March/April 2011 Omaha HOME by Omaha Magazine

March/April 2011

Environmental

MAKEOVER Eddith Buis' carriage house is updated to a green dream home

Artful Place

Historic Dundee

A Touch of Aspen

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Sales Center Hours Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm Sat & Sun 12noon - 5pm

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This is not an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, real property. Purchasers should review the Federal Property Report prior to signing a contract. 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., 360 N. Michigan Ave. Ste. 910, Chicago, IL 60601, (312) 750-1610. Š2011 Midtown Crossing, a Mutual of Omaha Mixed-Use Development. All Rights Reserved. All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be used without permission.

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OMAHA HOME: from the editor MARCH/APRIL 2011 VOLUME 1 • I S S U E 2 publisher

todd lemke managing editor

corey ross city editor

sandra lemke assistant editor

linda persigehl art director/graphic design

matt jensen assistant graphic design

john gawley photography

image director: bill sitzmann head photographer: philip s. drickey technical advisor

tyler lemke contributing writers

molly garriott • judy horan heather lane • wendy townley vice president

greg bruns account executives

g w e n l e m k e • gil cohen vick i voet • stacey penrod sales associates

alicia smith hollins • dara newson katie anderson FOR ADVERTISING SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:

402.884.2000

To subscribe to

Omaha Magazine go to:

omahapublications.com

Omaha

Home

Finds a Home in Omaha

In January, Omaha Magazine rolled out an expanded home section and stand-alone magazine titled Omaha Home that sought to bring our readers an entirely locally produced publication about matters pertaining to the home.

The feedback following the debut issue clearly indicates Omaha Home has already found a home in Omaha.

The following is a look at responses from some of the advertisers and feature subjects in the debut issue: “Omaha Home has been so beneficial to Tweed Couch.

Everyone was so helpful from photography to describing the shop's unique qualities. They then pulled it all together into a wonderful piece to be so proud of. I cannot tell you how many times our clients have said they read our article in Omaha Home.”

- Diane Flynn, Tweed Couch “Omaha Home features the stories and articles that our client demographic is interested in reading. The content is local and the magazine prints beautifully. Whenever we have ads or feature articles in an issue, we are welcomed by positive feedback from our clients, family and friends. Being a part of this magazine is both a pleasure and a great asset to our business."

- Lindi Janulewicz, Marketing Director, Interiors Joan and Associates

“We've advertised in many publications, but the response to our ad in Omaha Home has surpassed them all! Customer feedback has been excellent! We, along with our customers, love the look and layout of this new magazine. Thank you, Omaha Home!”

- Nancy Erb, PEARSON & COMPANY “I have had great feedback on my profile and it has produced great conversation about residential architecture and has created potential future business. Much of the feedback is also specifically about the new look and wider scope of the Omaha Magazine. Thank you for using your publication to promote the working community and the great city of Omaha!”

- Architect Suzanne Rohrig, AIA

Other positive feedback about the issue largely revolved around the look of the publication and its heavy visual emphasis.

The encore issue has the same elements as the original, only more of them. The second issue jumps from 36 pages to a robust 52.

In this issue, Omaha Home brings you features about, among other things: the renovated carriage house of Omaha artist Eddith Buis; the Aspen-like backyard of Dr. Luke Nordquist; the art-filled townhome of local art collector Carol Gendler; tips for improving your garage space; a look at the transformation of a timber frame home near Ashland; and a neighborhood profile of Dundee.

Any comments, requests or submissions for Omaha Home can be sent to stacey@omahapublications.com. We appreciate your feedback and readership. Sit back, relax and enjoy!

Comments? Send your letter to the editor to: letters@omahapublications.com All versions of Omaha Magazine are published bimonthly by Omaha Magazine, LTD, P.O. Box 461208, Omaha NE 68046-1208. Telephone: (402) 884-2000; fax (402) 884-2001. Subscription rates: $19.95 for 6 issues (one year), $24.95 for 12 issues (two years). No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of Omaha Magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted, however no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations. Best of Omaha®™ is a registered tradename of Omaha Magazine.

Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD www.readonlinenow.com

Sincerely,

Stacey Penrod, Account Executive and Contributing Editor for Omaha Home Omaha Home appears as its own magazine and as a section within Omaha Magazine.

To view the full version of Omaha Magazine, or to subscribe, go to www.readonlinenow.com. march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: contents

FEATURE

DEPARTMENTS

Covery Story: Environmental Makeover … H36

At Home: An Artful Place … H10

Spotlight: In the Garage … H34

COLUMNS

In The Neighborhood: Historic Dundee … H14

Green: Everything Including the Kitchen Sink … H40

Real Estate: What You Must Know About Omaha's Housing Market … H21

Outdoor Living: A Touch of Aspen … H18

New on the Block: The Details Have It … H44

Builder Profile: Brother Builders … H22

Party Planning: Celebrate St. Pat's … H46

Shopping: What's New … H24

Condo Living: Condominium Momentum … H48

Mortgage: It's a Great Time to Buy a Home … H39

Design profile: Marco Lade … H26

Pets: Charlotte & Claire… H50

Inspection: Is a Pre-Sale Inspection for You? … H43

Transformations: Wood and Warmth … H28

Tech: Apple-Based Home Automation System … H35

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OMAHA HOME: at home Story by Judy Horan Photos by www.minorwhitestudios.com

An Artful Place An eclectic array of artwork adorns the townhome of local art lover Carol Gendler Carol Gendler’s passion for art started sizzling 55 years ago when she and her late husband were married.

“We bought two pieces of art before we even had a wall to hang them on,“ she remembers.

The collection Gendler started with her husband has grown to cover every wall, table, and even the couch in the home they built together.

Her art-packed townhome in west Omaha is an ideal venue for arts events. The 4,100-square-foot home attracted 82 people continued on next page

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OMAHA HOME: at home

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to a Bemis Center patron party. It was a delight to the sight for 50 guests at an Omaha Creative Institute show featuring local artists.

Omaha Creative Institute Director Susan Thomas noted Gendler’s discerning eye for art. “(She) has created one of the most eclectic, yet important, collections of art you’ll find in Omaha or anywhere else.”

Thomas also noted her ongoing support for local artists.

“They create the type of art that appeals to Carol ---’art that is a little odd and often colorful and interesting.’”

Gendler serves on the boards of both the Bemis and the Omaha Creative Institute, as well as on the board of WhyArts?

“WhyArts? provides art activities for people with disabilities of all ages,” she says.

But plants compete with art for her heart. Greenery fills her sunroom. She has been a Lauritzen Gardens board member.

Sometimes the two loves cross over. A small sculpture of Jack from the fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk” climbs a live stalk on a philodendron plant at the front door.

A tour of her home reveals other unique and fun artwork, such as: • Two sculptures, called “Pick-A-Little” from a “Music Man” song, created by local artist Kaitlin Applegate, greet guests at the door. One whispers a secret. In the dining area, a soft sculpture of a woman sits on a shelf looking down at diners, and a headless sculpture features a dress made of bottle caps and plastic signs.

