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 • S E R V I N G N E B R A S K A & W E S T E R N I O W A
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VO L U M E 1 8
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ISSUE 1
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Christen 402-444-1094 | chris.christen@owh.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR & DESIGNER Jessica Thompson 402-444-1120 | jthompson@owh.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Marjie Ducey 402-444-1034 | marjie.ducey@owh.com COPY EDITORS Shelley Larsen, Pam Richter ON THE COVER Library of Carol Evans Lynch Photographed by Kayla Wolf CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS Chris Allen, Jeffrey Bebee, Lindsay Ducey, Isabelle Ducey, Tom Grady, Heidi Hoffman, Kurt A. Keeler, Eamon Sughroue, Kayla Wolf CUSTOM PUBLISHING SALES MANAGER Debbie McChesney | 402-444-1448 | debbie.mcchesney@owh.com ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Emily Martin | 402-444-1411 | emily.martin@owh.com Marilyn Martin | 402-444-1405 | marilyn.martin@owh.com Deborah Fernsell | 402-444-1209 | dfernsell@owh.com EVENTS Tam Webb | 402-444-3125 | tam.webb@owh.com
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1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102 Inspired Living Omaha (ISSN 23795948) is a publication of the Omaha World-Herald. ©2020, Omaha World-Herald, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. 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.
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CONTENTS HOMESPIRATION 9 12 14
VOLUMES GALORE MEMORY ROOM BOUND TO IMPRESS
DESIGN DONE RIGHT 18 38
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
RIVERFRONT TOWNHOME A DECADE OF INSPIRED LIVING
HISTORIC GEM 24
PENTHOUSE REVIVAL
LocaL. UniqUe. originaL.
RECIPES
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MEET THE EXPERTS
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HOT CHOCOLATE FIVE WAYS IN THE KITCHEN WITH CHRIS ALLEN
INTERIORS JOAN AND ASSOCIATES
SPEAKING OF PLANTS 32
MONSTERA: THE NEW FIG IN TOWN
NEAR + FAR 34
A POT OF GOLD IN IRELAND
LUXURY HOMES 44
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EDITOR'S NOTE
Oh, the places we go! PEOPLE OFTEN ASK, “What’s the best part of your job?” It’s not what you might think. Sure, having access to fabulous homes is a thrill. But the joy for me is entering a home as a stranger and leaving as a friend. More often than not, an interview starts with a handshake and ends CHRIS CHRISTEN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
with a hug. It’s a great feeling to make
those connections. And a privilege to be trusted to get the story right. Readers lead us to the best homes. Ellie Archer and Mary Jochim tied for Tipster of the Year in 2019. Both have wide circles of friends with eclectic styles and tastes — an editor’s dream when you’re fishing for leads. Mary’s own Egyptian-themed downtown condo, with design by Julia Russell, (“Gift of the Nile,” March-April, 2019) was a personal fave. Five things I’ve learned about you, our readers: YOU LOVE BEFORE & AFTER FEATURES. Our online galleries get thousands of clicks. Two extraordinari-
H OM E OF B O B BE N Z E L AN D G E RRY SU LL IVAN, P HOTO BY JE FFREY BE BE E
and Chris and Chelsea Samson’s trans-
ma Adler’s cinnamon rolls. And then
formation of a 1890s farmhouse near
there was the time when Bob Benzel
Fort Calhoun (“Find. Renovate. Repeat.”
and Gerry Sullivan pulled out the stops
online-only, February 2019).
for a garden party shoot, complete with
YOU’RE CRAZY FOR HISTORIC
twinkle lights, floral arrangements and
GEMS. On the hit parade: Jim Kieffer
chandelier (“Urban Oasis,” July-August,
and Gary Lopez’s Tudor Revival in his-
2017).
toric Council Bluffs (January-February
YOU’RE CREATIVE, even if you
2019); Sandra and Bert Murray’s 1928
don’t see yourself that way. I can’t tell
English Tudor on Fremont’s Nye Avenue
you how many times we hear, “My home
(May-June 2019); Eryn and Ben Swan’s
may not be good enough for your maga-
perfect blend of old and new in a Bemis
zine but …” And then a sneak peek blows
Park beauty (July-August 2019).
us away. The spaces that grace our pages
YOU ARE GARDENERS, eager for
made selecting our 10 favorite interiors
advice, tips and anything else from our
of the decade (page 38) a challenging but
resident authority, Marjie Ducey. You’re
glorious trip down memory lane.
impressive landscapers, too. Bob and Janelle Goding, I’m talking to you! A
All of this warms our hearts, dear readers.
ly popular features: Glass artist Tyler
mountain stream is the centerpiece of
Thank you for your affirmations.
Curnes’ two-year transformation of a
their backyard oasis (May-June 2019).
Here’s to a new decade of Inspired
1915 gas station into an apartment home
YOU EXCEL IN HOSPITALITY.
and studio in Elkhorn (“Olde Towne
Bread baking (page 45) with Chris Allen
Triumph,” September-October, 2019)
included brunch, complete with Grand-
6 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
Living!
THINGS WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2020 » Classic Blue, Pantone’s Color of the Year. Omaha interior decorator and stylist M Pettipoole knows cobalt’s striking powers. She eschews tried, true and staid shades, instead opting for hues that jar, jolt and punch up interiors. “Although colors like yellow and cobalt might seem bold, they’re very natural to me,” she says of a favorite combination. Her tip: Stay on the same side of the color wheel or play with opposites. (“No Holds Barred,” January-February 2017). » The phasing out of dark and medium grays. In their place: light grays and blue grays that still work as neutrals. » All-white kitchens with pops of wood or color. » The disappearance of kitschy farmhouse decor. » The return of rattan, wicker and bamboo. » And porches – both in renovations and new construction. Impromptu wine party, anyone? CL O CK WIS E FR OM L EFT INTER IOR DE S IGN BY M PETTIP O O L E , P HOTO BY BETHAN Y GILBE RT; DE S IGN BY RAC HE L C AN N O N L I MIT E D, PHOTO BY JE S S IE PR EZA; DE S IGN BY TH E WA R EHOUS E IN TE RIO RS, P HOTO BY D USTIN P E C K P HOTO GRAP HY
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HOMESPIRATION
To have and to hold THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS NO ROOM FOR BOOKS
STORY MARJIE DUCEY PHOTOS KAYLA WOLF
I
t pains Carol Evans Lynch to even consider parting with a book. When a friend suggested she
might have to do so to make space on her library shelves, she replied, “It’s not going to happen.” She just let her collection spread to a downstairs bedroom instead. When she and husband Bob built their
home 22 years ago, they decided they
the living room and a Putnam rolling
needed an office, which came to double
ladder. Delightfully, there’s a secret door
as a library.
