OmahaHome January/February 2021 by Omaha Magazine

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 A LWAY S L O C A L , A LWAY S B E AU T I F U L

A MODERN HOME FOR THE MODERN BACHELOR

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A HOME FIT FOR A PRINCESS ROOM

At Home VIE WS FROM E VERY ANGLE

Feature A MODERN HOME FOR THE MODERN BACHELOR

Har vest C R E AT I N G R O O S T S F O R O V E R W I N T E R I N G B I R D S

ASID Award Feature H I D D E N D E TA I L S

Detailed tilework, under-cabinet lighting, and an onyx waterfall countertop bring an elegant, modern vibe to Brett Helling’s primary bath vanity. Story on page 34. Photo by Bill Sitzmann.

“Let our New Year’s resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.” —GORAN PERSSON

elcome to the first issue of 2021. Can I get a hallelujah? I’m pretty confident in saying 2020 has been a year for the record books. Our family here at Omaha Magazine has been truly resilient in difficult circumstances, as have many of our customers, readers, and friends. Let’s keep that strong spirit and good will humming along into the new year.

OmahaHome is excited to debut two new recurring stories this issue—an ASID Awards design feature spotlighting a local designer’s prizewinning residential work, and Double Heart Farm, a series chronicling the home remodeling venture of Omaha furniture designers Roger Hazard and Chris Stout-Hazard of Roger+Chris. Be sure to check them out. This round, you’ll also learn about creating winter bird roosts, see a dramatic bachelor pad makeover, get a peek at an adorable baby nursery decked out with handmade, inspired art, and more. As you pack up your festive decor this year, take special care. It seems like ornaments and figurines always break while in storage. I found this helpful tip to preserve your holiday keepsakes for years to come. 1. Cut a piece of cardboard so it lays flat in the bottom of a plastic tub. 2. Glue plastic cups to the cardboard. 3. Place ornaments and other small decor pieces around the cups, filling in the layer. 4. Repeat until space is utilized and/or decor is successfully stowed away. Whether your resolution list is large or small, cheers to starting out 2021 with a positive outlook. Attitude can make all the difference. Sandy Matson Contributing Editor

VOLUME 11 · Issue 1

CREATE YOUR OWN ENVIRONMENT In nature, evolution can require a process of thousands of years. At Curt Hofer & Associates, helping you to create your environment is second nature to us. Bring your designs, your inspiration, your preferences, pictures and even pins. Together we’ll move through a process that lets you ease into a flawless execution of your ideal surroundings. Contact us today to see why Curt Hofer & Associates has earned top awards for our iconic design and inspired living spaces for more than 26 years. m Home Build sto er Cu

EDITORIAL Managing Editor DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Senior Editor TARA SPENCER Associate Editor LINDA PERSIGEHL Contributing Writers GWEN AHRENS · JENNA GABRIAL GALLAGHER · PATRICK M C GEE KIM REINER · SEAN ROBINSON · CARRIELLE SEDERSTEN KATY SPRATTE JOYCE

CREATIVE Creative Director MATT WIECZOREK Senior Graphic Designer DEREK JOY Graphic Designer II MADY BESCH Contributing Photographer AMOURA PRODUCTIONS

SALES Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing GIL COHEN Director of Sales ED COCHRAN Senior Branding Specialist MARY HIATT Publisher’s Assistant & OmahaHome Contributing Editor SANDY MATSON Branding Specialists DAWN DENNIS · GEORGE IDELMAN Digital Sales Manager JILLIAN DUNN Senior Sales Coordinator ALICIA HOLLINS

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Story This summer, we bought the farm—literally, not figuratively. My husband, Roger, and I have lived all over the country, yet we found our way back to my hometown of Omaha four years ago. We renovated a cute little Tudor revival, meticulously landscaped the garden, then naively brought two goldendoodle puppies into our tidy, petite home. Chaos ensued. We loved the puppies. We loved the home. We did not love the puppies in the home. So Roger, ever the hunter of houses, began a casual search for a bigger place; one, hope-

Renovation Adventure C H R I S S T O U T- H A Z A R D

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fully, with a larger yard. Roger has been a nomad, with more addresses than he can count on fingers and toes. I’m the child of people who have been in their house for over three decades. Roger’s always ready to move; I’m always ready to stay put. For the record, I lose every time. He found a farm—an acreage, really—but the 1920s American foursquare, big red barn out back, and a tractor rusting in the field definitely looked convincing on the real estate listing. It was tucked right in the middle of the city, just minutes from our current home. But instead of a slightly larger yard, there were acres of grass, rolling hills, wooded areas, and even wild turkeys for the dogs to chase.