• Guests entering the bathroom are startled by two “women”— one brushing her teeth, another wearing only a bra and socks. The ceramic artwork is called “8:45 in the Morning.”

• A rocket ship made of junk, including a vacuum cleaner tank, flashes its landing lights in the great room.

• A kimono brought by Gendler’s daughter Amy (one of three children, all of whom work in art-related professions) from her home in Beijing hangs on a wall.

Gendler also has three grandchildren.

Even after five decades of collecting art, Gendler makes no claim to interior design talents. She decorates with an artist’s eye.

“I bought what I enjoyed, not what was decorative.” www.readonlinenow.com

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OMAHA HOME: in the neighborhood Story by

by Wendy TownleyPhotos Photosbybyminorwhitestudios.com ?????

Story Molly Garriott

Historic Dundee Omaha's first suburb remains "heart" of city

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Full disclosure is in order here: I live in Dundee. We walk our dog around Memorial Park and pick up the bike trail along Happy Hollow Boulevard. My children learned to ice skate on the rink constructed in the sunks (the green space between the two veins of the boulevard) every winter. eCreamery is one of our favorite haunts, and my husband and I never miss a Dundee Days celebration.

You see, Dundee has something for everyone. It is a true neighborhood community, a throwback to earlier times when you lived, went to school, worshipped, shopped, dined and were entertained all within walking distance. I do not have to get into my car if I need a gallon of milk; I just pop around the corner to Grandpa’s C-Mart and hassle Keith who works the counter there. It’s a two-forone deal. I can send my children to fetch a baguette from The Bread Oven for that night’s dinner. My husband can walk into the barber for a quick hair cut.

Dundee is a beautiful, historic part of our city. Developed in 1880 by Patrick Mulhall, it has been dubbed Omaha's first suburb. Its borders are, roughly, Elmwood Park to the south, Lafayette Street to the north, Memorial Park to the west and 48th Street to the east. Or as Dan Rock, lifetime Dundee dweller, puts it, “If you can walk to the Dell, you live in Dundee.”

It has always been a stable neighborhood, but the recent development of the midtown and downtown areas has made housing in the eastern part of the city a prime location. www.readonlinenow.com

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in the neighborhood Rock, who is the neighborhood’s flower basket coordinator, says people are investing significant amounts of money into their homes, more so than in previous years. The sound of electric saws and hammers is a common one in Dundee.

Pride in individual homes extends to a more communal pride with such endeavors as the flower basket project. Each year the DundeeMemorial Park Neighborhood Association coordinates hundreds of volunteers to plant, hang, water, and fertilize the 480 baskets of begonias that hang from the neighborhood’s historic street lamps. Rock likens the flower baskets to a natural calendar; spring is here when volunteers hang baskets on Mother’s Day, when the white watering truck trundles down your street you know it is summer, and the baskets coming down in autumn marks the end of another growing season.

Though considered a west Omaha development when the neighborhood was first established, Dundee’s housing is architecturally varied. Tudors stand beside Prairie style homes, stucco bungalows keep company with brick colonials. Realtor Peter Manhart is raising his family in Dundee where he also grew up. He says the Dundee housing market remains strong in difficult economic times. The median home price is $258,000 and the average time on the market for a Dundee home is just 71 days.

Its populace is as diverse as the style of homes that dot its tree-lined streets. I love that professionals driving BMWs live within shouting distance of college students who drive old Dodge Darts with bumper stickers that read “Coexist.” Or that retirees chat with neighborhood green thumbs in the Dundee Community Garden just across 49th street from the Underwood Towers. And that kids pop into Great Harvest for an after-school snack and in a few hours later, young adults and couples will fill the sidewalks heading to one of the numerous restaurants and watering holes.

Ben Rouch, president of the DundeeMemorial Park Home Association, thinks the people of Dundee are what make his neighborhood unique. At association meetings, he’ll witness how members with different backgrounds and beliefs work together to make their neighborhood a friendlier, safer, more interesting place to live. He believes in the “art of engagement,” knowing that people who are invested in their community are responsible for making it the special place that it is. www.omahapublications.com

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OMAHA HOME: outdoor living Story by Corey Ross Photos courtesy of Dr. Luke Nordquist

A Touch of Aspen Dr. Luke Nordquist's backyard in Legacy is a creation inspired by Colorado

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Stress Relief Step into Dr. Luke Nordquist’s backyard in Legacy and it not only feels like you’ve left the city, it feels like you’ve left the state.

Secluded by towering mature Austrian pines is a tranquil park-like setting where guests can soak in the forested scenery, and the warmth of a sunken fire pit, while relaxing to the sounds of a babbling creek and the scent of pine needles.

Cliff Poling of Best Lawns and Landscape Design Group turned Nordquist’s vision for a backyard with an Aspen, Colo., feel into suburban reality three years ago.

“I gave Cliff an idea of what I was looking for, and he ran with it,” Nordquist says.

Cliff transformed a flat, relatively unused section of Nordquist’s yard into a pictur-

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esque and tranquil sanctuary. The transformation required earthmoving to create natural-appearing berms, which encircle and buffer the sunken patio and fire pit.

The new terrain allowed for a two-tiered creek that flows over three waterfalls, across cattail beds, and continues to meander through the landscape. The project was brought to life with the planting of numerous trees and plant material, including river birch, white pines, spruces, serviceberries, redbuds, and grasses. Large Colorado moss boulders and lime stones completed the natural scene that Dr. Nordquist and his wife, Rachel, were looking for.

The couple wanted a backyard escape that harkened the fond memories they have of camping together. They wanted that experience for not only themselves, but also their four children.

“We both grew up doing a lot of camping, especially in Colorado and the Black Hills,” Nordquist says.

For now, a grassy area that can accommodate a tent next to the creek suffices.

The camping experience gains an even more realistic feel when wild turkey or deer wander into the backyard, which Nordquist says happens quite frequently. In fact, Nordquist awoke one morning to find a turkey sitting on his grill looking in the kitchen window.

Thanks to the fire pit, the backyard gets year-round use, and S’mores have become a family staple. The waterfall is shut off in the winter months but returns in the spring to support hydrangeas and decorative grasses.

Near the waterfall is a statue of three children playing. Nordquist bought the piece for Mother’s Day three years ago to honor his children, then soon found out the statue needed updating with the addition of a fourth child.

Thanks to Cliff Poling’s work, the Nordquists have an exquisite backyard experience that has been the perfect complement to a magnificent home and given them a truly special place to entertain or simply escape.

