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MAY 2020

SHOWCASING LOCAL ART IN A

MIDCENTURY MODERN DREAM

A POTTER UNEARTHS JOY // A KITCHEN REDO IN STATEMENT BLUE // EVERY PLANT DESERVES A PARTNER // REIMAGINING THE MODERN HOME

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A STYLE THAT LOOKS GOOD ON YOU Every space in your home should be a reflection of you. From comfort and convenience to style and sophistication. That’s why the creative interior designers at Nebraska Furniture Mart’s Design Gallery are here. We work with you every step of the way to bring your vision to life. Bringing you the latest styles and personalized service all at NFM’s Legendary Low Prices.

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KNOW WHAT’S BELOW CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG DID YOU KNOW THAT MANY UTILITIES ARE BURIED JUST A FEW INCHES BELOW THE GROUND? You can easily hit a line when digging for simple gardening projects, like planting flowers or shrubs. Follow these instructions to stay safe this spring and take advantage of the free utility marking service: 1. Call 811 or make an online request at ne1call.com at least TWO business days in advance of your excavation project.

2. Mark the proposed area of your excavation with white flags or white paint prior to the utility operator’s arrival.

Ensure the area is safe and accessible by unlocking gates and securing all pets.

3. On average, 7-8 utility operators are notified for each request.

So, be patient and make sure you have heard from them before digging. This usually doesn’t take more than two days.

IT’S FREE. IT’S EASY. IT’S THE LAW.

4. Respect the marks (flags or paint) made by the utility operators — they are your guide for the duration of the project. Make sure to dig carefully according to the regulations. If you are unable to maintain the marks or the project takes longer than your request’s expiration date, please call 811 to ask for refreshed markings.

5. If you damage any underground utilities during excavation, call 811. If you smell gas, leave the area and call 911 from a safe distance, followed by M.U.D.’s 24-hour emergency number: 402.554.7777.

Visit our store located in the heart of Rockbrook Village

VOLUME 10 · Issue 3

EDITORIAL Managing Editor DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Senior Editor TARA SPENCER Associate Editor LINDA PERSIGEHL Contributing Writers HANNAH AMROLLAHI · MEGAN FABRY · JENNA GALLAGHER LISA LUKECART · PATRICK M C GEE · STACIE MUHLE CARRIELLE SEDERSTEN · LIZ STEVENS

CREATIVE Creative Director MATT WIECZOREK Senior Graphic Designer DEREK JOY Graphic Designer II MADY BESCH

LOVE YOU BUNCHES!

From punctuated pops of color to broad brushstrokes of expression – feel the love with colors inspired by nature.

Contributing Photographers JOHN GAWLEY · THOMAS GRADY

SALES Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing GIL COHEN Senior Branding Specialist MARY HIATT Senior Sales Executive & 60Plus in Omaha Contributing Editor GWEN LEMKE

ltor Agent Rea

Publisher’s Assistant & OmahaHome Contributing Editor SANDY MATSON Branding Specialists DAWN DENNIS · GEORGE IDELMAN Digital Sales Manager JILLIAN DUNN Senior Sales Coordinator ALICIA HOLLINS

OPERATIONS Operations Officer & Local Stubs Ticketing Representative JOSHUA PETERSON

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OmahaHome E N T R Y WAY

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CON TEN TS 65

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Maker

A P OT T ER U NE A R T HS JOY

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Spaces A K I T C H E N R E D O I N S TAT E M E N T B L U E

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Feature A RUSTIC HOME WITH BOHEMIAN CHARM

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At Home FA R M H O U S E C H I C + FA M I LY F U N AT O L I V E A C R E S

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Feature LOC AL ART IN A MIDCENT URY MODERN DRE A M

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A rchitecture REIMAGINING THE MODERN HOME

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Har vest E V E R Y P L A N T D E S E R V E S A PA R T N E R

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Transformations C R E AT I N G A C U L I N A R Y C L A S S I C

ON THE COVER

Eric Burden’s art-inspired living room. Story page 86.

Photo by Bill Sitzmann.

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his year, spring fever has a whole new meaning.

Most of us have spent weeks stuck at home, trying to remain optimistic amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s thought that a person’s physical environment has a direct impact on their well-being. And as of late, it’s become imperative that one’s house be their haven. A home should lift your mood, deliver instant gratification, and help rejuvenate you, physically and mentally.

One simple way to reenergize your home is to make a few decor adjustments. Small things like repositioning a table or refreshing your mantel are perfect ways to bring new life to a focal point in the room. Changing out pillows and throws to reflect the warmer weather can be like switching out wardrobes in spring and fall.

Another way to bring spring into your surroundings is with nature. Incorporating tropical plants or floral print artwork will instantly bring warmth into your home. Joy O’Conner, this issue’s maker, creates earthen products that add a natural element to any space. Patrick McGee offers another option in the garden with tips for companion planting in his harvest piece.

This issue also includes home styles ranging from farmhouse chic to rustic Bohemian to midcentury modern featuring high-tech elements that are sure to inspire you.

We at OmahaHome so appreciate our advertisers, as well as all those homeowners and designers who’ve allowed us to share their wonderful home décor and remodeling stories. And to our readers, thank you for allowing us into your homes each issue. Omaha is such an amazing community!

