Every space in your home should be a reflection of you, from comfort and convenience to style and sophistication. That’s why the creative interior designers at NFM’s Design Gallery are here. We work with you every step of the way to bring your vision to life, providing you with the latest styles and personalized service, all at NFM’s Legendary Low Prices. We’re here to help you create a style that can only be described as “you.”
Scan to Learn More and Book a Consultation
I OmahaHome ENTRYWAY
Spring Colors
love spring some of my favorite flowers, specifically lilacs and hyacinth, bloom in spring. A few years ago, while driving around L.A. with my friend Heather in May, I asked her, “What are those purple trees we keep seeing?” Surprisingly, they were tall lilac trees, as opposed to the shorter lilac bushes found here in Omaha.
The colors of lilac and hyacinth appear in this magazine, as do those of eggplant, honey, and melon (sometimes in clever ways). The photos of the residences in this edition of OmahaHome made me smile as I looked at images of striped pillows and couches, collections of penguins, and a variety of chairs.
The Spaces article this month is one dear to my heart a screened-in front porch filled with color, and cats. My own home has a screened-in porch on which I spend hours creating brightly colored mandalas and other artwork. As soon as the thermometer shows a reasonable number (around 50 degrees), I open the door to the porch, and my cats follow me into the sunlight.
One of my favorites this month is a feature on the home of Katie and Craig LeDoux. This vibrant couple is full of artworks by creators from cities in which they have lived, from Washington, D.C., to Omaha.
When it’s too cold to sit outside, I sit inside reading and drinking warm water with a tonic of ginger, lemon, and honey. Ginger is full of antioxidants, and it can grow right here in Omaha. The Green article is all about superfoods.
There are so many great articles in this issue. I hope you enjoy them all.
Practicality and luxury define Tom McAlister and Laurie Hamilton’s contemporary
of this bath. See more of the pair’s dream
Photo by Sarah Lemke / Design by Nickie Robinson
Oxford Construction Co., Inc., proudly serves the Omaha metro and Midwest regions as a trusted, family-owned concrete contractor with over 80 years of combined experience. We specialize in a wide range of concrete solutions, from large-scale commercial and industrial projects to small residential improvements. Our services include building slabs, concrete decks, parking lots, foundations, driveways, patios, sidewalks, basement & garage slabs, and more.
We also excel in decorative concrete, offering stamped and colored designs to enhance any space. Committed to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, we use premium materials and advanced techniques to deliver durable, visually stunning results on time and within budget.
Contact Oxford Construction at 402-670-0310 for a free, noobligation estimate and experience the difference of expert concrete services tailored to your needs.
Oxford Construction Co., Inc. www.oxfordconstructionco.com
CREATE YOUR OWN ENVIRNMENT
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.
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
STORY Lisa Lukecart
PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Lemke
DESIGN Nickie Robinson
The Cats Approve
A
Screened-in Porch Worthy of an Oscar and an Emmy
Oscar, a Maine Coon cat, growls at rabbits and squirrels from the safety of his screened-in porch. Emmy, a Tortoiseshell feline, helps him while enjoying the feeling of “outside” living on the Trex decking. The composite material of wood and resin avoids rot but looks like real walnut wood from a distance.
Just like their cats, owners Aaron Persen and Eric Yarwood spend time communing with nature behind a screen while sitting on comfortable cushions.
“I grew up in Minnesota and it’s the land of mosquitoes. I can experience the outdoors without any bugs,” Persen said.
A traditional fiberglass screen encloses the 12 by 20 foot addition on the backside of the residence that overlooks the backyard.
The gabled porch with an eight-foot ceiling fits in seamlessly with the house. Stained cedar supports the structure, matching the roof line, about four feet above ground level.
Persen, the director of facilities, planning, and construction for Metropolitan Community College, felt family furniture would add a warm, intimate ambiance to the room. A 1909 Minnesota cabin couch, re-upholstered in chenille vertical strips, feels like it could fit indoors. The faded yellow pine needed re-finishing until it glowed a satiny chocolate brown. The solid structure of its bones made it possible to bring it into this century with a durable water-resistant fabric with its brick red, cream, straw, and blue-gray colors creating a cool vibe. Two lounge chairs, part of the original set, match the couch while adding extra seating for gatherings.
The couple likes to host parties, even holding their wedding on the screened-in porch two years ago. Persen wanted to follow in his family’s footsteps of exchanging vows at home, and the 10-person event ensured coziness, less stress, and fewer décor decisions. “We let nature be the decoration,” Persen said.
