The Front Porch Wichita Winter 2016 2017

Page 1

Front Porch the

winter 2016–17

wichita

The Art of Cultivating Simple Pleasures and Living Well

Bathrooms Styled for the Soul

S

Seclusion in search of some quality down time with no questions asked can be found in only one place in the home: the bathroom. It has become this country’s haven for the hectored body and harried spirit, and as such it increasingly offers more and more restorative amenities. As the new and perhaps final frontier of residential design, the bath-room is being transformed by designers and manufacturers into an extraordinary space for solitude featuring plenty of indulgences for the body—and abundant style for the soul. This has not long been the case. The advent of hygienic, reliable plumbing that made the assembling of bathroom basics—washstand, toilet, and tub—in one dedicated room not only possible, but also sensible, did not occur in Continued on page 10. Grand or small, this most personal of rooms has become one of the most highly stylized rooms in today’s homes.
Clockwise from top left. 1] This elegant master bath spa relies upon the use of natural materials: ceramic tiles that mimic the look of drifting sand, a river rock shower floor and horizontal band, stacked limestone wall behind the soaking tub with water-fall faucet, storage niches, and a long recessed edge along the drop-in tub filled with river rock, create a soothing atmosphere. The full-glass doorless shower, with rain shower head, maintains the open feel, and to avoid having any décor that would detract from the natural look, only three tall, glass vases with twigs were added along the wall behind the soaking tub. Complete makeover by Sharon Nelson, owner of Nelson Designs, 8340 E 21st St, The Shops at Tallgrass, 613.3450, NelsonDesignsLLC.net. View more of this suite, and another on page 13. 2] The homeowner of this young girl’s bath with a freestanding soaking tub uses art to brighten the space and give it a playful look. The bright colors in the art are repeated in the selection of towels and bath rug, while the gold-framed mirror matches the art frame. The vintage poster for Source Brault sparkling water, created in 1938 by Philippe Noyer, shows six mermaids swimming around a large drinking glass with bubbles surrounding them. 3] Textures, patterns, and layers abound in this bath, using a mix of tiles, and wainscoting on the walls and surrounding the vanity. The shower walls and bath floor is First Snow Elegance polished marble by Daltile. The inset floor mosaic is a show-stopping hand-crafted glass mosaic from Artistic Tile’s Jazz Collection. The intuitive use of shape and the inherent color variations in the stained glass are sure to transform any space. Tile from Designers Expo, 1409 E. Douglas, 267.1982.

Cozy winter suppers can be just as special as holiday meals—yet so much easier—when homemade soup, bread, and pie are on the menu. For recipes, see page 14.

number 30 2 Peaceable Kingdom: winter yards can offer sanctuaries for wildlife 3 Quiet Spaces: savoring quiet moments between species 5 Shades of Green: video educates viewers about waste crisis 6 The Collector: treasured memories from the past brighten the holidays


The Front Porch Wichita

A Peaceable Kingdom

Creature Comforts This season, winterize your backyard for furry and feathered visitors.

A

long with transitioning the wardrobe, tidying up outdoors is one of many rituals marking the advent of winter. It means cutting back plants, clearing away branches, and raking up every last leaf. As it turns out, Mother Nature’s leavings can benefit squirrels, rabbits, birds, and other beloved creatures that add life to the barren landscape. The winter yard offers up everything you need to keep local wildlife comfortable during the most trying months of the year. Organic debris make ideal building materials for brush piles. Establishing these shelters away from the home gives animals a private refuge. To build one, start with a crisscross foundation of tree branches measuring 6 to 8 feet long. Then build it up with smaller sticks and leaves. Evergreen branches will shield this haven from ice and snow. The short days of winter leave less time for animals to

Helping clients create visually stunning and naturally soothing surroundings—both inside and out—for over 30 years!

Wishing you and yours a beautiful and peaceful holiday season.

Keeping a fresh supply of heated water is important for all wildlife. Surprisingly, birds bathe even during the winter in order to fluff their feathers, which helps keep them warm.

Lizanne Guthrie | Residential and Business Interiors Call or e-mail for an appointment 682.6612 | lizanne@designstudioltd.com DesignStudioLtd.com

forage. Food is scarce, usually hidden in snowfall or locked beneath hardened ground. Natural water sources freeze. You can supply fresh water and prevent it from icing over by filling plant saucers with warm water daily. If you have a Continued on page 5.

Edwards Pool’s Carefully Planned, Detailed Shades of Green Green Construction Process Ensures the Creation Story of Our Stuff of Kansas’ Finest Pools Solving the waste crisis starts with unKnowing What to Expect During the Building of Your Dream Pool Will Leave You Swimming in Anticipation

B

uilding award-winning, custom pools takes equal amounts of vision, planning, and hard work, and through this combination Edwards Pool Construction has perfected the art form. But a key to the Andover-based company’s success comes from applying a reliable construction process to your pool project, allowing you to follow every step as the crew constructs another aquatic work of art. Most projects begin with excavation and forming. Blueprints have been approved, Dig-safe has been contacted, and all permits are posted. The final location and elevation is set, and coordinating the Edwards Pool Construction specializes dirt trucks has begun. in unique designs and stunning features Next is the structural steel that make their creations true works of phase. The steel cage is the skelart. Top to bottom: Curved edges create etal strength holding everything movement that adds more life to an already together. Depending on the size beautiful swimming environment. A rectilinof your pool (and additional ear pool with a perimeter overflow design work for a raised spa or fountain) reflects the natural beauty of its environthis may take one or two days. ment. This custom pool fits its surroundYou can also expect the floor ings as if nature placed it there. A natural plumbing to have taken shape stone surround—complete with waterfall—lends before this phase of construction. an element of playfulness to this custom design. The Gunite phase of construction is when your vision really comes to pool is full of clean, clear water at all times. life. Gunite is the process of applyThe planning that Edwards Pool puts into ing concrete to a structure and is the construction process demonstrates a commonly used to build or reincommitment to perfection. A detailed set of force pools, waterfalls, bridges, tunplans from the beginning leads to a perfect nels, etc. Cement, rock, and sand is pool in the end. And every step of the process mixed and hydrated on site, then sprayed onto contoured and lets you know what to expect as the pool of your supported surfaces to build your pool. dreams moves from concept to reality. Since much of the plumbing is already laid down by this point, Start planning the pool of your dreams today, it’s time to add the filtration system. With the Gunite shell firmly or service your current pool. Visit Edwards Pool in place, high-quality Schedule 40 PVC will allow the pool’s fil- Construction online at EdwardsPoolConstruction. tration system to run at peak performance. Several variables are com, or visit their design center at 118 E 13th St. considered for precise flow rates, so piping size and run, resis- N, Andover (at the corner of 13th St. and Andover tance, and pump performance are pre-determined to ensure your Rd.), or call 316.260.0757 for a free quote. 2

derstanding the story behind it. “Out of sight, out of mind” describes the general attitude toward the current waste crisis. Most of us just don’t have to think about our trash much. Not when garbage trucks come and whisk it away on a weekly basis. Disposal fees don’t even account for how much stuff gets tossed. Unlike other utilities, trash service comes at a flat rate. In fact, each person produces about 4.5 pounds of trash daily. Despite making up only 5 percent of the world’s population, the U.S. is responsible for 30 percent of the world’s waste. Where does it all come from? Where does it all go? The Story of Stuff answers these big questions in a brisk twenty-minute video starring the executive director of Greenpeace USA, Annie Leonard. Without mincing words, Leonard describes a bleak timeline that begins with the exploitation of natural resources and ends with consumer leftovers mummified in We have a problem with Stuff. If landfills or burned to everyone consumed at U.S. rates, ashes by incinerators. we would need three to five planThe journey from raw ets. This alarming fact drove Anmaterials to waste is a nie Leonard to write the book and complicated one. But create the Internet film sensation with the help of anima- The Story of Stuff, which has been tion, Leonard breaks viewed more than 30 million times it down in a way that’s by people around the world. entertaining and easy to understand. Teachers have recognized the power of this teaching tool, and they’re showing the video in classrooms around the world. Continued on page 4. Winter 2016–2017


