Inspired Living Omaha

Page 1

A N O M A H A W O R L D - H E R A L D P U B L I C AT I O N

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 4 INSPIREDLIVINGOMAHA.COM

Richly Layered

Finely Crafted

inspiredlivingomaha.com  1



inspiredlivingomaha.com  1


M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 4

Editor-in-Chief Chris Christen 402-444-1094 Chris.Christen@owh.com Assistant Editor Amy LaMar Amy.LaMar@owh.com Creative Director/Designer Heidi Hoffman Photo Imaging Specialist Patricia “Murphy” Benoit

6 issues for

$9.99 PER YEAR

subscriptions to digital or print inspiredlivingomaha.com

Content Contributors Chelsea Cawthon, Sandra Wendel, Brian O'Malley, Meghann Schense, Cora Coppock, Rachel Irika, Cara Pesek, Stacie Hamel Photography Contributors Jeffrey Bebee, Hooton Images, Daniel Johnson, Kurt A. Keeler, Tin Box Pictures Sales Manager Carrie Kentch 402-444-1448 Carrie.Kentch@owh.com Account Representative Cathleen Vanhauer 402-444-1209 Cathleen.Vanhauer@owh.com Account Representative Kristine Buhman 402-444-1442 Kristine.Buhman@owh.com Events & Custom Publishing Manager Tam Webb 402-444-3125 Tam.Webb@owh.com

Proudly published by

1314 Douglas St., Suite 600 Omaha, NE 68102 402-444-1094 Inspired Living Omaha (ISSN 7447026659) is a publication of the Omaha World-Herald. ©2014, 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.

2  MAY/JUNE 2014


Tired of your Outdated Kitchen? Refinish, ReDoor or ReConstruct ReConstruct and Save Thousands

Before B Be fore fo rre e

$100 OFF

an any ny pr project roj ojec jec ct ov o over ver ver r$ $1000 1000 1000 0 After • • • •

Cabinet Refinishing & Refacing Painted Cabinets Any Color Metallic Cabinet Finishes Custom Designer Cabinet Finishes • Extremely Durable Finishes

• Cabinet Door Replacement, Many Design Style Options • Lighten Or Darken Wood Color Of Cabinets • Distressed, Glazed & Antiqued Cabinet Finishes

from tainted...To

RePainted, ReColored, ReDoored, ReFaced, ReDesigned, Remodeled or Reconstructed

“Our experience with Kelly King and his staff has been incredible. Kelly not only recommended the perfect colors and look, but the finished kitchen left us breathless. Not only is it a lot less time and money, but there is not the mess you would have with reconstruction. Kelly and his team are amazing! Unbelievable talent. They made our kitchen a dream come true!” - Janet Noll and Kent McClary

Call for a Free Kitchens ReDefined or Tainted to Repainted Consultation and Estimate 402-896-9670 • http://tainted2repainted.com/cabsvideo/

Kitchens ReDefined

Tainted

by Kelly S. King

to

Re Repainted p inted pa Cabinets, Furniture, and Walls by

Kelly King, Owner

Kelly S. King


Bringing Your Beauty to Life

Are you looking for the most dynamic hair salon in the Omaha area?

If so, look no further than Salon Fusion. Our experienced and professional staff of creative hair stylists are dedicated to taking your vision and turning it into a beautiful reality. From vibrant hair color to trendy cuts – our salon offers a full comprehensive list of services that cater to every style and budget.

[

Salon

your vision... our passion

SalonFusionOmaha.com

3667 N 129th St | Omaha, NE 68164 | 402-934-4747

2567 S 171st Ct | Omaha, NE 68130 | 402-934-2000

[


BECAUSE YOU UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE 50 years, 14 award-winning designers, 2 retail showrooms

Visit our retail showrooms at:

Omaha • 132nd & W. Dodge Rd. | Lincoln • 71st & Pioneers

www.interiorsbyjoan.com


It's art in a cup – and a seal of quality for the coffee drink it adorns. Read more on page 60.

20

ON THE COVER Design Done Right Golden layers PHOTOGRAPHY: Jeffrey Bebee

CONTENTS 12

40

54

The Big See

Profile

Shop, taste, create and see

A woman on wheels

Indulgent spa journey

14

44

58

Homespiration

Threads

From drab to happy

Colorful urban style

32

50

Before + After

Au Courant

A new use for a side porch

Shift into neutral

36

52

Gardening

The Dish

A little slice of heaven

Dunking is a must

6  MAY/JUNE 2014

Destination

Gift Guide Moms, dads and grads

60

Connoisseur Creative coffee

64

Be Well And stay well

PHOTO: DANIEL JOHNSON


Inspiration • Innovation • Design Services

TowerPlace

The elegant penthouse look of Tower Place reflects a modern view of luxury living. Designs feature clean architectural lines and a seductive mix of Cathedral Walnut veneers, brushed rose gold hardware and an alluring assortment of upholstered silhouettes. Today’s contemporary aesthetic is best described as lux transitional, with styling that softens the edge, textures that soften the touch and designs that draw inspiration from classic details like the iconic Greek key. The look is understated and approachable, while retaining the sophistication of a luxury lifestyle.

Bernhardt • Century • Drexel Heritage Hancock & Moore • Lexington Home Brands Henredon • Thomasville and more...

Professional Designers to help you express your style—

nfm.com

Whether you’re searching for a new sofa or a whole new look, The Design Gallery offers an eclectic selection of fine home furnishings. Working with you in our store or your home, you’ll enjoy all the benefits Nebraska Furniture Mart has to offer, plus expert interior design assistance. With design services that range from furniture selection, arrangement, color and fabric coordination to window coverings and accessories, our talented designers will help you transform your home into a fitting expression of your style … at prices you’re going to love! Call: 402-255-6327 for an appointment with one of our designers.

700 South 72nd St • Omaha, NE 402-255-6327 • 800-359-1200 ©2014 Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.


Editor's Note

GETTING IT RIGHT

Daniel Johnson photographed our Design Done Right feature on Elizabeth and Bruce Cannon’s Council Bluffs home (March/April 2014). In the same issue, we gave you an incorrect address for Oriental Rug Palace. The furniture and home accessories store is located at 980 S. 72nd St. Also in our previous issue, it was Peg O’Malley who joined her chef son, Brian O’Malley, for our recipe feature on corned beef.

DON'T MISS AN ISSUE!

HOOTON IMAGES

Subscribe for $9.99 for a full year (six issues) at inspiredlivingomaha.com.

CHRIS CHRISTEN editor-in-chief

NEIGHBOR OF THE YEAR My husband, Kurt, grew up in Bellevue, not in an Air Force family,

The guys mowed each other's yards,

but as one of the “townies” at a time when

trimmed each other’s trees and borrowed

Nebraska’s oldest city was nowhere near

each other’s tools.

Omaha and a cheeseburger at Stella's set Loves to dance. Tries to garden. Avoids raw onions and garlic.

you back 50 cents. He has an easy indifference to work

FUN FACT Chris jokes that if her husband dies first, she’s doomed. He does all of the housework. And the cooking. Because she works. All. The. Time.

More aptly, we had a mutual aid society.

I’ll watch your house, you watch mine … and here’s my security code if you need to get in while we’re gone.

associates leaving for another firm, family

We took turns declaring each other

members moving to a different city, long-

“neighbor of the year,” but it really was a

distance relatives bidding us adieu.

pretty even race. Except for that Christmas

These are all occasions that cause my tear ducts to go into a full flood. When we talked about his way with

when Ben and Lisa put twinkle lights on a tiny evergreen deep in their back yard and sent us a text message to look for

goodbyes, Kurt explained that when he

Santa’s gifts there. Kurt and I giggled as

was growing up, he rarely had a friend

we traipsed through the snow to find his

for more than four years as his military

and hers work gloves – practical items

family classmates came and went. To

for the season ahead. But even more, the

mourn every departing friend would have

gifts were reminders of a kinship born

required a near-constant state of sadness.

from years of toiling together to create a

Adopting a “laissez-faire” attitude was his

parklike setting in our adjacent back yards.

way of sidestepping a downer. Well, it just happened again. Ben and

Kurt teases that now we’ll probably see Ben and Lisa more frequently than we did

Lisa, our dear next-door neighbors of

when they lived next door. I certainly have

seven years, decided to leave our little

adopted his “see-you-again-soon” attitude

development in the woods for a bigger

(I’m dying to see what they’re doing to

home not far away. While my husband

their new house!), and it does feel better.

remained pretty matter-of-fact about the departure, I was a mess – as was Lisa. We didn’t have a traditional neighbors’

Here’s hoping that you’re lucky enough to have your very own “neighbor of the year.”

relationship. There were no kids running in and out of each other’s homes; we weren’t commiserating parents. In fact, in all those years, we were inside each other’s homes fewer than five times.