that leads to the walk-in closet in their
It also houses the kennel for Doberman pinscher puppy Doc, for when he gets too rambunctious. Brian Stokes designed the room, providing the correct lighting, adjustable shelving for books of all sizes, an open
bedroom. “The grandchildren think it’s a great thing.” When she was growing up in Kearney, Nebraska, she didn’t realize you could buy books. She always went to the library
wall with glass display shelves to let the
instead.
sun in, clerestory windows to match
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 The autobiography of Helen Keller was especially memorable to that young reader. “It fascinated me what you can learn from a book,” she says. “You can just learn about the world, and you can live someone else’s life for two or three days.” If she reads fiction, it’s light and fluffy. Once she started buying books, she never stopped. She enjoys biographies, but also art history, gardening, cooking and architecture. She likes to read books about books. “I’m the type of person who (thinks) if I read one book about Frank Lloyd Wright, I should read the other three,” she says. Although a registered nurse by profession, art history has long been a passion. If you want to learn about a country’s history and politics, look at its art, she says. When she started reading about what happened to works of art during World War II, she moved on to the Holocaust. Soon it was everything to do with that chapter in history. “I call it falling down a rabbit hole,” she says. “But I find it absolutely fascinating.”
CAROL EVANS LYNCH’S FAVORITE BOOKS A 1937 Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language (Shown on page 9.) It is 5 inches thick and weighs 11 pounds. It is a time capsule with maps in the back and simply a very cool thing from a very cool great-aunt. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff Old Herbaceous by Reginald Arkell A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books by Nicholas A. Basbanes Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse by Anna Sewell The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker
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HOMESPIRATION
Memory room STORY MARJIE DUCEY PHOTOS KAYLA WOLF
S
knacks and pictures fill the shelves, too. Nearly all have a story. There are gifts
For the Pitlors, shelves hold ‘story of our lives’
The couple, married nearly 45 years, moved into the house on Eagle Run Drive
teve and Marcia Pitlor say a bet-
from friends and even a few autographed
in west Omaha 17 years ago. The library
ter name for their home library is
photos of celebrities. Sixtieth birthday
is at the front of the home and gives
the memory room.
wishes from Jerry Mathers and Tony
Steve a chance to get away from the hus-
Dow from “Leave It to Beaver,” Steve’s
tle and bustle of the rest of the house.
“It’s kind of the story of our lives,”
Steve says. There are plenty of books, but knick-
12 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
favorite television show from the 1960s, are a treasured framed memento.
“I loved this room from day one,” Steve says.
He has spent the most time in the library, first working mainly on business when he was owner of Pitlor Mechanical. Marcia, a mental health therapist, would stop in occasionally to chat. Now that he’s working just part time for Pitlor, now Mechanical Inc., Steve reads three newspapers there daily. He spends a lot of time looking at the photos. There are the typical wedding
MARCIA PITLOR’S FAVORITE BOOKS The Color of Water by James McBride The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Maya’s Notebook by Isabel Allende People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker
Steve says of the youngsters’ artwork. It’s not that the Pitlors aren’t readers. Steve enjoys non-fiction and Marcia fiction. “A Woman of Independent Means” by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey is the only book she has read twice. She’ll recommend novels that she particularly loves to Steve. Marcia says she has to have a book in
pictures, both of themselves and their
has a section, and there is a shelf of
her hand, at least of the e-book variety.
children. Lisa, David and Kym all have
children’s books, too.
She jumped on the Kindle bandwagon
children, and once the Pitlors became
Grandson Bobby, just 2, has some
grandparents, the shelves began filling
catching up to do. He’ll be contributing for
up with artwork and birthday cards by
the first time on his next trip from Denver.
Zoey, Benny, Eli and Oscar. Each child
“They check to make sure it’s still up,”
right away. Most of her books then went to the library. “I probably could have filled this room 50 times over,” she says. inspiredlivingomaha.com
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HOMESPIRATION
Bound to impress HER BOOKCASE IS A WORK OF ART STORY MARJIE DUCEY PHOTOS KAYLA WOLF
G
uests are always amazed when they first see Nancy Rips’ dramatic two-story wall of books.
Then they want to know: How does she
reach the top two shelves? “They always ask that,” Rips says. That’s where she parks all of her old textbooks, so it’s a climb up the library ladder that she seldom needs to make. “I keep my books forever,” she says. “I have my children’s books.” The only books she gives away are the advance reading copies that she has picked up from her job at The Bookworm. Those are stored in a back bedroom of her apartment at One Pacific Place for guests to enjoy. Her bedroom, done in a joyous red, is home to scrapbooks, spiritual books and novels focused on women. Scripts from her radio and past TV shows can be found in her office. “This is where I do all of my work,” she says. “This is where I spend all of my time.” She also has eight shelves of cookbooks in the kitchen. Her love for the written word stretches back to her childhood when she’d curl up on a couch in the library of her father, Dr. Leon Fellman. “I loved it,” Rips says. “I used to like to be with him while he was reading.” She began selling books in 1976, when she worked at the old B Dalton Bookstore at Westroads Mall. She is past president
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
NANCY RIPS’ FAVORITE BOOKS
BOOKS WRITTEN BY NANCY RIPS
of the Omaha Public Library Board of
Living a Life That Matters by Harold S. Kushner
Seder Stories
My Favorite Things by Dorothy Rodgers
Hanukkah Stories
Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt
My First Berkshire ABC, illustrations by Tom Kerr
Trustees and still serves on the Library Foundation’s Advisory Council. She has written five books; a Hanukkah book for children was published this
On the Doorposts of Your House by Central Conference of American Rabbis
fall. She also does a radio show about
Necessary Losses by Judith Viorst
High Holiday Stories
Noah and the Eight Trucks of Hanukkah, illustrations by Marina Saumell
new books, and had reviewed books on KMTV for 18 years. Rips loves biographies and books about
programs from her many trips to New York City.
