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M O D E R N M E E T S M I D W E S T

ONCE UPON A BEDROOM (MAKEOVER) // MOTHER EARTH AS MUSE // SPORTY SPACES // A VISION IN BLUES

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E N T RYWAY

“Spring: a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be.”

— TR AC Y M C M I LL AN, A M ER I C AN AU TH O R

M

arch is a month of big change…in season, and in weather, and in the soil.

Seeds want to sprout, and plants want to grow. So, get your garden gloves ready, it’s officially planting time…specifically if you love your greens.

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Cool weather vegetables such as kale, arugula, and Swiss chard should go in the ground three to five weeks before the last frost. Several basics can be planted in early spring as well, including potatoes and onions.

For a little color this time of year, it’s best to plant pansies, petunias, snapdragons, and geraniums, which are tolerant of cold snaps and chilly night temperatures.

If you’re curious when the last frost is expected, visit extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy for spring gardening tips and information for our plant hardiness zone.

Growing your own food is better for the environment, and OmahaHome is all for making your home and lifestyle more eco-friendly. Check out our new Green department story on home recycling on page 28. More articles on conserving energy, improving air quality, reducing waste, and other green topics to come in future issues.

It seems everything is going green these days.

According to the Paint & Decorating Retailers Association and several paint sources I’ve checked in with, saturated shades of blue and green are expected to be the hottest home interior colors for 2022. Our feature on the Darst home remodel, page 32, shows a bounty of blue and green hues in the design. It seems they were ahead of the trend.

Enjoy this issue and happy spring.

Sandy Matson Contributing Editor

On the COVER

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6 Contents 1

OMAHAHOME ENTRY WAY

3

SPACES Once Upon a Bedroom (Makeover)

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MAKER Mother Earth as Muse

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FEATURE Sporty Spaces

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ARCHITEC TURE Modern Meets Midwest

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FEATURE The Deaver Den

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GREEN Recycling—It’s Child’s Play

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FEATURE A Vision in Blues

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A SID AWARD FEATURE Summer Home Refresh

An exterior of stucco, cedar, and glass lend a contemporary, yet rustic, aesthetic to this Skyline Ranches home. Inside, massive views of the courtyard and lawn seamlessly connect it to the outdoors. Story page 16. Photo by Tom Kessler.

M A R C H /A P R I L 202 2

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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.

VOLUME 12 · ISSUE 2

Editorial MANAGING EDITOR DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN ASSOCIATE EDITOR LINDA PERSIGEHL CONTRIBUTING WRITERS HANNAH AMROLLAHI · LEO ADAM BIGA KAREN CAMPBELL · MEGAN FABRY CAROLYN KOTOWSKI · LISA LUKECART PATRICK M CGEE

Creative CREATIVE DIRECTOR MATT WIECZOREK SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER DEREK JOY GRAPHIC DESIGNER II MADY BESCH CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS TOM KESSLER · SARAH LEMKE

Sales EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT SALES & MARKETING GIL COHEN BRANDING SPECIALISTS DAWN DENNIS · GEORGE IDELMAN

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Once Upon a Bedroom (Makeover) Designing Dreams creates cheerful, healing space for young patient Lia Olson

S T O R Y Karen Campbell P H O T O G R A P H Y Bill Sitzmann D E S I G N Mady Besch

Spaces

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“I can’t wait to check it out!” exclaimed Lia Olson, age 3, at the reveal of her new bedroom.

As the door opened, the delight on Lia’s face said it all. Her revamped bedroom— complete with a one-of-akind, “big girl” canopy bed (to replace her crib), two custom bookshelves, a reading bench, and a fresh, fairytale-like color palette—surpassed her wildest dreams, as well as those of her parents, Carrie and Andrew Olson.

Diagnosed at age 21 months with a high-risk form of leukemia, it was important for Lia to have a peaceful, comfortable space to convalesce at home during her final months of treatment, expected this spring.

This young girl’s room makeover was made possible by Designing Dreams, a nonprofit that coordinated their first bedroom remodel in 2014.

The organization pursues its mission to “create healing spaces for children with cancer, inspiring happiness and hope,” by raising funds through private donations, volunteer help, and pro bono work by local interior designers. The organization ser ves children and families in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nebraska.

“We get an understanding of what that child is up against with their cancer treatment and what their greatest needs are,” said Kelly O’Donnell, executive director and board member of Designing Dreams.

Tara Miller, owner and lead interior designer of The Heartland Interior Design, was contacted by Designing Dreams to reimagine Lia’s bedroom.

“Out of all the talented designers here—and there are many talented ones—I was so thankful and honored to be asked to participate in this unique opportunity,” Miller said.

With help from The Heartland Interior Design team member Chelsey Segura, Miller worked to give Lia’s new room a lighthearted, tranquil, storybook aura that would be conducive to healing.

