Inspired Home Omaha Magazine

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Mar./Apr.. 2013

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BUILD YOUR HOME WITH YOUR HOMETOWN BANK. Whether you’re building, moving up, or eager for that long overdue remodel, First National Bank has the right mortgage solution for you. From innovative Jumbo and Conforming Loan Programs to comprehensive Construction Loans, we’ll find the rates, terms and closing times that work the best for you. Local service and decision making provide you a lending solution you can depend on.

To get started on your loan or for more information, contact a First National Bank Mortgage Loan Officer today.

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MORTGAGE | CREDIT CARDS | SMALL BUSINESS WEALTH MANAGEMENT | CORPORATE BANKING

It’s one thing to say you’re the best. It’s another when people say it about you.

The condominiums at Midtown Crossing, voted Best of Omaha three years in a row. Enviable luxury. Unsurpassed convenience. True sophistication. A perfect blend of the best at an address unlike anywhere else in Omaha.

1, 2, and 3 bedroom condos from $169,900 to $500,000 Sales Center 200 South 31st Ave., Omaha

www.midtowncrossing.com SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY | 402-934-6450 This is not an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, real property. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Prices, plans, products, and availability are subject to change without notice. Artists’ renderings are shown for illustrative purposes only. Designated Broker: Sandra S. Lent, Shoreline Marketing, Inc., 833 N Orleans, Ste. 400, Chicago, IL 60610, 312.475.9800. ©2009 Midtown Crossing, a Mutual of Omaha Mixed-Use Development. All Rights Reserved. All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be used without permission.

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6  march/april 2013

artful living

A couple ditched their huge dream home for a Mid-Century modern house that they could shape.

Photographed by Jeffrey Bebee

We are pleased to welcome Jason Judge

Steve Ferrarini

First Vice President Financial Advisor (402) 392-6148

Associate Vice President Financial Advisor (402) 392-6146

Matt Rose, CFP®, CRPS®

Barbara Essi

First Vice President Financial Advisor (402) 392-6144

Senior Registered Client Associate (402) 392-6145

Laura Kolasky

Scott Leinen

Senior Registered Client Associate (402) 392-6125

First Vice President Financial Advisor (402) 392-6153

Ken Ferrarini

Kelly Blankenship

Senior Vice President Financial Advisor (402) 392-6147

Senior Client Associate (402) 392-6151

To the RBC Wealth Management family!

The Omaha Office 1120 South 101st ������� ����� ��� � ������ �� ���������� ����� �������� ���������������������

© 2013 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.

It’s

12

W EEKS ‘til til

Summer

Are you ready?

Lose

A dyed-in-the-wool eccentric introduces us to her fiberfilled corner of the West Nishnabotna River in the Loess Hills. Meet her Jacob sheep and their protector, a llama named Phynnodderee.

at st lea

21Pounds in 4Weeks!

WEIGHT LOSS HCG DIET

AS N O E SE N OZ! DR.

29 Secret life of wool

Exclusive to OMAHA!

Physician Supervised Program!

34 365 days of fresh air

Turn a porch into a sleeping room so you can sleep under the stars without having to leave your home. Two Omaha neighbors wouldn't have it any other way.

41 Find. Eat. Share.

A seasoned huntsman may share his bounty, but only a few people can follow him into the woods to see his secret "honey spots." Fixed in his sight is the king of the edible mushroom, the morel.

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52 cover story

Organization for your messiest rooms If clutter is driving you crazy, maybe it's time to give your spaces an organizing makeover. Real homeowners share smart solutions guaranteed to change your mood.

ELECTRONICS DESIGN

& Installation Services

We’ll help you make your house a home.

More than 20 years experience means we can handle every aspect of your home project.

Audio Video | Home Theater | Home Automation | Systems Integration | And More ! % ! " " ! "!

$ $ !$ # ! % ! " # ! !

For a free in-home consultation, contact us at omahainstall@nfm.com or visit us online at www.nfm.com/edic

nfm.com

700 South 72nd St Mon-Sat: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Omaha, NE 68114 Sun: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Phone: 402-548-6356 Š2013 Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.

The Wine Experience Made Neighborly Brix in Singapore? It could

happen for a guy who dreams as big as Dan Matuszek.

His “wine, spirits and more” retail experience certainly has taken hold here, so it's conceivable that Matuszek's “chain” of two Brix locations could become something much more.

You first heard of Brix three years ago, when Matuszek combined three complementary

The midtown Brix experience centers on a sophisticated

businesses (a retail shop, bistro

WineEmotion dispensing system that allows you to try 64

and event center) together

different wines by the ounce or the glass. Simply step up to

under one roof at Village Pointe Shopping Center. In

one of the eight techno-cool stations, swipe your prepaid

January, the Wisconsin transplant brought a smaller but

Brix wine card from your server and select the pour.

sexier Brix to Republic of Couture’s former space at Midtown Crossing.

The automated system, however, does more than deliver wine. It records your selections. This allows the Brix team

On opening night, the joint was jumpin’ with a natty

to monitor consumption patterns in real time and adjust

mixed-age crowd drinking mostly wine and scotch and

sales strategies accordingly. Want a summary of the wines

noshing on appetizers.

Matuszek was beaming. “We want Brix to be about the

you sampled? Simply inquire at the host’s station before you leave.

experience. We want it to be fun,” he said as he showed

If beer is more to your liking, Brix obliges with 27 handles

me around. “This is cooler than I imagined.”

of craft beer. There is even a handle of Sprecher root beer

Matuszek admitted to being a little concerned about a

available from – where else? – Wisconsin.

50 percent reduction in square footage compared to the

Watch for a new favorite way to take in this summer’s Jazz

Village Pointe location. “I was shocked when I looked

on the Green. The balcony wrapping around the Midtown

at the architect's design proposal” and saw a brilliant

Crossing location will afford lucky customers a stunning

merging of the bistro and retail models to complement a

music and wine-and-dine experience. Reservations required!

smaller urban footprint. “Everything was dialed down, yet nothing was lost.”

Brix has the makings of a neighborhood bistro where everybody knows your name. What urban area wouldn’t drink to that?

Cheers!

Correction “The Perfect Bed,” January-February 2013, contained an incorrect reference to a high-quality down alternative for comforters.

The correct product line is Arcadia by Sferra.

10 march/april 2013

Scholz Images Inc.

Chris Christen Editor in Chief Inspired Home Omaha

LIVE

INSIDE

AND

OUT Visit our showrooms inside and out! Let our hardscape specialists help you select the right product for your outside living space.

14306 Giles Road • Omaha • 402-896-0900 • Mon-Fri 7-5 • watkinsconcreteblock.com/ubc

m a r c h / ap r i l 2 0 1 3

Editor in Chief Chris Christen 402-444-1094 Chris.Christen@owh.com Production Creative Director Ananda Spadt 402-444-1351 Ananda.Spadt@owh.com Imaging Specialist Patricia “Murphy” Benoit Copy Editor Amy LaMar

Sales Local Sales Manager Carrie Kentch 402-444-1448 Carrie.Kentch@owh.com Account Representatives Cathleen Vanhauer 402-444-1209 Cathleen.Vanhauer@owh.com David J. Williams 402-444-1416 David.Williams@owh.com Events and Custom Publishing Manager Tam Webb 402-444-3125 Tam.Webb@owh.com

Turning

Dreams Into Reality

Writers: Pat Waters, Heather Winkel, Dan McCann, Chris Christen, Lindsey Anne Baker, Mark Davis, Sarah Stormberg & Meghann Schense Photographers: Jeffrey Bebee, Kent Sievers, Jordan Green, Daniel Johnson, Kurt A. Keeler, Dev Hanumara & Mark Davis Inspired Home Omaha (ISSN 7447026659) is a publication of the Omaha World-Herald. ©2013, Omaha World-Herald Co. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the specific written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed by those interviewed are their own. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information, no responsibility can be accepted by the publisher for content, opinions or practices, or how the information herein is used. All materials submitted, including but not limited to images, logos and text that appear, are assumed to be the original work of the provider, and the publisher is not responsible for unintentional copyright infringement.