On a positive endnote—days are longer, flowers are blooming, and trees are sprouting leaves again. There is such beauty all around us! Let’s hope our gratitude is renewed as well.

Sandy Matson Contributing Editor

A POTTER UNEARTHS JOY

Artist Joy O’Conner with EARTHENjoy Ceramics will tell you, pottery molded her life into a new image. Not just professionally, but personally.

A decade ago, she could see the cracks in her stressful life emerging. She knew they would eventually explode, like too much moisture in a piece of pottery. The water turns to a pressure-filled steam which can’t escape until the clay shatters. It finally materialized when O’Conner took her 1-year-old son, Paxton, in for a routine checkup. He was fine; she was not. O’Conner burst into tears.

O’Conner would later be diagnosed with situational depression (also called stress response syndrome or adjustment disorder), which typically occurs after a major life event or specific trauma. O’Conner had a lot on her plate.

STORY BY Lisa Lukecart PHOTOGRAPHY BY Bill Sitzmann DESIGN BY Mady Besch

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Her 3-year-old daughter, Delaney, had been diagnosed with high-functioning autism.

“Most days, I was always on edge knowing Delaney might have a meltdown. I would just be waiting for the time bomb to go off,” O’Conner explained.

After taking a very low dose of Prozac, O’Conner felt better. But pottery would become the real life-changer, helping mold her life into something better…emotionally healthier. Her mother-inlaw, Jane Farley, brought over a huge sheet of clay so the two could make Christmas ornaments in late 2013.

Farley said, “I knew when I struggled, I needed that. I needed to go out in the studio and throw things on the wheel.”

The pottery exercise reminded O’Conner of her childhood, when she used to dip her young hands into the natural clay of a stream on her grandfather’s land. She shaped and molded tiny objects which her mother collected.

“It’s super rewarding to [mold] an ugly lump of earth, and the end result is beautiful,” O’Conner explained.

With her father in the Air Force, the family was required to move many times. O’Conner furthered her talents in the fourth grade under Farley’s tutelage inside the “Potter’s Shed” during her time in Omaha.

The shed looked like an old chicken house converted into an art classroom where Farley educated children and adults about pottery.

“I taught her all I could, but she could probably teach me now,” Farley said. “She’s just so good with her hands. She is a natural with it.”

O’Conner also met her future husband, Patrick, who is Farley’s son. After connecting off and on for years, the couple married in 2006. O’Conner put all her energy into raising their two children, but realized she needed an outlet after that Christmas making and selling ornaments.

When the children went to bed, O’Conner would put on a movie or podcast and dig her hands into some clay. As she worked well into the night, she felt the worries of the day melt away.

“Art is definitely a coping skill. It pulls people out of depression,” mental health counselor Vera Petersen confirmed. Petersen utilizes art in trauma therapy, knowing it can get people out of bed.

Farley gave O’Conner a tiny kiln for firing and baking pottery. The size seemed perfect for detailed pieces such as earrings, necklaces, and trinkets.

She began selling EARTHENjoy, as she called her jewelry, in six shops around Omaha and Lincoln. Her popularity grew so much she bought a bigger kiln and began making vases and hanging pots. She later outgrew the room in her house and opened a studio at artisan workspace Bench in downtown Omaha in 2017.

O’Conner has since scaled back her business to balance her time, but items can still be bought at Wax Buffalo in Lincoln, Made in Omaha, and other retail outlets. Customers can also stop by her Bench studio by appointment. It’s her website, however, that takes most of the hits, and products quickly sell out. Her husband helps her with the marketing on occasion.

“Just watching her excel has been medicine for me,” her mother-inlaw said. Breast cancer has kept Farley away from pottery recently.

O’Conner is hoping to get her back behind the wheel.

“IT’S SUPER REWARDING TO [MOLD] AN UGLY LUMP OF EARTH AND THE END RESULT IS BEAUTIFUL.”

—Joy O’Conner

MAY 2020 • HOME

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Most mornings these days, O’Conner drops the children off at school before heading to Bench. The maker lights a smoky, wood-scented candle before beginning work. The light is bright, but the room is cold if the kiln isn’t lit, so she almost always wears a stocking cap. She dons an olive-colored apron over her men’s overalls, throws on a TED Talk, and focuses on that day’s task.

If just starting, O’Conner slices the clay like butter with a wire tool, weighs it, and forms it into balls. It’s like kneading hard dough, and time must be given to let it rest in a plastic bag. The artist will sometimes use porcelain, which is smooth and soft but tends to crack. So O’Conner prefers earthenware clay, which feels gritty and sandy as she slaps it on the center of the wheel. She pushes up the sleeves of her bright yellow shirt, rests her elbows on her knees, and assumes a stiff position. As the wheel turns, O’Conner re-wets her hands and pinches the clay to thin down the walls.

Pottery takes time to dry overnight and a few more days to carve it.

“Clay captures my imagination,” she explained. “It has endless possibilities.”

O’Conner will sometimes add glaze first, followed by a surface technique called sgraffito to make a design.

Other times, she might apply adhesive dots, which are brushed with wax resist (watered down wax). After another drying period, the clay is fired in the kiln at 1800 to 2200 degrees Fahrenheit for another eight to 12 hours, then cooled down double the time it took to fire. If glaze is applied, it’s fired again.