They fill the black custom bookcase, which stretches 12 shelves up.
words. She collects dictionaries, books
Two days were spent organizing the
“I think this is art,” she says, as she
with quotations and books on Judaism.
books into categories when she moved
gazes at the bookcase. “As beautiful as
into her apartment 22 years ago.
any painting.”
There’s also a section of theater
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DESIGN DONE RIGHT
naturally serene Riverfront townhouse is perfect blend of city life, outdoors STORY MARJIE DUCEY PHOTOS JEFFREY BEBEE 18 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
CASSIE FISH HAS OMAHA on her
loves the amenities of the city but hasn’t
front doorstep and the Missouri River in
forgotten the rural roots of her childhood.
her backyard. Her three-story Riverfront Place townhouse east of TD Ameritrade Park is the perfect combination for someone who
“I have so enjoyed living down here,” says Fish, a beef industry expert and consultant. She has some of the best views in the
LIVING ROOM It’s a cozy conversation area, Fish says. The chairs swivel for a better view of the Missouri River.
ENTRYWAY White oak floors draw you into the home. The townhome used to have a combination of bamboo flooring and carpeting.
city, with the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian
spots all kinds of flora and fauna on
Fish moved in August 2018. She had
Bridge right outside her third-floor office
walks along the “Big Muddy” with Lucky,
been living in the Raven Oaks
windows. She enjoys weaving imaginary
her Australian shepherd.
subdivision to the northwest, with woods
stories about the interesting people she spots there. But it’s the bend of the Missouri River
She loves the views so much that friend and interior designer Sandy Koepke suggested she buy swivel chairs
in the opposite direction that most often
for her living room, so she can easily
catches her eye. “That’s my favorite
twist around to look out the windows.
view.” An eagle lives across the way. She
Koepke was her “guiding light” in updating and furnishing her new home.
all around. But after a trip to Charleston, South Carolina, she had an epiphany. “What am I doing here on the edge of town?” she remembers thinking. She concentrated on downtown. “I walked in, and I pretty much
CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 inspiredlivingomaha.com
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20 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
PATIO
KITCHEN
DINING ROOM
The table is from World Market. Local craftsman Matt Martin made the benches from old bleacher seats from Truman University.
Fish kept the cabinets but added a fresh backsplash and quartz countertops. “It just brightened it up and brought it into the present time,’’ she says.
The painting, by Morningside College professor Terri Parish McGaffin, is of the U.S. Highway 20 bridge across the Missouri River near Sioux City.
inspiredlivingomaha.com
21
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 knew,” she says of her three-bedroom, 2,624-square-foot unit. The purchase wasn’t without its challenges. The townhome needed a serious refresh. Fish replaced carpeting with white oak floors on the first and second levels, repainted every room, replaced the countertops and backsplash in the kitchen, and updated the fireplace and lighting throughout. “It looks a lot different,” she says. Fish also bought the new furnishings and design elements, many sourced in Omaha. She says she did a major purge before moving in, shedding many of her former things. She remembers telling herself she couldn’t leave her old home until she touched everything. “I just wanted a fresh start,’’ she says. “I wanted everything in present time.” Her townhome has a midcentury
THIRD FLOOR This bend of the Missouri River is one of Fish’s favorite views. PATIO (Opposite page) There’s room for a small garden of mainly perennials. rug in the living room. Found by Koepke, the design echoes the river just outside. Fish says decorating choices for her new abode were challenging − things like picking out the tile for the master
a few months living on the third floor during the early part of the renovation. But a year later, it’s complete. Fish says it’s an inspiring place to live.
bathroom and the perfect light fixture
It feels fresh, modern and current but
for above the dining room table. Koepke,
not trendy.
modern yet rustic vibe. The decorating
she says, kept her from making any
scheme radiates from a Christopher Farr
mistakes.
22 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
She, Lucky and cat Sister had to spend
“I learned a lot,” she says. “It was really fun to do.”
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HISTORIC GEM
WINDOW TO THE WORLD
Penthouse renovation was a lifesaver
24 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
STORY MARJIE DUCEY
h
PHOTOS JEFFREY BEBEE
is beloved wife, Patti, had just died after six years of battling ovarian cancer. Kids Greg and Rachael were ready to resume
their own lives. Dog Ziggy Marley, Patti’s constant
companion, had to be put down for health reasons. Eric Wolfe needed a lifeline. “A project,’’ he says. “Something to get me out of my own head.” Living alone in the country near Elkhorn no longer ap-
pealed. Wolfe says he’s a people person, and so he began
At 3,200 square feet, with three bedrooms and four bath-
looking for condos in Omaha, concentrating on midtown
rooms, plus 2,000 square feet of roof deck, Wolfe originally
and the Old Market.
thought the condo was too big. Downsizing had been his goal. But after giving it some thought, he decided the residence
Wolfe is an architect and construction consultant. The 61-year-old laughs that he’s a fireman, too, because he’s
was the perfect challenge. “I could see the potential,” he says.
always putting out fires for clients. One of them told him about an available penthouse in the tower condominium at 30th and Farnam Streets. The Omaha
It took a year to get the penthouse the way he wanted. He opened up the narrow galley kitchen and removed another
landmark, built in 1919, had at one time housed a car assem-
wall to turn one of the bedrooms into a den, eliminating a
bly plant and then a Sears and Roebuck store.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
MASTER BEDROOM Wolfe has 360-degree views of Omaha in the master bedroom. Turner Park at Christmas and the city skyline are among his favorites.
BAR The gold-leaf tile splash wall is original to the home. He also incorporated some of the tiles into the kitchen backsplash.
inspiredlivingomaha.com
25
PATIO One of several seating areas on the almost 2,000-square-foot deck that nearly wraps around the home.
LIVING ROOM Wolfe found the black leather semi-circular sectional online at allmodern.com. The wall piece is Cosmic Voyage from Zipcode Design. The column at left has more of the goldleaf mosaic tile.
MASTER BATHROOM Wolfe updated the plumbing and countertops and installed a new shower door. Both the bathroom and master bedroom have radiant floor heating.