1314 Douglas St., Suite 600 Omaha, NE 68102 402-444-1094 InspiredHomeOmaha.com

REMODEL • CUSTOM HOMES • CONCRETE

Pleasurable Remodeling & Building Experiences

402-510-9585 | www.thurtconstruction.com

local food | local fashion | local homes | local inspiration

Proudly published by

Stay connected with us between issues at Facebook.com/Inspired Home Omaha Follow us on Pinterest.com/inspiredhomeomaha Gift us! Subscribe at www.inspiredhomeomaha.com

12 march/april 2013

Disney's The Lion King March 12-April 7 Orpheum Theatre, 409 S. 16th St. Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, this breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life had a record run here in 2007. Omaha Performing Arts brings it back for four glorious weeks.

Performances: Fridays, 8 p.m.; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Admission: $27.50-$140 Tickets: www.TicketOmaha.com Information: 402-345-0606

2012 tour

world-herald archive; omahaplayhouse.com; JEFFREY BEBEE

Family Fun Day March 10, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Three special exhibitions and three hours of circus-themed activities add up to a full day of fun at Joslyn's popular family event.

Admission: Free Information: www.joslyn.org

An Evening With Joan Rivers March 16, 8 p.m.

Holland Performing Arts Center, 2200 Dodge St. Joan Rivers brings her irreverent, unconventional and sometimes biting stand-up comedy show to Omaha for one night only. Rivers focuses her lasersharp wit on everyone from Anne Frank to Renee Zellweger. No one is safe – not even Rivers herself.

Admission: $30 to $75 Tickets: www.TicketOmaha.com Information: 402-345-0606

Remodeled HOME Tour April 6 and 7 Greater Omaha Metro Area Three remodelers showcase five recently completed projects in this year's tour presented by the Greater Omaha Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. both days Admission: $8 Information: 402-331-1718 or www.omahanari.org for addresses of featured homes.

inspiredhomeomaha.com  13

May 3 and 4 Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 West Center Road Perennials and annuals, plus heirloom tomatoes and peppers star in this sale sponsored by the Men's Garden Club of Omaha. Proceeds are returned to the community in the form of grants and donations for horticultural projects.

Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Admission: Free Information: 402-234-3067;

Plant Sale

www.omaha-mens-garden-club.com

Spring Fever Craft Show May 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rockbrook Shopping Center, 108th Street and West Center Road Regional crafters vie for the 90 spaces in this juried show, now in its 26th year.

Pottery, jewelry, yard art and more.

Admission: Free Information: www.rockbrookvillage.com

Every Style and Price of Original Art Custom Framing • Lamps • Furniture Unique Accessories • Gifts

8600 Cass Street 402.391.7733 • www.LewisArtGallery.com ry 14 march/april 2013

HUGO BOSS - DKNY - CALVIN KLEIN G STAR - TED BAKER - DONALD J PLINER

Omaha - Rockbrook Village | 108th & Center | 402.333.5206 Lincoln - 14th & P | 402.476.3432

both pages: world-herald archive

April 24 Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Learn how to weave your garden into daily life and bring each season to your table with James Farmer. The best-selling author and editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine shares his expertise at the Lauritzen Gardens Guild Spring Luncheon and Lecture.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Reservations: 402-346-4002, ext. 201 Information: www.lauritzengardens.org

TIME TO PLANT

ASID Joslyn Castle Trust Designer Showhouse

Sunday Acoustic Music Series

May 3-19 710 N. 38th St. See the Neoclassical revival of the Smyth House in Omaha’s historic Cathedral neighborhood. Members of the Nebraska/Iowa Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) give the 1906 home a stunning makeover.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets: $12.50 in advance at www.omahadesignershowhouse.com; $15 at the door.

May 1-Nov. 4, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Soaring Wings Vineyard, 17111 S. 138th St., Springfield Bring your lawn chair or blanket for this outdoor concert series. If the weather fails to cooperate, the concert moves indoors!

Admission: Free Information: 402-253-2479; www.soaringwingswine.com

Spring Open House May 4 and 5 Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St. Two times a year, the friendly resident artists and craftsmen at Hot Shops host a weekend of informal studio tours, art demonstrations, live music and gallery showings of original art in a wide variety of mediums. Stop in for a couple of hours and get acquainted.

Hours: Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Admission: Free Information: www.hotshopsartcenter.com

inspiredhomeomaha.com  15

kent sievers

fo o d, fa s h i o n , t r av e l , l i f e s t y l e

Au Courant A Colorful Twist p. 22 The perfect transition pieces to carry your wardrobe from winter to spring

Travel Hottest "Cool" Destinations p. 16 The Dish Gourmet Pizza p. 17 Host Choosing a Knife p. 20 Investment The Perfect Purse p. 24 Makeover Sneak Peek: Designer Showhouse p. 25 Homespiration Floating Bed p. 26 At the Heart The Secret Life of Wool p. 29 16  march/april 2013

The Hottest ‘Cool' Destinations for Spring Travel

It’s the type of spring cleaning that we can all embrace

– wiping away the winter haze from our outlook and replacing it with sun, fun and, perhaps, a little magic for good measure. For

those inspired to roam during the season of renewal, Omaha-based Travel and Transport Vacations has booked this “can’t miss list” of spring’s hottest (and "coolest") destinations. -Dan McCann

Florida Magic Kingdom. Epcot. Animal Kingdom.

Hollywood Studios. Young or old, the roll call alone is guaranteed to elicit delight. The heartpounding thrills come later, courtesy of iconic rides like Space Mountain and Tower of Terror.

An added bonus? The dedication to guest service in this "most magical place on Earth."

“Disney is such an inclusive destination that families literally can go to the resort and never leave. Disney has it all – dining, parks, pools, spas, golf courses and nighttime entertainment,” says Heather Caughlin, a regional manager for Travel and Transport Vacations.

Disney travel tip: Pack one suitcase full of economical breakfast foods and snacks for the kids, and then at the end of the trip, fill that suitcase with Disney souvenirs.

Mexico/Yucatan Peninsula Experience some of the best scuba diving in the world; enjoy some of the longest zip lines in Latin America; or simply sit and sip the perfect margarita.

You’ll have no problem filling your free time while in Cancun, Mexico. Nestled in the northeast corner of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun was developed specifically for tourism. It has blossomed from a relatively small destination in the 1980s to one of the world’s most popular leisure spots today.

18 march/april 2013

The Caribbean Each year, more than one million visitors seek adventure, relaxation (and a little reggae) on the Caribbean island of Jamaica. They breathe easy at resort destinations like Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. The world-famous Dunn’s River Falls is one of Jamaica’s national treasures.