8  MAY/JUNE 2014

Chris Christen editor-in-chief


APPAREL, ACCESSORIES & SPECIALTY Ann Taylor Anthropologie Borsheims Christian Nobel Furs Francesca’s Collections Garbo’s Salon & Spa Hot Mama Learning Express Toys LOFT Parsow’s Fashions Pottery Barn Pottery Barn Kids Rhylan Lang The Linen Gallery Tilly White House|Black Market Williams-Sonoma DINING Bonefish Grill Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Paradise Bakery & Cafe

120 Regency Parkway . Omaha, NE 68114 . regencycourtomaha.com

MALL HOURS Mon - Fri: 10 am - 8 pm Sat: 10 am - 7 pm Sun: 12 pm - 5 pm

So Many Beautiful Ways to Feel Good! HAIR • SPRAY TANNING • MAKE-UP MANICURES & PEDICURES • LASH EXTENSIONS WAXING • MASSAGE & BODY TREATMENTS CUSTOMIZED FACIALS & SKIN CARE

Salon and Day Spa Voted Best of Omaha! 4 YEARS IN A ROW! CONTACT US! 5709 S 108TH ST • 402-502-1850 • GlossSalon.com inspiredlivingomaha.com  9


THE CONTRIBUTORS

assistant editor

HEIDI HOFFMAN creative director & designer

CARRIE KENTCH advertising manager

CATHY VANHAUER advertising account executive

Amy's grandfather and her husband's grandfather went to the same high school in St. Joseph, Mo.

Wedding bells are ringing for Heidi. She's headed down the aisle in June.

Carrie believes in the juju of feng shui.

Cathy is eagerly waiting for her multitude of Siberian Iris to bloom.

KRISTINE BUHMAN

JEFFREY BEBEE

CORA COPPOCK

THE HOOTONS

photographer

fashion stylist

photographers

Kristine had to laugh when her car was rear-ended twice in one weekend.

Jeffrey has taken some interesting portraits of a semi-feral cat in his neighborhood.

Cora used to make "Sesame Street Live" costumes for a living.

Heather cross-stitches abstract landscapes. Jameson develops his own black & white film.

DANIEL JOHNSON

STACIE HAMEL

CARA PESEK

TIN BOX PICTURES

writer

photographers

Dan's favorite hot dog is the Cincinnati-style chili cheese coney.

Stacie first visited the Elms Hotel & Spa in her teens, and says it was “eerily similar” to the hotel in “ The Shining.”

Cara recently started crocheting – a skill she originally learned in 4-H more than 20 years ago.

Vivian enjoys a cup of tea any time of day. Jordan once made a lens out of an unused plunger and an old enlarger lens.

SANDRA WENDEL

KURT A. KEELER

MEGHANN SCHENSE

MURPHY BENOIT

merchandise stylist

imaging specialist

Coffee, chocolate and red wine are Meghann's idea of a balanced diet.

Murphy once found her dog "proudly" sitting in the back of a police car after escaping from her backyard.

advertising account executive

photographer

health writer

Sandra wrote a book with Dr. Edward Creagan of the Mayo Clinic titled, "How Not to Be My Patient."

10  MAY/JUNE 2014

writer

photographer

Kurt dislocated his shoulder. Under anesthesia he stopped breathing – almost giving his wife a heart attack.

PHOTOS: HOOTON IMAGES, DAN THORSON PHOTOGRAPHY, JEFFREY BEBEE, REBECCA S. GRATZ, JAMES R. BURNETT, KURT A. KEELER, TIN BOX PICTURES

AMY LaMAR


Custom Design Home Technology Echo Systems provides custom design for audio and video products ranging from home theaters to a complete lighting control system, as well as automated window shades for the home. Our superior quality, service and design are what set us apart from the competition.

4315 S. 120th Street

402-334-4900

www.echosystemsomaha.com

inspiredlivingomaha.com  11


at tthe he g gifts ts s you ccan a find d at

The

Big See

[ SAVE THE DATE ]

MIXED MEDIA WITH DORI SETTLES May 10 Omaha Creative Institute omahacreativeinstitute.org Create your own self-portrait collage using items such as newspaper, fabric, buttons and yarn. Dress for mess and fun! Hours: 10 a.m. to noon Admission: $35

THE NEBRASKA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Womens Apparel • Home Accents • Antiques • Unique Gift Items 617 N 98 St, Clocktower Village • debstique.com • 402-934-3770

G ifts She Will

Cherish

May 10-11 Bellevue Berry Farm bellevueberryfarm.com Dozens of costumed characters and one-of-a-kind artisans come together for a trip back in time when royalty ruled and knights really were in shining armor. Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $12 for adults; $10 for children

BENSON BEER FESTIVAL June 7 62nd and Maple Streets bensonbeerfest.com The beer will be even more plentiful than usual in Benson during this second annual fest for novices and experts alike. Admission includes a commemorative glass and beer samples to your heart’s content. Food from Benson restaurants and live music are also planned. Hours: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: $30 in advance; $35 at the gate. Must be 21.

JUNKSTOCK June 20-22 Old Historic Dairy Farm junkstockomaha.com Architectural salvage, farm-fresh food, repurposed and rescued junk, antiques, vintage clothing and more. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Admission: $5 per day; $12 for all three days

2014 SUMMER ARTS BAZAAR

GC Gems 8420 WEST DODGE RD., #109

402-210-9091 | GCGEMSOMAHA.COM 12  MAY/JUNE 2014

June 28-29 Bancroft Street Market handmadeomaha.com Handmade art, crafts and artisan goods. Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to a local food pantry. Each item will serve as an entry into a raffle of handmade items from participating artist vendors. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday Admission: Free


Fri June 6 4-9pm sat june 7 3-9pm PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW! at Brix Village Pointe

$50 PER PERSON INCLUDES

$10 Brix Gift card

if purchased prior to June 6, 2014

Riedel tasting glass Samples of more than 150 wines Small plates from

Kona Grill, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Brix, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, BRAVO! Cucina Italiana

Vibes at Village Pointe Concert Series

Friday, June 6 - The Confidentials Saturday, June 7 - D*Funk Village Pointe Shopping Center | 168th and West Dodge Road 21 AND OLDER | RAIN OR SHINE | ONE DAY PASS | NON-REFUNDABLE

PRESENTED BY

A PORTION OF TICKET SALES BENEFITING

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT VILLAGEPOINTESHOPPING.COM OR BRIXOMAHA.COM Untitled-1 1

4/24/14 12:45 PM


Homespiration

LOCATIO

RIE L

N

PRAI

OM

AH

ANE

A

COLOR HER WORLD She came late to the 'party,' but her timing was perfect. STORY BY AMY LaMAR PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL JOHNSON

L

ike her art, Lisa Worrall’s home has evolved. What was once a “plain’’ house with dark furnishings and drab artwork now is a bright, colorful and happy reflection of the person she is today. She gets chills just thinking about it. “It has been a blessing and a surprise,” says the retired teacher, who at 56 is now working full-time as an artist. “This was just the right time. And the house tells so much of the story.” But Lisa prefers that you use the word “artist” loosely. The descriptor makes her blush. A special education and first-grade teacher for 36 years in the Omaha and Westside school districts, she’s still pinching herself because of the success she has had with her art. She “came late to this party,” she explains. And it was entirely by accident. A decade ago, she started assembling tiny scraps of paper into artwork for her home. Today, her creations are reproduced in a greeting card line that’s carried

in museums, bookstores, gift shops and art galleries throughout the Midwest. Lisa’s medium is so intricate you might think you’re looking at a painting. But in fact, you’re seeing layers and layers of bits of paper painstakingly assembled to form a picture. In two-and-a-half years, she has sketched, traced, cut and glued 120 paper designs for her card line, Iddy Biddy Boo Design (inspired by her childhood nickname, “Iddy,” and her sister’s, “Boo Boo’’). The cards, printed by Creative Press and Design, are carried locally at Joslyn Art Museum, The Bookworm, the Durham Museum and Dundee Gallery, among others. “Her work is adorable,” says Jean Imray of Dundee Gallery, who has carried Iddy Biddy Boo cards since 2011. “The amount of detail in some of her pieces is amazing. We don’t have anything like it.” The artist within emerged when Lisa decided to redecorate her house near 114th and Center Streets.

