Inspired Living Omaha

A N O M A H A W O R L D - H E R A L D P U B L I C AT I O N

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 INSPIREDLIVINGOMAHA.COM

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inspiredlivingomaha.com  3

enriching human connections in a memorable way

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

VOL. 13 NO. 5 Editor-in-Chief Chris Christen 402-444-1094 Chris.Christen@owh.com Creative Director/Designer Heidi Thorson 402-444-1351 hthorson@owh.com Photo Imaging Specialist Patricia “Murphy” Benoit

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ROEDER MORTUARIES

Family Owned for 100 years

Content Contributors Pat Waters, Kurt A. Keeler, Kim Carpenter, Danielle Herzog, Mark Eckstrom, Mikal Eckstrom, Meghann Schense, Jessica Luna, Stacy Ideus, Amy LaMar, Amy Grace Photography Contributors Heather & Jameson, Jeffrey Bebee, Tin Box Pictures, Daniel Johnson On the Cover Photo: Jeffrey Bebee Antique Show Preview, page 20 Custom Publishing Ad Manager Dan Matuella 402-444-1485 dmatuella@owh.com Advertising Sales Manager Carrie Kentch 402-444-1448 Carrie.Kentch@owh.com Account Representatives Cathleen Vanhauer 402-444-1209 Cathleen.Vanhauer@owh.com Sofia Maravi 402-444-1442 Sofia.Maravi@owh.com

Putting your family first.

There’s no mistaking it - every family has qualities you recognize in an instant. It’s the same with Roeder Mortuary. Since Theodore Roeder founded the business with his sons, to the third and fourth generations today, we’re a close-knit team of professionals sharing a commitment to personalized service that puts your family first.

It’s our family helping yours, for 100 years.

Please contact us at any of our convenient locations or visit us online.

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Events Manager Tam Webb 402-444-3125 Tam.Webb@owh.com

1314 Douglas St., Suite 600 Omaha, NE 68102 402-444-1094 Inspired Living Omaha (ISSN 23795948) is a publication of the Omaha World-Herald. ©2015, Omaha World-Herald Co. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the specific written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed by those interviewed are their own. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information, no responsibility can be accepted by the publisher for content, opinions or practices, or how the information herein is used. All materials submitted, including but not limited to images, logos and text that appear, are assumed to be the original work of the provider, and the publisher is not responsible for unintentional copyright infringement.

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E D I TO R ' S N OT E

KEEP UP WITH US

KURT A. KEELER

Follow our social media feeds for behind the scenes sneak peeks, local finds and inspiration.

CHRIS CHRISTEN editor-in-chief

TIMELY TALES Former Husker recruiting ambassador Elliott Bottorf

FUN FACT Chris dreams of a garden with more flowers than weeds.

stepped in at the last minute to help us

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE A "Zen-sational" home addition.

guy but we were taken aback (in a good

with a photo feature on luxury watches (page 46). We knew he was a style-minded way) when he showed up on location with half of his personal wardrobe.

READERS, PLEASE TELL US: What's your favorite holiday tradition? Email me at chris.christen@owh.com or write to1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha NE 68102

“I wasn’t sure what you wanted,” he told us as he launched into a show-and-tell that included custom cufflinks with his initials (his business brand), pocket squares (what color do you want?) and a burgundy velvet sports jacket (shut the door!).

Elliott’s dandy threads left stylist Meghann Schense wide-eyed and overjoyed. Our next surprise? Elliott’s favorite finds are from H&M and the Dillard’s clearance outlet in Council Bluffs.

Now for the rest of the story: Our original pick for the modeling gig backed out at the last minute, convinced that my invitation – extended weeks prior – was a practical joke. He may have been a deadringer for actor Michael Landon (you know,

Little Joe Cartwright on “Bonanza”), but I’ll bet he doesn’t own a rad velvet jacket.

On location I could see that Hearth Cigars & Pipes owner Anthony Erickson is a man with vision. An optician, he switched careers in January, wooed by a decade of his own enjoyment of fine pipe tobacco.

Like Elliott, Anthony’s urban sportsman style complements his premium brand.

The day we met, he was wearing a polo shirt, jeans, cowboy boots and an ostrich belt with a custom-made silver buckle branded with a family crest that brands Hearth as well. On his wrist, a handsome Tissot. Time for another? Perhaps. He was eyeing one that we had on hand.

Quite by accident, time is a reoccurring theme in this issue. Check out new fashions that hint of days gone by, page 38; a found object installation that came together in 10 meticulous hours, page 50; a prairie retreat with reclaimed wood from a tired Nebraska barn; and a family’s weeklong vacation (that would me mine!) to Rocky Mountain National Park, page 60.

Until next time,

Chris Christen editor-in-chief

6 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

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inspiredlivingomaha.com 7

CONTRIBUTORS

HEIDI THORSON

KURT A. KEELER

CARRIE KENTCH

FUN FACT Heidi shaved her head in 7th grade so she could see her hair at every possible length and decide which she liked best.

FUN FACTS Kurt delights in maintaining a 4-acre yard. He's going blind proofreading small print.

FUN FACT Carrie claims she has exhausted her fun facts. "There is no more fun in me.

I've given it all away."

CATHY VANHAUER

photographer & copy editor

advertising account manager

advertising account executive

advertising account executive

SOFIA MARAVI

MEGAN GUENTHER

FUN FACTS Cathy keeps a stash of candy orange slices at her desk. Creates scarf envy with her personal style.

FUN FACT Sofia was born in Peru. She has lived in California, Texas and New York City (twice).

FUN FACT Obsessive list maker who sometimes includes an already-completed task just to cross it off and feel productive.

CRISTINA BYRNE

CHRISTINA IHNKEN event coordinator

advertising account executive

FUN FACTS Took her first steps at Thomas Jefferson's home in Monticello. Serves as production manager for local horror film, "ENDOR."

FUN FACTS Christina is an ice hockey fan (Go Lancers!). Married to a Star Wars stormtrooper.

FUN FACTS Avid foodie; loves a great glass of red wine. Enlivens her spaces with fresh-cut flowers.

sales assistant

8  SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

advertising account executive

EMILY MARTIN

PHOTO CREDITS: DAN THORSON PHOTOGRAPHY, KURT A. KEELER, REBECCA S. GRATZ, HEIDI THORSON, HEATHER & JAMESON, JEFFREY BEBEE, TIN BOX PICTURES, STACIE IDEUS

creative director & designer

THE ECKSTROMS

PAT WATERS

JEFFREY BEBEE

FUN FACTS Mikal has never lost a game of "Clue."

Mark loves karaoke; his specialty at the mic? Burt Bacharach and Meatloaf.

FUN FACT Her year-old Boston terrier rescue is named for her great uncle, Henry "Pudge" Bennett.

FUN FACTS Jeffrey travels with a ladder and owns one of the tallest tripods known to man.

When fully extended it is 9'10".

DAN JOHNSON

MEGHANN SCHENSE

writers & stylists

photographer

copy editor & writer

fashion stylist

photographer

TIN BOX PICTURES photographers

FUN FACT Dan has a tendency to whistle, badly, to new wave music.

FUN FACT Fresh off Omaha Fashion Week; takes in New York Fashion Week in September.

HEATHER + JAMESON

JESSICA LUNA

KALI RAHDER

FUN FACTS Formerly known as Hooton Images.

Heather and Jameson used a film camera for our Threads feature.

FUN FACTS Midtown apartment dweller; container gardener; foodie.

FUN FACT Colorist to the adventurous.

Lover of retro 'dos.

STACY IDEUS

DANIELLE HERZOG

KIM CARPENTER

FUN FACT Stacy's 10-month-old isn't crawling yet, but is practicing. She's eating with her fingers, too. And Dad hates it.

FUN FACT A dog's bite took off part of her lip & required plastic surgery to repair. When she wears lipstick, you can see the scar.

