Inspired Home Omaha

INSPIRED 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

Jan./Feb. 2013

Hot decor trends for 2013

HOME OMAHA

AMAZING (and local)

KITCHENS & BATHS PLUS Nebraska poet Ted Kooser shares his favorite hidden spaces

DON’T LET HOLIDAY

DEBT SNOWBALL. Home Equity Home Equity Line ofLine Credit of Credit

1.99%

*

APR

FIXED FOR 2 YEARS

4.25%

*

APR

FIXED FOR 5 YEARS

4.50 TO 6.25 %* APR

Personal Loan

%* APR

VARIABLE RATE AFTER 2 OR 5 YEARS

As low as

5.99%

**

APR

FIXED RATE

NO COLLATERAL REQUIRED. APPLY, SIGN AND SAVE.

Great rates on a Home Equity Line of Credit or Personal Loan can help you save big on monthly bills, home improvement projects or unexpected expenses. In fact, with a 36-month Personal Loan at 5.99% APR, your monthly payment would only be $30 for every $1,000 you borrow.† Start the year on solid financial footing with help from First National Bank. Stop by one of our convenient locations today for more information. Or visit us online at firstnational.com/loansale.

37 area locations | 402.346.3626 | Member FDIC *Offer refers to a home equity line of credit secured by the equity in your single-family, owner-occupied home. Offer applies to Nebraska and Iowa residents within the First National Bank lending area. If you close your home equity line within the first 24 months, a fee of $500 will be assessed. You must carry insurance on the property that secures your account. New money only. Approval and terms subject to credit qualifications. Some limitations will apply.

Consumer accounts only. You may be required to pay certain fees to third parties. These fees generally total between $34 and $600. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) will be a fixed introductory 1.99% APR for two years or 4.25% APR for five years after your account is opened. Thereafter, as of January 1, 2013, the variable APR ranges from 4.50% APR to 6.25% APR. This APR is based on The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (“WSP”) Index +1.25% to WSP Index +3.00% (4.50% APR to 6.25% APR) depending on type of checking account, credit qualifications and appraised or tax-assessed value, but will never exceed an 18.0% APR and has a floor rate of 4.50% APR. The index is the highest daily prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal “Money Rates” table and becomes effective the first business day of the following month. An annual fee of $50 applies and can be waived with a First National Premier Checking account. Minimum credit line is $10,000. Making only minimum payments will result in a balloon payment at the end of five years, unless we renew your line at that time. See a Personal Banker for complete details. **The 5.99% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) applies to a 36-month loan term. A variety of terms are available with APR ranges from 5.99% to 18.00% APR. Approval and terms subject to credit qualifications. Some limitations will apply. Personal loan APR as of January 1, 2013. First National Checking account is required to receive the promotional rate. †This example assumes a 36-month term loan at 5.99% APR with 60 days until the first payment. Every $1,000 you borrow would consist of a monthly payment of $30 for 36 payments. See a Banker for details.

All offers expire February 28, 2013.

2 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Midtown Crossing is committed to providing the luxurious lifestyle you’re looking for in a residential community. Our condominium residences offer 24 hour on-site security, controlled access lobbies, private access parking, restricted elevator service and a community full of friends. Rest easy in your new home, it’s peace of mind you won’t find anywhere else.

1, 2, and 3 bedroom condos from $169,900 to $500,000 Sales Center 200 South 31st Ave., Omaha

www.midtowncrossing.com

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY | 402-934-6450 This is not an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, real property. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Prices, plans, products, and availability are subject to change without notice. Artists’ renderings are shown for illustrative purposes only. Designated Broker: Sandra S. Lent, Shoreline Marketing, Inc., 833 N Orleans, Ste. 400, Chicago, IL 60610, 312.475.9800. ©2009 Midtown Crossing, a Mutual of Omaha Mixed-Use Development. All Rights Reserved. All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be used without permission.

24 TED KOOSER

Nebraska's Pulitzer Prize-winning poet talks about the delights and shadows of his wonderfully "ordinary life" in the heart of the Bohemian Alps.

36 ARTFUL CLUTTER

A newlywed couple finds a blissful solution to a decorating dilemma: What to do with his toy collection.

50 KITCHENS & BATHS

These are the rooms that rarely rest. They are both practical and steadfast. Dedication, meet imagination. Together, they’re transforming the kitchen and bathroom into domesticated works of art.

4 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

A GOLDEN DAY IN KOOSER COUNTRY I sampled Ted Kooser's poetry and essays in a high school literature

class eons ago. The experience was like my first scotch tasting last month – confounding. Do people really enjoy this stuff? Today, I get it. Kooser's poetry – like fine scotch – gets better with age.

I had the pleasure of spending a late-October day with the nationally known poet in the place he loves best – the Bohemian Alps of southeast Nebraska.

Today, as I flip through my notes, I see that he gave me far more than a memorable day (see page 24). Between the quotes and anecdotes, I discover the beauty of simply being.

As a Washington Post reviewer aptly observed, "There is a sense of quiet amazement at the core of all of Kooser's work."

Life, in Ted's writings, is both a celebration and a lament. His favorite poem is always the one he has just finished. "But that only lasts for a couple of hours," he told me. The mark of literary success, he said, is to write "one thing that will last." For me, it's the imagry in his first book of prose, "Local Wonders: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps."

When I asked what he'd like to be remembered for, our 13th U.S. Poet Laureate said simply, "My acts of kindness."

Indeed, this is a soft-spoken, gentle, considerate man who handwrites two or three notes a day to people who have corresponded with him in a special way.

"A thank-you note in an email doesn't count," he said. "You have to use paper and a fountain pen."

Regan Tokos, a junior at Millard North High School, shadowed me and World-Herald photographer Matt Miller on assignment to the heart of Kooser's universe – the villages of Garland and Dwight – about 20 miles northwest of Lincoln.

Afterward, Regan told her mom that she had found the answer to what she wants to be when she grows up: A photojournalist. One of her photos appears on this page.

SCHOLZ IMAGES INC.; REGAN TOKOS

It was one perfect day, all the way around.

Chris Christen Editor in Chief Inspired Home Omaha

inspiredhomeomaha.com 5

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Editor in Chief Chris Christen 402-444-1094 Chris.Christen@owh.com Production Creative Director Ananda Spadt 402-444-1351 Ananda.Spadt@owh.com Imaging Specialist Patricia “Murphy” Benoit Copy Editor Amy LaMar

Sales Local Sales Manager Carrie Kentch 402-444-1448 Carrie.Kentch@owh.com Account Representatives Cathleen Vanhauer 402-444-1209 Cathleen.Vanhauer@owh.com David J. Williams 402-444-1416 David.Williams@owh.com Events and Custom Publishing Manager Tam Webb 402-444-3125 Tam.Webb@owh.com

Turning

Dreams Into Reality

Writers: Pat Waters, Heather Winkel, Dan McCann, Lindsey Anne Baker, Sarah Baker Hansen Photographers: Jeffrey Bebee, Krista Leigh Hurst, Daniel Johnson, Kurt A. Keeler, Matt Miller, Dev Hanumara Inspired Home Omaha (ISSN 7447026659) is a publication of the Omaha World-Herald. ©2013, 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.

1314 Douglas St., Suite 600 Omaha, NE 68102 402-444-1094 InspiredHomeOmaha.com

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6 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

EXPERIENCE THE FUN OF LIVING IN OMAHA

January 10 - 13 CenturyLink Center Omaha This annual event puts you in the latest cars, trucks and SUVs from every major manufacturer. You get a sneak peek at sports cars, hybrids and electric cars, some not yet on the showroom floor.

