Omaha Home - January/February 2024

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 A LWA Y S L O C A L , A LWA Y S B E A U T I F U L

A S ecret Hidden in Little Italy DOPAMINE DECOR

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A TIMELESS TAKE

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E N T RYWAY

A

h, the New Year! As we turn the page to 2024, so many of us are tempted to make resolutions.

But let’s face it, whether it’s exercising more, losing weight, or quitting nefarious habits, most of us don’t make it very far with striving to create “a New Year, a New You.” I have a better idea. Instead of setting ourselves up for failure and the inevitable self-recrimination that follows, let’s instead take inspiration from the people around us and make our lives a little better, a little more beautiful. In these pages, you will find plenty from all over Omaha to inspire you.

Gaby Woolman’s Hanscom Park “dopamine decor” is part of the latest design exhortation that involves surrounding yourself with items you love. In Gaby’s case, it’s mementos from her parents and colorful art that she herself has created to enliven and brighten her space. Art also prevails in Christina Narwicz’s South O residence, which she repurposed from a former bakery, to create one of the most creative living spaces you’ve ever glimpsed. Head west, and you’ll fall in love with Kurt and Bethanie Rames’ kitchen remodel, which incorporates souvenirs and motifs from the couple’s extensive travels. Also in this part of town lies Courtney Perkins’s elegantly calm residence.

You can also take inspiration from Michelle Horst’s ongoing “Thyme & Theory” project and James Patrick Sechser, who is doing a major part in helping historic metro homes retain their character. And if you have a chill this time of year, learn about how to make sure your fireplace is as energy efficient as possible.

No matter your decor style, you’re certain to spy something that will inspire you to switch up your interior for the New Year. Make a little pact to do something to your living space that brings you joy. Add a little dopamine decor of your own.

That’s a New Year’s resolution that will be easy to keep for “a new you,” and it’s one that 12 months from now, you’ll still be enjoying as you make way for holiday decorations.

Kim Carpenter Managing Editor, Omaha Home kim@omahapublications.com

On the COVER 2

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OMAHAHOME ENTRY WAY

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SPACES Modern History

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FEATURE Dopamine Decor in Hanscom Park

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AT HOME A Secret Hidden in Little Italy

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FEATURE A Timeless Take

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THYME & THEORY B is for Bathroom, B is for Boy

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MAKER Wattle & Daub's James Patrick Sechser

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HARVEST Cleaner Air for Cozy Spaces

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A SID AWARD FEATURE A Master Class in a Master Bath

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ARCHITEC TURE Solid as a Rock

This cozy sitting nook is just a glimpse into Christina Narwicz’s eclectically artistic home hidden in Little Italy. Story starts page 16.

Photo by Bill Sitzmann.

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WESTCHESTER KITCHEN REMODEL EMBRACES THE OLD TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW

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ne might not expect to see a stately manor typical of Normandy or Provence in Omaha, but nestled in the cozy neighborhood of Westchester lies the 1932 French Countryside Revival home. The sprawling acreage estate on the corner between Dodge and Pacific streets has majestic charm with its red brick exterior and hidden spacious three-car garage.

Despite its provincial architecture, something was missing. The dated kitchen didn’t match, and something had to be done for it to be a functional and livable space.

Owners Kurt and Bethanie Rames, who own Massage Envy in Omaha and have managed rental properties in the past, knew the kitchen would be a lengthy endeavor to undertake. "Everybody would walk into the kitchen and my friends, who were very into design, would tell me I needed to do something about this," Bethanie remarked.

The Rames envisioned an open family space instead of closed-off rooms. To renovate the kitchen on their own seemed a daunting task, so they enlisted the help of Mary Ritzdorf of JH Interior Design to guide them through a seamless process that would elevate their historic kitchen to a more modern look and feel.

Contractor Jamy Clark of Walls2Floors helped achieve the desired end result with timely precision.

The couple wanted to connect the kitchen with the rest of the home, so it felt intuitive to expand it, adding stained wood tones to generate more of a cohesive f low. Everything in the fivebedroom, four-bath house remained original, right down to the ornate woodwork, wrought iron, and a boiler that still runs.

Starting from scratch, the kitchen was completely gutted to make way for refurbished improvements. The contractor knocked out a wall and replaced historic arches to make the kitchen feel separate from the rest of the house. Since the goal involved maximizing space and adding another walkway, the Rames replaced a peninsula that jutted out to make way for a quartz countertop island.