The Front Porch Wichita

Kitchen & Bath Gallery’s spectacular, seamless remodeling creates an extraordinary home

See the new master bath on page 10.

Distinctively yours . . .

T

hese homeowners had some big ideas before undertaking this major remodel, and it included moving just about everything to create what in essence turned out to be a totally new home. Influenced by a love of the Rocky Mountains, they knew they wanted to incorporate the natural elements of wood and stone. “We had talked to several contractors, but when it got to moving walls, taking fireplaces out, and generally really taking the house down to its bare bones, and then reconfiguring the entire layout, we heard more reasons why it couldn’t be done than how it could be realized,” said one of the homeowners. That is, until they met Mark Combs, co-owner of Kitchen & Bath Gallery. “Mark was phenomenal. He has a lot of vision,” the now-delighted homeowner said, “and, along the way, he always had a solution. He let us bring our ideas to the table and then incorporated and expanded them into the dream home we wanted.” Gutting a mid-90s home and totally rearranging the entire layout is a huge project, but Kitchen & Bath Gallery skillfully, artistically, and imaginatively executed every detail. The warm inviting style of this monumental remodel greets visitors upon entering the home. Established in 1991 Massive hand carved and distressed beams are used throughout the main living areas, including the dining room, kitchen, and office. The cabinetry throughout is beautiful cherry wood with an exquisite Amber finish, and the new floors are 5" white oak plank in a custom finish. The dramatic stairway has 1" square iron balusters. Iron work was also used on the columns and the handcrafted wood mantle. The stone used for the fireplace, and the range hood and surround, is Kimmichi River limestone, quarried in Oklahoma. The kitchen counters are topped with Nero Orion granite in a brushed finish: 3 cm on the perimeter, and a 6cm laminated chiseled front edge on the island. A matching slab of granite was installed behind the range. This impressive whole-house makeover is an elegant example of what can happen when the natural beauty of stone and wood is combined with a tradition of fine craftsmanship—the result is simply stunning.

F

eaturing unique designs for any room in your home with a harmonious blend of style and function, designer cabinetry, and state-of-the-art appliances. Dedicated to quality and professional service.

2823 E. Douglas | 686.7938 TheKitchenandBathGallery.com

Quiet Spaces There is language going on out there—the language of the wild. Roars, snorts, trumpets, squeals, whoops, and chirps all have meaning derived over eons of expression. We have yet to become fluent

Peace on Earth Goodwill to all.

in the language—and music—of the wild. —Boyd Norton Black-capped Chickadee and Red Fox Squirrel.

CertaPro Painters brings its best to every detail of every project When it comes to painting a whole house, there is much more than meets the eye, and the folks at Certa Pro understand, and focus on, the details that make all the difference.

W

hen these homeowners recently moved here, they were happy to hear CertaPro had a locally-owned franchise here. They had used them in their previous town, yet still thought they’d check with a few other companies. But soon they realized that Jamie and Jorge Ibarra, the local owners of CertaPro Painters, knew much more about painting than most, plus they had the experienced crew to make sure the job was going to be done the right way, and in a timely manner. “We understand people have a choice when it comes to allowing a contractor into their home, and we feel privileged to have the opportunity to deliver the best possible job to them,” says Jamie. “We believe it starts with getting the preparation done right, and we strive to make sure all the details that are important to the customer are always kept in mind.” From the first day to the last, CertaPro more than lived up to their growing reputation for being the best choice for residential or commercial painting. Although it was a large project, their efficient team were able to complete the work in about a week. “We really appreciated the fact they cleaned up at the end of each day. So well, you couldn’t tell a crew was here painting,” the homeowner said. Throughout the entire process they were “very professional, nice to work with, and thoughtful,” she added, noting the care they took with the plants around the house. Although the homeowners had an idea of what colors they wanted, CertaPro’s color consultant was “amazingly helpful. I thought I wanted a bright white trim, but she discussed with me how our windows were more cream, so found a color that matched the windows,

Winter 2016–2017

then helped us choose that color in a lighter shade, giving me the bright white feeling I wanted, but not clashing with the windows.” CertaPro also refinished the garage hardware with a new coat of black, also used for the dental accents and porch columns, and painted the dull brown door, a refreshing, welcoming blue. Before When it came to choosing the main color, CertaPro even drove to another house the homeowner had seen, and put together paint samples of that house. As it turned out, it wasn’t what she had imagined, but she was amazed at how accommodating they were. “Talk about going the extra mile!” And that’s what CertaPro Painters is all about. The proof of their dedication to every painting project, large or small, is in the incredible growth of their business and the outstanding feedback they continue to receive from satisfied customers. Jamie and Jorge have a can-do attitude and recognize that painting is much more than coating a surface. That’s why their crews are all supervised with an on-site supervisor, and details that are important to the beauty, as well as to the value, of your home or your business are all deemed important. From appearance to durability, they make certain that every painting project is finished to the customer’s satisfaction. It’s what CertaPro calls the “Certainty” promise that accompanies every job. Contact CertaPro Painters of Wichita and discover the difference for yourself. Schedule a free quote online at wichita-east.certapro.com, call 316.440.0161, stop by their office at 125 S. West St., Ste 103, or e-mail jabaker@certapro.com. 3


The Front Porch Wichita

Green Shades of Green

Owner’s title insurance protects your property rights today and tomorrow. For peace of mind let’s talk… before you sign.

316.262.8261

4

kstitle.com

Story of Our Stuff, from page 2

The statistics alone may shock people into rethinking their consumption and waste habits. And The Story of Stuff is just one of many sources out there serving up important facts. Last month, Newsweek reported that fast-changing fashion is largely responsible for 14 million tons of clothing being trashed every year. And 80 percent of that winds up in landfills. The good news? We can change the course of these narratives. One way is to get more use out of the stuff we already have. These days, “waste” defines things that are fully functional but no longer trendy. What hits the market today is deemed obsolete tomorrow. But there’s no expiration date on perfectly good clothes or electronics that still work well. Most stuff can be recycled. The usual suspects include aluminum cans and bottles made of glass or plastic. But don’t forget paper towel and toilet paper rolls, tissue boxes, aluminum foil, plastic soap dispensers, and all that junk mail. Metal pots, pans and utensils are recyclable too. Using apps such as GoodGuide and ThinkDirty, shoppers can scan barcodes to determine the greenness of a product. These mobile tools can help you reduce the amount of harmful chemicals that flow back into the environment. To learn more, visit StoryofStuff.org. The Story of Stuff Project offers many educational resources, including videos, podcasts and curricula for teens. Local Goodwill stores accept your new or gently used stuff. You may also donate appliances, furniture and building materials to ReStore, 601 N. West St., 943.6996.