It’s like melting glass.

An ivory vessel dotted with colorful confetti is perfect for a plant or a fun party. Hanging planters, whether a

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MAKER

bright red faceted or a light blue chiseled option, are strung with 30 inches of leather cord to add an artistic touch to windows. The planters contain nontoxic lead-free clays and glazes so plants tucked into the deep and wide ceramics are safe.

With her necklaces, O’Conner likes to apply gold luster, which looks blood red before it heads into the kiln. The sol pendant is the result, a blush-colored circle seemingly dipped partly in gold. Each comes in a variety of colors and no two pieces are ever quite the same. A variety of styles lends itself to a choice for almost any earring wearer, whether a large duo-staked piece or a smaller stocking stud. Traditional circular studs contain 22K gold luster in ostrich, smoke, black, and other colors with hypoallergenic surgical steel posts. Sometimes she dabbles in sculpture options, like the half satin, half glossy earrings which resemble a person with a white circular head and a macaroni shaped torso. Bol danglers seem like miniature olive and ivory pottery bowls, held by 14K gold ear wires.

Petersen, who is also part-owner of Bench, purchased 40-plus pairs of EARTHENjoy earrings, which she described as a good weight on her ears. Petersen explained she “feels joy” when seeing the end product.

Like her pottery line name, O’Conner puts that emotion into her work now that her days are filled with happiness.

She recently told her daughter, who is excelling, that being inspired “makes life so much more fun” because creating something so beautiful gives life more meaning.

Follow along with Joy O’Conner on instagram at instagram.com/earthenjoy. Visit shopearthenjoy.com to purchase items.

“CLAY CAPTURES MY IMAGINATION,” JOY O’CONNER EXPLAINED. “IT HAS ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.”

A Kitchen Redo

story by Jenna Gallagher photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Mady Besch

Statement Blue

in

When Tara Miller married her husband, Ryan, and moved into his 1992-built home in the Millard area four years ago, she knew they were going to make some changes—even if Ryan didn’t necessarily know it yet.

“Like every home built in the 1990s, the kitchen was filled with golden oak. It was all tone on tone and had sticky-note yellow walls,” Tara said, laughing.

At the time, Ryan, a structural engineer, didn’t see the problem. He bought the house because it had good bones and a new roof. If the appliances all worked, who cared what color the walls were?

Slowly but surely, Tara won him over.

As a designer and owner of The Heartland Interior Design, she’s well versed on how to procure preferences from clients and create a design plan. “I started asking him about cabinet colors. White?

No. Black? No,” she said. “I knew dark blue was his favorite color. So, finally I suggested this classic navy and it all began to come together.”

MAY 2020 • HOME

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The couple didn’t have a specific budget in mind, but was able to keep the costs down to about $10,000 by doing all the renovations themselves and keeping the original layout of the kitchen intact—only removing some dated pendant lighting and replacing one cabinet with open shelving. They didn’t upgrade their appliances or f looring and even kept the original brass cabinet hardware, determining that the warm metal looked modern against the new paint job.

S PAC E S

“Blues and greens are so timeless because they’re all about bringing in nature. And nature will never go out of style.”

“We did all the plumbing, installed the new lighting, and did all the painting ourselves. The cabinets were what took the longest,” Ryan recalled, describing an exhaustive months-long process of sanding, stripping, priming, painting multiple coats, and sealing. “But it helped that we didn’t have to hang them or knock down any walls.”

Tara estimated that by doing the kitchen renovations themselves— with some help from Ryan’s parents, who are both general contractors— the couple saved about $5,000. This enabled them to splurge on a few items: a new brass Kohler faucet (“Ryan says we’re taking that with us when we move,” she said); a deeper kitchen sink in chic white instead of factory-issue stainless steel; white quartz countertops, which they had professionally installed; and the kitchen’s showstopper, a Carrara marble tile backsplash in a herringbone pattern.

“We knew we wanted a white countertop to balance the navy cabinets, and the marble brings in golds, grays, and beiges,” Tara said, noting that opting for a similar-looking, low-maintenance quartz for the workhorse countertops created a harmonious f low, but at a much lower cost than if they’d gone with marble for both surfaces.

While Tara appreciates the all-white kitchen look that’s been popular for several years, she feels that incorporating contrast, such as the dark blue cabinets and the plants that Ryan enjoys tending, keeps the space from becoming rooted in current trends.

Plus, it ref lects the couple’s love of the outdoors. “Blues and greens are so timeless because they’re all about bringing in nature. And nature will never go out of style,” Tara said.

One need look no further for proof of this than Ryan. Despite spending an excessive amount of time painting his cabinets dark blue, it is still his favorite color. And he loves his new kitchen. “After we got it done, I realized how much more I like being in there,” he said.

Of course, Tara agreed. “A welldesigned space just makes you feel better,” she said. “And, since the first thing that sells a home is the kitchen (followed by the master bath), that’s usually a good place to start. When we’re ready to sell, we will get back our investment in this project and so much more.”

The couple’s next room makeover will probably involve a little less painting, but it’s an even bigger deal. “We’re redoing one of the bedrooms,” Tara said with a twinkle in her eye that makes it clear she’s about to break some happy news. “We’re expecting a baby in July.”