Not surprisingly, this destination is a magnet for the sandaled masses. Since the 1970s, millions have escaped to the Dominican Republic’s east coast and Punta Cana, the largest and fastestgrowing tourist destination in the Caribbean. They're drawn to 40 miles of stunning white sand beaches, 19 worldclass golf courses and more than 30,000 hotel rooms.

“In terms of spring break travel, Jamaica and Punta Cana cater more to the adult crowd seeking a more secluded atmosphere,” says Caughlin.

walt disney; world-herald archive

Chichen Itza

Just south of Cancun is an expanse of paradise known as Riviera Maya, a coastal collaboration of white sand beaches, tropical jungles and ancient Mayan ruins.

Deciding what to do is easy. Deciding what to do first is a bit tougher. Visit Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Snorkel in the largest natural aquarium in the world. Swim with dolphins in one of the world’s top eco-archaeological parks.

“Cancun/Riviera Maya is very family friendly, but also draws younger couples and high school groups.

With so many nice all-inclusive properties, Cancun/ Riviera Maya is an excellent option for the valueminded traveler,” says Caughlin.

For those wanting a less exotic – and less expensive – spring getaway, spa and golf opportunities abound in Phoenix and Las Vegas. Families can get great deals on travel to the west coast of Florida to places like Tampa, St. Petersburg, Marco Island and Naples. If you're already set for this year's spring trip, Caughlin says it's not too early to think about next year.

“We really do recommend that six- to nine-month advance booking window in order to get the best deals,” she says.

The Soarin' ride at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., offers an exhilarating aerial tour of California landscapes in an IMAX projection dome.

Dev Hanumara

gourmet Pizza party Consider guests' varied palates and dietary restrictions with a C.I.Y. (cook-it-yourself) gathering.

Entertaining can be a balancing act. Between keeping the bar stocked and ensuring that guests are having a

good time, you miss out on all the fun. Introduce the make-your-own pizza party. Putting food at the center of the shindig takes the pressure off of you and keeps the party moving effortlessly. So roll out the homemade dough, slather on the sauce and let guests customize their own mini pizzas. Sure you’ll be prepping the night before, but an organized pizza bar will pay off when you’re relaxing and enjoying the festivities. - Heather Winkel Set up a pizza-making station complete with miniature pizza pans, pre-divided balls of dough, individual servings of sauce, a variety of diced toppings and plenty of cheese.

Preheat the oven and create an assembly line of sorts to keep the making, baking and eating hopping.

inspiredhomeomaha.com  19

Mini Pizza Bar

Pizza Crust

Mini pizza pans Dough Pizza sauce Shredded mozzarella cheese Pizza toppings (such as green peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni and onions)

Makes 2 pounds of dough ¾ teaspoon salt 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 3/8 cups water 3 tablespoons olive oil 1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.

2. Use the "dough" or "pasta" setting on a stand mixer to prepare dough (it should take about 1 1/2 hours to rise).

3. Once dough is finished, keep covered until it's time for use.

Yves DeLorme

Introducing

Instructions for you & your guests 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Use your fingers to flatten a circle of dough to fit loosely in your pizza pan.

3. Spread a thin layer of sauce on dough.

4. Top with cheese and toppings of your choice.

5. Place mini pizza pans on a cookie sheet and bake four mini pizzas at a time for 15 minutes.

We’re Not Just About Fences

2013 Collection

Whether You Want Security, Privacy Or Elegance, S&W Fence Has The Fence Or Railing For You!

20 march/april 2013

R•

NE

NE

IN

THE LINEN GALLERY AT REGENCY COURT www.LinensandDown.com www LinensandDown com 402.399.5242 402 399 5242

W

Anniversary Sale March10 to 24th

R

Linen Gallery

2011 •

W

IN

15803 PACIFIC STREET • OMAHA, NE • 402.333.5722 • WWW.SW-FENCE.COM

both pages: Dev Hanumara

TIP: Make the dough and dice and divide the ingredients the night before so you don’t have to worry about it when guests arrive.

Relax OUTDOOR

K I T C H E N PAT I O

OUTDOORS

Omaha’s largest & most experienced year round Casual Furniture, Grill & Hearth retailer.

12100 West Center Road | 402.333.2282 | www.outdoorkitchen.com

4916 Underwood Avenue 402-505-8333 dundeegallery.com

inspiredhomeomaha.com 21

Be 'Sharp' About Your Choice of Knives In a well-stocked kitchen, your knife collection should be, well, not much of a collection.

“Most home cooks think they need a block with 15 knives,” says Dave Utterback, head chef at Blue Sushi Sake Grill in the Old Market. But the average home cook, he says, just needs one knife. “Take one-third of that knife block budget and buy one good chef’s knife.”

If you cook a lot, add a paring knife for intricate tasks such as peeling fruits and vegetables, as well as a bread knife, which will tackle a crusty loaf better than a chef’s knife.

-Lindsey Anne Baker Daniel Johnson

Learn how to slice and dice ingredients for salsa in Metropolitan Community College’s "Everyday Extraordinaire" series. The June 12 session will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at MCC’s Institute for the Culinary Arts. Class fee: $50.

Registration opens April 23; 402-457-5231 or mccneb.edu.

e r a w d r a H ITT’S AN IT’S EASY E ASY UPDATE!

Maintenance Free Manufactured in the U.S.A. Lifetime Warranty visit www.omarail.com and click on Free Estimates

Formerly Grabow Hardware

2117 S. 156 Circle | 402.216.9911

13817 Industrial Road 402.445.2596 • www.MoreThanKnobs.com

22 march/april 2013

SHoPPING TIPS •As you’re browsing, be aware that Western chefs' knives have rounded blades to accommodate the rocking motion that American chefs use when chopping.

Japanese knives have flatter blades for a more vertical cutting technique. Different lengths are available for varying comfort levels, but six to seven inches is the average.

•Select a stainless steel knife with a thin tip (good for getting into small spaces) and some heft at the base of the blade where it is meant to be held.

USING YOUR KNIFE Sharpen your knife once or twice a year. Don’t use an electric knife sharpener – it can remove too much of the blade. Use a whetstone if you’re sharpening it at home, or consider taking your knife to a professional sharpener.

Hone your knife before each use.

It won’t sharpen the knife, but it will bring back a little of what you lose in everyday use.

Pick a smooth sharpening steel – the smoother the better.

Store knives in individual covers for edge protection.

Never toss an uncovered knife in a drawer or wood block, which is a breeding ground for bacteria.

Refrain from prying anything open with a knife.

“Don’t cut frozen foods with a knife, either,” Utterback warns.

Practice. “Find something that feels comfortable, and then just cook more,” he says. “Don’t buy anything precut. Try boning a chicken. Just go out and cook.”

To correctly hold a knife, use a pinch grip.

“Take the knife where the blade meets the handle and, as if you are going to pinch someone’s cheek, pinch the blade," Utterback says. "Put your thumb on one side and curl your fingers on the other.

You’ll have more control over the tip.”

CHEF’S FAVORITES Chef Dave Utterback's top picks: (top to bottom) Shigefusa Yanagiba, Nenohi Yanagiba and Tojiro Japanese Chef Knife

NEW 2012 Rosslyn™ Jewel Collection™

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inspiredhomeomaha.com 23

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inspiredhomeomaha.com 25

SPLURGE

Skimp or splurge?