“When you’re back here, you really can’t see the street or the cars,” Luke Nordquist says. “It’s secluded, so it’s like a little getaway from life.” www.omahapublications.com

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OMAHA HOME: real estate

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What You Must Know About Omaha's Housing Market

Homes for sale rose during 2010, and with the expiration of the buyer tax credit, sellers are now willing to re-price their homes to match shifted market value. We’re off to a strong start in 2011, as I expect accelerated market activity as business conditions in Omaha are strong. Demand peaked in the early summer of 2010, however our market has remained steady compared to my colleagues in hard-hit national markets. So what does this all mean? The market responds to predictability and stability, and as interest rates stay at 50-year lows, we enjoy a very healthy real estate market in Omaha.

If you’re looking to buy a home this year, meet with a mortgage broker early to prepare your personal finances as there is more work needed to qualify after the 2008 banking crisis. If you’re looking to sell your home, take a look at improving your kitchen and bathrooms, as you’ll receive the best return on your investment when you sell. Also, here’s my insider secret to selling your home: pay close attention to “staging,” a real estate term we use to adjust the lighting, pictures, furniture, and other home elements to project a “lifestyle” your buyer wants. Residential homes are purchased on emotion, rarely logic--so put your best foot forward! For more tips on buying or selling your home in Omaha, visit my video blog www.teamelliott.net march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: architect | builder | remodeler profile Story by Linda Persigehl Photo by minorwhitestudios.com

Richie Pohlad

Jay Pohlad

Brother Builders Jay and Richie Pohlad, Pohlad Custom Homes, Inc.

Builder brothers Jay and Richie Pohlad of Pohlad Custom Homes, Inc. have been in business together since 1997.

Last year, they unveiled a new showroom in Legacy that showcases their design style.

Jay Pohlad took some time in January to discuss their business and the state of custom home building.

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Q. HOW DID YOU CHOOSE CUSTOM HOME BUILDING AS A CAREER? A. Through out high school and college, I worked on different construction jobs and fell into a position of doing finish carpentry in Lincoln and later in Omaha. Richie (my brother and partner) had recently graduated from college and pursued the framing construction trade. As I was approaching graduation in Lincoln with a finance degree, Richie bought me some tools for Christmas and said, “Trust me — construction is what you want to do for a living.” Soon after, I started my own finish carpentry business in residential homes. In the meantime, Richie had started his own residential framing business and was making large strides.

Q. WHAT ARE BUYERS LOOKING FOR TODAY? A. We like to build homes that are more creative and unique than your average home. In today’s market, people seem to want more style and coziness than large square footage. Therefore, we are designing homes to be more functional and entertaining at the same time.

Q. THE ECONOMY HAS, OBVIOUSLY, HIT THE HOME BUILDING INDUSTRY HARD. DO YOU SEE A RECOVERY YET? A. I would have to say things are looking up. Rates are still at an all-time low and money is cheap to borrow these days. You know how they say to “buy low and sell high”? Well the same goes for building. The cost of building materials, labor and interest rates are only going to go up from here.

Q. WHERE DOES YOUR INSPIRATION COME FROM, AND WHAT DRIVES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS? A. Richie and I have always been intrigued by construction. The fascination of taking a stack of lumber and creating a breath-taking structure is priceless. We like to be very creative and bring new concepts into our homes and stay on the cutting edge of new design. I believe the key to the building industry is to never get stuck in a rut. You have to keep being creative all the time. www.readonlinenow.com

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OMAHA HOME: shopping Story by Heather Heier Lane Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

What's from your local Favorite new finds

NEW retailers Allens Home

Allens Home is proud to feature the works of local and national artists, including this mushroom footstool

by Omahan Amy Morin (d.b.a.

Plaiderpillar), in their showroom.

Fun furniture pieces and interesting accessories to add flair and warmth to any home are found throughout their store at 7808 L St. Visit www.allenshome.com

Early to Bed

"The "Jimi" pillow by Ann Gish. This design has real pizazz and comes in a variety of pillow sizes and bed coverings.

Pictured here: a 26" square pillow for $173.

Available at Early to Bed in Countryside Village and at earlytobed.com.

Early to Bed, 8726 Pacific St. (402) 492-9855 www.earlytobed.com

Linen Gallery

The Souffle throw, by Yves DeLorme, is 50% wool/50% alpaca. Spring green on one side, it reverses to a silvery grey on the other. Imported from France. Retails for $350. Available at The Linen Gallery at Regency Court or online at www.

LinensandDown.com.

402-399-5242.

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Tweed Couch

A classic Hi-Hat table in antique brass or nickel. An eye-catching architectural accent to any living space. Retails for $315 each at Tweed Couch Interiors in Rockbrook Village, 2806 S. 110th Ct. www.tweedcouch.com

www.omahapublications.com

Quality Rugs & Home Furnishings

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Mulhall's

If you’ve ever wished you could take your favorite chair outdoors, this 3-position cushion recliner chair by Castelle is just what you’ve been searching for. New in 2011, this comfortable, stylish chair is made of cast aluminum with cushions and moveable parts specially designed to withstand the elements!

Available in a variety of fabrics and finishes, at Mulhall’s, 120th & Maple • (402) 4960700 • www.mulhalls.com

Rug Cleaning • Repair • Appraisals

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Mon-Fri 9-6, and Sat 10-2 12123 Emmet Street • 402-498-8777 www.DesignersOmaha.com

MAKE YOUR NEIGHBORS JEALOUS.

Pearson & Co.

Driftwood Candelabra Select pieces of driftwood are collected and repurposed into this dramatic candelabra.

Wind and waves began the weathering process! Bleached and sanded to perfection, each piece elevates seven votives or minipillar candles. $215.

Stop by soon to see all of our unique finds!

PEARSON & COMPANY Furniture . Art . Artifacts . Pottery 16939 Wright Plaza #143, Omaha 402.932.5999

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402.331.4062 • 10811 Harrison St., Omaha, NE • www.mckeans.com flooring, cabinets, countertops, ceramic tile, window treatments, plumbing fixtures, design services & more! march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: design profile Story by Linda Persigehl Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

Marco Lade started Artisan Woods in 1986. His company specializes in architectural woodwork but isn’t limited to wood when doing design work.

Depending on the workload, Lade oversees a staff of six to eight, some of whom have been with him for more than 20 years.

Below, Lade shares some insights into his company, his design influences and his favorite projects.

Who has been your biggest influence as a designer?

Marco Lade

Artisan Woods Intelligent Design Studio H26

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My biggest influence was my younger brother, Aaron. I was always busy doing and he was busy dreaming. He came to work for me one summer during his high school years and somehow, from him, I caught an entirely new perspective on how to approach my work. I didn’t have to wait for clients to tell me what they wanted. I could provide that direction. Design is a form of dreaming.

You see something that doesn’t exist and impose that on a raw environment until the imaginary becomes reality.

That’s intriguing to me.

What kinds of pieces do you make at Artisan Woods?

