January/February 2012
Always Local, Always Beautiful
Vintage Finds, Modern Living Home Event
Birdhouse Interiors
Neighborhood Profile
Gold Coast
A Publication of
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Omaha Home: from the editor January/February 2012 VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1 publisher
todd lemke omaha publications editor
linda persigehl city editor
sandy lemke assistant editor
bailey hemphill contributing editor/account executive
stacey penrod editorial intern (#19)
stacie ortmeier art director
john gawley graphic designer
katie anderson production artist
mike bruening freelance designer
A Letter from the Editor
F
lip through the latest catalogs for Horchow, West Elm, or even Pottery
Barn looking for something new to buy and you will notice something—a lot of items do not look new! Whether it’s an old farm table for your dining room, an
advertising sign from the early 1900s, or a repurposed table with natural wood that now looks modern and industrial, you will see it all. Everything from globes, vintage cameras, trunks, bowling pins, old shoe molds, and architectural pieces are being shown for accessories. People are decorating their homes with vintage items, vintage-looking items, or old items that have been repurposed for an entirely different look or use. In this issue, we will take you into three homeowners’ spaces that appreciate the vintage
trisha lightfoot
style. Andy and Kyle Tonniges show off their eclectic finds in their Aksarben home (pg. 22);
principal photography by
Jessica McKay and Christopher Van Buskirk’s “imperfect” pieces give their vintage collection a
minorwhite studios, inc. s c o t t d r i c k e y, b i l l s i t z m a n n
unique story (pg. 26); and Gayle Reyes works secondhand items into a fun, worldly décor (pg.
jess ewald
32). For other great reads, check out our designer profile with furniture designer Doug Kiser
contributing writers
of D Kiser Design Construct, Inc. (pg. 8) and our neighborhood profile on Omaha’s historic
judy horan • molly garriott aaron horn • jason cloudt todd travaille • linda janulewicz diane gernstein editorial consultants
rick carey • david scott vice president
greg bruns account executives
gwen lemke • gil cohen vicki voet • paige edwards
Gold Coast (pg. 38). Also, thanks to Midwest Pickers, Tweed Couch, Humble Home and Pearson & Company for providing us with fabulous vintage finds on our Hot Products page. We hope you will be inspired from this issue to go home and look at your belongings with a new set of eyes. Pull out your old lamps and add a new shade, paint that table that has natural character but looks a little dull, frame the unexpected, start a collection, or reupholster an old chair that has style but no flair. Begin an adventure right in your own home! Thanks for your readership! And as always call me or email me with any of your fabulous ideas.
sales associate
alicia smith hollins technical advisor
tyler lemke warehouse distribution manager
ENJOY! Sincerely,
mike brewer for advertising subscription information:
402.884.2000 Comments? Send your letter to the editor to: letters@omahapublications.com All versions of Omaha Magazine are published bimonthly by Omaha Magazine, LTD, P.O. Box 461208, Omaha NE 680461208. Telephone: (402) 884-2000; fax (402) 884-2001. Subscription rates: $19.95 for 6 issues (one year), $24.95 for 12 issues (two years). No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of Omaha Magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted, however no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations. Best of Omaha®™ is a registered tradename of Omaha Magazine.
Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD
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Stacey Penrod Account Executive & Contributing Editor, Omaha Home Magazine stacey.penrod@omahapublications.com Omaha Home Magazine appears as its own magazine and as a section within Omaha Magazine. To view the full version of Omaha Magazine, or to subscribe, go to www.readonlinenow.com. www.OmahaPublications.com
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Omaha Home: contents FEATURES The Gallery of HOME, the Birdhouse Interiors and Art Exhibition_ _____ 14 Renovation:_____________________ 20 Bringing Midtown Art Deco Back At Home:________________________ 22 Vintage Style Neighborhood Profile:_ ___________ 39 Gold Coast Grandeur Transformations:_ ________________ 46 A Contemporary Dream Design Feature: Birdhouse
At Home
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COLUMNS Home Tech:_ ____________________ 35 Home Alarm Systems in the 21st Century Home Maintenance:______________ 43 Is Foam Insulation Your Energy Solution?
Departments Design Profile:____________________ 8 Doug Kiser, D Kiser Design Construct, Inc. Home Happenings:_______________ 10 Junqué Factory to Open Second Location Neighborhood Profile
New on the Block:_________________12 Midwest Pickers Builder Profile:___________________ 18 Craig Tuttle, Craig Tuttle Construction, Inc. Real Estate:______________________ 36 Short Sale FAQs Home Extra:_____________________ 42 Retro Chic Hits the Road Hot Products:____________________ 44 Fabulous Vintage Finds
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Omaha Home: designer profile Story by Linda Persigehl • Photos by minorwhitestudios.com
Q&A: Doug Kiser
D Kiser Design Construct, Inc.
F
urniture designer Doug Kiser of Omaha shares how his creativity at a
young age led him into his profession, what he finds rewarding about design work, and his own personal style.
