A New View
Modern Living in the Metro
Fall is in full swing! With chillier weather and upcoming holidays on the brain, some homeowners prefer Autumn preparation to Spring cleaning. This preparation could include remodels, a refresh of furniture, or even constructing a new building.
Valerie Bellino decided to refresh her home that was built in 1916 by hiring JH Interiors to assist in remodeling both her home and the pool house outside. With the help of Breanna Cortinas, she was able to transform her home from an outdated, finicky house to a more modern, comfortable area to live and host her seven grandchildren.
Jennifer and Craig Hansen also opted for a remodel, making their riverfront condo a Midwestern paradise. Creating a space that is both beautiful and functional, Courtney Otto’s assistance was invaluable to the Hansens. She succeeded in updating the space both in design and functionality so the Hansens could enjoy their stunning view even more.
Of course, furniture is an essential part of any home. Mark Manhart of Manhart Designs knows this well and has provided families with custom cabinets and other wooden furniture for decades. Taking inspiration from his travels to places like New Guinea, Indonesia, and Australia, Manhart has a unique creative spark that translates into his woodworking and benefits anyone who views his lovingly crafted items. For Manhart, being an artist is not only his calling, but also a lifelong dream that will continue to flow from his hands as long as he is able.
Perhaps a different kind of refresh is in store; the new Rowhaus Townhomes in Elmwood Park provide a modern living aesthetic inspired by Scandinavian architecture. These homes offer an optional car-free lifestyle, being perfectly placed within walking distance to Aksarben Village and other shopping hubs, as well as public transportation. For those who prefer to keep their vehicles, there is ample parking and even charging stations for electric vehicles, providing a truly modern living option that looks to the future.
Beautiful homes grace these pages along with the beautiful stories that accompany them. In keeping with Fall traditions, we’ve also included some fun tips and tricks for carving and decorating pumpkins. Enjoy!
Claudia Moomey Assignment Editor, Omaha Home
claudia@omahapublications.com
OMAHAHOME ENTRYWAY
THYME & THEORY Coastal Cooking in Autumn
MAKER Woodworker Works to Create
FEATURE A New View
AT HOME Where Dreams Come True
FEATURE A Vision of Downtown Living
HARVEST Totally Jacked
Style, Substance
Valerie Bellino’s pool house provides a summer getaway complete with full glass sliding doors and relaxing vibes.
Editorial
EDITOR EMERITA
SANDY MATSON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
KIM CARPENTER
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
NATALIE VELOSO
ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
CLAUDIA MOOMEY
CONTENT CREATOR
ISABELLA M C ATEE
CONTENT STUDIOS OMAHA MANAGING EDITOR
DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
MICHELLE HORST · SARA LOCKE
LISA LUKECART · LINDA PERSIGEHL
BECKY REA · KARA SCHWEISS
Creative
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
RACHEL BIRDSALL
GRAPHIC DESIGNER II
NICKIE ROBINSON
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
RENEÉ LUDWICK
GRAPHIC DESIGNER I
JOEY WINTON
PHOTO EDITOR
SARAH LEMKE
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
ANDERS CREATIVE
SARAH LEMKE
MANDY M CGREGOR
STACIE MUHLE
TIM PERRY PHOTOGRAHY
AMANDA YONG
Sales
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
SALES & MARKETING
GIL COHEN
TOP LEVEL REVENUE GENERATOR
MICHELLE SCHRAGE
BRANDING SPECIALISTS
DAWN DENNIS · GEORGE IDELMAN
CONTRIBUTING BRANDING SPECIALISTS
GREG BRUNS · TIM M CCORMACK
PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANT / OMAHAHOME EDITOR EMERITA
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
BILL SITZMANN
THE HEART OF HOME
Story by Michelle Horst | Photography by Mandy McGregor | Design by Nickie Robinson
Tips for an Outdoor Kitchen
Imagine this: cozy autumn evening, leaves swirling down, food sizzling on the grill, glow of fire from the pizza oven as laughter fills the air from friends and family gathered around on a Sunday. This is what we envisioned while we were planning our house build. We wanted an outdoor space where we could spend more time outside gathering with friends and family around a table sharing stories and eating great food. Here are a few of the things we thought about when we designed this space:
Essentials:
1. Space matters. Measure it. Sketch it. Love it or hate it? If you hate it, draw it again. It is cheaper to draw again than to demo it and buy more materials. Luckily, we loved it. Parts of the layout we thought about: grill, prep area, sink, table space.