Reading is a favorite activity of the Olson family, so Miller had two custom-made bookshelf towers and a reading bench installed in Lia’s room. The area under the reading bench provides additional book storage.

“We also added a really fun scallop trim on the front of all the woodwork, so it just felt a little softer,” Miller said. “It’s the perfect space with the most relaxing shade of sky-blue paint. It feels like you are up in the clouds.”

A large area rug with hues of blue, pink, yellow, and green— Lia’s favorite colors—was donated by Feizy Rugs. Lia’s new bedding and additional furniture were donated by Nebraska Furniture Mart.

Miller said The Heartland Inter ior Desig n donated design time; oversaw project management, orders, freight, shipment, and deliveries; and

Carrie said Lia’s new room has made such a positive impact on their family and is a “daily reminder” they are not alone in Lia’s battle.

“This has lifted our spirits ever since we knew that Lia was approved for the bedroom makeover,” Carrie said. “We looked forward to this for months, and in the middle of difficult cancer treatments, and it was a huge bright spot to have something to look forward to.”

She added if Designing Dreams’ goal is to make a difference in the lives of kids f ighting cancer, then that goal has been achieved, and surpassed, for Lia. “We will forever be grateful to The Heartland Interior Design and vendors who donated, and [to] every donor, volunteer, and board member of D e s i g n i n g D r e a m s ,” Carrie said. “Thank you for

With help from The Heartland Interior Design team member Chelsey Segura, Miller worked to give Lia’s new room a lighthearted, tranquil, storybook aura that would be conducive to healing.

completed warehousing and installation. Miller's husband and a family friend contributed some "sweat equity" as well. Due to delays in materials, the room took about seven months to complete.

giving us hope and making us smile during a time we needed it most.”

Visit desigingdreamsusa.org to donate and learn more.

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MAKER

MOTHER EARTH AS MUSE Adam Weiss conjures art from the natural beauty all around him S T O R Y Megan Fabr y | P H O T O G R A P H Y Bill Sitzmann |

A

small but mighty flame ignites in Adam Weiss’ workshop.

Thousands of sparks dance around his feet as his newest metal artwork comes to life.

Weiss began his journey of creating in metal at the University of Nebraska at Omaha while pursuing a degree in art education. He got a job at a shop working with plaster molds and grinding bronze railings, and honed his skills with classes in painting, drawing, and sculpting.

At 19, the Omaha native and Creighton Prep grad was encouraged to participate in his f irst show, Rockbrook Village Art Fair.

He sold 35 pieces and became engrossed in the creative world.

Two decades later, he makes a living

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traveling the country and selling his work while finding inspiration on his excursions.

“I mostly identify with natureinspired art,” Weiss said. “Abstract forms are a lot of fun to see what people envision the painting to be.

Someone sees a waterfall, another a space shot of Earth, and another sees a grouping of trees.”

Weiss primarily creates and sells wall art and garden art for the home, but his true passion lies in sculpting. In 2010, two years after graduating from UNO, he displayed his f irst signature piece: a 12-foot-tall sandhill crane with a 13-foot wingspan at UNO’s Mammel Hall.

D E S I G N Mady Besch

“Being able to put a huge statement piece at the place [where] I got my college degree makes it my favorite piece,” Weiss said.

Since then, he’s created hundreds of pieces of custom art and thousands of paintings, garden art, and jewelry. At one art fair in 2021, he sold 500 works. While he’s confident in his abilities, he said it’s been a long journey to perfect his metal art.

“I am self-taught, no college copper classes, no seminars, no techniques taught to me,” Weiss said. “It took me 18 years to develop my skills and designs and coloration processes.”

“I am self-taught, no college copper classes, no seminars, no techniques taught to me. It took me 18 years to develop my skills and designs and coloration processes.”

—ADAM WE I S S

“I was making a flower 12 or 13 years ago and forgot to weld the wire into the tubing for the flower pistols,” Weiss said. “I heated it for colors and dunked it in my water tank, then out popped my first ground bloom, a little sea anemone-looking wire sculpture. It has been a top three-selling garden art piece every year since.”

He recounted another mishap made good: “Once a bird pooped on a painting when it was outside being lacquered. I let it dry, ground it off with my grinder, liked how it turned out, and now people love my grind stroke paintings because of all the movement.”

Travel and nature give him ideas for new projects, but his family is his true motivation. Weiss typically works alone but said his 9-year old twins, A.J. and Adalina, are his best assistants. They help with tracing petals, pounding mushroom caps, and getting the art ready to display.

“Abstract forms are a lot of fun to see what people envision the painting to be. Someone sees a waterfall, another a space shot of Earth, and another sees a grouping of trees.”

— ADAM WE I S S Weiss spends much of his time in his 1,800-square-foot shop, fabricating works and coming up with new ideas.