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Four years ago, Amber and Eric Goodenough

walked into a home near 50th and Cuming streets and were immediately taken with its early-1900s style. It wasn’t perfect, but they could visualize what it could become with some imagination and a little elbow grease.

The Goodenoughs are not Omaha natives; Eric grew up in Santa Barbara, California, while Amber grew up “everywhere.” Her parents relocated their family to Omaha when she was in high school, and she attended Brownell Talbot and Central High School before moving to Lake Cunningham. Soon after she met Eric, and they married in 2000.

The couple brief ly settled in Omaha and opened Caffeine Dreams, a popular café on Farnam Street.

However, they soon became overcome with wanderlust and decided to sell the café and travel the country. They traveled nonstop for five years before coming back to Omaha in 2013, buying a place downtown.

story by Megan Fabry photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Mady Besch

“We love just being close enough to walk everywhere, and Dundee has this great neighborhood feel. And I just love an old house because there’s so much character.”

— AMBER GOODENOUGH

Then just a few years later, although they loved the Old Market and all it had to offer, they decided to sell their loft and settle down in Dundee.

“We just love the walkability [of the area],” Amber said. “If [Eric] had his choice, he would live with no car. We love just being close enough to walk everywhere, and Dundee has this great neighborhood feel. And I just love an old house because there’s so much character. The new builds just don’t have that,” she added.

The Goodenoughs realized early on that, in order to turn the century-old three bedroom, 1 1/2 bath house into their dream home, they were going to need some professional help. They reached out to Bryan Frost, owner and founder of Black Awning, an interior design company that specializes in designing and decorating historic homes. Frost’s first priority was to discuss the Goodenough’s vision for their home and build on their ideas.

“I ask the client what spaces are of top priority and work with their budget to see how much we can realistically do at one time,” Frost said. “Amber and Eric had more concerns about the small kitchen size. I like to look at the bones of the home, and I started to brainstorm ideas on how to achieve a larger kitchen.”

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As the couple had little use for the large dining room, they decided to relocate the kitchen to the dining space. This project took over 50 man-hours to plan and two months to finish. In the end, they created a large, functional kitchen with modern finishes and vintage touches, while still keeping the original charm.

Amber, a wellness coach and yoga teacher, decided to turn the former kitchen space into her home office.

This project proved to be a bigger endeavor than expected as well.

They had to dig through two layers of tile and linoleum to discover wood f loors underneath and break open the plaster walls to reveal exposed brick.

Despite the extra work, the effort was well worth it, Amber said.

The Goodenoughs’ decor features a black and white contrast in the cabinets and tile, while keeping defining features, including f loating walnut shelves, copper decorations, and concrete countertops (which Eric poured himself ) and finishes.

“I wanted to keep it warm with all the wood and keep everything else kind of neutral. That’s my vibe, I’m kind of like a hippie lady,” Amber said with a laugh. “So I kind of brought my aesthetic in, which is lots of greens and earthy things.”

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A pass-through window was created between Amber’s home office and the kitchen, where a cozy coffee bar is set up in the corner and light constantly shines through the southfacing window.

“Amber and Eric had several inspirations for the kitchen on their wish list,” Frost said. He said he drew from those inspirations when choosing materials to use throughout the house. “I wanted the materials to have repetition and cohesion as the spaces transitioned, room to room.”

Cleaning Serv ice me Ho

Next, they began renovating the upstairs bathroom. The f loor f launts a concrete Moroccan-inspired tile, which the couple installed themselves, along with a new sink and cabinet that recesses into the wall to save space.

One of the extra bedrooms serves as Eric’s workspace for his web developing job, while the third is a yoga and meditation room that ref lects both of their personalities. Eric’s Ganesha tapestry, which symbolizes strength and power, features prominently in the room, while Amber’s Buddha figurines, sage and crystals, and photos of the couple’s family and friends provide soothing focal points for meditation. The couple begins each morning in this room sharing thoughts and sipping coffee before starting their day.

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From the outset of the home reno, the Goodenoughs were dedicated to keeping a tight budget and avoiding expensive decorations that would quickly add up over time. Frost, Amber, and Eric searched places such as Target, IKEA, and Junkstock for modestly priced furniture and accessories to add personality and f lair to their new home.

“I try to mix vintage pieces with new stuff and do something really clean and calming,” Amber said. “I think mostly it’s just about making a space that’s relaxing and chill.

I’ve got enough anxiety in my life, I don’t need to be anxious when I come home.”

The Goodenoughs continue to work on their home together and come up with new ideas every day to make it exactly what they imagined. After so many years of travel, they are happy to finally have a permanent abode that truly encapsulates who they are.

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FARMHOUSE + FAMILY OLIVE

Landscape by Carson Enterprises; Pool design by Artisan Pools

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ACRES

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OmahaMagazine.com

AT HOM E story by Hannah Amrollahi

photography by John Gawley

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design by Mady Besch

Olive Acres was still a dream nine years ago for Cortney Sells, president of The Firm Business Brokerage.

Then, on a trip to Las Vegas, a chance meeting with a fellow traveler kicked off a chain of events that led to her dream country estate becoming a reality.

“I ate bad olives and missed my f light,” Sells said, explaining the origin of the moniker.