2. What are you cooking? Do you like pellet grills, gas, Blackstones, wood-fired pizza ovens, or all of the above? What are your must-have appliances? For us, we knew we needed a grill and wanted a wood-
fired pizza oven as we love making pizzas in our house, and it is a fun activity to do as a family.
Design:
1. Match style. We love a coastal style and designed the entire house around our love of being by the water and having a relaxed feel. We added multiple elements such as outdoor-friendly wood, concrete, and metal to give a warm feel without adding a rustic feel, which, while I love rustic, it does not fit our house style.
2. Weather-ready. Since it is an outdoor kitchen, we needed to remember that everything needs to withstand Nebraska elements. We opted for durable, outdoorfriendly materials. We sourced in wood that holds up to the elements (think teak, cedar, ipe, redwood, and acacia). We used garapa wood. Two things I wish we had done were to add outdoor fans above the dining table and a hood vent above the pellet grill based on the placement of the grill. We plan to add these down the road.
"We wanted an outdoor space where we could spend more time outside gathering with friends and family around a table sharing stories and eating great food."
—Michelle Horst
Coastal Cooking THYME &
in Autumn
Fun and Functional:
1. An outdoor kitchen should be more than just functional it should be fun, too. Think about the grill; add a smoker or side burner. Maybe a rotisserie if you plan to try different recipes. We kept the grill basic but knew we wanted a small fridge so we didn’t need to go inside each time we wanted a drink or condiment. We added a built-in trash can and storage for outdoor serving and grill items.
2. Music is another great way to make the space more fun. We added built-in speakers above the dining table and extended speakers around the pool area so it felt seamless, but also zoned it so we could turn down the sound for one while the other played.
Tips:
1. Maintenance: I’ll admit, we did not pick the easiest when it came to maintenance, but we were okay with that. We knew what we were getting into before selecting mate -
rials (always do your research first so you are prepared). I love the look of concrete countertops, but I knew it would require work to keep it sealed. I chose design over function on this one. We wipe down the countertops and grill to keep things looking good and working well.
2. Safety: Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and check connections regularly. We use gas and electricity for our appliances. For winter prep, we shut off the small refrigerator and cover the appliances when not in use.
MAKER
Story Lisa Lukecart / PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Lemke / DESIGN Nickie Robinson
CreateWoodworker Works to
Mark Manhart of Manhart Designs
ark Manhart complained when his father forced him to repair items around the house while his seven brothers and sisters watched cartoons on Saturday mornings. Then the oldest son realized this natural gift of utilizing his hands could build his future. After 40 years of constructing, designing, and renovating, the owner of Manhart Designs retains that childhood wonder of crafting innovative pieces such as live edge walnut islands.
The Dundee resident earned an architectural drafting and drawing degree at Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska. In the early 1980s, the recent graduate landed an opportunity to work for an architect who puffed Pall Malls. Manhart arrived home each night for two years smelling smoky and realizing the desk jockey life didn’t suit him. After the untimely death of the architect, Manhart united with Marco Lade of Artisan Woods to build kitchens for seven years.
“It was a part of my life that was rewarding, but not reality. At some point, you have to come back to reality,” Manhart said.
He worked at Quality Cabinets & Fixture in San Diego for eight years as a bench man, taking parts from the machine operator and building the furniture for big-time retail stores like Disney. In 1998, Manhart struck out as a business owner in Denver, Colorado, and turned Manhart Designs into an LLC by 2003. Six years later, Nebraska called him home. Manhart, though, discovered a “private little getaway” with a few acres for a wood shop in Council Bluffs.
Collette Youngblood, a busy mom with five children and five dogs, heard about Manhart’s skills from his brother Pete. After Manhart fixed her rickety basement stairs, Youngblood hired him for a custom-made dark cherry door with three windows at the top that fit the antique aesthetic. In addition, she needed a complete renovation of her master bathroom, a difficult job after discovering duct-taped wiring and a decaying sub-floor. Gray marble and a hanging chandelier revitalized the space after getting everything up to code. An ebony wrought iron spiraled railing with orbs showcases local artist Mary Ensz’s painted flower steps leading up to the second story.