The wicker loveseat, painted the same color as the house in a tranquil gray-blue, belonged to Yarwood’s mother after she bought it at a garage sale as one of her first furniture purchases. The original cushion most likely came from the seat of a 1953 Chevrolet pickup truck, but the couple switched it for a coordinating durable fabric with an oatmeal background and multi-colored striped flecks.
“When I grew up, we had a front porch that our family used constantly…so for me, it’s pure relaxation,” Yarwood said, a coordinator for special events at Metropolitan Community College. “I guess you can turn off the world around you.”
A ceiling fan cools the room in the shaded space and Persen peruses his cookbooks while Yarwood reads the latest historical fiction.
“It’s about the feeling you get, the atmosphere. We design on emotional aesthetics,”
said Shandra Pettit, interior designer and principal of Apropos Design.
Pettit’s team coordinated with Persen, who has twenty years of experience as a former architect with DLR Group, on the screened porch as part of a larger project. Since her two clients embraced color and art, the overall look felt fun and inviting, including a taxidermied hen and rooster, complete with hot pink painted spurs. Pillows made from Persen’s grandmother’s silky mink coats provided a curiosity for the cats. Os -
car, especially, supervised the process by sniffing fabric panels, testing cushions, and digging in boxes.
“We always ask about fur family to make sure selections are pet-friendly,” Pettit added. “We got Oscar’s approval.”
Yarwood remains in remission after a diagnosis of a rare germ cell cancer 12 years ago. He underwent nine rounds of chemotherapy and three stem cell transplants.
“I
Both
STORY Brandi Long-Frank
PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Lemke
DESIGN Nickie Robinson
to Fine Art From Quilt Patterns
HEATHER AKERBERG CREATES COMFORT
Heather Akerberg is a modern quilter whose work blends traditional techniques with artistic innovation. A member of the Omaha Modern Quilt Guild, Akerberg has garnered attention as a pattern designer and a ribbon-winning quilter, known for her ability to turn everyday fabric into stunning pieces of art. Through her blog and online shop, Glad Hand Sews, Akerberg offers quilt patterns and kits that cater to everyone from beginners to expert quilters, bringing a touch of modern design to homes and art galleries alike.
While Akerberg has made a name for herself in the world of quilt patterns, it’s her original art quilts that have truly set her apart. Her work has been exhibited in places such as Australia, France, Japan, and throughout the United States, including notable venues in the midwest like Gallery 1516, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, and the Iowa Quilt Museum. One of her more recent accomplishments includes being selected for Quilt National 2025, a prestigious biennial exhibition that features only 84 artists from over 650 submissions worldwide. Her work continues to be shown at QuiltCon and other juried art exhibitions, further solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in the world of art quilting.
Despite her success in fine art, Akerberg’s journey in quilting began with a simple love for patterns. She started by creating original designs, seeking to reimagine traditional quilt blocks in fresh, modern ways. “I always begin with the question, ‘What if?’” she explained. “What if I change the
shape, size, or scale of a traditional design? What if I use different construction techniques or add unexpected elements?” This curiosity drives Akerberg to continually experiment with new approaches, ensuring that her quilt patterns are as innovative as they are functional.
“Quilting can be overwhelming, but breaking down the process into manageable steps makes it a lot more enjoyable.”
—Heather Akerberg
Her patterns, which range from simple beginner projects to more complex designs, can be found on her Glad Hand Sews blog and online shop. Akerberg’s patterns are designed with accessibility in mind. “I always try to simplify the instructions so they’re approachable for quilters of all levels,” she said. “Quilting can be overwhelming, but breaking down the process into manageable steps makes it a lot more enjoyable.”
In addition to her patterns, Akerberg’s blog features tutorials and advice for quilters at
every stage of their journey. “You’ll make mistakes along the way, and that’s okay,” Akerberg noted. “The most important thing is to embrace the process and focus on progress over perfection.” For those just starting out, she recommends choosing patterns with simple shapes and straight lines, which are easier to sew than more intricate curves.
Akerberg’s own quilting journey was shaped by her involvement in the quilting community. As a member of the Omaha Modern Quilt Guild, she found a network of fellow quilters who were always eager to help each other grow. “There’s always someone ready to lend a hand, whether you need advice on a tricky technique or help tracking down a rare fabric. I’ve learned so much from my fellow quilters.”