We make highly customized kitchens, bars, wine cellars, libraries, offices and furniture, as well as elements that are a little more unusual, such as ceiling and wall panels, as well as light fixtures. We do our own design work as well as our own finish work on virtually all of our products. My work with ID Studio involves all the usual phases of any design project with a heavy emphasis on lighting plans. Lighting is a real passion of mine. It’s often overlooked or undervalued, but it can make or break even the best of projects.

www.omahapublications.com

Tell us about one of your notable recent projects.

One of our recent challenges has been to build, finish and install cabinetry and millwork for a large private residence in a remote area in the mountains of Utah. The logistics of working on something so inaccessible over the last 2 1/2 years have been challenging, but it’s also been very satisfying. We’ve worked with skilled artisans from around the country on this project and elevated our skill set significantly in the process.

Thank You for Voting Us Best of Omaha® for 6 Years! www.jimsmovinginc.com

How is your work evident in your home?

We live in Dundee, so our home reflects the traditional side of the design world, with a few modern touches to keep things interesting.

Our shop is in a warehouse district and my office reflects my modern side. I find it to be an inspirational environment. My intent was to demonstrate the transformation of really raw space into something quite appealing.

What would be your dream project?

My ultimate dream project will be our final home, which I look forward to, at some point in the future.

Though my personal aesthetic leans to the modern, I can see creating a home that showcases a level of woodworking that is rarely seen anymore. In the meantime, my dream projects are those where the customer is not too specific on their requirements, providing a lot of freedom to do what I do. Good design takes courage, not only from the designer, but primarily from the client. Courage to let go. Good design takes risk and not everyone is interested in that. I find that I thrive on that sort of thing.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be doing?

I love music and have played drums for over 30 years. If I could have done anything else, it would be music, without a doubt.

Your home...your builder.

Exceptional.

Selecting a builder is as much an expression of taste as it is a statement of confidence. No one understands this better than Curt Hofer & Associates. As one of the area’s most respected custom homebuilders, we provide a one-ofa-kind experience in creating your once-in-a-lifetime home.

Your wants, your needs, your style, your preferences – everything we do at Curt Hofer & Associates is advanced with the thought of you in mind. The result? Your home...your builder. Exceptional.

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To find out more about Marco Lade check out www.artisanwoods.com www.readonlinenow.com

march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: Transformations

Story by Diane Luxford, ASID Photos by McClelland Photographers, Mac McClelland

Wood and Warmth

A timber frame home outside Ashland is accented by contemporary touches and arts and crafts

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www.omahapublications.com

The room is cozy & inviting and the eye is drawn to the contemporary art on the walls of the second floor loft.

When Diane Luxford’s client approached her to work on her new home, she came prepared with a long list of desires and a vision.

Luxford loves contemporary touches with a little influence of arts and crafts, and the home owner asked for a little cross talk of Frank Lloyd Wright in the design elements.

The result is a beautiful home, ready for entertaining and family gatherings at a moment’s notice, with functional areas for business and house guests.

The owner, Helen Raikes of Lincoln, wife of the late Senator Ron Raikes, put together her dream design team. The team included Luxford, architect Kurt Suhr of Lincoln, timber frame builder Mark Bohn of Ashland, and good friend and design assistant Vicki Bromm of Wahoo for this

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OMAHA HOME: Transformations

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The fireplace creates a focal point for the great room & employs a combination of natural stone veneer, brushed black granite, natural wood & stucco on the taped chimney.

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continued on next page www.readonlinenow.com

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OMAHA HOME: Transformations

Walls of warm gray & muted red wrap the staircase.

ADVANTAGES OF A TIMBERPEGÂŽ TIMBER FRAME HOME

By Kurtis Suhr Architecture One, Lincoln, Neb.

Energy Efficient: Timberpeg timber frame homes are enclosed with a continuous insulation system, often structural insulated panels, making them extremely energy efficient.

Design Flexibility: Interior load bearing walls are usually not needed, resulting in an open and flexible floor plan design.

Aesthetic Flexibility: Unlike log homes, the exterior look of a timber frame home can reflect any style while still highlighting the beauty of wood on the interior. Durable: The timber frame system of building has proven the test of time with many structures still standing and structurally sound for centuries.

Quick and Simple On-Site Construction: Much like a giant three-dimensional puzzle, the timbers fit together to form snug and solid joints.

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timber-frame home near Ashland.

The client’s design vision matched Luxford’s perfectly. Luxford had experience working on a couple of large log and arts and crafts homes in the area, as well as new construction and remodeling projects. The architect and builder had worked together on a few other timber frame homes, so the team was well prepared.

Luxford and the team carefully processed all of the selections for the home, starting with the plumbing fixtures. Other areas requiring design decisions included: the front door; interior and exterior stone; granite countertops; hand railings and balusters; custom cabinetry; appliances; electronic devices; interior and exterior decorative lighting; knobs and hardware; carpet; wood floor; tile floors and backsplashes; paint colors; furniture; accessories; area rugs and countless other decisions that were necessary to build a new home.

A combination of conventional building methods and the timber frame building method were employed to construct the home. The frame itself is a fascinating medley of things old and new. It takes complex computer engineering to calculate the loads and structures and yet a timeless technique of pegged joinery to hold it all together.

The color palette had a foundation of warm gray and natural wood tones.

Luxford chose one fabric that was used on a chair in the great room as the inspiration for the palette. That fabric gave direction for the major paint colors, area rugs and stones used in the great room. Other colors used were historic colors of the arts and crafts era (1890- 1920), which are typically muted and muddy. A few brighter colors appear on the tapestries by Mary Zicafoose on the second story loft walls and brighter citrus orange tones grace the seating in the dining room and kitchen. Heavy doses of black and white appear in the lower level, a cue from the family photos and the client’s background in photo journalism in black and white, with warm wall colors of green and gold reflective of the farmland that surrounds this inviting countryside home.

Some people want countertops... others crave art.

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Transformations is a regular feature of Omaha Home that spotlights a local interior design transformation by an ASID designer. The copy and photos are provided by the designer. Homeowners’ names may be withheld to respect privacy. www.readonlinenow.com

march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: spotlight Story by Linda Persigehl Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

In the Garage Tips for creating a functional space

As homeowners, many of us allow our garages to become catch-alls. We pass thru them every day, dumping things as we enter and exit because it’s more convenient than finding a proper, permanent home. The result is often an unorganized, dirty mess of a space that we’re embarrassed to allow visitors to see.

We spoke with several experts in garage storage and flooring to learn their tips for creating a functional space that will not only enhance the look of your home, but will also save you time and reduce the stress level in our lives. No more, “Where the heck IS that SCREWDRIVER!?”

View your garage as an extension of your home; not just for parking or storage, but as a space for social gatherings, i.e. football parties, graduation celebrations, holiday entertaining.

Go through your garage at least twice annually and apply the one-year rule: if you haven’t used an item in a year, pitch it or find a new home for it, such as the attic or basement. You’ll be able to find the garage items you actually need much faster.