26 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 long dark hallway to the master bedroom. Loving the depth and richness of the stone, he added “Black Galaxy” granite countertops. Cupboards in the bathrooms and renovated kitchen now match the walnut-paneled floor-to-ceiling cupboards you see when you first enter the 10th-floor condo. Those cabinets conceal three closets and a laundry room. At one end is a hidden bar, meticulously constructed by friend Dave Nelson of Dave’s Custom Interiors. “Everything that was cool I kept,” Wolfe says. “I wanted to blur the lines between vintage and retro. It all looks midcentury.” Electricians spent hours adding dimming lights, wiring for shades that drop with a touch of the button for massive windows, and heated floors for the master bedroom and bath. The homeowner has a 132-inch pro-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
inspiredlivingomaha.com
27
KITCHEN Wolfe opened up the galley kitchen and added “Black Galaxy” granite countertops and walnut cabinetry.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 jector screen instead of a television in the living area. No detail was too small. After finding 699 small gold-leaf tiles in a cupboard, left over from some original features in the condo, Wolfe used them to enhance the kitchen backsplash. Wolfe is done with the mechanics of the home. Now he’s
28 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
BAR
(Opposite page) The hidden bar, built by Dave Nelson of Dave’s Custom Interiors, has several facets, including a wine fridge and a sink.
focused on decorating. Choosing the right furniture and artwork will be an ongoing project, he says. He found the huge black sectional in his living room on allmodern.com. “It’s funky and modern, and I just like it,” he says. Wolfe loves sharing the details of his restoration. But it’s the massive panoramic windows that immediately catch a visitor’s eye.
Beautifu Beautiful Smiles
For all of life’s special moments
The windows in the main living space overlook deck space that nearly wraps around the condo. Dotted with patio furniture, the deck offers views of the city that stretch to the Missouri River. It’s an immediate draw for every guest, including workers who traipsed through during the year of construction. “I’ve never lived anywhere before where everyone wants to take a selfie,” Wolfe says.
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......................................................
$
1,071*
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See our complete listing of tours at: www.Elitetours.us 0000079897-01
INTERIOR DESIGN: INTERIORS JOAN; PHOTO: TOM KESSLER
NEW RECIPES FOR KITCHEN DESIGN
T
BY LINDI JANULEWICZ AND LISA COOPER SPECIAL FOR INTERIORS JOAN AND ASSOCIATES
he kitchen is one of the most important spaces in a home. It’s also the most important investment you can make in your home’s construction or renovation. Taking careful time and consideration in planning the layout and design of your kitchen – the heart and soul of your home – will pay off in how well your kitchen functions for years to come. Hiring a professional designer will help you get the most from your investment and avoid buyer’s remorse.
TRENDING IN KITCHEN DESIGN Natural elements. Carrara marble is a classic choice for its timeless appeal. However, its porous quality makes it a poor choice for some family lifestyles. Natural quartzite is a durable alternative for the same look. Smart kitchen elements. Eco-friendly dishwashers, refrigerators with Wi-Fi, and other smart appliances help kitchens run faster and safer, and overall are better for the environment and our fast-paced lifestyles.
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A homeowner’s personality is reflected in colorful cabinets, tile and wall covering. Even appliances, such as ranges, offer amazing personality in their dials and features. Hoods even are available in pops of color or metal detailing.Tiles are an easy opportunity to inject personality and color into a space. But also look for colorful paints, stains and finishes.A bold island color is your friend! Wall coverings are better than ever in stunning materials, bold patterns and quiet textures. Many natural materials can be mimicked in vinyl as a beautiful yet durable option for high-traffic areas. Large floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Historically, these were called “larders” for overflowing pantry items. Convenient and gorgeous, today’s versions provide a tidy place to park cooking ingredients and create customized storage solutions for spice racks, drawers for specialty linens, etc. Many clients are replacing the 36-inch drop counter desk with a larder for extra storage. In smaller kitchens, this provides a taller utilization of space to achieve a pantry. Integrated “dirty” or “prep” kitchens. Without a formal dining room, guests gravitate to the kitchen to eat at large dinette tables.This often means our cooking mess is exposed. Integrating the work space behind a walled area solves the dilemma. Fun finishing touches in cabinet hardware and plumbing and lighting fixtures. It takes a delicate balance to play off the current variety of finishes. Antique and French brass, pewter and chrome can be mixed, but caution 0000097008-01 and precision are needed to get it right.
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inspiredlivingomaha.com
31
GARDENING
the new fig in town P HOTO S BY AD O BE STO CK
f
MONSTERA IS PUTTING A SCARE IN FIDDLE LEAF FIG’S DOMINANCE iddle leaf
tions. That’s why it’s called
fig, there’s
the Swiss cheese plant.
a new
Yummy.
plant in
Fiddle leaf figs will always
town.
be very popular, Osten says.
Mon-
about 3 feet. “It doesn’t require as much light and is not as temperamental when it comes to water,” she says. “A monstera tells you when it needs
They are part of the ficus
water (by drooping). The fiddle isn’t that
stera, a foliage species
family and one of the few
forgiving.”
native to tropical for-
true trees you can grow in-
ests, is becoming more popular with Omahans,
MARJIE DUCEY
SPEAKING OF PLANTS
especially first-time “I think there is a newfound love for how its leaves evolve over time,” says Jasmine Osten, houseplant buyer at Mulhall’s. The leaves of a juvenile plant don’t have holes, but as they mature, the leaves develop slits and holes called fenestra-
32 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
side. Figs sometimes reach
stera for $14.99. A fiddle leaf fig could
12 feet.
start at $50.
“It has such a unique leaf
plant owners.
Buyers can usually find a young mon-
that looks like a fiddle
It was a surprise to hear collectors will pay as much as $500 for a variegated
with cool veins,” Osten says. “People
monstera (Osten’s favorite) or other
do like it.”
types of aroids.
But it’s also temperamental. A fig flourishes in south or west light and if not happy will start dropping leaves. A monstera is a lot easier in a home setting, Osten says. It’s more compact at
Suddenly, my guilt over a $25 rose bush is evaporating. “The hunt is fun,” Osten says. Also popular with plant buyers is Sansevieria, which is also known as snake
THE CLASSICS
plant and mother-in-law tongues. Tall and skinny, they can withstand a lot. Technically a succulent, they don’t like to be overwatered. Which Osten says is why mine is flopping over. Houseplants in general are becoming more popular, spurred by pretty pictures on social media platforms such as Instagram. “People are doing it for the décor,’’ Osten says. “That’s where the traction is happening.”