To create his sculptures, he uses an oxygen-acetylene torch with varying levels of heat. Patina paint infused with metal pieces gives his copper art an aged coloration. He uses 27 base chemicals to achieve the desired look. A trusty pair of pliers and a hammer allow him to bend the copper and bring his designs to life.

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“Some clients have specific sizes that they like to have, certain designs or themes to work with,” Weiss said.

“Most clients just give me a size and general color or design that they like. [They] like the expression of the piece designed and executed by myself, as the artist, rather than wanting things to be exact.”

Weiss knows that not every piece will go according to plan, but enjoys transforming mistakes into “happy accidents.”

“My wife and kids inspire me to create wonderful works of art so we can enjoy our lives together, live in nature, and have family time as I work from home,” Weiss said.

It was at an art show that his wife, Lisa, first encountered Adam and became transfixed by his work.

“I met his art first and fell in love with it and said, ‘I need to meet the artist,’” recalled Lisa, whom Weiss married in 2011.

Weiss is honored to have his work embraced by so many, near and far.

“I have always been happy that people like what I do enough to pay me for it and hang it on their walls, put it in their gardens and upon their shelves,” Weiss said. “It keeps me making new designs and expanding my processes.”

Visit adamweissart.com to view more of Weiss’ work.

FEATURE

THREE FAMILIES CREATED HOME RECREATION ROOMS THAT BRING FUN, FITNESS TO THEIR DAILY ROUTINES

STORY LINDA PERSIGEHL

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// PHOTOGRAPHY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN MADY BESCH

THE ROYS’ SPORT COURT Julie and Beau Roy have a rule for their family of six: everyone needs to move at least 30 minutes a day.

“THE KIDS GO DOWN THERE AFTER SCHOOL OR DINNER AND HIT SOME BALLS, GO IN FOR A FEW BASKETS. IT’S JUST PART OF THEIR ROUTINES. IT WAS AMAZING TO HAVE DURING COVID WHEN WE WERE STUCK AT HOME.” — Julie Roy

“Kids do a lot of gaming these days and spend time seated a lot. It’s a part of maintaining both physical and mental health to move, to have that break from school, relieve stress, have an outlet,” said Julie Roy, who also owns Montessori Education Centers in Omaha.

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“EVERY DAY HE’S HOME AND NOT TRAVELING HE’S IN THERE, POPPING IN, HITTING A FEW BALLS BETWEEN CALLS.” — Maria Trusty

To make that rule a bit easier to follow, the couple included a 1,675-squa re-foot indoor spor t court in their custom home plans when building with Thomas David Fine Homes. The family moved into their new Elkhorn residence in August 2020.

“We moved here from Canada and had a sport court in our home there and absolutely missed it,” Roy said. “We have four children, so they have their own friends and teammates built in for playing basketball, volleyball…We’ve got soccer nets in there, lacrosse nets,

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also pickleball. And we have a gym attached to the court, with weights and machines. We love to be able to get exercise right here any time of year.”

Roy said the sport court is undetectable from the home’s exterior. Inside, it features a durable gym floor, noisecancelling drywall that resists denting, its own HVAC system, and temperedglass windows that allow in plenty of natural light. “[The kids] go down there after school or dinner and hit some balls, go in for a few baskets. It’s just part of their

routines. It was amazing to have during COVID when we were stuck at home,” Roy said. “They’re [ages] 10 to 17 now, and the older ones probably use it more for structured activities like ladder and endurance training and weights. The ‘littles’ play soccer.

We don’t care what they do, as long as they move.”

Sports rooms like the Roys’ are becoming more commonplace in custom homes, with health- and sports-minded homeowners looking to personalize their space.

walls. A deluxe golf hitting mat lays wall-to-wall over a concrete floor and allows players to push a tee into the mat and hit the club down as if off a grass tee box.

His 10-year-old twins and wife Maria also enjoy using the room, although usually opting to play skee-ball, puttputt, and bowling software games available on the simulator.

“Regular mats are really hard on your joints and hands, and can mess up clubs after a while. Ours is very soft, more like the turf on a football field,” Trusty said.

“I really was ‘let’s do this’ from the get-go,” Maria said. “[ Josh] works extremely hard, and he doesn’t work 9 to 5. He often takes calls after dinner and can be up all night with a client from Europe, so the convenience is great. I also like the versatility of it. A couple months ago, we put Star Wars up on the screen and used it like a home theater.”

The gol f simu lator set up — a Foresight brand launch monitor, laptop gaming computer, projector, and large screen—plays many of the world’s greatest courses, hole by hole.

Trusty said he bought the components separately and installed the system himself.

“I buy a subscription to different soft ware that allows me to play new courses, and some are more graphic-intensive or more accurate than others,” Trusty said. His favorite simulator courses are Pebble Beach (near Monterey, California), Oakmont (in western Pennsylvania), and Carnoustie and Kingsbarns (both in Scotland).