(continued on page 19)

14  MAY/JUNE 2014


Shelves in Lisa Worrall's basement studio hold supplies, inspiration and lots of memories.

Each one of Lisa's first-graders sat on this bench on the first day of school – for 16 years.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  15


Lisa’s talents include sewing. She made the curtains and accent pillows (some out of kitchen towels) for this room. For the wall above the stairwell (see page 18), Lisa stretched a quilt top over canvas. Leftover fabric produced two more pieces of art, two couch pillows and the stool cover at right – all for $50.

16  MAY/JUNE 2014


Miniature versions of colorful chairs found in her dining room.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  17


“When I’m working

THERE IS

PAPER EVERYWHERE.” –

L i s a

W o r r a l l

You know you are in for a treat when you walk into Lisa's house and see her handmade decoupage steps.

18  MAY/JUNE 2014


WE HAVE YOUR NEW (continued from page 14)

She wanted a fresh, bright color palette and artwork for her walls. With limited discretionary income, the single mom got the idea to make her own art inexpensively – with scissors, paper and glue. “If I couldn’t do it myself it wasn’t going to happen,” she says. As friends took note of the original pieces on her walls, Lisa started to get requests for commissioned portraits, illustrations and murals. But a full-time teaching job and grad school prevented her art from being more than a hobby. Instead, she focused on small projects throughout her home. Her forte, she found, was adding “strategic” color in rooms bathed in white. “I have gotten a lot of mileage out of color,” she says. A chair upholstered in a red curlicue fabric is a perfect example in her living room. The chair sits next to the fireplace, and for accent above the mantel, Lisa painted a 3 ½-by-6-foot section of the wall light green. She repeated the cube design at the top of the stairs leading to the main floor of her split-level home. For added whimsy, Lisa brought in brightly colored miniature chairs, birdhouses and large metal ants. “They’re just fun,” she says. Ditto for the starfish on the living room windowsill that mark the house for passersby. Paper is the foundation of her art, and her basement studio is filled with every color, shape and texture imaginable. Among the buckets of pencils, scissors and buttons near her primary work station are drawings and notes from former students, pictures of her son, now 27, and reminders of her beloved dog, Charlie, who died two years ago. And then there’s what she calls the “land of misfit toys.” “I just don’t throw stuff away,” Lisa says about the small box of random paper objects on her desk. What you won’t find in the studio is a computer or modern equipment of any kind. “To labor with your hands is different,” she explains. “People react to it when you tell them what it is, and the reactions blow me away.” She currently is working in a poster-sized format. In addition to multiple layers of paper formed into buildings, colorfully dressed children and even Jesus in a piece titled “The Resurrection,” Lisa adds texture with small found objects such as earrings and candy wrappers. The educator in her still prevails. She is teaching ballroom dancing to fifth-graders. “All of a sudden I’m dancing!” she says. Somehow, we feel a new card design coming on.

Front Door

VISUALIZE THE POSSIBILITIES!

Formerly Grabow Hardware

13817 Industrial Road 402.445.2596 • www.MoreThanKnobs.com

We fix ugly cabinets and save you thousands of dollars vs. new!

“What great people to work with. Travis and his family are awesome and their product and service is first class. We love our new look kitchen.” Renee, Omaha

Call today ffor your FREE iin-home h estimate.

402.884.9600 inspiredlivingomaha.com  19


Design Done Right

T

he golden touches are unforgettable. “Everybody appreciates this home,” Randall Netley says of his client’s exquisitely appointed and authentically antique interior. “It’s formal without being ostentatious.” As Netley observes, every acquisition, every detail, is a genuine representation of the homeowner – who she is, where she has been and what she loves. “The house is designed around her tastes and her aura,” says the interior designer, consultant and collaborator. “She has an expert eye and only buys what she knows will work in her home.” His client has an affinity for ornate 18th- and 19th-century antiques, and she spares no detail in their display. She collects from a number of sources, including local estate sales. “There are treasures in Omaha,” she says. While the house certainly looks complete, her surroundings are always evolving. “My looking days are never going to stop.” Most remarkable to this visitor is the artisanship that runs through the richly layered interior. Here’s a rare glimpse of work by five craftsmen in six glowing areas of the home.

Homeowner gives her fine antiques the gilded backdrop they deserve with a little help from five go-to artisans who specialize in "wow." TEXT BY CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY BEBEE

20  MAY/JUNE 2014

CATION LO

WEST OMAHA


The coffered ceiling features hand-stenciling and gilded moldings by specialty painter Bob Allen.

The base of this lamp is actually a marble and ormolu urn.

THE LIVING ROOM

Against the far wall, an 18th-century French buffet is the perfect companion for a 19thcentury inlaid Chinese panel. Originally a wall decoration, the homeowner had contractor Nate McDaniel add a wood section to extend the panel to the floor. McDaniel also reconfigured the inside of the buffet to serve as a bar. The screen at top right was hand-painted by Bob Allen, who replicated a pattern in a fabric sample. The 19th-century sconce (enhanced with Fortuny shades) was in-hand for several years before the homeowner found the perfect spot for it. A twin flanks the opposite side of the buffet. In the foreground, a lacquered wall panel became a one-of-a-kind coffee table.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  21


THE FOYER

A collection of Hamilton prints finds a noble backdrop in a foyer with parquet flooring and faux French limestone walls. For the walls, muralist Andy Moore created a concept board for the stone and grout. Then he created a 3x5-foot board showing the nuances of the stone in three- and fourblock sections. “It’s like reading a book,” he says of the process required to execute his design. “You work from left to right in a room.” The estimated time spent on scaffolding in the 20-foot entry: 60 hours. “The grout lines for the limestone blocks took a long time.” Pat Perry of Twisted Designs fabricated the decorative railing per the homeowner’s specifications. Netley says, "She knew exactly what she wanted and she worked with the welder." Bob Allen added the gilding.

22  MAY/JUNE 2014


inspiredlivingomaha.com  23


24  MAY/JUNE 2014


The sectional is covered in silk velvet. The walls are done in linen damask.

THE DEN

An oversized fine art piece finds an ideal home in this richly appointed den. "We planned for everything in relation to the painting of the boy," Netley says. As a result, "everything became deeper, richer and bigger." A talented upholsterer rebuilt a camelback sofa from a previous home into a commanding L-shaped sectional. Nate McDaniel of McDaniel Wallquist Construction built custom cabinetry and furnishings and enhanced moldings in relation to the 5X7-foot painting. Smaller paintings in gilt-wood frames were introduced to create a mini gallery with all the comforts of home.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  25


THE DINING ROOM

The homeowner altered an existing pattern of de Gournay hand-painted wallpaper for her dining room. Working from an original pattern sketch, she and Netley spent months dissecting its elements to create new panels that took every inch of the room into consideration. Once satisfied with their adaptation, the homeowner went to Paris to approve its final rendering for production. It was a two-year project that culminated in the delivery of a blueprint of the room and 10 numbered panels. “It’s delicate paper; you have to be very careful,” says installer Rick Harris of Harwood Services. Before installation, the walls needed to be smooth as glass. “If you make a mistake, it’s an expensive mistake.” Andy Moore, painting in miniature, continued the wallpaper design on light switch covers and air vents. “You won’t know it until you go looking for it,” he says.