FUN FACTS Kim did her dissertation on Bavarian beer history. Gets lost even with guidance from a GPS.

photographers

diy writer

fashion stylist

writer

FUN FACTS Vivian & Jordan cook lunch every Wednesday night for their staff. Jordan's newest venture: building furniture.

hair & makeup stylist

writer & copy editor

inspiredlivingomaha.com  9

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER HOMESPIRATION 20 | Antique Show Preview DESIGN DONE RIGHT 12 | Prairie Retreat SPECIAL PROMOTION 18 | Experience Local THE PROJECT DIARIES 36 | Office Add-On THREADS 38 | Time Travel AU COURANT 46 | Watches for Him PROFILE 50 | Five Artists to Watch HOST 56 | Big Red Wines

PHOTO: TIN BOX PICTURES

THE DISH 58 | Peach Tartlet DESTINATION 60 | Colorado Rockies

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D ES I G N D O N E R I G H T

Reclaimed barnwood brings warm glow to weekend escape.

STORY DANIELLE HERZOG PHOTOGRAPHY JEFFREY BEBEE

I

nspired by the warmth of familiar Colorado log cabins, Omahans Ron and Jeanie Carson set out to create a cozy vacation retreat close to home. The biggest advantage? More frequent getaways and longer stays.

The Carsons built west of Ron's hometown of Tekamah, Nebraska, on 160 rural acres they've enjoyed for outdoor recreation since 1990.

Construction of their four-bedroom lodge-style home got underway in 2013 and was wrapped up by August 2014, just in time for the fall hunting season.

The property, which has timber and a pond, affords the Carsons, their three young adult children and extended family the opportunity to enjoy fourwheeling, fishing and skeet shooting.

The Carsons also use their getaway home (which sleeps 12) for client entertaining and special events. Ron is founder and CEO of Carson Wealth Management Group and Jeanie is president of The Dreamweaver Foundation. (continued on page 15)

12  SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Custom rebar railings sculpted to look like tree branches.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  13

A pool table that converts to a dining table in seconds.

14  SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

(continued from page 12)

Jeanie and Ron envisioned a rustic but elegant loftstyle retreat. They turned to Libby Pantzlaff of Creative Interiors by Libby, who had done other interior projects for them, to fulfill their dream.

For signature design elements, Libby proposed using reclaimed wood from Nebraska barns and custom hardware hand-punched by an artisan blacksmith.

Mark Ludlow, owner of Ludlow Barnwood, was called in for the interior components. The Elkhorn-based craftsman specializes in custom wood furniture and wall treatments. He used hand-selected wood, painstakingly reclaimed from area barns that he has pulled down and dismantled, plank by plank.

Five types of wood, including Douglas fir ship lap siding from a granary in Murray, Nebraska, went into the Carsons’ hearth room.

“Each board represents a piece of Nebraska history,’’ Mark says. “And now that history is part of the story of this house.”

Libby says the home is “a place where you can hang your hunting or fishing hat at the end of the day and relax into the evening.”

“We were so excited that we could create a place our children would want to come to ... a place to escape from the city,” says Jeanie. “We have that and love it.”

And their guests’ reaction?

“People tell us they have never seen anything like it.”

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Loft bedroom with new-made-to-look-old barn doors on authentic turn-of-the-century sliding tracks.

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inspiredlivingomaha.com 17

From left: John LaRandeau, Laura Baumgart, Jerri Fisher, Chris VanHorn, John Wattjes, Linda Potter, Jeff Bothwell, Jeff Meyerink, Cody Bartels.

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hen it’s time to take life outdoors, Watkins is your one-stop resource for rock-solid inspiration, materials and installation guidance. It all starts with a visit to the Watkins designer showroom where you can see and touch hundreds of product samples for that dream project – large or small. Have an idea but unsure of where to begin or what materials will be best? No worries.

The sales team – with 140 years of combined experience – will gladly educate you as you go. “You don’t need to know the products. We’ll walk you through the steps and guide you through the process,’’ says general manager John LaRandeau.

“We’re even happy to suggest solutions to projects that don’t involve our products. Our goal is to help you fulfill your needs.’’ Customer satisfaction is paramount, from your initial contact with Watkins to delivery and installation of the products you choose. Watkins’ commitment to an expansive inventory minimizes delays in product availability and means that your material selections will likely be on hand when you’re ready to order, says LaRandeau. “It’s a pride point knowing that Watkins, through product demand, is helping to employ thousands of Nebraskans.” Longevity runs thick here – much like the stone, block and brick in a Watkins landscape.

WATKINS

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inspiredlivingomaha.com  19

H O M ES P I R AT I O N

Sip a mimosa and browse to your heart's content. Annual show in the garden welcomes shoppers and dreamers alike.

STORY CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOGRAPHY JEFFREY BEBEE, KURT A. KEELER AND TIN BOX PICTURES

D

iscovery awaits in three days of shopping, two celebrated designers and one animated French chef during the Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden Show, Sept. 24-27.

The show’s volunteer committee has been working all year to dazzle casual and devoted collectors alike. It also has been focused on attracting non-collectors for a day of enjoyment in the gardens amid 17th-century to midcentury treasures from more than 30 dealers nationwide.

“Come and find what inspires you,” encourages general chair Alison O’Neill.

A Friday luncheon with lifestyles entrepreneur India Hicks, daughter of celebrated designer David Hicks, and a Saturday champagne brunch with "Million Dollar Decorators" star and designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard are among the show's special events with reservations open to the public.

Sunday is Members Day at the garden, 100 Bancroft St., with complimentary champagne and mimosas (while supplies last). A highlight of the show's final day will be a French-themed luncheon and cooking demonstration with Omaha Chef Cedric Fichepain. Reservations, $30, include show admission and a chance to view the new conservatory and the “Gardens Gone Wild” sculpture exhibition.

“That’s a pretty amazing way to spend a Sunday,” says O’Neill. “The bonus is that you just might walk away with an antique purchase that finds a special place in your home and brings you back next year.”

Daily Antique Academy sessions offer opportunities to educate yourself, too. Or just strike up conversations with dealers as you browse their offerings. "They love questions," O'Neill says. “Every item has a story. That’s what makes the experience fun.”

20 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

• SHOW EXTRAS

SHOPPING INSPIRATION Fine furnishings, art, architectural remnants, estate jewelry – it's all coming to Omaha’s Botanical Center for the 12th annual antique and garden show. This page and opposite page, a sampling of what you can expect to find in more than 30 dealer displays.

Floral design by Blooms, Rockbrook Village.

• A patron preview party on Thursday with an opportunity to shop the show ahead of the general public.

• Sunday appraisal clinics for attendees seeking an estimated value on up to three items. $15 per five-minute session.

Reservations encouraged.

• Antique Academy presentations by dealers each day of the show.

• Discovery passes ranging from $15 daily to $300 for an allinclusive weekend. omahaantiqueshow.org

inspiredlivingomaha.com 21

H O M ES P I R AT I O N

Old meets new and beautiful things happen.

Ornate 17th-century candlesticks with contemporary neon tapers? Brilliant!

Put them in an equally surprising display and the juxtaposition will leave you thinking you could never be so creative or bold. Here, we illustrate the art of the mix found in homes of enthusiasts of the Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden Show.

CLEARLY COMPATIBLE A mid-19th-century Biedermeier mahogany bureau meets a vintage acrylic chair

by Plexi-Craft. Partnering up: Vintage marble obelisks; Fornasetti paperweight calendar (1965) and “Julia” box with tribal tattoos; vintage Murano Ercole Barovier & Toso bud vase; Fontana Arte trinket dish; and a modern art notepad from rsvpnotes.com. Artwork: Untitled photograph (2002)

by Brian Finke; abstract acrylic painting on Masonite (1964), artist unknown; black pen drawing by Jean Cocteau (French, 1889-1963); modern abstract stone sculpture (1995), Fred Schumm.

