On the first floor of the house, Ben sanded the old, dried-out wood floors and refinished them. However, no one would have guessed it. The floors are battered, scratched and even discolored in some areas. He wanted the squeaky, creaky floors to appear worn—similar to flooring he saw in an old Arkansas church. He said his contractors brought chains and beat the floors until they were just right before staining them. Walking into the living room, it’s hard to know where to start look- ing. Artwork hangs on the wall that is made of medical gauze, bed springs or paper. Meade and two of his friends create what he calls “junk art” that he shows off throughout the house—like a coat hanger
The living room displays many of Ben’s favorite pieces: a 90-year-old Czechoslovakian bass, a photo of his Native American grandfather as an infant, and his grandfather’s canoe dating to the mid-1800s.
made from the piano keys of an organ. White, glass shelving next catches the eye. Inside holds an intriguing collection of items includ- ing apple head dolls (cloth dolls with dried apples as heads) with Ben’s grandmother’s hair sewn on top. He said he often finds his collections in salvage shops or garage sales. If he likes it, he buys it. “It’s to the point that if I died, I don’t know what I’m going to do with all of my stuff,” Ben said.
14 vintagekc summer 2016
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