RICK HARRIS

Forte: Wallpaper installation Employer: Harwood Services Fun fact: He's swamped with high-end residential work due to the popularity of luxury wall coverings and the scarcity of installers with his level of expertise. At $1,000 or more per panel, you need to know what you're doing.

26  MAY/JUNE 2014

We love this: The homeowner married a 19th-century Chinese altar table with a 19th-century French mirrored door with custom molding. Bob Allen enhanced the pieces with his trademark gilding.


ELECTRONICS DESIGN

& Installation Services

We’ll help you make your house a home.

More than 25 years experience means we can handle every aspect of your home project.

Audio Video | Home Theater | Home Automation | Systems Integration | And More

Home Theater Systems • Whole House Audio and Video Distribution Pre-wiring For New Or Remodeled Homes • Home Networks Design Services • Intercom Systems • Surveillance Cameras Lighting Control

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 ©2014 Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.


The ceiling was specifically designed to accommodate the arched cabinet doors.

THE MASTER SUITE

The fireplace wall incorporates 16th- and 17th-century wood planks salvaged from a French chateau in Texas. “But you can’t tell because the guy who did the staining is a genius,” says Netley, who found the wood in architectural salvage. Mike Gillpatrick duplicated the coloration of the prized Jacobean and Provincial planks and arched walnut doors and frames. “For me to touch something that someone worked on 200 or 300 years ago was incredible,” says Gillpatrick. Contractor and carpenter Nate McDaniel found it equally rewarding, if not a tad nerveracking. “You have to be confident in what you do. Old wood is not square.” The homeowner initially thought she wanted a rough stone hearth and mantel. When she decided that marble would be more fitting, Andy Moore spent eight hours developing formulas to mimic the veining and other characteristics of an actual marble sample provided by the homeowner. Even up close, the faux marble looks real.

28  MAY/JUNE 2014

MIKE GILLPATRICK

Forte: Wood staining and repair Business: Maintains a tiny workroom in an Old Market warehouse; does on-site furniture repairs for a small shop in Des Moines Fun fact: Collects vintage bicycles


Antique wood is incorporated into the doors of this recessed entertainment center crafted by Nate McDaniel. Bob Allen utilized art supplies (including carved plaster) and a “secret formula” of oil glaze for the distressed patina. The decorative motifs, also Allen’s handiwork, coordinate with the drapery fabric.

BOB ALLEN

ANDY MOORE

NATHAN “NATE” McDANIEL

Forte: Chinoiserie, gilding, distressed finishes; restorative arts, portraiture Business: Robert Allen Custom Finishes Fun fact: Tricks out 1/35 scale model World War II armored vehicles

Forte: Murals, specialty finishes, fine art, illustration Business: Andy Moore Custom Art Services Fun fact: Paints in extreme detail in micro and macro formats

Forte: Custom carpentry Business: McDaniel Wallquist Construction Fun Fact: Nate and his partner, Eric Wallquist, were general contractors for the home's master suite addition 12 years ago inspiredlivingomaha.com  29


MASTER SUITE HALLWAY

Bob Allen delivered – and then some – when the homeowner returned from an estate sale with a faded pecan secretary and asked, “Can you make something wonderful out of this?” A photo of a decorative 19thcentury French buffet was offered as inspiration. “This is jewelry. Serious jewelry,” Netley says of the lacquered and gilded "wow" piece in the hallway leading to the master suite. “I can do chinoiserie in my sleep now,” the artist quips. For the custom niche, Andy Moore gave the walls a Venetian plaster finish that includes a base coat and four layers of glaze.

30  MAY/JUNE 2014


you deserve to relax

in your dream home. With mortgage lending experience like ours, just imagine what you’ll do next.

take that to the bank.

Visit mutualofomahabank.com and enter your zip code to ďŹ nd the closest mortgage loan ofďŹ cer at one of our seven Nebraska locations. Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender

AFN45685_0613

STORM DAMAGE EXPERTS Locally owned and operated since 1981 Trust McKinnis

! " ! • Highest quality products

• Insurance claim support

• Nationally top-rated shingles, windows and door brands

• Fully licensed and insured

• Large product selection for nearly any budget

• All products installed by certified installers

Ask about our DOUBLE LIFETIME ROOFING WARRANTY

ÂŽ

0% INTEREST AND NO PAYMENTS FOR 12 MONTHS*

www.mckinnisroofing.com

(RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS, W.A.C.) *Not including insurance claims

Call us today to schedule your free rooďŹ ng, siding or window evaluation.

402-426-2644 inspiredlivingomaha.com  31


Before + After

SMALL BUT

MIGHTY Side porch solves home office dilemma. STORY BY AMY LaMAR AND CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY BEBEE

N

ick and Carolyn Manhart were in desperate need of an upgrade for their home office, but they were short on options. Located in the basement of their 1924 home, the office was “kind of a dungeon,” Nick recalls, and it was cramped from additional use as a storeroom and guest bedroom. “It was not a space that you wanted to be in except for an absolute minimum amount of time,” says Carolyn, a physician at a Dundee clinic who often updates medical records at home. The basement definitely “was not a place to think, study or be creative.” Nick is fairly handy, but avoids getting “knee deep” in remodeling projects since he is busy as a stay-at-home dad to the couple’s four children, who range in age from 4 to 10. A leaky porch ceiling provided the “ah ha” moment – and a solution to their dilemma. Cold in the winter and hot in the summer, the 9x17-foot porch had been dismissed as nothing more than storage space in the Dutch Colonial Revival home purchased by the Manharts in 2004. Today as Carolyn’s office, the space is among the home’s most useful square footage. Tangerine Designs helped the Manharts with a 2011

32  MAY/JUNE 2014

conversion of a three-season room off the kitchen into a family room, “landing zone” and pantry. Happy with the results, the couple reached out to Tangerine’s Tiffany Williams to draw up blueprints for the porch remodel. Work started in November 2012, and by January 2013 Carolyn was working from a custom-built corner desk with a window view. The $30,000 project included raising the porch floor six inches to enable insulation. Then came framing, drywall and windows. “We kept the integrity of the house on the street side,” Nick says. “The office is new, but parts of it feel old.” An exterior door facing the street was removed to allow for a window and a window seat. Original bricks saved from the kitchen-family room remodel 18 months earlier filled the gap under the window on the exterior of the home. A custom French door provides privacy while Carolyn is working, and sunlight from the office windows spills into the living room. “The office is soothing and spacious, even for being a small space,” Carolyn says. “We can store unsightly large binders, stationery and other office supplies behind cabinet doors. With everything in its place, I feel refreshed and organized and able to focus on the task at hand.”


LO

Her new home office has unforeseen benefits: Carolyn Manhart enjoys watching her children play basketball and listening to her neighbor play the piano.

N TIO CA

E

DE

N DU

OM

AH

A

inspiredlivingomaha.com  33


34  MAY/JUNE 2014

The space once occupied by an exterior door is much more useful as a window and window seat. While Carolyn works, her children can kneel at the window seat to color or draw. The cabinets underneath help keep the small room tidy.


