Omaha Home_June 2023

Quintessentially MIDCENTURY MODERN

OmahaHome ENTRYWAY

You shouldn't have to look hard to find fun things to do this month in Omaha. The College World Series, the Summer Arts Festival, music nights in Stinson Park… the list goes on and on. Personally, I love the simple things like strolling through a farmers market, which might have something to do with growing up on a farm. One of my favorite things to do as a kid was harvest fresh veggies right from our home garden.

Another favorite summer activity was hanging out on our large porch that overlooked the garden and apple orchard. While I don't have a porch at my lakeside house, my husband and I did feel our home’s exterior needed a little refreshening, and the front door was a great place to start. We chose a deep, almost black, paint color for the door, which provides a moody backdrop for our entryway decor to shine. Then we accessorized with flower pots, an area rug, and door accents.

Aimee Struble, aka NOLA Paint Girl, understands the impact a little paint can make. She’s made a living painting historic homes (page 8). This issue we also visit the Bowmans, sharing how they made over their midcentury modern home’s front courtyard into a beautiful Zen garden (page 20). And then there’s George Klein and Tom Knox’s front yard, which greets guests with a sea of tulips every April and May (page 28). Enjoy these stories and much more.

And remember, June 18th we pay tribute to our fathers. Mine was the first and most important man in my life. Happy Father’s Day, Dad! I'd also like to wish my husband, Richard, a very happy 10th anniversary!

Contents

OMAHAHOME ENTRYWAY

SPACES DIY = Do IKEA Yourself

MAKER NOLA Paint Girl

FEATURE A Grand Plan

AT HOME Quintessentially Midcentury Modern

FEATURE A Curated Home Vision Realized

ARCHITECTURE AToM Lake Home

Sandy Matson

Contributing Editor

Eric and Emily Bowman's Fairacres home living room, furnished with art and furniture that honors its 1960s roots. See story page 20. Photo by Bill Sitzmann.

“June is the gateway to summer.”

— Jean Hersey, gardening guru and author

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Editorial

MANAGING EDITOR

LINDA PERSIGEHL

SENIOR EDITOR

JULIUS FREDRICK

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

KIM CARPENTER

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

DWAIN HEBDA · KATY SPRATTE JOYCE

LISA LUKECART · LISA MCCOID

STACY ASHLEY MURPHY · VERONICA WORTMAN PLOETZ

KENT RASMUSSES · SEAN ROBINSON

Creative

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MATT WIECZOREK

GRAPHIC DESIGNER II

RENEÉ LUDWICK

GRAPHIC DESIGNER I

RACHEL BIRDSALL

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

TOM KESSLER · DANIEL MUELLER

SARAH LEMKE

Sales

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

SALES & MARKETING

GIL COHEN

BRANDING SPECIALISTS

DAWN DENNIS · GEORGE IDELMAN

CONTRIBUTING BRANDING SPECIALISTS

GREG BRUNS · TIM M CCORMACK

PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANT / OMAHAHOME CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

SANDY MATSON

SENIOR SALES COORDINATOR

ALICIA HOLLINS

SALES COORDINATOR

SANDI M CCORMACK Operations

BUSINESS MANAGER

KYLE FISHER

AD TRAFFIC MANAGER

DAVID TROUBA

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

DAMIAN INGERSOLL Executive PUBLISHER

TODD LEMKE

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

BILL

SPACES

DIY = Do IKEA Yourself

Bonnie and Adam Curtis design their ideal Scandinavian-style kitchen on a budget

S tory Katy Spratte Joyce | Photography Bill Sitzmann | Design Rachel Birdsall

From the outside, the Curtis family home in Manchester Park looks like many West Omaha residences; it’s a traditional two-story with a three-car garage and a brick facade. But on the inside, this suburban stunner transforms into a minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired dream. Home to a family of four parents Bonnie and Adam and sons Gavin and Isaac this house has morphed into a stylish, modern abode centered around a sleek kitchen renovation.

The tale begins in 2017, when the Curtises moved into their current home, seeking a larger footprint for their growing brood. After completing a few small DIY projects, the homeowners decided to remodel the kitchen as their first significant indoor task. Adam laughingly called the old space “orange on orange” and “Oakey McOakface” for its abundance of tangerine-hued, dated wood. Country-style cabinets, an awkward two-tiered peninsula, and a less-than-ideal layout were problems the couple wanted to remedy with the new design.