Akerberg’s commitment to the craft and her passion for quilt-making have allowed her to expand her influence beyond patterns and quilts. Her work is a testament to the idea that quilts can be both functional and fine art, creating pieces that inspire conversations in galleries and exhibitions. Through Glad Hand Sews, Akerberg continues to inspire and educate quilters, helping them turn basic fabric into something beautiful. She remains dedicated to her art quilts and her role as a pattern designer, offering a unique blend of creativity and accessibility that has made her an influential figure in the modern quilting world.
For more information, visit gladhandsews.com.
Katie and Craig LeDoux’s
Home
A Celebration of Local Art and Community
atie and Craig LeDoux’s home in Omaha is a vivid testament to their passion for contemporary local art. Katie’s admiration for Omaha artists began with the work of one artist in particular: Therman Statom.
She first saw Statom’s work when she was employed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. She recalls coming across one of his pieces in the museum’s collection and feeling an immediate, almost visceral reaction. “I remember
thinking, ‘I need this someday,’” Katie said. Fast forward two decades, and she and Craig now own several of Statom’s stunning works, connecting with him and purchasing his works directly. “It’s been such a great experience to collect his work together.”
Over the years, the couple has cultivated more than 75 pieces. Their current collection of vibrant canvases adorns the walls of their century-old home, a living space that is not only aesthetically dynamic, but also richly tied to the local artistic landscape.
“The mix of modern art and the historic nature of the house is a great contrast. It just works.”
Katie LeDoux
The couple’s journey into the world of art collecting began on the East coast, when the two lived in Washington, D.C. Their first purchase was a piece by Heather Kirtland, an artist whose work they had admired in a restaurant in Frederick, Maryland. The LeDouxs were immediately drawn to her style and, after a year of saving, they were able to purchase their first piece. It was the beginning of a collection that would grow to encompass around 20 of Kirtland’s works.
When they relocated to Omaha, the LeDouxs were eager to dive into the local art scene. As their collection grew, the LeDouxs took a particular interest in how their art interacted with their home’s historic features. Their house, with its early 1900s charm, provides a striking contrast to the modern, colorful works that fill their walls. Katie explained that they’ve chosen to hang most of the pieces salon-style, clustering multiple works together to create a
" Building relationships with artists is key." Katie LeDoux
dynamic visual experience. “We’re mostly drawn to contemporary, colorful pieces,” she said. “The mix of modern art and the historic nature of the house is a great contrast. It just works.”
A unique addition to their collection was a commission from local artist Shiri Phillips. The couple had been following Phillips’ work for some time and decided to commission a woven paper piece for a special spot near their staircase. “It was such a fun way to make our home truly ours,” Katie reflected. “Shiri did an incredible job capturing the feel of the space.”
The LeDoux’s commitment to supporting Omaha’s local art scene extends beyond simply purchasing pieces for their home. They are
active members of several local galleries, including Gallery 1516, and have been enthusiastic supporters of the Joslyn Art Museum since its reopening. Their weekends often include gallery visits, checking out new murals around the city, or attending art exhibits. For the LeDouxs, the art community plays a significant role in shaping their experience of Omaha. Collecting art is not just about owning beautiful pieces it’s a way to connect with their city and its creative pulse.
Their passion has also led to lasting personal connections with the artists. A memorable encounter occurred when they met Jeff Koterba at a boutique wine shop in Little Bohemia. “We connected with him right away,” Katie said. “Since then, we’ve become good friends with Jeff and his partner, Christine Burright.” Their most recent purchase a large, four- to five-foot piece by Koterba was a major addition to their collection. The installation process for this artwork was a special occasion. “Jeff and Christine came over with her dad to install it,” Katie recalled. “It was such a fun day, and we look forward to getting more of his work in the future.”
For those looking to incorporate local art into their own homes, Katie has valuable advice: “Building relationships with artists is key.” She explains that her connection with Kirtland began by reaching out to the
As their collection grew, the LeDouxs took a particular interest in how their art interacted with their home’s historic features.
artist directly to express her admiration for her work. They kept in touch for a year before the LeDouxs were able to purchase a piece, and that relationship made the purchase feel more meaningful.
“Many local artists are happy to share their process and work,” she explained. “If a piece is initially out of your price range, don’t be discouraged stay connected, and purchase when the time is right.”