WATKINS From barbecues to dinner parties, when it’s time to take life outdoors Watkins has the selection of products to make your dreams a reality. OUTDOOR KITCHENS | PATIOS | RETAINING WALLS

Be Inspired

Design D ig Y Your Backyard B ky d at the Watkins Designer g Showroom

Watkins Concrete Block Company 14306 Giles Road • Omaha, NE 68138 • 402-896-0900 inspiredlivingomaha.com  www.WatkinsConcreteBlock.com • Mon-Fri 7 am-5 pm & Sat 8-11:30 am

35


Gardening

Room for

MOORE A country boy at heart, popular auctioneer enjoys playing in the dirt and watching things grow. STORY BY CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KURT A. KEELER

COURTESY OF HOMEOWNER

W

ith coffee steaming in his cup, S. Scott Moore walks his sprawling yard surveying garden beds and contemplates his next move. He pauses in front of the garden house to take a hard look at the flower beds flanking either side. “I have too many lavender irises,” he recalls of last season’s display. “I need to thin them out.” An immediate game plan defined, Scott wraps up an early-morning inspection of Hoe Hill, his little slice of heaven overlooking the Elkhorn River valley on Omaha’s far western edge. You can set your watch by his routine. “I’m out here at about 7:30 most mornings,” he says. “I just wander around and say, ‘What do I do next?’”

The 100-acre spread has been in the Moore family for a quarter of a century. Scott’s parents, Jim and Dian Moore, bought the land in the mid-1980s with an eye toward someday building a family home on its picturesque plateau. “Everything was overgrown,” recalls Scott, a broker and auctioneer with World Group Commercial Real Estate. “I’m still finding wild irises, lilies and peonies in the tree lines.” Hoe Hill was nicknamed by a previous property owner who enjoyed it as a summer retreat. It was perfect for the senior Moore’s free-range chickens, vegetable gardening and racing pigeons. But neither the previous owner nor Scott’s parents were especially interested in flowers, so Scott acquired the floundering beds by default. Jim Moore died in 2001, but his widow, now

(continued on page 38)

36  MAY/JUNE 2014

COURTESY OF HOMEOWNER


inspiredlivingomaha.com  37


The plateau on the western edge of Hoe Hill provides the perfect spot for catching a sunset or watching a storm roll in.

(continued from page 36)

remarried, continues to live in the house that she and Jim built. Scott lives across the wide lawn in an existing house that has grown both in square footage and number of occupants over the past 20 years. Scott and his wife, Wendy, raised three daughters here. They currently have a 10-year-old nephew and 9-year-old triplet nieces living under their roof. “I still need to get my head wrapped around what I have,” Scott says of his country haven. “This is a full-time job, especially when you don’t let others ‘play’ with you.” During the growing season, Scott spends at least 12 hours a week in his gardens. Even in the rain. “That’s the best time to transplant,” he says. “My garden will never be finished,” he adds. “I keep moving things around.” His favorite time of year is around his birthday in mid-May when irises and peonies are in full bloom. Then there’s the anticipation of eating fresh strawberries, raspberries, cherries, currants and apples. The whole family has come to love Hoe Hill. “My wife expects all three of our daughters to be married here,” Scott says, only half joking. The kids use the garden house for impromptu game nights and jam sessions with their guitars. In autumn, a clearing with a fire pit is the perfect spot for watching movies on a large screen with friends. And in the winter with good snow, the hill in back of his house makes for a whiz-bang toboggan run. “I pack the deck with snow and then ice it down as a launch ramp,” Scott says. “You just fly. It’s awesome!” “I see all of the weeds. Everybody else sees the beauty,” he says with a laugh as he bends down and yanks an offender from the dirt. “That’s why you walk around your garden with a cup of coffee every morning.” Lavender irises, anyone?

38  MAY/JUNE 2014


FAVorite TOOLS

“MY GARDEN

Hand shears for clipping and snipping Tile spade shovel for digging and dividing Stirrup hoe for light weeding

I keep moving things around." – S . S c o t t M o o r e

will never be

f i n i s h e d.

GET THE LOOK Our master gardener's tips for gardens that wow: 1. Plant perennials. Think strong, balanced masses. 2. Build beds in layers. Arrange plants from short to tall and light to dark. 3. Skip the mulch. It's not ideal if you have large beds. “My yard would require a semi truckload of mulch,” Scott says. “It’s expensive, and you lose a good portion of it during spring cleanup. Besides, weeds are a constant battle with or without mulch.” 4. Divide and transplant. Aim for when the weather is cool and wet. The day after a gentle rain generally is ideal. For the best results, keep the base of the plant moist for several days. It’s all about avoiding shock to the plant’s root system.

S. SCOTT MOORE Vice President, World Group Commercial Real Estate

After-hours – when he’s not in his garden – you’ll find him helping non-profits bring in money as Omaha’s most sought-after charity auctioneer. FUN FACT Scott used to have his own lawn and garden service called Gardens & Moore.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  39


PROFILE

She’s doing her part to make Omaha more bike-friendly.

Cycling's STORY BY CARA PESEK PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOOTON IMAGES & KURT A. KEELER

Car-less Sarah Johnson pedals everywhere.

40  MAY/JUNE 2014


Customize Your Space

WHO Sarah Johnson OCCUPATION Owner, Omaha Bicycle Co. EDUCATION Omaha Central High School and University of Nebraska-Lincoln WHAT SHE RIDES A Surly Straggler SHOP MASCOT Copper, an 11-year-old Golden Retriever

Oriental RugPalace

ACCOLADES Omaha Bicycle Co. is among Frostbike’s top 25 bike shops in the United States

Rugs • Furniture • Accessories

FOLLOW THE CONVERSATION Facebook.com/Omaha Bicycle Co.

Cleaning • Repair • Appraisals

980 S 72nd St. Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 390-1122 • www.orientalrugpalace.com

T

o Sarah Johnson, bicycling has always been more of a social activity than a solitary pursuit. When she returned to her native Omaha from Colorado five years ago, she made new friends through cycling. As she became more involved in the local bike scene, she began organizing group rides for social activities like movies and gallery openings. “You give people two wheels and we have something in common,” she says. “It’s a quick community.” Further proof that cycling is a group thing: She owns more than one tandem. Sarah, 33, may be Omaha’s most widely known cycling advocate. In addition to owning Omaha Bicycle Co., a repair shop and coffeehouse in the Benson neighborhood, she is a frequent speaker on bike commuting and an advocate for bike lanes and other amenities and policies to make Omaha friendlier to cyclists and pedestrians. Last year, she successfully lobbied for the city’s first bike corral on Maple Street – in front of her shop.

(continued on page 42)

Maintenance Free Manufactured in the U.S.A. Lifetime Warranty

visit www.omarail.com and click on Free Estimates 2117 S. 156 Circle | 402.216.9911 inspiredlivingomaha.com  41


(continued from page 41)

A key way to make Omaha more bike-friendly, she believes, is to fill it with friendly, courteous bikers. She encourages cyclists to ride as much as they can, setting her own example by using a bike as her main mode of transportation year-round. Sarah first started cycling as a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She bought a used bike for $100, and soon began hanging out at Cycle Works, a bike shop near campus. There she learned how to make simple repairs and adjustments – and then more advanced ones. Eventually she worked her way into a job. After college, she sold advertising briefly before returning to the world of bike shops, first in Omaha and then in Colorado. The latter bike shop/coffee shop became the inspiration for the Omaha Bicycle Co. A failed marriage brought Sarah back to Omaha – a move she initially viewed as a pit stop on the way to somewhere more bike-friendly like Minneapolis or Portland. Over time, she decided to do her part to turn Omaha into a bikefriendly city, too. She’s encouraged by the number of bike-related committees and advocacy groups she is asked to join each year. Another sign that things are moving in the right direction: Business is good at Omaha Bicycle Co., where Sarah stocks sturdy, steel-framed bikes like Surlys and used Bridgestones. “We’re totally spoiled because everyone sends their friends here,” she says. The shop is a meeting place for Mode Shift Omaha, a grassroots group that advocates for diverse transportation options. And then there’s Pedal Happy – the bike shop’s social arm. “It’s like a clubhouse,” she says of the shop. “It has turned into a conspiracy den and I love it.”

42  MAY/JUNE 2014

" Yo u g i v e p e o p l e

TWO WHEELS

and we have something

INS aCOMMON." r a h J o h n s o n

Sarah builds and repairs bikes over the din of coffeehouse regulars at Omaha Bicycle Co. The shop is a favorite among the local cycling community.


