OmahaHome January/February 2020

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 A LWAY S L O C A L , A LWAY S B E AU T I F U L

RUINS RECREATED // CELEBRATING FAMILY, FOOTBALL & THE FARM // FIDDLING WITH FIGS // A GRACIOUS HOME FOR AN EVER-GROWING FAMILY

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Prepare Your Home for the Heating Season.

• Have natural gas appliances, heating system, chimney and venting systems inspected every year by a qualified heating contractor.

• Gas appliances and furnaces need fresh air for proper combustion. Combustion products need to be vented to the outdoors. Keep flues, ducts, and vents attached to appliances and heating systems in good condition and clear obstructions.

• Use a clean filter. Standard furnace filters need to be cleaned or changed more often in winter. Check the owner’s manual for frequency.

• Do not use gas ovens to heat a room or for any purpose other than cooking.

• Check batteries in carbon monoxide detectors.

• Teach children about safety around all household appliances.

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A JEREMY OF ALL TR ADES

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Feature SHOW HOME OF DREAMS

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At Home A G R A C I O U S H O M E F O R A N E V E R - G R O W I N G FA M I LY

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Feature D O W N S I Z I N G ? TA L E S & T I P S T O C O N S I D E R

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A rchitecture R U I N S R E C R E AT E D

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Har vest FIDDLING WITH FIGS

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“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”

— R A L P H WA L D O E M E R S O N

I

am usually not one for New Year's resolutions, as I feel each day is a great day to start living a better life. Focus on what means the most, tune out the clutter, and try not to sweat the small stuff.

There is a little something for everyone in this first issue of 2020. Michael Maley’s home has all of the right ingredients to celebrate—impeccable style, a trusted designer, unique lighting, vibrant color, and blue velvet to top it all off.

Jeremy Estill, our skilled maker this issue, shows how artistry and carpentry go hand-inhand to create one-of-a-kind pieces that can be passed down for generations.

Also inside are great tips before deciding to downsize, a dramatic bathroom makeover, a barnwood basement, and how/why the fiddleleaf fig plant is in popular demand.

Each year we have the opportunity to become the person we want to be. We hope that our stories inspire you to try new things, enhance your home, and believe in yourself.

From OmahaHome to your home, we wish you all a happy and fabulous New Year.

Transformations M E TA L L I C S & M O S A I C S

ON THE COVER

Michael Maley’s stunning show home features blue velvet, green accents, a stunning horizontal fireplace, upscale details, and neutral grays to tie everything together. Story page 16. Photo by Bill Sitzmann.

Sandy Matson Contributing Editor

VOLUME 10 · Issue 1

EDITORIAL Managing Editor DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Senior Editor TARA SPENCER Associate Editor LINDA PERSIGEHL Editorial Interns BRIAN VOMACKA · REBECCA WEIS Contributing Writers JENNA GALLAGHER · MARILYN S. HANSEN · KATY SPRATTE JOYCE LISA LUKECART · PATRICK M C GEE · CARRIELLE SEDERSTEN

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MAKER

story by Lisa Lukecart photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Mady Besch

A JEREMY OF ALL TRADES Roost Artist Jeremy Estill 6

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MAKER

Estill realized the perks of a steady income and hours when he joined the building contractor team last spring. Plus, the job gave him the opportunity to learn about remodeling houses.

The task of running his furniture business full-time wore him down, much like his beat-up work boots. said Omahan Jeremy Estill. Estill designs furniture for Roost Midwest Modern as a side gig out of downtown public wood-working shop Bench. He approaches the wood like a dancer, light and centered; his hazel eyes, hidden behind his horned-rimmed tortoise shell Ray-Ban glasses, seemingly transported while he works. He isn’t afraid to get dirty and doesn’t even think about donning an apron.

Big red headphones block all sound due to his hyperacusis, or sensitivity to sound. Instead, Estill feels the vibrations of the wood, smells it, and tastes the sawdust that covers him in his open workspace. He will soon be moving into a private work space at Bench, complete with a gallery wall. “[Estill’s] work is incredibly creative,” Bench owner Ben Petersen said. “He sees ways of solving problems I would never think of, very adaptive, a lot more of an organic style than I do when woodworking.”

Artist. Actor. Baker. Estill, 49, has many talented tools in his metaphorical belt.

But most mornings, Estill throws on a plain pocket t-shirt, a pair of sturdy jeans, and his brown Red Wing boots (If it’s cold, he adds a warm flannel and a tan heavy-duty jacket) and, after downing a cup of black coffee, heads to work at D Kiser Design Construct Inc. Estill’s regular day job is constructing interior components for houses, such as cutting out parts for kitchen cabinets. He is meticulous about the smallest details, even matching the veneer. The end result is a cohesive, dramatic look.