PHOTO: KURT A. KEELER

22 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

The Shops of Legacy 16939 Wright Plaza 402.557.6100 garmentdistrictomaha.com

Countryside Village 8711 Countryside Plaza 402.934.2111 gramercyomaha.com PHOTO: JEFFREY BEBEE

HANDSOME & DEBONAIR The star of this vignette is a Wright & Mansfield English ebonized and fruitwood inlaid writing table, circa 1860. The Italian paint-decorated chair has animal heads carved in the armrests and back. Both were purchased from Richard Rumi & Co. The 19th-century Delft tulipiere is from Zane Moss Antiques Ltd.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  23

A CONVERSATION STARTER When guests come for dinner, mix and match your china for fun. These Royal Worcester dessert plates and servers are from Katherine Walker Griffith Antiques.

Floral design this page and opposite page by Kyle Robino.

PHOTO: JEFFREY BEBEE

24  SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

"Palampore" by Bennison Fabrics

DEAR FRIEND, PLEASE STAY

PHOTO: JEFFREY BEBEE

For a guest bedroom, a late-18th-century Northern Italian desk from Sebasky & Hildreth provides a welcoming touch in a nook with a garden view. The picture frames (visible in our cover photo) are Italian Millefiori mosaic, inlaid with a daisy pattern, circa 1920, and French Ormolu, from about the same time period. The candelabra (also on the cover) is a graceful companion to the fabric wallcovering.

Find similar styles at the Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden Show, Sept. 24-27.

inspiredlivingomaha.com  25

RUSTIC ELEGANCE A 17th-century Louis-Philippe silver leaf mirror and a painted Italian commode from Mignon’s Collectibles brighten a hallway. The copper fish poacher is 17thcentury French from Fermette Antiques.

PHOTO: JEFFREY BEBEE

26 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Floral design by Kyle Robino.

Inspiration, Innovation & Design Ideas

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With design services that range from furniture selection, arrangement, color and fabric coordination to window coverings and accessories, our talented designers will help you transform your home into a fitting expression of your style … at prices you’re going to love!

Call: 402-255-6327 for an appointment with one of our designers. ©2015 Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.

H O M ES P I R AT I O N

Globe-trotting, A-list decorator brings his eclectic style to Omaha.

STORY CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MARTYN LAWRENCE BULLARD DESIGN

W

here in the world is Martyn Lawrence Bullard?

Instagram is sure to provide a clue. The day I connected with this #designeronthego, he was at his design headquarters in Los Angeles, having arrived a day earlier via private jet. “Not mine, a client’s,” the droll London-born designer, author and television personality replied when I asked about his hashtag, #havejetwilltravel.

The star of Bravo's "Million Dollar Decorators" comes to Omaha for a guest appearance at the Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden Show, Sept. 24-27. As a primer, the multifaceted designer of fabrics, wallpaper, furniture, jewelry and clothing discusses (yes, he has a dreamy British accent) his life's passions, jet lag and chillin' in the desert.

NO TWO DAYS ARE ALIKE, to be sure. The Friday we chatted, Bullard's agenda included a meeting with his staff (he also has offices in New York and London); a visit to his fabric and wallpaper design workroom; and a video shoot with super model and

newly published author Beverly Johnson for a “fashion meets interior design” TV segment. By day’s end, Bullard would be in Palm Springs for a relaxing weekend with the love of his life, Daisy, a fluffy Wheaten Terrier.

BULLARD LOGGED more than 2 million air miles in 2014. Between now and his trip to Omaha, he’ll ricochet between Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, London, Ireland, New York and Miami.

HE NEVER TRAVELS WITHOUT a small pima cotton Scandia Down pillow personalized with fabric trim from the MLB collection.

HE FIGHTS JET LAG while flying by sleeping and eating in sync with the time zone of his destination. But he admits, “I do have an amazing doctorprescribed natural pill that helps me adjust to time changes.”

invited Bullard to decorate his office.

A chance meeting at a wedding put Bullard to work decorating a fantasy villa for supermodel Cheryl Tiegs and BAM! He began to build a celebrity clientele. In 2011, Bravo came knocking. Other TV projects have followed.

BULLARD DOESN'T JUST DESIGN FOR A-LISTERS, he also lives like a star. His main house is in posh Hollywood Hills. He has a “little place” in London and currently is looking for an apartment in New York.

TO KICK BACK, he heads for his desert oasis. “Palm Springs is my new passion. It’s completely, utterly chilled out. It has this very, very easy lifestyle. I fly in for as many weekends as possible.”

HIS FITNESS ROUTINE includes a daily swim and foot travel whenever possible. "When I'm in New York, I walk wherever I can instead of taking a taxi cab."

HE LEFT LONDON for L.A. in 1994 aspiring to be an actor – not a designer. A film producer, impressed by the decor of Bullard's home, Gray and lavender, a combo Bullard loves.

28 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

BULLARD'S DECORATING TALENT keeps him consistently ranked among the world’s top interior designers and on the pages of leading design magazines, including Architectural Digest, Elle Décor and Luxe Interiors.

LOOKING AHEAD Interiors are brightening. “People are being more adventurous with color.”

Ocean blue, burnt red and yellow saffron are happy examples. He’s betting on emerald to trend strongly in 2016.

HIS STYLE AS A DECORATOR AND DESIGNER is bold and adventurous, often inspired by his travels. “I love an eclectic mix.”

HIS FABRIC COLLECTIONS evolved from his work as an interior designer. “I came to have a handful of beautiful fabrics that I had designed for clients in order to achieve the look I wanted. Every few months, I would be designing a new fabric.

It became a passion.”

EVERY HOME NEEDS a dimmer switch and candlelight. “Also, a fragrant candle is a lovely way to personalize a home.

For me, it’s Signature Extraordinaire from my collection. My father always wore a sandalwood aftershave. The fragrance (of my candle) reminds me of him.’’

YOU’LL NEVER FIND "cigarettes, for sure," in his home. "I hate smoking." Manmade materials are met with similar distaste.

“I like pure, natural fibers for what they represent and how they feel. Linen, glazed cotton and silk velvet are a few favorites.”

HIS SINGLE WORST FETISH? Luggage.

“I have a special room just for my luggage.

Sometimes the luggage looks better than I do.”

HIS SIGNATURE ACCESSORIES: Jaunty ascots, pocket squares and rings.

WHAT HE KNOWS ABOUT OMAHA: “You have fabulous steaks. I received a box for Christmas!”

The luggage room (left) and his travel pillow (right).

inspiredlivingomaha.com 29

H O M ES P I R AT I O N

Free-spirited India Hicks talks about her 'gypsy life,' her thriving Caribbean-spiced lifestyle brand and the 'tribe' that is her family.

STORY CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF INDIA HICKS

“N

o day is very typical. I live a gypsy life,” India Hicks quips by phone from London – while watching her son compete in a school track meet.

Her location catches me by surprise.

I had envisioned her at Hibiscus Hill, her family's enclave in the Bahamas, sitting barefoot on the veranda with an adoring

30 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

dog and her daughter Domino nearby.

That scenario plays out, of course. But not this day.

Hicks commutes regularly between London, where her children are schooled and her mother lives, and Harbour Island, where she develops her brand and shares a 1960s plantation-style home with partner David Flint Wood, two dogs, two cats, five lovebirds, one tortoise. And five kids, affectionately known as her tribe.

Meanwhile back in London, she politely

excuses herself to snap one, two, maybe three photos of Conrad, 12, trying his luck at the high jump.

Things that moms do come first in her life. As for the rest? “I was born under a lucky star.”

When you’re “energetic and pretty bossy" and come from British and design royalty, you're in a good position to move the entrepreneurial needle.

A former model and best-selling author, Hicks is founder and creative director of

India Hicks Inc., a lifestyle brand that encourages women to live an extraordinary life.