Q: Tell us a bit about you. How did you discover your creative talents? A: I grew up in a small house in North Omaha. The footprint of my bedroom was smaller
than a standard sheet of plywood. I spent my sophomore year grounded to my room, so I passed the time reading a dictionary, recording my thoughts on a boom box, painting pictures, whittling wood, crocheting hats and blankets…I even repurposed my pillowcase into a pair of shorts with drawstring. The point is, I have always found a way to be creative no matter what the circumstances were. Q: What training/education do you have in design? How did you get your start? Any mentors? A: Growing up I thought I wanted to be an architect. When in school at the UNL College
of Architecture, I was drawn to the intimate scale of interior spaces and switched to the Interior Design program. For my senior internship, I was awarded a grant to renovate a historic grocery
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store and attached warehouse. For this project, I was designer and general contractor, performing much of the work myself. My cooperating professor, Carl Matthews, acted as a client and mentor, helping with much of the labor as well. His hands-on approach as an interior designer and educator was so inspiring. When I finished college, I struggled with the reality that I would have to sit at a desk, staring at a computer all day. I really enjoyed designing and drawing, but I also wanted to make…so I went to work for a cabinet-maker, where I refined my skills and knowledge of tools. After that, I collaborated with a friend and fellow furniture designer who introduced me to techniques that are now almost extinct. Q: Tell us about your work as a furniture designer. Give us some examples of past projects and what you most enjoyed about them. A: Most of my completed furniture is com-
missioned. I love the process of collaborating
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with clients, understanding their personal aesthetic and needs to create something unique for them. For me, this is an adventure! The furniture I make is generally designed to be interactive and multi-functional. For instance, I made a piece for a lovely couple with discerning taste, and their young children–a bench/toy storage/hiding spot. When closed, it’s deceptively simple, sleek and elegant… one might say sculptural. When in use, wide panels slide open to reveal a collection of toys. Besides furniture, the bulk of my work has always included kitchens (my specialty) and bathrooms, whether new construction or remodel. The kitchen is an extremely complicated space, where an inch can make a big difference. I embrace the challenge of making functional space while making it feel simple.
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Q: Do you work directly with designers? Design for commercial and residential customers? A: I work with designers and architects,
as well as clients directly. I think flexibility is important in business and in life. I primarily work on residential projects because I like the intimacy of working with people and their everyday space. When you remodel clients’ private space, you have the opportunity to change and enhance their lives. To give someone the gift of a beautiful, functional, high-performing, comfortable and healthy home is truly rewarding for me. Q: Describe the furniture/furnishings in your own home. How would describe your personal decorating style? A: Today, I’ve been married for 10 years
and we live in a 100-year-old house in the first suburb of Omaha, Dundee. We have enjoyed restoring historic details and adding modern updates to our home. In my spare time, I make art…paintings, sculptures, music, poems and stories, etc. My personal decorating style: meaningful. I have an eclectic mix of antique family heirlooms, found objects, estate sale finds, and vintage, modern and unmade pieces. There are empty corners where pieces only in my head exist. It may be years before I get the opportunity to make them, but they have a place.
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january/february • 2012
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Omaha Home: home happenings Story by Bailey Hemphill • Photos by Jess Ewald
Vintage items on display at a recent farm sale, held at the Chicken Coop. True Junqué-ies live by the old adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
The Junqué Factory
F
The Picker’s Extravaganza To Open Second Location
ans of the Junqué Factory, a vintage market located at the Chicken Coop, a
historic dairy farm off of Dodge Street which features architectural salvaged pieces, urban industrial décor, antiques, unique reclaimed items, vintage upcycled jewelry, and more, will be glad to hear they will soon have another site to sift through more “Junqué.” The Junqué Factory will be opening a second location in downtown Papillion at 132 N. Washington St., Ste. 100. The store’s grand opening will be held Jan. 27-29 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Open to the Public Mon-Fri 8-5 Watkinsconcreteblock.com
Owner and operator Sara Alexander loves working with junk and telling her customers about a piece’s background. “I love the fact that people are reusing these pieces in their homes to make their own unique space, and it’s just so fun for me to get to see the piece from beginning to when I bring it back to my shop and work on it, to displaying it in the store, to finding the perfect person for the perfect piece…it’s so fun to hear the different things people are going to do with their ‘Junqué.’” In October, The Junqué Factory held its fall sale at the farm, featuring vendor Joey Breed of paintedpineapple—an online store on www.etsy.com—who sells vintage jewelry. “She makes the neatest jewelry using pieces of jewelry, old keys, and old tags,” says Alexander. The Junqué Factory again held a sale in November called “Jingle Junqué,” featuring a vendor with custom pillows made from vintage feed and flour sacks. Alexander mentions that Junqué Factory is planning additional farm sales in the spring, adding that anyone interested should keep checking back for dates. 315 S 192nd St, Omaha, NE 68022. 402682-2817. For more information, visit www. Junquéfactory.blogspot.com or find The Junqué Factory on Facebook. www.ReadOnlineNow.com
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Omaha Home: new on the block Story by Stacie Ortmeier • Photos by minorwhitestudios.com
New on the Block
Midwest Pickers 3701 Leavenworth St.
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A
unique feature of the new
business, Midwest Pickers, is the relationship owner April Martin has with her father and business partner, Gene. Since she was a little girl, Martin, 33, has loved going to auctions, flea markets and traveling around “picking” with her father. It is this shared hobby and passion that became the impetus for Midwest Pickers.
www.OmahaPublications.com
ABOVE AND LEFT: Midwest Pickers’ warehouse is chocked full of vintage finds, from furniture and lighting to knickknacks and nostalgic pieces. LEFT-BOTTOM: April Martin and her father Gene.