WATERING TIP Mulhall’s Osten waters her plants from the bottom. She sits the pots in an inch or two of water in the bathtub or sink for 15 to 30 minutes each
DINKER’S BAR & GRILL
THE FLATIRON CAFÉ
If you’re craving the city’s BEST burger and a cold beer, then Dinker’s is your destination. Family-owned and operated since 1965 in Omaha’s “Little Poland” neighborhood. Selections include daily hand-pattied burgers, homemade onion rings, wings and chicken sandwiches. 2368 S 29TH ST 402-342-9742 DINKERSBAR.COM
Our classics endure for a reason. Serving delicious food and timeless hospitality since 1995. Open Table “Diner’s Choice” Award 2018. Tri p Advisor “Ten Best Restaurants i n Omaha 2019.” 1722 ST MARY’S AVE 402-344-3040 THEFLATIRONCAFE.COM
week. Then once the water drains from the pot, she returns the plants to their spots. But if that sounds too labor intensive (especially if you have many plants like I do), just make sure to water evenly. Don’t water your plant in the same spot week after week, because the water will run down the same channel in the soil. “That will help hydrate all the soil instead of one root at a time,” Osten says. It’s always better to underwater than to overwater, too. “It’s really hard to get something back that has soaked up too much
GARDEN CAFE
A classic café and a Rockbrook landmark. start your day with made-from-scratch breakfast. Lunch offers delicious comfort food, signature soups, salads, and hot, traditional chicken and beef entrées. Dine with friends and family, or host your next group meeting at Garden Café. 11040 OAk st. 402-393-0252 GARDENCAFEROCkbROOk.COm
Gorat’s steak House an omaha tradition since 1944. Favorite of Warren Buffett, Brk shareholders, celebrities and dignitaries from around the world.top-quality fillet mignon, prime rib, New York strip, whiskey rib-eye, chops and seafood. Live music most weekends. Daily lunch and dinner. 4917 CeNter st 402-551-3733 GoratsomaHa.Com
moisture,” Osten says. THE LEGENDS
HOMY INN “A legendar y watering hole .” There’s no place like Homy! Omaha’s only champagne on tap, plus cocktails and cold beer. A “must stop” where friends gather. An Omaha institution since 1956. 1510 SADDLE CREEK RD 402-554-5815 HOMYINN.COM
ADVERTISE WITH US! List your small business on the Inspired Living Omaha director y page. Space includes a photo or logo, 35 words and contact information. CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE 402-444-1448 DEBBIE.MCCHESNEY@OWH.COM
inspiredlivingomaha.com
33
N E A R + FA R
THE EMERALD ISLE We found gold — ponies and sheep too — in Ireland’s storied countryside
KERRY CLIFFS
34 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
STORY MARJIE DUCEY
M
PHOTOS MARJIE DUCEY, LINDSAY DUCEY, ISABELLE DUCEY + EAMON SUGHROUE
outh-dropping scenery. Gorgeous flowers. Emerald-green meadows dotted with sheep and ruins. I horned in on a cousins’ trip to Ireland after growing up with my dad’s tales of leprechauns. We saw none, but it was still a marvelous early autumn adventure.
Airbnb was on O’Connell Street in the
is perfect. Nephew Eamon’s favorite
heart of the city, and our cab driver
stop: The Guinness Storehouse, seven
or take the cheaper route with Norwe-
recommended Murray’s Bar and Grill
floors packed with information about
gian Air, a low-cost airline with an excel-
down the road. We opted for the “big
the history and production of the iconic
lent safety record. Our group of four met
Irish breakfast.” Huge would have been
beer. The rooftop Gravity Bar offers not
in New York for the less than seven-hour
more accurate: pork sausages, smoked
only a free pint but also a lovely view
flight. Just be aware: On Norwegian Air,
rashers, black and white pudding, hash
you’ll save money on tickets, but the
browns, eggs, tomatoes and beans and
seats aren’t as wide as you might be used
homemade Guinness brown bread. Just
to, and you pay for your meals.
the fuel we needed for a day of walking.
DAY 1 You can fly to Dublin with the big boys
After an overnight flight, we arrived in Dublin in time for breakfast. Our
GUINNESS STOREHOUSE\
We had debated about how much time to spend in the capital, and a day or two
of Dublin and its surroundings. Order tickets in advance, and you’ll save a few euros. The city is small enough that we were able to easily walk to Dublin Castle and
CONTINUED ON PAGE 36
ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL
inspiredlivingomaha.com
35
CLIFFS OF MOHER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35 St. Patrick’s Cathedral. We arrived on the day of the All-Ireland football final between Dublin and Kerry and fans of both teams thronged the streets. We caught the end of the match at a bar, cheering on Dublin while we ate the first of many chips (French fries).
DAY 2 A 2½-hour train ride took us across Ireland, and that’s when we started to fall in love. Daughter Lindsay lives in New York and had gotten advice about where to visit from Irish friends there. Galway, with its charming shops filled with woolen treasures, was on the list. There we rented a car and headed to the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most famous sights.
GALWAY
The windswept cliffs are breathtaking. Not to mention a fun photo opportunity with O’Brien’s Tower built in 1835 at the highest point. Bring stout walking shoes and a warm jacket − the wind and spray from the ocean far below are ferocious. We arrived back in Galway in time to catch an Irish folk band playing a foot-stomping version of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” in a pub a short walk from our Airbnb.
passport), we raced south toward the
the castle were equally amazing. Ireland
Blarney Stone. We had time for a quick
has a temperate climate and flowers
visit to Kilkenny Castle and reached
bloomed everywhere. Even in the park-
Blarney Castle just before closing time.
ing lot! It would have been easy to spend
This was a must for niece Isabelle,
Because of our late arrival, there were
just a tourist trap. But it was the high
few people, and we climbed right to the
point of the trip for me. The castle was
top of the castle lookout. Sometimes the
built more than 500 years ago, and as
wait can be as long as 90 minutes.
we climbed the well-worn stone steps to
DAY 3
an afternoon strolling the grounds.
and I had been resistant, thinking it was
Afterward, we made the short drive to
kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence, I
Cork, where we enjoyed tea and scones
marveled at the servants who once scur-
at our bed-and-breakfast inn. Cork is a
Consulate in Dublin (a fanny pack was
ried along the steep passageways to serve
more gritty city than most we saw on our
stolen and we needed a replacement
their masters. The gardens surrounding
trip, but it was a good stopping-off point
After an unexpected trip to the U.S.