On the front side of the room, there’s a half wall paired with a bartop and stools that allow spectators to sit and enjoy a drink while watching the action.

GOLF SIMULATOR Josh Trusty got the idea for his golf simulator room while touring a home in the Omaha Street of Dreams event several years ago. Until then, he had only seen them in golf magazines.

Seeing one in person convinced him it was a must-have in his next home.

Trusty took his golf room vision to Advantage Development, and they made it a reality in his custom home’s lower level. The space measures 13 feet deep, 12 feet wide, and 12 feet high (to allow for a full golf swing) and boasts 24-inch-thick concrete

Trusty, a self-professed golf addict who works from home in computer software sales, said the convenience of the room is “fantastic.”

“During the day, I get some activity in when I have a break. I don’t have to drive to a range to hit some balls or to a course to play a round. I walk 20 feet to my basement,” he said.

While he’s fine with playing on his own, Trusty said having friends come over to golf has been an unexpected plus. His home is especially popular on poker nights, as guests typically take a break after a couple of hands to play a few holes.

And the novelty of the room has not worn off, Maria said.

“Every day he’s home and not traveling he’s in there, popping in, hitting a few balls between calls. The biggest benefit is he always has a place to go if he’s in my hair,” she added with a laugh.

A FOXY SAUNA Jackie and Bruce Fox didn’t debate long whether to build an in-home sauna once COVID-19 hit in 2020, and everything they love—music concerts, Husker basketball games, travel—was canceled.

“Every time Bruce suggests a home improvement project, I drag my feet,” Jackie said. “Not this time. I said yes immediately. It’s the spa thing…we like relaxing spas and massages.”

“After 46 years of marriage, I wore her down,” Bruce said jokingly.

The couple reside in a villa in The Prairies in West Omaha. They called on their builder, Pohlad Homes, to create the sauna using a portion of their third-stall garage, which sat empty.

The process took about two months.

“It’s attached to an existing bathroom, which is the perfect setup since you’re supposed to get in the sauna already wet,” Bruce explained.

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The sauna measures 6 feet wide, 9 feet long, and 7 feet tall.

Built into the cedar plank walls are several benches at different heights, the lowest of which folds up to allow greater floor space for Bruce to practice hot yoga. A sauna heater allows them to periodically ladle water over rocks and create steam, increasing the humidity.

SALT BLOCK WINDOWS IN THE SAUNA DELIVER ABUNDANT NATURAL LIGHT, HELP PURIFY THE AIR, AND DELIVER HEALTH BENEFITS, INCLUDING STRESS REDUCTION AND MOOD BOOSTS.

“We start out sitting up top, then after 10 to 15 minutes, we move down to the lower level [bench] to where it’s a bit cooler,” Bruce said. “The sauna can go up to 190 degrees. We set ours at 180.”

Salt block windows in the sauna deliver abundant natural light, help purify the air, and deliver health benefits, including stress reduction and mood boosts.

“And when the street lights are on at night and shine in, it’s beautiful,” he shared.

Bluetooth speakers built into the canned lighting play relaxing spa music. LED rope lighting along the wall adds ambiance. Just outside the sauna’s glass entry is a drop zone with hooks for robes and a heated towel bar.

The couple said they use the sauna several times a week wearing authentic Finnish felted wool hats, which protect the ears from burning and come in fun designs.

“Mine looks like a strawberry,” Bruce said. “And mine looks like swirly clouds,” Jackie added.

The couple prove that being open to new things and and making your health a priority keep you young in heart and mind.

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ARCHITECTURE

MOD E R N

M E E TS

M I DWE S T A Skyline Ranches home strikes just the right balance of contemporary aesthetic and rustic comfort

O PE N , Y E T COZ Y. Contemporary, yet warm. Inside connected to outside. Everything tied together by a central courtyard doubling as a front entrance and private oasis.

An Omaha professional couple shared these seemingly contradictor y wishes with architect Brad Brooks, principal at B2Lab Architecture, for designing their new home in Skyline Ranches in Elkhorn. Design work on the custom residence began in 2016, and construction wrapped in 2020.

The homeowners wanted a sleek, aesthetically pleasing design that also met their growing family’s needs for livability and privacy, all while echoing the neighborhood’s rustic environs.

S T O R Y LEO ADAM BIGA P H O T O G R A P H Y TOM KESSLER PHOTOGRAPHY D E S I G N MADY BESCH

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The high-end result is what Brooks calls “a modern vernacular home” inspired by “the simplicit y of Midwestern architecture.” The single-story, 6,000-plus square-foot dwelling features a “clean palette” of stucco, stone, and cedar. Soft-white paint complements the earth tones.

A small barn that came with the acreage has proved a bonus, becoming a combination pool house and recreation room. A sink and industrial work area are being added.

The home’s design plays off the barn and the neighborhood’s many unadorned country-life structures.