Through their careful curation of contemporary pieces, their involvement in the local art scene, and their friendships with the artists, the LeDouxs have created a living space that is as personal as it is beautiful a true celebration of Omaha’s thriving artistic culture.
At
Home
ProjectHarmony
When Matt Severin went house hunting back in 2002, he sought a single-story home with a generous yard and an easy commute to his dental practice in Millard. He found that home a red brick, midcentury ranch on a 2/3-acre lot with tons of mature trees in the Greenbrier subdivision near 114th and Pacific streets.
He stayed content in the abode for nearly two decades.
Then life took a few unexpected turns that transformed his life, and eventually his home, for the better.
Matt found love later in life with Kim, and the two married in 2017, creating a beautiful, albeit sometimes complicated,
Linda Persigehl
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sarah Lemke
DESIGN
Nickie Robinson
THE SEVERINS EMBRACE A THREE-GENERATION HOUSEHOLD
blended family. Kim stayed in Wahoo until her youngest son graduated high school, then moved in with Matt in 2019.
“The house was 2,000 square feet with two bedrooms, a full bath, and a powder room,” Matt said. “It’s pretty unusual for a home that size to have just two bedrooms, but it was just perfect for us,” Matt said of that empty-nest time. STORY
Then, in summer 2021, the couple decided to have Kim’s mom, Linda, 73, move in with them.
“A few months later, our granddaughter, Jade, came to live with us,” Kim explained. “She was 1 and a half at the time. We are her guardians now.”
Suddenly, the Severins had three generations living under their roof, with a shortage of bedrooms and privacy for the married couple. Space was crowded and tensions were high. In addition, outdated features of the 60-plus year-old home too-small bathrooms, a dilapidated deck, basement laundry, etc. became more obvious, some posing safety hazards for Linda and Jade.
Committed to staying, the couple hired the design-build services of KRT Construction in 2022 to help them reimagine their home. KRT created a new floor plan, interior design, and home addition to serve everyone’s needs while setting up Kim and Matt to age in place. The family moved into an apartment during the throws of renovation, with the project wrapping up in eight months.
“We do a lot of listening for what (our clients) want to accomplish, what is most important, and the design rolls from there,” said Kent
Therkelsen, an architect and owner of KRT Construction. “For multiple family members to live together, everyone needs their own space so you don’t cramp each other… where you can be your own person."
He continued, “That was the driving theme with the Severins. We’re doing a lot more of these projects, creating spaces for an aging parent in the home.”
To create separate areas, KRT built a 400-square-foot addition on the rear of the home for a private retreat for Matt and Kim. The vaulted space includes a spacious bedroom with a sitting area for unwinding after a day of work and caregiving. French doors lead to a walk-in closet and generous bathroom with a marbled shower and soaking tub, a must-have for Kim. Oversized windows provide soothing views of the wooded backyard, and an exterior door gives direct access to a new outdoor paver patio with gas fire pit.
The original master bedroom and a bathroom were converted into a second bedroom suite for Linda, with room for a TV/sitting area, a kitchenette, an updated bathroom with a large shower and grab bars, and a stackable washer-dryer closet for her convenience.
“We made sure both suites were handicap accessible the doorways wide enough, the turning radius wide enough for a wheelchair in front of the sink area, for instance,” Therkelsen said.
The living room saw new can lighting installed, an updated stone fireplace hearth, and removal of an old built-in entertainment unit, while a third bedroom for Jade was created by closing in a pass-through dining room. A unicorn mural wall, rainbows, and pink bedding now accent the girly space.
The biggest change in the home came in the kitchen, which absorbed an old sunroom and breezeway to more than double in size and received a vaulted ceiling with beams that span nearly 30 feet.
“They have lots of family in town, so now they have a big gathering spot,” Therkelsen said. “We also made a main-floor laundry room out of an old den and a walk-in pantry…nobody had a big pantry back in the ‘50s. And we raised the floor where there used to be steps down to the garage, so it’s one level and doesn’t divide up the room or pose a falling hazard.”
The totally renovated kitchen now features a modern, mostly white aesthetic with high-end appliances, including a gas stovetop a musthave for Matt, the resident chef and a large quartz-topped island where Kim and Jade, now 5, love to spend time baking together.
“Jade loves to sit at the island, up high on her stool…She calls it the mountain,” Kim said with a chuckle.