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MADY BESCH

After some debate (I lose every time, remember), we put in an offer and got it. Fortunately, the delightful previous owners took loving care of the property, and now it’s our responsibility to bring it into the next stage. Our plans include dramatic new styles for the interior, a complete transformation of the exterior, and extensive gardens cultivated by Roger. We’ll do our best to document the entire renovation process—squeezed in between running our furniture company, caring for far more land than to what we’re accustomed, and keeping tabs on the puppies. We hope you follow along with us on our renovation adventure. Howdy from Roger and Chris at Double Heart Farm. Read more on doubleheartfarm.com. or follow along on instagram.com/dblheartfarm.

“Roger’s always ready to move; I ’m always ready to stay put. I, for the record, lose every time.” —CHRIS STOUT-HAZARD

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MAKER

THE ACCIDENTAL ARTIST W o o d A r t i s a n K e v i n M c C l ay Crafts Works of Wonder 4

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Like the exquisite patterns he creates in his work—a weaving of slabs of burnt and stained wood—Kevin McClay is an artist with a tinge of darkness in an otherwise light personality. He possesses a dark sense of humor, a selfdeprecating nature, and a modesty that belies the quiet brilliance of a self-taught woodworker whose creations make one pause and study with awe.

“I’m not a [traditionally] trained carpenter. I just know what’s not going to fall apart,” McClay said, humbly.

McClay usually skips sketching his ideas on paper and instead lets what’s in his head take physical form as he works.

As the founder of Fortress Hill Co., McClay crafts commissioned statement pieces for the home and office made from sustainably sourced wood—everything from geometric wood art and wall installations to dining and reception tables to desk trays, art lamps, and other decor. They’re mostly modern or midcentury in style and often crafted with mixed media; sometimes incorporating glass tiles, brass and copper accents, and traditional art elements, but also reclaimed materials from barns, photocopiers, and other found objects. The end result is always something truly original. The Colorado native’s path to woodworking was not the typical artist’s story. He wasn’t born into an artistic family. His dad owned a gas station. And rather than growing up appreciating classic art, he preferred music. McClay did not attend art school either. In fact, up until about 2010, he worked as a media analyst for a news service. He was a “corporate job kind of guy.” It took losing his job to propel him into woodworking. “Any kind of art background I have is totally accidental,” he said. McClay said that it was his wife, Ellene, who discovered his talent with tools; though he joked it was more that he “was handy” fixing things around the house. His efforts grew from crafting small decorative boxes to sell on Etsy to building furniture pieces commissioned by high-end residential customers and commercial businesses around town. But you won’t hear him brag about any of that. The tables he built for Hardy Coffee in Benson? “I’m not a [traditionally] trained carpenter. I just know what’s not going to fall apart,” he said, humbly.

“I’M NOT A TRADITIONALLY TRAINED CARPENTER. I JUST KNOW WHAT’S NOT GOING TO FALL APART.” — K E V IN M CCL AY

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And the reception desk in Woodman Tower he built? He used 900 1 x 8-inch pieces of burned wood to create the piece, giving a “really cool effect.” He’s quietly proud of the work, but not boastful.

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McClay usually skips sketching his ideas on paper and instead lets what’s in his head take physical form as he works. “The hard part is getting it started and then it builds momentum and I let the piece go,” he said. He credits his wife, an elementary art teacher with Omaha Public Schools, for some of his design inspirations. His work evolves as he tweaks techniques on subsequent projects. McClay has his Fortress studio at Bench, a coworking space for artisans in north downtown Omaha, and has participated in art festivals in the region in years past. In 2020, he was a featured artist at the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery in Omaha, and he took part in the Handmade Omaha Cyber Show in April. McClay said he enjoys the collaborative environment at Bench. He makes art frame backings for another Bench artist, Bill Hoover. The friendship between McClay and Hoover goes back nearly three decades. “We met when we were both in the music scene, and I was always a fan of his music and just his persona... which was funny, irreverent, and kind,” wrote Hoover in an email. “He has a nice balance of dark and light in his work... Some of his work is whimsical, and other pieces are hard and uncompromising.” Ever the “super morning person,” McClay starts his day between 4:30 and 5 a.m. when the world is quiet. He works a full day in his studio, sometimes plugging away on a project for 12 hours. “He is always here,” Hoover said of his friend. “I like to think I have a strong work ethic, but his is amazing and an inspiration to me.”

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See more of McClay’s work at facebook.com/ FORTRESShillco/.