Delayed, she met Adam Jaime visiting from Boston. She liked olives, he didn’t, they clicked. Then he moved to Omaha and they added two children, Vienna and Knoxx, to their first home.

“I knew Cort really wanted to own a farm,” Jaime said. “I love Nebraska.

It’s a totally different way of life.”

Real estate agent Franny Shaver-Batchelder learned the children of a former Union Pacific president were selling their property in Yutan, Nebraska.

“We’d see so many different places, but nothing met the criteria,” ShaverBatchelder said. While the farm “stood still,” having never been updated, its frame, acreage, original maple woodwork, and location had the makings of Sells’ dream home.

“She started to have this vision,” ShaverBatchelder said.

Acting as interior designers and general contractors, Sells and Jaime spent a year on renovations.

“We just started gutting,” Sells said.

The redesign converted a garage into a mudroom space with custom shiplap, knocked out 17 walls for an open floor plan, and added a wine cellar in the basement.

The separate living spaces are now delineated by counters, flooring, wall coverings, and fixtures rather than walls, and unique patterns pull colors, textures, and themes across the home. With 14 different wall coverings among other eclectic pairings, Cortney heard, “You cannot have this many” from others often, but she could picture it coming together. “It has so much character,” Sells said. Now, “They love it more.”

The library’s maple beams, stone fireplace with a genuine Union Pacific wooden railway tie mantel, and bookcase that sits opposite were restored. Sells added horse burlap-textured wallpaper, maps between the ceiling beams, and “speckled antler”

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carpet to create a depth and coziness surprising in a large room with ample natural light. A pitch card table provides space for the family’s favorite game.

“My children read every night, so it was important to have a library,” Sells said.

Daughter Vienna designed her bedroom in purple and teal, and likes to rearrange the furniture and decorations on occasion.

She suggested the nook under the basement stairs and campaigned for an added TV. When not tending to Coco, the chestnut brown lamb she bottle-raised, Vienna said she enjoys the acreage. “I just do crazy sports,” she said, “like four-wheeling and wake boarding.”

The renovated outdoor pool rivals local waterparks and is filled by area fire trucks.

A lazy river loops around a swim-up bar. It’s flanked to the left by the splash pad and an 18-person, in-ground jacuzzi; on the right, sun tanners enjoy a view of the lake used for water sports. A sound system and fire pit round out the space and extend the season.

Inside, the basement f loors are moisture-resistant. A generous changing room provides lockers and privacy for dressing, along with a faux-grass floor. Above, the deck and maple screened porch offer a beautiful Midwestern vista.

“It is our favorite spot,” Sells said. “We can see the pond and the animals.”

Olive Acres is home to horses, pigs, sheep, and cattle. Sells said she wanted to give her children a taste of her childhood, especially showing animals at Aksarben.

Cortney hosting a girls' night out in her backyard

Sells and Jaime with kids Vienna and Knoxx enjoying some family time

“I ate bad olives and missed my flight,” Sells said. Delayed, she met Adam Jaime visiting from Boston. She liked olives, he didn’t, they clicked.

“

Wall coverings by Harwood Services

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HOME • MAY 2020

“I thought, I am going to have my family grow up showing cattle and doing chores,” Sells said.

The master bedroom looks out onto the feed troughs, so Sells and Jaime wake up to views of cows each morning. Barn doors reveal the master shower with one-way tinted windows for a full view of the fields. A Japanese soaking tub (also enjoyed by Coco) sits across from the vanity. Sells recommended picking and choosing fixtures, going “Costco instead of custom” and mixing price ranges on less instrumental fixtures.

“Once you set the tone, it all blends in,” she said.

The family used local contractors for all the work, even taking their suggestions on design elements, such as the arched doorway to the wine cellar.

“We trust them like family,” Sells said. “We didn’t have to have some fancy contractors.

We had three local guys and they worked hard and became our friends.”

Sells said life on the farm suits her and helps her balance career and family.

For work, she is constantly “on the phone doing deals, buying and selling. I love that the cell phones don’t work out here. It lets me be 100% with my family. I’m 100% present,” Sells said. “Work will be there, but all the blood, sweat, and tears? [Family] is what it is all for.”

Jaime said he enjoys tackling farm projects, from driving the Bobcat to repairing the extensive fencing to contain the livestock, to perfecting his burn pile technique. But his favorite part of life at Olive Acres? Well, on this his views align with Sells’.

“It’s secluded,” Jaime said. “It’s complete family time.”

The foursome is looking forward to their first full summer in the home. Vienna prepared with a special Valentine’s Day gift for Sells— matching mother-daughter swimsuits for Memorial Day 2020.

“This will be our very first kick-off,” Sells said.

“She’s so excited.”

MAY 2020 • HOME

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F E AT U R E

S H OWCAS I N G LO CA L A RT I N A

MIDCENTURY MODERN DREAM story by Liz Stevens

photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Mady Besch

IN A NEIGHBORHOOD nestled off 84th and Pacific streets, amongst a sea of lighttoned and neutral color schemes, one home in particular catches the eye; its dark charcoal paint and midcentury modern f lare create an aesthetic contrast that’s hard to miss.