“If I could, I would work in my shop every day building fancy furniture. When I retire, that’s what I’ll be doing.” Mark Manhart
In the 1990s, Manhart decided at a young age to see the world and “just bum around” for a while. These “crazy trips” took him to Indonesian jungles, Australian beaches, and Brazilian rainforests. Manhart utilized his skills to construct a steel helicopter hangar in New Guinea, and he built houses for poverty-stricken families while instructing American high school missionary groups in Mexico.
“I don’t really get to do the cool things I want. I would love to sit around my wood shop and design art, but I have to be out hitting the streets,” Manhart, 61, explained.
He hustles, making a living designing decks, kitchens, and bathrooms. He makes walnut live edge bar tops and islands, cedar pergolas, and cabinets. Manhart’s craft allows him to create modern doors that appear hundreds of years old to conform to the aesthetic, especially in areas like Dundee.
“He puts his heart and soul into everything. He is like part of the family. I call him for everything,” Youngblood said.
Manhart says he depends on solid contractors but also brings his trusty co-worker, his border collie Lily Pad, on some sites. Mainly, he relies on word of mouth, advice his dentist father instilled in him at an early age. Quality woodwork speaks for itself. The contractor has not lost that nostalgic pleasure of fixing up a home, but hopes to spend more time in the wood shop.
“If I could, I would work in my shop every day building fancy furniture. When I retire, that’s what I’ll be doing,” Manhart said.
For information on Manhart Designs, visit facebook.com/manhartdesignsllc/.
A New View
STORY Sara Locke • PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Lemke • DESIGN Nickie Robinson
When Valerie Bellino decided it was time for a fresh start, it wasn’t her home of 26 years that needed to go, just the way she had been using it. The 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 3,000 square-foot house built in 1916 is the space where Bellino raised her children, who are now grown and gone with families of their own. “I have seven grandchildren, and I wanted my house to be a place that felt welcoming to them, where my children and their children could come and feel at home and be happy to visit as often as they want,” Bellino said.
“I bought the house 26 years ago, and it has a lot of very old elements to it. The cistern on the property is dated 1908,” she added.
“There were snags, because the house is pretty old and needed updates and repairs, so we started from scratch, plumbing, electric, all of it,” she continued. “We had knocked out a wall in the kitchen when I first moved in, but other than that, the house has stayed pretty much the same aside from a few cosmetic touches since then. It was definitely time for some improvements.”
Val Bellino's outdated home gets a refresh
The first step in the remodel was to find the perfect designer to help her build and execute the new vision for her older home.
“When my daughter was remodeling her house, she used JH Interiors for some of her projects,” Valerie recalled. “She said she had a good experience with Breanna Cortinas and that I should give her a call. Their
house turned out so beautifully that they had a feature in the Omaha World Herald about it, and once I started working with Breanna, I understood why my daughter had recommended her.
“Breanna helped me remodel my master bedroom, master bathroom, to build an office, and completely redo the pool house
attached to the garage,” she said. “The pool house wasn’t functional at all, it wasn’t inviting. We added folding doors that allow the entire wall to open. Now, the adults get to sit in a comfortable, air conditioned space and still be near the kids while they are playing. Everyone loves the pool house, it’s practically its own apartment now.”
“I have seven grandchildren, and I wanted my house to be a place that felt welcoming to them, where my children and their children could come and feel at home and be happy to visit as often as they want.”
Valerie Bellino
“The pool house was a little outdated,” Cortinas added. “It had kind of a bachelor pad feel to it, Husker-themed with a foosball table, pool table, it had a real poker-room vibe. It wasn’t a gathering space, and Valerie is a very family-centered woman. She wants the people she loves to feel welcomed and comfortable, and so we did some programming. We traded the mini bar for a functional kitchen. We included a full bathroom so guests could have a space to change and freshen up after a swim. The pool house isn’t an afterthought, it’s a comfortable living space. But then we added cool architectural details that made it into the perfect indoor/outdoor entertainment space with that wall-to-wall stack-back sliding door. We worked with Meadowlark Renovations for all of the updates. They just get it. They are such a great team, and are so good at overcoming any hurdles that pop up, and hurdles usually do. But Meadowlark just works through them seamlessly. I always love working with them.”
"The pool house isn’t an afterthought, it’s a comfortable living space."
— Breanna Cortinas
The master bedroom was a major undertaking, but it was the repurposing of a previously overlooked space that served as a truly transformative process.
“The master bedroom had a closet that I didn’t really use aside from some miscellaneous storage,” Bellino said. “Breanna suggested I utilize the space for an office. I was very worried about what that would do for my resale value, but she reminded me that I’m the one who lives here now, and that I should use the home how it best serves me.”