Bring the kids; the Brain Busters exhibit is an interactive experience for the whole family!

Sponsored by the Omaha World-Herald.

Hours: Thursday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission: Adults (ages 13 and older), $9; children ages 7-12, $5; children ages 6 and younger, free; seniors (65 and older), $6; persons with military ID, $6. Coupons for $1 off available at all participating dealers.

Information: omahaautoshow.com

February 2, 6 p.m.

Embassy Suites – La Vista This silver-anniversary gala for the American Heart Association celebrates cinema with the theme of “Heart Goes to the Silver Screen.” Gourmet food, dancing and live and silent auctions, including an art auction showcasing work by the area’s most talked-about talents.

Reservations: $300 per person Information: omahaheartball.org

February 7 - 10 CenturyLink Center Omaha Two annual exhibitions merge for a showcase of indoor and outdoor living ideas, products and services.

Details: showofficeonline.com

February 24, 2-5 p.m.

Embassy Suites - La Vista

February 25 - March 2, 6-10 p.m.

KANEKO, 1111 Jones St.

More than 20 metro area chefs create a lavish assortment of soups and desserts, which you get to taste for the benefit of the Visiting Nurse Association's shelter nursing program.

The menu also includes original artwork, which is available for purchase from 50 area artists. Fifty percent of the artists' proceeds will go back to the VNA. There is a silent auction and live entertainment too. (There's no way you're going home empty-handed!)

Tickets: $50 in advance; $55 at the door. Patron party at 1 p.m., $100.

Information: 402-930-4170; www.theVNAcares.org

Sixteen independent fashion designers preview their 2013 fall/winter collections beginning Wednesday. Opening night, cancer survivors model clothing from local boutiques. Saturday's finale features avant garde styles, evening wear, menswear and swimwear. Doors open at 6 p.m., shows start at 8 p.m.

Admission: $20 - $65 Information: 402-599-3283; omahafashionweek.com/tickets

February 16 -17, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

710 N. 38th St. View the Gold Coast mansion before its interior is transformed for the 2013 ASID Joslyn Castle Trust Designer Showhouse. Return May 3-9 for the grand reveal.

Sneak peek admission: $2 Information: joslyncastletrust.org

March 2, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Metropolitan Community College, south Omaha campus, 27th and Q Streets Spend the day gathering ideas, solutions and inspiration to restore and preserve older properties. The conference features presentations by national and local experts, ongoing workshops and exhibits.

Registration: $40 before February 15; after that date, $50. Ticket includes Friday night reception at the Omaha Scottish Rite.

Tickets: www.restoreomaha.org Information: info@restoreomaha.org

inspiredhomeomaha.com 7

FO O D, FA S H I O N , T R AV E L , L I F E S T Y L E

Accents Wall Bling p. 14. Artisanal tiles and wall coverings endure the test of time with their precision, detail and texure.

8  JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

CHRIS CHRISTEN

Au Courant "High Point" of the Season p. 10 Makeover Family Central p. 12 Investment Faucets p. 13 Homespiration The Perfect Bed p. 16 The Dish Dine In or Venture Out p. 18 Host Warm Up! p. 20 Travel High-Desert Thrill p. 22

We do windows t oo...

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and more...

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'HIGH POINT' OF THE SEASON Market style report: 11 edgy interior accents for spring

In the showrooms at High Point Market – Fashion Week for home furnishings –

exhibitors and designers unveiled more edgy new looks than we've seen in several seasons. What gives?

Optimism. And with it, courage to take risks. Here are a few of our favorites from the latest style report.

METAL MANIA It's hard to determine if furniture is wrapped in metal or just painted to look that way. Pearl and metallic finishes are head-turners; chrome shines, too. Any room, any decor.

Pendant: Crystorama lamp

FANCY 'MOOVES' How wild is this? Faux fur mixes with leather in sectionals, chairs and stools.

More our style: Cowhide upholstered pieces.

Stools: Silk Route

NOT-SO-MELLOW YELLOW Snag an item with a happy pop of yellow and you're golden. Lemon, goldenrod and maize look especially fab with a gray interior.

Chair: Younger Furniture

10 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

'PETAL' POWER Floral prints in fabric and wallpaper are soft and feminine. Lamps and mirrors embossed with flowers get their day in the sun as well.

Mirror: Mr. Brown

SHAKE IT UP, BABY Just look at those swirls and whirls of color! Marbling is our favorite trend – hands-down.

Dresser: Hickory Chair

HOT IRON Metal takes on a slim, tubular profile in steel frame chairs, tables and desks; lighted wire orbs; and twisted iron lamps.

Chair: Saba Italia

SMILING FACES Accessories with face motifs get our full attention. We love the trend in pottery, pillows and planters.

Vases: NCA Design

STRIPES ARE STARS Wide or skinny, it's easy to fall in love with this trend. It's pattern-mixing heaven!

Couch: Broyhill

STREET PUNK

Marine blue – Pantone's color of the year – sails in. In a sea of variations, navy, aqua and sapphire anchor the spectrum.

Chest: French Heritage

If you want to add a little edge, how about an accent pillow with a skull motif and a black leather couch trimmed with rivets? Or a spiky bowl – but it's not for popcorn!

Bowls: Studio A

RIDE LIKE THE WIND Tartan plaids and equestrian details bring a handsome dash of panache to the traditional home. Cigar and scotch, anyone?

Pillow: Kevin O'Brien

inspiredhomeomaha.com 11

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HIGH POINT MARKET

BEYOND THE SEA

12 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

SKIMP OR SPLURGE?

When choosing a new faucet, keep the three “Fs” in mind: function, fashion and finances.

THE SPLURGE: Top-of-the-line kitchen faucets are high-arced and motion-activated. Wave your hand near the sensor(s) and voila, a stream of water materializes. A pull-down faucet adds convenience, and a spot-resistant stainless steel or oil-rubbed

From left: Kevin Welsh, Financial Advisor or; Dawn Bonacci, Registered Client Service Associate; Patrick Friesen, Financial Advisor

bronze finish enhances the aesthetic.

NEED TO SKIMP? If you’re on a tighter budget, what’s going to take the hit: function or fashion? Do you settle for a nice chrome finish, or give up the built-in spray function for a fixed spout? At the minimum, look for faucets with metal components (instead of plastic) and a ceramic valve.

Robyn Petersen of Kitchens & Baths by Briggs says you should think twice before sacrificing functionality. “Think about how you work. If you really want a built-in sprayer, then don’t buy a faucet with a side spray.” - Dan McCann

For Life’s Most Important Goals

With an experienced professional and the right resources, reaching your most important goals can be less challenging and more rewarding. We are ready to help you meet your goals, by combining our insight into your needs with the resources of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

The Welsh Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney 13625 California Street, Suite 400 • Omaha, NE 68154 tel: 402-399-1541 • fa.morganstanleyindividual.com/thewelshgroup/ © 2012 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC

SKIMP: about $100 Camerist single-handle faucet with side spray.

Looks nice and will put water in the sink for years to come.

Moen 7840

MID-RANGE: about $230 Camerist single-handle pullout faucet. Generally found in three finishes, with chrome being the least expensive; oilrubbed bronze, the most expensive. Moen 7545

Become inspired.

PHOTOS: MOEN.COM

SPLURGE: about $385 Has all of the extras, including hands-free motion activation, a high-arc neck and pulldown faucet, as well as a spot-resistant finish.

