Inspired Home Omaha by Omaha World-Herald

INSPIRED 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

May/June 2012

Travel Europe Like a Local

OMAHA

The Style Issue!

Get this look in Omaha

Where are the top-dollar homes?

TREND ALERT

Fresh paint palettes

ANTONIO

MELANI “Anoki” colorblocked halter blouse, admiral navy/white, $119. “Minnie” ankle pants, blood orange, $119.

You’ve Built equitY. Now Build somethiNg with it. You’ve spent many years in your home. You’ve built memories. You’ve built equity. Equity that will sit and collect dust unless you put it to use. With a First Equityline from First National Bank, you can use that equity to pay for things you’ve always dreamed of. A new kitchen. A renovated bathroom. A European vacation. You name it, a First Equityline from First National Bank can help you achieve it – with no closing costs*, local credit decisions and extraordinary service. Start making your home’s equity work for you. Call one of our expert bankers today at 402.602.5626. Or, for more information, visit www.firstnational.com/homeequity.

36 area locations | 402.602.5626 | Member FDIC

*Contact a Personal Banker to determine “No Closing Costs” program eligibility and limitations. Appraisal or property assessment may be required at borrower’s expense which may range from $45 to $400. Offer expires June 30, 2012.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 3

MAY/JUNE 2012

Volu m

FRI JUNE84-9PM SATJUNE93-9PM

Editor in Chief Chris Christen 402-444-1094 Chris.Christen@owh.com Creative Director Ananda Spadt 402-444-1351 Ananda.Spadt@owh.com

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT BRIX!

$45 PER PERSON

Imaging & Production Coordinator Patricia “Murphy” Benoit Writers Heather Winkel, Tina King, Laura Schreier, Krystal Overmyer, Kim Carpenter, Joanne Gallagher & Pat Waters

INCLUDES

$10 Brix gift card

Photographers Daniel Johnson, Rebecca S. Gratz, Kent Sievers, Kurt A. Keeler, Dev Hanumara, Amy Lynn Straub, Adam Gallagher & Jeffrey Bebee

if purchased prior to June 8, 2012

Riedel tasting glass

Copy Editor Amy LaMar Editorial Assistant Madalyn Shea

Samples of more than 100 wines

SING ADVERTI

Small plates from

Events and Custom Publishing Manager Tam Webb 402-444-3125 Tam.Webb@owh.com

Kona Grill, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Brix, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse

Two Vibes at Village Pointe Concert Series featuring

Local Sales Manager Carrie Kentch 402-444-1448 Carrie.Kentch@owh.com

Friday, June 8 - Finest Hour Saturday, June 9 - The Innocence

Account Representative Jessica Freedman 402-444-1416 Jessica.Freedman@owh.com

Village Pointe Shopping Center | 168th and West Dodge Road

Account Representative Cathleen Vanhauer 402-444-1209 Cathleen.Vanhauer@owh.com

21 AND OLDER | RAIN OR SHINE | ONE DAY PASS | NON-REFUNDABLE

BENEFITTING

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT VILLAGEPOINTESHOPPING.COM OR BRIXOMAHA.COM

4 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

EDITORIAL

AND

PRESENTED BY

Issu e

Inspired Ho

meOmah a.co

She spent three weeks in France and fell in love with Paris. A collage of photos is a daily reminder of the city.

"A GOOD TRAVELER HAS NO FIXED PLANS, and is NOT INTENT on ARRIVING."

DANIEL JOHNSON

Lao Tzu

GET THE COLOR Midnight in the Tropics; Diamond Vogel 8309

inspiredhomeomaha.com 5

Dear Readers: was 15 months old when I made my first trip abroad with my Swiss-born parents. I sat on my father’s knee, and I’ve often been told that I cried the entire length of the trip. I can only imagine how uncomfortable that flight must have been for my dad. A cranky toddler is never met with polite, understanding smiles from airline passengers. At the time, most overseas travelers were business men. Women rarely flew independently, and family travel was reserved for the very rich, which my parents were not. Everybody traveled in their Sunday best, and proper decorum demanded that all personal grooming (diaper-changing especially) be done in the privacy of an incredibly tiny powder room. That 1960s trip to Switzerland would be the first of many for me. Thanks to my parents, who worked long and hard for each overseas visit, I grew to know my relatives and to understand and appreciate a culture different from my own. This summer, I am looking forward to introducing my brother’s three teenagers to their grandparents’ beloved homeland. In addition to meeting their cousins, we're planning a few alpine thrills for the memory book. My hope is that my niece and nephews will be inspired to return on their own someday. Or even better, develop a yen to see more of the world. Regardless, this first trip "across the pond" for them is bound to be a lot less frightening than mine apparently was … In this issue, we celebrate a world of travel with a special component for wanderlusts everywhere. Happy and safe journeys near and far!

Chris Christen Editor in Chief Inspired Home Omaha

6 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

region Postcard from Valais, Switzerland, the

where Mom grew up.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: REBECCA S. GRATZ

SCHOLZ IMAGES INC.

Mom at the Zurich Hauptbahnhof in1956. I want my photo taken in the same spot!

SOAK YOU’VE IT UP EARNED IT

AFFORDABLE LUXURY 1-, 2- AND 3-BEDROOM CONDOS FROM $169,900 TO $500,000 A hectic day washed away. You deserve an oasis, a commotion-free comfort zone where you can luxuriate and radiate. DREAMS MEET REALITY: Rejuvenating spa shower Spacious double vanity with custom, oversized, mirrored wall cabinets Custom designer lighting adds style and grace to your bath and vanity

Schedule an appointment today. This is not an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, real property. Purchasers should review the Federal Property Report prior to signing a contract. 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.

402-934-6450 www.midtowncrossing.com Sales Center 200 South 31st Ave., Omaha

inspiredhomeomaha.com 7

DEPARTMENTS CONTENTS STYLISH HOME 8 HOMESPIRATION Spring-inspired colors right from the runway 10 BEFORE & AFTER 11 CURBWISE Where are the high-end homes selling? FEATURE 14 TERRARIUMS Tutorial: Make a tiny world under glass 19 THE ARCHIVE 58 DESIGN DONE RIGHT Decorating with auction house, estate sale finds 62 ICON The monogrammed napkin

PERSONAL STYLE 12 WISH LIST Fair Trade goods FEATURES 20 THE NEW MODERN Today's take on the mid-century aesthetic 31 COLOR BURST Color-blocked clothing from Dillard's 34 SEASON OF CHANGE A pop of neon, a touch of tribal 63 MICRO-TREND

TRAVEL IN STYLE 18 LIBRARY Rediscover Nebraska

On the Cover Models: Rebecca Culhane & Jasmine Fulberth Photography: Amy Lynn Straub See more on page 20.

FEATURE 38 SUPREMELY INVITING The French Provincial home 46 FIELD TRIP Michael Kelly at home in Italy; Budapest and Madrid as locals explore it. 54 AT THE HEART Little Italy's charm 57 HOST A taste of Parma

64 ART Captivating landscapes

8 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

REBECCA S. GRATZ

61 COCKTAILS WITH World traveler Jan Buckingham

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

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Homespiration

Spring-Inspired

The season’s trendiest colors right from the runway BY A N A N DA S PA DT

Beautiful blooms. Sunny days. It’s time to take a vacation and let your cares melt away. Create a soft, peaceful place to go home to with these fresh spring color palettes. Sandy Agar-Studelska, color marketing and decorating products manager for Diamond Vogel, suggests Grand Duke as a beautiful alternative to red or orange. This trendy tangerine hue pairs perfectly with sage green and aqua. Soft buttery yellows and purples are still going strong, she says. Here are some Omaha-inspired palettes featuring must-have colors for spring 2012. WILD FLOWERS

BIG SPLASH

Lilac Lady Diamond Vogel 7114

SW 6840 Exuberant Pink

Cherry Bon Bon Diamond Vogel AC 135

SW 7663 Monorail Silver

Grand Duke Diamond Vogel 8053

SW 7602 Indigo Batik

DANCING LIGHTS SW 6878 Animated Coral

SUNSET Sunny Disposition Diamond Vogel 7882

SW 6979 Verve Violet

Timeworn Terracotta Diamond Vogel 8014

SW 6662 Summer Day

Vintage Velvet Diamond Vogel 7190

BREEZY DAY

FRESH COAT OF PAINT

SW 6527 Blissful Blue

Baby Aqua Diamond Vogel 7507 Spring Fever Diamond Vogel 7899

SW7044 Amazing Gray

Woodland Sage Diamond Vogel 7622

10 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

WORLD-HERALD ARCHIVE

SW 6242 Bracing Blue

Calendar of Events Omaha Farmers Market

The Outdoor Market at Midtown Crossing

Spring Parade Of Homes

May 5-Oct 13 The Old Market & Aksarben Village Fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, plants, baked goods, handmade items and other specialty goods from more than 100 local vendors.