In September, the daughter of famed decorator David Hicks has put Omaha on her agenda for a lecture and luncheon at the Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden Show.

After Conrad's track meet, Hicks would be off to a three-hour design meeting with her team via Skype and a late afternoon meet-up with three American friends at an English pub. Somewhere in between she would dash to the airport to pick up her teenage foster son, Wesley. Before day’s end, she would be using Skype again for an event planning meeting with a group of women in Dallas.

Knowing that her mother, Lady Pamela Hicks, was of royal descent, and her father was the most famous decorator of his day, I was dying to know: Was there a defining childhood moment when India sensed that her family led an extraordinary life?

“Not really. But I began to wonder when I realized other families did not have peacocks as pets," she says, amused.

Her heart found its home at Harbour Island “by way of my father’s remarkable home on a neighboring island. We spent holidays there when I was growing up.”

At Harbour Island her traditional British past and richly flavored Caribbean present entwine.

If you’re ever a guest at Hibiscus Hill, you’re sure to have a memorable meal. “But you should hope that I am not in the kitchen. I’m a horrible cook,” she says. She will, however, set an extraordinary table – typically in an unexpected spot – with candlelight, linens and tropical flowers.

One thing you’ll never find at home with India Hicks?

“Snobbism – at least that is what I would like to think.” A dimmer switch, on the other hand, is a given. “I can’t bear bright light.”

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inspiredlivingomaha.com 31

HER BRAND INSIGNIA

GETTY IMAGES

India

The scarab. “It’s my good luck beetle. It was an uninvited guest in my home that has brought me love, luck and happiness.”

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES “I was a complete tomboy as a child.”

To her mother’s horror, she cut her long locks just days before taking part in the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. A goddaughter of the prince, she has frequently served as a media commentator on royal happenings.

India with daughter Domino

ON BEING DAVID HICKS' DAUGHTER “My father obviously was the creative force behind every home we lived in. He decided the placement of every object.

My mother lived quietly and privately in the background with her books and tea.”

THE SECRET TO A SPLENDID CUP OF ENGLISH TEA “Preheat the teapot before you fill it with hot water for steeping your tea.”

EVERY HOME NEEDS “For me, a tribe of children and a dog. David would say paintings and books. It’s a good compromise.”

India's Love Token charms.

32 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

INDIA'S VICES Chocolate and Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts

Find your statement piece.

A home says a lot about a person.

With each piece, you’re telling a story. And at the Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden Show, there’s a little something for everyone. So, come look.

Come find. Discovery is waiting.

f ind what inspires you

SEPT 24-27 OmahaAntiqueShow.org inspiredlivingomaha.com 33

H O M ES P I R AT I O N

TEXT CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOGRAPHY JEFFREY BEBEE STYLING MARK ECKSTROM & MIKAL ECKSTROM

Drama. Intrigue. And a heady combo of antique and modern.

“What is important is not how valuable or inexpensive your objects are, but the care and feeling with which you arrange them.”

– DAVID HICKS, ENGLISH INTERIOR DECORATOR AND DESIGNER (1929-1998)

34 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

F

amed interior decorator David Hicks coined a term and gave us tablescapes, the artful arrangement of objects on a flat surface. The Englishman infused daring pattern, color and modern art into traditional interiors. In honor of daughter India Hicks’ appearance Sept. 25 at the Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden Show, we offer an ode to a man who commanded a room – both figuratively and literally. The star of this vignette: David Hicks’ chinoiserie wallpaper pattern, “The Vase,” courtesy of Clarence House.

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THE APPROACH Be bold. Hexagon and chinoiserie in the same room? Hicks was famous for it. To keep things from looking cluttered, work with a palette of graphic colors.

Think tall, fat and flat. Hicks placed artwork and table lamps high in order to draw the eye up, adding height to a room filled with low, elegant furnishings. Here, our stylists employ one tall item, one fat item and one flat item on the horizontal surface.

Mix multidimensional objects. Add artwork and hang it so that it's part of the scene. In our example, a modern decorative tile adds height and a pop of color to the right side of the table, while a lamp adds dimension and creates balanced symmetry.

“What great people to work with. Travis and his family are awesome and their product and service is first class. We love our new look kitchen.”

Renee, Omaha

Call today ffor your FREE iin-home h estimate.

402.884.9600

Layer tactically. A tray with a Greek Key border from Home Goods sits adjacent to an antique Japanese porcelain bowl that belonged to Mark Eckstrom’s grandmother and a porcelain Blanc de Chine foo dog draped with jade prayer beads. A short stack of books puts the lamp on the same plane as the modern tile art.

THE ELEMENTS Wallpaper. “The Vase” by David Hicks in charcoal.

Available in 24 colors, $182 per roll from Clarence House (clarencehouse.com). Three rolls of wallpaper were required for our 10-foot by 9-foot vignette. The wallpaper, with its 25-inch vertical and horizontal repeats, was installed by craftsman Mike Gillpatrick, who specializes in custom interior work.

Accessories. Nourison Ultima area rug in ivory/black, $519.99 ($878 retail), Nebraska Furniture Mart. Klismos-style chairs in tessellated stone by Maitland Smith from the 1980s.

The seats were re-covered by our stylists with a tonal gold Greek Key fabric, $17.50 per yard, from Hancock Fabrics.

Art tile by Susan Piazza, $550, from Lewis Art Gallery.

Unpainted furniture side table with a custom slipcover by Jeff Bliven of Drapery Express, $350 plus materials. The stylists used an emerald cotton canvas duck fabric, $7.05 per yard, from Online Fabric Store, and a 7/8” black grosgrain ribbon, 98 cents per yard, from MJ Trimming. Lamp, $29.99, Home Goods.

FOR THE WAY YOU LIKE TO LIVE L E T U S B E Y O U R I N S P I R AT I O N O N L I N E

INSPIREDLIVINGOMAHA.COM PHOTO: JEFFREY BEBEE

inspiredlivingomaha.com 35

T H E P ROJ ECT D I A R I ES THE PROJECT A home addition that would provide an office-studio for Stacy’s photography business and a two-car garage and workshop for Ryan.

THE PLAN Take full advantage of a double lot to add to the house, spiff up the landscaping and create beds for flower and vegetable gardens.

THE WORK Construction took 18 months with the homeowners, extended family members and neighbors doing 80 percent of the work. First, trees were removed. Next, the foundation was poured (that part was hired). Ryan, the couple’s fathers and an uncle framed the addition. Stacy bartered wedding photography for construction of the roof. Ryan’s best friend helped with the drywall installation.

THE DETOUR The couple tried to match the exterior brick but failed.

They ended up painting the entire house to unify the old and the new brick. Stacy was excited to paint and forged ahead despite becoming ill and having a 101-degree fever the first day.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE Waiting for work to be completed. “It seemed to take forever,” Stacy says. This summer, they concentrated on the landscaping.

Photographer gives herself a picture-perfect portrait studio.

TEXT STACY IDEUS with AMY LaMAR PHOTOGRAPHY JEFFREY BEBEE

This is the fifth installment in a six-part series on a 1960s Wahoo, Nebraska, home that has been in project mode since Stacy and Ryan Ideus became its owners four years ago. Stacy, a portrait photographer, designer and mom, is the creative force behind the home’s renovations.

Ryan, a banker and former drywall installer, brings his wife’s ideas to life with help from her contractor dad. Stacy chronicles their endeavors in a personal blog. In this series, we share room-by-room highlights – for dreamers and doers alike. See our previous installments at inspiredlivingomaha.com.

36 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

THE RESULT A bright, airy space for meeting clients, hosting events, taking photos and editing images. A garage door with glass panes lets natural light flood the room and serves as a gateway to the patio when weather permits. “It was well worth it to have such a gorgeous light-filled space,” Stacy says of the studio project.

THE THING SHE’D CHANGE While concrete floors are low maintenance and economical, she hopes one day to have wood floors. She also has her eye on a high-end wallpaper for accent.