Another favorite feature is the kitchen bar area, with backlit, open shelving and a gold-accented tile backsplash, which the couple modeled after a bar they’d seen on a Street of Dreams home tour. Colorful art prints of the Crescent City sit on display.
“We do a lot of listening for what (our clients) want to accomplish, what is most important, and the design rolls from there.”
Kent Therkelsen
“We had our honeymoon in New Orleans… We love the music, the food, the culture. Lots of great memories there,” Kim said.
Matt had a strong desire to keep the exterior look of the house the same, which meant keeping the red brick and making the addition look like it had always been there. The KRT team made it happen. “It was a challenge to make the new windows work in the openings, since sizing was different [in the 1950s],” Therkelsen added.
The Severins are certainly happy with their decision to remodel and stay in the home. Jade now attends preschool at nearby St. Robert’s Bellarmine School, and Kim is a second-grade teacher assistant there as well. Linda is overjoyed with the living arrangement, and Matt and Kim have the privacy they need to love their home again.
Therkelsen said helping clients find renovation success is the ultimate goal. “Working with homeowners where everyone is trusting each other and everyone ends up happy… After 32 years of doing this, those are the types of jobs we like to do.”
“I can actually work in the kitchen. I have lots of counter space.”
Laurie
Hamilton
Staying in the Neighborhood
RENOVATION TRANSFORMS HIS HOUSE INTO THEIR DREAM HOME
hen Tom McAlister was in the market for a new home in 2005, the criteria were relatively simple. He wanted a house near where his young daughters lived with their mother, to make visits and activities convenient. He also hoped to find a property with a familiar main-floor layout, so the girls would feel at home. Plus, if he could remain in his west Omaha neighborhood, his parents’ house would be mere blocks away.
“When I was looking, there were very few homes for sale that had the set-up that I wanted,” he said. “And location was very important to me.”
A circa-1955 three-bedroom ranch met McAlister’s primary objectives; although it needed some cosmetic updates and had some design quirks, McAlister decided he could live with an imperfect house in the perfect neighborhood.
Nearly two decades passed. His daughters grew up. And he met Laurie Hamilton, who will soon be his wife.
“What inspired the remodel is that we got engaged during COVID, and so when housing prices kind of went crazy, we made the decision that it was a perfect time; we either needed to sell both houses or one house,” McAlister said. “It made perfect sense that we would combine her house, size-wise, just wouldn’t work.”
McAlister’s house wasn’t exactly ideal, either, but once again, it came down to location. He wanted to be able to easily check on his elderly mother, who still lived in the neighborhood, and his brother with disabilities who lived with her. So, McAlister and Hamilton agreed to invest in a full-scale renovation. They envisioned an open-concept layout, bringing in more light, and improving functionality. They also wanted to add a guest room and bathroom, as well as a spacious master suite. Even in areas that would remain structurally intact, McAlister and Hamilton still wanted to update details like windows, paint colors, flooring, trim, and fixtures.
McAlister enlisted the talents of two friends in the architecture sector to create the initial plan: Al Povondra of Carlson West Povondra Architects, and John Cameron, retired from HDR.
“Then I handed it off to Kent Therkelsen at KRT Construction,” McAlister said. “He never told me ‘no’ on anything.”
Therkelsen agreed. “I work hard to make the answer ‘yes.’”
Therkelsen did, however, provide realistic estimates on scope and expense to help McAlister and Hamilton make solid decisions. Sometimes they reconsidered, sometimes “it was ‘We’re just going to pay the money. I want to do it that way,'” McAlister said.
Although much of the main level was transformed, there were elements the couple wished to retain, like beautiful hardwood floors that were eventually restored and extended. McAlister liked the convenient basement stairs near the entrance from the garage, so they were incorporated into the layout and updated. A great room worked pretty well without structural modifications; so did the bedrooms set aside for McAlister’s now-grown daughters.
The approximately 18-month project included major work such as a new addition for the master suite, the reconfiguration of most main-floor interior spaces, plumbing and electrical rerouting, and even raising a large expanse of the ceiling. McAlister and Hamilton chose to hunker down in the house, shifting furniture and belongings and taking up quarters in the basement for a time. They can look back and laugh a little, Hamilton said. “We made it through. We didn’t kill each other.”
The end results were worth the inconvenience. Not only did they check off their wish-list items, the home now reflects both McAlister’s and Hamilton’s taste, which leans toward contemporary. The home boasts fine materials and finishes like Blue Dunes granite kitchen countertops and new windows with between-the-glass blinds. Practical but luxurious elements include skylights, soundproofing, heated bathroom floors, a second washer and dryer set on the main floor, and a huge walk-in master closet.