Behold, the power of the purse B y M a r y A n n e Va c c a r o

You can size up a woman in seconds just by looking at her handbag.

So with quality, respect and style all riding on one accessory, a woman has to give a lot of thought to what she carries.

I like bags that are lightweight, practical, stylish, comfortable and trans-seasonal.

The lining color and number and size of interior pockets are fundamental considerations too. All of my bags have room for my phone, credit cards, keys, a pen, a comb, tissues and lipstick. I also want a strap that rests comfortably on my shoulder, even as I’m eating or talking with my hands.

Ferragamo, Fendi and Chanel bags sell themselves for their own reasons. But there still is a time to splurge and a time to simply reach for a designer look for less.

Mary Anne Vaccaro is an Omaha-based designer and image consultant.

She also writes and speaks about image, fashion, art and style.

SKIMP

… on a classic but trendy tote in emerald, the color of the season, by Nicole Miller, $90, at JC Penney. You'll also find a fun, exclusive, inexpensive collection

by Lulu Guinness, the British designer whose whimsical creations are rocking the world of higher fashion, starting at $300.

aesthetics

noun: a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty and being

Comprehensive Med Spa Services Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

Weight Loss

Men and Women

The Shops of Legacy 402-991-0789 www.sageaesthetics.com 26 march/april 2013

Dr. Robin Clemmer, M.D.

Nordstrom.com; kurt a. keeler

The luxury market for bags is huge today. Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Gucci,

… on a performance bag that you’ll carry for years.

From my favorite designer, Salvatore Ferragamo: An all-season hobo, $1,190.

The style sold out last season, and is back by popular demand with slight styling modifications. www.saks.com Equally versatile: A Reed Krakoff "Standard" leather hobo (pictured) that works as a cross-body, $1,090. shop.nordstrom.com

Smyth House: Take 2 Designer Showhouse status returns to nostalgic mansion on hill

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The Smyth House at 710 N. 38th St. takes an unusual second Jalapeño 6629 Sherwin-Williams

turn as a Designer Showhouse this spring.

Built in 1906 for Constantine J. Smyth, a rising star on Omaha’s political scene, the historic single-family residence

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was first showcased in 1980. In May, the home will be reintroduced as the 2013 ASID Joslyn Castle Trust Designer Showhouse. "Seasoned patrons will have fun comparing and

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contrasting what has been done to the home,” predicts Beth Settles, design chairman.

The “wow factor,” she says, will be from the use of color. “The third floor in particular is going to be quite fun and surprising.”

An original fireplace in the front hall and an Oriental rug on the grand staircase inspired the palette for the 20 interior spaces and a bonus outdoor space. The grand reveal will be May 3.

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Tour proceeds, in part, benefit the historic Joslyn Castle. "We're Dragon's Breath 1547 Benjamin Moore

Inspiration for color palette

reviving one old mansion to preserve another," says publicist Kristine Gerber. For tour details, see page 13.

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Restful Island 'Floating bed' takes advantage of a lovely backyard view.

Few of us would think of placing a bed smack in the middle of a room. But Lester Katz of LK Design did exactly that in a master bedroom makeover for a west Omaha client who was game for something different. Katz pulled the queen-sized bed away from the wall and

faced it toward the room's windows to take advantage of a beautifully landscaped backyard. "The homeowner was blown away" by the effect of "floating" the bed in the room, Katz says. -Chris Christen

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GET THE LOOK -Start with a bed that is handsome from all sides and has a headboard that's 30” to 36” high. An upholstered headboard can be a great choice, especially if you enjoy reading in bed. Test the headboard's comfort before purchase by leaning against it for a few minutes.

-Anchor the bed with a console table or another piece of furniture that's about the same width as the headboard.

-Unify the space with a dynamite ceiling pendant. Add a remote control switch so that you can operate the lights without getting out of bed.

-If you use table lamps, install floor-mounted electrical outlets so that the cords can disappear under the bed.

-Find side tables that allow plenty of room to get around and are finished on all sides.

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A sleek upholstered bench designed by Katz anchors the window wall. Retractable window treatments allow the homeowners to sleep with the windows open without draperies flapping in the breeze. The rug – acquired from a source in Tibet – was custom- sized and dyed (with samples sent to Omaha for approval before the artisans started weaving).

6

issues!

The bed frame is accented with wood and steel, and the mattress is supported by a Ligne Roset mattress suspension system. Katz designed a silk comforter with a velvet option to keep the bedroom in sync with the seasons.

delivered right to your mailbox Click the Subscribe tab at inspiredhomeomaha.com inspiredhomeomaha.com 29

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By Chris Christen | Photos by Kurt A. Keeler

“H

ey, quit being a brat! What is this?" Lou Anne Thompson scolds two scruffy feral cats

under her feet as she exits the farmhouse. "I'm a little stressed right now," she warns them. "Turn around and leave quietly and no one gets hurt."

It's "shearing day" at Thompson's Corner, and 69-year-old Lou Anne is eager to see how husband Bill and a four-man shearing team are managing with her woolly herd.

"You just never know who is going to stop by on shearing day," Lou Anne says as she squints to make out the driver of a vehicle coming up the lane. Her 120-pound Great Pyrenees abandons a nap for a look, too. "He's a good guard dog," Lou Anne says of the imposing hound named Fancy.

"He doesn't let the coyotes into the sheep pen."

Thompson's Corner doesn't exactly sit in welltraveled territory. "A GPS won't get you here. You either run into the river or you run into my sheep," Lou Anne says.

The river is the West Nishnabotna, and Thompson's Corner sits on a bluff at river's bend

MILLS COUNTY, IOWA

about three miles (as the crow flies) west of Henderson.

T

he farmhouse is a giant fiber art workroom with looms, spinning wheels, carding equipment, picking tools, a sea of

miscellaneous supplies and bags of wool.

"Even the bathtub is full of wool, but that doesn't matter," Lou Anne says. "We have a shower." continued on page 31

inspiredhomeomaha.com  31

A llama named Phynnodderee watches over the sheep at Thompson's Corner. Lou Anne named the llama after a fabled Welsh beast that roams the highlands and drives home stray sheep. The bond between the llama and its woolly charges begins at birth, when the llama steps in to nurture the lambs. At shearing time, the llama provides reassuring nudges to the newly shorn who race to its side.

32  march/april 2013

Lou Anne Thompson (second from left) and her helpers separate the wool straight from the sheeps' backs. continued from page 29

"You can't be this eccentric" and not have a life that isn't a little odd," Lou Anne says. "I'm just an old hippie."

She and Bill have been married for 25 years. They have seven kids between them from previous marriages, 20 grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren.

L

ou Anne stumbled into the sheep business in the late 1990s – after a stint as a bed-and-breakfast operator in a 115-year-old farmhouse across the road from where she currently lives. She

called the B&B Lathrop’s Corner after a schoolteacher who had lived in the house all her life. "It was a way stay at home and take care of ailing parents and a special needs foster child, as well as two teenagers," Lou Anne says. When the son of the teacher sold the B&B house, Lou Anne

would never be able to spin because of my handicap," Lou Anne says.

redirected her time and energy to learning about sheep.