Homeowner and BUNGALOW/8 Hairdressing owner Eric Burden purchased this 1980 ranch in October 2014 and began renovating in June 2015. The home was reimagined with midcentury modern design elements and pops of intrigue from local artists’ works and family mementos.

Using his cousin’s construction company, Idea Construction, the home was stripped down to its bare bones, Burden said.

“We did our best to maintain the original structure of the house without getting rid of the character,” he added.

Today, tall, vertical windowpanes all along the back side of the house allow in an abundance of natural light, bringing the home alive again.

Burden said he was inspired by midcentury modern design, having spent much time at his grandparents’ home as a child. “I was in love with that house. It was my favorite place to be,” he recalled.

When construction ended, the home’s interior was reconceived with the help of designers Julia Russell of Julia Russell Designs and Roger Hazard and Chris Stout-Hazard of Roger + Chris.

Russell, who also has a passion for the design style (“I have a midcentury modern house myself ” which “WE DID OUR BEST TO she partially restored), said the MAINTAIN THE ORIGINAL project goal was simple. “When STRUCTURE OF THE we went into [the Burden House], they [previous owners] HOUSE WITHOUT GETTING had really changed the style.

RID OF THE CHARACTER.” We tried to honor the original — ERIC BU RDEN integrity of the house.”

While the layout was being reconfigured, the plumbing, electrical work, and windows were all replaced, Burden said.

Midcentury modern design is about form and function while making pieces feel artistic. This was accomplished by choosing unique textures, comfortable accent furniture, and a few custom pieces that make a statement.

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Moving up a long driveway, a solid wood half wall with large chrome house numbers frames the walkway up to the home’s front door. The front patio, which was formerly just a few steps leading to the entry, is now roofed in to give the space a modern f lare. The door opens up to living space with a fireplace and great natural light.

To add color to his home, Burden incorporated artwork from the original collection created by his father, painter Steven Burden. A large blue and orange abstract piece above the fireplace brings a modern f lair and great energy to the space. The room has a custom cream-colored leather couch from Roger + Chris that Burden describes as a “modern chesterfield, but without the rivets.”

Adjacent to the fireplace is a gallery wall showcasing work by famous pop artist Donald Robertson. One piece features a woman in the foreground and a Reese’s peanut butter cereal box design in the background.

Burden selected an installation piece from local designer Angie Seykora as well. “I am really into artwork, I am really involved with the Lauritzen Gardens antique show, and I am a big gardener, personally. A lot of the artwork in the house was bought at Omaha [events].”

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Russell said she appreciated working with a huge art lover. “Eric has such a unique style of art, which made it fun. Because he has been collecting, we laid everything out. He was thinking about what he had and what he could get, and was excited at the prospect of adding new pieces to his collection.”

Moving through the home, the kitchen has a bright and spacious feel. The light fixtures hanging over the island’s waterfall countertop were refurbished from an old diner from the 1950s. Two gold table lamps, set back in the countertop corners, and plants on top of the island add points of interest.

The small railing just off to the side of the room was created to mimic a piece from his grandparents’ home. The focal point in the room, however, is a large circular painting done by his father, with bright blues, oranges, and yellow.

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HOME • MAY 2020

BURDEN SAID HE WAS INSPIRED

BY MIDCENTURY MODERN DESIGN, HAVING SPENT MUCH TIME AT HIS GRANDPARENTS' HOME AS A CHILD. “I WAS IN LOVE WITH THAT HOUSE. IT WAS MY FAVORITE PLACE TO BE.” “I spend most of my time in the kitchen,” Burden said. “We did all lower cabinets so there is plenty of space. We can see the natural beauty of the neighborhood [from here.] Whenever we have a party, everyone is hanging out here.”

What is now the dining room and living space used to be the garage, Burden said.

He brought more family art into this space by adding some framed Mola art pieces from his grandparents’ trip to Panama in the late 1960s. The dining room table is situated along several large windows with white transparent treatments. The dark wooden table is accented by a couple red chairs.

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HOME • MAY 2020

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Directly next to the kitchen area is another living space with a custom-made redorange couch from Roger + Chris, who also refurbished chairs to match. The space is defined by a large built-in bookshelf and entertainment center separating the living room from the entryway.

The master bedroom and ensuite are toward the back of the home. The side wall in the master is full of windows with delicate fabric treatments. Burden said he loves waking up to the natural light poking through the blinds.

Double doors open to the master bath to reveal a bright spa-like oasis. Burden selected a dark grey tile to complement the charcoal cabinets and silver accents around the room.

The other rooms in the house continue to pair neutral tones with pops of color and statement furniture pieces.

“Really, we wanted to keep it simple, picking accents that went really well together,” Burden said. “You just learn that simpler choices are much better.”

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HOME • MAY 2020

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Burden’s home features many paintings by his father, Steven Burden, including this large circular piece.

MAY 2020 • HOME

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REIMAGINING THE MODERN HOME Asymmetry, Long Sight Lines Among Big Trends

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HOME • MAY 2020

OmahaMagazine.com

A RCHITEC T UR E story by Carrielle Sedersten

photography by Bill Sitzmann

design by Mady Besch

“ I N ” A R E M O D E R N P L A N S F E AT U R I N G I N T E N T I O N A L A S Y M M E T R Y, S L E E K L I N E S A N D LONG SIGHT LINES, AND ABUNDANT GLASS, OFTENTIMES MUDDLING THE LINE BETWEEN THE INDOORS AND OUTDOORS.