“I can actually work in the kitchen. I have lots of counter space,” Hamilton said. “The bedroom, bathroom, the closet I love them.”
Details were meticulous, McAlister said, even accommodating the pair’s considerable height difference with thoughtful touches like two shower heads and careful master closet allocation. Trusting the guidance of professionals in all phases from renderings through selecting finishes was key.
“This was my first attempt at remodeling a house,” McAlister said, adding that the idea of having to choose every small thing was intimidating at first. “But we did get better at it.”
Therkelsen said the home was typical of its era, which posed some challenges. “1955 ranch, so low ceilings, lots of rooms,” he said. “The bathrooms were very small, the closets were very small.” A linear kitchen footprint and load-bearing walls surrounding a staircase were also problematic.
The KRT team found clever solutions that improved the home’s function and flow, Therkelsen said. The guest bathroom, for instance, has a second entrance from the main living area to double as a powder room. Hamilton and McAlister like to entertain, so an open floor plan creates a kitchen/hearth room/dinette that easily accommodates a large gathering. There’s always a way, Therkelsen said. “And I love the idea of figuring out the way.”
A few final touches lie ahead. The former great room space needs paint and trim updates, McAlister said, and possibly hardwood floors. The wine aficionado is also dreaming of a custom wine cellar for his impressive collection. But for now, the couple is simply enjoying their beautiful, functional dream home in the perfect neighborhood.
Coming Home
"This home was filled with potential. The exterior architecture felt like that out of a Nancy Meyers movie, or something you would see when flipping through Better Homes and Gardens with its dutch roofline and symmetry. It just needed to be brought back to life, and I saw the potential."
A PASSION FOR RESTORING HISTORIC HOMES FOR TODAY’S MODERN WORLD
y love for historic architecture fully launched when I was working in Chicago over a decade ago. I worked downtown and was surrounded by modern and beautiful skyscrapers, but would go home to my one bedroom apartment, on the top floor of a historic building that was once a hotel and was converted into apartments (The Beatles had even stayed there back in the day). The apartment felt like “home” with its thick and intricate moldings and millwork made of real wood, its old elevator and lobby that took you back in time, and the grand two-story arched windows that looked out onto the lake. The attention to detail, to not only make something functional, but beautiful, was an architectural trait I feel they truly mastered in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In this building, and my apartment, is where I found my love for interior design, and my love for historic homes.
Fast forward fourteen years, and I have the privilege of helping my clients bring their homes to their fullest potential, working as
an interior designer at my firm, Belinda Pabian Interiors. When given the opportunity to work on a historic home, I like to first focus on its best assets and make sure those are not lost, but highlighted. Then, I like to assess the function and find solutions for anything that isn’t “working”. With that, I introduce this 1920s Dutch Colonial. In this column, I’ll take you through the home’s renovation, and how we kept the traditional-feel alive, while making it function in today’s modern world.
This home was filled with potential. The exterior architecture felt like that out of a Nancy Meyers movie, or something you would see when flipping through Better Homes and Gardens with its dutch roofline and symmetry. It just needed to be brought back to life, and I saw the potential.
I’ll start by saying, I’m not always a fan of painting brick. In fact, I think it’s most often not the right decision. It can’t be undone, and oftentimes there are other av-
enues to play up the curb appeal. But, when I saw this home, I knew it would shine with a fresh coat of a milky white paint color that wasn’t too stark. It needed to feel historic, like it had always been this color. Next, I wanted to add dimension - so up went two flower boxes on the first floor and black shutters on the second floor for added contrast. The roof was replaced, as well as new gutters, new windows, new exterior lighting, and house numbers made of real cast iron. The landscape brought in the classics, like boxwood and hydrangea.
This exterior refresh now pops on the street, surrounded by the lush green foliage in the spring and summer, and looks beautiful with a blanket of snow in the winter. What I love most is that it’s a seamless transition when you move into the interior. More to come on that as we continue to work though the home’s renovation, which all feature traditional design, with a twist.
Visit belindaplabian.com for more information
STORY Claudia Moomey
DESIGN Nickie Robinson
Starting
SUPERFOODS
Immune-Boosting Plants for a Healthy Lifestyle
March is the opportune time to pack vegetable gardens with superfoods fruits and vegetables that are dense in nutrients. Here are the best ones to grow in Omaha (Zone 6A).