“I was incredibly happy or incredibly miserable in the same day,” Estill recalled. “I’ve never been afraid to shift gears and try something. Just picking one thing I had to do the rest of my life never really appealed to me.”

Originally from Amelia, Nebraska, Estill studied theater at Hastings College for a time. (He still enjoys acting and theatergoers can occasionally catch him performing at Omaha Community Playhouse and other Omaha venues.) He also worked for more than a decade as a European-style bread and pastry chef in Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Arkansas.

In 2006, the then-baker/chef decided to venture into new territory again and enrolled in furniture design classes at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The hands-on, immersive experience spoke to him. He didn’t graduate, preferring to apprentice with a furniture designer in Arkansas. When he moved to Omaha in 2013, he branched out on his own at Bench.

A clean, minimalist look with a simple block coloring scheme from the Great Depression era is seen in his furniture pieces. The Farmhouse style also informs many of his works. The nostalgia of rural Nebraska and ranch life blend together with contemporary touches.

Estill credits his grandfather, who made everything from boots to tractors to fences, with having the biggest impact on him.

“It’s what makes me hands-on, a desire to know how things work, and in some ways, working backwards,” he said.

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Furniture making isn’t only about designing four sides and a lid, Estill said. He finds a way to make designs flourish, adding unique details such as a soft leather loop instead of a rigid knob. One blue drawer rather than just a simple, solid color. He believes pieces should also reflect the history and background of a craftsman. The woodworker puts a slice of his soul into each work.

It’s also about considering how it f its a customer’s personal needs. Estill recalled building a dining room table for the Grunkemeyers, who needed more leg space since many family members are over six feet tall. He constructed a minimal steel base, allowing ample room under the broad tabletop for those long limbs.

“He is very thoughtful, a great listener. He brings ideas to the table, but doesn’t force his ideas onto you,” Heidi Grunkemeyer said.

Estill believes nothing is off limits when it comes to his creative side. He rarely shies away from using interesting materials.

Human hair and rebar make a perfect bonding agent for a concrete coffee table, he said.

“He doesn’t draw hard lines between being an artist and being a craft person. He straddles that line really well. He keeps both worlds,” Petersen explained.

Estill shares his methods and approach, teaching an Introduction to Woodworking class once a month at Bench. His advice for do-it-yourself newcomers is simple: “You have to have it somewhere within you to not be afraid of your mistakes. Just try it and if you don’t like it, hire someone like me to do it for you,” Estill said with a laugh.

View Estill’s work at roostmidwestmodern.com.

spaces

CELEBRATING FAMILY, FOOTBALL & THE FARM story by Linda Persigehl photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Mady Besch

THE W EGEN ERS’ BAR N WOOD BASEMEN T

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Nick grew up in rural Nebraska and has been a loyal Cornhusker fan all his life, while Jessica joined Husker Nation a bit later. “She’s from Minnesota and attended UNL on a gymnastics scholarship,” he explained. Jessica’s University of Nebraska letter jacket hangs on display as part of the basement’s sports décor.

Nick and Jessica Wegener love to entertain on football game days, so when they built their 1½ story home in The Hamptons in Gretna, they decided to create the ideal hangout space for friends and family.

The home’s lower level, which has been a work in process since moving into the residence in December 2018, offers a relaxed, fun atmosphere with personal and sports memorabilia, and nods to Nebraska’s rural life scattered throughout.

“[The barnwood and doors] are a unique way to get some of that history in the house and hold onto my rural roots, which I love. And it creates the custom feel we were looking for. This is our last build. Our plan is to never move.”

“We’re constantly having family over, maybe too much,” Nick Wegener said with a chuckle. “And we’re all big Nebraska football fans, so if we’re not [in Lincoln] at the games, we’re down in the basement watching.”

Wegener built a wall to accommodate three large-screen TVs in the home’s movie room to allow for prime game day viewing. “We watch a lot of games, actually. We call it our pseudo college football room.”

Nick attended Creighton University and said he enjoys watching CU sports as well. “I’m very much a Jayster.”

Concert posters from the Wegeners’ favorite country music artists are featured throughout the space, as are mementos from the couple’s years together. Among them, a champagne bottle from when the two got engaged, an engraved bottle from an Eric Church concert they attended together, and another from a vacation the extended family took to the Dominican Republic a few years ago. The bottles are displayed on custom-made riveted steel shelving hanging behind the bar.

Wegener added a rustic Nebraska feel to the basement by creating an accent wall made of reclaimed barnwood harvested from a farm a couple miles from his own family’s farm near Hebron.

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“I bet we toured 120 houses, which is where we got the idea for using reclaimed wood,” Wegener said. “Then we learned about a barn on a neighboring farm dismantled in a windstorm. A guy I went to high school with was currently farming the land there, and we approached him about using the wood for our basement.”

Wegener estimated the barn was about 80 years old.