Traditional elements such as a soffit covering the cabinets and a 90-year-old garbage incinerator felt outdated, so Ritzdorf set out to make necessary changes. The cabinetry now stands to the height of the ceiling, and a deep pantry pulls out in place of the garbage burning disposal. Every nook and cranny has been utilized to store kitchen wares and items effectively. A wood stove hood now provides more character than the stainless steel one that previously hung in its place. Brass-and-gold brushed drawer pulls add warmth, and updated appliances provide a touch of modernity that had been otherwise lacking.

STORY Natalie McGovern PHOTOGRAPHY Bill Sitzmann DESIGN Nickie Robinson

Modern History

J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2024

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The Rames’ travels to Egypt and Israel reflect Middle Eastern inspiration throughout the interior.

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S PA C E S Off to the corner sits a quiet alcove surrounded by six-paned glass bay windows, which surround an elegant breakfast nook.

Lush velvet muted absinthe green chairs offset a rustic wood table with an eclectic gold brushed chandelier light fixture hanging overhead.

Old World characteristics are still there— only modernized. The whole décor f lows and connects the layout back to the motifs of the living and dining rooms.

The Rames’ travels to Egypt and Israel ref lect Middle Eastern inspiration throughout the interior. With Byzantine and Ottoman artifacts accentuating the home, it made sense to evoke a continuation of these design themes. A Moroccan-inf luenced arabesque ebony patterned accent panel above the stove complements the geometric blackand-white checkered marble f loors.

“It was an organic process working with the Rames,” Ritzdorf said. “They were amazing to work with; they trusted the process and even took some risks.”

The designer was adamant about sticking to wood tones to harmonize with the original dark wood paneling in order to create continuity. She advised that the tiles be turned vertically to avoid the look of a restaurant style aesthetic.

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The historic kitchen now f lows and connects just the way the couple had envisioned. The Rames can cook and have family time without the kitchen feeling like its own secluded space, all the while enjoying the historic ambience of their homey kitchen remodel.

“It’s all just co-mingling now instead of separate rooms,” Kurt said.

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Story Veronica Wortman Ploetz | Photography Bill Sitzmann | Design Nickie Robinson

DOPAMINE DECOR

k r a P om c s i n Han

GABY WOOLMAN’S ART-FILLED HOME IS AN HOMAGE TO CREATIVE JOY

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aby Woolman’s Hanscom Park home is filled f loor to ceiling with wonderful eclectic works of art that she herself creates. “Art for me is a lifestyle,” she said.

“It's meditative and a form of therapy.”

and traveling abroad, the homeowner said, “One of the first things I do in any city is visit their museums. If I like something, I think maybe I could create it. When it’s complete, it’s very satisfying.”

The self-taught artist’s mediums of choice range from acrylics on furniture and canvas to thread employed for hand sewing pillows and wall hangings. Woolman dabbles in decoupage and even tried rug hooking. Inspired by international experience that has involved both living

Satisfying indeed. The home’s main f loor features full gallery walls, hand-sewn pillows, vintage oriental rugs, and custom-painted furniture. The second f loor bedrooms, bathrooms, and study are filled with an abundance of character and charm.

OMAHAHOME

Feature

d. e sai apy.” h s ” er le, festy rm of th i l a is fo r me ve and a o f t “Ar editati an m “It's y Woolm – Gab

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F E AT U R E Woolman’s home aligns well with the interior design movement known as “Dopamine Decor,” which is distinctive for its skillful blend of whimsical nostalgia, eclectic patterns, and bold colors. Interiors, the decorating mandate specifies, are meant to make people happy. Woolman’s home lives up to the mission. “I get a high from creating art,” she said.

People are noticing. Woolman joined a Facebook group called “Maximalist Decor” on a whim and posted photos of her artworks and how she displays them throughout her home. “The first time I posted, I got a good response, it was either 800 comments or 800 likes,” she shared.

To create the f loor-to-ceiling gallery walls that garnered so much praise, Woolman shops for antique frames at local secondhand and antique stores and refurbishes them as needed. She’s become particularly fond of visiting Junk N Treasure near 35th and Leavenworth Streets. Her husband, Dan, has painted many of the rooms (and ceilings) with bright colors to showcase the frames that display his wife’s creativity. Of all the art in the home, Dan remains most fond of the artist. “It pains me to think about all the nail holes in the wall, but long ago, I let it go, because she is so talented," he admitted.

Woolman grew up in a home where her father covered their family’s walls with art. “I kind of made the connection that this must be in their genetics,” Dan said. To further support his theory, the couple’s adult son, Teddy, is often brought in for consultation and production assistance when Woolman is planning a new project. An organic chemistry professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha by day, Teddy creates with his mother outside work.