Moen 7594e

inspiredhomeomaha.com 13

There is tile,wallpaper and stone. And then there are hand-worked pieces of art – or what appear to be handmade products – that transform ordinary kitchens, foyers, bathrooms and powder rooms into enduring design statements.

Michele van Deventer of B + T, the Bath and Tile Company, loves these artisanal products for their precision, detail and texture. “It’s not

THE LOOK OF DE GOURNAY HOT TRENDS Metallic papers with textured inlays from the Morris and Maison Collections.

Starting at $200 per 9-yard roll. Use in houses where the period style is being restored, or for a bold effect in a special space.

Big damasks; large repeats (they actually make a small room appear larger); wallpapered ceilings; silver, mocha or gold metallics in bathrooms or small hallways and foyers to create the illusion of a higher ceiling.

Wallpaper by Farrow & Ball isn’t hand-painted, but it is produced with the company’s own manufacturing methods and its own paint – an admirable touch. Also popular with interior designers: Bradbury & Bradbury, and Arte Studio

by Koroseal.

fashion patterns

40% Off

White 20% SaleOff

just what materials you choose, but how you apply them and detail them,” van Deventer says.

Wallpaper, too, is benefitting from select manufacturers that are creating products that appear hand-painted or that come in natural fibers such as sea grass, hemp or linen.

Beyond the hand-painted look, texture, metallics and shimmer are very “in” now, says Sharon Roncka Haas of Textiles Inc. “Just a little bit of glitz. You wouldn’t want to put it on four walls or people would think, ‘Where is the wallpaper going with that room?’”

Van Deventer agrees. Wallpaper that makes a statement is perfect for powder rooms or “small ornate rooms,” she says. “It’s quite a glorious thing.” -Pat Waters

Creating the Premier Outdoor Living Experience

Jan 12-27*

select solids

by Yves Delorme

THE LINEN GALLERY AT REGENCY COURT www.LinensandDown.com 402.399.5242 14 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Visit Us During Lemon Days Jan 10-13th & SAVE 50-75%

L a n d s c a p i n g

402-330-7811

elitelandscapingomaha.com

Hand-painted "Framed Dragonfly" glazed ceramic tile by Quemere. 1 7/8" x 1 7/8"; $9.75 each. Use it with a clipped corner 6" x 6" tile to form a decorative pattern.

Sweet accent for a child's bathroom or fanciful powder room.

Tiles courtesy of B + T, the Bath and Tile Company.

CHRIS CHRISTEN

Terra Bella 3D basket weave in honed crema marfil marble.

12" x 12" sheet; $35 each.

Use it on an accent wall or framed panel within a complementary stone-tiled wall. (Not for use on surfaces exposed to water.)

Handmade, screen-printed glazed ceramic "Japanese Crests" by Tempest Tileworks. 2" X 2"; $10 each. Available in custom colors. Use it as a decorative accent or a border within a plain field of tile. Perfect for a kitchen backsplash.

Tabarka Studio, “Noblesse" dimensional glazed terra cotta tile.

4’’x 4”; $58 square foot.

NEW 2012 Rosslyn™ Jewel Collection™

9101 Military Road, Omaha, NE 68134 402-572-4044 • www.martinscountertops.com FAMILY OWNED FOR 31 YEARS

inspiredhomeomaha.com 15

PILLOWS The days of beds loaded with pillows are gone. The trendiest look is a combination of rows and layers of pillows. Start with a pair of matching Euro pillows against the headboard and your sleeping pillows propped or flat in front. Finish off with two smaller accent pillows in front of the sleeping pillows.

The wrong pillow can literally be a pain in the neck.

Sleeping positions and recommended down densities: Side/firm; stomach/soft; back/medium. Some luxury brands will add or subtract down from pillows on request, as well as wash and re-tick pillows under a lifetime warranty. Starting price: $200-$235.

BED-END

DOWN COMFORTER

Don't just decorate the head of the bed; make the foot sensational as well. Bed-ends (half the size of a traditional duvet) is an emerging trend. Mostly decorative, the bed-end does offer cold feet an extra layer of fluffy warmth. Same look for less money: A chunky cable-knit throw.

We love burrowing under the downy cloud of a duvet! If you don't, the problem may lie in the filler, not the down, used in the comforter.

Down is rated by its origin, purity and fill power. The loftiest (and best) down comes from white geese in northern Europe and Siberia. An allseason comforter with 75 percent premium down and 25 percent filler (with no feather quills!) runs about $500 from luxury brand Scandia Down. Still not sold? Sferra makes a highly rated down alternative called Arcadia.

MATTRESS

SLEEPING SURFACE

SHEETS

A mattress is the single-most important factor in the comfort and quality of your sleep. Your mattress should support the spine so that it feels the same as if you were standing upright. Bedding expert Kathy Dessonville of The Linen Gallery in Regency Court touts Royal Pedic's organic cotton mattresses. "They're good for your body, eco-friendly and made to last for 10 to 20 years." Starting price for mattress and box spring: About $3,000. The new mattress depth is 12 inches (compared to the old standard of 7 inches).

A mattress topper can make your bed more comfortable and improve your sleep.

Mattress toppers and mattress pads often are confused as the same thing. Toppers are typically thicker and are used for added comfort and mattress life; mattress pads have a hygienic purpose as protectors. Toppers are commonly made out of memory foam, high-density foam, down, sheep's wool and cotton. A down or pillow-top featherbed or mattress pad keeps your body warm in winter and cool in summer.

But a down featherbed is like sleeping on a cloud. For best wear and comfort, cover the topper with a fitted sheet.

Don't get too hung up on thread count.

Sheets with super high thread counts of 800 to 1,000 aren't necessarily the best choice because their fibers can be more fragile than fibers in a 500-thread count sheet. A 500-thread count sheet will last longer for your investment. Bamboo sheets are getting a lot of press, but the hand or feel of the fabric can vary widely. A better choice among renewable fibers: Beechwood or Lyocell.

SOURCE: KATHY DESSONVILLE OF THE LINEN GALLERY, REGENCY COURT

16  JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PHOTO: T YVES DELORME.COM

Cote-a-Cote percale bedding by Yves Delorme.

Full/queen flat sheet, $265; duvet cover, $410; standard shams (set of two), $170. Serenity quilted blanket cover, $650. Available from The Linen Gallery, Regency Court.

inspiredhomeomaha.com  17

DINE IN ...

TRY THIS When entertaining at home, plan to include three to five cheeses per platter – estimate about 3 to 4 ounces of cheese per person.

THIS PAGE, ARA CONTENT; FACING PAGE, CHRIS CHRISTEN

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... OR VENTURE OUT The French Bulldog: Where charcuterie & cheese are the stars

Don’t go to the French Bulldog

looking for a giant plate of pasta or a sautéed chicken breast. Instead, go with an open mind.

Head chef Bryce Coulton’s handmade charcuterie is the star attraction of the succinct, meat-heavy menu. But Coulton and his partners, Phil Anania and Anne Cavanaugh, clearly pondered everything – the food, wine, cocktails and atmosphere – upon opening this neighborhood gem.

Coulton captured the basics of making charcuterie in his last two jobs at the Boiler

with the ingredients and spices so he can turn them into modern dishes.