THE PROJECT COST About $30,000.

THE UNEXPECTED BONUS Stacy became adept at cooking for large groups. “A lot of friends provided labor.” In exchange, Stacy kept them well-nourished and hydrated. “I was excited to have my own workplace separate from our house,” Stacy recalls of the move-in last April. Her studio ribbon cutting with the Wahoo Chamber of Commerce coincided with the fiveyear anniversary of her business.

Door color: Scarlett Sun, Valspar

inspiredlivingomaha.com  37

THREADS

PHOTOGRAPHY HEATHER & JAMESON ART DIRECTION HEIDI THORSON MERCHANDISE STYLING JESSICA LUNA HAIR & MAKEUP KALI RAHDER, VICTOR VICTORIA SALON & SPA MODEL ELI C., DEVELOP MODEL MANAGEMENT LOCATION OMAHA'S OLD MARKET

All aboard! Fashion is movin' back to the future.

They say that what goes around comes around.

Fashion does travel in circles. But lately, we’re wondering if it isn’t caught in the Bermuda Triangle. Millennials and Gen Xers can’t get enough of the styling influences of the past five decades.

As for Boomers, well, the bomber jacket isn’t going away anytime soon.

38 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Damee vest, $174 Eden Court swing jacket, $105 NJ & CO. NJANDCOMPANY.COM

BLK DNM dress, $598 Antonello clutch, $376 CHRISTEL’S CHRISTELSCLOTHING.COM

Multistrand necklace, $32 FRANCESCA’S FRANCESCAS.COM

Vintage gloves, $16 WEIRD WILD STUFF

FACEBOOK.COM/WEIRDWILDSTUFF

Sterling silver ring, $35 Hat, $20 PRETTY IN PATINA PRETTYINPATINA.COM

inspiredlivingomaha.com 39

40 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

(Opposite page) Taffeta skirt, $45 Crepe wrap blouse, $110 KLEVELAND CLOTHING KLEVELANDCLOTHING.COM

Crisscross belt, $18 Multistrand necklace, $18 Bar necklace, $18 Knot studs, $9 FRANCESCA’S FRANCESCAS.COM

La Terre Fashion satchel, $59 NJ & CO. NJANDCOMPANY.COM

(This page) Transit shirt, $310 Suede belt, $205 CHRISTEL’S

CHRISTELSCLOTHING.COM

Chanel earrings, $315 Fashion eyewear, $20 PRETTY IN PATINA PRETTYINPATINA.COM

Maliparmi vest, $675 NAN C. SHOPNANC.COM

Acid shorts, $49 TOGS SHOP-TOGS.COM

Joie suede boot, $375 THE MIX THEMIXSHOES.COM

inspiredlivingomaha.com 41

Modern sheath dress, $114 Sam Edelman sandal, $275 TOGS SHOP-TOGS.COM

Lareida silk print shirt, $398 CHRISTEL’S CHRISTELSCLOTHING.COM

Stone necklace, $37 NJ & CO. NJANDCOMPANY.COM

Baby Jane wristlet, $154 THE MIX THEMIXSHOES.COM

Burberry sunglasses, stylist’s own NEIMAN MARCUS NEIMANMARCUS.COM

Brunello Cucinelli scarf, $1,495 NAN C. SHOPNANC.COM

42 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Caribbean Queen crop top, $48 Speaker Box blazer, $180 TOGS SHOP-TOGS.COM

Vince leather skirt, $698 CHRISTEL’S CHRISTELSCLOTHING.COM

Maliparmi Pochette mirrored clutch, $265 NAN C. SHOPNANC.COM

Pura Lopez pump, $284 THE MIX THEMIXSHOES.COM

Fashion watch, $24 Gold bracelet, $18 FRANCESCA’S FRANCESCAS.COM

Silver drop earrings, $9.99 PRETTY IN PATINA PRETTYINPATINA.COM

inspiredlivingomaha.com 43

Nili Cami maxi dress, $488 ATM crew neck tee, $82 Leather jacket, $890 CHRISTEL’S CHRISTELSCLOTHING.COM

Sunglasses, $9 WEIRD WILD STUFF Plaid shirt, $38 Choker, $18 Clear bead necklace, $32 U-plate necklace, $24 Hat, $28 FRANCESCA’S FRANCESCAS.COM

Hand-painted sling bag, $50 KLEVELAND CLOTHING KLEVELANDCLOTHING.COM

44 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

HIGH ON HIGH FASHION

“I never had a dream to start a store,” luxury womenswear retailer Nancy Heller offers. It was her late husband, Jim, who planted that seed. “You’re an entrepreneur,” he told her in 1982. His employer’s bonus that year would help her establish Nan C. and make fine Italian clothing her niche.

“I was so scared,” Nancy recalls of her first buying trip to Milan.

Here’s a look at the Nan C. collection through the years as featured in a soon-to-be-released soft cover 30th anniversary retrospective inspired on a nostalgic buying trip to Italy earlier this year. Can you match the styles with the decades?

1

Fall Collection NOW IN! featuring

Damee Jackets and Lisette Pants CLOTHING

|

DECOR

|

GIFTS

402-502-1962 | Legacy West | 17650 Wright Street Stay updated with our newest items by visiting:

facebook.com/njandcompany

2

Make it memorable.

ANSWERS: 1. 1990s, Ensembles, please. 2. 1980s, Slouchy style. 3. 2000s, Separates rule.

This isn’t just another night – it’s an experience.

So make it your own.

Make this summer yours when you shop at our more than 60 specialty shops & restaurants.

3 168th & W Dodge Rd | 402.505.9773 VillagePointeShopping.com inspiredlivingomaha.com 45

AU CO U R A N T

A luxury watch for him. Eye candy? You bet!

PHOTOGRAPHY TIN BOX PICTURES ART DIRECTION HEIDI THORSON STYLIST MEGHANN SCHENSE MODEL ELLIOTT BOTTORF LOCATION HEARTH CIGARS & PIPES, OMAHA

NEWLY RELEASED 10-year-old Soldier Valley “William H. Nuckolls” Signature Rye Whiskey from Patriarch Distillers in La Vista, Nebraska

46 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

You can be sure that men look at each other’s watches.

“I take notice. I give compliments,” says Elliott Bottorf, a stylesavvy brand and marketing entrepreneur based in Omaha.

Anthony Erickson, owner of Hearth Cigars & Pipes, says the same for himself. “I’m a watch guy.” When customers linger in his premium tobacco shop, a luxury watch on a wrist will be part of the conversation. “Always,” Anthony says. On his wrist: A Tissot given to him 12 years ago by his wife, Julie. As Anthony observes: “You may not be able to afford a Porsche. But a luxury watch? Absolutely accessible.”

(Opposite page) Luminox, Swiss diving watch, $625 SCHEELS SCHEELS.COM

Stainless steel satin band, $288 GUNDERSON’S JEWELRY GUNDERSONS.COM

Patch pocket leather blazer, $1,165 OVERLAND OVERLAND.COM

Scarf, model's own

(Above, left) Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, 18K yellow gold and stainless steel, $13,400 Sterling silver lava stone bracelet, $129 GUNDERSON’S JEWELRY GUNDERSONS.COM

(Above, right) Tissot T Racer chronograph with date, $650 Anodized titanium ring, $179 GUNDERSON’S JEWELRY GUNDERSONS.COM

Heather blue leather bomber, $435 OVERLAND OVERLAND.COM

inspiredlivingomaha.com 47

CHILLIN’ When it’s time to hang out and relax, follow InspiredOmaha on Spotify and link up to this smokin’ hot playlist. Cigars optional.

“Barcelona Nights” Ottmar Liebert “A-Flat” Black Violin “Sympathique” Pink Martini “The Way You Look Tonight” Cassandra Wilson “See Me As I Am” Terence Blanchard “Monochrome” The Sundays “Pourtant” Cyrille Aimée “Juste une raison encore” Patrick Fiori “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” Meghan Trainor & John Legend “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” Rufus Wainwright

48 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Rolex Celini Prince, 18K rose gold, alligator strap, $17,000.