Winter 2016–2017


The Front Porch Wichita

For the new you! Invisible tooth alignment for the smile of your dreams.

Smile Design Center Drs. Aaron and Lowen Leatherman LeathermanDental.com

|

316.685.5121 |

3837 North Woodlawn

A Peaceable Kingdom Grills & Smokers from Yoder Smokers, Weber, Big Green Egg, Napoleon

Creature Comforts, from page 2 birdbath, the market offers heaters specially made for them. Hydration is as important to birds as it is to humans. And even in the cold climate, birds need a place to bathe. Water helps them fluff up their feathers for better insulation. Birds lose up to 15 percent of their weight coping with frigid temperatures and the season’s slim pickings. If you have a bird feeder, fill it with black oil sunflower seeds and suet. Both contain high amounts of oil and fat that help birds stay plump and warm. Or try this creative recipe to supplement their diet: Attach a string to a pinecone, coat the pinecone with peanut butter, and roll it around in seeds. Then hang it from a branch, and watch as birds discover this tasty ornament. Squirrels will enjoy it too. Rabbits especially can benefit from a little extra food. Their mortality rates are highest during the winter, when they subsist on tree bark. A tiny salad of lettuce and carrots would make a nice meal every now and then — and it may ensure their survival.

Cozy furniture, dining sets, fire pits & fire tables

Grillware, glassware, fuels & accessories

ALL THINGS BARBECUE

FOR ALL THINGS OUTDOOR

Largest selection of seasonings, sauces & rubs

Cooking classes & Private Events

Custom outdoor kitchen design & installation

TheSauce.ATBBQ.com

Using leaves as garden mulch can also provide food for animals. Insects such as butterfly pupae overwinter in leaf litter, and ground-scratching birds will forage there. Come spring, you might even find more butterflies in your garden! Get started creating a humane backyard before the cold sets in. At Backyard Nature Center, Nick and Cathy Clausen can help you find accessories to make winter wildlife more comfortable. Backyard Nature Center is located in the Shops at Tallgrass, 8336 E 21st St N #500, 683.2121. Winter 2016–2017

818 W. Douglas | 316.440.3950 IN THE HISTORIC DELANO DISTRICT HOLIDAY HOURS M - F 10am – 6pm | Saturday 10am – 5pm Sunday 12pm — 5pm

ATBBQ.com 5


The Front Porch Wichita

The Collector

Christmas Recollections

Christmas tree ornaments are among the most treasured and collected items of decoration in most American homes.

P

assed from hand to hand during the annual transformation of an ordinary evergreen into a sparkling and spectacular pièce de résistance, these ornaments resonate with associations even richer than the fragrance of the tree itself. Perhaps this enjoyable phenomenon occurs because Christmas ornaments are brought out only once a year and thus eternally retain their allure; emerging infrequently from their tissue chrysalises to alight briefly like brilliant butterflies on green boughs, they do not tarry long enough to foster the boredom of familiarity. Or perhaps it is because they are unique heirlooms handed down from generation to generation, glimmering emblems that link the past, the present, and the future. Since they evoke vivid memories and handeddown stories of family and friends exchanged while decorating this year’s tree—memories and anecdotes that will be passed on to generations yet unborn—they are more valuable than any heirloom sideboard for The holiday spirit inherent in festive designs fashioned enriching the cultural fabric of the family. Regardless of the reason, Christmas ornaments have been a source of out of ornaments makes them welcome additions to familial delight since their advent. Legends abound about the origins of any home’s holiday décor. The vintage ornaments both the Christmas tree and its decorations. The Christmas tree as we that form this wreath and sleigh crafted by Felicia know it originated in Germany when, as one story goes, Martin Luther Serrioz, co-owner of A&M Superior Upholstery, embrought a fir tree, symbol of eternal life, into his home sometime around body the old-world charm desired by collectors and designers alike. Her hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind creations bring the collectible ornaments’ sizes, colors, and pat1500 and decorated it with candles to symbolize Christ as the light of terns together in settings that are as fun as they are timeless. Many delightful collectibles can be purchased directly the world, but actual confirmation of lighted candles on a Christmas tree from Felicia Serrioz at A&M Superior Upholstery, 106 N Hillside, 316.262.2076. did not occur until the eighteenth century. Similarly, the first publicly displayed Christmas tree to be documented was not installed until 1605, and it was decorated not with candles but with apples. Accuracy aside, it is known that by 1893, German families had enthusiastically embraced the new custom of decorating Christmas trees with apples, candles, nuts, cookies, tinsel, paper or cloth roses, and a star. When the German Prince Albert married Queen Victoria and became her consort, he bore with him to England the beloved Christmas ritual of his homeland, and the Christmas tree—by then additionally decorated with candies, fancy Usually reserved for Christmas, winter cakes enticingly suspended by ribbons, intricate paper chains, small toys and baubles, all décor can be set out earlier in the sea- sorts of fruits, and lovely glass ornaments hand-blown by German craftsmen—became son and bring joy throughout the entire the rage in nineteenth-century England and, shortly thereafter, in this country. winter season. Many objects compleThe genesis of the fragile glass ornaments is an interesting story in itself. One story ment a home’s atmosphere through holds that upper-class German families began decking their Christmas trees with statussubtle reminders of this comforting time symbol gilded fruit and nuts and that these decorations were soon superseded by even of year. Walter’s Flowers & Interiors spemore expensive and exclusive silvered glass ornaments. F.W. Woolworth introduced the cializes in holiday decorations for every occasion and style, from fresh greenery American public to these exquisite German decorations in 1890. More than likely, few families own any of these very old glass, tin, paper, or wood and flowers to an amazing collection ornaments, but, just as likely, they do possess at least a few treasured heirloom of designer and collectible ornaments decorations passed down from grandparents or parents. Many older pieces may still be and decorations. Walters Flowers & Interiors, 124 N Main, Eldorado, 321.1740, acquired at estate sales and auctions, flea markets, antique shops, and on the Internet; reminiscences about who found them and where become the first of many memories WaltersFlowersandInteriors.com. that will eventually become part and parcel of their charm. And at least one company today is making quality reproductions of the venerated German blown-glass originals in addition to fetching designs both new and nostalgic, just waiting to become family memory-makers. No doubt there are a few people who collect vintage ornaments for their monetary value or for the sake of collecting, but for most, the inestimable value of Christmas ornaments, heirloom or not, lies in the intangible but significant recollections they represent. Candles, the first Christmas tree decorations used, symbolized Christ. Subsequent German ornaments also were emblematic: Santa Claus represented good will; the pine cone, fruitfulness; the bird, joy; the heart, true love; the rabbit, hope; the rose, affection; and the pickle, a surprise awaiting the person who found it first on the tree. Photograph by Michelle Markee.