Memorial Day-Labor Day Midtown Crossing at Turner Park, 31st and Farnam Streets

May 11-20 Greater Omaha Tour of new homes sponsored by the Home Building Professionals of Greater Omaha Inc.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, 11th and Jackson Streets in the Old Market; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays at Aksarben Village, 67th Street and West Center Road

Village Pointe Farmers Market

Admission: Free

Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays

Information: www. omahafarmersmarket.org

Hours: 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays Admission: Free

May-October Village Pointe Shopping Center, 168th Street and West Dodge Road

Spring Into Spring

May 19 Midtown Crossing Daytime interactive shopping experience featuring pop-up retail shops. Evening VIP rooftop fashion show; entertainment by Quixotic Fusion.

May 19-20 Lauritzen Gardens Omaha’s Botanical Center Two-day sale of bedding plants grown and propagated in the Lauritzen Gardens greenhouses, plus offerings from local garden clubs, plant societies and environmental organizations. Live entertainment and food vendors, too.

Admission: $15 Information: www.hautecity.com

Admission: Free Information: www.hbpomaha.com

Admission: Free

Haute City

Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight

Hours: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays; noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

Downtown Living Tour May 19 Downtown Omaha Explore the urban lifestyle in a tour of downtown condominiums. See jLofts, Dunsany Flats, Midtown Crossing, The Paxton and more. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: downtownomaha living.com

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Free Information: www.lauritzengardens.org

Village Pointe Wine Festival

Omaha Summer Arts Festival

June 8-9 Village Pointe Shopping Center, 168th Street and West Dodge Road Wine lovers will get a chance to sip more than 100 wines and savor food offerings from nearby restaurants. Tickets are $45 and are on sale at Brix, a wine and spirits shop. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Food Bank for the Heartland.

June 8-10 Vicinity of Gene Leahy Mall, downtown Omaha Artists market, live music, children’s pavilion, young artist exhibition, Taste Fest.

Admission: $45 Hours: 4-9 p.m. Friday; 3-9 p.m. Saturday Information: www.brixomaha.com

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Admission: Free Information: www. summerarts.org/2012

Architects of Air June 23-30 Turner Park at Midtown Crossing Monumental inflatable structure (11,000 square feet) with a dazzling maze of tunnels and soaring domes that immerse visitors in the beauty of light and color. Presented by Midtown Crossing in partnership with Nebraska Arts Council. Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. daily Admission: $5 per person; children ages 2 and younger free. Special rate for groups of 10 or more; 402-351-5954. Wheelchair accessible.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 11

Before & After

BEFORE

Designed to Grow

Custom fabric perfect for mom and daughter

BY A N A N DA S PA DT

almost tossed out this chair a dozen times. The arm was wobbly. The cream fabric was stained and clashed with our other furniture. I challenged A&A Textiles, located in the Mastercraft Building, to transform my tired chair into something my daughter would want to keep long after she’s grown. Amanda Lipman and Alexandra Fredericks first looked at her nursery to determine the style and colors for a custom fabric. They also asked about my daughter's interests (animals). Once I signed off on the tortoise and hare design, they ordered the print and whisked away my chair to be painted and reupholstered by Bridey Rathjen at affordable-drapery.com. The result: a playful one-of-a-kind piece that is sophisticated enough to be in our living room but was designed for the nursery. See other fabric designs: AandATextiles.com

AFTER DANIEL JOHNSON

12 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

Curbwise CURBWISE.COM INVESTIGATES

Top Median Sales Prices We looked closer at the three neighborhoods in Douglas County that had the top median sales prices* from March 2011 to March 2012.

Trailridge Ranches

Rural Northwest

West Dodge Station

$460,000

$380,000

$350,000

median sales price

Trailridge Ranches topped the metro with a median sales price of nearly half a million dollars. This puts the neighborhood at its highest level since 2006, when homes went for more than $600,000. Nine homes were sold at prices ranging from $250,000 to nine times that amount in the year analyzed. The spring of 2011 was the hottest time for this neighborhood – March and April accounted for half of the sales volume. 2010 population: 779

2000 population: 636

Boundaries: Reaching from Center Street to the north and Harrison Street to the south and stretching from 204th Street to the Elkhorn River. Neighborhood also includes: The Sanctuary, The Hamptons, Coventry, The Farm

RECENTLY PURCHASED PROPERTY

The Rural Northwest, a massive plot of land making up the northwest corner of Douglas County, continued to see median sales prices increase. At $380,000, the median sales price topped 2010 levels and set yet another record high for the emerging suburban area.

The top two neighborhoods lacked sales volume, but West Dodge Station more than made up the difference. With 47 sales in the neighborhood, home prices continued their steep ascent. The median price of $350,000 set a record for the neighborhood. Sales prices were relatively consistent across the area, with no homes selling for more than $800,000.

2010 population: 1,228 2000 population: 975

2010 population: 3,919 2000 population: 1,783

Boundaries: Reaching from the Elkhorn River on the west to about 168th Street on the east and Dutch Hall Road to the north and West Maple Road to the south.

Boundaries: From West Maple Road to West Dodge Road and 180th to 204th Streets.

Neighborhood also includes: Bennington Lake area and Waterloo

RECENTLY PURCHASED PROPERTY

Neighborhood also includes: Elkhorn Highland Ridge, Fair Meadows, Five Fountains, Piney Creek, Winterburn

RECENTLY PURCHASED PROPERTY

Four more neighborhoods had median sales prices above $300,000: Regency, Elkhorn South, Pacific Woods and Village Pointe. *Sales are based on filings with the county register of deeds and have not been reviewed or adjusted.

DOUGLAS COUNTY ASSESSOR'S OFFICE

CO M P I L E D BY MAT T W YN N

Correction: Westin Hills, one of Douglas County's hottest-selling neighborhoods, is primarily a Celebrity Homes development. The neighborhood was incorrectly referenced in our March/April issue. Information provided in partnership with Curbwise.com, your one-stop shop for the latest on real estate in Douglas County. Track housing sales (weekly updates). Look up your property valuation. See how your property compares with nearby homes. All at Curbwise.com.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 13

Wish list

Global Goodness

Each time you purchase a Fair Trade product, you give an artisan in an underdeveloped country a better way of life. Since 2010, Lincoln native Brooke Mullen has traveled thousands of miles to connect artisans in Southeast Asia with the global marketplace. Mullen’s company, Sapahn, donates a portion of its profits to give a young Burmese woman the opportunity to participate in a two-year education program in Thailand. The Mix, a shoe and accessories boutique in Countryside Village, carries the collection. 8.

1. Sapahn handbeaded and crocheted necklace, $40, at The Mix.

3. Sapahn woven oblong silk scarf, $85, at The Mix.

4. Threads of Hope Inc. bracelets, $2 each, available at select Crane Coffee locations. Discovered by Omahan Samara Murtaugh while on a mission trip to the Philippines. Fifty percent of each sale goes to the women and children who make the bracelets.