Maximize the space you have using the right storage solutions. Modular/grid systems allow you to keep adding on storage as needed. Flexible wall storage allows you to free up floor space and move tools around as needed per the season. And pegboards and slatwall and wire shelving all help organize smaller items, are easy to install, and are available at low cost at your local home store.

When possible, store things inside cabinets rather than on open shelving to avoid things gathering dust and looking messy. Label cabinets with signage or color-coding If your budget allows, custom-built cabinets from a closet company or cabinet shop are the way to go.

Most offer design, build and installation services.

Keep items off the garage floor for easy sweeping and wet-washing. Use an epoxy floor covering on your garage floor to provide a neat, polished look, and to allow easy maintenance and prevent deterioration of concrete. A cleaner garage may also translate to a cleaner entryway and carpets.

A clean, organized garage not only reflects well on you, the homeowner; it also may prompt a quicker home sale and higher sale price if you’ve put your home on the market.

So, whatever your motivation, get in that dirty garage and get a move-on!

Thanks to the following for contributing to this story: Terry Schroder of Garage Floor Coating; Josh Erickson of Affordable Closets; and Robert Horstman of In the Garage.

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www.omahapublications.com

FURNITURE •ART • ARTIFACTS • POTTERY scottsdale & omaha PearsonLogoEPS.eps

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Apple-Based Home Automation System

In recent years, Apple has taken the world by storm.

Whether it is the ubiquitous iPod, the wildly successful iPad, or the latest generation of iPhone, Apple products seem to be finding their way into a larger percentage of consumers’ hands daily.

Enter the world of home automation. It wasn’t long ago that clients wanting to control various items in their homes, such as lighting, audio/video, motorized shades, HVAC and security, had to rely on control systems that utilized various proprietary touch panels.

These panels would be placed in a wall or on coffee tables. They are almost universally difficult to use, and heaven forbid somebody drops one! They cost a fortune to replace.

EchoTech, based out of Omaha at 120th and I St., has a better solution to this dilemma for their clients.

Echo Tech is the area’s premier Savant dealer. Savant offers luxury home theater and home automation solutions, engineered to simplify life-not complicate it. It features the industry’s only Apple-based control and automation solution.

At the end of a long day, imagine reaching for an iPad instead of a clunky remote control. One touch of the “Home” button deactivates your security system and illuminates a path of lights throughout the house.

Your favorite music starts playing, and the jets on the hot tub are activated. Another tap closes your privacy shades, dims the lights and cues up the movie of your choice in your home theater.

Visit www.savantav.com or www.echotechomaha.com for more information.

www.readonlinenow.com

march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: cover story Story by Wendy Townley Photos by MAW Photography

Environmental Makeover Eddith Buis' carriage house is updated to a green dream home

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www.omahapublications.com

Photo by minorwhitestudios.com

Tucked away among the traditional homes near 36th and Pacific Street sits a cozy residence that’s anything but ordinary. Wipe your feet, say hello, and look around as you enter the recently renovated (and very contemporary) twostory home of Omaha artist Eddith Buis.

Known for organizing public art projects—J. Doe and Bench Marks come to mind— Buis worked with local architect Eddy Santamaria to completely renovate her 1907 carriage house into an artistic piece of architecture whose focus is very “green.”

Buis and her then-husband bought the main brick home, long a rental building, in www.readonlinenow.com

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OMAHA HOME: cover story 1983, and renovated it into lovely apartments.

After her husband moved on, Buis continued improving on the building, mainly focusing on the landscape. By 2007, the main house property was in good shape, but required a lot of care, so Buis decided to sell the main house, and spend all of the profits on the carriage house property, which had been a rental for years.

Buis and Santamaria met through the Hot Shops Art Center and worked in tandem during the remodeling and construction stages of the home. Buis sought inventive storage and good light when envisioning the remodeled home, and Santamaria certainly delivered.

By re-situating the stairs into the open living area, Santamaria was able to recapture considerable wasted space on both floors, allowing for much better flow from one area to another. An abundance of natural light streams through horizontal and vertical windows on the home’s first and second floors. In fact, Buis rarely uses artificial light during the daytime hours. And for an artist, she says, natural light is the ideal for any creative activities.

The home was remodeled using Earthfriendly and green construction materials, with natural woods as a large part of the overall look and design.

Storage abounds throughout the home, but it’s not immediately visible upon first glance.

Shelves, closets, cozy pantries and hidden drawers are all part of the redesign, and Buis uses the space economically. What appears at first to simply be a floating wall to display a sculpture is actually, on the opposite side, deep shelves for Buis’ plentiful collection of books.

It’s no surprise that Buis’ home is filled with original art. Oversized paintings and sculptures abound—pieces by both Buis and her close friends. While redesigning the home, Buis wanted her new space to have a cozy feel for entertaining, but also serve as an ideal setting to display her extensive and diverse art collection.

For Santamaria, an artist and an architect, the renovation project proved uniquely satisfying.

“Eddith had an open pallet for her home design,” Santamaria says. “Most artists tend to move from the concrete to the abstract. In architecture it is the opposite; one tends to move from the abstract to the concrete.”

Santamaria says he views the home as a reflection of the changes that naturally occur in life: “Eddith’s house is smiling now, saying, ‘Look at what I’ve become!”

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Backed by the Best...

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• The metro's premier garden center. “locally • Large selection of “locally perennials, grown” annuals, perennials, tropicals and a trees, shrubs, tropicals and a shop. top of the line gift shop. landscape • Cutting edge landscape division. design and install division.

11240 S. 66th St • Papillion, NE 68133 402.932.0555 • www.canoyergardencenter.com www.readonlinenow.com

OMAHA HOME: mortgage Story by: Damon Riehl Vice President of Consumer Lending First National Bank

It’s a Great Time to Buy a Home Springtime is here, and the time to buy a home is now, thanks to great selection, price, and low mortgage rates. Over the past few years, Omaha has weathered the economic storm better than most cities in America, although our unemployment rate, property values and confidence have been impacted.

These factors however provide Omaha residents with a unique, maybe once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Homes are more affordable. The convergence of lower home prices, large selection of homes, and historical low mortgage rates allow you to get more home for your money.

Some Omaha residents have heard it is difficult to get a mortgage. Yes, credit and income standards have increased, but many believe that conditions were too generous over the past decade and are now simply moving back to normal levels.

There continues to be numerous mortgage loan products available to support home purchases of which offer many features to meet customer needs. These include Conventional, FHA, VA, and NIFA, the Nebraska state program. These programs provide options including; low down payment, low to moderate income and average to good credit profiles. The NIFA mortgage programs combine home buyer education along with lower interest rate loans and other options to help reduce down payment requirements.

First National Bank offers a full suite of mortgage options and was just voted the Best Mortgage Lender in the “Best of Omaha” survey for 2011. For more information, contact a Mortgage Specialist at 402-602-5660 or visit us online at firstnational.com/mortgage. march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: green Story by David Williams Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

Everything...