To begin, Bonnie scrolled the Houzz home decor website for inspiration, evaluating online design options and, ultimately, settling on IKEA for cabinetry. The affordability and customizable aspects appealed to the sustainably-minded, cost-conscious couple. “We loved the flexibility” of the IKEA option, she added, as they aim only to renovate once to reduce waste.

Bonnie began by using IKEA software to mock up the room. After playing around with multiple ideations, the couple posted their plan to Reddit and Houzz for feedback, garnering helpful advice from fellow design enthusiasts. Still, the DIYers were a bit uncertain.

“We had a vague feeling that we were missing something, and we ultimately wanted a professional opinion,” Adam shared. They settled on an Inspired Kitchen Design consult offered through the retailer at a flat rate of $450. A few tweaks later, the Curtises were ready to transform their kitchen.

The couple got to work finding unique solutions and vendors to make their vision a reality. For example, with IKEA, customers can put any face on the cabinets they prefer; the couple found a specialty company, Plykea, which excels at crafting plywood fronts for the brand.

"We end up hanging out in there so much more."

—Adam Curtis

Adam built and installed the flat slab maple cabinets, admitting with a laugh that the process had a steep learning curve.

“When I started, two cabinet boxes took me a whole week…I got faster and faster as the project progressed, and by the end, [it] took one to two hours,” he explained of the reno, which wrapped in September 2022.

Specialty touches helped polish the kitchen. The couple added upscale touches like Bloom hardware, hidden drawers, softclose hinges, and inside drawer lighting to elevate the cabinetry. They changed the wall color from light gray to Sherwin Williams Pure White (SW 7005), a move that proved to be impactful in an unexpected way. Bonnie said spending time in the brighter, cheerier kitchen is seemingly easier through the darker winter months. Matte-finished stone the “ethereal dust” quartz offering from Counterworx in La Vista was chosen for the countertops and backsplash, creating another clean element reminiscent of Scandinavian design.

Double Miele brand ovens, Lumens pendant lights, and a Bosch refrigerator complete the room, adding both function and high-end aesthetics. A coffee station/ dry bar with a beverage fridge, geometric backsplash, and illuminated open shelving adds another useful yet exciting element to the room.

But the best upgrade, Bonnie said, is the gas range, which is ideal for cooking Bonnie's famous Chinese food (which she didn't make using the old electric stovetop). With a gas stove's higher heat and open flame, the food can caramelize instead of steam, she explained, so her wok gets regular use.

"We end up hanging out in there so much more," Adam shared, pleased at having realized their vision. It's clear the Curtises have room to grow in their new kitchen's wide open, functional spaces; a clean, elegant end result perfect for this family.

Maker

Story Stacy Ashley Murphy

NOLA Paint Girl

Aimee Struble brings her expertise in old home restoration from the Big Easy to the Big O

There are a lot of stories from the past three years about people making moves to be closer to family. Aimee Struble, otherwise known as NOLA Paint Girl, was one such person, and the Omaha area is benefiting from it. Struble is a licensed contractor specializing in interior painting, repairs, and the restoration of older homes.

Having lived in New Orleans for more than 20 years, Struble found herself, like many others, without much work in 2020. She had dreams of buying her own old house but had been priced out of the New Orleans market. Struble had a sister in Omaha and knew she would have a support system here.

She moved in with her sister and family in the summer of 2020 and started painting projects for them while she built her own business. With the help of social media, Struble’s talents and expertise in older home renovation gained notice. Specifically, the Preservation Society of Lincoln started following her and shared many of her posts. “They helped to promote me and reposted [my work] and that was huge for me,” she said.

It was through a search for contractors specializing in old home restoration that Alex Arkfeld found Struble. His wife, Sara Gentzler, said they were

looking for someone who knew how to keep the integrity of vintage homes to do some work on their 1929 Tudor in the Country Club neighborhood.

The couple hired Struble to replace some crown molding and paint their dining room. “We had a bold color choice we were into and weren’t sure if it was a good choice,” Gentzler said. (Savannah Green by Benjamin Moore Paints a bold pea green.) “Aimee was very enthusiastic about it and said 'let’s do it.'”