When the farm’s owner agreed, Wegener and friends set about cutting a large span of wood directly out of the barn wall. After letting the wood dry for months, the panel was transferred to the basement wall to hang just as it had hung outside for decades. “I wanted it to look like a true barn, so we hung it with the wood vertical. It really does look like a barn wall, weathered paint and all.”

Wegener also harvested several items from his own family’s farmstead near Hebron, which remains owned by his father. Doors from the house and barn were reclaimed, then stripped, restained and sealed with a clear coat (for protection from lead paint), and used for doors for the Wegeners’ movie room, laundry room, and a cedar room.

Wegener says the homestead relics not only offer the rustic look he and Jessica desired, but also serve as nostalgic reminders of his youth. “[The barnwood and doors] are a unique way to get some of that history in the house and hold onto my rural roots, which I love,” Wegener said. “And it creates the custom feel we were looking for. This is our last build. Our plan is to never move.”

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BEFORE

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KITCHENS REDEFINED 5 WAYS TO U PDATE YO UR K ITCHEN

T

here are a lot of options when it comes to a kitchen update or remodel, but many people don’t know them, says Kelly S. King, owner and lead designer of Kitchens ReDefined.

His Omaha-based f irm specializes in repainting, recoloring, and refacing kitchen cabinets.

Omaha has a lot of homes built from the 1970s-1990s, when oak was the most popular cabinet wood, and those 30-plusyear-old cabinets are often simple to have redone.

First, call a professional, such as Kitchens ReDefined, for an estimate.

“Often people are shy about revealing their budget,” King says of initial consultations with clients. His advice: “Tell me what you want. I’ll get you to the right place. Your wallet will be my wallet. We work with all budgets—whether you want us to be frugal or perform serious magic.”

Once King knows a client’s budget, he provides the client with their options to get them the best cabinets for their money.

There are several ways King and his company can help.

REPAINTING OR REFINISHING The simplest way to redo existing cabinets is to repaint, refinish, or strip and refinish them. A company like Kitchens Redefined can even apply designer glazes or distressed finishes to give customers a unique look.

“When refinishing cabinets, it’s imperative that the correct steps be done to ensure a long-lasting refinish,” King says. “We’ve developed very specialized coatings for exactly that purpose.”

REDOOR If a customer wants more than a refinish, then another option is to keep the existing cabinet boxes and replace the cabinet doors with ones that are more desirable or trendy.

REFACE The entire bank of cabinets can get the look of a different wood through an application called “skinning.” The process involves applying a special wood-like overlay onto current cabinets. If, for example, a client has an oak doors, the cabinets boxes can be skinned with walnut and new walnut doors can be installed for a different and modern look.

RECONSTRUCT The fourth way to update existing kitchen cabinets is to reconstruct areas of the cabinets. This can include adding crown molding to existing cabinets, removing a microwave and replacing it with a range hood, or adding new soft-close hinges or drawer boxes.

REPLACE In some cases, replacing is the answer. “Repurposing existing cabinets does not make sense if a lot of reworking is required,” King says. In that circumstance, Kitchens ReDefined can gut and redesign a kitchen with custom-built, custom-finished cabinets. “We’re a full-service operation,” King says.

Kitchens ReDefined has 60-plus years of experience in kitchen cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes. The company completes 150 to 200 kitchen projects a year. An added plus is that King has long-standing relationships with subcontractors for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, drywall and f looring work when needed.

Visit kitchensredefined.com or call 402.241.5288 to learn more.

January/February 2020

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story by Katy Spratte Joyce // photography by Bill Sitzmann // design by Mady Besch

January/February 2020

SHOW OF HOME

DREMS MICHAEL MALEY’S ELK R I D G E E S TAT E S S T U N N E R

The residence at 19606 Charles Circle isn’t a typical west Omaha home. It’s the result of a dream team—homeowner Michael Maley and designer Stacie Muhle of Artistico Interiors.

Friends both personally and professionally, they created a uniquely stylish home in suburban Elkhorn. Oftentimes, newer neighborhoods fall victim to houses that all look alike and lack personality. But it’s clear that the trope of cookie-cutter suburbia does not apply to this contemporary bachelor’s delight.

The Elk Ridge Estates home has a cool backstory, too. Maley is a real estate agent who focuses on new residential construction sales. He represents the builder Widhalm Custom Homes and worked with them on this property, which started as a popular floor plan option that was expanded with an additional 600 square feet and customized with luxurious details like an extra-large closet and a basement ideal for hosting large parties. Maley said, “We have worked together for six years and over the six years we have done some beautiful homes, and I dreamed one day to be able to build my own with [Widhalm].”

F E AT U R E

“

WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER FOR SIX YEARS AND OVER THE SIX YEARS WE HAVE DONE SOME BEAUTIFUL HOMES, AND I DREAMED ONE DAY TO BE ABLE TO BUILD MY OWN...”