“ [ KEVIN ] HAS A NICE BALANCE OF DARK AND LIGHT IN HIS WORK...SOME OF HIS WORK IS WHIMSICAL, AND OTHER PIECES ARE HARD AND UNCOMPROMISING.” — BIL L HOO V E R

Penny Lu’s Joyful Place LOCAL MAKERS SHINE IN BRIGHT & INSPIRING NURSERY Omaha born-and-bred photographer Ariel Panowicz is known for her images’ bright, punchy aesthetic. Her photos have graced everything from Scooter’s Coffee promos to the pages of People magazine and much in between. Panowicz thoughtfully translated that signature look to her selfstyled baby nursery, which young daughter Penelope calls home. To get there, the small business maven envisioned something colorful, whimsical, and fun to match her little one’s nickname, Penny Lu. “I had a certain vision which I wasn’t sure how to describe, so I started piecing it together one item at a time,” Panowicz explained. The first item she sourced was a statement rug from woman-owned Rif le Paper Co. This beautiful floral piece helped set the color palette for the rest of the curated décor.

Panowicz knew art was going to be a big part of Penelope’s nursery—specifically female empowerment pieces. So fittingly, Nebraska designer Allie Laing’s wall print “Be A Legend Not A Lady” was an early selection. The perfect companion piece was NYCbased illustrator Lo Harris’ “She is Fierce” print featuring a Black female subject. “Teaching her the importance of accepting people who look different than she does is very important to me,” Panowicz explained. “I wanted to make sure to start that at a young age, so I was intentional about choosing art and books with a diverse group of people represented.”

A focus on local makers, many of them female, helped inspire the rest of the nursery’s décor. “There are so many talented women and small businesses in Omaha,” shared the mom and designer, who was able to incorporate many favorites into the room. Woman-owned Dusk Goods and Gifts provided the “Be Kind” rainbow art piece, as well as the goldenrod-hued quilt on the rocking chair. Local, Black female-owned Wilma & Rose gift concierge service offered the cute lion stuffed animal.

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Joy O’Connor from EARTHENjoy crafted her first-ever hanging mobile as a unique focal piece above Penny Lu’s crib. The local clay artist shared, “I’ve created multiple-element ceramic hangings in the past that hang f lat against a wall, but knowing this mobile would be in an open spot I decided that it should have movement and hold the interest of the viewer from any angle...I had always admired a metal airplane mobile my grandpa had in his art room and loved the idea of airy, free-hanging sculptural pieces.”

A focus on local makers, many of them female, helped inspire the rest of the nursery’s décor. “There are so many talented women and small businesses in Omaha.” —A R I EL PA N OW I CZ

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“My pregnancy occurred almost entirely during the pandemic, so this nursery brought massive joy during a time when it was hard to get excited.” —A R I EL PA N OW I CZ

O’Connor expanded: “[Ariel] mentioned wanting a mobile that was colorful, fun, and not too babyish. I sifted through my glaze samples for colors that matched the pieces she’d shown me, and then added in a couple unique glazes that were complimentary and left the warm, natural terracotta-colored clay unglazed.” Additionally, a pretty scallop-edged light fixture from Pottery Barn adds a feminine vibe, while an ottoman and pillow, curtains, and curtain rods all helped round out the nursery. The crib was found at Simply Nursery, which is an eco-friendly, family-owned small business Panowicz loves. A pink cloud mural, designed and painted by the mom herself using photoshop and a projector, adds a funky but understated feel to the room. Plants and plant hangers from Mulhall’s and The Greenhouse, both locally owned, combine for verdant final touches. Ironically, while Panowicz said she struggled decorating the rest of her home, the nursery project came more naturally to her and was a fun task. “My pregnancy occurred almost entirely during the pandemic, so this nursery brought massive joy during a time when it was hard to get excited,” she explained. She decribed the room creation as simply “an expression of love” for little Penny Lu.

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ost high-end residential properties with great curb appeal do not feature an oversized garage that juts out front and center. But Silverthorn Custom Homes' “Arvada” model fits this description to a T. The builder’s four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom, open-concept model home in Blue Sage Creek, completed summer 2019, has six garage spaces—a two-car, side-load garage that extends forward from the middle of the home, and another three-car-deep single garage with an additional storage area on one end. The unfinished spaces, totaling nearly 1,700 square feet, are accessible by three independent garage doors and two driveways. The garages also feature electric heaters, which make them inhabitable—even comfortable—during cold, Midwestern winters.

