The volunteers at the 2025 OCMS Alliance Kitchen Tour.
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On the cover:
The Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance’s Kitchen Tour is set for Oct. 18 and includes five Nichols Hills homes.
For this year's Kitchen Tour raffle, Valerie Naifeh has selected an original diamond pendant necklace of her design valued at $7,500. Crafted in 18kt yellow gold and 14kt white gold, the design features an oval, brilliant-cut diamond, a marquise-cut diamond, and a halo of sparkling round accent diamonds. For more, see Pages 4 & 5.
Kitchen countertops can define how the room looks, and homeowners have many options to choose from when designing a new kitchen.
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A new island, a deep sink and some extra storage space can help homeowners transform their existing kitchens into spaces that cater to their every need.
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Norwalk Furniture is a unique collaboration between two talented designers, Cindy Curley and Ryan Johnson.
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Naifeh Fine Jewelry: A tradition of giving back
Valerie Naifeh in her showroom, located in Nichols Hills Plaza. - Photo by Justin Miers Photography
For more than three decades, the Alliance Kitchen Tour has brought our community together in support of meaningful causes, and Naifeh Fine Jewelry is honored to be part of that tradition once again. This year marks our third consecutive year as a key supporter of the OCMS Alliance Kitchen Tour raffle, an initiative that has helped generate 4 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
record-breaking fundraising revenue for the organization through the generosity of tour attendees and supporters. What began as a jewelry donation has grown into one of the most anticipated elements of the event, helping raise vital funds that directly benefit organizations making a lasting impact throughout Oklahoma City. Past raffle winners have taken home
extraordinary pieces, including a 22K Yellow Gold Cabochon Tourmaline Ring and an 18k Yellow Gold Watermelon Tourmaline Ring. These memorable moments serve as a reminder that every raffle ticket represents far more than the opportunity to win a beautiful piece of jewelry. It represents an investment in a healthier, stronger community.
For this year's raffle, owner and designer Valerie Naifeh has selected an original diamond pendant necklace of her design valued at $7,500, pictured at left. Crafted in 18kt yellow gold and 14kt white gold, the design features an oval, brilliant-cut diamond, a marquise-cut diamond, and a halo of sparkling round accent diamonds. Also pictured are other creations by Valerie Naifeh. For this year's raffle, owner and designer Valerie Naifeh has selected an original diamond pendant necklace of her design valued at $7,500. Crafted in 18kt yellow gold and 14kt white gold, the design features an oval, brilliantcut diamond, a marquise-cut diamond, and a halo of sparkling round accent diamonds. Thoughtfully created as a symbol of enduring love and connection, the necklace reflects Valerie's belief that we are never truly alone and that even the smallest acts of generosity can have a meaningful impact. As Naifeh Fine Jewelry continues to grow, our commitment to serving the greater Oklahoma City community remains unchanged. Following our 2025 expansion, our Nichols Hills headquarters now encompasses 8,000 square feet of showroom, production, and office space, including Oklahoma City's premier destination for independent horology featuring brands such as Bovet, NORQAIN, Chronoswiss, HYT, and L'Epée. While much has changed over the years, our dedication to supporting organizations that strengthen the health and well-being of our community remains at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to partner with the OCMS Alliance and look forward to another successful year of giving back, one raffle ticket at a time!
Naifeh Fine Jewelry is located in Nichols Hills Plaza.
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Naifeh Fine Jewelry sponsor signage in front of a home on the 2025 OCMS Alliance Kitchen Tour.
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OCMS Alliance Kitchen Tour is coming to Nichols Hills Oct. 18
All are invited to join the Oklahoma County Medical Society Alliance’s Kitchen Tour on Sunday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Now in its 34th year, the Alliance Kitchen Tour raises funds for health-focused organizations serving Oklahoma County. The 2026 tour proceeds are to be donated to three local nonprofit beneficiaries: Magdalene House OKC, Healthy Schools Oklahoma and OCMS Alliance Community Service. Event details and tickets are available online at ocmsalliance.org. Five homes in and around the Nichols Hills neighborhood will be featured on the tour, showcasing a variety of designs – from modern Mediterranean to traditional grandeur to the best cabana living to golf course homes with amazing views of Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. The five kitchens showcased on the tour are: • Candi and Don Bullard’s home at 7007 Nichols Rd. • Laynie and Reese Travis’ home at 6902 Avondale Dr. • Ashton and Jeff Cook’s home at 2612 Guilford Lane. • Erin and Justin Cowan’s home at 6514 N. Hillcrest Ave. • Tom Travis’ home at 6710 N. Country Club Dr. 6 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