Netted salamis and sausages, hams slowly turning into prosciutto and other delicacies are on display, and offer a preview of what diners

Room and Pitch Pizzeria. Now he’s getting

will find on their plates in the months to come.

creative and is retooling those basics. He is

Sitting at the table next to the cooler may be

doing things like taking Cold War-era recipes

the best non-bar seat in the house. It's certainly

from Poland, mastering them and then playing

the most interesting. – Sarah Baker Hansen

PAIRINGS GET THIS Charcuterie and cheese plates from The French Bulldog about $23 each.

Cheese plate: Keen’s Cheddar, Maytag Blue, Taleggio, Peppadew, Ubriaco and Jam. Meat plate: Puglian Sopressata, Salami Cotto, Pepperoni, Lomo, Rillette, Anisetta, Mustard and Pickled Peppers.

· Hard, stronger-flavored cheeses (e.g., Gruyere or aged cheddar): medium-bodied reds (e.g., Pinot Noir) · Soft, young cheeses (e.g., goat cheese): simple, young wines like Sauvignon Blanc · Stronger blue cheeses (e.g., gorgonzola, Danish Blue): sweet/dessert wines · Mild, buttery or creamy cheeses (e.g., triple-creme Bries): sparkling wines · Semi-soft cheeses (e.g., Camembert): Chardonnays and full Cabernets

SIDES Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, Marcona almonds, grilled vegetables, sliced fruit or even chocolate.

aesthetics

noun: a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty and being

Comprehensive Med Spa Services Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy Weight Loss Men and Women

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Dr. Robin Clemmer, M.D. inspiredhomeomaha.com 19

CREAMY VANILLA HOT CHOCOLATE

WARM UP!

1. Boil water.

2. Combine cocoa, sugar and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan, then blend in boiling water.

3. Bring mixture to a boil while stirring.

4. Simmer and stir for 2 minutes, making sure that you don't scorch the mixture.

5. Stir in milk and heat, but don’t bring to a boil.

6. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Invite guests in from the cold to share a mug of the good stuff.

It’s easy to think of winter as a

season to survive before you can play outside again, but the truth is there’s no better time to entertain! Embrace the winter wonderland with close friends and warm drinks. -Heather Winkel

ROEDER MORTUARIES

Family Owned for 100 years

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.

4916 Underwood Avenue 402-505-8333 dundeegallery.com

20 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

2727 N. 108th Street 4932 Ames Avenue 402-496-9000 402-453-5600

11710 Standing Stone 402-332-0090

www.roedermortuary.com

PHOTOS BY KRISTA LEIGH HURST

1/3 cup water 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 cup sugar Pinch of salt 3 1/2 cups milk 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

MAKE-YOUR-OWN HOT CHOCOLATE BAR Mix up a batch of hot chocolate, adorn simple mugs with glitter bows and let your guests doctor-up their own drinks. Create a bar of white and dark chocolates, caramels and peppermint, and then top things off with whipped cream and/or marshmallows. Looking to add a little more life to the party? An added shot of chocolate or coffee liqueur should do the trick.

inspiredhomeomaha.com  21

By Chris Christen

Greenberg Fine Art

Canyon Road: The heart & soul of the art scene

NOTABLE EVENTS

"Santa Fe is one giant shopping spree," a well-traveled Omaha

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the world. "Bring buckets of money."

Feb. 24-26 - ARTFeast Santa Fe, celebrating the city's worldclass chefs and restaurants, vintners, designers and home builders. www.artfeast.com

friend warned me before a recent whirlwind trip to the biggest little art city in

While others in my party were exploring museums and markets, I stole off to Canyon Road – the heart and soul of Santa Fe's art scene. The galleries and boutiques nested along the tree-lined street left me in a state of nirvana.

Prices for fine art, custom jewelry and Persian rugs were what I expected. But

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after a slow summer and fall, shopkeepers voiced willingness to negotiate if

GETTING AROUND

it meant closing a sale. In two cases, I received meaningful discounts before

The New Mexico Rail Runner connects Santa Fe and Albuquerque seven days a week. The trip takes about 1.5 hours each way. Bargain fare for a same-day round-trip: $8. From the Railyard, hop a circular shuttle Monday through Saturday to several downtown locations.

I could ask for their best price. That made it fun to shop as if money was no object. My total fantasy spend this trip: Roughly $422,700. $51,000 at Patricia Carlisle Fine Art: "Grecian Summer” by David Pearson; limited-edition bronze.

$2,400 also at La Mesa, hand-carved Hopi maiden by Gregory Lomayesva (photo, opposite page).

$750-$2,000 at La Mesa of Santa Fe: Fused-glass linear panels by Melissa Haid. Custom orders welcome.

$67,000 to $350,000 at Reflection Gallery: Oils by Ukranian master impressionist Fedor Zakharov (1919-1994).

22 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

$16,000 at Greenberg Fine Art: "Park Side, Late October” by David Bottini (aka Gabriel), acrylic on canvas with highgloss finish (middle piece in photo above). $1,298 at Nathalie of Santa Fe: Custom lizard boots.

SANTA FE NEW MEXICO

TOURING TIPS Santa Fe is fairly flat and pedestrian-friendly, especially in the Plaza area. For drivers, a GPS is highly recommended.

The street grid is confounding, and curbside parking is at a premium. Save yourself frustration by utilizing a city parking garage or lot, and go by foot.

The Flying Star Café

La Mesa of Santa Fe

GOOD EATS

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

-The Flying Star Café, The Railyard. A combination diner, coffeehouse and reading room.

The menu is a sinfully divine calorie bonanza.

-Todos Santos, Sena Plaza.

This tiny shop is famous for its gold-dipped milk chocolate religious medallions, whimsical “after-dinner saints” and other delicious handmade sweets.

-El Farol, the city's oldest restaurant. Near St. Francis Cathedral.

-French Pastry Shop, for Old World ambiance and mouthwatering family recipes.

-Guadalupe Cafe, for possibly the best breakfast in town.

-Ore House on the Plaza, for a relaxing trip back in time.

-Geronimo north of town about 10 miles, for chic and romantic dining to cap your visit.

The further from the Plaza, the better the prices for food and merchandise.

-Guadalupe Street district, including the Sanbusco Market Center and The Railyard anchored by outdoor goods giant R.E.I. The Railyard also hosts seasonal markets with Native American crafts.

-Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid), an eccentric artists' community along the scenic Turquoise Trail south of Santa Fe. "It's a crazy little place," said a Canyon Road shopkeeper who has watched the area come into its own with an odd lot of vendors specializing in used curiosities.

"The shops are really funky. Eat at the Mine Shaft Tavern."

-Taos, another art mecca, via the snaking High Road. For the return trip, take the Low Road through the Rio Grande Gorge.

PHOTOS: CHRIS CHRISTEN & KURT A. KEELER

San Miguel Chapel

BE A TOURIST Worth a look in the Plaza and downtown areas: -St. Francis Cathedral, dedicated in 1886 -San Miguel Chapel, 1610, possibly the oldest church in the United States, and Loretto Chapel with its miraculous spiral staircase - Palace of Governors/New Mexico Museum of Art -Museum Hill: Indian art and culture, Folk art, Spanish Colonial art; Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian

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Meet Ted Kooser, fascinating observer of life and collector of silk flowers

continued on page 26

24  JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Two times a year, Kooser donates bound volumes of personal correspondence and journal entries to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.

The collection currently spans about 40 years.

By Chris Christen

Photographed by Matt Miller inspiredhomeomaha.com  25

continued from page 24

continued on page 28

Howard, a slow but faithful yellow Lab, found Kathleen and Ted on a morning walk along a country road more than a decade ago.