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Silverthorn president Matt Caniglia said the Arvada plan was designed for a large segment of his clientele—affluent homebuyers age 55-plus who are looking to downsize their finished interior space but are still in need of room for all their stuff. One might define stuff as recreational vehicles, holiday decorations, collectibles, excess furniture, and the like. “For years, storage facilities have been popping up all over town,” Caniglia said, “and we were finding [our customers] preferred to have their storage or collections housed at home…for convenient access.” Many buyers also expressed their desire to have a home workshop or hobby area housed in a garage space, rather than tucked away in a basement or spare room. Caniglia said Arvada’s numerous garage spaces fulfill these wish-list

items. And while the larger total square footage raises the home’s purchase price, “I think the bigger price tag is offset by the advantages home storage offers and the cost savings of not having to pay storage [rental] fees,” he added. Caniglia said the floor plan has drawn a lot of interest from homebuyers, especially since the pandemic began, as people are spending more time at home tackling projects and enjoying hobbies. “But [this model] does require an extra-deep lot,” he explained. “We have built different versions of this home to fit a standard-sized lot. Homeowners typically lose one garage space.”

STORY

A rc h i te c t u re

LINDA PERSIGEHL

PHOTOGRAPHY BILL SITZMANN

DESIGN MADY BESCH

M O D E R N G A R A G E S

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Silverthorn Plan Proves a Hit with 55-Plus Crowd

“In the last four to five years, people have felt more comfortable s t e p p i n g u p, e x p r e s s i n g t h e i r s t y l e m o r e o p e n ly. T h e y ’r e n o t as worried about resale. There’s more variation in homes.”

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Caniglia said his floor plan has drawn a lot of interest from buyers, e specially since the pandemic began, as homeowners are spending even more time at home tackling projects and enjoying hobbies.

When choosing exterior architectural elements for the Arvada, Caniglia said he and his draftsman looked to create a retro feel to the home. “We went for a mix of industrial and prairie styles…a little less rustic, a bit more modern treatment.” The home’s lowpitch roofline, tubular metal sconces and can lighting, and larger, stackable stone help it achieve that look, he said. They also worked to camouflage the prominent garage and make it appear as part of the living space. Adding an overhang above the garage windows with heritage shingles, metal seam accents, and cedar supports help tie it in with the rustic front porch and make it an asset, rather than a drab appendage.

“We used stucco and multiple cedar accents on the exterior, and went with a stained and sealed cedar product,” Caniglia said. “It does require some maintenance, about every five years. We also went with a taller, 12-inch lap siding to give it a more modern feel.”

“Homeowners used to be very traditional,” he said. “In the last four to five years, people have felt more comfortable stepping up, expressing their st yle more openly. They’re not as worried about resale. There’s more variation in homes.”

The rectangular windows in the front door and garage doors offer a midcentury touch, while also being practical. “The glass is tempered, insulated, and obscured. There are different styles for different privacy levels, depending on the homeowner’s preference.”

And for custom builders like Silverthorn, that offers opportunities for creativity that Caniglia welcomes with enthusiam. For more on this home, visit silverthorncustomhomes.com/ homes/21420.

As a veteran homebuilder in Omaha, Caniglia said he’s glad to see homeowners being a bit more adventurous in their design choices. J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1

irst comes the ding-dong of the doorbell, then the pitter-patter of paws. Augie and Rocky, two shih tzu mixes, are the welcoming committee to guests of the Agostino residence in southwest Elkhorn. Standing on six acres and encompassing 9,600 square feet, this estate combines Midwestern charm with a level of sophistication that exists only among stately colonial homes. The kind with five bedrooms and eight bathrooms. However, the tail-wagging twosome, who are more greeters than guard dogs, are a sign of the comforting ambiance to be found inside. “This family doesn’t do the ‘shoes off at the front door’ thing,” said Kristina Agostino, the lady of the house. “We’ve got children, and the home is for living. It’s not a museum,” she asserted.

Today, that feminine touch starts in what Kristina calls “the princess room.” Located just off the entryway, what was once the dining room has been transformed into a posh Parisian parlor to enjoy cocktails and laze about. Suede seating is surrounded by shimmering touches of silver and gold. Even the floral wallpaper is flocked with metallic detailing. In the corner stands a decorated Christmas tree year-round. Here, it’s grandeur never seems out of season. Being the only female in a family of six, having a space this special is a dream, Kristina said. “I’m just in awe. I can’t believe this is mine,” she said. “The Christmas tree being up all year is a running joke, but it fits the room.” The dining area has moved from the front of the house to the kitchen, where 12 chairs surround a white and gray stone tabletop. French-style chandeliers hang above, and glittered candles line the center.