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This property is also a show home for Widhalm Homes.

According to Maley, “My builder has another model in Papillion in the $400s price point, mine is in the $800s price point. It works well to have two separate show homes for different price points and styles. Our Papillion [model] is always open on weekends, mine is only shown by appointment.� While having a lived-in show home is unusual, the appointment-only condition means that Maley does not need to have his home show-ready at all times. which may have proven terribly inconvenient while actually living in it. Maley loves showing his house and the positive feedback he gets from both clients and friends that tour the space.

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THE BLUE ACCENTS REALLY SURPRISE PEOPLE,” HE SAID. BUT THE TRUE VALUE OF HIS SPACE IS IN THE EFFICIENT FLOOR PLAN, UPSCALE DETAILS, AND ENTERTAINER’S DREAM BASEMENT. WITH SOLID SPEAKEASY VIBES, MALEY HAS HELD PARTIES FOR OVER 100 GUESTS IN THAT AREA.

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This Elkhorn stunner has been Maley’s home base since it was completed in October 2018. He lives there alone, and it’s actually his first house, which family and friends joke is “the nicest first home in the world.”

Maley certainly wasn’t afraid of color, and the signature blue velvet accents sprinkled throughout the home prove that point. “The blue accents really surprise people,” he said. But the true value of his space is in the efficient f loor plan, upscale details, and entertainer’s dream basement. With solid speakeasy vibes, Maley has held parties for over 100 guests in that area.

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“I created a causal cocktail lounge type of vibe in my basement, with a tucked-away bar, numerous TVs, pool table, lounge, etc. I love to entertain and welcome people into my house, so that is why I built that basement,” he explained.

Designer Muhle highlighted other favorite design elements woven throughout the home, including the black, painted window trim, simple yet intriguing doors, black matte floor accents, and the kitchen’s 3D chevron backsplash. Muhle said of the project: “We really went all out on tile in the whole house, with lots of texture and pattern play.” Touches like ombre tile behind vanities elevated the entire space.

“The end result is breathtaking, and the perfect place to entertain family and friends,” Muhle said. She loved working with this much color and pattern and found it refreshing, because most people are afraid of it and think they will get sick of using bold hues and designs. In actuality, the interiors pro said, homeowners will usually want a change after seven years no matter what color palette they have chosen. Muhle advised, “Take the risks…you’ll be happier in the end.”

The designer also pointed out sustainable elements, such as LED lighting. “Lighting is pivotal to great and unusual design, and creates mood and accents throughout the home,” she said. Additionally, Muhle mentioned the home’s exterior for some unexpected elements. “We used Shou Sugi Ban, an ancient Japanese siding technique, for an accent on the exterior of the home for its unusual texture, and the black color pops against the neutral background.”

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F E AT U R E

She said her creative approach was encouraged by her client and friend. “The inspiration was based off [Maley’s] wants and his uninhibited views of color. And, he’s not afraid of taking risks while thinking outside the box.”

Building such a unique home meant Maley spent over-budget in numerous areas. But, he has no regrets. “Although I did not stay within budget on much of anything, I have some of the coolest design features and first-of-its-kind selections in my house. From the hard surfaces like counters, tile, and cabinets, to design ideas like my stunning fireplace and accent walls, to the finishing touches of coming home one day to a surprise of pillows, throws, vases, artwork…[They] really made it feel like home.”

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It’s clear that in this case, mixing business with friendship worked out well. Maley called it a true blessing to have Muhle as his designer and friend. And Muhle said, “Michael is pleasantly easy to work with. He knows what he likes, which makes my job easier.

He has impeccable taste that aligns with my personal design style, which makes for a great team and lots of fun to be had.”

19606 Charles Circle shines in an unexpected enclave with its contemporary vibes, unique design choices, and interesting backstory.

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

A GRACIOUS HOME FOR AN EVER-GROWING FAMILY T he Kolb Residence ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS

Sandy Kolb does when a new friend comes to her Elkhorn home is lead them to her living room, where a large family photo acts as an invaluable roadmap to the extended household.

Kolb and her husband, Ed, have 10 children and eight grandchildren. And just as her family has transformed through the years, so, too, has the Kolb home.

“We had our daughters first—Emily, Sarah, and Caitlin. Then we adopted two biological brothers from Romania—Andrew and Stefan,” Kolb explained. “Then we heard about Charlie, who was born with spina bifida in China, and we felt it was important that he have a Chinese brother for the sense of connection, so we adopted Charlie and George together.”

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The Kolb clan gathers for a family meal in their renovated kitchen.

Sandy Kolb preps the oven for meal time.

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AT HOM E

HERE, KOLB, a school nurse, paused to provide some helpful background information. Ed, who is the director and chief medical officer of Boys Town National Research Hospital and Medical Clinics, formerly served as the director of the health system’s international adoption clinic and continues to direct its craniofacial-cleft lip and palate team.