Gentzler said their expectations were exceeded with Struble. “She made the project feel not just like home improvement but fun and personal,” she said. “The color fit so perfectly and so seamlessly into the character of the home but made it feel more ‘us.’”

The couple has since had Struble do other repair work and painting at their house. “She’s jumped in and nailed everything we’ve asked,” Gentzler said.

Over the years Struble has done everything related to rehabilitation and renovations of old homes, but has decided to focus on painting because it was something she could do on her own. “I’m super detailed,” she said. “I’m very picky about the products I use and the way it’s done.

“[Aimee] made the project feel not just like home improvement but fun and personal. The color fit so perfectly and so seamlessly into the character of the home but made it feel more ‘us.’”

— Sara Gentzler

“I like soft bristle brushes and mainly use Wooster Chinex thin-angle sass brushes. I’m a Benjamin Moore paint girl all the way. I also love the boutique companies’ curated colors like Farrow & Ball and Clare too. I do like to go through historical colors when applicable.”

Struble recently gave a talk at Joslyn Castle’s “This Old Castle” speaker series titled "Painting in Historic Homes." She discussed safe and effective paint practices and how to choose the right paints that are eco- and old house-friendly. She said she also loves paint because it’s something that can make a major change in a day.

Struble’s path to being a painter started more than two decades ago. She had been in New Orleans about a year working as a pharmacy tech when she talked to a friend about her interest in the trades. “He introduced me to a contractor, and I said, ‘How would you feel about hiring a girl who doesn’t know anything?’ And he said, ‘How about you start Monday?’” The two contractors she worked with for years were always supportive when others questioned her abilities as a woman in a male-dominated line of work. “They always stuck up for me and always told me I could do it,” she said. “She knows what she’s doing, they would tell them. That’s rare, so I got lucky.”

Struble said she hopes to complete her personal home restoration someday. She spends weekends driving around discovering Omaha’s historic neighborhoods, keeping an eye out for that special property to call her own. “That’s my goal,” she said. “To get into my own house. I have no desire to be a house flipper, but I do want my own home project. I want to rehab a house and do it well.”

"I’m a Benjamin Moore paint girl all the way. I also love the boutique companies’ curated colors like Farrow & Ball, and Clare too."

— Aimee Struble

APlanGrand Feature

Story Veronica Wortman Ploetz | Photography Bill Sitzmann | Design Rachel Birdsall

Empty nesters Gina and Dan Lombardo spent two years considering their next move. Their children were grown and busy making families of their own. Gina and Dan no longer needed a large multi-story home. “It was so hard to settle on something and somewhere new, because we have such great neighbors,” Gina said. “Really, everyone on the street is so dear to us, great friends, you just can’t find that anywhere.” They knew they would need to build their next home, and soon. Dan, a retired advertising sales manager, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 12 years ago and his needs were changing.

One of their neighborhood friend couples purchased property and began building in Westbury Farms near 215th and F streets. The Lombardos quickly followed suit, purchasing the corner lot nearby and partnered with the same builder, Bob Quartoroli of Dreamscape Homes.

The couple selected a stock plan for a single-story ranch home and modified it for midcentury modern style and greater functionality, chosing features and amenities that would allow them to age gracefully inhome for years to come.

Everything the Lombardos need for dayto-day living is on the main floor of the home, which includes modern conveniences and many hallmarks of universal design. Smooth surfaces, luxury vinyl plank floors, and smaller tile create fewer barriers to movement. Extra-wide hallways and 36-inch doorways will make moving between rooms with a walker or wheelchair easier down the road, if needed. A zero-entry threshold from the garage to the drop zone leading to the kitchen supports continued independence. The couple added an easy-access writing desk near the entry of the home. The primary bedroom features an ensuite bath with a zero-entry tub/ shower wet room.

Dreamscape Homes often include features for homeowners who plan to remain in-home into their later senior years, Quartoroli said. Wet rooms are one of the hottest trends.

“Wet spaces are great for aging buyers. However, cost is sometimes an issue,” Quartoroli said. “If that is the case, we can pivot to an oversized shower at a lower cost.”

The Lombardos outfit their Westbury Farms ranch with aging-in-place features without sacrificing style.