… m o r F s g n i t e e r G

PAVED ROADS

The beauty of the Black Hills is evident to all. And while we like to think that the land at Powder House Pass is among the most beautiful in the Hills, many people in the market for a vacation home are even more enchanted by the care we’ve given �� �������� ��� ���������� ������ ����� ���� ����� ��� ����� convenience from modern utilities to paved roads. Talk about beautiful... LEARN MORE AT POWDERHOUSEPASS.COM/NEWHOME

inspiredlivingomaha.com  43


THREADS Nell blouse, $118, Nell short, $148, Four Buttons hat, $45, Mother Earth necklace, $42, all from Garment District.

Appeal

Urban style meets a fiesta of color in backdrops that celebrate South Omaha’s vibrant Latino culture.

ART DIRECTION | Heidi Hoffman PHOTOGRAPHY | Hooton Images WARDROBE STYLING | Cora Coppock HAIR & MAKEUP | Rachel Irika MODEL | Hope, Develop Model Management

44  MAY/JUNE 2014


High low tee, $62, Kain maxi dress, $168, Sir Alistair Rai scarf, $88, all from Piper; Dolce Vita Vasni gladiator sandal, $75, Garment District; Towne & Reese earrings, $8, NJ & Co.; Rings, stylist’s own.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  45


Cals dress, $49, Kut From the Cloth jean jacket, $79, both from Mesh; Prizma necklace, $8, NJ & Co.; Layering bracelets, three for $20, Charming Charlie; Studded bracelet, $10, Anthropologie; Towne & Reese earrings, $8, NJ & Co.

46  MAY/JUNE 2014


Rory Beca silk top, $152, DL1961 denim pant, $158, both from Gramercy; Cordani sandal, $189, The Mix; Taji necklace, $48, Gramercy; Lady Liberty cuff, $10, layering bracelet, three for $20, earrings, $6, all from Charming Charlie; Ring, stylist’s own.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  47


This page: 9-H15 STCL exclusive top, $58, Lilka pant, $88, both from Anthropologie; Necklace and earrings, $15, Charming Charlie; Nakamol cuff, $48, Gramercy. Opposite page: Double Zero dress, $54, Mesh; Fate sweater, $28, NJ & Co.; Dolce Vita sandal, $118, The Mix; Karine Sultan cuff, $58, Mesh; Towne & Reese earrings, $8, NJ & Co.; Ring, stylist’s own.

48  MAY/JUNE 2014


inspiredlivingomaha.com  49


Au Courant

Meet white and neutral, summer’s inseparable duo. Minimalism rules in this top-to-toe trend. But texture keeps things interesting. Accessories? Sleek, chic and timeless.

INTO NEUTRAL WRIT TEN AND STYLED BY MEGHANN SCHENSE MODELED BY KYLEE, DEVELOP MODEL MANAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIN BOX PICTURES

50  MAY/JUNE 2014

Absolutely essential: The sport watch with a classy band.


1.

2.

3.

4.

Opposite Page: Helmut Lang shirt, $268, Vince crop pant, $248, Robert Clergerie oxford, $548, all from Christel’s; Miranda tote, $1,295, Michael Kors; Coach sport watch, $278, Von Maur. This Page: 1. Greylin Celine knit top, $98, Piper; Angle denim crop pant, $158, Gramercy; Chie Mihara T-strap sandal, $344; Rookie messenger bag, $48, Gramercy. 2. Townsen Rookie tank, $148, Gramercy; Dennis Merotto wrap skirt, $450, She.la; Chie Mihara sandal, $344, The Mix. 3. Vince wrap blouse, $268, Christel’s; Gianni Bini skirt, $79, Dillard’s; Claudia Ciuti stiletto, $315, Foley + Corinna handbag, $325, both from The Mix. 4. Helmut Lang jacket, $578, Christel’s; Crop blouse, $34, Mesh; Dennis Merotto pant, $585, She.la; Donald J Pliner sandal, $170, The Mix; Rookie messenger bag, $48, Gramercy.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  51


THE DISH

&

The best part is the dunk! RECIPES BY CHEF-INSTRUCTOR BRIAN O’MALLEY TEXT BY CHELSEA CAW THON PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL JOHNSON

BURGERS BEER BRIAN O'MALLEY Metropolitan Community College chef-instructor

“Throw your tie up and lean over the counter," he jokes as he bites into the juicy burger.

Forget the grill. For a flavorful gourmet burger, a cast iron skillet is your secret weapon. “Cast iron conducts heat evenly,” says Brian O’Malley, chef-instructor at Metropolitan Community College. The result: A golden brown exterior and a juicy center. Compressed onions and tomato confit add a tangy punch, while a savory sauce kicks it up a notch. Serve with an ice cold American ale and hand-cut fries.

52  MAY/JUNE 2014


CAST IRON BURGER

Prep time: About 30 minutes Yield: 4 “tasting” burgers

INGREDIENTS 1½ pounds 80/20 ground beef 1 small shallot, minced 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon fresh oregano, minced 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon butter Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 4 slices artisan cheddar 1 bottle American ale 4 toasted brioche rolls INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a chilled medium metal bowl, add the ground beef, minced shallot, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt and oregano. Mix gently, but well enough to combine. 2. Form mixture into 4 equal balls (Do not overwork because it toughens the meat.) 3. Rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. 4. In a small or medium cast iron skillet over high heat, add a small amount of vegetable oil and heat until shimmering. 5. Once shimmering, add the seasoned meat patties and press down into place with a spatula. Cook the meat over medium-high heat until a good crust forms – about 2 minutes. 6. Flip each burger, and add a dab of butter, black pepper and a slice of cheese. 7. Add a shot of beer to the skillet, and cover with a cheese-melting dome until the cheese is melted. 8. Remove burgers from the skillet, and serve on toasted brioche rolls with compressed onions and tomato confit. Serve the burger sauce on the side for dunking.

COMPRESSED ONIONS

INGREDIENTS ¼ cup red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons kosher salt Sprinkle of brown sugar 2 juniper berries 1 bay leaf 1 red onion, sliced 1/8-inch thick

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the vinegar, salt, brown sugar, juniper berries and bay leaf. Simmer until salt and sugar dissolve. Remove from heat. 2. Put the sliced onions, separated, in a medium sealable food bag. 3. Pour the vinegar mixture into the bag and seal. 4. Store in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until ready to use. 5. Strain and serve.

TOMATO CONFIT

INGREDIENTS 4 Roma tomatoes, peeled and cut into 4 quarters Kosher salt as needed 1-2 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic, sliced into 16 paper-thin slices 16 leaves fresh thyme INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. 2. On a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper, arrange the tomato pieces and season them with salt. Then sprinkle with oil, and add the slices of garlic and thyme leaves. Place in the oven. 3. Cook until the aroma is soft and mellow – about 1 hour. 4. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

BURGER SAUCE

INGREDIENTS ½ cup water 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon tomato paste ½ cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons pickle juice 1 tablespoon prepared mustard 10 celery leaves, minced 3 cloves garlic confit (See recipe below) Dash Worcestershire sauce 2-3 dashes hot sauce (Tapatio, Red Devil or Sriracha) Salt to taste Water as needed INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat water, brown sugar and tomato paste in a saucepan until sugar dissolves. 2. Pour the brown sugar mixture and the rest of the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Thin with water (if needed) to a “dunking,” not “dipping,” consistency. 3. Reserve until ready to use.

GARLIC CONFIT

INGREDIENTS 1 quart peeled garlic cloves 3 cups vegetable oil INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. 2. Place peeled garlic in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. 3. Once boiling, remove from heat and drain. 4. Return garlic to the pot, cover with oil and cook in the oven until light in color – stirring every 20 minutes – for about 90 minutes. 5. Cool as quickly as possible and refrigerate until ready to use.