He was skinny and covered with mud – and instantly welcomed into the family.

26 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Occupation: American poet and artificial florist Year of birth: 1939 Accomplishments: Author of a number of collections of poetry, essays and nonfiction books; 13th Poet Laureate of the United States, 2004-2006; Pulitzer Prize winner in poetry, “Delights & Shadows,” 2005 Education: B.S. in English, Iowa State University, 1962; M.A. in English, University of NebraskaLincoln, 1968 Home base: Garland and Dwight in southeast Nebraska Learn more: tedkooser.net

Kooser is a master at discovering the extraordinary within the ordinary. His writings are enduringly rooted in his own back yard – known "with a wink" as the Bohemian Alps.

A second-level cubby – accessible only by ladder – serves as Kooser's home office. He brags that he can climb the rungs with a coffee cup in hand, and demonstrates the feat for his doubting guests.

“He has only fallen once,” his wife says, pointing to two tiles with hairline cracks where Kooser’s head hit the floor.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 27

continued from page 26

Ted was keen on moving from the city to the country when he stumbled upon their acreage in the late 1970s. Kathleen wasn't immediately sold. It meant giving up a five-bedroom house in Lincoln for a tiny 20- by 24-foot farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Today, the house they've lived in since 1984 is bigger and the acreage is their little slice of heaven on earth.

november 14

In the low forties and clear.

"My wife and I walk the cold road in silence, asking for thirty more years.

There's a pink and blue sunrise with an accent of red: a hunter's cap burns like a coal in the yellow-gray eye of the woods."

- “Winter Morning Walks: One Hundred Postcards to Jim Harrison" Carnegie Mellon University Press, 2000

continued on page 30

28  JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

On the drawing board: Mixed-media illustrations for “The Bell and the Bridge,” his second children’s book. “I just pick it up, work on it for awhile and put it down,” he says of the artwork for the book.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 29

continued from page 28

“One of the joys of having readers is that you get hand-carved walking sticks one day and handmade books the next day,” Kooser says.

Thank-you notes – yellowed and brittle from the passage of time – hang by tacks in a shack where Kooser reads and writes and looks out over a small pond not far from the house.

A Winter Morning "A farmhouse window far back from the highway speaks to the darkness in a small, sure voice.

Against this stillness, only a kettle's whisper, and against the starry cold, one small blue ring of flame."

- “Delights & Shadows” Copper Canyon Press, 2004 continued on page 34

30 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Kooser is an avid collector of LP record albums.

He houses his country collection at his studio in Dwight. His classical LPs have a permanent spot in the corncrib studio at home. But both locations are equally populated with a little bit of everything. The rich tones of Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" take him back. "You can see why my parents' generation loved to dance when you listen to this."

inspiredhomeomaha.com  31

March 20

The vernal equinox.

". . .This morning the sun stood right at the end of the road and waited for me."

- “Winter Morning Walks”

32 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

When the noon whistle blows, Kooser heads around the corner and across the street to Cy's Cafe.

Most days, aromas from the kitchen spill into the town. "I once walked 10 miles from home to Dwight for one of Cy's fresh donuts."

inspiredhomeomaha.com  33

An overstuffed chair in the living room is a favorite writing spot in the wee hours of the morning. Two days a week, Kooser drives to Lincoln to teach classes at UNL. On other days, he heads in the direction of Dwight or Garland. "I like going down roads I've never traveled." He has put 240,000 miles on his '98 Subaru Outback. A newer model (2007) has 100,000 miles.

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continued from page 30

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dentist led to the discovery of a tumor on the back of

his tongue. He had surgery, followed by six weeks of radiation.

His illness left him anxious, “miserably sorry” for himself, and unable to write. But as autumn began to fade and winter approached, Kooser began to heal. Predawn hikes along isolated country roads helped him along the way. One morning in early November, he surprised himself by trying his hand at a poem.

Soon, he was writing every morning again. He would paste his poems – all intimately connected to the experience of getting better – on postcards to lifelong friend and fellow author Jim Harrison. The correspondence would be the basis for “Winter Morning Walks: one hundred postcards to Jim Harrison” (Carnegie Mellon University Press, 2000).

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“When you have something like that happen, it gives you a massive dose of humility,” Kooser says of his illness and recovery. “You’re so delighted to be alive.”

Ordinary life, in fact, is his greatest delight. “I don't need any

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inspiredhomeomaha.com 3535 inspiredhomeomaha.com

Organized chaos is this couple’s secret to marital bliss

ARTFUL CLUTTER How do a minimalist and a toy collector find harmony at home? Through a really cool toy box.

But let’s back up eight years to when Katie Torpy and J.J. Carroll met.

Carroll, an artist, had just moved back to his native Omaha. He had been living on the East Coast, initially with no intention of returning to the Midwest. But commuting more than two hours each way between New Jersey and New York City every day began to wear on him, and a friend’s offer to share a house in Omaha was successfully tempting.

“Omaha is a great home base,” Carroll says. “There’s a great quality of life. I can’t explain it. Something clicked.”

He met Torpy at his own housewarming party. An Omaha native, she had been living in Chicago, where she worked as a dog walker. At the time of Carroll’s housewarming party, she was between apartments.

Something clicked, too, between Torpy and Carroll – and with Omaha.

“It was nice to be home," she says. "I met J.J. and fell back into the community. There were more opportunities here.” continued on page 38

Neighborhood Benson/Fontenelle Hills Interior Decorator Homeowners Features Built in 1932 Bedrooms 3

Bathrooms 1.5

Square Feet 1,817

By Lindsey Anne Baker

36 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Photographed by Daniel Johnson

The abstract is by Kenneth Adkins titled "Uptown."

The comic page illustrations are from the 1970s Marvel Comics title "O.M.A.C." by artist Jack "King of Comics" Kirby & Dick Ayers. Carroll, the homeowner, also has a full sleeve of Kirby characters tattooed on his arm. The couple compromised on Carroll's toy collection: He could display his toys – as long as they were inside a tidy display case.

inspiredhomeomaha.com  37

GET THE LOOK Harvest Gold, Sherwin Williams

The couple's furniture is a mixture of Craigslist finds and antiquing, always keeping a budget in mind. They are always on the lookout for the right piece to add to their collection.

The four-season porch serves as a conservatory.

She is the plant collector; he is the one who remembers to water them, Torpy says.

continued from page 36

The two were married in October 2012.

collection of toys and action figures mostly from the 1960s to 1980s, as well as original comic book illustrations and other art. So when they moved into their early 1930s house in May 2011, the couple

Now, Torpy is program and office manager for the Joslyn Institute for

compromised. Carroll could display his toys – as long as they were inside

Sustainable Communities, which promotes sustainable development

a tidy display case.

through education and advocacy. Carroll, who has a long history working in framing, recently opened Choice Custom Framing & Gallery.

The full-service framing shop and art gallery is located in the Benson neighborhood.

Torpy is the minimalist to Carroll’s collecting – he has an extensive

38 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

That case, which came from Joslyn Art Museum and was originally owned by Sarah Joslyn, is the cherry on top of their eclectic living room.

Carroll selected the toys to go in the case, and arranged them according to the color spectrum (The curious can watch a time-lapse YouTube video of continued on page 42

The couple's media library is displayed in the dining room.

The woodpeckers painting is by artist Tom D.