“Pickers” are sometimes self-described as modern archeologists seeking to uncover historical memorabilia. Possessing a keen eye for their finds, the pair call it “treasure hunting.” Martin states her father is good at finding the antiques and rusk-covered items and upcycling them to create cool furniture pieces. Martin, herself, has a degree in business from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and spent time in the field of marketing before becoming a mom to 20-month-oldson, Brock. “When I became a stay-at-home mom, I had more time to spend with my dad again and go treasure hunting,” Martin says. She began selling some of her finds to interior www.ReadOnlineNow.com
designers and friends. When the demand for the pieces began to grow, the Martins decided to turn it into a family business. Starting a new business has become a dream come true for the father-daughter duo. Midwest Picker’s grand opening was Nov. 12. Located in an historic exposed brick building on 37th and Leavenworth, Midwest Pickers fills its 10,000 square feet with antiques, vintage and modern “gently loved” furniture and accessories. Prices of items range from $1 to $5,000. Its location is essential, as the Martins wanted to be centrally located with an historic venue. For more info, visit Midwest Pickers’ facebook page. january/february • 2012
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Omaha Home: design event cover feature Story by Molly Garriott • Photos by minorwhitestudios.com
The Gallery of HOME
the Birdhouse Interiors and Art Exhibition
Above: Tour guests walk through the gallery space, organized into seven distinct HOMEh rooms.
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D
ecember 3-11, Omahans were treated to the city’s newest design event,
HOME, the Birdhouse Interiors and Art Exhibition. The 10-day-long event was held in the Bancroft Street Market on South 13th Street. The 4,000-square-foot gallery space was divided into seven rooms, each representing Birdhouse Interiors’ vision of a completed home. The rooms included a living room, dining room, game room, master bedroom, child’s bedroom, office, and landing. www.OmahaPublications.com
ON THE COVER: Original art and a chartreuse lamp offer visual interest and color to the soothing cream palette of the living room. BELOW: A repurposed antique couch with custom fabric is the elegant focal point of the living room.
HOME is the brainchild of Jessica McKay, owner of Birdhouse Interiors, located in the Mastercraft Building in north downtown. She wanted each room to have its own personality, to tell its own story. The rooms had fictitious owners—like Ivan, “inhabitant” of the child’s room—to help convey this personality. She and guest decorator Valerie Drobaugh were the sole decorators, but local artists contributed to the room’s décor with original works. continued on page H17
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Omaha Home: design event cover feature
MIDDLE LEFT: The rich, saturated color of the bedroom’s walls is accentuated with black lamps and graphic rug. BOTTOM: Original art features prominently in the dramatic dining room. The Asian-inspired chairs are elegant enough for a museum. A&A Textiles custom-upholstered the dining chairs with a beach scene fabric.
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TOP RIGHT: Far from the drab office cubicle, this home office provides visual appeal by combining light and dark, old and new, form and function.
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TOP LEFT: An antique chest functions as a night stand in a child’s bedroom. Primary colors are used throughout. A plaid rug and rustic horse lamp add charm.
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MIDDLE RIGHT: Old and young alike gather in a room dedicated to play. The red ottomans serve as an interesting alternative to a table for the family’s board games and children’s art projects.
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“I wanted a funkier, edgier showcase that focused on original art,” says McKay. Of the over 100 submissions she received, McKay selected 25 participating artists. The idea was to create a pop-up home and artists’ showcase in one. McKay is a big promoter of Midwestern art and design. She doesn’t hold the (mis) conception that the East and West Coasts corner the market on avant-garde interiors. So she appealed to fellow Midwesterner Erin Loechner, of Design for Mankind on HGTV, to create some added buzz regarding the event. Securing Loechner was as easy as clicking a mouse. McKay simply sent her an email about promoting Midwestern towns and their design events, and Loechner was on board. Over 250 attended the opening night reception. Loechner spoke about the importance of social media and the internet as educational, promotional, inspirational, and networking tools for up-and-coming artists. A portion of the event’s proceeds was donated to the Union for Contemporary Art, which McKay feels does a stellar job of making art available to all. “Our goal…was to make interior design techniques and original art accessible to everyone,” McKay said. www.ReadOnlineNow.com
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Omaha Home: builder profile Story by Linda Persigehl • Photos by minorwhitestudios.com
Q&A: Craig Tuttle
Craig Tuttle Construction, Inc.
T
he 15-year veteran general contractor shares how he got his start, what he
most enjoys about his trade, and his favorite projects.