Gina has an appreciation for good design. She spends her days at Baker’s Supermarket in the floral department concerned with color, meaning, placement, and thoughtful arrangement of stems. Creating a cohesive look within a home comes naturally to her. “Our last house had a Victorian theme to it with great antiques and furniture,” Gina said. “This time I wanted to have more of a contemporary look, and there are so many elements I love about the midcentury time frame. It reminds me of my childhood.” She enjoys spending her evenings online searching for midcentury modern touches with clean lines, natural wood, and stone to add to the home design.

When friends and neighbors visit their ranch home, they walk through a light turquoise front door reminiscent of the doors in Palm Springs, California, where midcentury modern architecture reigns supreme. On entry, a visually interesting Terrazzo-inspired tile floor greets guests, drawing company into the great room with an iconic stacked-stone fireplace. Several Frederick Cooper-inspired wood and metal fish sculptures adorn the natural wood tone mantel. The fireplace is husband Dan’s favorite element in the home. “I think it really adds warmth to the place,” he said, pun intended. The couple enjoys relaxing by the fire on a low-profile sectional and Eames lounge chair.

Vintage treasures are peppered throughout the home. Metal birds in flight sprawl across the living room wall. An amber Empoli glass vase with a bulbous stem stands out in a bathroom display. Other custom works of art create personal and conversational warmth within the residence. “My mother is a wonderful artist and we have many of her pieces in our home,” Gina said. Among the treasures are paintings of a stunning blue heron and another of a pile of fish. A small gallery wall between the dining area and kitchen features a collection of Anita Munman prints in handmade frames. Inside a small frame are hand-pressed leaves. “Mom made the leaf pressings for each of her children,” Gina said. “Our family always enjoyed camping together.”

The home’s kitchen is illuminated by large geometric-shaped pendants over a center island which bring back the Terrazzo flecks artfully scattered across the kitchen island. Cupboard panels hide appliances to maintain the clean lines of the home.

Dreamscape Homes often include features for homeowners who plan to remain in-home into their later senior years. Wet rooms are one of the hottest trends.

— Bob Quartoroli

“My mother is a wonderful artist and we have many of her pieces in our home." Among the treasures are paintings of a stunning blue heron and another of a pile of fish.

—Gina Lombardo

Dan and Gina’s playful personalities are represented through the selection of large atomic-style lighting in the dining area and entryway. Charcoal boomerang-patterned formica is used in the butler's pantry. The kitchen and dining area serve as the gathering space for the Lombardos and their friends and neighbors who often visit for lasagna dinner. Gina is known for making homemade Italian salad dressing.

“We love hosting, spending time with our friends and neighbors, and drinking good wine,” she said.

The hot topic at dinner these days is the timing of Gina’s retirement. “But, what would I do all day?” she wonders. The final project is to complete the basement for grandkids to have space to play and stay. Gina has furniture and materials selected. “As soon as that is done, I’ll be looking for another project,” she said. Her eldest son is in commercial real estate. She teases him, reminding him often she is available for consultation.

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Story Sean Robinson | Photography Bill Sitzmann | Design Rachel Birdsall

When Eric and Emily Bowman walked through the entry of their home four years ago, they were greeted with the fall of light, fluffy snowflakes. Winter howled outside behind them and there it was, again, ahead of them even as they embarked on their first tour of the midcentury modern house.

“It was kind of like walking into a snow globe,” Emily said.

The residence near 66th and Cuming streets has that effect on most as they first pass through the large iron gate at the beginning of the driveway, into the home’s small, private courtyard, and into what seems like layer after layer of windows and doors.

Outside meets inside here and that’s because there’s a neatly manicured space in the heart of this home. Built around a large atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows, the space connects back to nature, a common theme for midcentury modern builds. However, this house stands out among the streets of Fairacres, a neighborhood that claims some of Omaha’s largest and finest historic homes.

Built in 1962, it’s a split-level that’s comprised of straight lines, right angles, and a gabled roof.

While homes just around the corner have colossal pillars and estate-sized yards, the Bowmans’ home is simple and welcomingly so. Partially tucked away from street view, all that’s seen is a red brick front and an iron grill of black circles shielding the recessed entrance.

It’s like the set of “Mad Men” has come to Omaha.

“Growing up in California, I was surrounded by a lot of midcentury modern homes like this a lot of Eichler homes,” Eric said. “We both saw it separately on Zillow and immediately said, ‘We’ve got to see that.’”