“I have to remind my clients pretty often,” Cortinas said. “You’re not renting your house from the future home owners. This is your home.”
By the time the closet had been reached, Bellino’s trust in Cortinas didn’t leave much space for second guessing, and that trust has paid off handsomely.
“We had a desk built into the closet, and Breanna brought in some really beautiful artwork that changed the atmosphere completely. And she found such beautiful wallpaper for the walls and the ceiling, but the windows really made a huge difference,” Bellino said.
The windows in the new office overlook some of Bellino’s favorite features of her home.
“The office overlooks the entire back yard. I can’t believe how long I wasn’t using that space from my desk I have a perfect view of my pool, my pond, the waterfall, the koi. It’s one of my favorite spaces to be, where I can just take it all in.”
Bellino and Cortinas have made such an excellent team throughout the process that they aren’t ready to call it quits.
“We are still going strong! It’s such a pleasure to work with Valerie, and to have built this relationship with her,” said Cortinas. “She is so excited to make this home really speak to her and her family, and she has really embraced the process one room at a time.”
At Home
STORY Linda Persigehl
PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Lemke
DESIGN Nickie Robinson
John and Brittany Pancheri tap the Magic Kingdom
for design inspiration
in their California Modern new build
Driving up to the Pancheri home in The Prairies in Elkhorn, one is struck by its modern exterior and massive size. The 13,000-square-foot abode features alabaster stacked stone and siding paired with ebony painted brick, linear, black-clad windows, and frostedglass garage doors concealing parking for six. Metal MCM house numbers sit on an island in the u-shaped driveway.
With its nine bedrooms (including three master suites), 10 bathrooms, theater room, fitness room, indoor sport court, basement man cave, and 18-foot-by-40-foot saltwater pool, the family of six has more than enough room to rest and recreate. In fact, getting the enormous house to fit on the corner Prairies lot took some innovation by VirtuActive, which drafted the plans. Arjay Builders was the contractor.
From left to right: Arthur, Dylan, Brooklyn, Brittany, John, and Calvin
Where Dreams Come True
Kimberly Cahoy, owner/principal designer with Kimberly Cahoy Design, consulted on the plans, as well as the interior. “Kim was involved from the very beginning,” said Brittany Pancheri. “She chimed in on ways to better utilize the space and had ideas for all the finishes. She was very organized!”
Inside, the home continues the contemporary vibe, with soft white walls, oversized, drywall-wrapped windows, an airy floor plan, and neutral, comfy furnishings throughout. Gleaming quartz countertops, iridescent glass tile backsplashes, sleek porcelain tiles, and Eurowood Cabinets add a modern, glam aesthetic, with bits of aqua, teal, and other sea-inspired accent colors lending a coastal feel. Elegant custom wallpaper from Vahallan of Lincoln adds shine and texture on the main fireplace feature wall. Statement-piece fixtures faucets, lighting, hardware, and more act as works of art in the minimalist spaces.
Then, upon closer inspection, one discovers something unexpected: Disney ‘Easter eggs’ hidden amongst the home’s décor, which Kim helped Brittany incorporate into the design. Like a whisper of Tinkerbell fairy dust sprinkled throughout the home, these elements add sparkle and a bit of fantastical fun.
Brittany is a confirmed “Disney Adult,” a term coined to a describe a ‘grown-up’ who simply adores the Magic Kingdom and anything Disney-related vacation resorts, theme parks, collectible figurines and apparel, and of course, the Disney films and characters. “My grandfather was an artist… He found Disney to be an inspiration, and his love is what created my love for Disney,” Brittany shared. “Then my husband introduced me to Disneyland and, after two years of dating, he proposed to me there.” The couple went to Disney World for their honeymoon, and Brittany and her mother take the kids there every year.
“My grandfather was an artist… He found Disney to be an inspiration, and his love is what created my love for Disney. Then my husband introduced me to Disneyland and, after two years of dating, he proposed to me there.”
—Brittany Pancheri
Given this affection, it’s no surprise Brittany’s passionate about sharing that love with her four children including sons Arthur, 14, Calvin, 5, and Dylan, 4, and daughter Brooklyn, 8 and found myriad ways to incorporate that fandom into their home’s décor; sometimes subtly, other times more obvious.