14 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

5. Sapahn leather mini purse with detachable strap, $65, at The Mix.

6. Sapahn open-weave scarf, $42, at The Mix.

7. Good Works faux leather wrap bracelet, $27, at On a Whim.

8. Sapahn vintage tapestry handbag, $220, at The Mix. KURT A. KEELER

2. AngelWorks bracelets, $8 each, by Angel Guardians Inc. based in Omaha. Available at On a Whim at the Shops of Legacy.

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{

BRING NATURE into your HOME WITH an INDOOR GARDEN — a TINY WORLD that you CREATE YOURSELF.

A Miniature World BY H E AT H E R W I N K E L & K R I S T I N A H O P K I N S PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEV HANUMARA

errariums come in all shapes, sizes and varieties. They bring a snippet of the outdoors in and allow you to create a whole new world right inside your home. Escape to a faraway desert with unfamiliar succulents and colored sand. Relax on a beach and search for seashells or explore a rain forest with feathery plants and moss. These modern gardens don’t require the greenest thumb. 16 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

}

In fact, some terrariums require hardly any maintenance. A little planning can go a long way in creating the perfect terrarium. Start by picking a vessel (you can’t go wrong with a clear, watertight container) and plants. Open terrariums are best for dry plants such as succulents and cacti, while containers and planters with covers, lids or doors create an ideal ecosystem for ferns, mosses and tropical plants. continued on page 16

homegrown

value everyday the

design team is ready trees

trees trees

our

color is overflowing

192nd & Center

www.lanohanurseries.com

â&#x20AC;&#x192;402.289.4103 inspiredhomeomaha.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 17

What you’ll need: Vessel (not shown) Plants Bamboo tongs Wooden wedge Brushes Garden shears Charcoal Potting soil Sand Rocks Decorative pebbles Water mister

Travel-Inspired Terrariums Desert. Go Southwestern style with cacti and deeptoned succulents. Layer dark and light sands, letting them sweep naturally as if blown by the wind. Add pieces of turquoise, feathers or even a dream catcher. Beach. Layer several colors of light sand and fill with air plants. Because air plants aren’t planted, you can get away with only sand (no pebbles, potting soil or charcoal), creating a beachy feel. Finish with seashells, sea glass, driftwood, coral or other beach finds. Rain forest. Create a lush, humid rain forest in a closed vessel with character (think wood or metal accents). Forgo sand, go heavy on moss and pair low-lying ferns with taller tropical plants. Add pieces of wood and porcelain trinkets for an enchanted look.

Take care Place dry plant terrariums in bright, indirect sunlight. Give about 1/8 cup of water per plant every one to two weeks. Take care not to overwater. Closed, wet terrariums require minimum care. Mist with water when soil looks dry. Condensation is good, but if droplets form remove the lid to allow the terrarium to dehumidify. Trim fast-growing plants as necessary.

18 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

GATHER SUPPLIES

MAKE A BASE About an inch of rock or pebbles helps with drainage.

KEEP THINGS FRESH Add a thin layer of charcoal.

CREATE A HOME Cover charcoal with potting soil.

PLANT TIME Create divots with a wooden wedge. Use tongs to place your plants in the potting soil; mist lightly. Don’t overcrowd – give plants room to grow.

TOP IT OFF Cover soil with sand (use moss for wet soil terrariums). Use brush to dust extra sand from leaves. Top off your creation with decorative elements such as shells and pebbles.

BUCKINGHAM Waterstone Collection TM

9101 Military Rd Omaha, NE 68134 PH: 402-572-4044 www.martinscountertops.com

inspiredhomeomaha.com 19

Library

Rediscover Nebraska

Whether you’re new to Nebraska or a native son or daughter, here are four books from The Bookworm you really should get your hands on just for the fun of it.

Insiders’ Guide to Omaha & Lincoln Sarah Baker Hansen Insiders’ Guide, $16.95

From nightlife and entertainment to children’s activities, this guide to Omaha and Lincoln lists the best of the best in cuisine, accommodations and activities. Keep one in your car for days when you feel like exploring in your own backyard.

The Complete Roadside Guide to Nebraska Alan Boye Bison Books, $21.95

The author travels more than 12,000 miles in 93 counties to produce a guide that takes you along pioneer roads and folklore.

Nebraska Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places

Above All Others On a Stream: Legends, Folklore, Tidbits of Omaha

Diana Lambdin Meyer GPP Travel, $14.95

Expect the unexpected from one Nebraska county to the next. Discover what lies under the surface of towns large and small. Random facts and odd attractions help this guide live up to its name.

Betty J. Davis Douglas County Historical Society, $16.95 Complete with a narrated driving tour of Omaha, this conversational look at the city’s past illustrates the businesses, landmarks and stories that make Omaha unique.

VISIT OUR Registered Showroom 13827 INDUSTRIAL RD, OMAHA, NE

402.330.3400 www.kbbriggs.com 20 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

The Archive

1960 CAPTION

Atomic bomb shelter built at a model home at 7516 Hartman Ave.

CREDIT Omaha World-Herald archive

inspiredhomeomaha.com 21

22 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

MODELS Rebecca Culhane & Jasmine Fulberth FASHION STYLING Cora Rasp CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ananda Spadt HAIR Kirby Keomysay, Kontempo Salon MAKEUP James Sawyer and Danielle Lemke for Chanel

THE NEW MODERN P H OTO G R A P H Y BY A M Y LY N N S T R AU B

id-century modern design in fashion is wrapped up in more than the cocktail culture of the '50s and '60s. Fashionistas are embracing a less-is-more aesthetic and are making a statement with clean lines and carefully considered accessories much like architecture and interior design from the period. Exquisitely edited, both yesterday and today.

Black Candela dress, $220; white and gold hoop earrings, $24, both from Garment District; gold triple-banded cuff, $24; Poppy Hobo bag, $138, both from Kajoma’s Makeup: Regarde Perle shadow quad, Noir-Lamé liner duo, Inimitable Intense mascara in black, Tweed Pink blush and Rouge Coco lipstick in Mademoiselle, all from Chanel at Von Maur.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 23

Sequence tank dress, $289; hoop earrings, $48, from Garment District. Makeup: Regarde Perle shadow; Noir-Lamé liner duo; Inimitable Intense black mascara; Tweed Pink blush; Rouge Coco lipstick in Rose Comete, all from Chanel at Von Maur.

24 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

color.

��

The fresh colors of spring at more than 60 of your favorite stores and restaurants. �� É �� OPENING SUMMER 2012 LOVE CULTURE AND LULULEMON inspiredhomeomaha.com 25

Black dotted Wiggle dress, $262, Kajoma’s; white bubble earrings, $24, Togs; lipstick, Chanel Rouge Coco in Paris, Von Maur. One-shoulder party dress, $88; lacey metal drop earrings, $26; silver bangles, $38; all from Kajoma’s; lipstick, Chanel Rouge Coco Gabrielle, Von Maur.

26 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

inspiredhomeomaha.com 27

Striped maxi dress, $144; hammered gold earrings, $18; gold rope knotted cuff, $24, all from Kajoma’s; hat, $15, Target; lipstick, Chanel Rouge Coco in Paris; Chanel Nail Colour in Mimosa, both from Von Maur.

28 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

Indigo romper, $128, Mesh; stylist’s own vintage scarf; silver and gold stacked necklace, $78, Togs; Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Rose Comete, Von Maur.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 29

Printed ladder tank, $138; spearmint pant, $88; gold lattice earrings, $14; mint and gold bracelet, $30; taupe wedge, $78, all from Garment District; mint rose drop necklace, $36, from Piper; Poppy Hobo bag, $138; square tortoise sunglasses, $22, both from Kajoma’s. Cut-out dress, $145; coral and gold tribal necklace, $28; gold sphere earrings, $18, all from Togs; yellow coin purse, $95; tan patent strap sandals, $64, both from Kajoma’s. Sunglasses, model’s own.