Q: Tell us a bit about you, and how you became interested in construction. A: I was born and raised in Omaha. From a young age, I worked during the summers and
after school for my father who owned a roofing and siding business. He taught me how to work hard and how to take pride in my work. My junior year in high school I took a construction class where I was exposed to other types of trades and became interested in carpentry. I still live here in Omaha. My wife of 21 years is Gretchen, and we have a son Alec, 3, and daughter Riley, 10. H18
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Q: Describe the types of contracting jobs your firm takes on. How has the business grown? A: We are a full-service general contractor
that specializes mainly in residential work. We do renovations to existing homes ranging from remodeling just a room or two on up to the entire house, to room additions, to new construction that ranges from teardown/build new in established neighborhoods to building new homes in any area. I began working for myself in 1997 as a general contractor. The company today employs 14 people who work as carpenters, lead carpenters, superintendents and office personnel. www.OmahaPublications.com
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Q: Tell us about some of your most interesting remodeling jobs. A: Some of our best experiences have been
doing projects for my own family. Last winter, we bought a 1960s ranch in the Westside area and added on/renovated it. (We have owned and remodeled older homes in Dundee, Morton Meadows and Field Club previously also. They were all homes that had their own style and character and we worked within those.) We saw this house as one that we could take and mold into what we envisioned as a casual and comfortable home with some nice details on a nice lot and a quiet street. We moved in the beginning of June and it felt like home right away. Also, we’ve done some different types of projects lately that we’ve never done before in our 15 years. We built a large post and beam vintage barn for a client on a large acreage outside of Springfield, and we’re in the process of finishing the penthouse in the new Riverfront Tower building. www.ReadOnlineNow.com
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Omaha Home: renovation feature Story by Judy Horan • Photos by Sarah Tracey, creative director, Urban Village Development
Bringing Midtown Art Deco Back
I
Futuristic Vision Transforms Park Ave. Apartments
n the early 1900s, Midtown Omaha had its own upscale Park Avenue, a high-rent
district for executives who could catch a streetcar outside their front door to jobs in Downtown Omaha. Today those apartment buildings, the first ever built in Omaha, are showing their age. Interiors are crumbling. But two Omaha men have come to their rescue. Jerry Reimer and Scott Semrad, founders of Urban Village Development, are renovating eight buildings along Park Avenue between Mason Street and St. Mary’s Avenue into modern apartments. Outside, the buildings look circa 1900s. Inside are new hardwood floors, modern appliances, walk-in closets and cable TV-Internet hookups for the young professionals expected to H20
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occupy the apartments. Three of the eight apartment buildings being renovated are Art Deco style. Art Deco is a design style popular in the 1920s and 1930s. One of those Art Deco buildings opened in November. The other buildings are scheduled to open later this year. Reimer said they have budgeted 125,000 man hours of labor to renovate the buildings. The eight Park Avenue buildings are a continuation of the Urban Village Development www.OmahaPublications.com
NATURAL THIN Reimer and Semrad launched three years ago that has already resulted in the renovation of 20 buildings with 220 rental units now open in a six-block area around Midtown Crossing, Boundaries for the 20 buildings are from California Street on the north to Pacific Street on the south, Park Avenue of the east and 38th Street on the west. Urban Village developments are within an easy drive to destinations such as Creighton University, UNMC, Mutual of Omaha, Union Pacific, ConAgra and Omaha’s arts and entertainment district. The partners began their Urban Village Development project by testing two apartment buildings near Midtown Crossing. “Midtown Crossing is spending $325 million on development, and we wanted to piggyback on their efforts,” Reimer said. He says many people have been working on making Midtown Omaha a destination. “Over the years, there has been a lot of work done by people in the neighborhood to make it possible for guys like us to come in and be successful —- Mutual of Omaha, neighborhood associations, Midtown Business Association. The Destination Midtown coalition did a study on what midtown could be, and developed a master plan, including Park Avenue development.“ Most of the old buildings the Urban Village partners purchased had been shut down by the city for extreme code violations. Semrad said that at first they thought the buildings’ bones were good. “It turned out that they were brittle and rotten, so the cost is higher than we originally estimated. You have to put in new plumbing, electricity, drywall…” In the last three years, Urban Village has finished 220 units in midtown. Rental costs range from $700 to $1,200 monthly for oneand two-bedroom apartments. Apartments enjoy a high occupancy with vacancies of less than 5 percent. “It’s interesting that we get at least a third of our tenants from West Omaha,” Semrad said. “[Our tenants] say, ‘We always wanted to live in an urban setting and closer to work.’” In 2010, Urban Village received one of Destination Midtown’s “Best of Midtown” awards for its efforts to revitalize midtown Omaha.
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TOP LEFT: A view of the three Art Deco buildings being renovated along Park Avenue. ABOVE and LEFT: A furnished model apartment
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on Park Avenue. Anthony Chambers of Back In The Day antique and collectibles shop helped furnish and decorate one of Park Avenue’s models with an Art Deco Theme.
For information about Urban Village properties, go to http://uvomaha.com/about/staff www.ReadOnlineNow.com
january/february • 2012
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Omaha Home: at home Story by Molly Garriott • Photos by Jess Ewald
Andy Tonniges in her warm and welcoming living room. Her dog, Bosco, a lovable mutt adopted from a shelter, enjoys the sun streaming through her Aksarben home’s window.
At Home... Vintage Style Three Omahans open their doors, and share with us their distinctive vintage decorating styles
“Y
ou don’t need a lot of money to live well, to travel, eat wonderful meals, and have a decent home,” espouses Andy Tonniges. She practices what she preaches; some of the most striking pieces in the Aksarben neighborhood home she shares with her husband, Kyle, are flea market, thrift store, and garage sale finds. continued on H25
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Omaha Home: at home
The Tonniges’ home is filled with a diverse mix of antiques, books, and ‘chotchkies’—decorative items with no purpose, other than being conversation pieces.
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www.OmahaPublications.com
But you’d never know it. Their home is warm and welcoming, interestingly appointed with pieces that mean something to them. The mirror hanging above the living room fireplace was picked up at a local thrift store for $10. Originally a dark wood finish, Tonniges thinned some gold paint and gilded the frame. The coffee table is fashioned out of an old library table her mother-in-law found at a garage sale for $10 as well. And Tonniges discovered the barrister’s bookcase all in piecesand quite dirty- in a barn full of collectables in Iowa. With a little bit of vision and elbow grease, Tonniges turned someone’s castaways into her treasures. Tonniges has been in homes that look like they are plucked from the pages of glossy magazines. Though beautiful, the feel is nonetheless wanting, revealing little about the family within. “I think what is missing is a soul,” she observes. continued on page H26
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Omaha Home: at home Photos by minorwhitestudios.com
J
essica McKay and her husband, Christopher Van Buskirk, concur. “We are a throw-away society. If there are a few imperfections, we want to get marble Large rid of it,”tiles notes in the McKay. living It room is these distinguish the formal living room imperfections that yield a story, she from the rest of the main level, while furniture neutral color palate believes, with and athe connection between serves as a sophisticated backdrop ownership and the story is “soothing.” to holiday décor. The red painting by continued on page H28 Steve Joy adds a huge pop of color.