Get access to all your business information . . . at any Time . . . in any Place . . . on any Device!

I

f you are like most companies, you have lots of intelligent people doing lots of intelligent things with some pretty unintelligent processes that limit their potential.

W

e’re iDataSolutions, a company founded on a simple but forward thinking idea: information should be managed in a way to unleash the potential that lives in every company. We create customized, easy-to-use software solutions that help your people work smarter and increase productivity.

i

DataSolutions specializes in consulting, development, and implementation of customized solutions that save you time and money so you can focus on your business.

Let us create the right solution for your business today!

iDataSolutions

www.iDataSolutions.us 6

Call Richard at 316.712.5822 Located on the 6 floor of The Garvey Building Across the street from Century II • Wichita KS th

Front Porch the

winter 2016–17

wichita

The Art of Cultivating Simple Pleasures and Living Well Welcome to The Front Porch Wichita!

We invite you to join us as we share ideas for homes and gardens, swap some recipes, meet some interesting people, and chat a little about this and that. And if you happen to have a front porch that you’d like us to see, please write or call us. We’ll be more than happy to stop by, and maybe even sit a spell. To view on-line, please visit: TheFrontPorchWichita.com Support your local businesses whenever possible. Please let participants know you saw them in The Front Porch Wichita! Editor: Kathy D. Heaton Contributing Writers: David Caylor, Matt Nelson, and Kat Schneider Contributing Photographer: Michelle Markee Copy Editor: Jo Bowman Contributing Graphic Designer: Hai Tran Web Development: Frantz Augustin Social Media: Krystal Bradley Publisher: Patrick D. Wherritt

Feathered friend’s Front Porch photograph by Mark Wilkes.

Contents copyright ©2016 by Daniels Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Nothing may be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. The Front Porch WichitaTM is a registered trademark of Daniels Publishing, Inc. The Front Porch Wichita is designed to showcase area businesses and professionals. Space is paid for by the advertisers and is an opportunity for them to let you know more about them and their businesses. The Front Porch Wichita makes no claims regarding, and does not endorse, the services, and/or products featured. Subscriptions: If you would like to receive each quarterly issue of The Front Porch Wichita please send a check or money order for $3.00 to Daniels Publishing, Inc.

Daniels Publishing, Inc. | 2250 N. Rock Road, Ste. 118-J | Wichita, KS 67226 | 316.687.1968

Winter 2016–2017


The Front Porch Wichita

Winter 2016–2017

7


The Front Porch Wichita

HANA CAFE

and Sushi Bar

Unique Asian Fare

Oh Yeah! China Bistro

Drawing upon a background of more than thirty years’ experience in running successful sushi bars in New York and Boston, Jay and Eunice Kim serve a unique blend of Japanese and Korean cuisine in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

For more than twenty years Shu Tai and Robert Liao have been serving the finest Asian foods to grateful Wichitans. It’s no surprise that their loyal following has grown dramatically with the opening of OH YEAH! CHINA BISTRO. This fine-dining Chinese restaurant reaches far beyond the ordinary with authentic gourmet Chinese cuisine. At OH YEAH! CHINA BISTRO, every meal is prepared to order, and their delicious sauces are all made from scratch. The menu features all the traditional Asian favorites, plantbased or meat proteins, and steamed or stir-fried dishes—and they are more than happy to accommodate special requests.

Since opening in 1996, HANA CAFE has steadily gained favor with those who appreciate ultrafresh sushi and other artfully prepared-from-scratch Asian food. Lunch: Mon–Sat 11-4 Dinner: Mon–Thur 4–10, Fri–Sat 4–11, Sun 12–10

325 N. Mead, Old Town Square 267.3766

OH YEAH! CHINA BISTRO chefs skillfully transform traditional Chinese dishes into masterpieces so artfully, so delectably, and so subtly that diners will wonder if they’re still in Kansas.

Reserve a table in the beautiful dining room for your special occasion. And remember— Oh Yeah! China Bistro also caters!

There’s more: OH YEAH! CHINA BISTRO’S reasonable prices, sleek décor, soft lighting, rich hardwood floors, upholstered booths, and linen tablecloths and napkins— even for lunch—create a dining experience that will have you saying, “Oh Yeah! China Bistro.”

Deliveries within 4 mile radius

Open Tue–Fri 11–2:30, Tue–Thurs 4:30–9:30, Fri 4:30–10, Sat 11:30–10, Sun 11:30–9

ng & Resta ur e ri t a

t an

C

For the Love of Food & Entertaining! Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10:20am-9:00pm Sun. 11:00am-6:00pm

3101 N. Rock Rd 425.7700 OhYeahChinaBistro.com

RESTAURANT IS NOW OPEN! Come see us! • • • •

Delicious sandwiches Savory soups Fresh salads Weekend brunch

Call for your catering needs!

707 N Waco, Suite 105 | 316.729.6200 www.SweetAllieBs.com SweetAllieBsICT 8

Chinese Cuisine with an Artful Flair

Visit us at desertsteel.net 316-282-2244 | desertsteel.net or312 Old TownSt(2nd Mosley) N Mosley (2nd & and Mosley) Winter 2016–2017


The Front Porch Wichita

Holistic Nursing Consultants Barbara Denison msn, aprn, ahn–bc

Your Healthcare Partner . . . with time to listen . . . to learn . . . to care. Whether you have: • Chronic or acute pain • Chronic inflammation • High cholesterol

...................................

Frou Frou

...................................

• Insulin resistance • Stress, anxiety, fatigue, or • Grief brought on by life changes

Holistic Nursing Consultants has the resources to navigate you toward the path of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Holistic Health Consultations, with nutritional assessment and recommendations. APOE Gene Diettm Program & Therapeutic Touch to facilitate healthy lifestyle changes. Mindfulness practices such as learning the relaxation response and meditation. Education classes and workshops in Meditation, Nutrition, and Therapeutic Touch. To learn more or schedule a consultation with Barbara Denison, call 316.992.0077. Visit BarbaraDenison.com for upcoming events, workshops, and classes.

Barbara Denison relies on her more than 37-year nursing career, considerable advanced education, and intuition to guide her in becoming a therapeutic partner with her clients. Her integrative approach helps many people regain their health.