30 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

FASHION GUIDE

Statement offers the latest fashion in women’s clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, dresses, denim, trendy tops and more!

A women women’s n’s apparel, ap pparel, , jewelry, j ewelry y, accessory accessory y & gift boutique. boutique e.

BLISS BOUTIQUE career care eer woman

• Ming Wang

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to stylish s mom om gear, gea ar, to gym m

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fashion, bliss fas shion, bli iss

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Enjoy En njo joyy a pe ppersonal rson rs on nal sstyling tyli ty ling & ling li shopping today… sh hopppi ping ng eexperience x errie xp i nc ncee to toda day… da y…

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Clothing Clot Cl othi oth hing h ng for for the the fa fash fashion shio ion n forward forward woman! woman! n! 3612 36 12 n north orrth 1 165 65th sstreet tree tr eett • om ee omah omaha ah aha ha www. ww w.st w. stat st atem at emen em en nto toma maha ma ha.c ha .com .c om www.statementomaha.com

12100 w. center rd. bel-air plaza #607 omaha, ne | 402.991.3595 www.blissboutiqueomaha.com

• Comfy

The

Other Woman

THE SHOPS OF LEGACY

16950 Wright Plaza (169th & Center)

884-8848 Hours: M-F 10-6

| Sat 10-5

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SHOPS OF LEGACY *Offer good through 6/30/12

...everyday chi chic cou couture uture 334-0211 • 17010 Wright Plaza #135 The Shops Of Legacy (168th & West Center)

inspiredhomeomaha.com 31

INSTA-CHIC

Over a T-shirt or with a silk blouse, scarves look tres magnifique BY A N A N DA S PA DT

here are many ways to tie a scarf to fit your style. So stop fretting about the ins and outs of the loops and knots. A lightweight silk scarf is best worn with a scarf pin to hold the slick fabric in place. A vintage or retro brooch can be a great way to add a '60s touch to your outfit. Go classic (a la Grace Kelly) and drape a scarf across the front of your neck, letting the ends cascade down your back. Or, try one of these of-the-moment variations.

KENT SIEVERS

Effortlessly Cool

Free Fall

Loosey Goosey

All Tied Up

1. Loosely twist scarf into a rope and loop around your neck one time. 2. Tuck one loose end into the neckline. Tip: Make sure that your scarf is in a breathable fabric, as this look can get a little warm. Featured: From Piper

1. Fold scarf lengthwise to desired thickness. 2. Place center of scarf at back of your neck so ends drape in front. 3. Take both ends, knot and pull knot close to neck. 4. Fluff fabric to cover the knot. Optional: Pull knot to one side of your neck. Featured: From Kajoma's

1. Wrap scarf snuggly around neck from front to back. 2. Wrap once around back of neck and bring two ends forward. 3. Tie ends in one loose, overhand knot. 4. Adjust so knot is hidden underneath fabric. Featured: From "b" yourself boutique

1. Snuggly wrap scarf from one side of the neck to the other. 2. Tie one overhand knot. 3. Next tie a loose but small bow. 4. Adjust bow so that it points up and the ties hang down. Featured: From Kajoma's

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PROMOTION

Turn up the color volume and take on the world in blocks of beautiful brights. Spring’s most important trend isn’t for the faint of heart. To rock the look, be bold but limit your color blocks to two or three haute combos like cobalt blue and sunny yellow, or tangerine, turquoise and lime.

COLOR BURST SPONSORED BY DILLARD'S

PHOTOGRAPHY Rebecca S. Gratz WARDROBE Dillard's MODEL Stephanie Finklea STYLING Chris Christen with Ellyse Coombes CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ananda Spadt MAKEUP Michaela Haney

inspiredhomeomaha.com 33

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SEASON OF CHANGE On-Trend Looks From Local Boutiques Get You Through Spring in Style S T Y L E D BY A N A N DA S PA DT

POP OF NEON

MINT GREEN

KENT SIEVERS

Pop of Neon: Striped dress, $78, Kajoma’s. Swan cardigan, $82, Kajoma’s. Vintage leather mini purse, $16, Paper Doll. Neon bow ring, $14, Piper. Neon belt, $13, Target. Red square-heeled pumps, Kajoma’s. Mint Green: Stud collar mint blouse, $66; cuff ring, $18; twisted bracelet, $38; Ketz-ke dotty shorts, $68, all from Piper. Alyssa bag, $24, Paper Doll.

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FLOW-Y TOPS

TRIBAL

Flow-y Tops: Netted top, $49; Cowgirl Tuff Co. shorts, $54.99, both from Mesh. Coral print scarf, $22, Kajoma’s. Angie necklace, $53, from Mesh. Tangerine dangle ring, $14, from Piper. Tribal print wedges, $45, from “b” yourself boutique. Gemmed aviator sunglasses, $20, from Kajoma’s. Tribal: Asymmetrical comfy tee, $26, “b” yourself boutique. Vintage high-waisted wide-legged trouser, $28, Paper Doll. Lime and gold cuff, $18, “b” yourself boutique. Agate necklace, $25, Piper. Tribal print clutch, $51, “b” yourself boutique.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 37

FLORAL PRINTS

COLOR BLOCK

KENT SIEVERS

Floral Prints: Ketz-ke floral-print tank, $62, Piper. Nikibiki pink neon tank, $19, Mesh. Pink vintage-inspired pump, $16, Paper Doll. Black Orchid Midi skinny jean, $132, Piper. Mini flower necklace, $18, Piper. Lace-rimmed sunglasses, $20, Kajoma’s. Twisted silver bracelet, $38, Piper. Gem wristlet, $62, Mesh. Color Block: tri-tone top, $36.50; Boyfriend shorts, $38.75; tri-colored dangle earrings, $15; bangles, $22, all from “b” yourself boutique. Hobo clutch, $188, from Kajoma’s.

38 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

DIRECTORY

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COUNTRYSIDE DIRECTORY

Village Needleworks

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The Mix

Market Basket

Turn needlepoint into fashion. Offering a large selection of hand painted needle point canvases & fibers. Above all we offer unsurpassed customer service.

A Specialty Boutique for Women. Join us for the latest fashions. Serving confident women who aren’t afraid to express individuality.

Shoes And Accessories Spring & Summer styles have arrived. The Mix offers an upscale variety of designer shoes & accessories.

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Broadmoor Market

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Let us cater your graduation party! Order your cakes & breads from Ferds Bakery today!

Omaha’s premier custom jeweler. Let us create something stunning for you.

87th & Pacific 402-391-0312 broadmoormarket.com

87th & Pacific 402-991-3990 msheparddesigns.com

87th & Pacific • Omaha, NE • countryside-village.com • inspiredhomeomaha.com 39

SupremelyInviting

•

alk into this Omaha couple’s Regency home and you won’t want to leave. The light-filled interior – even on a gray day – immediately lifts sagging spirits. Comfortable, overstuffed furniture invites you to linger. A table-side fireplace inset into a wall of the den beckons. Comfort has been uppermost in the minds of the homeowners and designer Todd Grennan of Todd Michael Grennan Interiors while working together over the past 10 years to realize their vision for the home. “I want the rooms to live for the client, not vice versa,” Grennan says, noting that some interiors demand too much of their owners. “If a pillow is out of place, it’s ‘Oh my god!’”

continued on page 40

The master bedroom feels unusually serene. A neutral color scheme certainly contributes, but look closely at the walls. They’re upholstered.

T E X T BY PAT WAT E R S

40 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

PHOTOS BY JEFFREY BEBEE

Designer Todd Grennan spares no detail in giving a room its soul and identity. An antique French writing desk and beautifully upholstered chair in the master bedroom provide the perfect spot for penning a note to a dear friend or simply enjoying a cup of tea while taking in the garden view.