GUNDERSON’S JEWELRY GUNDERSONS.COM

Model’s own wardrobe

S I M P LY D I S T I N C T I V E Ann Taylor | Anthropologie | Borsheims | Christian Nobel Furs | Evereve | Francesca’s Collections | Garbo’s Salon & Spa | Learning Express Toys LOFT | Parsow’s Fashions | Pottery Barn | Pottery Barn Kids | Rhylan Lang | The Linen Gallery | Tilly | White House|Black Market | Williams-Sonoma DINING: Bonefish Grill | Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar | Paradise Bakery & Cafe

HOME TO

Mon-Fri 10am-8pm | Sat 10am-7pm | Sun 12pm-5pm 120 Regency Parkway | Omaha, Nebraska | regencycourtomaha.com

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Enjoy full-size kitchen appliances, washers and dryers, balconies in select units, cultural and educational programming, chef-prepared meals, a fitness center, scheduled transportation, and more.

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inspiredlivingomaha.com 49

P RO F I L E

THE COLLECTOR Nicholas Jacobsen Found object artist

Art comes in many forms.

Meet a handful of creators working in as many mediums.

STORY KIM CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY HEATHER & JAMESON AND TIN BOX PICTURES

W

hen you think of art, what comes to mind?

Probably paintings, photography and sculpture.

But art takes many forms. As a new visual and performing arts season unfolds, we look at five local artists who are reshaping how we see and experience art. The lone visual artist in the group, Nicholas Jacobsen, works with found objects that stand on their own terms. Brad Douglas brings a warm, organic sensibility to the furniture and fixtures he designs, while pastry chef Angela Garbacz creates edible goodness. Rounding out our fab five are two wordsmiths – singer-songwriter Kait Berreckman, whose growing fanbase can't get enough of her evocative style, and Devel Crisp, a spoken-word poet who writes and performs with passionate intensity.

50 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

Most people would walk past a pigeon feather without batting an eye.

Not Nicholas Jacobsen. He’ll pick it up, declare it “extraordinary’’ and give it new purpose and meaning.

Nicholas, 31, arranges pigeon feathers into patterns reminiscent of sand mandalas, then photographs them to create art prints that are mesmerizing for their simultaneous complexity and simplicity.

And like sand mandalas, they’re also meant to be temporary.

Nicholas doesn’t permanently mount the feathers that compose his assemblages. Rather, he gathers them up at the close of an exhibit and tucks them away. Someday, he says, he’ll drop them from a tall building or bridge so they can flutter back to the ground.

Intrigued by his process, we invited Nicholas to The World-Herald to create an assemblage using found items from spaces in our Inspired Living department. Nicholas roamed office cubicles and a supply room, took mental note of objects that resonated with him aesthetically, and then began gathering and sorting his favorites for a temporary installation in a 12-foot-by-12-foot lobby area.

Repetition, form and color drove his final object choices. After measuring to find center in his work area, Nicholas eyeballed the placement of each object, working in “imperfect symmetry,” his signature style. Eight hours later, he declared his work complete.

This was his first installation with objects belonging to someone.

Typically, he works with things that have been left behind, like feathers.

“It’s surprising to see how the objects do or don’t get along,” Nicholas told us as he eyed the office assemblage.

In his process, “even the mundane is deserving of a spot of honor.” Hangers, staples, hard candy, tacks, pencils, crayons, a child’s artwork – all found harmony on the carpeted floor.

Nicholas’ creation was on display for 36 hours. Then everything went back to its rightful owners. The accompanying photo was our only proof that something extraordinary existed.

SEE MORE Catch Nicholas Jacobsen’s solo exhibition, “watching the ground,” Sept.

4-18 at Pet Shop Gallery in Benson.

Facebook.com/bensonpetshop

inspiredlivingomaha.com 51

THE FOOD ARTIST Angela Garbacz Artisanal pastry chef “I really like to snack” Angela Garbacz reveals, explaining how her signature “snack pastries" came to be.

Ranging from doughnuts to macaroons and everything in between, these colorful bite-sized sweets are made to be enjoyed with coffee or tea.

They’re just part of what the 28-yearold offers at Goldenrod Pastries, the Lincoln bake shop she opened last spring. Trained in the art of French pastry-making, Angela also crafts wedding, birthday and seasonal cakes. Her inimitable “very rustic but cheerful” aesthetic is achieved with edible flowers, sanding sugar and other decorative embellishments in aquamarine blues, blushing pinks and vibrant yellows.

“It’s a great mix of color. It catches your eye and brings your attention to the pastries. It’s very fresh, very natural and very vibrant. I put my love into how things look.”

She accommodates a variety of dietary restrictions – including diets that are vegan and free of grain, eggs and gluten – by including ingredients such as beets, fennel and carrots.

“I make pastries for traditional and alternative diets in a very graceful way.”

Customers seem appreciative. “I’m selling out almost every day. Today, I had two pieces of pound cake left at closing.”

At the moment, baked goods from Goldenrod Pastries aren’t available in Omaha, but Angela is talking to wholesalers. In the meantime, pastry lovers can visit her Lincoln shop at 48th and Prescott Streets in the College View neighborhood for a sweet slice of cake or any other delectable sampling crafted with her creatively rustic flair.

52 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

THE POET Devel Crisp Spoken word poet & educator “Give a little, get a little. Give a little, get a little. Give a little ’til it multiplies and fills you with the peace and the love that you get from sacrificial.”

"Multiplies" defines Devel Crisp.

The 31-year-old takes words – like the ones from his poem “Love Didn’t” – and multiplies them into something evocatively powerful and explosively passionate. It’s an approach that last year won him a coveted spot in a National Poetry Slam competition in Oakland, California, as well as a widely sought artist-in-residency slot at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts’ Carver Bank satellite facility in north Omaha.

“I used to rhyme in high school,” Devel says. “The only thing I wanted to do was to write lines and listen to music … I express myself with as much passion as I can. I use the process of getting quiet and getting to a neutral core. From there I can express anything. I try to find creative ways to express myself with the most optimal energy.”

Teenagers benefit most from his work. He is a teaching artist with Louder Than a Bomb, a teen poetry festival that works with 12 Nebraska high schools. He also mentors students at Omaha North and South High Schools. The goal is to help students put into words the same kinds of thoughts, ideas, dreams and experiences he tried to express when he was their age.

Giving a little, getting a little and giving a lot more, the spoken word poet continues to do just that with work that demonstrates the power and passion of words – whether joining and entwining them himself or helping others do so.

inspiredlivingomaha.com 53

THE MUSICIAN Kait Berreckman Singer-songwriter Don’t call Kait Berreckman a girl rocker.

She's a musician, singer, songwriter and performer. And gender has nothing to do with her ability to create carefully crafted songs that she performs in a pure, clarionlike voice.

It’s a voice the Cozad, Nebraska, native has been sharing on Omaha stages since returning from Austin, Texas, two years ago.

She left Austin, she says, because she grew disillusioned with the city’s over-saturated indy music scene. Currently, the 28-year-old is a manager for Aromas Coffeehouse in both the Old Market and Benson. Her music, though, doesn't take a back seat to her day job.

“Once I got to Omaha, I saw what people (other creative types) were doing and got reinvigorated,” she says. “There’s a lot of talent and blind passion in this town. Yes, there are obstacles, but I’m lucky to live where I can follow my passion.”

That passion involves creating what the singer-songwriter calls “pop-coated, bluesinfused, alt-country” music, a mixed genre approach evident throughout her 2011 album, “Conservation.” Songs range from wistfully soulful to out-and-out rocking, and all bear the hallmark of her tight writing skills and dynamic playing.