Kristina and her husband, Michael, reside here with two of their four “This family doesn’t sons. And then do the ‘shoes off there are the two at the front door’ f urr y pups, as thing,” said Kristina well as two cats. Agostino. “We’ve got For this family, children, and the it ’s l a i d- b a c k home is for living. living done the stylish way. It’s not a museum.” The effortless elegance the home now embodies wasn’t there on move-in day six years ago. It was a passion project Kristina oversaw throughout much of 2019. Despite having jaw-dropping curb appeal and opulence to spare, the home’s interior wasn’t as inviting as she wished. Hiring Lassek and Dunn Design for a major property facelift, she sought to make the home hers in every sense. “We came in, and the home was beautiful. It was just not to her taste,” said interior designer Janine Dunn. “It was very dark, heavy, and masculine. Almost from the start, we knew the home needed to be brighter and feel more feminine.”

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It’s here at this table Kristina enjoys her morning cup of joe, freshly made at the adjacent coffee bar. It’s also the spot where the Agostinos gather every Sunday for a big Italian dinner. Sitting here, the open concept allows for an unobstructed view of the refaced living room fireplace, surrounding refreshed cabinetry, as well as a large custom-made portrait hanging above an immaculately decorated entry table.

Each piece of decor has been carefully selected with approval from Kristina. Nothing is overly ornamental, yet it’s carefully curated to all work together. A balance of red, grays, and blacks are featured throughout the living space.

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Kristina Agostinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Elkhorn Residence Gets a Feminine Redesign S T O RY SEAN ROBINSON

PH O T O G R A PH Y BILL SITZMANN

DESIGN MADY BESCH

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“K

ristina already had a lot of red in here—the two red sofas, the walls, the cherry undertone of the cabinets. However, her personality is so light,” said co-designer Mandy Lassek. “Our job was to bring in more neutrals so that the right reds could pop.”

Once the seven-month redesign wrapped, Lassek and Dunn gifted Kristina a decorative pig (trimmed in silver instead of pink, of course) that now sits atop her kitchen island.

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verything they brought me the first time was right,” Kristina said. “It was insane. Lighting, cabinets, backsplash, counters, even that pig. They just got me.”

This wasn’t the first overhaul the Agostinos gave the home. When they moved in, it was nearly 3,600-square-feet smaller. After living here for just a year, they added an additional wing, including an expansion of the primary bedroom, his and her offices, a new laundry room, and a gym and theater.

“I want this to be a great family home with lots of great family memories,” Kristina said. “Every aspect of this home was built with love. We basically changed the whole house.”

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ne original feature that has remained is the resort-style pool and accompanying pool house. As a West Palm Beach, Florida, native, Kristina said this is what closed the deal for her six years ago. Their backyard paradise is where they spent much of last summer, safely socially distanced yet still making the most of the warmer months amid a pandemic. The property’s fully stocked pond also got plenty of good use between fishing, canoeing, and paddle boating. The bustle of Q Street is just blocks away, yet the Agostinos might as well be miles outside city limits with their rolling lawn and heavily tree-lined grounds hiding them. However, Kristina is hopeful their six acres will be lively again soon. She is gleefully looking forward to the days when she can entertain friends and hold fundraisers at her home like before. When once again, Augie and Rocky will be busy greeting guests and dozens of visitors (wearing their shoes) will be shuffling about the house. “I grew up with a single mom, and times were very hard. Never in my life did I imagine I’d pull up to something like this and it would be my home,” Kristina said. “We love it, treasure it, and never take it for granted.”

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Every Angle

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At Hanson Lake, a Couple Bends Their Dream House to Suit Their Outlook

CARRI AND JEFF SIEDLIK have only been in their Hanson Lake home in Bellevue for a little over a year, but they’ve always known that lake living was the life for them. “Carri grew up on a lake north of York [Nebraska],” Jeff Siedlik explained. “And we owned a cabin on this property before we built the house.”

AT HOME AT HOME AT HOME AT HOME AT HOME

Jeff, who worked as a general contractor for 18 years before founding Commercial Solutions Insurance in Old Towne Bellevue, knew he wanted to manage the construction of the home. The couple also knew they wanted two stories, with the primary suite on the main floor and a loft upstairs for their two young-adult daughters (one still at home, the other away at college). The second floor houses a large kitchen and features floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the water.

“We had to get a special permit to build on this lot, and home construction was delayed by about six months. But in the end, that delay might have actually saved us from problems with the flooding.” —J EF F S I ED L I K J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1

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That left one wild card. Like many beachfront properties, the Siedliks’ lot is unconventionally shaped: it’s long, but not very deep, and bound, both front and back, by two immovable borders: the road and the lake. Plus, the lot curves right about in the middle—just where the heart of most homes would be situated. “It was a fun puzzle to figure out how to fit everything they would need on a relatively small footprint and make the best use of the lake,” said Elizabeth Monical of Monical Design, who worked with the Siedliks to design the house. She decided to play up the lot shape to the family’s advantage, bending their home at a 70-degree angle. Combined with the 22-foot ceilings, the white-and-black color scheme, and the lake views from every vantage point, the effect manages to be both dramatic and serene.