Take for instance the dining room ceiling, with its 3-dimensional panels that mimic Spaceship Earth at Epcot, Brittany’s favorite theme park. Hidden LED lights line the perimeter, changing its hue from pink to purple to red at the touch of a remote. Centered above the dining table is a geometric light fixture that outlines a Mickey Mouse face, complete with ears. A commemorative 50th anniversary Disney World castle model sparkles next to Mickey drinkware on an adjacent bar.
Then there’s the music/prayer room. A black grand piano from John’s former home in San Diego takes center stage (Arthur and Brooklyn take lessons) while a glitzy, mod light fixture gleams above. Iridescent wallpaper lends more magic to the room. Religious statues, candles, and other articles of faith sit on the floor and a bureau nearby. The family is active in St. Vincent de Paul parish and uses the spiritual room daily. “I didn’t want the piano room or the dining room… but my husband wanted them,” Brittany said. “Kim helped make them work for me, and now they’re amazing spaces.”
Keep looking and you’ll find more Disney symbols, including a white coral chandelier in Brittany’s primary suite closet a nod to “The Little Mermaid,” Brittany’s favorite Disney film. And then there’s the creative element their landscaping company, Groundscapes, added a crushed-gravel fire pit area in the shape of a Mickey Mouse head; the character’s outline most obvious viewed from the second-story deck. “That was a fun surprise,” Brittany said. “They came up with that on their own.”
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Brittany and John agreed on home style, desiring a West Coast contemporary vibe much like their home in southern California, where John grew up and the couple lived before relocating to Brittany’s native Omaha in 2020 to be closer to her family. They moved into the new build in September 2023.
Brittany’s mother, who handles HR for John’s ticket brokering business and helps with the kids, enjoys her own dedicated suite when staying over. Hers is the only bathroom with a soaking tub, as the family prefers steam showers. “We generally just have a shower party and throw the little kids in,” Brittany said.
John, too, has his own master suite in the basement next to his home office and dark, moody man cave. “There are times when my husband is up all hours of the day [for his job],” Brittany explained. “This way, if he’s downstairs getting his three hours of sleep, we don’t wake him when we’re up at 7 a.m.”
“My parents live three blocks away… Moving back to Omaha was a wonderful opportunity. I’m so glad we were able to make all this work.”
— Brittany Pancheri
Brittany’s affinity for white, uncluttered spaces seemed incompatible with having four young children, yet Kim found ways to make it work in both the home design and furnishings. White sectionals both up and downstairs have slip covers that can be washed as needed. The main level has minimal wall art or accessories, save a collection of Mickey & Minnie-themed canisters displayed in the butler’s pantry. Hidden storage for toys, crafts, blankets, and other
children’s items is plentiful, with most playthings contained in the second-story loft.
The airy floor plan also provides great sight lines for keeping tabs on kids. “I like open concept. I always get FOMO (fear of missing out)…What is going on out there? What are the kids doing, what are they playing with?” she said, laughing. She’s even able to keep a watchful eye on them in the sport court while working out herself in the fitness room through a huge picture window.
Brittany said she’s grateful for her Disney house, but especially so for its location. “My parents live three blocks away…Moving back to Omaha was a wonderful opportunity,” she said. “I’m so glad we were able to make all this work.”
For more inspiration, visit kcahoydesign. com; virtuactive.com; arjaybuilders.com and groundscapes.com.
ELITE GLASS SERVICES
Elite Glass Services, a La Vista-based company, has been providing interior glass applications for both residential and commercial properties throughout Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa since 2001.
“Our ‘one-stop glass shop’ is staffed by glass experts with years of experience in custom fabrication and installation, co mmitted to delivering high quality
craftsmanship and extraordinary customer service,” says owner, Ben Alba.
“We specialize in heavy glass shower doors, glass handrails, custom mirrors and framed mirrors, cabinet glass and shelving, glass backsplashes, back painted glass, glass furniture tops, niche areas and more.”
Along with homeowners, they also partner with local builders, remodeling companies and interior designers to create beautiful and unique spaces.
Elite Glass invites you to visit their showroom for design ideas and inspiration for your next project. We offer a wide variety of glass patterns and styles, mirrors, hardware and more. Walk-ins are welcome or you can also schedule a visit by calling their office.
The company moved into their new construction building on the Northwest corner of 108th & Giles along with their sister companies Elite Glazing Services and their newest company Elite Commercial Services.