Kait has been honing those skills with a switch from acoustic to electric guitar. Her most recent songs, “Night Owl” and “General Electric” from 2014 demonstrate a growing mastery as both musician and lyricist.

“My songs have gotten a lot simpler, a lot tighter,” she observes. “It has taken a lot more work. It’s harder to write a song that says what it means and means what it says. It’s a challenge, which is good for a musician.”

Fans, hopefully, won’t have to wait long for more songs. “My goal is to start recording by the end of the year. I need to get new music out there.”

54 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

THE CRAFTSMAN Brad Douglas Furniture & fixture designer If you think of concrete as something best reserved for sidewalks, foundations and driveways, then you’ve never seen Brad Douglas’ softly gleaming countertops or elegant, simply shaped sinks. Once you do, you’ll appreciate the master craftsman’s ability to take such a functional material – one often perceived as dull if even considered at all – and turn it into something extraordinary and visually compelling.

The 32-year-old runs Reify Design, an Omaha studio gaining the attention of architects, interior designers and homeowners for its combination of natural and industrial materials.

In addition to concrete, Brad uses wood and steel to create furniture and fixtures that are distinctive for their efficient functionality and clean, contemporary lines.

“I don’t like to use too much bulk,” he says. “I like to let the material speak for itself. It should stand out on its own. Our designs are very modern, very minimal.”

Concrete is a defining material. Reify Design hand-weighs its cement and uses an intensive three-day heating and sealing process that makes it water and stain resistant and extremely durable. It uses innovative techniques such as molding cement with fabric to produce fixtures and sinks that are organic in appearance, a design achievement that is earning Reify Design growing attention.

“We’re the only ones in town who do this kind of work,” he says. “We’re filling that void, and we’re making sure first and foremost that our designs are functional.”

inspiredlivingomaha.com 55

H O ST

Six winning wines for your Husker tailgate.

PHOTOGRAPHY HEIDI THORSON

T

o kick off a brand new era in Big Red football with Mike Riley as head coach, we asked Dan Matuszek of Brix to hand-select six winning wines for a perfect Husker tailgate. With ratings of 90 or more points from Wine Spectator and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (the

WINE: Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Red Blend, 2010 ORIGIN: Veneto, Italy PRICE: $19.99 RATING: 90 points This all-star red has a delicious wild berry aroma with dark notes of dried cherries and blackberries and a hint of raisin. A blend of three Italian grapes (Corvina, Rondinella and Sangiovese), it’s a strong player with just about any grilled red meat or a platter of hard cheeses and flavorful charcuterie.

WINE: Meiomi Pinot Noir, 2013 ORIGIN: Monterey, Sonoma and Santa Barbara Counties PRICE: $22.99 RATING: 92 points The lighter of the reds, this Pinot Noir is packed with ripe strawberry and cherry aromas and spicy vanilla notes. The silky texture and balanced acidity make it ideal with pork tenderloin.

It also is versatile enough to complement two tailgate classics – beef nachos and chips and salsa.

56 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

WINE: Recuerdo Malbec, 2011 ORIGIN: Mendoza, Argentina PRICE: $17.99 RATING: 90 points With a rich violet hue, this wine opens with an alluring nose of ripe plums and blackberries. On the palate it offers savory notes, robust tannins and an intense mouth feel that begs for a thick, juicy Nebraska burger hot off the grill.

only two rating systems Brix acknowledges), these red wines are in a class of their own. Matuszek’s commentary is offered to pique your interest as you pop the cork and toast that statewide ritual known as Husker Game Day. For extra points, Matuszek throws in a white wine, making his list a win-win on both sides of the ball.

WINE: Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Zinfandel, 2012 ORIGIN: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County PRICE: $22.99 RATING: 90 points Hailing from California’s “Zin Zone,” this wonderful Zinfandel pushes the envelope of decadence with concentrated fruit, vanilla and spice.

The perfect pairing for a sizzling Italian sausage topped with red peppers or sauerkraut.

WINE: Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 ORIGIN: Lodi, California PRICE: $24.99 RATING: 90 points This regal Cabernet Sauvignon is a brilliant deep purple and oozes with flavors of plum and black cherry, plus hints of cocoa and smoke. What do you pair with the king of red wines? The king of red meats – filet mignon.

WINE: Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling, 2014 ORIGIN: Washington State PRICE: $12.99 RATING: 90 points A Husker tailgate would not be complete without at least one white wine. This Riesling is fermented offdry, meaning it has enough residual sugar for the “sweet seeker” yet won’t offend the white wine drinker who enjoys slightly drier wines. With its zesty apricot and peach flavors, this is the perfect pairing for a zippy fruit salad.

When it’s time to talk, we can help.

The only thing more uncomfortable than having the conversation about retirement living, is not having the conversation about retirement living. Fortunately, we’re here to help with information and advice that can make a potentially awkward situation— just a little bit easier.

Now is the perfect time to give us a call at 402-829-2900 or visit ImmanuelCommunities.com.

Together, we will help you find a place that’s uniquely your own.

ImmanuelCommunities.com

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THE DISH Kick your kitchen skills up a notch with Everyday Extraordinaire classes at the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metro Community College. mccneb.edu.

PEACHY KEEN TARTS Get ready for an autumn delight.

PHOTOGRAPHY DANIEL JOHNSON, ADMIRAL DISTRICT RECIPES KYLE RAY, INSTITUTE FOR THE CULINARY ARTS, METRO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Celebrate autumn’s golden hues with a round of peach tarts. For best results, choose peaches that are ripe but still firm. That way, your pastry will stay crunchy, almost like a cookie. For a more casual presentation, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream garnished with mulberries or blueberries.

GEORGIA PEACH + NEBRASKA MULBERRY TARTLET Servings: 8

WHAT YOU NEED 2 ounces (about 8 pieces) firm yellow peaches, peeled and sliced thin 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons brown sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ground 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated Pinch iodized salt 1 teaspoon lemon, zested 8 par-baked mini tart shells (recipe, right) 1½ cups almond pastry cream (recipe, right)

58 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

WHAT YOU DO

1. In a large mixing bowl, add peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, iodized salt and lemon zest. Stir to combine well.

2. On three-quarter sheet pan, arrange tartlet shells. Fill each shell with 2 tablespoons almond pastry cream and top with 5-6 peach slices.

3. Bake shells at 350 degrees about 15 minutes or until peaches are soft and fragrant.

4. Plate and garnish with mulberries.

TART SHELLS

WHAT YOU NEED 1/3 cup unsalted butter, chilled 3½ tablespoons lard, chilled 2/3 cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon iodized salt 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/8 cup cold water 1 large egg yolk

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WHAT YOU DO

1. In a small bowl, combine egg yolk and water, set aside.

2. In a large bowl, add the butter, lard, flour, salt and sugar.

Using a pastry blender, cut in ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add water and egg yolk mixture; blend with a fork until dough forms a ball. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.

4. Roll the dough, dividing into eight portions; press into the bottom and up the sides of eight 3-inch tart pans.

5. Chill dough-lined tins in freezer until hard, about 15 minutes.

6. Weight the dough with pie weights or beans and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool on wire racks.

ALMOND PASTRY CREAM

WHAT YOU NEED

1 cup whole milk 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream 1/3 cup granulated sugar 3 large egg yolks 1 tablespoon cornstarch ½ teaspoon almond extract 1/8 cup peach liquor 1 ounce white chocolate

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WHAT YOU DO

1. In a medium saucepan, combine milk and heavy cream; bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

2. In a small mixing bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar; whisk until incorporated. Stir in cornstarch and a small amount of the heated milk; temper while whisking.

3. Over medium heat, slowly add the egg mixture to the milk, whisking constantly while bringing to a boil.

4. Remove from heat and cool over ice. Stir in almond extract, peach liquor and white chocolate.

5. Cover and let cool before adding to tartlets.

MACERATED MULBERRIES

WHAT YOU NEED

12 mulberries, halved ¼ cup granulated sugar 1/8 cup water 1/8 cup Riesling wine

WHAT YOU DO

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, sugar and wine. Bring to a gentle simmer until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool.