Over the years, the couple has developed an acute understanding of the need for international adoptions, and the specific medical and cultural requirements of internationally adopted children. “Through our adoption agency, Holt International, we heard about Christian, who was turning 14, which is when children age out of the adoption system in China, and we knew we could help,” Kolb said. “And in the process, we got Lucas, who was also about to age out. We brought them home on Christmas Day 2010.”

But the family wasn’t quite complete yet.

“One day, we were walking out of church, and Ed said to me, ‘I think there is a little girl in China that belongs with us.”’ Enter Marieclaire, then age 4, now, a bright and creative 11-year-old.

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Sunday, February 23, 2020

AT HOM E

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“M ARIECLAIRE LOV ES PINTEREST,”

Kolb said, showing off one of her daughter’s seasonal creations for a brunch celebrating that month’s birthdays. Now that the older siblings are in their 20s and 30s, only three of the Kolb kids currently live at the clan’s Fire Ridge Estates home—but it is definitely the heart of family activity, particularly since a recent kitchen renovation. The reno was no picnic, mandating Kolb relocate cooking duties to the basement for three long months. “We all love to cook, but the old kitchen just had a little oven and stovetop,” she explained. “I used to tell everyone that they had to bring things over fully cooked because there wasn’t space to prepare it here. Now, I say, ‘ just bring it all over and you can make it when you get here.’”

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The Kolbs have been through a few kitchen renovations before and had a fairly clear idea of what they needed, including extra stovetop space and a second refrigerator. Kolb also desired a traditional look. “This is actually our third home in Omaha,” Kolb said. She and Ed are native Californians, but they’ve been here for most of their married life.

“And we lived in this house for five years before we started with the renovation, so we knew what we wanted.”

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AT HOM E

THE RESULTING space definitely pokes holes in the “too many cooks” theory. Family gatherings usually kick off with the adults congregating around the large kitchen island to work on various meal prep projects. The grandkids settle in with their favorite toys, while the teens and tweens drift to the backyard basketball court (“That’s one of the reasons we bought this house,” Kolb noted). It’s a well-orchestrated symphony and Kolb, who clearly runs the show, makes it all look effortless.

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“I BELIEVE THAT WHEN CHILDREN ARE SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, THEY STEP UP TO THAT ENVIRONMENT. OUR HOME CAN BE LOUD AND CHAOTIC AT TIMES, BUT WE ALL LOVE AESTHETICS, AND WE ALL TRY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR SURROUNDINGS.”

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“Everyone has a job to do, and there’s a place for everything,” she said simply. “My parents emigrated from Budapest, so maybe it comes from my Germanic heritage. I believe that when children are surrounded by beautiful things, they step up to that environment. Our home can be loud and chaotic at times, but we all love aesthetics, and we all try to take care of our surroundings.”

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402.850.0145 | Info@FirefightersontheMove.com FirefightersontheMove.com Throughout the home are heirlooms and pieces collected from the family’s travels, including delicate porcelain dishes, ornate Hungarian fine art, and many representations of the Madonna and child—beloved iconography to the mother of 10. Because everyone enjoys getting together to bake traditional Hungarian sweets, particularly during the holiday season, the children from China are eager to meet their Hungarian relatives (a visit is in the works for Summer 2021). Kolb, who spent a year abroad in Norway as a student, also makes a kransekake, or Norwegian wedding cake. “Our son, George, insists on it every year for his birthday,” she said.

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The Kolbs honor their Chinese children’s heritage with frequent visits to one of their favorite restaurants, New Gold Mountain, where two of the boys work. They celebrate Chinese New Year and, in a time-honored tradition started

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“We have our family traditions, but the main thing is that we try to stay flexible. We’ve learned that what might be the right thing for one of our children isn’t necessarily the right thing for another one,” Kolb said. “Being the mother of a big family is a great gift, but it’s also a great responsibility, and I always try to remember both of those things.”

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January/February 2020

F E AT U R E

DOWNSIZING? TALES & TIPS TO CONSIDER IF YOU’RE DEBATING THE MOVE story by Linda Persigehl // design by Mady Besch

W

HEN CINDY AND VAN WRENN bought a fourbedroom, four-bathroom home in Omaha’s Seville neighborhood in 1998, they had three small boys and desired a larger home in a family-friendly area in the well-regarded Millard School District. And for 15 years, their home near 156th Street and West Dodge Road fit the bill. The couple raised their boys in the 3,000-plus square-foot home, and Cindy got a job at nearby Grace Abbott Elementary as a secretary and began teaching piano lessons out of her home.