36 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
before getting up early the next day to
the walk up and the smashing azure-
gold!). Each town, with houses of every
drive the Ring of Kerry.
and-white spray of the ocean far below.
hue, was more charming than the last.
We encountered narrow roads that
Our only regret, besides the stolen
Ireland is famous for on the way back
passport, which we blame on the football
We headed out at 6 a.m. to avoid the
to Cork and countless sheep, which are
crowds, was that we hadn’t scheduled
tourist buses and oohed and aahed as the
marked with different colors by farmers
more time before flying to our next stop
sun crept up along the winding coastal
to make them easier to identify. Each
in London. Ireland is the perfect place to
road with breathtaking vistas of moun-
turn of the road seemed to produce a wa-
spend a week or more, driving from one
tains and lakes. Although we stopped
terfall, a harbor filled with boats or ruins
historic spot to the next and soaking in
many times for pictures, the Kerry Cliffs
tucked away in a rock-filled meadow.
the glorious countryside.
were the highlight, with the ponies on
Even a rainbow or two (sadly, no pots of
DAY 4
I think I even spotted a cornfield.
BLARNEY CASTLE GARDENS
BLARNEY CASTLE
COUNTY KERRY inspiredlivingomaha.com
37
2011
2014
DESIGN DONE RIGHT
INSPIRED INTERIORS STORY CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOS JEFFREY BEBEE, TOM GRADY
The dawn of 2020 brings a look back at a
decade of memorable interiors from Inspired Living Omaha. Our Top 10 speaks to designer Billy Baldwin’s timeless advice: “Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” 2010 The Omaha riverfront townhome of Roger Fransecky, who died in 2013, actually appeared in the first issue of 2011, but had been photographed in 2010 and marked a new direction for the magazine under a new editor. Fransecky was a clinical psychologist and motivational speaker who regularly talked with people about reinventing themselves. Newly widowed, he followed his own advice. Interior designer Susie Smoler of Allens Home helped incorporate beloved
38 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
books, antiques, art and photos into the space to make it feel like home while new pieces signified the new chapter in Fransecky’s life. “There are no accidents. Everything in here has a story and a purpose,” he told us.
2011 We were over the moon when Stephani and Brian Moon answered their doorbell and obliged a request by this writer for an impromptu tour of their newly constructed Victorian-style home. Its
wrap-around porch, turret, yellow paint and red shingles had lured us in. For the Moons, it was the “house of a million decisions.” Their inspiration came from grand homes remembered from their childhoods. Wood plank flooring, faux marble columns, rough-cut stone walls, reclaimed tin ceilings and other overthe-top details create a sense of stepping back in time. The master bath made the cover with its black-and-white tiled flooring, icy blue walls, crystal chandelier and white bear-claw tub. Credit for this build goes to Mick McGuire of
2012 Straightline Design Inc., Terry Hurt of T. Hurt Construction and Libby Pantzlaff of Creative Interiors by Libby.
2012 Ed and Bailie Shada of Council Bluffs had the best of rural and urban living on a secluded hilltop in Council Bluffs: Easy commutes to restaurants, stores and work; Sunday morning serenades of train whistles and church bells; visits by woodland creatures big and small. Yet their 90-year-old, two-story house wasn’t quite what the couple had in mind for a forever home. A yearlong renovation gave them an additional 3,500 square feet for a climate-controlled cigar and wine room and an expansive kitchen with a curved breakfast bar and a 52-foot window wall. “The room explodes into
2010 the outdoors,” Ed said. “It’s like living in the trees.” The Shadas worked with Bryan Zimmer, The Architectural Offices; contractor Chris Rochleau, Cherry Ridge Construction; and Jenn Carroll White, Interiors Joan and Associates.
2013 Karen and Mike Blanc of Oakland, Nebraska, were delivering loaves of fresh-baked bread to friends when their route took them past an empty house that had come on the market. The couple let themselves in and savored the possibilities that June night in 2010. The home was built in 1907-08 by German immigrant Irving Kerl as a gift to his bride, Anna. The Blancs are its fourth owners. Omaha architect Gary Bishop kept structural changes to a minimum,
in part to preserve the Old World craftsmanship and improve the home’s chances of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mike handled the demolition work and other aspects of the 2½-year restoration. A routine dental checkup for Mike in February 2011 brought a devastating diagnosis: throat cancer. The house project and Mike’s cancer journey now were on parallel tracks. The house was both energy-giving and energy-zapping for Mike. But mostly, exhilarating, Karen blogged. “One of Mike’s fears was that the house wouldn’t get finished, and we would never be able to move into it together,” Karen shared. Our feature marked the Blancs’ first Christmas in the completed home, and Mike’s return to good health!
CONTINUED ON PAGE 40
2013
See the full stories and galleries on inspiredlivingomaha.com. inspiredlivingomaha.com
39
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39
2014
2016
“So much of this house is an extension of who I am as an artist,” Mary Zicafoose said of her Cape Cod-style home in Omaha’s Rockbrook neighborhood. Her husband, Kirby, noted that everything has a story, from handcrafted works by local, regional and national artists, to artifacts and art from travels to Turkey, India, Indonesia, Latin America and more. The interior palette is reminiscent of the vibrant, warm hues in Mary’s tapestries, rugs and monoprints. A family room addition doubles as a meditation room. A lower-level studio is remarkably tidy, given her favorite medium – fibers and dyes. The couple left a beloved home in Portland, Oregon, to come here in 1996. “You can still see my fingernail marks on the pavement,” Mary said of her reluctance to move. She learned: “Every place – and I do mean EVERY place – has its jewels.”
2015 Mark and Mikal Eckstrom take visual editing to the nth degree in all of their decorating endeavors. “We are so neurotic,” Mark said. “We photograph everything and then edit, edit, edit” until spaces are exactly right to their eye. Theirs is a curated home that mixes traditional and contemporary styles. They adore the Gilded Age. Buying at auction is an addiction. And while they have an affinity for fine art and antiques, they also love a great bargain with loads of style. Their forte is the high-low mix. “We love finding purposeful treasures,” Mikal said. “Everything in our home is evolving. If you see it today, it probably will change tomorrow.”