2. Pour syrup over mulberries and chill until serving.

402.333.5722 • WWW.SW-FENCE.COM inspiredlivingomaha.com 59

D EST I N AT I O N

Rocky Mountain National Park is a thrill in any season. But if you enjoy wildlife, consider a ring-side seat for the elk bugle show.

STORY CHRIS CHRISTEN PHOTOGRAPHY KURT A. KEELER

T

wenty years for me. More than 40 years for my husband. That’s how long it had been since our last visits to Estes Park, Colorado’s most popular family vacation spot.

Spurred by memories of childhood trips to the Rockies with Mom and Dad, my brother has taken his own family on annual pilgrimages to Estes Park for two decades now. Eager to see what we've been missing, my husband and I tagged along for five days of hiking and sight seeing in mid-July.

Estes Park, squarely on its feet after the flood of 2013, boasts countless attractions and dining opportunities for non-hikers. But if you're a nature lover, Rocky Mountain National Park is the ultimate attraction.

And not just in summer.

“This is truly a place of wilderness, wildlife and wonder year round,” says Kyle Patterson, public affairs officer for the park. A Colorado native, she loves the diversity of all the seasons. "But autumn is my favorite."

"I like the warm days and the cool nights ... and the gorgeous expanses of yellow aspen on the mountainsides contrasting with the dark green spruces and firs."

In addition to a spectacular leaf show, there's the spectacle of the elk mating season that runs though mid-October.

“When a park like Rocky has been around for 100 years, people develop a very deep connection and a sense of place," Patterson observes. "We often hear from visitors who have been coming for decades – and several times each year – and have introduced other family and

60 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

friends to the park as well.”

Scenic grandeur, viewable wildlife and recreational opportunities are the top reasons to visit any time of year.

If you're timing your own visit, consider the park’s range in elevation (7,500 feet to 14,259 feet). Color comes in stages, starting in late August or early September in the tundra region and working down to Estes Park.

The third week of September typically yields three or four record attendance days by vehicle count, second only to July.

Dennis Stepaniak, a year-round park volunteer, was beside himself with excitement as he told our group about massive elk herds bugling in the dark, and aspen leaves turning “the most unbelievable gold.”

In late summer and early fall, you can find him front-andcenter with the park's Elk Bugle Corps, sharing fun facts about the elk rut and imparting wildlife viewing etiquette.

Prime viewing areas tend to be extremely crowded during the fall, especially at dusk, with visitors “tailgating” as the nature show unfolds, he says.

Patterson's sightseeing tip: “Come during weekdays in the fall and you’ll have a completely different experience” than if you visit with the throngs on the weekends in September and October.

Stepaniak would have you come back in winter. "The weather in Estes Park is milder that you might think." The town shrinks. "It's a locals joint only. The streets roll up at 7 p.m." Snowshoeing, wildlife viewing and backcountry skiing are popular activities. "It's just an amazing place."

BEST DRIVING ROUTES FOR VIEWING COLOR • • • •

Bear Lake Road corridor Hidden Valley and tundra areas along Trail Ridge Road Wild Basin Kawuneeche Valley

BEST HIKING AREAS FOR VIEWING COLOR • Bear Lake Road corridor: Alberta Falls, Mills Lake, Dream Lake, Flattop Mountain, Sprague Lake, Cub Lake, The Pool • Wild Basin: Lily Lake and Ouzel Falls • East Inlet Trail: on the west side of the park

BEST WILDLIFE VIEWING AREAS • Elk, Deer: Open meadows at dawn and dusk.

• Moose: Kawuneeche Valley near the Colorado River.

• Bighorn sheep: Not typically seen in the fall. In spring look at Sheep Lakes, a natural mineral lick.

WILDLIFE VIEWING ETIQUETTE • • • • PHOTO: COURTESY OF ANN SCHONLAU/ ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

Park on roadside pullouts, not on vegetation.

Turn off car lights and engine upon parking.

Stay by the roadside when viewing animals.

Do not approach wildlife; never use artificial lights or calls. If wildlife reacts to you, you are too close.

• Respect viewing area closure times, generally 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

HIKING ESSENTIALS – ON ANY TRAIL Most visitors don’t intend to get hurt or lost when hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Still, you should be prepared. You could find yourself tripping on a rock and breaking your ankle. That’s what happened in July to Vicki Fugate of Janesville, Wisconsin. This writer’s firefighter-EMT brother and others in our party stayed with the injured hiker and her family on the trail for three hours. That’s how long it took park rescue rangers to arrive on the scene and mobilize Vicki for a bumpy ride down the mountain on a single-wheel livery. To add to the misery, the transport took place in a thunderstorm with heavy rain. So take along a day pack and load it with these ranger-recommended items: 1. Water and high-energy food 2. Clothing for layers, including rain gear 3. Sunglasses with UV protection 4. Sunscreen 5. Sturdy footwear and extra socks 6. First aid kit 7. Topographic map and compass (you can’t rely on a smartphone; we brought walkie-talkies) 8. Flashlight 9. Waterproof matches, pocket knife, whistle 10. Common sense. Let someone know where you are going and when you are expected to return, rangers advise.

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ESTES, THE BESTEST If you and the kids never set foot on a mountain hiking trail, your visit to Estes Park, Colorado, still would be a memorable family vacation delight.

WHERE WE STAYED The Divine at Windcliff, a duplex condominium in a private community on Ram’s Horn Mountain is 10 minutes from downtown Estes Park. The deck offered a panoramic mountain view and the best star-gazing short of being in the park itself for a ranger-led program on a crystal-clear night.

62 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015

WHERE WE ATE

WHERE WE PLAYED

Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Taphouse: Reservations are not accepted but this down-home joint is worth the wait.

Bob and Tony’s Pizza: Picnic tables and booths make it easy for large parties to sit together. Look for names you recognize on the bricks on the wall.

The Dunraven Inn: Bring a dollar bill and a Sharpie. Sign the bill and staple it to the wall or ceiling– if you can find a spot. You may need to get creative. But don’t hide our buck! Great food and service, by the way.

Mama Rose’s: Italian fare in a relaxed creekside setting. Ask for the patio and time your arrival to enjoy live music on the plaza while you dine.

Donut Haus: Long lines form early in the morning. Snooze and you lose. When the doughnuts are gone, the tiny shop closes down for the day.

Estes Park Brewery: Near-perfect burgers and fries. Order a Longs Peak Raspberry Wheat or Blueberry Wheat micro brew. Grab a six-pack to go.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: We made a post-hike meal of truffles, fudge, peanut clusters and pecan bear caramel apples. The shop is famous for video proof of the bear that broke in and helped himself to a deluxe assortment of chocolates. Now you can take home his favorites.

• Estes Park Aerial Tramway, for sweeping views. Rain, however, spoiled the fun.

• Fun City, for Go-Kart racing, two runs down a giant slide and target shooting in a video arcade.

• Downtown, for shopping and more shopping for our party of 10.

• The Stanley Hotel, for a historyrich tour. Reservations required.

Oops. We simply walked the grounds and people-watched.

• The trails, for a workout. Deer Ridge, Gem Lake, Bear Lake and Alberta Falls.

• Alluvial Fan, for glacial rocks and raging water thrills.

• Old Fall River Road, for a whiteknuckle drive along a narrow, unpaved, one-way road to the summit and Alpine Visitor Center.

Breathtaking tundra views, mountain ranges and photoworthy bull elk.

• Outdoors, on the deck of our vacation rental, for a mesmerizing look at the stars on our final night together. Everyone – except yours truly – saw the shooting star. I wished on it anyway. "Please let me come back in the fall."

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PHOTO: KURT A. KEELER

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