“When you put the importance on just a few key areas, it makes the space feel bigger. And, by allowing negative space, it gives the eye a chance to rest.” —EL I Z A B E T H M O NI CA L

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“When you put the importance on just a few key areas, it makes the space feel bigger,” Monical said. “And, by allowing negative space, it gives the eye a chance to rest.” The Siedliks chose three main focal points for the open-plan design in the central part of the house: an extra-wide front door; a stone fireplace with wood beam detail that presides over the great room; and an expansive hood over the double oven over which hangs the kitchen’s pendant lighting. “This is the point where the house bends,” Carri Siedlik said, indicating the large, white kitchen island. “So, if we’d hung the pendant lights over the island, it would have looked off.” Around the corner, a butler’s pantry equipped with a wet bar, microwave, and drinks refrigerator is easily accessible from the screened, heated porch. The wellfurnished porch, with its comfortable seating and an entertainment center, doubles as a second living area and overlooks the fire pit and the beach down below.

“I really like how all the entertaining spaces worked out. There are so many different areas to hang out in,” said daughter Autumn. “We definitely built this home for entertaining,” Carri agreed with a laugh, pointing out hidden design features like the central vacuum to take care of sand after hosting beach outings. “At the lake, you’re always entertaining, whether you want to or not!” Although COVID-19 restrictions limited the Siedliks’ ability to host as often as they’d envisioned this year, their breezy beach lifestyle gives them plenty of outdoor space for socially distanced gatherings and activities, including tubing, swimming, fishing, and, on at least one occasion, pizza delivery by boat. Even working from home feels more relaxed. “Shoes are always optional, and we can just bring our laptops out to the back deck,” Carri said. “At one point this summer, I realized all of our laundry was swimsuits.” J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1

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Not that it’s all about warm weather fun. The house stays comfortable yearround thanks to heated floors, and Jeff’s favorite season is fall, when the mature trees on the surrounding hillsides are in full color. As for Carri, she said nothing beats a winter sunset. Since the above-ground power lines are often vulnerable to the whims of Nebraska weather, the Siedliks took the advice of neighbors to buy a generator. “Our older daughter was home from Creighton [University] doing online learning last winter and our power went out right before she was about to take a test,” Jeff recalled. “Nothing like having the power go out in a pandemic.” Fortunately, the generator kicked on in the nick of time. The Siedliks also found a hidden blessing in the 2019 Nebraska floods, which destroyed the family’s original cabin on the land. “We had to get a special permit to build on this lot, and [home construction] was delayed by about six months,” Jeff said. “But in the end, that delay might have actually saved us from problems with the flooding.” While building a home is always a lesson in expecting the unexpected, Carri, an APRN-Nurse Practitioner, seems naturally cool under pressure and said she took all the challenges in stride. The combination of Monical’s vision and her husband’s industry expertise helped her stay focused on the big picture during a natural disaster, construction delays, and other twists and turns along the way. “If someone had told me when we bought this property that we’d be able to build our dream house here, I would not have believed them,” she said. “But it ended up being better than we could ever have imagined.”

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A Modern Home for the Modern Bachelor Brett Helling’s ‘Turn-of-the-Century’ Home Gets an Update

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STORY

CARRIELLE SEDERSTEN PHOTOGRAPHY

BILL SITZMANN DESIGN

MADY BESCH

We're two decades into the 21 st century, and so much has changed... technology, pop culture, and home decor trends, to name a few. A home interior untouched for 10 or 15 years serves as a time capsule of sorts. Brett Helling’s spacious four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath house was not yet a decade old when he purchased it in 2014. Yet, a couple years in, he found the home had that dated, time-capsule feel. He hired Courtney Otte, founder and principal interior designer at The Modern Hive Design Studio, to help bring it into the new era. The home’s evolution from the earthtone 2000s to the modern 2020s happened piece by piece, starting with new furniture in the dining, living, and sitting rooms. Otte brought in onyx, shades of chocolate and grays, along with white linens and warm wood tones with the goal of creating a pad for a bachelor but not a typical bachelor pad. “Courtney and I worked together to come up with a design and an aesthetic that...you could add feminine touches to it, if and when I get married someday,” Helling said.