A fall in 1987 left her with nine broken bones in her right ankle. "It took

She bought her first herd of Jacob sheep, a once-endangered breed referenced in the Old Testament of the Bible, in 1997. "They're very special primitive sheep," she says. "Nobody told me what was right or wrong when it came to raising them. I just figured it out and had pretty good luck from the start."

The sheep are an extension of her love for fiber arts.

"I took a spinning class in 1990, but they (the instructors) swore that I

three surgeries to put the ankle back together, and now I can't bend my foot. But it was a blessing because I've been able to show people with arthritis and other disabilities how to compensate at the spinning wheel."

O

ut in the corral, it's all hands on deck for shearing day – the

spring ritual that leaves Lou Anne's prized herd both bald and bewildered.

Bill, 74, two sons and a neighbor are in charge of moving the skittish continued on page 32

inspiredhomeomaha.com 33

continued from page 31

critters into a holding pen and releasing them one-by-one to veteran shearer Bryant Amos of nearby Red Oak, Iowa.

Amos wrestles each feisty opponent onto its back and into a precarious headlock. "Sheep don't like to leave the herd," he says. "You have to know how to hold 'em. If they feel like they can't get away, they will give up the struggle."

Amos, who grew up the son of a migrant sheep shearer, has been gouged by more horns than he cares to count. "It's like being beaten with a pool cue." Amos shears most weekends, traveling a southwest Iowa circuit. But he earns his living as a production supervisor for Parker Hannifin.

He also is chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.

While the men fall into a rhythm with the herd, Lou Anne gives set-up instructions to fiber art enthusiasts Dianne Giles and Tamara Jones and granddaughter Danielle Dunblazier. They have come to help skirt – shake clean and sort – the freshly sheared wool.

L

ou Anne and Bill share a love of history, and they do what they can to preserve and draw attention to

historically significant sites in their area.

Lou Anne never passes up an opportunity to share her knowledge of heritage crafts. Fridays during the school year, she teaches soapmaking, spinning, weaving and other skills at Indian Creek Museum in nearby Emerson, Iowa. Each April and May, she welcomes homeschooled children to her acreage for tours and demonstrations. In early June, she'll teach at the Iowa Sheep & Wool Festival in Adel.

"If somebody doesn't teach it, the art will die," Lou Anne says. She especially enjoys sharing her knowledge with kids. "They get so into it," she says. "I love the way they smile when they see how they can create something" with fibers, courtesy of her woolly friends.

If you go The studio at Thompson's Corner is open by appointment. Call 712-825-3042 or email emma@netins.net.

34 march/april 2013

A typical day starts at 6 a.m. with Lou Anne and Bill drinking coffee and watching wildlife along the banks of the West Nishnabotna River through a picture window in their kitchen. "This year, we're thoroughly enjoying the bald eagles," Lou Anne says. Beavers and otters are frequently sighted, too. "We saw a bobcat on the sandbar last year," Bill says. "Who could ask for more?"

SHEAR

S K IRT

Sheep are shorn in the spring. At Thompson's Corner, the ritual usually falls in May – hopefully not in the middle of lambing season. It takes the crew about four hours to shear the herd. When released, the shorn sheep are in a state of bewilderment and make a beeline for the calming influence of the keeper of the herd – a llama named Phyn.

The wool is separated by color and texture in a process called "skirting." The skirting table has a screen bottom that allows dirt and vegetable matter that's shaken loose to fall to the ground. Jacob sheep have wool that ranges from very soft to very coarse. "Sometimes I get both from the same sheep," Lou Anne says.

BAG

CLEAN

Shearing day last year yielded 25 bags of good-quality wool for batting and roving and 10 bags of poor-quality wool (mostly from old sheep) for recycling as garden mulch.

The best wool is soaked in tubs of soapy hot water, run through the spin cycle of the washing machine and spread flat to dry. Next, the wool is picked on a nail-studded machine that releases any remaining vegetable matter. Once pristine, the wool is put into a dryer and tumbled on the "fluff dry" cycle.

D YE

CARD

Wool can be dyed in any color of the rainbow. Although dry dyes now are available, Lou Anne still prefers to dye her wool in roasting pans on her kitchen counter. A bathtub on the main level of her home is piled high with plastic dishpans filled with freshly dyed wool.

Carding is the hand or machine process of raking or combing wool fibers directionally to make either batts or roving. Batts are 1-ounce sections of wool used in felting or as filler between layers of quilted fabric.

Roving comes in 10'' by 36'' lengths for spinning into thread for weaving.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 35

365 days of fresh air Sleeping under the stars without leaving home

By Chris Christen | Photos by Jeffrey Bebee

Omahans Ruth and Jim Keene get

incredulous reactions when they tell people that they sleep outdoors year-round. As well they might. Rest assured, the Omaha couple stays quite comfortable in the open air.

Camping out? No, camping in.

The couple retreats each night to a screened-in sleeping porch just steps away from the usual comforts of home.

"You can’t beat fresh air for a good night’s rest, no matter the season," Ruth says of the cabin-like sleeping conditions they've preferred for more than 30 years.

"Most people can imagine sleeping on a porch in the summer when the weather is pleasant. But they can't imagine doing it when it's really hot or really cold." continued on page 36

PLANNING TOOL Find more information and inspiration for a sleeping porch of your own at www. porchideas.com.

The site is run by former Bellevue residents Mary and Dave Morris. "We both grew up with porches in one way or another," Mary told us in an online interview.

"We are like two kids in a candy shop when we find a wonderful porch neighborhood." courtesy of porchideas.com

36 march/april 2013

Ruth and Jim Keene love the outdoors, and camped frequently as a family when their four children were young.

happy hollow

inspiredhomeomaha.com  37

For Annette Huff, the bistro table is a favorite spot for reading the newspaper and enjoying coffee and a light breakfast. "I sit out there almost every morning from May to October," she says. "If it's chilly, I just throw a blanket over my legs."

continued from page 34

The sleeping porch gives them a retreat that complements their

The Keenes stay toasty in winter in a queen-sized bed equipped

outdoor-focused lifestyle and keeps them attuned to nature. It

with an electric mattress pad, a down comforter and a custom

also gets them away from forced-air heating and cooling for

coverlet made from moisture-resistant awning material. His and

part of the day.

her caps also stay handy for sleeping comfort on nights when it gets frosty.

"It's like leaving the campfire and crawling into a sleeping bag," Ruth says. "At first, you're shivering. But when you pull up the covers, an aura of warmth envelopes you."

"It's amazing how confined and stuffy a conventional bedroom or hotel room can feel after you've gotten used to a sleeping porch," Ruth says.

Neighbors and good friends, Annette and Steve Huff, watched the Keenes' porch project with great interest back in the late

The sleeping porch isn't a novel feature. Lots of houses built

1970s, and wasted no time copying the idea. "We had a flat roof

between 1900 and about 1940 included them. What is unusual is

at the back of our house, so we just built up," Annette says.

that the Keenes added theirs expressly for year-round use.

The Huffs enjoy their sleeping porch about nine months out of

"People always ask about protection from the elements," Ruth

the year. “We're not as tough as Ruth and Jim," Annette says.

says. "We don't have windows. We have screens."

"We head inside when the temperature is lower than 50 or

And canvas shades that shield rain, wind and snow.

higher than 80.” continued on page 38

38 march/april 2013

Sleep Tight Tips for staying snug as a bug in your sleeping porch: - Invest in a comfortable bed with a good mattress.