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Silver serving pieces, colored glass and brass candlesticks add sparkle to display shelves in the couple’s dining room.
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Omaha Home: at home
“I’m a big fan of vintage because it is beat up,” McKay, interior designer and owner of Birdhouse Interiors, maintains. She distinguishes vintage from antique: vintage is anything less than 75-100 years old, and antique is older than 100 years. The couple’s couch is a hand-me-down from Van Buskirk’s mother. The wingback chair is repurposed from McMillan’s Antiques. These pieces McKay has mixed with reproductions and hand-crafted items. The coffee table is one such new piece, created by local artist Peter Cales. And the clear, plastic chairs mimic more costly Lucite ghost chairs and were purchased from Overstock.com.
TOP LEFT: A Mid-Century Modern style chandelier draws the eyes up. LEFT AND ABOVE: Colorful accessories sprinkled around the house add ‘pop.
continued on H30
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Omaha Home: at home
ABOVE: Coasters on a serving tray and silver bowl act as accent pieces. TOP LEFT: One of the few new pieces in the McKays’ home—a two-tier oval coffee table set by local artist Peter Cales.
BOTTOM: Various art pieces—framed and unframed—fill the wall in the living room.
The dining room is also a blend of old and new. McKay has mixed flea market fiberglass chairs with a vintage table from McMillan’s. She believes the table is a circa 1940 piece, but its mint condition puts its age in question. It may be a clever reproduction. Which is not only just acceptable to McKay, it’s encouraged for those looking to pump up their décor without deflating their wallets. Point in case: the Sputnik-style chandelier in the dining room, popular during the Mid-Century Modern period. Introducing a reproduction with originals creates interest at a more budget-friendly price point. continued on H32
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Omaha Home: at home Photos by Jess Ewald
Reyes displays her collection of globes on top of her office armoire. She also collects maps. “I like that they represent the world.”
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G
ayle Reyes knows all about decorating on the proverbial dime. Most items in her home are secondhand, including the clothes on her back. continued on H34
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Omaha Home: at home
She is an avid collector who trolls thrift stores—“they’re relaxing”—looking for treasures to fill her home. One of her favorite collections is her rooster collection. Normally restricted to kitchen décor, Reyes’ roosters have the run of the house, flocking down the hall to perch on her guest bedroom walls. Maps and globes also appeal to Reyes. The former tend to depict exotic places in shades of blue and green. “I like the idea of travel more than traveling,” she admits with mirth. She has cut up large maps, framed the pieces individually, and hung them together on her living room wall to replicate the map in its entirety. She’s glued maps to the back of shelves in bookcases, and in her dining room, a large map on a roller (think school rooms before SMART Boards) can be unwound as temporary “wallpaper.” She clusters her globes throughout her home for impact. They remind her not to be so insular. “I like that they represent the world. There is a whole world of people that we forget about here in Omaha.” H34
january/february • 2012
Multiples of various items are displayed together as collections throughout Reyes’ home for greater impact.
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Home: tech Story by Jason Cloudt, Director of Sales Security Equipment Inc., Omaha
Home Alarm Systems in the 21st Century
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ecuring homes by installing intrusion, fire and environmen-
tal protection is not new to many homes. This technology has been utilized to protect homes for decades. Throughout this time it has been important to have the systems monitored by a UL listed monitoring center to ensure protection is provided when the home owner is away from the premise. This connection has typically been handled via a telephone line. Protecting homes with an electronic security system has changed in the 21st century. Today’s systems do not rely on a home telephone line to communicate the signals back to a monitoring center. The signals can be communicated via high-speed internet or cellular. Today’s systems can incorporate the ability to arm and disarm via a smart device. Customers can receive text messages or e-mails when kids come home from school and disarm, or when the cleaning crew arrives and leaves. Today’s systems can incorporate wireless video cameras which send a clip of video to you when the garage door opens or when the kids arm the panel and go out the front door. Viewing alarm history or video events can all be as simple as clicking on an application on your smart device. Home alarms in the 21st century are giving customers added protection and providing a level of comfort weather you are at home or away on a business trip. The same application that allows you to view video can also allow you to adjust the thermostat from your phone, turn on a light, or even unlock a door or open the garage. Alarm systems in the 21st century provide 21st century users protection customized to meet your needs. To learn more, please contact Security Equipment Inc., Omaha’s only local UL listed Monitoring Center. www.sei-security.com or 402-333-3233. january/february • 2012
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Omaha Home: real estate Story by Aaron Horn, CBS Home Real Estate What kind of situation is best for a short sale? Typically, a short
sale is best when a homeowner is two or more payments behind, or has been given notice of foreclosure. Recently, banks have been negotiating short sales with homeowners even when they are not behind on payments; however, the homeowner is required to show financial distress, such as a job loss or an inability to repay. Why should I use a realtor with expertise in short sales?
Since the short sale process for each bank is completely different, having an expert short sale negotiator who knows the bank’s systems and the types of documents and information needed, and has several investors that are able to buy your house now is recommended. Investors must have the patience to wait two to eight months to close the deal. About 90 percent of short sales fall apart due to buyers fading and losing interest because of the unknown time frame of closing. How soon after a short sale can I get a new mortgage? Even
if their credit score has taken a hit, most homeowners can receive a new mortgage in as soon as one year, as long as their history of payments has been current, though some situations may take longer. What if I owe real estate taxes?