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Custom-made for the living room: White, distressed-wood fireplace mantel and bookshelves. The homeowners added the wall of windows at the suggestion of their designer. continued from page 38

His client agrees that the home is supremely inviting. “Whether we’re sitting by the fireplace on Sunday morning reading the newspaper, or on the patio, or having a drink in the living room, I love the surroundings,” she says. What makes the achievement of comfort even more impressive is that it doesn’t come at the expense of formality or of wellappointed rooms. Vaulted and tray ceilings, hickory plank floors, crown molding and wainscoting provide the framework for a home that melds traditional and French country designs. Blue and white – interspersed with neutrals – inform the color palette. “I like living around blue,” she

says. Accessories – including botanical-print pillows, blooming paperwhites and a pyramid of green apples in a bowl – take a cue from nature. Artwork abounds, including a collection of paintings of intricately rendered room interiors by a Japanese artist. Accessorizing is so important, Grennan says. It makes the room. “Todd has a real talent for accessorizing,” the homeowner says. “Sometimes I have him come over just to rearrange things.” This client-designer relationship is characterized by mutual respect and the client’s ultimate trust in Grennan’s eye. He was recommended to her by continued on page 42

Facing page: Louis XV chest plumbed to function as a sink in the powder room beneath a trumeau mirror. (Trumeau mirrors, highly ornate and often gilded, originally were manufactured in France in the 18th century.)

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Cabinet finishes are a mix of dark and natural and light and painted. Wide-plank butternut flooring runs throughout the kitchen, dining room, entryway and main-floor hallways.

continued from page 40

a mutual friend. “We’ve not always had the same vision, but I trust him and I’m always happy with the results.” Grennan adds, “We work well together. She has good ideas.” The home’s renovation has required patience. “We gutted it when we moved in” 10 years ago last summer, the homeowner says. “It took three years to get where we wanted with the bedroom.” Grennan thought the room needed a fireplace. The homeowner ultimately decided that she wanted more light and more windows in that room as well, so they added French doors onto the patio. Thick shag carpeting pampers, and the room’s neutral color scheme soothes. The den, on the other hand, is a cozy retreat continued on page 44

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The gas range was custom-made in France. Behind it, a representation of an uncle’s diploma from the L'Academie de Cuisine in Paris (seen at top).

inspiredhomeomaha.com 45

The homeowners’ china − Mottahedeh’s Indigo Wave – coordinates perfectly with the fabric on the dining room walls. (A wingback chair in the living room is upholstered with the same fabric.) Note the monogrammed dining chairs − a gracious detail. continued from page 42

with dark walls and patterned curtains. The tableside fireplace was a surprise Christmas gift for the man of the house. Grennan says: “It doesn’t pay to hurry because if it doesn’t feel right … I always respect the client’s wishes, but giving direction is part of my job.” Now that the design vision is complete, what’s next for Grennan and his longtime client and collaborator? “There still are fun things to add,” she says. She recently purchased blue and white china. It is a perfect complement to the dining room, which has white corner cupboards, walls covered in a blue-patterned upholstery fabric and monogrammed white slipcovers for the chairs. And they are tweaking the courtyard and patio, including adding a larger fountain with a crane sculpture. Wherever the next 10 years take them, the design journey will end in comfort and impeccable taste. 46 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

A German poker table, with corner pockets for beer steins, was owned by the client’s greatgrandfather and was originally housed in a hotel and pub in Leavenworth, Kan.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 47

Field Trip: Pozzengo, Italy

A Friendly Corner of the World Omaha’s tie to Italy’s Piedmont Region

BY M I C H A E L K E L LY

rom our villa balcony in a small town in northwest Italy, we watched the sun set – and light the sky in glorious purple and orange. Such moments are fleeting. This was truly a time to relax, to feast our eyes and recharge. And enjoy being off the beaten path. With our children grown, we’ve traveled more in recent years, visiting Ireland first, then England, Germany and France (with a stop at Omaha Beach). In 2008, we took a riverboat ride from Amsterdam down the Rhine, with a left turn across Germany to Vienna. On each of those adventures we traveled in the security of a tour group, sure to see the famous sights. Last September for our 40th wedding anniversary, it was time to be a bit more adventuresome. We weren’t exactly thinking of backpacking across Europe like our daughter and countless COURTESY OF 5 CHIMNEYS other young people have done, Colorful houses line the harbor and the nearby beachfront in Portafina on the Ligurian Sea. but we wanted to explore more or less on our own. We got a lot of help because we chose an area an hour west of Milan where a former Omaha couple owns and operates a bed-and-breakfast called 5 Chimneys. So named because the two adjacent buildings feature five guest rooms, each with a hearth. COURTESY OF JIM VLCEK The villa lies in the Piedmont Giorgio and Patrizia Romansckyi region of Italy also known as welcome many Omahans to their “Piemonte.’’ The inn’s owners villa. are Giorgio and Patrizia Romansckyi, natives of Italy who enjoy dual citizenship and raised their three children in COURTESY OF 5 CHIMNEYS America. Flower boxes often decorate balconies in northwest Italy, an area that The couple spent 13 years is off the beaten path for most tourists and travel guidebooks. in the Big O, where Giorgio 48 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

worked for First Data Corporation. (Patrizia still shows off a Nebraska license plate in the back window of her car.) The local connection continues, with the majority of 5 Chimneys’ guests coming from Omaha. Patrizia also displays her cooking talent upon special invitation from Metropolitan Community College’s Institute for the Culinary Arts. Patrizia is the author of two cookbooks, with “Cooking With Patrizia: A Culinary Journey in Monferrato” due out in August. Guests at 5 Chimneys enjoy her wonderful meals, including rabbit, risotto, veal, sage zucchini lasagna and more. They are always served with wine made from grapes from a nearby vineyard, of which Giorgio is a part-owner. We joined their friends and others in their village of Pozzengo at a town hall for an informal multicourse dinner where everyone sang “Happy Anniversary” to us. It’s said that Italians appreciate visitors who at least try to speak a few words of Italian, so I stood and thanked the villagers: “Signore e signori, grazie!” I held up a bottle of Barbera vino and noted that “mia moglia” (my wife, Barbara) is similarly named. Perhaps because we all had enjoyed a bit of wine by then, they laughed and kindly applauded my meager efforts to speak their language.

Rice Fields, Vineyards and Harbors

Pozzengo in the Po River valley, with its many rice fields, vineyards and occasional castles on hilltops, became the base for our sixnight stay. Giorgio and Patrizia offer

COURTESY OF JIM VLCEK

The 5 Chimneys Bed & Breakfast in the village of Pozzengo, Italy, is named for the hearths in the villa's five guest rooms.

continued on page 48

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continued from page 47

their guests a broad menu of escorted day trips. Culinaryoriented tours are their specialty. After all, this is the “breadbasket of Italy.” We visited the outdoor market and walked along the winding cobblestone streets of the town of Casale Monferrato. We hiked the steep, wooded hills of Sacro Monte di Crea, a centuries-old Roman Catholic sanctuary with a series of chapels dedicated to the mysteries of the rosary. We took part in a wine-tasting party at the vineyard. And we enjoyed classical musicians who came from La Scala in Milan and performed for a well-dressed crowd of 400 on a Sunday afternoon. Giorgio drove us to the lake region – not to the glitzy Como, but to Lake Maggiore and its trio of Borromean Islands. They are named for the family of St. Charles Borromeo, which took ownership in the 16th and 17th centuries and created luxurious, art-filled residences and elaborate gardens. We joked that the “Garden of Love” would make a great spot for our daughter’s summer wedding. One of the islands features a 20acre park and a botanical garden with exotic flowers and rare plants from every continent. Peacocks, parrots and pheasants populate the grounds, too. We went to the Ligurian Sea. This is as blue a sea as you’ll ever see, with the Maritime Alps in the distance. We enjoyed lunch overlooking the water in the town of Camogli, southeast of Genoa. Later in the day we took a ferry to Portofino, which is touristy but very pretty. After a car ride back to Pozzengo, exhausted from all of our walking but refreshed

COURTESY OF 5 CHIMNEYS

The heart and soul of the 5 Chimneys B&B is the connected dining room and kitchen, where guests gather to chat and where hostess Patrizia prepares and serves culinary delights such as her sage zucchini lasagna.

by all the beauty, we prepared to say “ciao” for now to this lovely and friendly corner of the world. We had to pack for a totally different experience in a place that, having come to Italy, we had to see: the Eternal City.