“That’s why the lines are very simple and why there’s no overhang, no decor or trim on the outside,” Brooks said. “We took that vernacular of Midwestern architecture and we modernized it with a contemporary use of glass, color, and materials.

The result is a comfortable, homey feel but also a very modern aesthetic.”

The many floor-to-ceiling windows suggest a glass house; but any cold translucence is warmed by abundant natural light. That illumination accentuates the home’s open concept and increases energy-efficiency.

The property’s irregular, undulating contours combined with the owners’ vision for a central courtyard, a non-rectangular house footprint, a wide-open interior, and a seamless indoor-outdoor relationship translates to a layout with separate yet connecting wings.

One wing is the children’s side, while the other is the couple’s side.

The wings are connected by a courtyard in between. Function influenced form to allow maximum flow from one area to the next.

“Instead of having a conventional backyard where you look from the house out into a space, we actually created a third space for the home,” Brooks said. “With the windows and transparency we put along the perimeter and inside this core area, it creates a third wing that is outdoors but also connects to the indoors. It gives an enclosure without really being enclosed. That’s how we balanced the open-versus-cozy kind of feeling.

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“It’s a space all its own with a very wide opening that connects straight into the house. You walk out into the pool deck, the fire pit area. It can be used virtually year-round. We oriented it toward the south, so it’s always getting sunlight.”

The indoors-as-outdoors architectural style took much intentional planning.

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“We have overhangs that go into the central courtyard that don’t have any columns,” Brooks said. “Part of that was for rain protection, and part of it was to extend the ceiling to the outside. The visual horizontal plane of the ceiling continues all the way out, then stops, giving you this implied feeling the outside is a continuation of that space.”

The main living area leads right out into the courtyard with its above-ground swimming pool.

“It feels much more intimate,” Brooks said. “It’s much closer and related to the house itself. Again, it feels like an extension of the inside.”

The owners said the “seamless” transition from inside to outside is just what they ordered, with views of the courtyard from virtually every room.

“The visual horizontal plane of the ceiling continues all the way out, then stops, giving you this implied feeling the outside is a continuation of that space.”

— Brad Brooks

Lanoha Nurseries designer J.T. Savoie installed elaborate landscaping around the home. Grass beds surround the house, while flowers add pops of color. New spruce trees and bald cypresses complement existing evergreens to increase privacy and enhance aesthetics. The courtyard’s tall grasses and different types of ground cover lend a less manicured feel.

Lanoha also did the courtyard’s hardscape, with pavers emulating a naturally carved trail.

Brooks said exterior and interior elements work harmoniously to create an “organic design” that makes the house an apt fit for its surroundings.

“It feels like the house has been sitting there for awhile already, which is great, because it means it’s grounding itself [to the site] really well.”

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The Deaver Den A multi-purpose lower level becomes a dream space for making carefree family memories

DIM THE LIGHTS AND SINK INTO THE GRAY MODULAR COUCH FOR A SHOW.

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P H O T O G R A P H Y Bill Sitzmann

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D E S I G N Mady Besch

A sweet slice of the Deavers’ life is frozen in a single photograph. Laughing faces fill the black-andwhite image surrounded by a white mat inside a frame. Matt and Allison Deaver commemorated an anniversary spent with their three children with the photo, an impromptu “selfie” taken in the midst of a celebratory card game. Even their dog, Ozzy, snuck in the bottom edge of the shot. The picture, paired with a few more family images, lends a joyful vibe to their new family room.

F E AT U R E

S T O R Y Lisa Lukecar t

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MATT AND ALLISON DEAVER COMMEMOR ATED AN ANNIVERSARY SPENT WITH THEIR THREE CHILDREN WITH THE PHOTOGR APH, AN IMPROMPTU “SELFIE” TAKEN IN THE MIDST OF A CELEBR ATORY CARD GAME.

Allison wanted the unfinished lower level of their Bennington home, built in 2017, to encapsulate the playful spirit of the photo. The space needed to encompass three things—family, fun, and freedom. She envisioned a place for Friday night teenage pizza parties, but also for adults hanging out on college football Saturdays.

The Deavers collaborated with Abby Kruse, lead designer at Lee Douglas Interiors, to make their beautiful, yet practical, design vision come to life. The finished product is one most families with teens and tweens only dream of.

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The well-lit room casts a welcoming glow, rather than the dark den atmosphere typical to most basements, while the view of Bennington Lake and trail make one want to sit and enjoy the scenery. The oak sand-dollar coloring of the floor pops against the ebony edging of the window and door frames. Two gray, black, and white abstract paintings lend calm and cool vibes to the room.

The black quartz bar island with a waterfall edge down one side continues the color scheme. The island, designated “Crockpot Land,” has hidden outlets and storage space. Pleather bar stools gleam under two pendant lights with gold edging. The slate kitchen countertop contrasts with the darker wood-paneled storage underneath.