8340 E 21st St N Suite 600 {316} 651-0771

Executive Park Eas t / L akeside Plaza, 250 N Rock Road, Ste 30 0 P

Give A Child the Gift of

READING Tis the Season to

Reimagine EDUCATION How? Support Dyslexia Through · Student Services · Teacher Training · Awareness Donate at funlearn.org Fundamental Learning Center

Fundamental Learning Center

Want a tour? Call 316-684-READ (7323) or visit funlearn.org

Winter 2016–2017

9


The Front Porch Wichita

Bathrooms Styled for the Soul, from cover America until the 1850s, and only by the early twentieth century did this arrangement become commonplace. Even as late as the 1940s, only fifty-five percent of this country’s homes had a complete private, albeit very small, bathroom. That reality check is all the more remarkable when compared to a few other takenfor-granted advances in civilization. Condensed soup debuted in 1897; the flashlight, in 1898; the wire coat hanger, in 1903; and aluminum foil, in 1910, well before the basic bathroom as Americans know it became wide-spread. Concurrent with that phenomenon was the development of the Band-Aid® and the Q-Tip,® in 1920; the residential air conditioner, in 1928; the perm, in 1927; and the home hair dryer, in 1929. Even more impressive was the evolution of the bathroom from a cramped, minimally functional room to a much larger—and often huge—luxurious personal retreat from the world that coalesces state-of-the-art function and cutting-edge interior design. In comparison, condensed soup is still recognizably condensed soup. Mirroring the contemporary trend toward unfitted kitchens, great rooms, and open-plan homes, today’s bathroom combines the necessary, ultra-efficient porcelain, acrylic, and stainless steel fixtures—and more—with a delightfully indulgent pastiche of furniture, accouterments, and finishing touches more traditionally associated with other rooms, resulting in a space that is less a bathroom and more an integral part of the home. The open bathroom thus becomes an extension of the adjacent room or rooms, rather than a separate room with a discrete function; in such configurations, the toilet is often discreetly tucked away behind its own door, a full-circle evolution of the circa-1755 water closet. Unfitted or not, the bathroom is by necessity and at all levels chock-full of the hard, smooth, glazed fixtures and surfaces that are prerequisites for a room where water is splashed about at all hours of the day and night. And while such surfaces are easy to clean—another imperative—their ambience is inherently austere, cold, and even clinical, the opposite of relaxing, let alone restorative. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to offset that antiseptic gleam. Adding just one piece of wood furniture to the bathroom, such as a bureau, a table, or a cabinet with heirloom-quality details, often does the trick, and, space permitting,

Ultimate Luxury This sumptuous master bath was part of an entire house remodel (see page 3). The newly expanded layout accommodates an inviting Kohler Underscore BubbleMassage undermount air tub in biscuit color. The tub has a built in heater, 122 variable speed air jets producing bubbles that massage the entire body, molded lumbar support, and is a comfortable 66" x 36" x 22". The deck is Storm travertine slab to match the travertine tile on the floor. The shower and tub walls are Nova Blue 12" x 24" limestone with matching 5/8" hexagon mosaic insert. The curved shower ceiling is finished with hexagon Nova Blue limestone and has a Luxart Rain Cloud shower head in an oil rubbed bronze finish. The vanity cabinetry is Knotty Alder wood, in a custom color, topped with Storm 3cm travertine. Thoughtfully designed and created by Kitchen & Bath Gallery, 2823 E. Douglas, 686.7938, TheKitchenandBathGallery.com.

Restorative Oasis A stunning addition resulted in this gorgeous master bath. A Bain Ultra tub with
warm air bubble jets and heated back rest, with Typhoon Green granite on the tub deck and on the vanity countertop, add to the spa-like atmosphere. Incorporating space for
a custom makeup vanity is a practical and beautiful addition to the overall design. Crystal cabinetry with a frosty white painted enamel finish, 12" x 12" honed travertine tile with a heated floor beneath, along with a white river pebble shower floor, complete the style. By Kitchen and Bath Gallery, 686.7938, 2823 E Douglas, TheKitchenandBathgallery.com.

Curved Elegance

more is better. The innately rich, warm colors and textures of wood infuse the bathroom environment with a much more comfortable look and feel, something that also can be accomplished by adding even one wicker or bamboo element. In addition, such natural materials are warm to the touch, unlike ceramic and metal bathroom fixtures, because they both hold and radiate relaxing and reassuring physical warmth. Freestanding pieces of furniture also make the bathroom as pleasant as any other room. For all these reasons, wood is becoming a popular choice for bathroom paneling, wainscoting, flooring, and ceiling beams. Given a state-of-the-art ventilation system, such decay-resistant woods as cedar, redwood, and teak used in such individualized applications stand up just fine to the bathroom’s moist environment, and most standard flooring woods, such as oak, maple, and cherry, survive beautifully if they are properly prepared, installed, and finished. Fabrics also infuse the bathroom with texture, warmth, and visual appeal far beyond that traditionally provided by window curtains. The serviceable acrylic bath mat is being upstaged by the same carpeting that enhances adjoining rooms, or by luxurious oriental and other artisan rugs that encourage lingering. Texture visually and tactilely softens expanses of ceramic tile as well. Similarly, a sumptuously upholstered chair or two, or even better, a chaise lounge with adjacent table and lamp, nurtures serious relaxation. And for earthy, inviting ambience, nothing beats the elemental textural beauty of foliage. The bathroom is a natural for plants and even small trees; they thrive in its often-moist environment. While such traditionally non-bathroom amenities go a long way toward transforming that functional room into Continued on page 11. 10

The custom layout of this bathroom provides plenty of space for two, and the facing mirrored walls add ample views. The cabinetry is maple wood in a soft white painted finish with brown glaze. The countertops are travertine with undermount sinks. Easy care porcelain tile with the look of travertine was chosen for the floors. By Kitchen and Bath Gallery, 686.7938, 2823 E Douglas, TheKitchenandBathgallery.com. Photograph by Steve Brown.

Indulgent Serenity This light-filled room
creates a calming sense
 of balance and incorporates a soothing palette
that perfectly captures
the serenity of a spa.
The floors are heated
throughout, including
inside the walk-in shower, and the recessed
seat, which is topped with a White Carrara marble slab. The white Carrara marble octagon mosaic floor tiles, accented with
Nero Marquina black dots, line up flawlessly from the main area
into the shower, which is enclosed with architectural frameless glass. The Arctic white subway tiles on the shower walls and ceiling impart a seamless appearance, and the conveniently located towel warmer adds yet another touch of luxury. The six-foot double sink boasts a custom vanity with dovetailed drawer boxes, soft close drawer guides and door hinges, as well as adjustable shelving, and a white Carrara marble top and backsplash. The slipper tub, with extended gentle slope backrest and freestanding Victoria & Albert Stafford tub filler, offers a perfect ending to a long day. Created by the talented team of Guthridge Nighswonger, 1702 S Laura St, 264.7900, GNcorp.net.