- Dress your bed in layers that can be swapped out as seasons and temperatures change. Select bedding in durable, machine-washable fabrics and colors and patterns that hide wear and tear and dirt.

- For cold winter evenings, add warmth with flannel sheets, an electric blanket, a down comforter and an electric space heater.

- Furnish your space with artwork and creature comforts like a colorful, cushy indoor-outdoor rug that is soft on your feet.

- Place a small side table next to the bed for books, an alarm clock, a radio, etc.

- Hang curtains for a touch of whimsy and privacy. Use store-bought curtains or make them from painter drop cloths or bedsheets. Porch blinds can give you maximum privacy and keep the morning sun off your face.

- Consider a gentle wind chime or tabletop fountain to lull you to sleep.

- Use storm window inserts to block wind and snow.

- Periodically check furniture for loose connections, rusty bolts, and (ugh!) spiderwebs.

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continued from page 36

But when they do snuggle and snooze on their second-level porch off a guest bedroom, they enjoy it immensely. "We like the sense of being outdoors and close to nature," Annette says.

adding sleeping porches to new houses or converting first-floor porches into places to snuggle down and snooze,” writes Dorothy Foltz-Gray for HGTV. “It’s a phenomenon fed by sealed-in working quarters and smothering technologies. By the time we end our asphalt commutes, many of us see fresh air as the new gold,

The Huffs’ porch is screened on three sides and overlooks a pond

something to spend on ourselves, a nighttime extravagance minus

and fountain in the backyard. She loves the sound of running water

the camping trip.”

day and night. “It's so calming and soothing.”

And bug-free.

Ruth delights in hearing the birds in the morning, going to sleep watching the clouds and smelling spring after a good rain.

There's a little fun too.

Former Nebraska resident Mary Morris says her website, PorchIdeas.com, attracts thousands of porch lovers every day.

"They come to find decorating tips as well as construction and design ideas."

She and her husband, Dave, spent 14 years in Bellevue, where they made the most of a screened porch on the back side of their home.

"Sound carries quite well" in the stillness of the night, Ruth says.

“The best times were when Dave and I slept out on our porch,

"We hear couples' tete-a-tetes in the alley, and we know who's

usually on Friday or Saturday evenings,” Mary says.

house the kids are going to TP (toilet paper) next."

The couple, now living in Nashville, Tennessee, regularly headed

Sleeping porches are enjoying a resurgence in popularity across

to their porch in Bellevue with a big bowl of popcorn and a pile of

America for reasons the Huffs and the Keenes have extolled for

quilts and pillows.

years.

“We loved sleeping ‘under the stars’ yet inside on our porch,” Mary

“From Florida to New England, Oklahoma to California,

says. “It was the best of both worlds.” Even when the weather

Americans are opening up long shuttered second-story porches,

turned rainy or windy. “Unless we got wet, we didn't mind a bit.”

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In the winter, the Keenes each keep a hat handy for when temperatures drop below freezing. A coverlet made from awning canvas protects from mildew and moisture.

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N.P. Dodge park

For Bill Hartwig, the morel mushroom hunt doesn’t start until low temperatures are above 50 degrees for a week or two. He takes vacation time the last week of April and gets serious about his hobby.

42  march/april 2013

But never disclose your ‘honey holes.’

Te x t & P h o t o s b y M a r k D a v i s

Bill Hartwig learned to hunt for mushrooms as a kid, but then life got in the way

and he never had the opportunity to pursue the hobby.

After he finished school and landed a job as a salesman for Schwan’s, life slowed down. Hartwig soon rediscovered the thrill of foraging through the woods for wild edibles. And then it became an obsession.

“There are three things I love about mushroom hunting. I like to find them, I like to eat them and I like to share them,” Hartwig says.

The king of wild mushrooms is the morel. Easily identified by its sponge or brain-like appearance, the morel is hunted for fun and profit around the globe.

Hartwig has spent years identifying his “honey holes” for morels. Only family members and very close friends are allowed to follow him on his trips to the woods.

He offers sage advice: “They’ll be where you’d expect them and also where you don’t expect them.” continued on page 42

inspiredhomeomaha.com 43

continued from page 41

Hartwig suggests finding a friend to help identify wild edibles. Many wild mushrooms are poisonous, and identifying which ones are safe to eat can be a life-or-death decision.

Hartwig started out by hunting public land, including wildlife management areas and state parks. The DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and Omaha area parks, such as N.P. Dodge Park and Two Rivers State Park, are good places to look when the time is right.

Morels pop up in the spring, most commonly at or near the base of dead trees.

For Hartwig, the hunt typically doesn’t start until low temperatures are above 50 degrees for a week or two. He takes vacation time the last week of April and gets serious about his hobby.

But the 2012 season came early. March brought several warm days, and Hartwig found the bulk of his morels in late March and early April – more than a month earlier than usual.

“The hunt is what keeps it interesting,” he says.

Thousands of trees were killed in Omaha-area floods in 2011-12, so Hartwig expects the next few years to be very good for morel hunters.

IF YOU GO Before eating a wild mushroom, be absolutely sure that you have identified it as edible. Always cook wild mushrooms.

Information on wildlife management areas: Nebraska outdoornebraska.ne.gov Iowa www.iowadnr.gov For more information on how to identify morels and other wild mushrooms: www.mushroomexpert.com

From left: Kevin Welsh, Financial Advisorr; Dawn Bonacci, Registered Client Service Associate; Patrick Friesen, Financial Advisor

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indian hills

By Chris Christen

Photos by Jeffrey Bebee

Couple's home brings all of their loves together arcy Beck and a friend were househunting along Douglas Street north of 87th and Dodge Streets when Darcy decided that she wanted a closer look at a house that she liked. The house wasn't for sale, but that didn't stop her from asking the homeowner if she could see the inside.

"We kind of barged into the place," Darcy recalls of the January 2006 encounter. She told the homeowner: "If you ever decide that you want to sell, give me a call."

The owners did. And Darcy, a realtor with Deeb Realty, and her architect husband, Steve Conley, had the keys to the house before the month was out. *** Steve and Darcy were married in 2000 after a courtship that started with a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. “We immediately clicked,” Steve says. No one was more surprised than Darcy, who had been happily single for 46 years. “I fell smack in love,” Darcy says.

As newlyweds, they lived in Darcy’s English Tudor home in the Country Club neighborhood. Steve immediately set to work designing a “huge modern dream home” for the couple in the Ponca Hills area.

That house, however, proved to be more than the couple needed or could reasonably manage, they say. “That home was a reality check,” Darcy admits. continued on page 46

Neighborhood Indian Hills Interior Design Homeowner Darcy Beck Highlight Porch design by architect Don Polsky Bedrooms 3

Bathrooms 3

Square Feet 2,630 courtesy of HDR

46 march/april 2013

The exterior underwent aesthetic improvements, including a stacked stone façade that preserves the home’s original architectural integrity but also gives the exterior a bit more pizzazz. “We wanted it (exterior style) to work for today,” Darcy says.

The boldest room in the house is also the most fun visually with oversized daisies against a black background. "I just had to have it," Darcy says of the wallpaper for the guest bathroom.

inspiredhomeomaha.com  47

IKEA cabinetry mimics the look of built-ins in the dining area. Behind one set of doors: A mini bar.

The hearth design combines black granite and custom stainless steel tiles from Hempel Sheet Metal Works.