Elite Glazing Services offers commercial glazing services, including aluminum store fronts and curtain walls, aluminum and automatic doors, windows, skylights and metal panels..
Elite Commercial Services offers services and repairs for hollow metal frame and doors, commercial glass and door replacements, commercial door hardware, bathroom partitions and accessories and more.
S 109th Street #200
8207 S 109th Street #300 Elite Commercial Services (402)598-1183
8207 S 109th Street #100
FEATURE A vision of Downtown Living
Innovative Solutions Give Couple The Condo Of Their Dreams
Budget and lot size aside, homeowners have numerous options when renovating a house, even structural remodeling such as building an addition or reconfiguring interior layout. For condominium owners, however, there are firm limitations with consideration to the bones of the greater building like loadbearing walls, concrete, support columns, and proximity to common spaces.
So, with the help of a skilled designer, Jennifer Stone Hansen and Craig Hansen found innovative solutions to update the look of their condo plus improve functionality to create their ideal home.
Riverfront Place’s expansive views of downtown Omaha, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and the Missouri River plus generous balcony space sold the couple on the fifth-floor unit. Ample parking for residents and visitors, Hansen said, was a huge bonus. “We have parking lots out back and on the side and in the front, where other places you’d have to park on the street.”
But there were some definite drawbacks that begged for renovation, Jennifer said.
“We moved in 2020. The building, I believe, was built in ‘05 or ‘06, so by then everything was kind of dated in the whole
building; we are not the only people to have done remodels in the last few years,” she explained. “It was dark wood, dark countertops. Everything was brown or tan or almost a peachy tan.”
The bland coloration was merely cosmetic, but there were functional problems, too. A wet bar was awkwardly located, for instance. The kitchen island was oddly small, more of an obstacle than a working space, and there was no real pantry. The track lighting throughout the unit was obtrusive. Storage spaces were inefficient. The utility closet was difficult to access.
STORY Kara Schweiss • PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Lemke • DESIGN Nickie Robinson
FEATURE
“Literally five feet from where the kitchen sink was, there was another little sink for the wet bar,” Jennifer said, adding that the main bathroom was also problematic. “Another thing that drove us nuts is because the pedestal stuck out too far, the door opened into the hallway, and so you had to either leave the bathroom door closed all the time, where then it’s all humid, or the door was out into the hallway.”
Courtney Otte, ASID, the principal interior designer for The Modern Hive, felt a complete transformation could turn the condo into a “modern and glam retreat.”
“We were tasked with remodeling the kitchen, dining room, powder bath, hallway, and entry,” Otte said. “Our goal for this condo remodel was to create a beautiful but functional space. We wanted to give this condo an up-to-date and refreshed feel that would provide a beautiful space for our client to take in their stunning view… and also improve the layout and flow of the unit. The client also desired to create as much storage as possible for their small condo; the lack of storage and especially lack of a pantry in this small space needed to be addressed for our client to truly feel settled into their new home.”
Otte said creative thinking made daunting must-haves a reality.
“A unique challenge we faced was working with some existing elements in the space, such as the plumbing locations. Due to the structure of the home being in a high-rise condo, it would have been very costly to cut concrete and move the sink plumbing line. Therefore, we worked off of where the plumbing line already came out of the wall for our sink location,” she said. “We also had to incorporate support columns throughout the home into our design. Notably, there is a support column to the left of the kitchen sink. Our solution was to encompass cabinets around the column, giving the cabinets a natural point to die into. We were also able to give the sink area more of a unique definition since it became its own element beyond the column.”
“Our goal for this condo remodel was to create a beautiful but functional space."
—Courtney Otte
The reconfiguration made it possible to add a full-size island to the kitchen, complete with storage, Jennifer said. “Never in a million years would I have thought that.”
There were some relatively easy wins, too.
“We were thrilled to find a location for a hidden pantry behind the sink wall. Previously, this space was a wet bar open to the living room. We utilized a unique design to encompass a wine fridge, one of the clients’ wish-list items, and installed a hidden door leading to the pantry on the left of the wine fridge,” said Otte. “The paneling details of the pantry entrance fool the eye, and delights with a hidden surprise.”
“My favorite features in the home are all the bold pops of color and textures contrasted against a white backdrop.”
Courtney Otte
Stone Hansen said she had always wanted an all-white kitchen. She liked the look so much that it was extended throughout the walls of the home, with wood features and accent color adding some warmth. The white walls perfectly highlight beloved furnishings like a living-edge custom dining table, artworks by local photographer Buck Christiansen, and other bold accents and fixtures.
