
he force behind the transformation was Patty Nast Canton, the designer whose vision and persistence turned a former firehouse into a dynamic and inspiring workspace for Kansas City’s arts community.
“It’s about serving the community — and now it’s doing that again, through the arts,” says Patty.
Perched above Broadway Roasting Company’s busy coffee shop, the two-story brick landmark now hums with color, creativity, and connection.
Patty’s design celebrates KC Studio’s role as a hub for the region’s cultural scene — a magazine published by The Arts Engagement Foundation of Kansas City (AEFKC), which connects readers to artists, museums, and performances through its print and digital presence at kcstudio.org. “I wanted the space to reflect what KC Studio stands for,” Patty says. “Energy. Collaboration. Joy.”
Turning Vision into Vibe
Patty reimagined the former reception area into a bright, open workspace for editors, writers, and designers. The room now glows with natural light, framed by two striking James Brinsfield abstractions on loan from his estate and centered around sleek, collaborative desks that invite conversation and creativity.
“I wanted it to feel like a place people want to come to — not just an office, but a living expression of what we do,” she says. And it worked. Staff members who once worked remotely now come in to meet, brainstorm, and recharge.
President and publisher Guy Townsend adds, “Now that we have this space, everyone wants to be here. Patty created an environment that’s both functional and inspiring.” Our heartfelt thanks from the Uncrated Art Foundation that completes our blank walls with countless notable artists on loan of incredible art installations throughout our space.
Design with Determination
From the dramatic glass wall defining Guy’s office to the warm, flueless fireplace that anchors the shared lounge, Patty approached each detail as both a design challenge and an artistic opportunity. Many of her ideas initially seemed too complex to achieve within the old firehouse’s structure, but her creative problem-solving brought them to life.
“There were tremendous challenges at every stage — from engineering details to sourcing materials — but Patty’s imagination and determination made it happen,” says Guy. The finished result feels more like a creative studio than a traditional office, filled with mid-century modern classics from a mounted wall desk by George Nelson Comprehensive Storage System circa 1957, designer Milo RayBaughman conference table, and Frantz Industries bar cart.
The space is decorated with warm vintage fabric accents, and personal touches like Guy’s father’s desk and framed mementos from KC Studio’s publishing journey.
A Home for Creativity — and Community
Leading the move from the old 5,000-square-foot Waldo office, Patty managed everything from decades of archives to the complete design and build-out of the new space — all while keeping the magazine’s publishing schedule on track. “I wanted it to feel like KC Studio itself — creative, unexpected, and full of Kansas City personality,” she says.
Now, the former firehouse buzzes with the same spirit that defines The Arts Engagement Foundation of Kansas City — connecting art, artists, and audiences in meaningful ways. “The space has Patty’s fingerprints everywhere,” says Heidi Nast, cofounder. “It’s warm, it’s creative, and it feels like home.”
The building itself has quite a story: Owners Sara and Bill Honan purchased circa 1940 Fire Station No. 19 in 2007 through a sealed city auction to expand their growing coffee roasting business. They transformed the former fire truck garage into a working roastery and coffee shop, creating one of Kansas City’s most beloved gathering spots. Honan’s opened Broadway Café back in 1992, later partnering with Jon Cates in 1998. Today, they still roast beans, using the original kitchen and preserving small details of the building’s history — including the firefighters’ lockers, still labeled with their names, in the back. Former firemen often stop by for coffee and enjoy a look back at their old station.
Please feel free to contact designer:
Patty Nast Canton
[email protected]
www.pattynastcanton.com
Wardini LLC
Custom Cabinetry & Design
wardinispace.com
All photos courtesy of Patty Nast Canton