Darcy and Steve used a similar flooring design in the kitchen and entry in their previous home.

continued from page 44

Darcy says. “It’s kind of what we do. Everything is a work-in-progress.”

They put the Ponca Hills house on the market, moved into a “mold-ridden

"We can't leave well enough alone," Steve says. "Everything here was

dump" with their Great Dane and a St. Bernard mix, according to Darcy, and embarked on their most recent house hunt.

“We wanted something that was architecturally engaging and fun,” Darcy says of the home search. That led her to Indian Hills, a Mid-Century modern neighborhood.

Their current home – more so than their original home together – symbolizes a coming together of everything they love, including the

done with our own chewing gum and spit. That's the art of this home.

There's not a corner that isn't representative of who we are."

One of their biggest projects involved knocking out a wall between the kitchen and the dining area to create a more open floor plan. “It was a pivotal project because it changed the interior aesthetic,” Darcy says. The couple also installed teak flooring throughout the interior, and finessed various spaces to show off treasured art pieces and furnishings. They also

architectural style of the 1960s.

had fun with paint, wallpaper and tile.

Renovations began immediately, “and we’re still working on them,”

IKEA became Darcy's new best friend for its closet systems. "We made

48 march/april 2013

continued on page 50

A wall on the back side of the sink was removed to open up the kitchen to the dining area. The galley kitchen – characteristic of a Mid-Century modern home – features IKEA cabinetry and Corian countertops.

great detail This giant matchstick glows red!

inspiredhomeomaha.com 49

50  march/april 2013

Dellarobbia sofas in the living room have a sliver of red running through them, which coordinates with the red dining room chairs. Every room in the home has a tone-on-tone playfulness. "The color scheme just sort of happened," says Darcy, who did her own interior design.

inspiredhomeomaha.com  51

continued from page 46

Collection surround a glass-top table with a stone base crafted by Darcy’s father.

so many trips to IKEA in Minneapolis, our car was on automatic pilot," Darcy says. "We'd return with tailpipes dragging. We call ourselves the nouveau Clampetts" (referring to "The Beverly Hillbillies" sitcom).

"We have pieces that are disgustingly expensive and some that are dirt cheap," Darcy says. They're all mixed together, along with a treasure trove of furnishings and accessories mostly from her family.

Two (of three) Salvador Dali originals inherited from Darcy's parents share the living room with a trio of 12-inch equine figurines. Two are authentic Japanese Tang horses; the third is an "ancient" Chinese relic

An interior wall with “tchotchke holes” formed into the drywall features seven original art objects. There is also an imposter: a ceramic head from Marshalls, sale priced at $16.99 (evidenced by the tag that's still attached to the base).

"I'm a scavenger," Darcy admits.

And an improviser. When she couldn't find a rug for the sunroom, she bought two rugs and had them sewn together to achieve the perfect dimensions.

purchased online for $.90 plus $90 for postage.

And then there's the menagerie of whimsical art:

In the dining area, functional art Seatbelt Chairs from the Phillips

- A bird's nest sculpture from Jackson Artworks in Omaha that once was

52 march/april 2013

Woogie and Lamb Chop – icons of Mid-Century modern living – have the run of the house, but the all-season sunroom is a favorite hangout. "We live in this room," Darcy says.

The furnishings include a pair of Eames chairs (not shown) that belonged to her parents.

Quite by coincidence, the master bedroom incorporates elements of Dorothy Draper's signature Modern Baroque decorating style. The accessories are primarily from Nebraska Furniture Mart, Tweed Couch Interiors and IKEA.

part of a public art installation at Central Park Mall.

The backyard has minimal landscaping by design. Open slabs and wood decking create versatile spaces for entertaining small and large groups of friends.

- "Erma," a larger-than-life female form by Nebraska sculptor Al Rhea.

The aluminum piece was a Christmas gift to Steve from his mother. "It's extremely important to us for its sentimental value," Darcy says.

- "Featherweight" and "Clumsy Ballerina," headless torsos in tutus by Kathleen Breitinger, purchased at Hot Shops Art Center.

"We like to bring characters into the house," Steve jokes of the sculptures.

Complementing the household: Woogie and Lamb Chop, Standard Poodles rescued from homes in Texas and Kansas.

"They make us a certified Mid-Century modern family," Darcy says of the perfectly groomed dogs. "But I'm not the typical Mid-Century modern housewife. I do not travel from room to room with Comet or a dust cloth."

courtesy of HDR

inspiredhomeomaha.com 53

B y P a t Wa t e r s

Office

If not completely overlooked, the office, playroom and laundry room aren’t

the first rooms you would consider for a home makeover. Yet these hardworking rooms can, when properly designed, make life so much easier than,

Craft room

say, a beautiful living room.

"I don’t know if anyone ever has called us for the laundry room first. It’s their second or third call

Entryway

to us," says Lorrie Williams of Fluff Your Stuff interior redesign. “Professional design help for a laundry room can make your life easier and help a family function better. It’s really helpful."

Living Room

Lorrie and Joy Johnson started Fluff Your Stuff nine years ago, and there are now five designers on staff. The team initially worked with only the furniture and accessories that clients already

Exercise space

owned, but it eventually developed into a fullservice design firm.

Fluff Your Stuff, however, hasn't forgotten its

Laundry

54 march/april 2013

original mission. "We’re as far from stuffy as you can get," Lorrie says.

Shadow ridge

Office Joni Learch knew what she wanted in a home office, but she didn’t know how to achieve her vision.

She and her husband are emptynesters who live near 190th Street and Woolworth Avenue. The family’s home, which was built in 2006, has a basement office. It was claimed by her husband, however, who frequently works there in the evenings and on weekends.

Sharing space was out of the question. She needed an area of her own. "My husband always has stacks of papers piled on the desk," Joni says. For her office – on the main floor just off the entry – she wanted places to store papers, but she didn’t want institutional-looking file cabinets.

"It’s one of the first rooms you see when you enter my house, so I wanted it to reflect my decorating style. It’s really difficult to find furniture that isn’t traditional or doesn’t look cheap."

Lorrie Williams of Fluff Your Stuff came to the rescue with a tidy, sleek, gender-neutral approach. For outof-the-box spark, Lorrie suggested a metallic wallpaper with an aqua and black birch tree design. It’s the perfect backdrop for a room that holds a streamlined desk, luxurious floor-to-ceiling curtains and sleek ladder bookshelves.

Get the Look Birch Tree Black, $64.99 per roll, from Classic Wallcoverings Inc.

photo courtesy of fluff your stuff

inspiredhomeomaha.com 55

Shadow Lake

tip

Craft room

56 march/april 2013

both pages: daniel johnson

An awkward basement space became Jennifer Chambers’ coveted craft room with the help of the Fluff Your Stuff team. The room is small – 4 feet by 8 feet – but it’s the private getaway that Jennifer, who is expecting a child and is the mother of a 2-year-old daughter, needs for her hobbies.

"I’ve always enjoyed making things.

When I was in third grade, I had a teacher who did a lot of art projects. It was really fun and left an impression on me."

Jennifer makes party invitations and decorations and score sheets for game nights, and is an aspiring scrapbooker and quilter. But it was difficult carving out a dedicated space for crafts in the large two-story home that she and her husband own in Papillion’s Shadow Lake subdivision.