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In the basement, only the sofa and Helling’s beloved Lovesac bean bag lived to see another day. Everything in the basement office went. Sleek, dark brown luxury vinyl tile flooring replaced the carpet, and a 3-D wall panel feature went up. Pops of red in the graphic artwork and chair made for a bright, creative, and inspiring home workspace for Helling, founder of information technology firm Rethink402. With a refreshed main level and new office, more changes were inevitable. “As we did that, I realized that it was kind of cool to have a nicely designed house,” Helling said. “So then we just kind of started doing more and more.” The primary bedroom got a fresh coat of paint and the same LVT flooring as the office. Despite Helling’s hesitation, Otte placed wallpaper that looks like a threedimensional rendering of riveted metal found on vintage airplanes behind his bed. “This is one of the cases where I just trusted Courtney,” Helling said. “She put it up, and it’s one of my favorite places in the house.” The biggest undertaking was removing a small portion of the wall to make room for pocket doors that slide open to the primary bathroom. Remodeling the primary bath wasn’t as simple, as it required gutting the space from top to bottom. The glass-door shower was a welcome change from the previous tub-shower combo that Helling, even at 6’5”, had to hurdle to get into. Now Helling enjoys a sleek custom-designed shower that pairs black, large-format tile in a herringbone pattern on the back wall with rectangular, charcoal porcelain on the sides. A mosaic limestone floor completes the modern aesthetic.

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“Tile is my game,” Otte professed. “I usually [design] about six to seven tiles per [primary] bathroom…the installers always think I’m insane.” Simplicity be damned, as all the different tile shapes, sizes, and materials beautifully play off each other. The darker ones ground the design, while the lighter finishes balance and elevate it. So, too, does the accent lighting, found in the wood-finished shower shampoo niche and on the undersides of the floating vanity. It’s onyx waterfall countertop and milky chocolatestained double drawers scatter the light and give the room a golden glow.

With another project done, it only seemed right to finish the rest of the house, Helling said. “It had really good bones. It just needed a lot of cosmetic updates,” Otte said. They upgraded to modern doors, installed new light gray baseboards, painted the beige walls a crisp alabaster, and changed out the travertine floors to the LVT. The cable staircase, anchored by dark brownstained birch stairs with oatmeal-tone carpet running down the middle, is now the centerpiece of the main level. The thin cables stretched like guitar strings allow more transparency than the previous white, wooden banisters, providing unobstructed views of the second floor.

Working with the existing main floor layout, the original oak cabinets were fitted with new doors and stained a warm dark brown, harmoniously tying in with the floors and staircase. The existing mosaic tile kitchen backsplash was swapped for black marble subway tile, and earthtone granite traded for white quartz. The round kitchen island face was evened out into a sharp rectangle and covered with planks of rift-sawn, white oak wood, adding clean lines for a modern feel. A white quartz waterfall countertop with nickel-hued veining plays up the piercing-hard angles even more.

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F E AT U R E

The light gray, washed wood on the island face is repeated on the stove hood, contrasting with the dark cabinets. Mixing the various finishes, all with different textures and patterns, creates layers of dimension and warmth. Adding up all the projects, the entire home remodel took close to four years. “It could have been more efficient, but I just did it in chunks,” Helling said. As a tech entrepreneur who works remotely, Helling has the luxury of not needing to be stationary. He traveled throughout the remodel, even taking a five-week trip across Southeast Asia and down under to Australia during the kitchen renovation. Helling added: “I’m very OCD about my house when I leave. I turn the water off...I don’t want a pipe to break or anything like that....as I don’t have cell service and [might be] in a different time zone on the other side of the world. I trusted Courtney...I was able to do that and relax knowing that the project would get taken care of.” That type of trust goes both ways in their six-year working relationship. “Brett is probably one of my favorite types of clients to work with,” Otte said. “When people just trust your vision...Sometimes it’s a little messy, but in the end, it’s usually a good result.” Visit themodern-hive.com to see more of Otte’s interior designs.

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H A RV EST

Nebraska species that benefit from this type of cover include red-headed finches and goldfinches. They flock together, sleep together, and huddle together for a windbreak, which allows them to survive in the cold despite their tiny size.

American Goldfinch

(Spinus tristus)

S T O RY

DESIGN

PAT R I C K M CG E E

MADY BESCH

Like a natural roost, it’s important that the roost house be positioned near a high-energy food source, such as thistle seed, cracked sunflower, or suet so the birds can easily flock back and forth from their homes to their food.

will flutter from ice-covered branch to branch anticipating the warmer days to come. But don’t not let their melodious songs deceive you. Many of Nebraska’s birds suffer through harsh winter months exposed to the elements and without ample food or water. In fact, many will perish as a result, said Bob Wells, president of the Omaha Audubon Society. Wells said avian observers can follow a few simple steps to assist their feathered friends’ overwintering and help save countless lives. Wells said many birds instinctually roost, or take rest and cover, in groups, most commonly in thickly branched trees and shrubs at least five feet above ground. Nebraska species that benefit from this type of cover include red-headed finches and goldfinches. They flock together, sleep together, and huddle together for a windbreak, which allows them to survive in the cold despite their tiny size. They sometimes huddle in numbers of 50 or more above, below, and all around one another. They rotate from outside to inside in order to spend enough time in the warmth of the huddle to survive. They cannot windbreak one another without adequate selections of branchy vegetation to brave the storm.