Winter 2016–2017


The Front Porch Wichita

Bathrooms Styled for the Soul, from page 10 another affable space well integrated into the home, it is the extraordinary refinements in bathroom fixtures themselves that are metamorphosing it into a veritable sanctuary, and time spent there into a sensorily relaxing and rejuvenating experience. In the good old days, people bathed quickly because others were awaiting their turn at the communal tub of water. Even today, the vast majority of Americans kick-start each busy day with an invigorating but quick shower, and another after working out; leisurely bathing is reserved for the end of the day, less to wash away grime—after all, people who shower daily are not really dirty—than to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit of the stresses that accumulate during the daily grind far more insidiously than any grime does. In fact, this American evening custom—which is more properly called ablution, rather than bathing—originated long ago in religious rituals. The purpose of ablution was to cleanse the spirit, not the body. To this end, the Japanese devised the soaking tub, which became a hallmark of both their public bath houses and private homes. The soaking tub is smaller and deeper than a standard tub, which precludes typical soap-and-water bathing; instead, sitting on a small stool, the user lathers up and rinses off from a nearby basin to get clean, then sinks into the warm waters of the soaking tub for a blissful and restorative soak. As a replacement for the standard tub, the soaking tub is steadily gaining devotees in America, who wash up Japanese-style or simply take a shower before entering the tub. Those who prefer the tried and true are discovering that remarkable innovations in familiar features can take relaxation to a level undreamed of in even the recent past. Walk-in showers with frameless swing-out doors are not only easy to clean but also offer ultimate ease of use. Showers offer fold-away seating or fixed benches, offset drains and controls for practicality and safety, dual and even multiple shower heads, hand-held or fixed multilevel and multi-directional sprays with impacts ranging from massage to pulsating, as well as flowing sheets of water that create the next best thing to a natural waterfall—a virtual cascade that can be adjusted to varying intensities. Bath tubs now come in all shapes and sizes—including imaginatively sculptured and Continued on page 12.

Finding More Ways to Better Serve You . . . Since 1968

No Job Too Small!

Service • LED Lighting • New Construction • Data Cable Installation Residential & Commercial • Automatic Standby Generators

grafelectric.com

Winter 2016–2017

316.448.1577

11


The Front Porch Wichita

Bathrooms Styled for the Soul, from page 11 oversized—and they can be fitted with convenient deck surrounds in a myriad of materials. A corner of one style of tub can be dedicated to a small temperedglass mini-shower. And whether cast iron, porcelain, or acrylic, contemporary tubs regularly boast hand-held sprays, whirlpool features, mirrors, and convenient at-the-edge towel racks and stands; some even have contoured head rests and slightly sloping arm rests to facilitate lingering read-and-soaks. Currently, interior designers and homeowners alike are crazy about the Victorian rolled-edge claw foot bathtub; whether it is used purely for immersion in the Japanese fashion or for traditional bathing, whether it is the real thing or a reproduction, this beloved tub adapts to a variety of deco-rating styles with a simple change of its foot treatment. Old-fashioned favorites and cutting-edge tubs alike can be fitted with all sorts of improved high-tech plumbing and fittings. Programmable thermostatic systems are available that pressure-balance the water flow to prevent an unsuspecting showerer from being scalded by a filling washing machine or a toilet flush elsewhere in the house, and individual preferences for exact water temperature can be preset. The work-weary can make a telephone call from the car, enter a personalized code, and arrive home to find the tub filled to a specified level and temperature. Other bathroom bells and whistles include a low-noise humidity-sensing ventilation system that switches on and off automatically. Second only to the soothing effects of water at perfectly warmed temperature is a comfortably warmed environment, and there is seemingly no end to the ingenious ways this can be accomplished beyond the becoming-standard heated toilet seat. In the European spa tradition, the finishing touch to restorative water therapy is the dry, warmed towel and robe, amenities that can be enjoyed at home today via designer-quality towel and robe warmers ranging from wall-mounted racks to under-counter or freestanding heated cabinets. The ambient heat from all such luxuries carries the additional benefit of slightly warming the air. Also available is a dedicated bathroom thermostat that maintains room temperature several degrees higher than that in the rest of the home. However, the ultimate chill-chaser is radiant floor heating. Silent and efficient, radiant heat rises invisibly from beneath the floor to suffuse the whole bathroom with comforting warmth. Created by hot

Elegant Spas Above: This large, contemporary master bath includes a dual vanity with flat-panel cabinets, granite countertops and, to break up the straight lines of the main space, round vessel sinks with waterfall faucets, and oval mirrors were installed. Black clothshaded lamps were used to accent the primarily neutral colors of the space. Left: Ceramic tiles that evoke the glazed look of oxidized metal combining dark and light shades were used to create a curved wall to separate the freestanding oval tub from the shower that includes a full-length tiled bench. An oval mirror completes the style, while the juxtaposition of a square vessel sink on a dark wood cabinet lends a contrasting accent. The soothing nature of the shapes and addition of plants and art enhance the overall spa environment. Interior design by Sharon Nelson, Nelson Designs, 8340 E 21st St, The Shops at Tallgrass, 613.3450, NelsonDesignsLLC.net.

water moving through tubes beneath or hidden in the floor or by means of electric cables or panels, radiant heat works with virtually all flooring materials, including carpet, tile, stone, and wood. While some deluxe bathrooms boast small fireplaces that undeniably afford both warmth and visual appeal, a radiant heating system is unparalleled for diffusing an even comfort level of heat through-out the whole room. The radiator—that workhorse warmth source from days gone by—remains a reliable source of heat, but it perhaps best complements a bathroom themed in turn-of-the-twentieth-century style. However, an eclectic, dynamic, and often whimsical fusion of styles throughout the home has been the rage for some time now, and that practice works just as well in the bathroom; in fact, virtually any period or ethnic style is perfect for playing against, softening, and personalizing today’s sleek and streamlined bathroom elements. Of course, the notion of a period bathroom is slightly nonsensical, given that the concept of the Continued on page 13.

Kitchen Tune-Up® brings an artistic touch to a new kitchen remodel This art loving couple wanted a modern kitchen as a soothing backdrop to display their contemporary collection.

T

o ensure kitchens receive the respect they deserve, Adam and Rachel Phillips, owners of the award-winning local franchise Kitchen Tune-Up, use their expertise to treat these important spaces with innovative upgrades and timeless designs that keep kitchens appealing and customers extremely satisfied. An example of the pair’s unique work can be found in this complete remodel. This kitchen was created using modern design ideas to produce an updated, functional, and visually stunning area that exceeded the homeowners’ expectations. To begin, Kitchen Tune-Up opened up the living room into the dining room, by creating a large opening in the wall, giving the homeowners a much more open layout. The kitchen itself was elongated by removing a wall at the far end, adding space for storage, a wine cabinet, and even a new home for their piano! “I thought it would be a bit bewildering to do the entire kitchen from scratch,” says the homeowner, “but Rachel made the process go so smoothly. She was really great to work with. She would help us focus on options, bringing the best combinations to us, and eliminating those that didn’t fit, or wouldn’t keep to the overall style we wanted. I knew right away we could get this project done right with Kitchen Tune-Up,” she added. Striving to maintain a subtlety to the modern kitchen, and give the homeowners a light, but not white kitchen, designer, Rachel chose maple Scandinavian flat slabs for the cabinets. The tops were kept natural, while the bottom cabinets were stained a soothing stone gray. A sparkling metallic silver granite was used for the countertops, while the island was topped in a granite that boasts an island coastal sand pattern.