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A RCHITEC T UR E

“ YO U CA N D O N E T F L I X . YO U C O U L D CA L L T H E K I D S U P STA I RS. Y O U C A N S A Y, ‘ H E Y, G O O G L E , W H A T ’ S O N M Y C A L E N D A R T O D A Y ? ’ ” —Tamarah Kronaizl Wh a t h o m e b u y e r s w a n t is always changing, and right now, it’s all about the open f loor plan. Open f loor plans aren’t new. They’ve been around since the ’90s. What is new is how home builders are reimagining them for the next decade.

“The modern house can be very cold to some people,” said Matt Kronaizl, president and owner of Sierra Homes.

“Bringing in the little bit of wood, I think, not only brings in that midcentury look a little bit, but it also tones it back and warms it up.”

Bolder than the commercial f looring is the can’t-miss maple wood and black steel f loating staircase leading up to a multi-functional loft area, laundry room, and three bedrooms, all with walk-in closets, on the second f loor.

Considered “in” are modern plans featuring intentional asymmetry, sleek lines and long sight lines, and abundant glass, oftentimes muddling the line between the indoors and outdoors.

The front door opens to a spacious living area with 18foot ceilings and a set of six large, inset picture windows extending up the back wall, supplying a clear view of the backyard. A gas fireplace sits in the right corner, with in-wall LED plaster lighting incrementally placed up the wall to the tray ceiling.

The master suite can not be found on the second f loor, though. The new normal is to have it on the main f loor.

This one has 14-foot vaulted ceilings, a two-person walk-in shower plus a bathtub, and a custom walk-in closet. What it doesn’t have is space for a couch—a shift from the huge master bedrooms of the ’90s and 2000s.

Today’s homebuyers want that extra space elsewhere.

Inspired by their tastes and midcentury style, Matt and Tamarah Kronaizl of Sierra Homes started building their modern “Maui” plan Street of Dreams house in February 2019 in the new Bridgeport development at south 180th Street and Cornhusker Highway. Completed in August, the contemporary 1 1/2 story home is nearly 4,000 square feet with four bedrooms and five baths. The home’s dark mono-pitched roof compliments the mix of vertical cedar planks with charcoal stucco cement siding and smooth light gray brick blocks.

Geometric windows on the bright blue front door offer guests a prelude of the modern design inside.

Also on the main f loor is the kitchen with a large rectangular window thoughtfully positioned above the sink, making the kitchen feel as open as the living room even without the 18-foot ceilings. The clean lines from the “black velvet” birch Eurostyle cabinets, along with the white quartz countertops, complement the large-format, commercial luxury vinyl tile f looring that runs throughout the main f loor.

“This [f looring] was a bold move, but I said everyone’s going to have wood,” said Tamarah Kronaizl, designer and realtor at Exclusive Listings Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

“Every family’s different, but what we’re hearing a lot is, we want almost a no-phone zone,” Matt said. “We want a convenient space where we can all hang out together.”

Technology might not have a seat at the dinner table, but it does have a place in the kitchen. All the kitchen appliances are Wi-Fi capable and accessible by an app.

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Matt said, “With today’s families, sometimes 15-20 minutes is the difference between being able to cook at home and get the kids to sports and not.”

The home has other smart features like Sonos speakers and a Ring doorbell, as well as Wi-Fi light switches and automated shades.

The most high-tech appliance is the GE Kitchen Hub. A 27-inch touch screen with two cameras and speakers that controls all the technology in the house and also doubles as a hood vent.

Tamarah said, “You can do Netf lix. You could call the kids upstairs. You can say, ‘Hey, Google, what’s on my calendar today?’” It even dictates recipes and shows step-by-step video instructions for making a dish.

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The home’s exterior and interior design might say midcentury modern, but the house technology is certainly 21st century.

Visit sierrahomesomaha.com to see more photos of this modern build.

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MAY 2020 • HOME

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H A RV E S T

P eople aren’t the only organisms

that benefit from companionship. Plants also form mutually beneficial relationships. Some provide scarce nutrients, while others provide relief from parasites and pests. Gardeners can improve yield by knowing which plants provide benefit to their neighbors. This practice is known as “companion planting.”

Companion planting aims to take into consideration various characteristics of plants that may be beneficial to one another. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac Companion Planting Guide, companion plants provide each other shade regulation, natural supports, improved plant health, healthy soil, and weed suppression.

Companion planting is nothing new. According to livelovefruit.com’s Companion Planting Chart, companion planting can be traced back to indigenous people across North America who utilized the Three Sisters gardening method, which incorporates maize (corn), beans, and squash. The method aims to capitalize on the complementary characteristics and needs of all three different plants: corn stalks provide a structure on which beans can grow; beans provide a source of nitrogen for corn and squash; and squash provides ground cover that discourages non-beneficial organisms such as parasitic insects and undesired plants (competition). Theoretically, the plants nourish one another, shelter one another, and their arrangement saves space. Three Sisters gardens are just one example of clever gardening to suit a particular set of needs.