Including the Kitchen Sink Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s ReStore Outlet offers construction material bargains that battle landfill overload H40

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www.omahapublications.com

We Always Give You Your Space!

402.391.4444 www.affordableclosets.com

Under a canopy of eerily inert ceiling fans, we walked through a labyrinth of appliances, plumbing fixtures, paint cans, hardware and cabinetry on our way to the office area of ReStore, the Habitat for Humanity of Omaha retail space that offers do-it-yourselfers and smaller commercial remodelers an alternative to big box stores, an alternative that is as affordable as it is ecofriendly.

Valerie Spellman Batt Custom Stained Glass, Repair, Classes, Gifts www.paintedlightglass.com 402.708.9696 Located in the Hot Shops Art Center, #202

Amelia O’Donnell, Habitat’s community outreach coordinator, had just led me on a tour (heads up, a parade of doors unloaded from a truck was marching by) in the 14,000 sq.-ft.-space. The store, now in its 10th year of providing open-to-the–public sourcing solutions, might as well have the motto “everything … including the kitchen sink.”

“One of the fun parts of my job is to use social media (search Habitat ReStore Omaha on Facebook or visit www.habitatomaha.org) to highlight what may have just come in the door, and make sure continued on next page www.readonlinenow.com

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OMAHA HOME: green

1301 Nicholas St. Studio 301

TEL 402. 341. 0493 studio@contrivium.com

www.contrivium.com

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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FOR MODERN LIVING

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Home: 402-493-4151 • Cell: 402-708-6711 www.apluswoodflooring.com H42

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people know of all the nice things we have down here,” O’Donnell said as we passed a towering jumble of … what the heck were those things, anyway? “And I also make sure they know what we might need for our wish list of donations.”

Proceeds from the ReStore operation fully funded three of the 27 Habitat for Humanity homes built in Omaha last year and contributed more than half the cost of a fourth project.

While nonprofits have been especially hard hit by the sour economy, the ReStore operation has experienced a pair of recordbreaking sales/donations years, all driven by savvy shoppers and thoughtful donors.

David Klitz is director of the soup-tonuts store that employs eight paid staff and a small army of volunteers involved in any number of adult job training programs.

Most of the merchandise, he said, finds its way to ReStore from homeowners and businesses that are remodeling. The gently used offerings are also complimented by an array of brand-new selections, overstock, and write-off efforts of generous area retailers who are otherwise competitors.

“But there’s more to it than that,” Klitz added. “The more goods we can take in and divert from the landfills, the better off we all are,” he said of the green, planetfriendly initiative.

Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building community through home ownership often takes a “vacant lot” approach to restoring Omaha’s older neighborhoods.

“We’re all about rebuilding communities.

We take empty lots and return those spaces to the community in creative ways,” Klitz said of putting the word ‘neighbor’ back into ‘neighborhood.’ It’s a mission backed in Omaha by 7,000 hammer-wielding volunteers organized much like Amish barnraising brigades of old.

Their favorite oddity of late?

"Probably the coolest was a complete and pristine bathroom set: bathtub, sink, and toilet, all in lavender. It didn't last a week," Klitz said of the retro ensemble purchased by a woman who goes gaga for mid-century, Atomic Age décor.

“In the end, we’re a construction materials thrift shop,” O’Donnell said, “but who knows what surprises we’ll get in next week?” www.omahapublications.com

KING O Home Ad Thirdpg FOR PRINTPage 1 2/2/2011 3:46:45 P

OMAHA HOME: inspection

Story by Tom Sutko Photos provided by AmeriSpec Inspection Services, Omaha/Lincoln

Is a Pre-Sale Inspection for You? In today’s real estate market, the traditional home inspection, purchased by the buyer, is often used as leverage against the seller to renegotiate the sales contract. Since home inspections are done on most homes sold, these inspections in all likelihood are costing sellers tens of thousands of dollars in loss of equity/profit, not to mention the loss of commissions for those agents involved as well. The remedy: a pre-sale home inspection purchased by the seller.

A pre-sale home inspection, or preinspection, can be a very powerful tool for both the seller and the listing agent. The benefits include: • Protecting your equity – A traditional home inspection is a condition of sale for most buyers, and is completed after the home is under contract.

Since most sales contracts have a short window of time to complete the transaction, buyers sometimes use the findings to reduce the sales price. The seller often is faced with a decision to fix the problems or reduce the selling price. Unfortunately, sellers are often unable to get competitive bids due to the time constraints, and are either forced into taking a single bid for the repair or renegotiating the sales contract. Seasoned brokers note that most buyers have a tendency to overexaggerate the true cost of repair by a factor of 5. In other words, if it would cost you $200 to repair windows, buyer will deduct $1,000 from the selling price to cover the same repair. This can make the renegotiating process difficult. www.readonlinenow.com

• Smoother transaction/closing – Without the addenda and renegotiations that often follow a traditional home inspection, the real estate transaction/closing process is definitely smoother.

Brokers who religiously use pre-sale home inspections say it saves an average of 15-20 hours of time per transaction.

• More buyers – What better way to make your home stand out from others on the market, especially those on your same street. Some inspection services (including AmeriSpec) give the client a yard sign that can be put in the yard next to your broker’s sign. Once the pre-inspection is complete, your broker can add a comment to your MLS listing, which most likely will also increase your foot traffic -- and increase the likelihood of selling your home. Research shows that pre-inspected homes sell an average of 15 days sooner than homes that aren’t pre-inspected.

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• Seller peace of mind – Eliminate the anxiety and frustration of rushing to complete repairs or renegotiate the sales price after a traditional home inspection. A pre-inspection identifies issues up front, and allows the seller to make repairs on your schedule and budget.

Why risk losing a potential buyer?

A properly performed pre-sale home inspection done by a certified home inspector (ASHI) can bring 3-5 times the VALUE vs. the cost of the inspection itself. To learn more about pre-sale home inspection, contact an ASHI-certified firm today.

march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: new on the block Story by Linda Persigehl Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

The Details Have It Two new retailers offer accessories and fixtures that will make your home stand out

Birdhouse Interiors / Birdhouse Collectible

Jessica McKay may be a new kid on the block, but with a decisively funky personal style and a unique design house located in the hip, revitalized Mastercraft Building, she is definitely the up-andcoming interior designer to watch. McKay remembers enjoying art as a child in New Mexico, but says she fell instantly in love with design when she and her husband, Christopher Van Buskirk, bought and renovated their first home in historic Field Club. McKay was hooked. So after a few years, a new neighborhood, and another home redo—the duo eventually opened Birdhouse Collectible last August. With a showroom that is almost as interesting as McKay’s style, and only open just twice a week or by appointment, Birdhouse is not the kind of place you will easily stumble upon. Which is probably part of their plan. McKay adores one-of-a-kind objects, and purposefully fills her small showroom with unique and limitededition items.