2016 Originality defines all facets of Vanessa Barrett’s life. “Not in a wild way, though. I’d call my style ‘refined eclectic.’” Midcentury. Neoclassical. Bohemian. DIY. Vanessa loves playing with the mix, whether wall-to-wall or head-to-toe. “I don’t really shop with a purpose. I treasure-hunt,” the interior decoratorstyle consultant said. “If I fall in love with it, I find a place for it.” Her decorating philosophy: “An authentic home has to reflect you as a person and what’s meaningful to you.” For her, that’s original art, books, antiques, architectural salvage and three four-legged housemates, Stella, Elton and Lola. A decade ago, her home had a more restrained aesthetic. No layers. No walls filled with art. “My former husband was a minimalist ... our styles just clashed.” Today, it’s all about the joy of the maximalist home.
40 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
2019
2017
2017
2015
Interior designer Leslie H. Berry may well have been the “Pucci of Omaha.” Just as the flamboyant Italian designer loved geometric prints in a kaleidoscope of color, so too did Berry. Noted in art and design circles both locally and nationally, Berry created a legacy of unabashed use of color, pattern and texture in homes from Palm Springs to New York City. None illustrated his talent better than his own home in Omaha’s Regency neighborhood. Still occupied by his partner of 35 years, the home remains largely as Berry left it when he died in 2011. Fine Asian antiques, original works by Nebraska artists and symmetry define every tableau.
2018 My Boes (pronounced BASE) loves creativity and art, and original works can be found around every corner of her wildly eclectic home and gardens in Omaha’s Fairacres neighborhood. “I have to have art in my world,” the 35-year art dealer said. Every piece in her California Art Deco home has a story, from a Chinese marriage bed, to wood from a dismantled barn, to an ancient 2-foot Buddha bust that greets her each morning. The house, built in 1939, was purchased in the early 1990s. My has renovated nearly every surface and overseen two major additions. The most recent doubled the kitchen space and gave her an aging-in-place wing with a bedroom, full bath, walk-in closet and kitchenette. Gardening is a passion. Double doors off the bedroom wing lead to a courtyard with a small pond and fountain, raised beds for herbs and vegetables, a chaise lounge for reading and clusters of lighted orbs for a magical touch at night. “It’s very therapeutic to garden,” My said. “It’s almost meditation.”
2019
2018
Many people might be afraid to take on a fixer-upper. But not Kara and Vince Bellino. Their dream home was the house that nobody else wanted to buy. Holes marred the siding, cracked windows were duct-taped closed, and every room was a different color. The real “ugh” factor: a hair salon on the main floor. “No one else could see the potential,” Kara said. Having flipped eight houses for their business, VKB Properties, the Bellinos weren’t afraid of a challenge. Seven months, 15 dumpsters and a newborn baby later, their dream home was movein ready. The transformation proved to be Inspired Living Omaha’s most popular Before & After of the year.
inspiredlivingomaha.com
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COOL WHIP STARS 1. Thaw Cool Whip at room temperature for 20 minutes to soften. 2. Spread a ½-inch thick layer over a baking sheet lined with wax paper. 3. Freeze for 30 minutes. 4. Cut out shapes using small star-shaped cookie cutters (or any shape you want).
RECIPES
HOT CHOCOLATE FIVE WAYS Yummy takes on a classic cold-weather treat
STYLING + PHOTOS HEIDI HOFFMAN
COCONUT WHITE CHOCOLATE 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips 2 teaspoons shredded coconut 1 cup milk
42 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
Follow these instructions for our other recipes, too: 1. Put all ingredients into a mug. 2. Microwave the mixture for 1½ minutes. Stir. 3. If necessary, microwave in additional 30-second intervals until chocolate has melted. 4. Garnish with marshmallows as desired.
VEGAN
CARAMEL
1 tablespoon coconut sugar 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup vanilla almond milk
2 tablespoons milk chocolate chips 1 tablespoon caramel sauce 2 tablespoons heavy cream 1 cup milk
PEANUT BUTTER
AZTEC
2 tablespoons milk chocolate chips 1 tablespoon peanut butter 1 tablespoon heavy cream 1 cup milk
2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips Pinch of cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup milk
inspiredlivingomaha.com
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LUXURY HOMES
Oriental Rug Palace Celebrating 30 years of business in Omaha!
Oriental Rug Palace owners, Nick and Asha Agarwal invite you to visit their showroom to explore the large selection of handmade rugs, quality furniture and unique accessories.
40% OFF
709 S. 96TH ST. $2,800,000 Impressive District 66 Prudy/Slack designed home. Quality constructed by Dan Witt & set on approx. 3 secluded acres complete with tennis court and swimming pool. Over 9,000 finished sq ft, 8+ car garage, 9+ bath locations, 5 bedrooms with walk-in closets, 4 fireplaces. The master features 2 enormous walk-in closets/rooms, 2 bath locations plus walk-in shower & whirlpool. Master suite overlooks access to private garden & patio. The second floor features a hallway with balcony windows overlooking the main floor living/great room. Generously sized second-floor bedrooms have walk-in closets, Jack/Jill configured baths. Please note that all measurements are approx. Blueprints available for review upon request. Seller requests 24-hour showing notice.
Carolyn Kesick 402-669-0940
21111 B ST. $679,500 Schedule your private tour of this new six-bedroom walkout ranch with a premier lot location in Blue Sage Creek. New construction, lot backs to treed area with no rear neighbors. The open great room & kitchen features 10-foot ceilings, designer light fixtures, hand-scraped wood floors, massive marble waterfall island counter, wine refrigerator, stainless steel appliances with gas cooktop & hood. Sizable pantry room with counter space just off the kitchen.
All in-stock funiture, art, accessories, and lamps with the mention of this ad thru the end of February.
DentonErickson Group 402-578-8665
10220 S. 183RD Avenue Circle • $730,000 rugs | furniTure aCCessories
Street of Dreams 2019 by Sierra Homes Modern with a focus on function and organization! The new “Maui” plan is a true show stopper! As you walk inside, enjoy the panoramic view of your great room with 18-foot ceilings, the dinette with a built-in buffet center and the large window above the kitchen sink! Master with walk-in two-person shower and massive custom closet with second laundry.