• Kale: A long-celebrated superfood, kale is rich in vitamins and antioxidants and is one of the easiest leafy greens to grow. Kale is a resilient plant that can thrive in both sunny and shady spots, and easily adapts to different kinds of soil. Its leaves that sometimes produce a purple hue in addition to its dark green not only make it a healthy staple, but also aesthetically pleasing.
• Beets: This heart-healthy root contains ample amounts of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C. The leafy top is also edible and blends perfectly with other leafy superfoods, such as kale and spinach, to create a green salad that packs a punch. When planted, beets are usually ready to harvest after 90 days, making them a fast and easy vegetable to stock for late spring onward.
•Carrots: The root that populates most vegetable gardens is a staple for a reason. The versatility of carrots allows them to be eaten raw or cooked in just about any way imaginable from sautéed to baked in a cake and provides a great source of vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants. Carrots are drought-resistant, which means they don’t need to be watered much, but they do need plenty of sun and fertile soil.
• Blueberries: Much research has been conducted on the health benefits of blueberries, including studies that have shown them to improve memory and learning in elderly adults. While growing this favorite fruit is simple, it needs acidic soil with a pH level of 5.5 or lower to yield berries. Consider this when determining where to grow blueberries; they do not grow well with other plants, so a separate garden or container is best.
•Ginger: Another root that provides health benefits, ginger is a low-maintenance plant that likes partial shade, so it’s easy to grow indoors. A natural nausea reliever, ginger helps with morning sickness and sensitive stomachs, as well as gastrointestinal issues like bloating and gas.
• Chives: Grown best in eight hours of sunlight per day, chives can be planted as soon as soil is workable in the spring. Grow them with other produce to ward off mites, aphids, rabbits, and other garden pests. These tasty toppings have the ability to lower inflammation linked to heart disease, stroke, and obesity. The blossoms are also edible and make for a great salad or garnish.
• Green Beans: While green beans need a lot of space to grow, full sunlight for six to eight hours a day, and some regular maintenance, they can be worth the effort. As a natural blood thinner, green beans can lower risk of stroke and have also been shown to ease depression symptoms.
•Radishes: This sweet and spicy superfood has been found to halt the growth of cervical, lung, and prostate cancer cells. They are also versatile their leaves can be eaten, which are rich in calcium and protein. For best results, plant as soon as soil can be worked, although radishes can also thrive in summer and fall. Make sure to provide the plant with plenty of water.
Asid Gold Award Feature
Pushing the Boundaries
STORY: Mary Ritzdorf, JH Interior Design • PHOTOGRAHY Mandy McGregor
STORY DESIGN: Nickie Robinson • INTERIOR DESIGNER: Mary Ritzdorf, JH Interior Design
ARCHITECT: Robert Torson • BUILDER: Bloomfield Homes
PATTERNS AND HUES ABOUND
Afew years ago, Susie and Bob Knapp were contemplating how they were living in their current home. They had lived in the house they had built since 2005 and loved the location, but its large yard and pool weren’t getting used. Good friend and realtor Vanita Lund told them about Loveland Estates, 18 lots just east of Westside High School, not far from their existing home. The Knapps embarked on building a 4,000-square-foot “dream home” with the help of architect Robert Torson and builder Bloomfield Homes.
The Knapps’ directive to the designer was simple, but bold: “Push the boundaries with color and pattern.” This was music to the ears of JH Interior Design’s Mary Ritzdorf, known for her fearless approach to design. “ I was thrilled to play a part,” she said.
Mary Ritzdorf
Fortunately, the chemistry between Ritzdorf and Susie was immediate. “Mary and I just sang together,” Susie recalled. “I was never afraid to ask what she thought of something, and she was always honest. It was like she was going to live in the place!”
This strong collaboration allowed them to push those boundaries while maintaining a sense of balance. Susie requested that each space have its own personality, but it was
important to make sure the rooms within view of each other still flowed. As Ritzdorf explained, they succeeded in creating a space that felt lively without becoming overwhelming. “We knew when to stop and where to give the eye relief,” she said. A perfect example is the main living area, where they kept the walls and window treatments tone-on-tone. “This gave the wall coverings, furniture, and fabrics the chance to truly shine,” she explained.