2026 Alliance Kitchen Tour coChairman Evie Holzer and Margo Ward greet guests to the 2025 Alliance Kitchen Tour.
Culinary Kitchen is also a tour stop, offering food demonstrations, tasty samples and all of their kitchen and tabletop goods for sale. As another part of the tour experience, visitors can purchase raffle tickets to win a piece of jewelry generously donated by Naifeh Fine Jewelry. The piece was custom designed specifically for the Kitchen Tour event. “This is an enjoyable and meaningful event, and we couldn’t do it without such strong community support,” said Kitchen Tour Co-chairman Evie Holzer. “Not only do our friends and neighbors support us with their attendance every year, but also we have the most amazing local businesses contributing to the experience.” “Culinary Kitchen has been a longtime partner, selling tickets and as a fun tour day stop, and this is the third year Valerie Naifeh has designed and donated jewelry, which really boosts our fundraising capacity,” added Kitchen Tour Co-Chairman Ashley Farrow. “We also have the best sponsors and advertisers who have supported our event year after year. We are so grateful.” Before the event, tickets are available at Culinary Kitchen, located at 7222 N. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City, and online at ocmsalliance.org. Jewelry raffle tickets are available for purchase prior to the event at Naifeh Fine Jewelry in Nichols Hills Plaza. Event tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at any of the homes.
A map details the locations of the five homes on the OCMSA’s 34th Annual Kitchen Tour.
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About the 2026 Alliance Kitchen Tour’s beneficiaries: Magdalene House OKC helps women heal from their past and find hope in their future by providing an intensive, two-year residential program for those leaving prison. The organization's five-bedroom home houses up to eight women at a time. Residents receive life skills training and group and individual therapy sessions. “Being selected as a recipient of this year's Alliance Kitchen Tour is an incredible honor for Magdalene House OKC,” said Shannon Hartsock, Magdalene House OKC executive director. “As a small nonprofit, opportunities like this provide invaluable visibility and introduce our mission to people who may not have otherwise known about the life-changing work taking place within our home. Every dollar raised directly impacts the women we serve, allowing us to continue providing safe housing, trauma-informed care, and the resources they need to build healthy, independent lives.”
Healthy Schools Oklahoma – led by Bethany Children’s Health Center – promotes and maintains healthy lifestyle choices statewide through preventive, community-based school health education programs for students, families and faculty. “The funds raised through the 2026 Kitchen Tour will directly support Healthy Schools’ mission to promote health in Oklahoma elementary schools,” said Lindsi Lemons, community development director of Healthy Schools Oklahoma. “The funding will help expand programs, provide physical education and health supplies and resources and increase access to initiatives that promote overall student wellness. Every dollar raised helps us reach more schools, empower more students and build healthier communities for the future.”
OCMS Alliance Community Service is powered by volunteers who lead the organization’s donation of funds, goods and services to nonprofits located in Oklahoma County all year. “As the president of the OCMS Alliance and a Nichols Hills resident, I love seeing our organization and my neighbors come together to raise money for health-related nonprofits in our community,” said Lauri Gormley, OCMS Alliance president and Kitchen Tour volunteer. “Whether you come for design inspiration or simply a fun day with friends, you make a meaningful difference when you come to the Kitchen Tour.” 8 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
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These two homes on the golf course are included in the OCMS Alliance’s 34th Annual Kitchen Tour set for Oct. 18.
About OCMS Alliance: OCMS Alliance is an organization consisting of physicians’ spouses and physicians. Part of their mission is to “assist local nonprofits that meet a healthrelated need within Oklahoma County,” and the Kitchen Tour supports this mission. “Serving with the Alliance is extraordinarily rewarding because every effort goes directly toward uplifting local health and wellness organizations in OKC,” said Elyse Bradley, OCMS Alliance member and Kitchen Tour volunteer. “The Kitchen Tour highlights the very best of our neighborhood: neighbors supporting neighbors to create lasting change. It’s an honor to be a part of an effort that brings people together for such an important cause.” “What makes this event so special is the collaboration behind it. Homeowners, designers, volunteers, sponsors, advertisers and local businesses all come together with a shared purpose: investing in a healthier, stronger community. It’s inspiring to see so many people generously give their time and talents to make a lasting impact,” said Margo Ward, OCMS Alliance member and Kitchen Tour volunteer. To join the OCMS Alliance and for more information about the organization and the Kitchen Tour, go to ocmsalliance.org. 10 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
For tour tickets, scan QR Code.
Kitchen renovations are high on many homeowners' to-do lists, and there's many decisions to make once they commit to redoing the room.
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Kitchen countertops matter!
Kitchens are the busiest rooms in most homes. Kitchens have become more than just places to prepare meals, with many functioning as gathering spaces and even go-to dining spots in homes that do not feature formal dining rooms. So much time spent in the kitchen makes it worthwhile to invest in these popular spaces. Kitchen renovations are high on many homeowners' to-do lists, and there's many decisions to make once they commit to redoing the room. When renovating a kitchen, homeowners will have to choose which countertop material they want to install, and the following rundown of popular options can help simplify that decision.