W
Short SaleFAQs hat is a short sale? A short sale is a mutually agreed sale of a property
between bank and owner for less than the balance of the mortgage. Banks, in this time of recession and real estate decline, are more willing than ever to entertain a short sale. Why are banks willing to settle for less than full payment? If the numbers make sense for the bank to take less now, they will, instead of foreclosing on the home which can take many months, results in attorney fees, and offers the increased risk of loss or damage to the property. Does a homeowner benefit from a short sale? In a way, yes, because their credit score will be less damaged by a short sale than by a foreclosure or bankruptcy. Also, they can feel somewhat better knowing the bank they borrowed from received some money back and did not lose more through a foreclosure. H36
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Real estate taxes must be paid as part of the sale and will be a factor in the bank accepting a short sale. Also, any other liens such as second mortgages, lines of credit and mechanics liens will all need to be negotiated. This is another advantage of having an expert who knows how to get all of these unpaid parties to agree to take less or none. My house is in good/bad condition. Can I still do a short sale?
Yes, and condition will play a big factor in the negotiations. The bank will hire out an appraiser or a Realtor to give an opinion of value. The Realtor or appraiser will take pictures, evaluate comparable sales, and provide a value to the bank. Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide legal/tax advice. You should consult your own tax and or attorney for any legal or tax advice concerning real estate transactions. For more information on short sales or selling your home, contact Aaron Horn with CBSHome Real Estate at 402.612.5163. www.OmahaPublications.com
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Gold Coast Grandeur
A
s the city’s boundaries
continue to spread to 200th street and beyond, it seems almost comical that, once upon a time, 38th street was a western suburb of Omaha. But at the turn of the 20th century, it was the area to build in if you were one of Omaha’s business and industry magnates. Old Omaha families like Joslyn, Barmettler, Gifford, Kennedy, and Brandeis took up residence in what is now designated the Gold Coast neighborhood. It was a time when ladies sipped afternoon tea in the garden, men took their cocktails on the terrace, and children played under the watchful eye of the nanny. continued on page H40
Omaha Home: neighborhood profile Grandeur is the hallmark of the area. The Joslyn Castle, St. Cecilia’s Cathedral, and Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart are neighborhood anchors. Far removed from the cookie-cutter homes of later development, Gold Coast residences are a stunningly eclectic architectural collection: English Tudor, Italian Renaissance Revival, Prairie style, and Jacobean Revival. “Intact, north 38th Street looks today much like it did when it was developed in the early part of the 20th century,” attests Joni Fogarty, local historian and current vice-president of the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association. This has been no easy feat. The Gold Coast neighborhood survived two world wars and the Great Depression, but most perilous of all was the population shift to the city’s western regions which left many established neighborhoods vulnerable to commercial development and absentee landlords looking to convert single-family homes into multiplefamily dwellings. “Caring homeowners with a historic commitment are the key to stability,” says John Ransom, president of the Gold Coast Neighborhood Association. In the 1970s, Gold Coast residents sought to preserve the architectural and historic integrity of the neighborhood. A city ordinance was instituted in 1979 that defined the Gold Coast as 38th Street between Capitol Avenue and Cuming Street. “This small strip of land was Omaha’s first residential historic district,” says Fogarty. As such, its homes were protected from demolition and conversion into apartments. In the 1990s, the Gold Coast designation was expanded to include the Blackstone Neighborhood south of Dodge to Leavenworth Street. According to the National Trust, the Gold Coast extends roughly from Leavenworth to Cuming and 36th to 40th streets. “It is the only intact stretch of architectdesigned homes built before World War I,” says Patti Gregor, CBSHOME Real Estate agent and nearby Mercer Park resident. “The architects were the stars of their day. Each house is unique.” Gregor is a recent transplant to Omaha from Florida. She says the area’s charm and historic allure are what drew her and her husband, a professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, to the neighborhood. H40
january/february • 2012
“Residents are drawn by their love of the beauty of older homes, and they spend years fixing them up,” Gregor states. With its proximity to Creighton, UNO, and Nebraska’s Med Centers, Midtown Crossing, and downtown, the Gold Coast is popular with professors, doctors, lawyers, and business executives. And large families. In fact, large families are what naturally saved many of the “grand dames of 38th Street” from falling prey to commercial developers and landlords looking to carve up single-family dwellings in the days before its protected status. Many of the residences boast five, six, seven bedrooms—a must for families with numerous children. Zoning laws forbidding the converting of single-family residences into multiple family residences have legally protect the homes today. The perks of living in the Gold Coast neighborhood are many: beauty, originality, location. To this list, Ransom would add “the opportunity to be a steward of some of Omaha’s most cherished character.” www.OmahaPublications.com
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Omaha Home: neighborhood profile Story by Bailey Hemphill • Photos by minorwhitestudios.com
Retro Chic Hits the Road Diane Flynn’s Vintage Van, Dotty
I
f you see a black and Bel Air blue 1953 Olsen bread truck rolling down the streets of Omaha, you will most likely spot Diane Flynn behind the wheel. Flynn, the owner of Tweed Couch, purchased the vintage truck—which was then a bright yellow color with an aluminum interior shell—from a buyer on Craigslist with plans to convert it into a mobile advertisement for her furniture store. After looking into the costs of advertising, Flynn thought the vintage truck would be a fun, original way to advertise her local business as she drives around town. Flynn has a passion for giving new life to vintage pieces, so the retro bread truck was a perfect fit for her personality. “Tweed Couch is a business that marries old with new and modern,” she explains. So it only makes sense that she would buy an old truck and make it over into a modern ride. “Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it should be discarded. There’s a lot more life in that old truck, and I’m going to make sure of that.”