Cabinets organize additional food and prep items. Allison keeps the fridge loaded with each visitor’s favorite beverage—whether her father-in-law’s Miller Lite or her children’s friends’ Sunkist.

“If you like it, I’ll make sure you have it,” she said.

A stainless-steel GE Advantium wall oven, nestled in the middle of the cabinets, makes it easier for the youngsters to make pizza rolls and other snacks when friends come over to stay the night. Black LVP (luxury vinyl plank), mounted on the wall, camouflages the big screen television above it. A window bench provides additional seating.

“We didn’t want a room that couldn’t be totally easy to clean, fix, and maintain,” Allison explained.

For example, the white-and-gold geometric wallpaper behind the family photos can be easily wiped clean of handprints or messes. The Deavers wanted people to feel comfortable to crack open a beer or a soda without worrying about spraying or spilling.

Guests who take advantage of the hot tub, tucked away under the deck stairs outside, don’t have to worry about drippy messes indoors either, as the design planned for people running in and out of the slidingglass doors. The bistro area’s LVP flooring seemed the ideal fit for wet feet, or even muddy paw prints.

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The unique charm of the basement means each family member can utilize it to their liking. Son John, age 9, recently had 50 people over for his baseball team party and the space never seemed cramped. At Christmas, son Joe, age 14, decorated gingerbread houses with friends at the round card table, spotlighted by a contemporary chandelier.

Music from a sound system enhances the atmosphere. People can play on the custom shuffleboard table, while others take advantage of the exercise room. Allison’s husband, Matt, works out on the gym’s bouncy floor.

Daughter Kate, age 15, runs on the treadmill to prepare for crosscountry season. The exercise space is enclosed with glass barn doors girded in black.

“People want to show off their expensive exercise equipment. They want to look outside and not feel like they are in a closet anymore,” Kruse explained.

Another big-screen television in the family room means memorable nights together with popcorn and Milk Duds. Dim the lights and sink into the gray modular couch for a show. The moveable sofa is ideal for slumber parties as well.

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“Movie nights are best,” Joe said, reminiscing with his mother over how many times they’ve watched Stepbrothers together.

Emerald green and blue pillows accent the neutral color palette, adding depth. Snuggly throws in a basket and plush, light-gray carpet add warmth. A fireplace, surrounded by white mosaic herringbone, blazes on winter nights. Two sconces light the black wooden backdrop on the

fireplace wall for further ambiance.

Heavy round trays rest on ottomans for easy access to drinks, while moveable metallic end tables offer more space for snacks. Cement tables come together or can separate, depending on the occasion. Small decor accents, such as a miniature gold bulldog statue or song lyrics scripted on wall plaques (“Daydream Believer” by The Monkeys being one of them) become conversation starters at parties.

The family room feels enclosed, partly due to its black framing, which visually separates it from the bistro dining area. Kruse blended the support beams into the design, rather than structurally moving them at great cost. The result is seamless and creative.

“My biggest thing I look for is how the room flows and functions,” she said.

Kruse did something similar with the bathroom for a decorative functional twist, tucking it under the stairs.

A washer and dryer, plus storage for towels, is hidden behind doors, providing a tidy environment.

“I literally don’t buy towels without calling [Kruse],” Allison said, declaring her full trust in the designer’s advice.

The Deavers said they’re happy they waited to finish their basement until last year. With the kids now older, they believe they made better design choices for their family.

“We worked our tails off for it and we know how lucky we are,” Allison added. “It’s better than we could have ever imagined.”

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green

Recycling— It's Child's Play Getting kids involved, using simple tools help build easy, lifelong habits uring a recent Sunday School class at Rejoice Lutheran Church in West Omaha, the teacher set a pile of trash before a group of curious students. The children—some as young as age 5—ran a relay.

Each raced to grab an item, put it in either the trash can or recycle bins, and raced back for more. They raced and sorted, and raced and sorted, and in the end, everyone won. And the trash can? It remained nearly empty.

D

Omahan Leanne Paetz, a member of the Rejoice congregation and an avid recycler, pitched the activity to the Sunday School coordinator. The lesson taught was valuable: not everything discarded is trash or belongs in the landfill.

Paetz believes getting children involved in recycling teaches them to appreciate and respect the world given to them, and it’s easy to do. It’s also key to developing life-long recyclers. “When they learn it at a young age, it becomes second nature to them.”

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Addie Gengenbach, executive director of Green Omaha Coalition, a nonprofit whose mission is to connect the Omaha public with green resources, agreed.

“Kids are an amazing proponent of recycling. They pick it up insanely quick,” Gengenbach said. She mused about the increasing phenomenon of children teaching adults to recycle. “Kids lecture parents about putting stuff in the wrong bins.”

Gengenbach said that no matter how recycling is introduced to kids, the practice is a good opportunity for little ones to contribute to their household and community.