“My favorite features in the home are all the bold pops of color and textures contrasted against a white backdrop,” Otte said. “We used various patterns; tones of blue and green found in wallpapers and finishes; golds, hot pink, and geometric walnut textures found above the fireplace, the entry door and on the kitchen island.”
The end result?
“It feels like ‘our’ place,” Craig said. “Because of the decisions we made, it feels like ‘us.’”
For more inspiration, visit themodern-hive.com.
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 30 years.
Harvest
STORY Claudia Moomey • DESIGN Nickie Robinson
Jack-o’-Lantern Carving Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
Carving pumpkins and gourds has been a Fall tradition for many years. While traditional carvings with knives and other tools is always a fun family activity, there are other ways to display your creativity on these vegetable canvases.
1. Cookie Cutters
Instead of carving with a knife, get your cookie cutters out of the kitchen drawer. This is a unique way to achieve the shapes you want without having to struggle through drawing designs and free-hand carving. Kids will love putting their favorite kitchen tool to use in this new way. For tougher pumpkin rinds, cover a hammer with a cloth to cut through and make your design.
2. Candy and Paint
For a unique, fun twist on your pumpkin carving session, try adding some crafty decor to your designs if carving is not your forte, implementing paint makes it easier to create on your orange canvas. You can also glue on Halloween candy to make a Hansel and Gretel-style haunted house and incorporate another holiday staple to make your pumpkin stand out!
3. Bowls
Jack-O-Lanterns are traditionally carved with faces and patterns and filled with candles to make them glow in the darkness, but there’s no rule stating this is the only purpose for carved pumpkins. Pumpkins make for great home decor and add to the Fall atmosphere in the house. Many homeowners enjoy hollowing out pumpkins to make decorative bowls or makeshift flower pots. Try a scalloped-edge design for a touch of elegance or add some Fall foliage to create a seasonal centerpiece. This also works for a particularly festive Halloween candy bowl!
4. Dioramas
If a more detailed work of art is your goal, go with a pumpkin diorama this is done by hollowing out the pumpkin from the side (leave the top intact), then filling it with other objects to create a scene. The beauty of this technique is the flexibility it can be as simple or as complex as you like. Many include Halloween or Fall scenes that incorporate smaller gourds and natural elements like grasses and corn cobs. Others use materials that lend themselves to detail, like paper, clay, and plastic toys.
5. First-Layer Designs
Instead of carving all the way through the pumpkin, leave a thin layer of flesh visible under the rind. This technique works best with pumpkins that are not orange, as the orange flesh of the pumpkin will stand out more against colors like green or white. Basic knives will not work as well for this technique, so try using a lemon zester, clay loop, or linoleum cutter to shave away the top layer of skin. While beautiful as is, these designs are always enhanced by lighting. Candles placed inside the carved pumpkin will provide a soft glow through the first layer, making the design stand out.
6. Think Outside the Box
There are other ways to enhance your traditionally carved pumpkins. Instead of carving the top, set the pumpkin on its side and carve a witch face into the top, using the green, gnarled stem as the nose. For a vampire pumpkin, carve a hole for the mouth and insert plastic vampire teeth for a 3D effect. Perhaps you’d like your pumpkin to be infested with mice; give the little plastic critters holes to run through, placing them to look as if they are making the pumpkin their home. Yarn makes for good spider webs and provides texture on an otherwise monotonous surface.
With endless creative options for carving and decorating pumpkins, this Fall season is sure to be a colorful one. Whether kid-friendly or sophisticated, there are several ways to make pumpkin carving fit your style and needs.
Totally Jacked
AFritz + Lloyd Interiors' Historic Renovation Project
t Fritz + Lloyd Interiors, the most critical part of the design process isn’t designing. It’s listening. The ability to listen really listen to clients, builders, and architects helps Fritz + Lloyd create unique spaces that truly reflect the people utilizing them.
This featured total home renovation is a beautiful example of the Fritz + Lloyd design philosophy at work. Before beginning, designers Becky Rea and Christine Bonk launched an in-depth home review that allowed them to ask important questions and initiate design ideas that elevated the wants, needs, preferences, and personal style of the Lincoln homeowners. In this case, the professional couple wanted to maintain the charm and integrity of their historic home while opening up cramped, boxy rooms, incorporating fresh, modern touches, and updating amenities to better accommodate three busy children and a dog.