GET THE LOOK Park Place, Valspar

inspiredhomeomaha.com  39

Her work space vs. his work space: Stickers and toys abound in Carroll's upstairs studio, covering the walls, shelves, desk and the floor. Her main-floor office is an arrangement of original art, vintage pieces and handmade paper goods. They both surround themselves with pieces they love.

40  JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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continued from page 38

him filling the display case).

The collection fascinates just inside the entryway. It’s organized chaos, neatly balanced by mismatched vintage, mid-century modern-inspired furniture throughout the open living and dining rooms.

There are other collections throughout Torpy’s and Carroll’s house as well, including a book collection, half of which is currently tucked away, and an assortment of plants inside a small sunroom off the dining room. The house itself, which boasts its original storm windows and an extra I-beam that bolsters the old red oak wood floors, seems to be a catalyst for further collecting. Torpy and Carroll have already sanded and refinished the floors, and they’re slowly painting rooms and picking out furniture to complement each space.

In their previous home, they hung wall-to-wall art. “This,” Torpy says, gesturing around the living room, “is breathable.”

It’s all about reducing clutter, Torpy says. “It’s artful clutter.”

And the couple is still nesting.

“Come back in two years when we’ll have a finished product to show,” Carroll says. “Some of the most exciting stuff is still to come.”

42 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

GET THE LOOK Westchester Gray, Sherwin Williams

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Cape Cod-style home gets a kitchen remodel straight from ‘Something’s Gotta Give’

DREAMING UP 'THE ONE' It was a conundrum. The Omaha couple

likes both modern architectural designs – open floor plans, large kitchens, pitched ceilings – and classic-traditional features such as double-hung windows, wide baseboards, crown molding and corner blocks.

The possible solutions: Build a new home; or renovate an existing house and incorporate those period touches.

The latter is just what they did to the 1970s Cape Cod they purchased in the Regency neighborhood in the summer of 2011.

The result is a home suitable for a 21st-century family and lifestyle, with the kinds of construction details that have stood the test of time and will easily meet any family's changing needs.

Leather club chairs flanking the fireplace in the hearth room beckon.

It is a comfortable spot to read the newspaper or a book, or to sit with a cup of tea.

The home was among those featured in the 2012 Remodel Omaha Tour sponsored by the local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. continued on page 46

Neighborhood: Regency Interior Design: Julie’s Kitchen Design; Creative Interiors by Libby Builder Advanced Design & Construction Inc., Omaha Bedrooms 4

Bathrooms 4

Square Feet 3,893

B y P a t Wa t e r s | P h o t o g r a p h e d b y J e f f r e y B e b e e

44 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Arts & Crafts movement trim details evoke a traditional sense of design. The strong lines of the sailboat in the picture above the headboard mimic those of the four-poster bed.

inspiredhomeomaha.com  45

To achieve the homeowner’s vision, the contractor reconfigured the main floor spaces and built a great room addition.

She loves open spaces, raised ceilings and light-flooded rooms. "I sketched out what I wanted, and they made it work," she says.

continued from page 44

The renovation almost didn’t happen.

The couple had purchased another house in the Westside Community Schools District after deciding that they wanted to move from Gretna to Omaha with their young daughters. Before returning to Nebraska, the couple previously owned a new condo in historic Old Town Alexandria, Va., just outside of Washington, D.C. "We didn’t have any ties to Gretna, and my husband works in downtown Omaha. We picked an area and a school and then found a house," the homeowner says.

The house was on a “great lot in a great area,” but it didn’t fit the family’s The nearly 400-square-foot great room extends off the large open kitchen.

Adjoining hearth and breakfast rooms provide even more options for family dining and relaxation. Windows and doors along three sides of the house open the indoor space to the patio and yard outside.

needs. So they planned to demolish it and build a ranch-style home.

The family was reviewing architectural plans when the Regency house became available. It was on a “great lot in an even better area,” the homeowner says.

She knew it was "the one." So they bought it, and they put the other one on the market again. "It was a little stressful making two house payments at the same time,” she recalls. continued on page 49

46 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

The inspiration for the kitchen was the kitchen in the 2003 movie, "Something’s Gotta Give," starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. A Southampton, N.Y., beach house was the setting for the film. Julie’s Kitchen Design was instrumental in deciding how to make the room functional as well as beautiful. It’s the family’s favorite part of the house.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 47

48 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

continued from page 46

Despite a sluggish housing market, the property sold quickly. And since the family was already living in a rented house, they avoided the mess and inconvenience of living in what would have been a

GET THE LOOK Warm Stone Sherwin Williams

months-long renovation.

They moved into their Regency home last February.

The two-story, four-bedroom home has 2,400 square feet on the main level and about 1,000 square feet upstairs. The master suite is on the main level, along with an office, formal dining room, hearth room, kitchen, great room, breakfast room, powder room, mud room and computer center. The home also has an elevator, disguised as a closet, off the entry.

Advanced Design & Construction of Omaha, which built the couple’s Gretna house, was the architect and contractor. The couple also worked with Julie’s Kitchen Design and Creative Interiors by Libby (Pantzlaff).

"We love this house. We hope we never have to move," says the homeowner.

Facing page: The kitchen has white cabinets – some with glass-fronted doors – a large island, stainless steel appliances and soapstone and quartzite counters. Floors here, as in most of the downstairs, are wide-plank maple. The hearth room has a new fireplace with a black soapstone surround and built-in bookcases. Oversized windows maximize the patio view.

The master bath, like the kitchen, has subtle elements representative of the "aging in place" trend in new and remodeled homes. The homeowners designed a zeroentry shower with a granite seat and shelving, a soaking tub with Niagara Gold granite surround, an open under vanity and wide doorways for wheelchair accessibility.

Neutral walls and furnishings achieve an atmosphere of tranquility and sophistication. Gray and a complementary paint color called Warm Stone accentuate the white trim. All in all, it’s quite a departure from the red and yellow tones that had been used in the family’s Gretna house.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 49

P L U S : T H E M A S T E R B AT H p a g e 5 8

MEET THE NEW GREAT ROOM: CONVENIENT, CREATIVE & LAVISH

By Dan McCann & Chris Christen

The kitchen is the new great room in a seamless blend

of cooking and living space. The trend is partly driven by a shift toward a more casual, healthier lifestyle. Families enjoy being together, and they're cooking and entertaining more at home. Home builders and remodelers are responding with floor plans that sizzle with essential ingredients for a kitchen-centric lifestyle. Here are four Omaha family kitchens that illustrate the trend.

“People now want gigantic islands that are fully integrated with seating and appliances,” says remodeling contractor ISLANDS George Hewitt, owner of GS Hewitt LLC. Islands are, indeed, becoming their own functional kitchen oasis. Homeowners are outfitting their islands – both dual and single-height – with microwaves, cooktop ranges, dishwashers, sinks, cabinetry and other storage and roll-out recycling bins. Hewitt says a hot trend in islands is the waterfall concept, in which the top and the sides flow together with one solid, integrated surface material. Another interesting option, especially for families with younger children, is an island with a lowered section for drop-down dining.

50 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

THE FAMILY: Maureen and Brian Casey and their six children, ages 4 to 20.

They live in West Fairacres Place, a gated neighborhood near Burke High School. Their house was built in 1991, and they've lived here for four years.

THE SITUATION: The Caseys love the layout of their large kitchen. They have a wide granite counter where the kids can eat, do homework and use the computer while Mom prepares meals at a cook-friendly island. But the kitchen seemed disconnected from the dining room and the sunroom.

Both of those areas were dark and out of character compared to the bright and airy kitchen, which sits between them.