As simple as sorting recyclables is, landfills continue to accumulate tons of items that would be better directed to recycling plants, where they can be repurposed.

Gengenbach believes many people simply overcomplicate the task. Most plastic consumables are clearly marked with recycling codes from 1 to 7 denoting their material and status to facilitate sorting and proper disposal. And metro garbage collection services—Wasteline Omaha, Abe's Trash, and Papillion Sanitation, among them—offer curbside pickup of recycleables, for a fee.

Story Patrick McGee Design Mady Besch

“Kids are an amazing proponent of recycling— they pick it up insanely quick.”

— Addie Gengenbach

In addition, the Hefty EnergyBag Program allows for the recycling of much non-coded plastic waste, such as candy wrappers and foam takeout containers, or “soft plastics.” Homeowners can purchase a roll of EnergyBags (available at Hy-Vee, Home Depot, Menards, Family Fare, and other retailers locally), fill bags with those plastics, and toss them into their recycling bins along with cardboard, paper, tin and aluminum cans, and coded plastics.

Gengenbach said plastic bags, toothpaste tubes, foam egg cartons, plastic straws, and food packaging all qualify for the EnergyBag. The refuse is recycled into plastic decking, building materials, and even diesel fuel.

Paetz stressed that functionality is key to building better recycling habits. For instance, she places an attractive recycling bin at the end of her kitchen counter for easy access. “It doesn’t look ugly…It just looks like a nice wicker basket.” And it saves her dozens of trips to the garage bin. Convenience is everything.

Keeping glass out of the garbage requires an extra sorting bin, but that shouldn’t dissuade anyone. Though curbside glass pickup is not available in the metro, the City of Omaha provides several free glass disposal sites, listed at wasteline.org.

(Wasteline also provides destinations for recycling appliances/electronics.)

Recycling can and should be easy, and makes one more aware of the volume of waste each produces.

Paetz said the practice typically makes consumers far more conscious of how much they buy as well. Everything bought will one day be discarded, thus impermanence is another valuable lesson.

So, if you’re not a recycler already, walk to the trash can and look inside. It’s a safe bet there’s less true trash in there than recyclables. Make a commitment to reducing your landfill waste this year. Get a second bin and start sorting. Or better yet, get the kids involved... host a relay.

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S T O R Y Hannah Amrollahi P H O T O G R A P H Y Bill Sitzmann & Sarah Lemke D E S I G N Mady Besch

FE AT UR E

A Vision in Blues

THE DARSTS’ HOME REDESIGN ADDS CONVENIENCES AND RICH, BRIGHT HUES

O

maha retirees Janet and John Darst were ready for a change.

After t wo decades in their home, the couple decided to renovate their Regency residence starting with the kitchen. Interior designer Linsey Lisowyj of Linsey Lisowyj Creative was brought on to advise on the project.

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“It’s a snowball that rolls downhill,” Janet said of the remodeling process. “Everything else kind of fell into place when Linsey came.”

The Darsts built in a small gated communit y w ithin Regency in 2000, incorporating an open floor plan, prominent windows, and high ceilings into their home’s design. Those features remain and are emphasized in the 2020 redesign, while the soft decor and most interior elements got a full makeover.

The remodel project won Lisowyj a Silver award at the 2021 American Society of Interior Designers, Nebraska/ Iowa Chapter Awards, held in September.

“We pulled [the home interior] completely down to the bones and then moved some walls around,” Lisowyj said.

Some features were obviously outdated, including a deep, pull-out TV cabinet and five different floor coverings. Walls were moved to open up the laundry room and pantry, and a pony wall encasing the frontdoor entry was taken down.

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“IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME TO RECONFIGURE HER HIDDEN AREAS, TOO,” LISOWYJ SAID. “EVEN THE STUFF YOU DON’T SEE IS IMPORTANT.”

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“She was young, had new ideas a nd g reat sug ge st ions ,” Ja net said of Lisowyj.

The new design further unifies the open floor plan. The engineered wood flooring and “all shades of blue” palette create cohesion, while area rugs, new furniture, and the angled layout define the individual rooms. Removing the hearth and mounting the TV above the new f loor-to-ceiling f ireplace altered the traditional, linear layout in the living room, allowing for flexible furniture arrangement.

Informed by their grown children’s minimalist leanings, the Darsts wanted to create a clean, yet comfortable, space for just the two of them.

“It was really important to me to reconfigure her [hidden] areas, too,” Lisowyj said. “Even the stuff you don’t see is important.”

Standing just over 5 feet tall, Janet had difficulty reaching shelves, high cabinets, and her window blinds. The remodel incorporated convenient motorized blinds and a more functional laundry room. A drop area in the back hallway creates a practical, classic nook.

“I wanted everything to be easy,” Janet said, “Easy to clean, easy to use.”