It was important for the Bowmans to stay true to the home’s '60s roots, too, when they moved in in February 2019.

“We really wanted to embrace and lean into the original architecture and design,” said Eric, who has a natural flair for aesthetics as an independent graphic designer. “Something that’s really important to midcentury modern is being able to pull in the outdoors and make it an extension of your living space.”

To do just that, the Bowmans had a big project on their hands: the atrium needed a facelift. Today, it’s a functional space with seating surrounded by curved beds of trees and plants. Streams of water with builtin lighting give the space added character. When they moved in, though, it was the home of a 30-foot tree and that’s it.

“All you could see was trunk all the way through the roof,” Emily said. “It was an elderly tree, and it just looked old and sad. We decided it would make more sense to get it out of here before it became a problem.”

So, a crane was brought in. Limbs cut off. The stump ground down. By December 2021, the tree was no more. However, the couple did give it a proper goodbye before it was torn down. They hosted a “Hug the Tree” party, complete with a guest book where friends and family could sign and suggest what to do now with the space.

Do they turn it into a ball pit? Or, what about filling it with water and making the world’s coziest shark tank? In the end, the

couple worked with Kinghorn Gardens to create their very own Zen garden for yoga and morning coffee.

The atrium was just one of two large renovations. A month after they moved in, a 60-degree rainy day melted mounds of snow outside. What was great news for those welcoming the end of a brutal winter meant a flood for the Bowmans’ basement.

“We ended up trying to make the best of the situation,” said Emily, who works for Nebraska Medicine. “It was finished before, but we had a desire to redo it. We just weren’t necessarily planning on doing it that quickly.”

A wooden ballet floor, which they were considering keeping, had to be torn out and the space converted to a home gym. New lighting, paint, and cork flooring were added, as was a kids’ desk (which came just in time for at-home schooling during the pandemic). Another portion of the basement was made into a guest bedroom with a kitchenette.

“We knew it would be a main family hangout space where young kids would play and learn, so we wanted to make it colorful, comfortable, and bright. The basement also needed to serve multiple purposes,” said Jessica McKay, owner of Birdhouse Design Studio, which completed the transformation.

“It's layered, inviting, and somewhat unexpected, which is exactly the feel one gets when they walk in the front door of the midcentury gem,” McKay continued.

That’s what the Bowmans want, too: for many to walk through the door and feel welcomed. With its open layout, centered around a natural place to entertain, the family hopes the home is a place of parties and memories. Eric and Emily watch movies in the backyard with their kids and host an annual “Pitting Out with Bowmans” party the night of the Memorial Park Concert (called “pitting out” because of the BBQ pit and…well, it’s usually one of summer’s most sweltering nights).

“Though we put our own mark on the home, we hope the changes complement the original integrity of the house and it’s something that can be enjoyed for future owners,” Eric said. “But we don’t plan on going anywhere for quite a while.”

A Curated Home Vision Realized

George Kleine and Tom Knox’s updated Westside ranch becomes an art-filled gallery, an entertaining space, and more.

It was the sort of property many prospective house hunters wouldn’t have looked at twice. Small, cramped, and totaling barely 1,000 square feet, the late 1950s ranch was woefully out-of-date and lived in by a previous owner with a propensity for hoarding. But nestled on a corner lot on a quiet street, the District 66 home showed promise. It was already in the process of an extensive renovation, and most importantly, George Kleine and Tom Knox had vision.

They had imagination.

And they knew exactly what the property could be: a breathtaking multi-level home that would be a place to gather, entertain, and display their expansive art collection.

“We saw a ‘For Sale By Owner’ sign, took the phone number, and left a message,” Knox recounted of the serendipitous find. He and Kleine were in the process of downsizing from their Council Bluffs home and were about to sign a contract to build a home near the North Omaha Airport, but they weren’t completely sold on the location.

“We were minutes from signing, but something inside both us just said ‘no,’” Kleine said.

Instead, the couple followed up on a tip from a friend on another house in the neighborhood. That property was a bust, but something about this residence, which

had been purchased by Todd Sanwick of Sanwick Remodeling Contractors and was in the middle of a massive rebuild, just caught their attention.

“The interior was down to the studs,” Kleine said. “You could see the old pipes and the installation.”

But Knox and Kleine could also see concrete sub flooring, indicating just how solid the build was a perfect foundation for adding a second floor, expanding the basement, and adding enough square footage to bring the home up to circa 2,700 square feet.