Some birders provide shelter for overwintering birds by building roost houses. These constructions look somewhat like birdhouses with a few minor differences: they generally provide more space for roosting birds, and they’re designed to provide the same type of windbreak shelter roosting birds would get with trees and shrubby vegetation. Online sources such as thespruce. com and wildbirdscoop.com provide guidance on building roosting boxes. The shelters should be made of thicker wood than a traditional nesting box to provide better insulation. Roosting boxes should be large enough to accommodate several birds huddled at one time. And they should provide multiple perches or even mesh on the interior sidewalls for birds to cling to and rest. In addition, the hole on a roosting box should be near the bottom (rather than near the top, as in a bird house), to prevent snow from blowing in and the birds’ rising body heat from escaping. Traditional birdhouses may be converted to roosting boxes by inverting them so the hole is near the bottom. The clearances of a bird roost should be tight to maximize heat retention and mini-

mize drafts. Like a birdhouse, there is no real right or wrong way to do it. In any case, the structure lends a hand (or wing) to help birds survive the elements. Like a natural roost, it’s important that the roost house be positioned near a high-energy food source, such as thistle seed, cracked sunflower, or suet so the birds can easily flock back and forth from their homes to their food. A liquid (unfrozen) source of water nearby is important as well. Wells noted that liquid water sources can be scarce in the winter and an ample, visible one will draw more birds than just about anything else. Wells said that birds have survived harsh winters for many, many years without human intervention. Still, winters can take a heavy toll on them and many will not survive. Providing food, water, and cover will help many more birds better recover in the spring and also attract more varieties for birders to observe. Helping these feathered friends overwinter is an easy way to give thanks for the entertaining and song-filled company they provide year-round.

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A S I D AWA R D FE AT U R E

ow does a designer transform your home’s busy working areas into inviting and tidy spaces? The answer lies in the attention to details. With the opening of formerly tight spaces and the addition of more storage compartments, a dysfunctional back entry and laundry room was transformed into a beautifully efficient family hub. The new space simplifies daily activities and routines for an active family. When the clients brought on designer Gwen Ahrens, their goals for the remodel were as following: to enter and exit the home with ease; to complete laundry tasks efficiently; and to have additional pantry storage. In her solution, Ahrens’ design left no detail unexamined.

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hidden detailsÂ

STORY GWEN AHRENS

PHOTOGRAPHY AMOURA PRODUCTIONS

D E S I G N M A DY B ES C H

Meet the Interior Designer

GWEN AHRENS

ASID, NCIDQ THe Interior Design Firm With nearly 20 years of experience, Ahrens loves seeing through any size project from start to finish. She aims to create cheerful and efficient spaces for satisfied clients. A wife and mom to three spirited kids, she is busy and would not have it any other way. Find her at idfomaha.com.

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The new layout was created utilizing every square foot with intention. Now, there are spaces where bags and shoes can be dropped off and laundry can be completed without clutter.

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A S I D AWA R D F E A T U R E

Working closely with the homeowner, the function of each area was determined. In the renovation, the walls, doors, closets, and counters were removed to open the existing laundry room. The back entry, drop zone, and locker area were expanded into the garage. Finally, custom cabinetry was built to conceal the following: a locker area for each child’s belongings; a gift-wrapping center; adjustable shelving and custom hanger pull-outs; and trash and laundry basket storage. Each interior was devised with purpose, enclosing details which make the family’s daily flow much more efficient.

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No space would be complete without intentional finishes. The rich green wall color (Sherwin-William 6215 Rocky River) and classic patterned floor tile were selected to complement the contrasting quartz. Two wood veneers were utilized in the cabinetry design with light bronze hardware uniting them. Beaded lighting and custom artwork tie the vibrant space together. Local craftspeople brought this renovation to fruition. The new layout was created utilizing every square foot with intention. Now, there are spaces where bags and shoes can be dropped off and laundry can be completed without clutter.

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The revealed transformation is unsurpassed in function and beauty. The project won designer Ahrens a gold award at the 2020 Nebraska/Iowa Chapter ASID project recognition ceremony.

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