LEARN COOKING TECHNIQUES AND NEW RECIPES FROM EXPERTS AT THE INSTITUTE FOR THE CULINARY ARTS. MCCNEB.EDU/CE.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  53


destination

The Elms Hotel & Spa Go for the history, or just go to relax. STORY BY STACIE HAMEL PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE ELMS

A

destination spa sounds like nirvana. I love the idea of being pampered and feeling at peace with the world. I think of the Golden Door Spa & Resort in California and the Red Mountain Resort and Spa in Utah. And then I realize that they are totally out of my budget. Not happening. There is a place, though, that’s within a half-day’s drive from Omaha that I first visited as a teenager. I have never forgotten it. A rambling 100-year-old stone hotel built next to hot mineral springs, The Elms Hotel & Spa in Excelsior Springs, Mo., has seen its glory days. From Al Capone and “Pretty Boy” Floyd during Prohibition to President Harry S. Truman on the night of his 1948 election, the hotel offers a storied past. It has also seen economic hardship as well as tragedy – it burned twice before being rebuilt in 1912 with Missouri limestone. The Elms was a bit rough around the edges in the early 1980s when my parents first took our family there. Over

54  MAY/JUNE 2014

the years I’ve returned several times, and I have witnessed hopeful refurbishments that have never quite returned the grand old building to its polished potential. Until now. Fresh from a $20 million renovation, The Elms boasts enticing new enhancements and special touches. Under new owner the Widewaters Group, the latest renovation has touched every area of the hotel. Business reportedly is markedly up, and General Manager Eric Busick is anticipating a record year. Most noticeable to this guest is the expanded spa. Upgrades focus on the hotel’s historical ties to healing waters, Busick says. “The basis of water is that it’s the essence of life.” The 25,000-square-foot spa offers an array of á la carte treatments. These range from the usual manicures, pedicures and facials to the expensive and extensive, such as a six-step Moroccan detoxification ritual ($140) and a “signature” rose petal salt scrub ($95). While locals typically plan daylong visits, you’ll probably want to indulge in an overnight stay.


Rel ax 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

MUST-DO Indulgences Stay a step ahead.

Claim your pedicure chair now.

VICHY SHOWER MASSAGE A combination of flowing water, hot stones and massage. HYDROTHERAPY BATH Specially made tubs allow you to control the water, jets, lights and sound. Add-ins like juniper, eucalyptus, milk and honey enhance the experience. THE GROTTO A self-serve array of luxuries, from an exfoliation bar and hot tub to dry and steam saunas. I alternated each one with a quick turn under a cold plunge shower. True to its name, the Grotto has the feel of an underground cave. Enjoy it on a day pass for $55, or book a spa service and access the Grotto for free (the best value).

1007 Farnam St. • 402.934.2909 urbanesalonanddayspa.com inspiredlivingomaha.com  55


Where Luxury and Comfort Come Home

The Elms Hotel & Spa (continued from page 55)

Mention this ad and receive 10% OFF your purchase.

Rockbrook Village • 11006 Prairie Brook Road • Omaha NE 68144 402-492-9855 • www.earlytobed.com

an exciting announcement...

LIVE OUR WEBSITE IS FINALLY

GOOD TO KNOW PACKAGES Day spa packages range from $162 to $554 per person. Custom packages are also available. Overnight accommodations can be booked with or without spa services. POOL & SPA SERVICES It isn’t necessary to book a spa service in order to access the hotel’s outdoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs or underground lap pool. You can soak for free! RECREATION The Elms sits on 16 acres of well-manicured grounds, and includes a golf course, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, bocce ball, badminton and shuffleboard. Enjoy a day of recreation, then wind down with a massage.

WWW.SHOP-MESH.COM W.SHOP MESH.COM

ENJOY 15% OFF

your first order with Promo Code MESH15 Promo Code is good thru June 30, 2014

402-359-1199 SHOPS OF LEGACY • 168TH & CENTER, #147

56  MAY/JUNE 2014

CUISINE Fine dining is available on the premises. But just one block away from the hotel is the inexpensive Wabash BBQ and Blues Garden. The barbecue is good, but go for the sweet corn nuggets. STAY AWHILE For an extended stay, the Excelsior Springs area offers several shops and wineries, as well as the Hall of Waters Visitor Center and Cultural Museum and The Jesse James Farm & Museum. 816-630-5500 elmshotelandspa.com


within a day’s drive LIED LODGE A 144-room lodge adjacent to the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure. The lodge features a spa area offering massages and body treatments, an indoor pool and a private golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. Located in Nebraska City, Neb. 800-546-5433 liedlodge.org THE RAJ A 36,000-square-foot retreat created to offer traditional Ayurveda rejuvenation and wellness treatments with guidance from experts in India. Ayurveda is a 6,000-year-old system of preventive health care. Located in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa (near Fairfield). 800-864-8714, ext. 9000 theraj.com BIRDWING SPA A 300-acre resort spa where guests partake not only in pampering body treatments, but also indoor and outdoor fitness activities ranging from hiking and kayaking to biking and crosscountry skiing. Located near Litchfield, Minn. 320-693-6064 birdwingspa.com

inspiredlivingomaha.com  57


Gift Guide

New faves BROUGHT TO YOU BY THESE SPONSORS

Meek yet mighty. The new Sony DCS-WX350.

A smokin’ hot Father’s Day gift. Prices vary.

You can’t do this with a smartphone. You can snap pinsharp, 18.2MP photos from afar with this 20x zoom camera that fits in your pocket. Or, you can record full 1080 HD videos and easily upload either to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or NFC connectivity. A FREE CLASS is included with a purchase. Give the gift of great photography from Rockbrook Camera.

Your Father’s Day headquarters. “Dad.” “Father.” “Pops.” Whatever you call him, we’ve got just what you need to show him you care. Don’t buy him a tie – get him something he’ll really enjoy. Offering a world-class selection of cigars and quality cigar accessories of all types, and a wide selection of humidors, cutters, lighters and torches. We have it all.

ROCKBROOK CAMERA 108th & West Center; 402-397-1171 169th & West Center; 402-691-0003 rockbrookcamera.com

Frame it! Starting at $19. Picture the possibilities. Mud Pie and Rhonda Rhine Designs wood frames with burlap and rhinestone detail are ideal for Mother’s Day, graduations, weddings or baby gifts. These best-sellers are perfect for any occasion or décor, and they come in many sizes and styles suitable for anyone on your list.

NJ & CO. 17650 Wright St., #4; 402-502-1962 njandcompany.com

58  MAY/JUNE 2014

SAFARI CIGARS & LOUNGE 13110 Birch Drive; 402-965-1460 safaricigarsandlounge.com

The go-to accessory for fashionable moms and grads. Clutch wallet, $143. This handcrafted versatile leather wallet features a contrast peek-a-boo lining at the cutout pattern. It also has whipstitched edges; a magnetic snap closure at the tab; and a lined interior featuring two zipped pockets, eight bill slots, an ID slot and six card slots. THE MIX 8710 Countryside Plaza 402-933-7995 themixshoes.com


Plan Pros

Saturdays 10am - 2pm

More Foolproof, fail-safe Bets Dad • Rib eyes for the grill; box of four $85.99, Omaha Steaks • Bombay Sapphire Far East Gin (a rare find), 750ML $27.99, Spirit World • Borgata Single Malt White Whisky, 375ML $14.99, Borgata Brewery & Distillery

Mom • Begonia or impatiens moss wreath $49.99, Lanoha • Personalized note cards and envelopes; set of 50 $49, Village Stationery

Your Guy Grad • Airplane-print silk tie that says, “I’m going places” $59.50, Banana Republic • Mercer top-zip leather work bag $268, Fossil • The Art of Shaving carry-on kit $60, Sephora

Your Gal Grad • Leather Daily crossbody, Pink Ruby $198, Coach • Bose noise-cancelling headphones $299.99, Nebraska Furniture Mart • Seiko ladies chronograph watch with Swarovski crystal dial $285, Gunderson's

inspiredlivingomaha.com  59


Connoisseur

KAIT BERRECKMAN barista

“Being a barista is a very creative job. So many aspects of it require you to be on your toes. Latte art is the fun of it.”