Heed Those Guidebook Tips

All the guidebooks say that while traveling, pay close attention to your money and possessions. In spite of trying to do so, we nearly fell victim. We carried our wallets not in our pockets, but strapped inside our shirts. We took heed of warnings that upon arriving by train in Rome, watch out for people, including children, who try to distract you. And don’t try to hail a cab – go instead to a registered taxi stand and wait your turn. We gave the driver the address of our hotel and gawked along the way. As we neared our destination, I pulled a 50-euro bill from my wallet. When we arrived,

50 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

5 CHIMNEYS BED & BREAKFAST One hour west of Milan in the Piedmont region of Italy Innkeepers: Giorgio and Patrizia Romansckyi Lodging: Three guest rooms with a private bath in the main villa; family quarters in adjacent villa. Amenities: Transportation to and from airport (Milan/Turin), breakfast, dinner and three day-tour options included with six-night stay. Reservations: www.5chimney-bb.com

the driver got out and stood by the vehicle. As I turned to grab our suitcases, I handed him the 50 and heard him announce the fare: “Thirty euros.” I waited for change, but he repeated, “Thirty euros.” I said, “I gave you a 50.” In his hand by then, though, was a 10-euro bill. Wait a minute: Did I really give him a 10? No! I checked the backseat twice for the 50 and found nothing.

Dumbfounded, I pulled out two 10s to pay the rest of the fare and the driver got back in his cab. I had just been had. In dismay, I just stared at his cab. But then he got out, opened the right rear door and – voila! – there was the 50 on the floor. We could only figure that he must have thought I was memorizing his car number to call the polizia, causing him to think better of his ploy. Another couple who stayed at 5 Chimneys with us was cleverly robbed while riding in a crowded train. Two men came through begging, one leaning across the man in the aisle seat – while his partner picked the man’s pocket.

Rome to Your Heart’s Content

From Milan, a swift and comfortable three-hour train ride took us 300 miles to Rome. You go to Rome to see the sights. But on the recommendation of a friend,

ROEDER MORTUARIES

we booked a hotel in Trastevere, a part of the city considered unique and out of the way. Pronounced “Tras-TEHve-ray,” the name means “beyond the Tiber.” With narrow, winding cobblestone streets and lots of pubs, restaurants, nightlife and street performers, Trastevere sits west of the river and a mile-and-a-half south of the Vatican. A main thoroughfare provides access to trams and buses. The San Francesco, once a seminary, is a boutique hotel. It has a rooftop terrace, where we enjoyed late-night glasses of wine while bells chimed from a medieval church next door. The open square known as Piazza Santa Maria draws crowds every night – not just on the weekends – with many people sitting around a large octagonal fountain. The piazza’s name comes from the Basilica di Santa Maria, the floor plan and wall structure of which date to the fourth century, and is one of the oldest churches in a city of churches. If you’re healthy, game and willing and wear sturdy and comfortable footwear,

you can see almost everything you want to see in Rome on foot. We walked miles and miles every day. We hoofed it to St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, Borghese Gardens, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, the Spanish Gardens, Trevi Fountain and all the famous places – but not in one circuit. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you can’t see it in a day. But we saw lots, including great art and architecture. We enjoyed many piazzas and a couple of pizzas. A special treat was a rooftop tour of Rome from atop the Pontifical Gregorian University, courtesy of Vice-Rector the Rev. Dan McDonald, a Jesuit priest who graduated from Omaha’s Creighton Prep in 1966. We later climbed to one more rooftop, making our way up the narrow, winding stairway inside the dome of St. Peter’s. We finally emerged at the top of the greatest basilica in Christendom. In more ways than one, it took our breath away. Michael Kelly is a columnist with the Omaha World-Herald.

Family Owned for 100 years

Putting your family ﬁrst. There’s no mistaking it – every family has qualities you recognize in an instant. It’s the same with Roeder Mortuary. Since Theodore Roeder founded the business with his sons, to the third and fourth generations today, we’re a close-knit team of professionals sharing a commitment to personalized service that puts your family first. It’s our family helping yours, for 100 years.

Please contact us at any of our convenient locations or visit us online.

COURTESY OF MICHAEL KELLY

Franco, left, welcomes Omaha visitors for a wine-tasting party at his family vineyard, in which Giorgio is invested.

OMAHA 2727 N. 108th Street 4932 Ames Avenue 402-496-9000 402-453-5600

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www.roedermortuary.com inspiredhomeomaha.com 51

Hungarian Perspective Reinvigorating Art, Design

ravelers have long visited Budapest for its eclectic mix of architecture, stellar wine and hip nightlife. In recent years, design boutiques and art studios-cum-cafes have sprung up in long-neglected downtown neighborhoods as young creatives reinvigorate the city with a Hungarian perspective on art and design. Budapest’s emerging creative scene is evident at WAMP, a monthly design market that brings together more than 100 Hungarian designers. Locals, tourists and expats throng to the market to peruse funky, oversized fashion pieces, whimsical home décor and design-gastro treats, including chocolate, wine, olive oil and more. Another hub is the Design Terminal, a former bus terminal repurposed in 2011 to put Hungarian design projects in front

T E X T BY K RYS TA L O V E R M YE R

of the public. The terminal provides a physical focal point for Budapest’s annual Design Week in October, which showcases the work of Hungarian and international designers at citywide venues. Notable among designers is the transformation of the familiar into the novel. Old bike tires become cascading earrings; the country’s iconic paprika pepper adorns a necklace; plain cardboard becomes a chic dollhouse. The metamorphosis of tired materials into new treasures evokes a city that is also awakening, redefining and reinventing its sense of style in a distinctly Hungarian way. Omaha native Krystal Overmyer has a degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She is completing her master's degree in Budapest.

COURTESY OF DESIGN TERMINAL

Located in the heart of Budapest, the renovated bus station dubbed the Design Terminal is at the hub of Hungarian design. Opened in 2011, the terminal is one of many projects aimed to raise the profile of the Hungarian art and design scene.

COURTESY OF DESIGN TERMINAL

The Design Terminal in Budapest organizes international and Hungarian design projects for the public. Since opening in 2011, the terminal has hosted events including Design Week Budapest 2011, which helped to put Hungarian designers on the international design map.

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Where to Go WAMP design fair Once or more a month; visit website for dates and locations www.wamp.hu Design Terminal Erzsébet square, downtown Budapest. The city's annual Design Week in October. See website for events, www.designterminal.hu Printa Design Shop Silk-screening studio featuring local artists and designers. Rumbach Sebestyén utca 10, Budapest, www.printa.hu Can’t visit in person? Shop Hungarian designers online: Our Style Boutique, www.ourstyle.hu

BRING THE INDOORS

OUT TOP AND BOTTOM: KRYSTAL OVERMYER; COURTESY WAMP

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

Locally crafted items can be found at WAMP, a monthly design market in Budapest. In the summer months, the market is hosted at the centrally located Erzsébet square, where visitors can browse the wares of local fashion, home and culinary designers (middle).