Look for beautiful furniture

by Omaha artist Peter Cales, whose pieces seem Arts and Crafts-inspired, but with modern elements. You will also find lots of interesting things, like funny mustache flasks, from tiny independent vendors McKay finds on etsy.com. And don’t forget to check out the art. A big part of McKay’s job is helping clients find truly exceptional artwork, so to make it easier they also host openings for contemporary artists to show their work.

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A big part of that is helping customers find truly exceptional artwork. “Interior designers do not always use original art, which is bit of a pet peeve of mine,” admits McKay. With that in mind she and her husband consider Birdhouse Collectible a bit of an art galley—hosting art openings for contemporary artists to show their work. For showroom hours, or to make a design appointment, contact McKay at 402.577.0711, or visit www. birdhouseinteriors.com.

Mustache flasks from a tiny independent vendor McKay found on etsy.com And don’t forget to check out the mustache flasks from a tiny independent vendor McKay found on etsy.com. Art is also extremely important to McKay, so Birdhouse also hosts art openings for contemporary artists to show their work. For showroom hours, or to make a design appointment, contact McKay at 402.577.0711, or visit www.birdhouseinteriors.com.

B+T Corporation

Charles Gifford and Michele Van Deventer, former New Yorkers with thriving careers in architecture, have begun a fresh start here in Omaha.

The couple opened their distinctive storefront shop, B+T (Bath & Tile Corp.), 1727 Howard Street in the historic Flatiron Building, in October. B+T operates as a showroom for architects and designers, though Gifford says the public is encouraged to visit the store and free to ask for design assis-

www.omahapublications.com

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tance. Their adjacent Flatiron Studio offers architectural-design services.

The shop’s focus on high-end, designer bath fixtures grew out of Gifford’s work overseeing fabulous projects involving extreme bathroom makeovers. Such projects allowed him to become well-versed in the various product lines and manufacturers on the market. Since moving to Omaha, he’s established relationships with select local, national, and international vendors. Their 2,600-square-foot store carries more than a dozen manufacturers, including: Toto, St. Thomas Creations, Rohl, La Cava, Blanco, Terra Bella, to name a few.

Van Deventer said, “We both realized the bathroom probably is the first gesture many homeowners who buy and renovate feel the impulse to do. And when you look at the stuff, the faucets and what not, it’s like jewelry almost. It’s really beautiful, the materials and elements and textures. I mean, it’s just mechanically, exquisitely engineered.”

Thus, B+T’s tag line -- “architecture for the bath.”

Gifford says his store offers very unique products, including several lines of paperless toilets and B+T Label bath furniture, designed and fabricated locally.

“We’re also honored to be [famed lighting designer] Cedric Hartman’s lighting showroom in Omaha.”

A design emphasis extends to the shop itself, with its open, retrofit-feel panel displays, lighting system and work-sample table. Recycled materials are used throughout.

They hope just as the Old Market is an arts-entertainment district, their shopstudio will encourage various designers to locate around them to form a design district. Call B+T at 763-4449 or visit www. architectureforthebath.com.

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OMAHA HOME: party planning Story & Photos courtesy of Jennifer Snow, Catering Creations

Celebrate St. Pat's Serve up traditional Irish dishes with a twist

St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Catholic holiday that honors the Patron Saint of Ireland, is often celebrated with parades, wearing green, and yes, drinking beer. Many believe St. Patrick’s Day has become so widely popular among many locals due to its time of year, as it is often seen as the first “green” before spring.

Let’s say you want to celebrate this fun holiday, but you’d rather avoid the crowds in the local Irish Pub. Try some simple entertaining tips to host your own St. Patrick’s Day celebration in your home, starting with this fabulous St. Patrick’s Day menu with “Green” in mind!

• Caraway & Swiss Cheese Puffs, Filled with Corned beef, Sauerkraut & 1000 Island Dressing • Shrimp & “Green” Basil Pesto Gallettes with Oven Dried Tomatoes • Tandoori Chicken Skewers with “Green” Chile Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce • "Shamrock” Stuffed Mushrooms filled with Cheeses and Zesty “Green” Veggies

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march/april | 2011

• ”Green” Guacamole & Pineapple Black Bean Salsa served with Fresh Tortilla Chips • Warm Creamy Smoked Salmon & “Green” Spinach Dip with Boursin Cheese Served with Sliced Baguette • Roasted Baby Potato & Andouille Sausage Skewers with a Spicy “Green” Herb Mayonnaise • Strawberries Filled with “Green” Lime Cheese Cake, “Green” Sugar Cookies Filled with Chocolate Ganache & Peppermint Candy • “Green” Leprechaun Petite Fours As with any party, set up the food buffet in an area that will avoid overcrowding and that will not block event flow. Set up the beverages away from the food to encourage mingling. Place a few garbage receptacles around your home...you’ll appreciate this at the end of the night for less cleanup for you. And if all else fails, hire a professional caterer to do the menu design, setup and cleanup. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy yourself! www.omahapublications.com

SPECIALIZING IN

Reuben Puffs Caraway Swiss Cheese Puffs Filled with Reuben Salad Caraway Swiss Cheese Puffs 2 C Milk 2C Flour 1T Caraway Seeds 1t Salt 1⁄4 t Black Pepper 1⁄2 C Grated Swiss cheese 7-8 Whole Eggs 4 T Butter Prep: In a medium saucepot bring to a simmer the milk, caraway, salt, pepper, & butter. Add flour and stir to incorporate well.

Continue to simmer for a couple of minutes. Take this mixture and place in a mixer with a paddle attachment and turn on low speed for 1-2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time and make sure that each one is well incorporated before adding the next one. Add Swiss cheese and mix well. Place mixture in a piping bag without a tip and pipe the dough to a small golf ball size onto baking sheets covered with parchment paper. Push down the little peaks in the dough that form on the tops from piping. Bake at 325 degrees in a convection oven for 15-22 minutes. Let them cool and then cut them in half horizontal. Finish by filling them with Reuben Salad (recipe below).

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Reuben Filling 1⁄2 lb. Quality Sliced Corned Beef 1⁄4 C Sauerkraut 1⁄2 C Grated Swiss cheese Thousand Island Dressing Prep: Dice the corned beef and mix in sauerkraut and Swiss cheese.

Add just enough dressing to moisten the salad. Put Reuben Salad inside Caraway Swiss Cheese Puffs and serve.

Guacamole 4 Ripe Avocados 2 Roma Tomatoes - Diced and seeded 1⁄4 Red Onion - Small Diced 1t minced Garlic 1-2 Jalapenos - Small Diced Juice of 1 lime 1-2 T Chopped Cilantro Pinch of ground Cumin Tabasco - a few drops to taste Salt & Pepper to taste

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Prep: Mix all ingredients together and serve immediately with freshly fried or baked tortilla chips.