Professional rug Cleaning, rePair, aPPraisals
Oriental Rug Palace
980 S 72nd St. Omaha, NE 402-390-1122 www.orientalrugpalace.com 44 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
Tamarah Kronaizl 402-830-7811
RECIPES
‘Knead’ to bake STORY CHRIS ALLEN PHOTOS CHRIS CHRISTEN
T
+ KURT A. KEELER
V gave me my early culinary lessons. I started watching
cooking programs in my early teens. “The Gal-
loping Gourmet” was the first cooking show I watched. I became the family dessert-maker, boiling up pots of Jell-o pudding, baking batches of chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies, and even tackling Duncan Hines cakes. As a single guy living in suburban Chicago, Julia Child, Jacques Pépin, Mary Ann Esposito, Lidia Bastianich and others became my Saturday afternoon education. I don’t remember when I first got interested in bread baking, but I do remember an almost disastrous early attempt when I was about 24 years old. I had invited my boss and his wife for a meal at my one-bedroom apartment. I made rolls, but I realized I had misjudged the time to dinner. They were rising much too early, and I’d have to bake them too soon. They would be cold by dinner. So I stuck them in the fridge to slow down the rise. When I looked in, they had completely deflated. I panicked. I had ruined the fresh rolls. I snatched them out of the fridge and sat them on the counter, trying to figure out what to do. It was too late to make a new batch.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 inspiredlivingomaha.com
45
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 Of course, in the warmth of the kitchen, they rose just fine. I had no idea. I baked them, served them warm with the spaghetti, and the meal went very well. The wine probably helped. I learned one very important thing from cooking shows – how to read a
GRANDMA ADLER’S SWEET ROLLS When Elaine and I got engaged 34 years ago, we went to visit her mother and grandmother in Sioux City, Iowa. Her grandmother, Betty Adler, had spent her adult life running diners. She cooked the food, baked the pies, and made fresh bread and rolls. As Grandma Adler and I sat, we began talking about bread. I was new to it, but I sort of knew what was going on. After a while, she got up from her rocker, went into the kitchen and returned with a 3-by-5-inch card. At the top it said “Parker House Rolls.” Grandma Adler had given me, not her granddaughter, her handwritten recipe! It makes great Parker House rolls. But it turns out to be the best cinnamon roll recipe I’ve ever found. See the recipe on inspiredlivingomaha.com
recipe. This opened a lifetime avocation for me. One thing I did not take from the
about taking out your frustrations on the dough! Child was the most pugilistic.
When my family breaks bread together, it’s bread that has been created in our
cookbooks and TV programs was the
I can’t do that. This is bread I’m going
own home and baked in our own oven. It’s
kneading techniques. Almost all the
to serve to my family, my loved ones and
been that way for more than 30 years and
cooks I watched recommend pounding
my friends. I knead it firmly, but care-
continues. I still bake a couple of loaves
dough with your fists or picking it up
fully. Bread may be an inanimate object,
every other week, even though it’s just my
and banging it on the counter. Talk
but symbolically it’s life.
wife, Elaine, and me left in the house.
46 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
CHRIS ALLEN’S BREAD My bread has changed over the years — and it’s still evolving. It used to be plain white bread made with milk in place of water. As I read more about bread, watched cooking programs and just experimented, the recipe evolved into what it is now: multigrain and hearty. Bread is as simple as four ingredients: water, yeast, flour and salt. They can go together in a variety of ways (except for the salt). Some wheat flour is necessary because bread needs gluten to rise. (I know there are non-gluten recipes, but I don’t know how they work.) But with even a small amount of wheat flour you can use a wide variety of other grains and cereals.
INSTRUCTIONS 1 cup rolled oats 1 cup 10-grain dry cereal 8-10 cups flour, divided (I use whole wheat and bread flour) 2 packages or 1 heaping tablespoon instant yeast (rapid-rise or bread machine)
1. Mix together the rolled oats, 10-grain cereal, 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup bread flour, yeast, salt and fat in the bowl of a stand mixer. 2. Run the mixer on low for 30 seconds or so to thoroughly blend the ingredients using the paddle attachment. 3. Slowly add the 4 cups of water. Mix at medium-low speed for 8 minutes. Then turn off the mixer and let the batter rest for 8 minutes. (If you don’t have a stand mixer, stir the mixture by hand for 15 to 20 minutes to form the gluten. This is a good job to tag-team with a youngster.) 4. Add one cup wheat flour and two cups bread flour. Using the dough hook, blend mix for 8 minutes. You will probably have to add another one to two cups flour to make a soft dough. It should be firm enough to handle. (By hand, knead about 15 minutes. It’s a good cardio workout.) 5. Remove the dough from the bowl onto a counter dusted with flour. Briefly knead the dough while forming it into a ball. Place the dough into a large, well-greased bowl and turn to coat all sides. Cover with a clean tea towel and set in a warm spot away from drafts. If you have a proofing feature on your oven, use that. If the area is cool the dough will take a long time to rise. 6. Let dough rise until at least double in size, which should take 45 minutes to an hour. To test, make an indentation with your finger. If the dough pops back, it’s still rising. If the
1 tablespoon kosher salt (or ½ tablespoon table salt) 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil (or melted butter) 4 cups lukewarm water
THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO Mozart
indentation remains, it’s done. 7. Turn the dough onto the counter and deflate it by kneading it again briefly. Divide the dough into two equal parts. (I use a kitchen scale and weigh each half.) Form each into a loaf. Place into a greased 5-by-9-inch loaf pan, cover with the tea towel and let rise again. 8. Bake in a preheated 400 F oven. After 30 minutes check the loaves with an instant-read thermometer. The target temperature is 190200 F. If you don’t have a thermometer, take one pan out, turn the bread onto a surface and thump the bottom. If it doesn’t sound hollow, or if the temperature is below 190, return it to the oven for an additional 10 minutes. 9. When the bread is done, remove and immediately turn the loaf onto a cooling rack. Stand upright, and brush the top crust with butter. 10. Now, here’s the hardest direction of all: Wait at least a half-hour, and preferably a full hour, before cutting into the bread. Warm bread is great, but cutting too soon will let the steam – and moisture – escape, and your bread will dry out. Note: We slice the bread when it’s cool and divide the slices into zip-top bags, about 4 slices per bag, then freeze, thawing as needed. This is fine for making toast, but I think it ruins the bread for sandwiches. This bread has no preservatives and will mold quickly. Storing in the fridge helps.
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