“The contractor was originally going to tear the home down,” Knox explained. “They started to gut the interior and found the concrete. They just don’t make homes like this anymore.”

Then, there was the ceiling: a sloped one crafted out of solid cedar beams. “The thing that turned us on was the ceiling,” Kleine shared. “It was original.”

In a way, the residence came together around (and under) that ceiling, which sheltered what had previously been the living room. The couple added a foyer to extend the entrance, the site of the former kitchen. Now, the cedar ceiling became the focus of the new kitchen, a prime gathering spot.

Story by Kim Carpenter / Photography by Bill Sitzmann / Design Rachel Birdsall

“The contractor was originally going to tear the home down. They started to gut the interior and found the concrete. They just don’t make homes like this anymore.”

— Tom Knox

But first, more demolition had to take place. A brick wall that housed a disproportionately small fireplace was removed in favor of a lengthy countertop and pale gray cabinets. A 12-foot granite island now spans the new kitchen, and an extra window situated high in the room increases natural light in the space. (Originally, the couple considered adding a skylight, but didn’t want to ruin the integrity of the roof. Recessed lighting proved a better compromise.)

A bright yellow abstract painting dominates the wall opposite the cabinets and adds an extra element of cheeriness. “It’s a brilliant color,” Kleine said. “The painting just sets the tone, and I love the orange in it.”

Art plays a starring role throughout the couple’s home. Immediately upon entry, a large print of an elderly Native American woman by Santa Fe artist Frank Howell greets guests (as do the couple’s pets, a curious dachshund, Buzz, and Charlie, a somewhat warier ginger cat).

“It looks like her eyes are opening and closing,” Kleine said of the woman depicted in the artwork. “She should always be in the entry, because she greets and welcomes you into our home and shares our life with visitors. Usually, our art pieces have significance.”

One of those pieces is deeply personal. A clear glass vase of colored sand sits quietly on a shelf in the kitchen. Knox and Kleine, along with Knox’s two daughters, poured the sand into the vase during their 2015 wedding ceremony, with each color orange, blue, purple, and turquoise representing someone in the blended family.

Such vibrant primary colors repeat throughout the home. Knox and Kleine collect passionately and widely, with landscapes, cityscapes, still lifes, and abstracts featuring prominently in the decor. Sources for art vary: nonprofit benefits, galleries, art festivals, travels, and even friends. For example, Katrina Swanson’s Omaha landmark paintings of well-known sites including Dundee’s four-sided clock, the Bronco’s Hamburgers sign, and the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge dot the residence.

“We seem to collect a piece from Katrina [Swanson] every year. If people have good energy, we bring their pieces into our home.”

— George Kleine

“When we met the owner and saw the house, it was a handshake deal.”

Tom Knox

“We seem to collect a piece from Katrina every year,” Kleine laughed. “If people have good energy, we bring their pieces into our home.”

That energy extends into the living room, a graciously appointed addition that increased the home’s footprint and provides wall space for more art. The couple worked with Kim Hansen of Absolute Design Interiors to source furniture for the living room that would work with their existing items, like a stately grandfather clock, which made the move with the couple from Council Bluffs. Next to it hangs three ceramic renderings of U.S. drought maps by Omaha artist Jess Benjamin, snagged at one of the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts’ annual art auctions.

“Those pieces are so heavy,” Kleine said. “We had to have them professionally installed.”

Spacious windows flood the space with light and provide a bird’s eye view to the elegant patio and backyard, which includes a profusion of colorful spring bulbs and a pollinator garden.

Knox likes the tranquility in this part of the home, which includes a slate fireplace that adds organic, textured appeal. “Everything is white, gray, or light blue. Do you know how hard it is to find just the right white?” he chuckled.

Minor struggles with pinpointing the perfect shade of white aside, the couple couldn’t be happier that they ended up here instead of their originally intended location.

“When we met the owner and saw the house, it was a handshake deal,” Knox said.

“I grew up in this neighborhood,” Kleine added. “We have friends and family nearby, and there are at least 20 restaurants within a couple of miles. This home just felt right.”