Fast forward to 2014 and the Wrenns began kicking around the idea of downsizing. “We really love this part of town and enjoyed that house,” Cindy Wrenn said. “We weren’t in a big hurry…Our youngest was still sort of bouncing back and forth from apartment to home, and me living two minutes from work was definitely huge.” And her piano students—many of whom attended the elementary—were nearby.

“While we loved the two-story, we knew someday we weren’t going to be able to do the stairs and we wanted less square feet to take care of,” Wrenn added. “Van was also doing all the snow and yard care and traveling a lot at the time, so he wanted to outsource all of that.”

The Wrenns agreed they wanted to remain in northwest Omaha and sought out a ranch-style house with a formal living room for holding piano lessons. Wrenn said they looked at several options including villas, which they found “pretty pricey.” They settled on a three-bedroom, three-bath townhome in the Waterford neighborhood near 156th and Ida streets, about 10 minutes further north.

The Wrenns spent about nine months prepping their home for sale and listed it the following spring in a strong housing market. It sold fairly quickly, and the transition went well.

FOUR YEARS LATER, Wrenn said they’re both very happy with their decision to downsize and their choice in homes. She said she rarely misses the space of the old place, “except at the holidays. We have a growing family—three granddaughters and another grandchild on the way. It can be a bit tight when everyone’s over.” She retained all but one piano student, and her work commute is only a few minutes longer.

“Mowing a big lawn, cleaning three bathrooms, fixing things or breaking the bank to hire a repair man…it just became too much on my own,” Bolton said. Reducing her mortgage payment and maintenance costs became her goal.

With her younger son still in high school and daughter commuting to community college, Bolton said she wanted to remain in northwest Omaha near their schools, her doctor, her regular grocery and shopping, etc. She was less certain about what type of house she wanted. She opted to rent a three-bedroom townhome and move in before listing her home. Once empty, she had remaining home repairs made, cleaned, painted, and had her real estate agent stage it for a quick sale.

Lisa Andrews, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Ambassador Real Estate, said the Wrenns are typical of downsizing clients, a growing market as the population ages. “They’re usually in their 50s or 60s and looking for homes with the same or a bit less space but a better layout and utility,” she explained, “A nice master with a big master bath on the main level, plus an office, “I think it would have been impossible to do while living in a family room, and maybe a spare bedroom.” with a family,” said Bolton, who has Large kitchens with pantries, good stora history in mortgage lending. “It age, main-floor laundry, covered decks, and a was the best decision.” Doing so enfenced yard for pets are also in demand. “And abled her to get her full asking price.

“MAYBE YOU WANT maybe an extra TV room or play space for the TO BUY A PLACE THAT grandkids—just a bump-out space.”

Bolton said the layout of the townPROVIDES SNOW home—half the size of her former REMOVAL AND LAWN Formal dining and living rooms are not as home—made all the difference. “It SERVICE, BUT THAT’S desirable among older clients, who often “pass was laid out great so everyone had NOT AVAILABLE. I the torch” of hosting holiday dinners and their own private areas, so we didn’t TELL PEOPLE TO GO family gatherings onto the next generation, feel on top of one another.”

WITH THE LAYOUT Andrews added.

AND HOUSE AND JUST Renting had its pros and cons, OUTSOURCE THAT Buyers moving locally almost always want Bolton said. “It was good because STUFF. IT HELPS TO to remain within their same quadrant of the I wasn’t sure what I wanted and I BE FLEXIBLE.” city, Andrews said. “People become very atdidn’t want to buy and get trapped —LISA ANDREWS tached. I’ve only had one couple in all my or have to move two years later.” It years that downsized and moved to a different proved disappointing when her part of town.” landlord decided to sell the property and she was forced to relocate after just 18 months.

Andrews admitted that finding a villa or ranch townhome with the desired amenities within budget can be a chal“It totally caught me off guard,” Bolton said. “But moving lenge. “The price point for new construction can be high. again was a lot easier because I didn’t have near as much Downsizing from a large two-story to a smaller ranch is stuff, and we weren’t as attached. There were a lot of emooften not going to save you money. Ranches generally cost tions with the first move…it was especially hard on the kids. more.” And while existing villas and townhomes may be But I think it made them resilient and reinforced that ‘home cheaper, they’re in short supply. “Maybe you want to buy is where the heart is,’ as cheesy as that sounds.” a place that provides snow removal and lawn service, but that’s not available. I tell people to go with the layout and Today, Bolton’s daughter is on her own, and she and her son house and just outsource that stuff. It helps to be flexible.” live in a smaller three-bedroom home near Eagle Run golf course, which she purchased in 2019. She said she’s glad she Staying flexible is exactly what Cathy Bolton aimed for waited to buy until she was certain what she wanted and set when she decided to downsize four years ago. While she her priorities, like a bigger garage. envisioned staying in the large Elk Creek Crossing twostory she built in 2000 until retirement, a divorce and five “[With the townhome], I was surprised by how much I years of maintaining the home on her own changed her missed the garage space.” Bolton said. “Now I have a twoperspective. With a strong housing market and desire to car plus a tandem space for garden tools and a work bench, move on, she decided to sell her home a couple months afand a longer driveway for everyone to park when they come ter her daughter graduated from high school. over. It’s those things you don’t think of.”