14306 Giles Road • Omaha • 402-896-0900 M-F 7 - 5 SAT 8 -12 • watkinsconcreteblock.com/ubc

inspiredhomeomaha.com 53

Field Trip: Madrid, Spain

New Experience, Very Old-World TEXT AND PHOTOS BY LAURA SCHREIER

Art

Madrid’s biggest attraction is the "Golden Triangle of Art" at the ThyssenBornemisza, the Reina Sofía and the granddaddy, the Prado.

lease do not attempt to make Madrid conform to your schedule. It will not work. Madrid means midnight dinners, hourlong café breaks and dancing until dawn. Want to have dinner at 7 p.m.? Ah, that is adorable. And it's also futile. Take a siesta and head out at 9 p.m. or so − you’ll have better luck. Early riser? No. Just, no. Madrid is not Spain’s most picturesque city; Barcelona, Granada and Sevilla are the pageant

Food

Madrid is chock-full of casual cafeterías that serve typical Madrileño tapas. But the city draws in chefs from every corner of Spain: Valencian paella, Basque pintxos, Galician ribs and more are at your disposal.

The Banco Español de Credito building, near Puerta del Sol, is one of many examples of fine Madrileño architecture clustered around the heart of the city.

Fashion

You can spend days meandering through Madrid’s neighborhoods – especially Las Huertas and Malasaña – and ducking into stylish boutiques. The city center is also dominated by great chains like Pull and Bear, Desigual and Zara.

Sightseeing

Madrid is a city of gorgeous statues, fountains and architecture. Its culture and history museums often have free visiting hours, so you can think nothing of popping in for a quick peek.

Wine

It flows. Need we say more?

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beauties. But Madrid has a majestic, baroque elegance that is both uniquely Old-World and urbane and cosmopolitan. Come for two things: A staggering concentration of art in a city that takes its art very, very seriously, and the taste of an entirely different kind of life. The fashion is bold and sophisticated (much like the wine), the food is surprisingly hearty and simple and the tangled streets are full of hidden gems. Omaha native and journalist Laura Schreier is currently working as an English teacher in Madrid.

Achieve the Look... ...ata Fraction of the Cost.

The grill-master dishes up tasty fare at an outdoor grill near the Plaza de España. Madrid's cafe culture lets you eat or imbibe in the open air, where you're free to contemplate the especially lively street scenes.

Ojalá! at Calle de Las Huertas, 5, a boutique full of stunning, completely original fashions from local designer Paloma del Pozo. Madrid is your go-to spot for finding bold looks to bring back home.

El Imperfecto, a bustling, artsy-cool bar at Plaza de Matute, 2 in Barrio de Las Huertas. Arrive here a little early to grab a seat, and order up a pitcher of sangria as soon as possible.

COUNTERTOPS OUNTERTOPS UNLIMITED 402.331.1333 inspiredhomeomaha.com 55

At the Heart

Sons of Italy Hall 1238 S. 10th St. Hearty mostaccioli and meatballs fill up hundreds of diners at this lodge’s weekly Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. lunches and Friday 5 to 8 p.m. dinners (September through May). All are welcome to attend, with the bulk of the $7.50 tab going toward charitable causes. The lodge does much for the community, including helping the nearby Catholic church and retirement centers.

Little Italy

TEXT BY TINA KING

PHOTOS BY DANIEL JOHNSON

andwiched between the bustling hot spots of the Old Market and the Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha’s Little Italy neighborhood falls below the radar for many newcomers. It’s a community of rich heritage, founded in part by Sicilian immigrants who moved here in the early 1900s to find jobs laboring in Union Pacific’s shops. Look around today and you’ll still find hearty examples of the food, architecture and community spirit.

Cascio’s Steakhouse

1620 S. 10th St. This Italian steakhouse feels like a neighborhood joint from the moment you walk in and see the proud display of trophies won by the local sports teams that the restaurant supports. The eatery has been around since 1946, as have many of its patrons. Sinatra tunes play overhead as diners enjoy a weekday lunch menu of stick-to-your-ribs options such as rib eye steak, pork tenderloin and a roast beef sandwich with a side of mashed potatoes. It’s doubtful that you’ll leave hungry.

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Zongkers Handcrafted Furniture 1717 S. Third St. Custom-made furniture elevated to true works of art comes out of this modest-looking shop run by south Omaha brothers Dan and Dennis Zongker. It’s not a place where you can just stop by – call for an appointment if you’re interested in a project. The artisan tables and cabinets crafted from exotic woods such as purpleheart, maple burl and fruitwood are jawdropping beautiful. Pieces leave this shop and wind up in some of Omaha’s finest homes and churches. A few tables have even found homes in NASA and U.S. Air Force conference rooms.

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

402-216-9911 www.omarail.com

Blue Flamingo 1716 S. 10th St. Left: This eclectic thrift shop offers fun vintage clothing, accessories and housewares. The resale items are mixed with new treasures as well, including Fair Trade items, handcrafted jewelry and chocolates. Shoppers with kids in tow may even leave with a free book.

Studio (101) 1324 S. Sixth St. This collaborative art gallery hosts small- and medium-sized shows based on an overall theme. For details on the latest shows, check the gallery’s Facebook page.

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St. Francis Cabrini Church 1334 S. Ninth St. This Spanish Renaissance revival-style church, originally St. Philomena’s Cathedral, was renamed in 1958 for the first American citizen to be canonized. The architect was Thomas Rogers Kimball. Daily Masses are offered.

Orsi’s Italian Bakery & Pizzeria

621 Pacific St. The aroma of fresh-baked pizza surrounds Orsi’s, drawing customers inside to purchase the Italian favorite by the sheet – along with some other faves. You’ll find a full Italian deli of meats and cheeses and racks of packaged chickpeas, pasta and baked goods. The ricotta and Italian wedding cookies are moist and rave-worthy. The business offers carryout only. It’s suggested that you call ahead for pizza orders. If you have to wait a few minutes, scanning the wall of black and white historic photos should keep you entertained.

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The Towns

Seventh & Pacific Streets The bright white exteriors and wide, welcoming front porches of the more than two dozen two-story homes were designed to blend well with the existing wood-frame homes in the community. The homes rose up a few years ago in the former space of the original Caniglia’s Restaurant, and many have a view of the Durham Museum, the Amtrak station and the Heartland of America Park fountain. Homeowners enjoy the ease of walking or biking into downtown Omaha.

Host

Parma, Italy, a place where Parmigiano-Reggiano, dubbed the “King of Cheese,” and prosciutto are a way of life.

Ciao Bella

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ADAM & JOANNE GALLAGHER

rosciutto, produced in the gentle rolling hills around Parma, is prized for its enticing aroma and flavor. It’s the perfect complement to creamy mascarpone cheese, spicy arugula and sweet floral honey. Serve these mini toasts at room temperature alongside a glass of sparkling Lambrusco wine.

Prosciutto, Arugula and Honey Toasts Serves 4 as an appetizer Total time: 10 minutes 1 baguette, sliced on the diagonal into 1/2-inch slices 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature 1/2 pound thinly sliced Prosciutto di Parma, at room temperature 2 cups arugula 2 tablespoons honey 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly brush bread slices with olive oil, then bake in oven 2 to 3 minutes or until edges begin to brown. 2. Generously spread mascarpone cheese onto each toasted bread slice. Then top with 1 or 2 slices of prosciutto, a few arugula leaves and a light drizzle of honey.

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Design Done Right

60 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

Delighting the Eye

TEXT BY CHRIS CHRISTEN

ecorating is all about the mix rather than the match for Michele Palagi. “When things aren’t matchy-matchy, everything feels accessible and comfortable,” she says about her design approach. Her townhome in northwest Omaha brims with personality. She loves juxtapositions, and she decorates with a syncopated rhythm that maximizes relationships in color, design and mood. “I believe that beautiful things go with beautiful things.” Michele, who recently returned to the classroom to study interior design after her daughter left home for college in Chicago, loves creating visual “destinations” for the eye. Interesting wall and tabletop groupings lead you from the foyer to the living room and dining area. Along the way, Michele imparts stories with a good measure of surprise related to the history of a piece or the nature of an acquisition. She has an affinity for gilded mirrors, French Baroque furniture, Venetian glass, white porcelain figurines and turn-of-the-century art that celebrates the female form. Her vignettes are so carefully crafted, they seem to represent a lifetime of treasure-hunting. This is not necessarily so, Michele confides. After her divorce in 2009, auctions, estate sales and furniture trades with her sister who deals in antiques became a fun and economical way to furnish her new home. The experience, she says, is proof that “You don’t have to spend a fortune to make something exceptional.”