THE SOLUTION: Interior designer Libby Pantzlaff suggested painting the kitchen walls in a slightly lighter shade of blue-gray. They also painted the red brick hearth and the built-in natural wood shelving in the dining area, and lightened up the windows and walls in the sunroom that doubles as a TV room.

GET THE LOOK Coastal Blue, Benjamin Moore

FAUCETS WITH FLOURISH “Previously, people just wanted the faucet to blend in. Now it has become almost like a piece of art, a centerpiece. It’s fashion,” says Barb Ganey of Kitchens & Baths by Briggs.

High-arced faucets with pull-down capability and multi-flow technology enhance functionality. Do you want to add an extra splash of color in the kitchen? Your faucet can now deliver. The stainless Delta Fuse kitchen collection offers three colorful accent options – cracked pepper (black), chili pepper (red) and snowflake white – at the base and spout.

BOTH PAGES: JEFFREY BEBEE

Sleek Space-Saver

inspiredhomeomaha.com 51

THE DINING AREA: The shelving units flanking the fireplace were rebuilt, and the brass hardware on the hearth was switched out in the Casey home. Custom painter Tara Heil was asked to create a large canvas to anchor the space.

Instead of hanging a chandelier, the Caseys added ceiling soffits with recessed lights.

Kitchen cabinet designers are flexing their imaginations these days, and are building plenty of surprises (and extra storage space) into their creations. A lazy Susan appears behind an upper cabinet door, with a built-in spice rack behind another.

Do you need an out-of-sight place to stash your keys, a flashlight or a cell phone, perhaps? There can be a built-in space for that too. “We’re getting more and more requests from people looking for more options for cabinets. They’re utilizing every inch of those cabinets,” says Mory Ludwick of Premier Countertops. Pullout concepts are seeing a surge, including pullout shelving, pullout cabinet baskets and even pullout towel bars. Another hot trend: open shelves. “Instead of having enclosed upper cabinets, open shelves with decorative baskets are becoming more in vogue,” says Hewitt.

CREATIVE STORAGE

52 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

BOTH PAGES: JEFFREY BEBEE

THE SUNROOM: The original terra cotta tile floor stayed and became the basis for the room's color palette. The walls, baseboards, moldings and shutters were painted white; the ceiling color is the same as the kitchen wall color.

An upholstered chair and curved leather sofa maximize seating for TV viewing. The room also has a small computer desk tucked into a corner along the couch wall. Tara Heil created a new art piece from an existing three-panel canvas that no longer worked with the new color scheme.

Stately & Refined

Natural stone still rocks.

Granite is still king when it comes to upscale kitchen countertops, but quartz isn’t far behind. “Corian is experiencing a comeback too.

We’re getting a lot of interest in some of their new colors,” says Ludwick. His company carries a laminate that looks a lot like granite, stone and other solid surfaces. It’s an attractive option, Ludwick says, if you want the illusion of granite without the cost.

COUNTERSPACE

This kitchen's contemporary design is highlighted by Thermofoil zebra wood cabinetry. An ambient lighting design and polished hardware create a clean aesthetic. The island features Victoria River granite with a laminated flat polished edge. Absolute Black granite is used on the remaining countertops.

Interior design, Ellen Turnage, Interiors Joan & Associates. Builder, Ken Oster Homes.

Glass pendant light fixtures and a Cambria black with silver shimmer countertop gives this lower level bar area sparkle. The bar's raked-front detail with metallic paint finish is lit from below the countertop for textural interest.

The backsplash is a two-dimensional wall covering with silver metallic finish. Interior design, Ellen Turnage, Interiors Joan & Associates. Builder, Ken Oster Homes.

The purposes of a backsplash are pretty gritty – to protect walls from greasy or soggy splatters and to clean up easily afterward. But it can do the job with style – and artistry.

A current trend in backsplash design is a stone and glass combination in a random linear look. Deco backsplashes are also the rage. "A lot of people say, ‘I want a four-inch backsplash. ’ No you don’t," says Ludwick. "A four-inch granite backsplash is pretty boring.”

BACKSPLASH

PHOTOS THIS PAGE : TOM KESSLER/KESSLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Sleek & Edgy

inspiredhomeomaha.com 53

BOTH PAGES: JEFFREY BEBEE

54 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Ed Shada, an executive at Great Western Bank, and his wife, Bailie, have the best of rural and city living on a secluded hilltop in Council Bluffs: A short walk or drive to restaurants, stores and work; and Sunday morning serenades of train whistles and church bells.

Yet the 90-year-old, two-story house the Shadas bought when Ed first returned to Nebraska for a job 10 years ago wasn’t quite what the couple had in mind for a permanent home. That required a year-long renovation that expanded the house on three sides, added 3,500 square feet and nearly doubled the living space.

The hallmark of the renovation is an expansive kitchen and adjoining dining room, separated only by a partial wall into which is tucked a two-way fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling windows running the entire 52-foot length of one wall open the space to the terraced backyard, trees and changing seasons.

“The room explodes into the outdoors,” Ed says. “It’s like living in the trees.”

The Shadas’ partners in the renovation were Bryan Zimmer, The Architectural Offices; contractor Chris Rochleau, Cherry Ridge Construction; and designer Jenn Carroll White, Interiors Joan & Associates. -Pat Waters

Artisan Organic

The kitchen-dining room can easily handle 70 or 80 people. A six-burner gas cooktop – one of the home's professional-grade appliances – faces the curved breakfast bar and the windows so the cook doesn’t feel isolated from his or her guests.

inspiredhomeomaha.com 55

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The apron-front sink is a growing trend in the modern kitchen, says Barb Ganey of Kitchens & Baths by Briggs. Also known as farmhouse sinks, apron-fronts are not ashamed about showing off their outside front wall. If you’re concerned that they seem too old-fashioned, don’t be. Companies like Kohler have incorporated fresh shapes, new colors and decorative designs into their apron-fronts. Easier to install and large enough to accommodate oversized pots, pans and cookie sheets, today’s apron-fronts offer a choice of deep single- or double-bowl construction. Materials include enameled cast iron, fireclay, porcelain and stainless steel.

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Sprucing up the kitchen doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Modernize your space by updating your cabinet hardware, and then pull it all together with coordinating appliance pulls and light switch covers. “Those are good ways to give your kitchen a face-lift – and all it takes is a screwdriver,” says Ganey. “It makes a huge difference.” Oil-rubbed bronze and brushed nickel remain the most popular hardware finishes. Leather and crystal accents are also in style. (See page 62 for knob finish inspiration.)

KNOBS & PULLS

“Pot fillers are definitely a splurge,” says Robyn Petersen of Kitchens & Baths by Briggs. Described

by Moen as the “ultimate epicurean luxury,” pot fillers are appearing in more and more kitchens, swooping in to take some of the hassle out of meal preparation. Available in a variety of styles and finishes, the faucets can be mounted anywhere there is a water supply, but the most convenient location is over the cooktop. Dual joints allow for maximum extension and retraction, and dual shutoff valves eliminate the need to reach over a hot surface.

POT FILLERS

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To paraphrase the Queen rock classic, "We want it all and we want it now" – hot water included.

Instant hot water dispensers offer a convenient complement to the kitchen faucet, and they are ready to dispense 200-degree water at a moment’s notice.

Blanch vegetables, serve hot cereals and make the perfect cup of tea.