Quartz Quartz is considered a low-maintenance and durable countertop material. The home improvement experts at This Old House note that quartz countertops are typically 94 percent ground quartz and now come with an honed, sandblasted or embossed treatment, which makes them appealing to homeowners with varying ideas on the ideal look of a kitchen countertop. Quartz can crack if it's not handled properly, and edges and corners can chip over time. Rounded edges can minimize the risk of chipping. Costs vary by location and product
Kitchen countertops can define how the room looks, and homeowners have many options to choose from when designing a new kitchen.
availability, but quartz typically costs about the same as natural stone. Granite Consumer Reports notes that no two slabs of granite are the same, and that uniqueness has long appealed to homeowners. Tests run by Consumer Reports found that heat, cuts and scratches did not harm granite, though this material, like quartz, can crack around edges and corners. Granite is a durable material that, if properly maintained, can last several decades. Granite also is nonporous, which makes it resistant to bacteria. Laminate Laminate countertops appeal to budgetfriendly homeowners and Consumer Reports notes that they're easy to install. Home Depot also notes that laminate countertops come in a wide range of colors, textures and designs. Laminate countertops also are durable, which helps budget-conscious homeowners stretch their dollars even further. Laminate countertops are easily maintained, though it's also easy to permanently damage them with knives, so Consumer Reports recommends always using a cutting board when preparing meals on laminate. OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine | 11
Kitchens are where families tend to congregate during holiday celebrations, and many a child has tackled their homework as mom or dad prepares dinner just a few steps away.
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Modern kitchens are visual marvels
It's well-documented that kitchens are the most popular rooms in many homes. Kitchens are where families tend to congregate during holiday celebrations, and many a child has tackled their homework as mom or dad prepares dinner just a few steps away. Whether homeowners are planning a full scale remodel or a few tweaks to update the room, the following are three popular features of modern kitchens.
1. Kitchen island A recent survey from interior design experts found that kitchen islands are popular for a variety of reasons. Fifty-eight percent of respondents indicated they enjoy eating at kitchen islands, while 49 percent reported they like islands for entertaining. Forty-five percent of respondents like socializing around kitchen islands. Islands provide a versatile functionality that comes in handy when preparing meals on typical weeknights and when hosting friends and family on special occa12 | OKC FRIDAY Community Magazine
sions like the holidays and birthdays. Islands come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be customized to fit just about any space. Mobile islands can be utilized in small kitchens when homeowners want the extra prep space but think the kitchen would be too cramped if a permanent island were added. 2. Deep sink The popularity of farmhouse style sinks is proof that large and deep sinks are sought-after among today's homeowners. Farmhouse sinks may be best suited to a particular aesthetic, but a 2021 study from the National Association of Home Builders found that side-by-side double sinks and walk-in pantries were the most popular of 30 listed kitchen features. That study surveyed more than 3,200 recent and prospective home buyers. Deep sinks are especially useful for people who love to cook, making them a solid addition to any kitchen where home chefs ply their trade most nights of the week.
3. Storage As the NAHB study indicated, kitchen storage space is sought after among modern homeowners. As home cooks expand their culinary horizons and cook more elaborate meals, they need extra places to store specialty pots and pans, ingredients and other materials. Homeowners looking to add more storage in the kitchen can consult with a local contractor about how to create such space. A walk-in pantry can do the trick, but homeowners with kitchens where space is more limited may need to get a little more creative. Sliding-door pantries and roll-out shelving in existing cabinets can add functional space in kitchens with close quarters. Modern kitchens are visual marvels and highly functional spaces. A new island, a deep sink and some extra storage space can help home‐ owners transform their existing kitchens into spaces that cater to their every need.
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Cindy Curley and Ryan Johnson are the faces behind Norwalk Norwalk Furniture is a unique collaboration between two talented designers, Cindy Curley and Ryan Johnson, who have shared their immaculate design expertise with clients for more than two decades. Their clientele expects the exquisite and the team at Norwalk is dedicated to delivering just that. Curley and Johnson strive to give each client unique, personalized solutions to their design needs, whether they’re simply replacing a rug or redesigning an entire home. Curley enjoys the design process and feels that breathing new life into a living space can be as simple as making one wellthought-out tweak. “I think a pair of ottomans you can tuck in front of a fireplace or under a console table provides function and whimsy,” Curley says. Johnson agrees. “Every home is unique, and every client is unique,” he says. “They all bring different aesthetics. But I have things that I always love – things I gravitate toward. Every room needs something Asian. It transcends styles and kind of gives the room some interest. I always lean toward tailored textiles. For instance, a pinstripe will go with anything without being stuffy.” Johnson said part of design is like solving a puzzle, while Curley embraces the fashion-forward nature of interior design. Every piece of furniture offered by Norwalk is custom, made unique by that magical chemistry that can only occur when talented designers and imaginative clientele come together and create as they do every single day under the guidance of Curley and Johnson.
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CINDY CURLEY
RYAN JOHNSON
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