ARCHITECTURE A MODERN HOME AND LANDSCAPE, REIMAGINED

AToM Design

Studio reinvents

a lake home exterior in Bennington

Story Lisa Lukecart

Design Rachel Birdsall

Photography Daniel Mueller

Adramatic weight loss. A disastrous break-up. A dream vacation. Such life events might prompt one to seek a fresh wardrobe or a stylish new hairstyle.

The new owners of a Bennington home felt the same about their lakeside retreat, deciding the residence needed an exterior makeover an updated dress, per se for it’s square-shaped body and lackluster landscaping to better suit their outdoor living needs.

Brian Kelly worked as the lead on the Bennington home build while with the firm Randy Brown Architects (RBA) back in 2008. The desired outer modification required someone with previous knowledge of the structural components who could appreciate the original design while still elevating it. Brian, alongside his architect-wife Andrea Kelly, stepped up to the challenge 10 years later to reimagine the outdoor space under their own architectural firm, AToM Design Studio.

Post-renovation, a floating silver canopy at the home’s entry now provides ample shade. Previously donning an all-gray shell, the home today features chocolate-colored rain screens along the front, adding a splash of deep color.

“It’s like giving it a new outfit,” Andrea said. “But the life of the house faces the lake.”

The previous occupants rarely utilized Bennington Lake, just feet away from the home’s back entrance. A sharp incline and a trek through lush grass made trips down to the water difficult not ideal for the new owners, an empty-nester couple who hoped to soak in all the benefits of the lake.

“It was a huge compliment that [the clients] trusted us,” Brain said of the exterior renovation challenge. Freedom to design meant he wanted to exceed expectations.

The end product is striking while impossibly practical. Concrete steps blend utility and clean design to solve the issue of easier access to the dock. The off-set pattern allows guests to “experience” the downward trek, with each turn creating an altered vista.

“It’s like giving it a new outfit.”

Andrea Kelly

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ARCHITECTURE

Six-inch gaps on the stairway lined with gray rocks ensure proper rain drainage while enhancing the natural beauty of the steep incline. A steel-colored aircraft-cable railing increases safety and dimension along an ebony guardrail.

Pockets of perennials in the landscaping brighten the walk year round. ‘Royal Candles Veronica’ stun with bushy purple-blue spikes in late spring; ‘Firewitch’ pink dianthus smell spicy in early summer; and ‘Arctic Fire’ dogwood stems splash red against the house in winter. New Sweetgum, maple, and oak trees create focal points for fall color. Rectangular cut limestone slabs blend with native plants, such as transplanted switch and reed grasses. Pathway lights lead guests upward from the dock at night.

Each outdoor living area holds its own identity. The basement patio offers a relaxed vibe not only in appearance but in functionality. Enclosed storage for lake accessories adds convenience. Brian planned a unique anchor to warm up the area: a three-sided gas fireplace between l-shaped cement blocks on a bed of black stones, allowing a peek of the lake through a line of flames. Metal deflects heat from the concrete, allowing the two to tango. One might step into the hot tub with a drink on cooler nights.

Entertainment on the second-story deck showcases a striking view of the terrain and includes a spot to watch Husker games or grill out. Red cedar rain screens neatly hide a television using cantilever sliding-gate hardware, keeping it tucked away from the harsh Midwest weather. Rather than completely starting over, AToM extended the deck two feet for a kitchen area with granite countertops and ample sitting space. Shade, with ceiling fans, makes it all tolerable and intimate on steamy summer nights, while the fire table and heaters breathe coziness on colder days.

Vertical alignment extends the rain screen upward to an additional deck off the primary bedroom for a private niche that ties together the renovation and serves up the perfect spot for morning coffee while gazing at the lake. All of the pieces seamlessly blend together for a revamped modish façade.

2023 First Place

Landscape Rock &Granite

2023 Winner

Landscape Designer

2022 Winner

“Make sure there’s not too much fat; you want to buy lean meat, otherwise your shelf life is really going to diminish quickly.”

—Adam Flohr

Story Dwain Hebda | Design Rachel Birdsall

The Moo You Chew

One man’s quest to make the perfect homemade jerky

Adam Flohr has made a career of his fascination with food. The 37-year-old bartender is in the process of opening a pizza kitchen in Council Bluffs, having taught himself the art of the perfect pie. So, when the idea struck him a year ago to tackle another favorite food, the Sioux City native was more than game to create a healthier and less-costly snack.