12

The central show-stopper is the copper metallic tile backsplash surrounded by the soothing sea green glass tiles. A pot filler above the range adds design and function. The lower cabinets, housing a wine cabinet in the new area of the kitchen, are a copper toned acrylic to match the copper backsplash. “We wanted the space to be restful and functional, and as we have a lot of art to display, we also wanted most of the color to come from that,” says the homeowner. “And we couldn’t be happier with the results,” she adds with a smile. This amazing kitchen showcases the vision and quality that Adam and Rachel put into their work. The pair takes great pride in every project they commit to and the award-winning results of their labors will make any kitchen they focus on the most popular place in any home. To schedule a free consultation at their design studio, located at 4057 N. Woodlawn, Ste 1, call 316.558.8888 or e-mail rphillips@kitchentuneup. com. You can also visit them online at kitchentuneup.com, or follow them on Facebook at Kitchen TuneUp, Wichita, Kansas. Winter 2016–2017


The Front Porch Wichita

Complimentary consultations and 30% off furniture everyday! Nelson Designs offers assistance in the full design of your home or office. Everything from selecting your color story, fine furniture, draperies and accessories to the installation of artwork and mirrors. Visit our showroom, bring pictures, or call for a consultation today. Our desire is to make you happy with your choices and enjoy the process of transforming your house into your home!

8340 E 21st St • The Shops at Tallgrass • 613.3450 NelsonDesignsLLC.net

Bathrooms Styled for the Soul, from page 12 Enhancing Accents The spa-like atmosphere of this bath is enhanced with the addition of formal box-pleat valances with shorter, practical drapes that lend a gentle accent to the personalized tone of this master bath that also boasts a true candle chandelier. Drapes by Dea Ann’s Drapery, fabric specialists since 1981, creating draperies, bedding, and accessories, 259.0276, DeaAnnsDrapery.com

bathroom as an integrated, dedicated room is decidedly modern, so the realization of such a bathroom rests with interpretation and imagination, rather than upon literal and faithful reproduction. In addition to a soaking tub, for example, a Japanese bathroom could be outfitted with Shoji screens, slate floor tiles, and a radiant heating system. An Arts and Crafts bathroom could include subtly hand-glazed terra cotta tiles, plaster walls evocative of adobe, and cleanlined handcrafted cabinetry. A grand Roman bath might feature real or trompe l’oeil marble columns, a pedestal basin reminiscent of an ancient font, marble flooring, and ornate gilded mirrors. Hallmarks of Scandinavian ambience include washed white pine cabinets, forged iron hardware, yellow pine flooring, and a sauna. A French cottage look might showcase limestone floor tiles, a hammered-pewter sink and faucets, scallopededge towels, and lots of floral fabrics. Whether large or small, the bathroom has steadily risen from the humblest and most basic of origins and physical purposes to become an optimally functional, fully integrated, and aesthetically individualized member of the home. Significantly the most personal of rooms, today’s relaxing and rejuvenating bathrooms are being styled for the soul. —By Kat Schneider. Mid-Century Modern The creative talent and expertise of the twenty-first century team at Guthridge Nighswonger were able to maintain the character of this “modern” home built in 1952, while giving it all the newest conveniences. Building a new suspended alder cabinet that included a countertop with a cut-out for towels, a mosaic backsplash, vessel sink, and a matching alder cabinet and glass shelf above helped these homeowners take their home back, as they put it, “to what it always wanted to be.” Guthridge Nighswonger, 1702 S Laura St, 264.7900, GNcorp.net.

Winter 2016–2017

13


The Front Porch Wichita

A Warming Winter Supper

A

fter holiday tables heavy laden with feasts, it’s nice to turn to something a little lighter, but that still has the substance to stick to your ribs and warm your very soul. That’s when stews and slow-cooked soups, and home-baked breads shine. And for that sweet-tooth craving that may still be with you, the tart juice of fresh limes, and a new natural sweetener, holds the key to a scrumptious dessert. Over the years we find ourselves going back to some of our favorites and each time we delight in creating another version. Some things are too good to mess with, as the Focaccia with Rosemary, Oil, and Salt we originally found in one of our favorite cookbooks that has more than a few pages marked with flour and such. And, since baking is a bit more exacting, we still return to that now slightly worn page, and follow the recipe to the letter. The Creamy Corn Chowder tastes delicious with almost any kind of substitutions. After all, it started out with a few tweaks to a potato soup that was short on potatoes. And with a little help from another cookbook author, and internet sensation, we found a way to make a dairy-free version of a Black Bottom Key Lime Pie we’ve often enjoyed in restaurants. We hope these recipes inspire you to adapt your own favorite recipes and to find new ones to share with your family and friends. —By Kathy Heaton, Photography by Patrick Wherritt

Focaccia with Rosemary, Oil, and Salt From Focaccia: Simple Breads from the Italian Oven by Carol Field, Chronicle Books, 1994. Having recently discovered this fabulous cookbook devoted entirely to focaccia, we decided to give Carol Field’s recipe for Rosemary Focaccia a try. It is simply delicious, and her cookbook, beautifully illustrated with photographs by Joyce Oudkerk Pool, will inspsire you to bake a different Italian bread each and every week.

Creamy Corn Chowder This chowder is especially delicious when corn cut fresh off the cob is used, but in the winter a quality, organic frozen corn works well. As with most soups and stews, this chowder is delicious made the day before. Simply reheat over a medium-low heat while baking the focaccia. 1 16-oz. bag organic frozen corn, thawed, divided use 2 tablespoons water 3 tablespoons non-dairy Earth Balance® Buttery Stick 1 small onion, chopped finely 1/2 green pepper, chopped finely 1/2 sweet red pepper, chopped finely 1 to 2 jalapeños, deseeded and chopped finely 1 celery rib, chopped finely 3 to 4 fresh Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped 4 to 5 medium red potatoes, cut into quarter-inch chunks 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg salt and pepper to taste 3 cups non-dairy milk, or to make it richer, use 1 cup non-dairy milk, and 2 cups of So Delicious® Almond Milk Coffee Creamer 1/4 bunch fresh parsley, chopped, divided use

Put a little over one-half of the package of corn into a blender; add the water and pulse a few times, taking care not to break the kernels down completely. Set this mixture and the reserved whole kernels aside. (If fresh corn is used, scrape the corn from the cobs, saving the “milk” to use, too.) Melt the butter in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to become transparent, then add the green and sweet red pepper, jalapeño, and celery. Sauté the mixture for four to five minutes. Add the tomatoes, potatoes, the corn, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook for approximately thirty to forty-five minutes, or until the potatoes are done. Add the milk and bring the chowder to a simmer. Adjust the seasoning, adding more nutmeg if desired. Stir in a couple of tablespoons of the chopped parsley. Using a potato masher, mash the mixture lightly if a thicker chowder is desired. Ladle the chowder into bowls and garnish with parsley.