ASID AWARD FEATURE Service, Style, Substance
ImagesStorybyBeckyRea,NCIDQ,ASID byMandyMcGregor
PhotographyDesignbyNickieRobinson
After teaming up with Tru-Built Construction, Fritz + Lloyd collaborated and worked through concepts and design elements with the homeowners, as crews began the extensive remodel that took most of the construction down to the studs. Like many older homes, the project presented unique challenges. Low ceilings, support beams that weren’t centered, and a brick fireplace chimney running from the basement all the way to the roof required creative solutions and the expertise of professionals. The design team followed Fritz + Lloyd’s five-step design process to help keep the project organized and moving forward, allowing for a positive experience based on mutual trust and respect.
In the end, the design and construction teams were able to incorporate striking details and special features into nearly every room of the home. The overall aesthetic is fresh, modern, and inviting, featuring a stunning living room fireplace, a luxurious home theater, walk-in closets, spa-like bathrooms, gorgeous woodwork, ample storage, and exposed vintage brick in unexpected places. Rooms are drenched in natural light, flowing easily into one another. The home is designed for a family that will grow and change, with private little nooks for reading or studying as well as large spaces for gatherings and movie nights.
The renovations blend perfectly with the history of the home and the established neighborhood just beyond the front door. The homeowners were thrilled with the re -
"The renovations blend perfectly with the history of the home and the established neighborhood just beyond the front door."
-Becky Rea
sults and are ready to enjoy their treasured old home in a whole new way!
If you would like to visit with Fritz + Lloyd about your upcoming new construction project or mid to large size remodel, visit their website at fritzandlloyd.com call 402-261-3161.
A A Modern Marriage of Design and Sustainability
long 54th and Leavenworth Streets in Elmwood Park, a new housing development is turning heads with its sleek, angular design. The Rowhaus Townhomes, built in 2023, were developed by Noddle Companies in collaboration with BVH Architecture.
“We used principles of Scandinavian modern design,” said Lisa Miller, president of Noddle Architecture. “We felt like their principles really aligned with how we feel people want to live simplicity, clean lines, and incorporation of natural materials and natural light.”
Architecture
Rowhaus Townhomes
Perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of these new homes is the unusual shape of the roofing, which is pitched at asymmetrical angles. “Oftentimes with townhomes, they can feel kind of rigid and repetitive because you’re taking one unit and duplicating it lots of times next to each other,” Miller explained. “So with the design of this, we thought, ‘What if we look at it as one cohesive building and let that roofline, kind of undulate, move across the whole building?’”
This idea led to the modern design we see in the Rowhaus homes. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, there is functional purpose to the roofing as well.
“Each angle creates a unique vaulted primary bedroom space,” Miller said. “It’s already a pretty large primary bedroom, but [the roofing] makes it feel so expansive.”
Aside from the unique design of the townhomes, there are several elements that draw home buyers to these units. “[People] are surprised by the space,” said Todd Swirczek,
vice president of Development at Noddle. “The ceilings are higher than your typical house. It’s very bright inside, lots of natural light, and it’s also incredibly quiet.”
“We
Sustainability aspects factor in to the Rowhaus Townhomes as well, such as the use of induction ranges instead of gas stoves, and car chargers for the increasingly popular electric vehicles. “I think in general, the idea of a little simpler, maintenance-free living has been appealing to people,” Swirczek said.
At 2,000 square feet, each townhome features a second-floor balcony, a front porch, and a two-car garage (in addition to alley parking) for comfort and efficiency. There is also a dog park on the property for residents’ furry friends.
Though the homes are similar in design, there are options available to owners. These include multiple color palettes, wallpaper, fireplaces, and floor plans. “We have two different opportunities of floor plans that people can get,” Miller said. “One has the living room as kind of the center of the space on the main living floor. The second option is the kitchen in the middle of the space, so they can have that as kind of an entertaining space. So there’s variety within the units themselves.”
Aside from the preferable location, which was chosen intently for easy access to public transit and walking distance to city hubs like Aksarben Village, the spaces also include features like white oak detailing, wood slat walls in the kitchens, eye-catching light fixtures, and powder rooms (another Scandinavian inspiration). The Rowhaus Townhomes offer residents an ideal space for modern, sustainable living in Elmwood Park.
To learn more, visit noddlecompanies.com and bvh.com.
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