“I was tired of buying the jerky in the stores that has sugar in it and you just don’t really know what you’re getting,” he said. “Basically, I just wanted to see if I could do it.”

Flohr borrowed a friend’s food dehydrator and looked online and on the bags of his favorite store-bought brands to create an amalgam recipe, leaving out the undesirable ingredients. The first batch turned out “fantastic,” he said, inspiring him to invest in his own device. Repetition has proven a good teacher, and success all starts with the meat, he said.

“Make sure there’s not too much fat. You want to buy lean meat; otherwise your shelf life is really going to diminish quickly,” he said. “I use eye round. That’s the go-to for most people that do this.

“I’ve used rump roast before and that turned out pretty good, too. You can also do some flank steak; a couple dollars more a pound but certainly tasty.”

So tasty, in fact, that when asked for certain details such as yield Flohr just shrugs, claiming he eats it too fast to remember to weigh it. However, celebrity chef Alton Brown’s recipe on foodnetwork.com calls for 1.5 to 2 pounds of meat, yielding 10 to 12 ounces of jerky.

Whatever protein you use, other prep elements can greatly impact drying time and the quality of the final product, Flohr said.

“When you’re cutting with the grain, it’s going to be chewier because you’re going with the length,” he said. “When you’re going against the grain, it’s easier to eat. But I like the chewy version, so I go with the grain. I also like to cut mine thinner.”

Jerky can be made in the oven, but Flohr recommends a food dehydrator. He said batches take about three hours (not counting the 24-hour soak he gives the sliced raw meat in his soy sauce-based marinade before drying). He recommends his Cosori

six-tray model for its speed, overall engineering, and compact size, which uses less counterspace than round models.

As for seasoning, the world is the jerkymaker’s oyster, but Flohr likes to keep things fundamental.

“Chipotle is about all I’ve done as of right now,” he said. “I’m a pretty simple guy. I do like varieties of jerky, but I just haven’t had the ambition to do any other than normal. And I don’t want to kill myself with the ghost pepper chilis.”

Flohr said at present, he has no plans to commercialize his creation, satisfied instead to make and share small batches with friends as he finalizes plans for his next food venture. Besides, it’s all he can do to keep himself and his pals stocked at present.

“That first batch didn’t even last a day, to be honest with you. It was just fantastic,” he said. “There’s never been a surplus amount of it since then; it just gets consumed.” Visit

ASID Award Feature A CLUBHOUSE CHARMER AT PARK125

Modern farmhouse elements, curated spaces create a gathering place that shines

Park125 is an apartment community in the heart of Omaha, just north of 125th Street and West Dodge Road. The clubhouse interior design was a collaboration between D3 Interiors and McNeil Company Builders and includes thoughtfully conceived spaces designed and built for leisure and entertainment for its residents.

Whether a cozy spot near the fireplace or a more activesocial location near the bar and billiards table, there is a place for everyone.

Story Lisa McCoid, AIA, ASID, and Kent Rasmusses, Assoc. AIA

Photography Tom Kessler Design Rachel Birdsall

One of the clubhouse highlights and the area that posed the biggest project challenge is the spacious great room. The issue: how to create unique, smaller-scale spaces within this large room. Breakout areas were thoughtfully conceived and designed, so guests could find their particular gathering space. Whether a cozy spot near the fireplace or a more active, social location near the bar and billiards table, there is a place for everyone.

Adjacent to the main great room is the innovation area, an inviting spot that overlooks the resort-style outdoor pool. On the lower level, there’s a dedicated fitness room, golf simulator, and game area for residents to enjoy.

The clubhouse’s architectural and design elements, including wood beams, clerestory windows, a brick fireplace, and a wallpaper surround, create that modern farmhouse feel. An inviting aesthetic is achieved by incorporating warm fabrics, complementary wall colors, and a mix of wood tones that work seamlessly together. A punch of green in patterned and textured fabric accents adds some fun, while lighting selections help define each location.

The distinctive clubhouse is a welcoming spot full of options to socialize and play in comfort andstyle.

Lisa McCoid, AIA, ASID, founder and coowner of D3 interiors, and Alex Trout, ASID, were awarded a Gold Award for this project at the 2022 Nebraska/Iowa Chapter ASID Awards heldlast September. The project also won the Most Creative Use of Materials Award for 2022.