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Flynn has affectionately nicknamed her vintage ride ‘Dotty Davenport,’ and this old girl’s not your typical delivery truck. “She has fabulous style!” exclaims Flynn. Although the exterior and interior structure has a classic ‘50s feel, the furniture and décor is extremely modern. “Opening up the back doors and looking in is the icing on the cake because no one expects what’s inside,” says Flynn. And what’s inside? Black and white checkerboard flooring, a table with reupholstered print chairs, artwork and photos on the walls, and Bel Air blue- and white-striped leather front and passenger seats. Adding a touch of whimsy, a chandelier hangs from the van’s ceiling. Flynn already drives Dotty to work and around town, but every now and then she takes Dotty out on the town for special events. At baseball and football games, Dotty is a tailgating pro. At local car and home shows, Dotty is a retro masterpiece holding her own against muscle cars and roadsters. Flynn loves showing her off to other people. “It’s amazing how many men love taking pictures of the van, but the women love to take pictures of the inside.” Of one thing you can most definitely be sure—Dotty is a hottie. www.OmahaPublications.com
Home: maintenance
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Is Foam Insulation Your Energy Solution?
I
f you could buy a gadget for your
car that would honestly yield a 50 percent fuel economy improvement, you’d buy it, right? Even if that gadget wasn’t cheap—but you’d recoup your cost within a few years— you’d still buy it, right? Now think about the cost of heating and cooling your older home. Is there a way to enjoy your older home and save up to 50 percent on heating and cooling it? You’ve probably seen spray foam insulation used in the renovation of older homes, but spray foam requires a complete gutting of your walls. That’s messy and expensive. But spray foam is not your only option. Nonexpanding tripolymer foam insulation, which can be injected into your walls, is available at a fraction of the cost of spray foam—and without the mess. Why foam? Foam insulation is the only way to stop air infiltration, an efficiency factor that’s often overlooked. Traditional fiberglass insulation inhibits the transfer of heat, but it’s porous, so it doesn’t stop air infiltration. Non-expanding foam significantly outperforms fiberglass in terms of air infiltration and R-value. It can be injected from the exterior of your home (even brick and stone) with little to no cosmetic impact. It makes your home much quieter, too! If the walls of your older home are empty (or nearly empty), you could enjoy serious savings with foam insulation. Unlike fuel economy gadgets that don’t exist, foam insulation is very real, and it promises very real energy savings for you! For a completely free inspection, call Dan or Todd at USA Insulation, 402-592-1718, usainsulation.net/nebraska january/february • 2012
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Omaha Home: hot products Photos by John Gawley
Fabulous Vintage Finds
Several local retailers show us their favorite repurposed and vintage décor
A delicate antique side table, featuring a harp bow base and an oval tray top, takes on a completely different and dramatic look with fresh, glossy red and black paint. Available at Tweed Couch, 2806 S. 110th Court, Rockbrook Village. 402-502-3736 www.tweedcouch.com
A black cast-iron manhole cover originating from the City of Fairbury, Neb., was repurposed as a table top for a unique end table or patio table. The bottom is fashioned from an old iron bell holder manufactured by Empire Manufacturing Co. in New York. Available at Midwest Pickers, 3701 Leavenworth St. 402-578-5051 www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Pickers
Stack these two high-gloss vintage drums to create the perfect conversation piece side table. The top is accessorized with a black-finish candelabra and silver serving pieces, which are making a huge comeback for every day décor. Available at Tweed Couch, 2806 S. 110th Court, Rockbrook Village. 402-502-3736 www.tweedcouch.com
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Reupholstering is a fabulous way to give older furniture a fresh or trendy look. This traditional chair features an authentic animal hyde, lending a masculine feel. A cream and gold accent pillow and white antler add feminine touches. Available at Tweed Couch, 2806 S. 110th Court, Rockbrook Village. 402-502-3736 www.tweedcouch.com www.OmahaPublications.com
This vintage-looking canvas subway sign art piece can be personalized with your own wording -- Vacation spots, street names, family names, wine varietals, etc. A perfect gift for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and that special someone. Available at Pearson & Company, 16939 Wright Plaza, #143. 402-932-5999 www.pearsonandcompany.com
This handcrafted rustic wood ladder is shown being used as a sweater, scarf and accessories organizer, but could also be used as a towel or magazine rack or simply as wall art. Available at Midwest Pickers, 3701 Leavenworth St. 402578-5051 www.facebook.com/ pages/Midwest-Pickers
A beautiful natural wood slab was refinished and secured to a metal frame base, creating a hip, industrial coffee table. An ivory lamp with a gold pedestal base and round black shade add a traditional touch. Table available at Pearson & Company, 16939 Wright Plaza, #143. 402-932-5999 www.pearsonandcompany.com – Lamp available at Humble Home, 5022 Leavenworth St., 402-502-4866 www.humblehomeshop.com
www.ReadOnlineNow.com
An old architectural pillar is paired with a very contemporary silver lamp and cream box shade, creating an eclectic look. Architectural building elements can be used as furniture, shelving and even art pieces for your coffee table or display cases. Available at Tweed Couch, 2806 S. 110th Court, Rockbrook Village. 402-502-3736 www.tweedcouch.com january/february • 2012
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Omaha Home: transformations Story by Lindi Janulewicz, Captions by Diane Gernstein, Allied Member ASID • Photos by Tom Kessler, Kessler Photography
A Contemporary Dream Design H46
january/february • 2012
W
hen the owners of
this fabulous West Omaha home made the decision to sell their home in Champions Run and embark on a new construction adventure, building their new home in Linden Estates, they knew they needed guidance. Their real estate agent, Teresa Elliott, owner of Team Elliott/Prudential Ambassador Real Estate, connected them with Advance Design & Construction and Diane Gernstein, Allied Member ASID and co-owner of Interiors Joan www.OmahaPublications.com
Transformations is a regular feature of Omaha HOME that spotlights a local interior designer. transformation by a ASID Designer. The copy and photos are provided by the designer. Homeowners’ names may be withheld to respect privacy.