Tip: If making your dip and storing ahead of time, drizzle top with a little extra lime juice and cover tightly with plastic wrap, touching all edges and the top of the guacamole. The acid from the limejuice and the lack of air reaching the avocados in your dip will reduce the browning effect that occurs naturally when avocado is exposed to air. www.readonlinenow.com

Visit our outdoor showroom located on the corner of 216th & West Maple Road. march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: condo living Story by Aaron Michaels Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

The second tower of Riverfront Place.

Condominium Momentum Buyers still snatching up downtown condos, now at reduced prices

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march/april | 2011

www.omahapublications.com

The state of the Omaha condo market - vibrant and booming with interest and opportunities around every corner just a few years ago - is in a good news/bad news situation these days.

If you are in the market and have pre-approved financing, there are many high-end vacancies at great values. You pretty much have your pick of available properties, some priced significantly lower than they were or would have been three to five years ago.

On the other hand, if you bought at the height of Omaha’s downtown condo boom between 2004 and 2006, or are a developer of condos, your properties are most likely undervalued and difficult to sell, although sale and resale values are strong compared to markets in like-sized and larger cities in the United States.

But hold tight and don’t despair. Many local real estate agents are convinced by recent trends that the market will rebound -- but most likely not for another few years.

“When it was hot, people were excited to live and work downtown; they paid good prices, and there were many different types of condos available downtown,” said Gena Schriver, once affiliated with condo sales for the old Burlington Station on 10th Street, a project which remains on hold almost five years after its announcement.

“Omaha is still a good market for condo sales and buys, but the rules and requirements have changed since 2007 because of what happened nationwide in the housing market.”

Something for Everyone While some cities’ downtown housing markets have struggled and continue to struggle, Omaha’s has largely remained steady because of its continued appeal and diversity.

The same can be said for the mixture of old and new condos on the market that keep buyers with varied interests, wants and needs looking for their best fit.

“Each building becomes a neighborhood with its own distinct feel, whether it’s a renovation of an old building or construction of a new one,” said Mike Moylan of Shamrock Development. www.readonlinenow.com

“There was talk that the Omaha market was oversaturated at the height of the condo market, but that was never the case.

“Interest in condos slipped when the market dropped, but it never completely fell off.

Residential sales impacted condo sales because many empty nesters who wanted to sell their single-family homes and move into a downtown condo weren’t able to because they had difficulty selling their house. It wasn’t really about the condos themselves.”

Proof of this is the recent completion of the newly constructed jLoft condominiums at 12th and Jackson Streets in the Old Market, and the near completion of the second tower of Riverfront Place along the Missouri River.

At the same time, renovations have led to recently completed condos at the Brandeis building on 16th and Douglas Streets and the Beebe + Runyan building at South 9th Street near the Old Market within the past couple of years.

One proposed renovation that still has yet to happen is the conversion of the Burlington Station on South 10th Street into 15 luxury condos. The project ran into several difficulties when the housing market crashed, but Schriver said plans to continue the project on some scale are still in the works.

Dude, Where Can I Park My Car? Just as there are interests in location and renovation vs. new construction, there are several amenities real estate agents are seeing as must-haves from condo buyers -- especially in downtown.

“Parking is the top question I get; where can I park, how many spaces do I get with this unit, etc.,” said Tasha Moss of Urban Omaha. “People are also very interested in outdoor living spaces as many of them are coming from homes with backyards and open spaces. These two factors are definite drivers in where they look and eventually want to buy.”

Schriver added that several other questions arise from prospective buyers concerning high-end finishes -- “granite countertops are expected in properties now but some ask about stainless steel appliances and other amenities” -- as well as proximity to restaurants and other downtown attractions.

“People want to move downtown because of everything it has to offer -- restaurants, theater, symphony, Qwest Center, etc. -- and that leads them in different directions,” Schriver said.

“People also want to know about association fees and what they cover as well as if there is an inclusive workout facility, pool, extra

bedrooms, etc. Price range definitely dictates most of these things.”

Moylan agrees, adding that living downtown is a choice, and with that choice comes certain expectations and conveniences.

“I get many people relocating from other cities, and while they are definitely satisfied with the positive difference in price from where they are relocating, they are choosing to live downtown because of proximity to work and other things they have become used to in other cities,” Moylan said.

Wall Street Bounceback?

While speculation continues as to whether or not the proposed Wall Street Tower, originally announced in 2005 as a 32-story glass tower, is going to happen, Jill Anderson of CBSHome Real Estate is confident the project will happen in some form. The building is set to fill the current vacant city block north of the Union Pacific headquarters at 14th and Dodge Streets.

When it will happen, however, remains unknown.

“The developers are still securing financing for the project and can’t start anything without that,” said Anderson, who represents sales for the Wall Street Tower project among others. “Once they get the go ahead, it will happen. Everyone involved wants to see it happen because it will be unlike any other condo development in downtown Omaha.”

According to reports in 2009, while the building is expected to remain at 32 stories it will be much narrower than in the original designs as the number of condos has dropped from 192 to 96. The developer originally proposed 282 units in 2005, when the condo market was exploding and financing was easy to acquire.

And just as condos followed the housing market decline, the recovery of condos will also lag behind houses. Anderson sees the recovering in Omaha taking the next few years to rebound, although a complete rebound make take more than three years as the economy also continues to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

“When the housing market fell, condos were quick to follow, which made getting financing for new construction very difficult to get,” Anderson said. “Lending requirements for condo developers as well as for buyers has changed dramatically over the past few years, and that is affecting condo builds and sales more than a lack of interest. But as things continue to improve economically, so will sales of both homes and condos.” march/april | 2011

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OMAHA HOME: pets

Story by Molly Garriott Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

Pampered Pets Charlotte & Claire

Marian and Harold Andersen.

Marian and Harold Andersen’s two dogs are not pampered pets in the Parisian poodle-manicured beyond canine recognition-sense. But the couple’s Cocker Spaniels, Charlotte and Claire, are well-loved.

They have the run of the Fairacre home’s east wing. A mound of doggie chews, stuffed animals, and tugs, rivaling the toy baskets of any wellappointed nursery, is tucked into a corner of the kitchen. Each has their own cushioned bed in the sunny breakfast nook. These “wild women of Prairie Avenue,” as Marian calls them, are only permitted in the light-carpeted living room when the Andersens are present.

But they do enjoy free reign of the backyard. Charlotte, 6, loves to nestle in beside Marian when she sits by the pool. Claire, 8, secures the perimeter from invading squirrels and rabbits and gets her fill of “reading the canine news,” quips Marian.

The couple has owned Cocker Spaniels for over 25 years. Besides being a manageable size, they are “relatively low-maintenance,” says Harold. But then he qualifies his own assertion: “Well, we spend more money on visits to the beauty parlor for baths and trims than we did raising our children.”

Maybe Charlotte and Claire would assimilate to life in Paris after all.

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Let us know at: editor@omahapublications.com

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accessories 153rd & W. maple road

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Come in today to find the area’s most unique and stylish home furniture & accessories at fabulous prices. allenshome.com · 78th & l · omaha · (402) 331-8480