INSTANT HOT WATER

COURTESY OF THERMADOR

Thermador's Freedom Induction Cooktop heats cookware placed anywhere on its surface. Introduced in July, it was the most anticipated kitchen appliance in 2012. Forbes called it the "world's sexiest stove," while WIRED labeled it the "techie chef’s dream.”

Suggested retail: $4,949.

Thermador’s six-program Sapphire dishwasher is designed for those who love to entertain.

Adjustable chef's tool drawer; flexible tines for stemware and serving pieces; and one of the shortest wash cycles in the industry.

Suggested retail: $2,299.

NOT YOUR PARENTS' APPLIANCES

As a child, it ranked right up there with a trip to the dentist: appliance shopping with Mom and Dad. Times have changed (you’re the parent now) – and so have those appliances. Bigger, faster and digital are "in." Some of the latest innovations could trigger a severe case of “I need to have that.” - Dan McCann

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By Dan McCann

C R E AT I N G A P L U S H , PA M P E R I N G A N D B E AU T I F U L R E T R E AT I S E A S I E R (& MORE FUN) THAN EVER. Tile made from natural stone is still the popular standard, but glass tile is GLASS experiencing a resurgence, especially as it becomes more affordable. “Fifteen TILE years ago, you couldn’t touch glass tile for less than $50 to $60/foot. Now, it’s $15 to $20/foot,” says George Hewitt, owner of GS Hewitt LLC. This is the second go-round for glass tile. It was originally in vogue circa 1915 to 1930. “In those days, if you had blue glass tile, it was blue glass tile. Today, they take clear glass and put a color coating on the back,” explains Hewitt. “You can still buy glass tile that is colored all the way through, but it’s $60 to $90/foot.”

Glass House

Handsome and Steamy

“People are really spending more money on their showers,” says Barb Ganey of Kitchens & Baths by Briggs. With all of the possibilities, it’s not hard to see why. Today’s complete shower is outfitted with huge rain heads, body sprays, multi-setting hand-helds and channel drains. Pause functionality reduces water to a trickle while you lather up or shave your legs. Want to add another element of exquisiteness? Consider installing a steam unit, which also offers iPod capability and both aromatherapy and chromatherapy. “We do see this huge growing trend into the therapies. It’s not a fad anymore,” says Ganey. “And, I don’t think people realize that it’s pretty affordable.” Mory Ludwick of Premier Countertops says his company is selling more and more Corian showers.

“They’re expensive, but people love them because they stay clean 100 percent of the time.”

DREAM SHOWER

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BOTH PAGES: COURTESY OF JULIA RUSSELL DESIGNS

The master suite in a ranch-style home expands to include a coffee bar (shown opposite page) between the spa-like bathroom and the closet. A small refrigerator - perfect for breakfast items - is concealed in the custom cabinetry. The backsplash design coordinates with the tile in the master bath. Interior design by Julia Russell Designs; architect, Gerber Architecture; contractor, Streamline Construction.

A glass tile backsplash becomes a design element for a spalike bathroom in a newly finished basement. A large piece of art over the toilet picks up the colors in the tile and the dark finishes in the woodwork and shower frame. Sconces wired directly into the vanity mirror minimize wall clutter. A niche wall (not pictured) accommodates a TV mounted to a pullout swivel arm. Interior design by Julia Russell Designs.

BUILT-INS: THE STORAGE SOLUTION With towels, toiletries and linens to stash, built-in shelving and cabinet space equal a storage bonanza in your master bathroom. Options abound for storage solutions, including vanity storage, full built-ins with glass fronts or mirrors and storage by the bathtub or the latrine. Additional bathroom built-in possibilities include tissue holders, toothbrush holders, soap dispensers and, on a grander scale, bookcases. Coffeemakers and flat-screen televisions are also making an appearance in the master bathroom.

inspiredhomeomaha.com  59

Wallpaper That Pops

Self-adhesive wall tiles turn a modern family's powder room into a conversation piece. The embossed design, which has a sculptural appearance, was a bear to install in the tight space, says homeowner Darcy Beck. But the effect is so cool, she would do it again. From www.wall-flats.com, the pattern is called Braille and retails for $86 for 10 tiles (22.5 square feet).

Other designs, including waves, are also available.

As with their kitchen counterparts, bathroom faucets are undergoing some hi-tech upgrades. Touch faucets turn on and off with a tap of your hand.

Hands-free sensor faucets require a simple wave. Design styles range from ultra-modern to masculine to sleek and simple. Channel or open-spout faucets add a touch of naturally flowing elegance. Hewitt’s recommendation on the faucet front? “If you can afford it, do a wall-mounted faucet. The fact that you don’t have to try to clean between the faucet and the back splash – that’s big.”

HI-TECH FAUCETS

Warm Greeting (facing page)

An existing soaking tub becomes a dramatic focal point for a master bathroom redo. The tub face is accented with quartz and mosaic tile; the walls and pillars are finished to look like marble. A gold metallic motif accents the curved ceiling above the tub, while a random two-dimensional flower motif adds wall interest. The mosaic tile continues into a walk-in shower.

Heated floors were a must for the homeowners. Interior designer: Libby Pantzlaff. Faux painting: Tara Heil.

60 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Natural stone (granite, quartz, marble and travertine) and Corian continue to be popular choices for bathroom countertops and vanities, but recycled green materials are gaining favor.

“It’s not green for the sake of being green. Today’s green materials are aesthetically much more pleasing than what used to be available,” says Hewitt. “There have been some major breakthroughs.” Vetrazzo by Polycor is transforming old glass from traffic lights, windows and beverage containers into unique new countertop and vanity surfaces. Vetrazzo’s manufacturer says Polycor is comparable to granite in terms of strength, scratch-resistance and heat-resistance.

Eco by Cosentino is another option in eco-friendly surfaces.

VANITIES

“In the bathroom, if you’re going to have a splurge it's heated floors,” says Hewitt.

“That’s a game-changer and the most bang for the buck that you’re going to get in the bathroom.”

Radiant heat in the floor used to be very expensive, but Hewitt says the price has come down considerably.

For roughly an extra $3/foot, your tootsies can now stay toasty in the winter.

HEATED FLOORS

CHRIS CHRISTEN; COURTESY OF JULIA RUSSELL DESIGNS

A nondescript bathroom in a condo unit gets a pop of life with minimal investment for a designer showcase tour. Carpet tiles dress up the floor, while a ceilingmounted fabric drape next to the toilet functions as a privacy screen.

Blown-glass pieces accent the walls.

Interior design by Julia Russell Designs.

Artistic Statement

DANIEL JOHNSON

inspiredhomeomaha.com 61

62 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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inspiredhomeomaha.com 63

CONFETTI KITCHEN TOWELS flour sack towels (ours are from Walmart) fabric medium (ours is from Michaels) sticks to mix paint paint-mixing tray craft paint cardboard round foam sponges 1. Wash and iron flour sack towels before starting the project. 2. Mix one part fabric medium to two parts craft paint in as many colors as you’d like. 3. Lay the dish towel flat on top of cardboard (so the paint doesn’t leak onto your surface).

4. Dip round foam sponges in various paint colors and dab on dish towels.

Layering dots creates a fun confetti pattern! 5. Let towels dry overnight.

Heat-set with iron and wash before using. - Heather Winkel

"IF I WERE ASKED to NAME THE CHIEF BENEFIT of the house, I SHOULD SAY: the HOUSE SHELTERS DAY-DREAMING, the HOUSE PROTECTS the DREAMER, the HOUSE ALLOWS ONE TO DREAM in PEACE." Gaston Bachelard

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