60  MAY/JUNE 2014


designing learning spaces for curious minds

Espresso with a flourish Latte art is your seal of quality. STORY & STYLING BY AMY LaMAR PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL JOHNSON

T

hat artful design in the light, fluffy foam of your latte is serious business for baristas like Kait Berreckman. To pour good latte art – and have it hold up to the bottom of your cup – requires good-quality crema (the top of an espresso shot) and perfectly textured steamed milk, or microfoam. A barista also needs a steady hand for topping off your cup with what has become a “seal of quality” in coffeehouses across the country. Getting the hang of a design takes practice, says Berreckman, the lead coffee trainer for baristas at Aromas Coffeehouse in Omaha. While a barista’s best designs have a lot to do with timing, Berreckman insists that a barista could pick up the basics in as few as three hours. While she honed her craft partly by watching YouTube videos, Aromas manager Sharon Davis credits Berreckman for setting a standard. She pours slowly and carefully in a circle, which creates a base for her art, and then brings the pitcher closer to the cup to draw the design. Now, a “naked” latte just won’t do when Berreckman is your barista. She enjoys serving up an element of surprise. “It makes the experience that much more special.”

add the wow factor to home play spaces

Reggio-Inspired Learning! BY APPOINTMENT

10816 Elm Street Rockbrook Village Omaha, Ne 68144

Peggy Pawloski LEARNING SPACES SPECIALIST

402-206-9928 -9928

‘THROW-DOWNS’ Aromas Coffeehouse hosts quarterly latte art “throw-downs." The events are open to all baristas, and the audience decides the winner. Catch the next competition at 6:30 p.m. July 10 at the downtown location, 1033 Jones St.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  61


Ehly’s Interiors

Voila!

Hunter Douglas Blinds Window Treatments Interior Design Service Flooring and Upholstery 37 years family owned & operated

Making your home, your life more beautiful. Fabulous furniture for every décor, gifts and fresh flowers for every occasion.

2312 Bob Boozer Dr. 402-330-6557 ehlysinteriors.com

Gramercy

T. Hurt Construction Turning Dreams Into Reality.

Lauritzen Gardens Gift Shop

Remodeling Custom Homes Concrete

A distinctive selection of nature-inspired gifts, home & garden décor, books, tools, stationery, jewelry & more. Bring the pleasures of the garden home.

4922 Dodge St. 402-991-1970 voilaflowers.com

402-510-9858 thurtconstruction.com

100 Bancroft St. 402-346-4002, ext. 250 lauritzengardens.org

Freshly Organized

Textiles

Garment District

Inspired by one of Manhattan’s most fashionable neighborhoods, Gramercy is Omaha’s key to contemporary New York style. Find us at Countryside Village.

We offer professional organizing services for your home, office, children & life. Our team will help create customized systems to make your space fun, fresh & functional.

Have it all. Interior design. Custom upholstery. Drapery and wallpaper. Unique furnishings.

A New York shopping experience. Featuring women’s contemporary clothing & accessories from wellknown and emerging designers. The Shops of Legacy.

84th & Pacific 402-934-2111 gramercyomaha.com

402-670-3271 freshlyorganized.com

149th & Industrial Road 402-399-8764 textilesinteriors.com

168th & Center 402-557-6100 garmentdistrictomaha.com

Le Peep

Piper

Sweet D's

The Linen Gallery

Yves DeLorme Etoile Towels 7 Sizes in 21 Fashion Colors

A clever and original culinary concept with a menu that reads like a cookbook. Our food is prepared fresh daily. Voted Omaha’s Best Breakfast four years in a row!

Piper has a hand-selected mix of the season’s finest affordable pieces & splurges. The fashion forward lineup is set to inspire the fashionista in all of us.

Inspiring decor, vintage pieces, custom upholstered furniture, exquisite floral arrangements and so much more. Check out the cozy boutique for making your home your sanctuary.

Exclusively at The Linen Gallery Our Best Seller!

Three area locations lepeep.com

One Pacific Place 402-932-7001 shoppiper.com

920 N. 204th St., Elkhorn 402-884-7804 facebook.com/Sweet-Ds-Design

Regency Court 402-399-5242 LinensandDown.com

GET NOTICED 62  MAY/JUNE 2014

CONTACT US TODAY TO PROMOTE YOUR VERY SPECIAL BUSINESS IN INSPIRED LIVING OMAHA; 402-444-1209.


Embassy Suites Make a Difference Award 2012 & 2013 Embassy Suites #1 Ranked Hotel 2009, 2010 & 2011 Courtyard by Marriott Community Service Award 2013 Alice S. Marriott Community Service Hall of Honor 2013 Meetings Focus Best of Mid America Award 2013

The Embassy Suites and Courtyard by Marriott in La Vista are proud to be awardwinning hotels for their Project SEARCH host site – a school-to-work program for students with special needs in partnership with the Papillion La Vista School District. Their classroom is onsite, where their learning experience includes three rotations of 10 weeks each in a range of hotel and conference departments that include housekeeping, engineering, restaurants, kitchens and banquets. Guests and staff alike appreciate their integration, and soon discover their unique skills are a valuable asset. Embassy Suites and Courtyard by Marriott also host a Business Advisory Council to assist the students in ďŹ nding meaningful employment following graduation. Having hired 11 students from their 2013 and 2014 classes, the staff is looking forward to welcoming the class of 2015!

courtyardlavista.com

embassysuiteslavista.com

Call 402-408-5470 to become involved with Project SEARCH, or to book your corporate meeting, group or social event. Voted Make a Difference Award winner by the staff of all Embassy Suites properties around the world. Ranked #1 Embassy Suites worldwide in quality, service and guest satisfaction We are proud to be hosting the 2014 Project SEARCH International Conference in July 2014, bringing together over 250 worksites from around the world.


Be Well [ COMPILED BY SANDRA WENDEL ]

DON'T BE A DUMBBELL Simple strength training with easy-to-lift weights helps women of any age become stronger and leaner. Twice-a-week routines help improve balance and flexibility and protect against weakened bones. Because muscle is metabolically active and fat is not, when you increase your muscle mass you’re able to burn more calories – even at rest.

Security • Privacy • Elegance

ATTN: COUCH POTATOES Sneak activity into your day – and watch TV, too. Stand up during every commercial and walk in place. You’ll get about 20 minutes of activity every hour.

MANAGED GUILT What’s the equivalent of 100 calories when you’re craving chocolate? 5 Hershey’s Kisses 30 plain M&Ms 3 Dove dark chocolate hearts

MOO NEWS Add a glass of milk a day to the apple-a-day advice. Milk drinkers score better on memory and brain function tests.

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

64  MAY/JUNE 2014

Sources: Robert Sweetgall, author “Walking Off Weight”; International Dairy Journal; Mayo Clinic; Loyola Center for Fitness.


A N O M A H A W O R L D - H E R A L D P U B L I C AT I O N

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 4 INSPIREDLIVINGOMAHA.COM

The Company that's Making a

SPLASH in Omaha

Richly Layered

Finely Crafted MUCH MORE THAN JUST LANDSCAPING CUSTOM SWIMMING POOL PROJECTS CABANA HOUSES & OUTDOOR KITCHENS FIRE & WATER FEATURES PAVER DRIVEWAYS, PATIOS & POOL DECKS LANDSCAPING LIGHTING TO ENHANCE ANY OUTDOOR SPACE

Local projects designed and installed by Elite Landscaping

L a n d s c a p i n g

402-330-7811 elitelandscapingomaha.com

inspiredlivingomaha.com  1


A N O M A H A W O R L D - H E R A L D P U B L I C AT I O N

Go topless.

Stan Olsen Audi

808 North 102nd Street - Omaha, Nebraska 402- 397- 8200 - www.stanolsenaudi.com

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 4 INSPIREDLIVINGOMAHA.COM

A5 Cabriolet quattro

Richly Layered

Finely Crafted

inspiredlivingomaha.com  1


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.