The ideas of tranquility and ease come together in the primary bathroom, flanked by his-and-hers closets. Cabinets painted to look new and a backsplash, along with a modern soaking tub and steam shower, create a home spa feel.

“When you are done, you feel like a wet noodle,” John said of bathing in the new tub. “It’s great for relaxing.”

The shower, installed by Cornerstone Plumbing, offers programmable water settings and self-dries for a no-squeegee-needed clean.

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“TO PLUMB THIS STEAM SHOWER TOOK A ONEMAN BAND. IT LOOKS LIKE A COMPUTERIZED MOTHERBOARD. IT’S A WORK OF ART.” — JOHN DARST

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F E AT U R E

“To plumb this steam shower took a one-man band,” John said.

“It looks like a computerized motherboard. It’s a work of art.”

Dark blue hues continue in the bedroom with flowing wallpaper.

A mounted TV saves space, leaving room for a sitting area without crowding the room.

Rather than bring a particular style to a job, Lisowyj wants each project to reflect the clients.

“I am a design chameleon,” Lisowyj said. “I can appreciate all aesthetics.

It’s a team approach.”

In the kitchen, a small table and two-person bar countertop with sink were replaced with a large marble-topped island that seats four. Appliances were relocated, and cabinet storage was added down low, creating uninterrupted views of the pine trees out the kitchen windows.

“Whether it’s grandkids needing somewhere to color, or if Janet wants to do some cooking, or in the morning when I have my breakfast and lay out the newspaper…it is such a luxury,” John said of the big island.

Above the island are two golden light fixtures that complement a draped pendant light above the stairwell. Their organic shapes soften the clean lines throughout the design.

“Lighting is art,” Lisow yj said.

“When you find the right fixture for the space, you don’t need anything else.”

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The main f loor is anchored by two large, abstract paintings by Omaha artist Baily Mittermeier commissioned for the space, with textures and colors that pair well with the design.

NEW OR REPLACEMENT WINDOWS The Darsts lived in the downstairs of their home during the remodel, and after choosing to continue with the project as COVID-19 bared down in March 2020, they had front-row seats to construction.

When the flooring went in upstairs, the contractors paused to ask if the Darsts wanted heated flooring in the bathroom. It turned out they did.

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“We learned there was a practical aspect” to always being on-site, John said. “If you see something, handle it immediately when it’s easy and cheap.”

L & L Custom Builders, owned

by Eric and Joel Lakeman, were brought to the renovation project by Lisowyj.

“First you build a relationship,” Eric said, “then you build a project.”

With a day-to-day schedule for construction and proven subcontractors, the Darsts had “daily entertainment” observing the changes in real time. “[The crew] were engaging, nice people,” John said. “Whatever we wanted, they made it happen.”

“Everyone was respectful of us being downstairs,” Janet added.

“It makes me want to do it again and again because they made it so fun and easy.”

For now, the Darsts are enjoying the intimate, clean design of their new main floor.

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Story Carolyn Kotowski

Photography Tom Kessler

Design Mady Besch

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SUMMER HOME REFRESH Budget-friendly updates give seasonal home new life

A S I D A W A R D F E AT U R E

Meet the Interior Designer

CAROLYN KOTOWSKI

Allied ASID, jh Interior Design Studio

Born and raised on the East Coast, Kotowski attended The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University and earned a BFA in interior design. She worked in Boston for four years, focusing on high-end residential design, before relocating to Omaha in fall 2018. She joined jh Interior Design Studio in September 2019, bringing her coastal design influence to the team. Outside of work, you can often find Kotowski cooking and spending time with her two (very large) dogs.

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T

he goa l of this renovation project was to transform our clients’ dated home into a contemporary, welcoming space they would look forward to spending time in during their summer months in Omaha. Our design solution created an inviting, bright, and timeless space to enjoy with family and friends.

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The old paint colors in the kitchen, dining, and main living spaces were dark and muddy, which accentuated the yellow and gold tones in the tile floor. Fresh, light paint makes the space feel much more open, while new hardwood flooring adds warmth and contrast to anchor this modern color palette. We continued the new color scheme into the private spaces of the home, creating a cohesive aesthetic and a sense of expansiveness in the home overall.

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The most significant design challenge we faced was remodeling the kitchen and primary bathroom using the current “bones” and layout, while creating something that felt completely new.

Our solution in the kitchen was to keep the existing cabinet boxes in place (with one modification to include the double wall oven and a deeper island) and replace the cabinet doors with a new, updated style. We also installed a new custom range hood for a modern touch. In the primary bath, we removed the corner tub to recapture that square footage.

We kept the existing plumbing and vanity location, but installed a new, expansive vanity with great storage in the now-larger space. Again, cabinet doors were updated, and a bright, clean color palette completely transformed this space.

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Designer Carolyn Kotowski of jh Interior Design Studio was recognized with a Silver award for this project at the 2021 ASID Nebraska/Iowa Chapter Awards, held last September.

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