To complement the bold design choices, Ritzdorf introduced a fresh and colorful palette, carefully weaving in the family’s heirloom pieces. “The homeowners had a lot of great art and existing furniture, so it wasn’t like starting from scratch,” she said. “We were able to combine unexpected colors, patterns, and periods to make the house feel joyful.”
ASID
The collaboration between Ritzdorf and Susie didn’t stop at design concepts it extended into hands-on decisions, like traveling together to the Dallas furniture market for key pieces. Over the course of 18 months, the duo was in constant communication, refining every detail. The result was a series of unexpected touches, like the ombre effect on the dining room chairs, that further enhanced the home’s eclectic feel.
Ultimately, the home is a bold celebration of color and pattern, blending traditional elements with modern flair. “Sometimes I’ll walk into different spaces in the house and just smile,” Susie said. “Mary nailed it. I have to pinch myself to realize I actually live here.”
Mary Ritzdorf, a designer with JH Interior Design for nearly 10 years, is known for her bold use of color and ability to combine the traditional with the modern. She loves taking people’s style and communicating it through their interiors.
A rchitecture
STORY Sara Locke | PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Lemke | DESIGN Nickie Robinson
General Crook
House Muse um
Built in 1879 by the US Army for American Frontiers and Civil War General George Crook and his family, the Crook house was once an important fixture within Fort Omaha, a military post during a particularly contentious point in United States history. Constructed by Crook’s troops between the summer of 1878 and the spring of 1879, the home was built from plans drawn by Civil War veteran and engineer George W. Field.
The Italianate architecture of the home is evident in the vertical emphasis, and is complemented by the use of Second Empire style. Tall, narrow windows feature decorative crowns and ornamental arches, leading upward toward the steep Mansard roof. The exterior of the home is balanced and almost perfectly symmetrical, a testament to the attention paid to even the smallest of details. Cast iron elements, such as the balustrades and railings, add to the home’s sophistication and interest.
The use of military personnel to build the home was an exercise in frugality for General Crook, who had been allotted a generous $10,000 to build his home (the equivalent of about $315,000 today). Through the use of military labor and a creative utilization of cost-effective material, Crook was able to have the entire home finished for $7,716. ONCE A HOME, NOW A CAREFULLY PRESERVED PIECE OF AMERICAN HISTORY
While General Crook was a conscious spender, he knew that his position required he maintain a certain stature, and that some stately elements of the home were non-negotiable, like the two open porches supported by Doric columns beneath the hipped roofs. A grand staircase off the main hall leads to the second floor, where the master bedroom faces east toward the front of the house. Crook and his wife, Mary, had adjoining rooms connected by a door between.
In 1975, amid pressure by local historians to preserve the landmark, Metropolitan Community College acquired the fort before reaching an agreement with the Historical Society to restore the old building.
The two-story, 5,000-square-foot structure is now home to the Douglas County Historical Society Museum, and is located at 5730 N 30th street.
“Once you walk in the doors, it’s very easy to get pulled into the beauty of the General Crook House,” said Cindy Henzel, treasurer on the board of directors with DCHS and an active volunteer. “It’s full of fascinating history, and it connects people to a really important story about what was going on in our country at that point in history. Not just for this general and his family, but for our military, our citizens, and for the Native people who were so greatly impacted by the events that were taking place.”
The Crook House now serves as a museum with rotating exhibits provided by local collectors or the Historical Society archives. Volunteers generously share their knowledge of the home and its furnishings, as well as information about General Crook and the important role he played in American history.
“I want people to walk away with an understanding of what was happening in the
“Once you walk in the doors, it’s very easy to get pulled into the beauty of the General Crook House.” Cindy Henzel
1870s and 1880s in our country. Many people don’t have an understanding of how Fort Omaha and Fort Crook are so intimately tied together,” Henzel said. “We put so much effort into caring for and presenting these archives, and are so grateful to have this beautiful space where we can share with the public.”
Visit General Crook House on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends from 1-4 p.m.
For more information, visit douglascohistory.org.
Brighten Your Home this Spring with Pella Windows & Doors
With our local Pella Omaha experts by your side, you can be sure you’re getting the exact windows and doors to fit your style and budget. Start your project today and you’ll be enjoying your new views in no time!
Spring Into Action -- Schedule your free consultation today! Stop by our showroom at 14478 Crest Road, Omaha, NE 68138, visit our website www.pellaomaha.com or call us at 402-331-9225.