ABOVE, GREAT ROOM / DINING ROOM: Textural rugs, embellished fabrics and contemporary artwork punctuate the great room and dining room with splashes of color. Notice the gorgeous draperies and the glossy finishes on the furnishings.
and Associates. With the help and guidance of these professionals, the homeowners watched as their dream design of a contemporary styled retreat literally came to life. “My clients wanted a home that was centered around open spaces, allowing them to easily entertain their family and friends. They wanted a more contemporary design and they have exquisite taste…we were able to incorporate these design elements together to produce a warm, welcoming contemporary setting,” explains Gernstein. “We used softer lines and an edgy but not harsh interpretation of contemporary design. We incorporated showy high gloss finishes and clean elements to create a space that was sophisticated, but softer and not so severe. To use strict contemporary design in a home of that size would have produced a cold, harsh look.” The home’s exterior features a stucco finish and a tile roof. These design details accentuate the home’s Floridian flavor. A well-manicured landscape and sparkling pool complement the home’s architecture and complete the overall look.
continued on page H48
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Omaha Home: transformations FIREPLACE: The over scaled fireplace is flanked by large niches, the perfect place to display a collection of KITCHEN: An exciting backsplash design is created for this kitchen using tiles of different textures,
beautiful, treasured items. Each accessory was carefully
colors and sizes. The granite countertops, gorgeous light fixtures and posh barstools all perfect the
selected to balance the space visually and to complement
room’s clean design.
the room’s design.
Behind the massive front doors, a dramatic entryway with an open floor plan greets you. The space features a high, vaulted ceiling and over-scaled fireplace, balanced by large windows that showcase a gorgeous view of the pool in the backyard. The great room highlights a contemporary styled sectional sofa with a bold color palette of deep amethyst, citrus green and metallic copper. Soft neutral walls and tile flooring provide a soothing backdrop for the textural rugs, embellished fabrics and glossy marble encasing the fireplace. The dining room reveals a grand dining table with a deep, lustrous finish. Ten chairs upholstered in luxurious eggplant colored fabric surround the table, ready for the next family gathering. The entry and the dining room both house opulent light fixtures. Lighting was a priority for her client, and Gernstein selected stunning fixtures to create the ambient setting her client desired. Several hard surface materials combine to create the shell of the home’s interior. Her client wished to have surfaces that could be easily cleaned and maintained, and to serve that purpose, porcelain tiles, granites, natural stones and glass tiles were all utilized to create a stunning backdrop for the home’s furnishings, window treatments and artwork. H48
january/february • 2012
FRONT EXTERIOR: The stucco material and tile roof complete the Floridian style of this home. Lush landscaping complements the home’s appeal. FRONT ENTRY: Custom front doors, an opulent light fixture and tropical plants create a grand entry to this home, setting the stage for the design elements that await inside.
www.OmahaPublications.com
MASTER BATHROOM: Gorgeous tiles and granite combine to give this master bathroom a clean, contemporary look. Notice the hint of glitzy wall covering
MASTER BEDROOM: Furnishings with a rich, high—gloss finish and opulent fabrics complete this contem-
in the reflection of the mirror!
porary master bedroom. A custom-made window treatment serves as a dramatic focal point in the space.
LOWER LEVEL BAR: Natural stone is arched to create an architectural lower level bar area. Notice the unique sconces flanking the bar. Their integration of metal and glass perfectly finish the space.
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The home’s kitchen is as beautiful as it is functional. In accordance to the client’s priority to incorporate unique light fixtures, Gernstein selected two groups of three pendants to suspend above the kitchen island. When lit, the fixtures’ smoky quartz qualities are highlighted. A clean cabinetry design and plenty of storage marries the kitchen’s aesthetics and utility. The master bedroom exudes opulence, from the draped, dramatic window treatment to the luxurious chaise lounge and sumptuous bedding fabrics. The jeweled amethyst color palette is carried into the master bathroom, giving the entire suite a cohesive design concept. Gorgeous granite, tiles and glass detailing complete the look. The completeness of each room and the exceptional planning that went into every detail of this home’s design are what Gernstein enjoyed the most about this project. “My clients had a vision. They were drawn to a look that is particularly unique in our region and it was a treat to push this design concept all the way, incorporating details and elements that really gave this project an edge,” she says. An edge that embodies the home her clients dreamed about… and will enjoy for years to come. january/february • 2012
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Just off Blair High Road (Hwy 133) on County Rd 37
4 Miles North of I-680 on US 75
220th & Schram Road Gretna
180th & Military Road Bennington
$44,000–$114,000
$90,000–$145,000
$49,500–$99,500
$84,500–$127,500
www.ReadOnlineNow.com
232nd & Lincoln Road Gretna
$99,500–$104,500 january/february • 2012
H51/91
Visit our Kohler Registered Showroom 13827 Industrial Road • Omaha NE (402) 330-3400 • www.kbbriggs.com
Thank you Omaha for voting us best Kitchen & Bath Plumbing Fixtures!