For the sponge: 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1/2 cup warm water, 105° to 115° F 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

For the dough: 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1 cup warm water, 105° to 115° F 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Sponge, above 3 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, divided use 2 teaspoons sea salt 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves For the topping: 1 1/4 tablespoons to 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 to 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt Sprigs of fresh rosemary

To make the sponge: Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in a large mixing bowl, whisk it in, and let it stand until creamy, approximately ten minutes. Stir in the flour. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let it rise until very bubbly and doubled, about 45 minutes. To make the dough: Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in a small bowl, whisk it in, and let it stand until creamy, approximately five to ten minutes. With a wooden spoon, stir the yeast mixture and olive oil into the sponge and mix well. Whisk in one cup of the flour, stir in the salt, the chopped rosemary leaves, and the remaining flour, and mix until the dough is well blended. Knead it on a lightly floured surface until soft and velvety, perhaps eight to ten minutes. Place the dough in a lightly oiled container, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and let it rise until doubled, one and one-quarter hours. The dough will be soft, delicate, and full of bubbles. Flatten it in an oiled, large, deep-dish pizza pan and press it out with your hands. It may need to relax for ten minutes before it can be stretched out completely, then stretch it again until it reaches the edges. Cover it with a towel and let it rise for forty-five minutes to one hour, or until the dough is full of air bubbles. Just before baking, dimple the top of the dough with your knuckles or fingertips and drizzle it with the olive oil, being sure some of the oil is trapped in the little declivities you have made. Sprinkle with sea salt and press the rosemary sprigs into the dough. Spritz the oven walls and floor three times with cold water during the first ten minutes of baking. Bake in a 425 degree preheated oven, with a baking stone if you have one, until the crust is crisp and the top golden, about twenty to twenty-five minutes. Remove the focaccia from the pan immediately and place it on a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

14

Black Bottom Key Lime Pie, recipe on page 15. Winter 2016–2017


The Front Porch Wichita Recipe from page 14.

Black Bottom Key Lime Pie When it comes to the basic filling, we turned to another of our favorite chefs, Isa Chandra, author of nine best-selling cookbooks, and acclaimed media host of several online sites. We started with her Latchkey Lime Pie (you can find it on her website: IsaChandra.com). We then made a few adjustments, such as lining the graham cracker crust with Chocolate Ganache, and opting to serve it with fresh raspberries and chocolate curls. It’s creamy, tart, and sweet, and makes a refreshingly light dessert to top off this warm winter supper. For best results prepare the pie the day before, the filling will be nicely set, and you’ll be able to enjoy time with your family and friends. For the Crust 1 9-inch prepared graham cracker crust 3 tablespoons non-dairy Earth Balance® Buttery Stick melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush the crust with the melted butter and bake until it is lightly browned. Set aside.

For the Chocolate Ganache 1/4 cup So Delicious® Coconut Milk Coffee Creamer, French Vanilla 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips

In a medium saucepan, bring the creamer just to a boil. Place the chocolate chips in a bowl, pour the hot cream over, and whisk until blended well. Pour half of the Chocolate Ganache over the pie crust and tilt to coat the entire bottom and sides. Refrigerate the coated crust until the ganache is firm. Reserve and refrigerate the remaining ganache to make shavings for garnish.

For the Key Lime Filling 2/3 cups fresh Key Lime juice (plain limes will do in a pinch) 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, at room temperature 2 tablespoons agar flakes (or two teaspoons agar powder and skip the soaking step) 1 16-oz can coconut milk at room temperature 2 tablespoons tapioca flour (or corn starch) 1/2 cup Swerve® (Erythritol*a natural sugar) 1 teaspoon vanilla

Before

These homeowners yearned for a larger porch and extended roof. They also wanted to include a pair of much-loved wrought-iron panels; Choice Exteriors, integrated it into the balusters of the completely new cedar porch. A stackedstone skirt provides the perfect finishing touch.

Fresh raspberries, chocolate curls, and non-dairy whipped cream for garnish.

In a small sauce pan, soak the agar in the almond milk for about 15 minutes. Bake your pie crust for 8 to 10 minuties, then remove from oven to cool. In the meantime, mix together coconut milk, tapioca, sugar and vanilla. It’s really important that your coconut milk is at room temperature so that it doesn’t affect the agar when you add it to the pot. After soaking agar, turn up the heat and bring to a boil. Keep a close eye so that it doesn’t boil over. Immediately reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes, until agar is dissolved. If using powdered it will only take about 5 minutes to dissolve. Once dissolved (you can check by dipping in a tablespoon and seeing if there are any agar flakes left), very slowly whisk in the coconut mixture and then the lime juice and zest. Adding it too fast will make the agar gel up, which you don’t want it to do just yet. Once added, whisk often for about 10 minutes, until mixture has thickened. If it isn’t thickening, turn the heat up just a bit, but you don’t want it to boil. Pour the mixture over the chocolate-ganached pie crust; refrigerate the pie overnight. To serve, make chocolate shavings with the reserved ganache and garnish pie slices with a non-dairy whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and raspberries. *The natural sweetener erythritol does not appear to carry the adverse effects associated with other non- and low-caloric natural and artificial sweeteners, and may actually have antioxidant potential. It measures cup-for-cup as a sugar substitute, is great tasting, and doesn’t leave a bitter aftertaste or digestive discomfort that other artifical sweeteners can. The brand Swerve is available at local natural food stores.

Winter 2016–2017

A simple deck was removed and replaced with a screened porch, complete with overhead shelter and wiring for a ceiling fan, lights, and a small heater. Now the homeowners can enjoy their deck throughout most of the year. The new design includes an open-air grilling station next to the porch. The elevation offers a view of songbirds alighting on nearby branches.

• Home Remodeling Services

• Porches & Decks

• Custom jobs • New window replacements

• Cabinets • Roofing & Siding

• Wet bars

• Painting

• Leaf ArmourTM Gutters

• Entertainment centers • Room additions

This custom basement remodel includes a built-in wine rack, with wine glass holders, and oak cabinets with glass panels on the top. The bar top is stained Knotty Pine with a high gloss finish. The microwave is tucked away to avoid cluttering the counter, which is topped with granite. Glass mosaic tiles accent the tumbled stone backsplash.

Add value and beauty to your home, plus never clean your gutters again with state-of-the-art Leaf ArmourTM gutters.

Your imagination is the only limit!

316.409.1820 ChoiceExteriorsllc.com 15


The Front Porch Wichita

Introducing from LivingSound Great Room

Savant Pro offers the unparalleled

Savant’s premium home automation systems

convenience of controlling your lighting,

offer personalization features that

climate, entertainment, and security

make the difference between a “smart” home

from a single, intuitive App.

and a Savant Home.

Create your Savant Home Family Room

16

A well-respected dental professional in Wichita had just purchased a new home in The Residences at Waterfront and came to us asking for help. In his previous home, he had dabbled with some popular DIY home automation products with varying levels of success, and said, “this time I want to do it right.” LivingSound provided and installed a Savant Pro home automation system that controls a new integrated AV system in the great room, a new discrete 7.2 surround sound system in the family room, and the home’s heating/cooling/humidification system— all from a user-friendly, visually-based iPad App called Savant Pro 8. Our customer enjoys it’s ease of use and the ability to control all of this when away from home. A good home automation system from Savant Pro just makes life simpler!

Savant has been in the world’s most luxurious homes since 2005—LivingSound can help you experience it for yourself.

Wichita’s Apple Premium Service Provider 10096 E. 13th St N., #138 | 316.425.6340 LivingSoundHome.com

Winter 2016–2017


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.