January/February 2020

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RUINS RECRE ATED AN ABANDONED FARMSTEAD SPROUTS NEW LIFE

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A RCHITEC T UR E story by Carrielle Sedersten

photography by Bill Sitzmann

design by Mady Besch

January/February 2020

37

S U R R O U N D E D B Y A C R E S of roll-

ing hills and views stretching as far as the eyes can see, a home made to look like the ruins of an abandoned farmstead rests peacefully on the wild prairie, as if it’s been there for decades.

It was an inspired project for the team of Bob Torson, founder and principal architect of Robert Torson Architects, and general contractor Butch Simpson Electric. After discovering long-vacant farm buildings and weathered foundations of brick and stone during the initial visit to the property, just north of Omaha in the Ponca Hills area, the vision for the project became clear: to preserve the past and the land’s tranquil nature.

Originally, the plan was to incorporate the existing farm buildings, once home to a vibrant, working farm and show-jumping horse facility, into the home’s construction. But as anyone who’s built a house can attest to, not everything goes according to plan. Upon closer inspection, some of the structures were deemed unstable and unusable. A number of chicken coops, hog barns, a machine shed, and shelter for animals in disrepair were demolished. (Where possible, timber was salvaged for use elsewhere on the property.) The plan was amended, with the new goal being to recreate some of these buildings using new materials.

Mimicking the original ruins, the centerpiece of the home, a two-story octagonal turret that houses the kitchen, was created using salt-glazed red brick wrapping diagonally around and at other times extending from the structure to create the effect of a giant crack cascading down from the roof to the ground. Torson worked with artist Michael Morgan, who specializes in brickwork, to achieve the design idea. “[Morgan] literally makes every one of those bricks himself,” Torson said. “So when you look at them, they’re not standard in any way.

If you look closely, they’re all completely different. They’re meant to have a semi-rough exterior and look like they sort of fell off.”

A RCHITEC T UR E

OmahaMagazine.com

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DESIGNING W INDOWS TO

fit the custom three-foot-thick brickwork encompassing the turret was challenging because Torson wanted the inside of the house to respond to the lot and the land itself, and windows were a big part of that.

“The inside of the house has a lot of transparency, not only to let the sunshine in but to also have certain views of interest.”

Many windows extend all the way to the floor, providing unobstructed views of the outdoors. In certain areas of the home such as the dining room, which has a glass ceiling and walls, views extend all the way to the Missouri River Valley.

“When you’ve got a big glass wall, you’re out a ways from the main structure of the house, which allows you to look left and right instead of just looking straight out at one angle,” Torson said.

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Another way the outdoors was brought in was by using materials like brick, timber, and stone, found on the exterior of the house in the home’s interior design as well. Most of the flooring that runs through the first floor is made of stones of all different shapes and sizes in shades of brown and green, mirroring the colors used in the outdoor landscaping.

Even though the house is grand, innovative, and almost avant-garde, it comes off as quite comfortable and casual, in part because the earth tone prairie palette provides much-needed warmth. The brick from outside continues inside with a fountain wall, as well as a fireplace and kitchen island made of salt-glazed brick with bits of melted glass, also made by Morgan.

With an open concept and soaring ceilings that sometimes span two floors, the house feels voluminous. However, cedar

planks matching the columns outside were used on the ceilings in the living room and kitchen to warm the space and provide a more intimate, homey feel.

The house is rustic and traditional, but also slightly modern at the same time, somehow managing to blend right into the prairie like it’s been there all along.

Torson’s work on the property, which also includes a party barn, a horse barn, riding areas, maintenance buildings, and more, continues today. “The home and entire grounds are being embellished continuously,” he explained.

“They all go together to be a place for family to work, live, and flourish.”

It’s challenging work Torson and crew are happy to take on.

January/February 2020

41

Fiddling

Figs with

story by Patrick McGee design by Mady Besch

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OmahaMagazine.com

H A RV E S T

HOUSEPLANTS ARE SEEING A RESURGENCE

in home decor, and among the most fashionable greenery to add to one’s living space is the fiddleleaf fig (Ficus lyrata). These plants have recently appeared in the mainstream media (HGTV’s Fixer Upper host Joanna Gaines is a big fan), but have been popular houseplants for quite some time.

“A lot of people come in asking for them,” said Erica Tirendi of Mulhall’s. “We have a hard time keeping enough on the table.” She explained that the fiddle-leaf fig’s popularity is due to its visual appeal—big flat, shiny leaves that give it a lush look. Fiddle-leaf figs can grow to be 6-7 feet tall (indoors), or bigger. It’s a beautiful plant to fill a one-and-a-half-story atrium with natural sunlight, Tirendi added.