The house has an office, but Jennifer's husband often works from home. Spreading out craft supplies in that room wasn't an option. She previously had to make do with the kitchen table or a counter, but this was also problematic with a curious toddler in the house.

Now Jennifer has a cozy craft room with a gift-wrapping station, as well as a desk and storage shelves. And it has a door that keeps the space off-limits to her husband and daughter. "I’m the only one who goes in there," she says. "My husband loves it. He thinks it’s great."

Jennifer says she typically spends five to 10 hours a week – or more if she is preparing for a party or other event – working in the room. "I like how we were able to turn a space that looked useless into a highfunctioning room. That gives me great satisfaction."

When various storage containers on a shelf are the same color, it unifies the space and gives the impression of order. When there are several different colors on a shelf, the eye reads it as being cluttered.

Get the look Bathe Blue #6771 SherwinWilliams

inspiredhomeomaha.com  57

regency

tip

ENTRYWAY

58  march/april 2013

JEFFREY BEBEE

If you don't have a dedicated mudroom or other space for builtin cubbies, improvise with freestanding pieces in a wide hallway.

Think vertical when it comes to storage. Lockers or a combination cubby-bench system can give each family member a designated spot for gloves, hats, coats and more.

Seasonal items can be stored in the bench or in wicker or fabric bins on top of the unit.

Get your photos off your computer and onto your walls! A grouping of family photos can give any area a finished feel.

Look through your treasuretrove of photos and find four or five images that work together.

Using your home computer, print the images in black and white on archival photo paper. Mat and frame the prints in a similar style and hang in a cluster for impact.

atchison, Kan.

LIVING ROOM

Chris Christen

The decorating team at Nell Hill's stores founded by Mary Carol Garrity suggests taking a critical look at everything in your home at least once a year.

The perfect time is right after you take down your holiday decorations. Start with accessories in your bookcases and on your side tables. How can you edit them so the design is less cluttered and more interesting?

A small accent lamp can call attention to a special element in a display. To pull off the technique, follow Garrity's lead: "Pick out a few sentimental objects, like snapshots of loved ones, a treasure from a vacation or a family heirloom. Place the item on a side table under the downward light of an accent lamp. Every time you walk by this special grouping, you'll smile."

Garrity incorporates a variety of heights into the tabletop displays in her home in Atchison, Kansas.

atchison, Kan.

LIVING ROOM Fill those empty spaces. Take a look at the walls of your home. If they are big, yawning spaces, it's high time you filled them with artwork that makes your heart sing.

Home interiors retailer and author Mary Carol Garrity recently posted this to her blog: "You can pick out amazing furniture, sensational window and floor coverings and perfect accents, but until you hang some artwork your space will not feel finished. You don't have to spend a lot of money on great art, and you don't have to have a background in interior design to hang it correctly. Shop for artwork that speaks to you on an emotional level.”

Inexpensive framed prints, originals by emerging artists, family heirlooms and vintage pieces from antique stores all can work beautifully in your spaces. We love Garrity’s placement of a framed print in front of a bookcase in her Greek Revival home in Atchison.

60 march/april 2013

Exercise Space

linden estates

This home exercise room converts into a guest bedroom with the lift of a finger. Jean FidoneSchroer had a carpenter build a freestanding cabinet unit for a Murphy bed that she literally can reveal or hide in seconds.

The custom piece allows Jean and her husband, Roy Schroer, to get the most use out of a lowerlevel exercise room with a great backyard view.

When it's snugged up, the wall unit resembles an entertainment center. In addition to the double

bed, it houses a closet and a pullout nightstand.

When the room is needed for houseguests, the treadmill is put into its vertical position and is maneuvered against a wall next to an elliptical.

That opens up space for the bed, which drops down with the pull of a handle.

The homeowners designed the unit with help from interior designer Lisa McCoid of D3 Interiors.

The unit, which Euro Woods helped buid, is made from a laminate that looks like hardwood.

both pages: Chris Christen

inspiredhomeomaha.com  61

bennington

Get the look Main color: Netsuke 6134 Stripes: Harmonic Tan 6136, Earthen Jug 7703, Lanyard 7680, all from Sherwin-Williams.

Lettering: Rubber stamps; black craft paint from Hobby Lobby.

daniel johnson

62  march/april 2013

Laundry drops into the basement through a slot in the bathroom floor.

Laundry room Who says that the shoemaker’s children go barefoot? Joy Johnson of Fluff Your Stuff focused her skilled eye on her own laundry room and decided to act.

"I actually did it as sort of a joke," Joy says. "I was always on my family to bring their laundry to the laundry room and to separate their clothes."

So she decided to give them a hand, purchasing several laundry baskets and labeling them "white," "not-white" and so on. Even the room itself has a label – large black letters that spell "laundry" – but that was more for aesthetics than information.

"It works most of the time," she says, laughing. "After the joke wore off, it didn’t work as well but there was no rebellion."

Joy says her laundry room needed to be ready for prime time.

"It’s on the main floor of the house, so I needed it to be fun and cute. The fact that you can walk in and see it down the hall motivated me to paint stripes on the walls and have fun with it."

In laundry rooms and similar spaces, organization, order and function are as important as appearance, Joy says. This speeds and eases the homeowner’s everyday chores, leaving her with more time and a sunnier mood.

Joy's laundry room makeover seven years ago still works today. So well, in fact, that when her 25-year-old son brings his dirty laundry to his parents’ house, he still uses the right baskets.

Oakland, NEBRASKA

A vintage bear claw bathtub salvaged from a home remodel gets a second life as a hamper in a basement laundry area.

In the busy household of seven, the tub rarely sits empty.

Family members drop dirty clothing into the tub from a chute cut into the floor of the main-level bathroom directly above. A Pottery Barn cubby stands steps away, directly across from the washer and dryer. The cubby holds the household's freshly laundered clothing, which is sorted for each family member for easy pick up.

The laundry area belongs to home and lifestyles blogger Karen Blanc of Oakland, Neb. Stay tuned for more ideas from this creative homeowner!

Photo courtesy of Karen Blanc

inspiredhomeomaha.com 63

estates at coventry

bonus space A drop zone off the garage entry gets a giant chalkboard calendar for a busy family of five in a 2012 Street of Dreams home built by ADC Homes. Chalk Ink markers keep updates tidy (no chalky residue). Take a close look at the clipboard; it's a mural! Pat Gehrman created it in collaboration with interior designer Libby Pantzlaff.

Bonus: A built-in cabinet gives the homeowners out-ofsight storage, as well as a place for frequently used items like keys and cell phone chargers. "The family is using the calendar to the max," Libby says.

JEFFREY BEBEE PHOTO COURTESY OF INTERIORS BY LIBBY (PANTZLAFF)

64  march/april 2013

TAKE Note People, Places and Things Worth Noting

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13748 F St., Suite 500 402-398-9100 idgomaha.com

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inspiredhomeomaha.com 65

fremont Jumbled Perfection Last year, Anthropologie at Regency Court unified its shelves with books in jackets made from local newsprint. If you're shaking your head at the thought of covering dozens of books, try this: Turn your books around so the spines face the back of the bookcase.

66  march/april 2013

jordan green

At My Blue Whimsy, a shabby chic bridal boutique in Fremont, owner Lisa Lamb uses vintage books to turn a dressing room wall into a work of art. An upholstered parlor chair provides the perfect finishing touch in a tiny area that explodes with personality.

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