DID YOU KNOW?

PHOTOS BY DANIEL JOHNSON

DINING ROOM ·Walnut sideboard, an 1880s European Aesthetic Movement piece from Omaha Auction Center. David Clow, a master craftsman, widened the recessed area to accommodate the piece. ·1920s mahogany dining chairs, re-covered after purchase. ·Japanese porcelain fishbowl with glass top and stand from Once Upon A Time.

Omaha Auction Center has a vast reference library that is open to the public. You can’t check out the books, but auction house owner Joella Cohen invites you to sit and leaf through volumes to your heart’s content. The book that started it all? “Know Your Antiques” by Ralph and Terry Kovel. Joella picked it up 40 years ago and still reaches for it now and then.

FOYER (facing page) Michele Palagi’s townhome is a treasure-trove of inspiration and ideas. Every room is stamped with her unique personality. Ralph Lauren paisley wallpaper dresses the foyer, where a turquoise chest from Nebraska Furniture Mart holds an Italian bust with a polychrome finish; a Roseville silhouette vase; a Schneider art glass lamp (French, early 1900s); and a Spelter frame (European, early 1900s). Most were scored at Omaha Auction Center and Collector’s Choice. inspiredhomeomaha.com 61

“Your home should look like you. Buy what you love and you won’t go wrong.” MICHELE PALAGI

LIVING ROOM The walls are dressed with framed art prints. Some were acquired earlier, but most have been picked up at auctions and estate sales since her divorce. The curved sofa came from Mrs. B’s Clearance & Factory Outlet; the sofa pillows are covered with fabric that has been reversed for an effect, as well as fabric leftover from another chair in the room. The upholstered chair at bottom left is a $30 thrift store find that she had re-covered. The secretary originally was in her college-age daughter’s bedroom.

Favorite Sources

Want to create your own eclectic decorative mix? Michele Palagi offers a list of her favorite shops to get you started.

OMAHA AUCTION CENTER, 7531 Dodge St. You can find great bargains at Joella Cohen’s estate liquidation sales every other Wednesday night. Drop by between noon and 4:30 p.m. on sale day to survey the merchandise, get your bid number and reserve a seat for the live auction at 5 p.m. Quarterly auctions feature unbelievable stuff – the best of the best brought in from around the country. Ask Joella to educate you on the inventory so you can appreciate the value. LEWIS ART GALLERY, 8600 Cass St. Shop owner Julie Wynn has an incredible eye for art, accent furniture and home accessories. The inventory is so extensive that it might seem overwhelming when you first walk through the door. Take your time and absorb the store in sections. ONCE UPON A TIME ESTATE SALES, 5635 Emile St. Liz Ryan has fun sales and hidden treasures galore. A good place to discover furniture and vintage accessories.

Everyy Stylee & Price E Pr e o P of Or Original rigina al Art rt Accessories Gifts Unique U niq e A niqu Ac ccessorie cesso ess ries ies es & G Gif ifts ts Lamps Furniture Custom Framing Lam am mpss & Fur urn rnitu tur ure • C Custo stom tom Frami Fr min ing

8600 860 8 86 600 00 0 Ca C Cass ass as ss St Str S Street tre tree eet ee et

402.391.7733 402.3 391.7 7733 • www www.LewisArtGallery.com ww.Lew wisAr ArtGalllery.ccom m 62 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

COLLECTOR’S CHOICE ESTATE SALES, 3504 Center St. A great place for one-of-a-kind items; wonderful quality. THE HUMBLE HOME, 5022 Leavenworth St. A store with great heart. Mid-century modern and vintage home furnishings and accessories.

CHRIS CHRISTEN

Cocktails With ...

Garuda , the half-man, half-bird carrier of the Hindu god Vishnu, stands guard in the foyer. Buckingham found the wooden figure in an antique shop in Bali. She hand-carried the item home. Indonesia is one of Buckingham’s favorite destinations.

Jan Buckingham, Worldly Collector

f Jan Buckingham’s walls could talk . . . you’d hear at least 20 different languages. That’s my best guess at the number of cultures represented in the artifacts that fill her Happy Hollow home. If it’s primitive and authentic, Buckingham is bound to adore it and more than likely find a way to incorporate it into her warm and earthy décor. “I like to include treasures from around the world in my home and my clients’ homes,” says the widely traveled Omaha interior designer. Sometimes her burning interest leads her to “things that are from places that I have never been nor will I ever get to.” It takes a special eye to picture an ox cart in your living room. From India, the cart serves as a coffee table. “I bought the cart at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. You can put your feet on the table without hurting a thing.”

BY CHRIS CHRISTEN

We chatted at Buckingham's home over white wine, cracked wheat crackers and a to-die-for gourmet cheese dip from the Market Basket. Playing in the background: Gamelan music from the island of Java in Indonesia. We started our chat in the sunroom, but quickly bounced to other spaces for a closer look at favorite finds.

And the shoulder yoke with wooden buckets? “I no more needed it than a hole in the head,” she admits, hoisting the contraption over her head. “I just had to have it.” Ditto for a Burmese Buddha and a spirit house, both purchased in northern Thailand; a wooden head bowl from Bali; shadow puppets from Jogjakarta; and assorted hand-woven rugs from Morocco, Turkey and Nepal. And that’s just a fragment of her world. “These countries are embedded in my memory.” Tourist-heavy destinations? No, thanks. She prefers traveling with her husband or friends and venturing off the beaten path with a guide or translator. Tours? She’d rather not. The exception was China, where trade is difficult. “It can take many hours of teadrinking to establish a shopkeeper’s or artisan’s trust.” If fire broke out, what would she grab? Blitzen and Pepper, her cats. “They’re all I’d really worry about.”

Buckingham and retired Kutak Rock attorney Lauren M. Ronald lived together for decades before exchanging vows on a guided goat hike three years ago in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, where they have a second home. They were joined on the hike by 12 friends with Omaha connections and the guide’s goats, which carried coolers filled with food (including goat cheese) and champagne. Ronald, a poet at heart, wrote the couple’s vows.

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In the Lap of Luxury BY CHRIS CHRISTEN

desire to purchase a practical but memorable wedding gift for an established thirtysomething couple led me to Early to Bed in Countryside Village for a look at fine linens. I had my sights set on a dinner napkin that would stand the test of time in both style and quality. Shop owner Joan Miller showered me with options in a wide price range. I selected an iconic, mid-priced white-on-white design with a single row of hemstitching by Sferra, an Italian line. At Miller’s suggestion, I took the napkins to a local vendor for monogramming (and I saved a considerable amount of money when compared to the Sferra rep’s phone quote). I chose a single-letter monogram rather than a three-letter monogram to enhance the heirloom quotient. With luck, the napkins will be an integral part of family gatherings for years − or even better, generations − to come.

Rules for 3-Letter Monograms

A single person: First initial on left, last initial in center, middle initial on right. Married couple: Bride’s first initial on left, joint last name initial in center, groom’s first initial on right. Married woman: First initial on left, new last initial in center, maiden name initial on right.

CHRIS CHRISTEN

“Festival” by Sferra, $145 for a set of 12. Monogramming, $4 per letter, by Educational Outfitters. While rather stiff to the touch when new, “Fine linen only gets better with age,” says Joan Miller of Early to Bed. Photographed at Beyond the Vine.

We’re Not Just About Fences

OUTDOOR KITCHEN & PATIO 12100 West Center Road 402.333.2282 www.outdoorkitchen.com

64 MAY/JUNE 2012 inspiredhomeomaha.com

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

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Carry THAT Boardwalk tote, J. Crew, $39.99.

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DEV HANUMARA; JCREW.COM

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