This interior design darling is actually native to the lowland rainforest of western Africa. It is the relative of commonly edible figs but rarely produces fruit indoors. (Though if they do produce figs, don’t eat them. They can be toxic.)

Caring for fiddle-leaf figs is not particularly difficult, as they’re fairly durable, Tirendi said. They do well indoors with ample light, and they do well outdoors in the summer. “They love being outside in the heat and humidity,”

she said, adding that they need to be protected from the blazing afternoon sun. In the cold season, fiddle-leaf figs should be brought indoors.

Placement in the home should not be overlooked.

A south or southwest window, or skylight, will do nicely. “It needs as much bright light as you can get it,” Tirendi said. She also recommends protecting the plant from cold drafts. “They will show cold damage fairly quickly,” Tirendi said, and recommended keeping them away from heating and cooling vents to prevent the leaves from drying out.

Because the fiddle-leaf is a ficus, it should be watered generously, Tirendi said. Water thoroughly around the pot until water comes out of the holes in the bottom.

“Get the whole root ball good and moist,” she said. Let it dry out halfway to two-thirds before watering again.

It will naturally dry out throughout the course of 7-10 days (depending on the plant’s size and the conditions of your home).

“A LOT OF PEOPLE COME IN ASKING FOR THEM. WE HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING ENOUGH ON THE TABLE.”

—Erica Tirendi

Pruning is generally only necessary when the plant shows leaf damage or “dies back,” although Tirendi said it does depend on the individual plant. To encourage branch growth, one may pinch the top growth one leaf at a time, over the space of several weeks. In the wintertime it won’t grow as much, Tirendi said, adding that these figs do most of their growing in the summer when light is plentiful. Grow lights will benefit them during the cold seasons.

In addition, fiddle-leaf figs perform well in a smaller pot. “It’s a plant that needs to be somewhat root-bound,” Tirendi said. A tighter pot benefits this ficus and also saves space.

When it comes to fertilizing, she advised only doing so during the growing season.

The fiddle-leaf fig is a welcome addition to an interior living space and will thrive with the right lighting conditions and care. It’s pretty to look at and adds an earthy element to any room.

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OmahaMagazine.com

T R A NSF OR M AT IONS story by Marilyn S. Hansen

photography by Tom Kessler

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design by Mady Besch

METALLICS & MOSAICS T H E D E S I G N E R S ’ D R A M AT I C B AT H M A K E O V E R Sometimes a project comes along that involves a room that is just too small. This was the case with a client’s guest bathroom— one of many design projects The Designers has consulted on through the years for this homeowner in the heart of Omaha.

In addition to re-designing the space, we were charged with finding a way to replace the bathtub with a shower equipped with a rain shower head. But with a ceiling 6 feet, 8 inches high, this posed a major challenge.

Meet the Interior Designer MARILYN S. HANSEN, FA S I D, I I DA , N C I D Q THE DESIG NERS

Hansen graduated with a degree in interior design from Iowa State University. Some of her major projects in Omaha have included Grandmother’s Restaurant at 90th and Dodge streets and the Creatine Condos in the JL Brandeis building. Hansen is on the board of the Governor’s Residence Advisory Commission and is the only fellow of American Society of Interior Designers in Nebraska. Her firm, The Designers, is currently in its 40th year of business.

BEFORE

One of the first things we selected was a beautiful new sink basin.

Its design, combining gold and silver colors, allowed us to incorporate both chrome and gold finishes in the hardware selections. Mosaic tiles that combine the metallic colors with white and cream were chosen as well.

As demolition and construction progressed, we located enough space between the f loor joists in the ceiling to allow us to install—to my client’s pleasure—a rain shower head. The raised ceiling also allowed for recessed LED lighting, which provides fantastic light and helped to complement the lighted magnifying mirror.

Extra blocking was installed in the walls before drywall to allow grab bars and balance bars to be easily added should they be needed in the future. Selecting grab bars that resemble decorative towel bars is one of my favorite design solutions.

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BEFORE

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The walls of the room are covered in a faux travertine porcelain tile.

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The finished result is a truly functional guest bath makeover with a dramatic twist.

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By opening the area to the shower with a see-through glass panel, an illusion of additional space was achieved. This delights the eye, allowing one to immediately enjoy all the mosaic, tiles, hardware, and decorative effects of the shower space upon entering the room.

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 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.

16820 Frances Street, Ste. 102 | Omaha, NE 68130 | Phone: 402.758.0440 | www.curthofer.com Please contact Curt Hofer & Associates today! For an appointment, visit curthofer.com or see our Ideabook at houzz.com/curthofer.

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