Modern vegetable gardeners have myriad needs to consider when companion planting. Tomato gardeners, for instance, may look to repel pests such as nematodes, also known as round worms, to improve yield. According to the Companion Planting Chart, asparagus does just that (and tomato plants repel asparagus beetles). According to the Chart, chives repel pesky aphids and Japanese beetles (and may even improve the f lavor of tomatoes). Garlic is also an excellent companion to tomatoes, as it reportedly repels aphids, whitef lies, Japanese beetles, root mag-

OmahaMagazine.com

According to the Chart, chives repel pesky aphids and Japanese beetles (and may even improve the flavor of tomatoes). Garlic is also reportedly an excellent companion to tomatoes, as it reportedly repels aphids, whiteflies, Japanese beetles, root maggots, and many other non-beneficial pests. gots, and many other non-beneficial pests. Basil, beans, borage, carrots, celery, collards, lettuce, marigold, mint, nasturtium, onion, parsley, and peppers all possess qualities that may benefit tomatoes, according to the Chart.

On the f lip side, some plants reportedly grow poorly with one another. These pairings are known as “combatants.” Gardeners interested in companion planting should be cognizant of them. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, white garlic and onions are not compatible with beans and peas and will stunt their growth.

Potatoes and beans do not jive with sunf lowers, and cabbage and caulif lower are also combatants.

Although there are many resources available on companion planting, according to Is Companion Planting Scientific?, companion planting has few and controverted scientific bases (cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/ archive/companionplanting.html). That’s not to say it should be discouraged or that it has no merit. If gardeners find that it works, they should continue onward.

Companion crops benefit each other in a variety of ways.

Moreover, such a carefully planned garden also provides satisfaction to the gardener and connection to the earth itself—our companion.

The Companion Planting Chart can be found at livelovefruit.com/companion-planting-chart/.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Companion Planting Guide can be found at almanac.com/content/companion-planting-guide.

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A Kitchen Remodel with Storage and Style to Spare

Creating a Culinary Classic

story by Stacie Muhle photography by Thomas Grady design by Mady Besch

MAY 2020 • HOME

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As a designer with Artistico Interiors, I was asked to consult on this remodel project in Wahoo, Nebraska, by contractor David Benson of Superior Home Improvement, also a NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) member and past president. The two of us worked diligently with the homeowners to accommodate their long wish list.

In addition, the homeowner needed ample general storage space. We did a thorough inventory of every single item in the current kitchen, from coffee mugs to cookbooks and everything in between.

We then created a schedule and itemized each cabinet to accommodate every item.

Artistico designed the cabinet layout and provided the cabinetry for the project. We chose many specialty products, including automated-drive upper cabinets that open at the push of a button, smart sink bases equipped with a mat and storage bins, custom island legs with crystal ball accents, appliance garages, and a blind

corner cabinet with full-access revolving trays. We also provided several specialty inserts, such as spice racks, tray dividers, toekick area storage, a spring-loaded mixer shelf, pullout food storage container organizer, and cutlery dividers.

One of the most significant challenges we faced was creating multi-purpose spaces that could be used for elegant gatherings while still maintaining an environment that felt like a unified space and kept within the budget. I offered the clients 22 design concept layouts, asking them

to choose their favorite things from each to make a combined layout that they both loved.

Originally, the whole wall that surrounded the dining room was to be removed up to the ceiling. When planning for wall removal, the engineer determined that the trusses were originally designed for the standard cathedral roof. Once we opened the ceiling, we discovered that was not the case.Â

Meet the Interior Designer

STACIE MUHLE

ARTI STICO I NTERIO RS

BEFORE

The clients’ desires for the new space included the following: a two-cook kitchen, walk-in pantry, baking center, canning center, separate buffet/pie space, iPad docking station for recipes, small appliance storage, a large, functional island with second sink, coffee bar, recycle system, wine refrigerator, and new f looring.

They also requested defined spaces, yet an open f low f loor plan for large entertaining of family and guests.

Stacie Muhle is the only designer in Nebraska who has a B.S. of Interior Architecture and holds a certificate in Remodeling Project Management from NARI. Stacie is also an adjunct professor in the Interior Design Department at Metropolitan Community College.

They were custom built, with the kitchen wall being the support for half of the trusses. The engineer and I had to scramble to make the changes to accommodate a support post in the middle of the room. Two separate LVL beams were installed, and the old kitchen area was framed down to match the old dining room ceiling height. I had to reconfigure the cabinets, as they had already been ordered. I split the island and went to a freestanding dining table in front of a long bench. We also added the island ceiling detail to accentuate and make the column become part of the space.

I believe everything happens for a reason, and the end result of this surprise was a project even better than the original. The ability to quickly change plans and develop great solutions when problem arise is a great designer quality to have.

The use of stone selected from Baltazar’s adds a texture to the space that is heightened by lush greenery and architectural f loral, and acts to visually link the wine lounge, entertainment center, and buffet corner to the adjoining relaxing living space, dining area, and kitchen. The warm and calming color palette and mix of materials used in this project give you an immediate sense of Zen, inspiring you to stay and spend time with great friends and family. The result is a space with added layers of depth and dimension, providing a soothing environment for social gathering. The home saw an amazing transformation with no detail overlooked.

BEFORE

BEFORE

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