According to Woolman, Teddy is simultaneously her biggest fan, compassionate critic, and dedicated collaborator. “When I am trying to sketch something and can’t quite get it, I ask him to help me. He is naturally good at anything he tries,” she said.

“We love older homes, the history, the woodwork.

It reminds me of the apartments in old Berlin.”

–Gaby Woolman J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2024

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F E AT U R E Together the mother-son team refurbished an Amish wood trunk, hand painting it in the Pennsylvania Dutch style. The lettering “Anno 1894” is featured prominently and has particular significance. It is the year Woolman’s grandfather was born. “I named Teddy after my grandfather, Theodore,” she shared.

Teddy is himself accomplished at linocut printmaking. “We often check in on one another, exchanging critique and artwork,” she said. A linocut made by Teddy of his wife, Mayu, hangs in the main dining room. The two have also created the home’s antique-inspired stained glass front door.

“Come on, Teddy, we can do this!” Gaby recounted of how the project came about. “I am all about recreating art, because I can’t afford all the fine art I want to fill my home,” she laughed.

The family moved to Omaha over 30 years ago and settled in Hanscom Park. “We love older homes, the history, the woodwork. It reminds me of the apartments in old Berlin,” Woolman shared. Dan walked to work

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at the VA and Teddy walked to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic school. Woolman worked from home as a medical transcriptionist during the days when doctors sent cassette tapes via courier to the house. “If you sit at the computer all day long, you need an outlet, and art has always been my great love,” Woolman said. “I’d start searching the internet and find all sorts of ideas.” During lunch breaks, she scoured online resources for art project inspiration.

A hand-painted antique pie cabinet she and Teddy created with Pennsylvania Dutch style stencils is one of the homeowner’s most cherished objects and houses a display of Mexican pottery. “It doesn't really match, but I love how it somehow comes together,” she said. Even her daughter-in-law, Mayu, has contributed to the artwork in Gaby’s home by crocheting an eye-catching multicolored curtain for the kitchen.

Fond memories, family history, and meaningful relationships serve as Woolman’s inspiration. “The entryway is all Asian decor. My father was stationed in Yokohama

in the 1950s. My mother loved the Japanese people and culture. I started to collect things over the years. I refurbished an entryway table with Asian-inspired furniture transfers,” she said. Oriental rugs are an obsession. Woolman purchased several on Ebay over 20 years ago, “when they were practically giving them away. Now, they are en vogue, and the prices are so high,” she lamented.

Woolman is deliberate with her creative process and works on one project at a time.

She explores new techniques such as the art of Japanese Sashiko, a traditional form of Japanese embroidery that translates as “little stabs,” which she uses to sew her colorful wall hangings. She’ll knot macrame or crochet window coverings or decoupage a terracotta planter with a cheetah and cabbage rose pattern. Small metal knobs are added to planters to give them an extra element of f lair. “My art is rarely perfect on the first try, but it’s the imperfections that make art so appealing to me,” she said. “Creating my own art makes me feel very good.”

J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2024

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At Home

“My house is nothing special, but the studio is always more interesting because things are happening there.” –Christina Narwicz 16

OMAHAHOME

STORY Chris Wolfgang | PHOTOGRAPHY Bill Sitzmann | DESIGN Nickie Robinson

A S ecret Hidden in Little Italy ARTIST CHRISTINA NARWICZ’S SOUTH O ABODE

"T

his is the other Little Italy,” observed Christina Narwicz. “There's the Orsi's bakery neighborhood, which everyone considers Little Italy, right? And then there's the Rotella's neighborhood. Here.”

She calls it an enclave of a neighborhood, from Leavenworth to the Quartermaster Depot, and 24th Street to 16th. “It’s a very working-class neighborhood now,” Narwicz said. “Families are here. There're kids in the neighborhood now. I think there's a resurgence, and I love it. This was a pretty dodgy neighborhood when I moved in.”

So…what drew Narwicz to a 1927 brick storefront with a pot garden in the basement and a foundation cobbled together from actual garbage?

“Desperation,” she said f latly. An artist who grew up in Long Island, lived a couple years in London, and spent a decade on a sailboat in the Caribbean, Narwicz was going through another drastic life change in the `90s. “I was living on 13th Street in what’s now called The Bohemian Gardens. I had a major health issue, and basically, my whole life fell apart. Including selling that property. But hey, I’m still alive.”

A neighbor on 13th Street told her about an angled storefront they knew of that was being used for antique storage. “I bought it via land contract, for sale by owner,” Narwicz recalled, “because I had nothing.” It was the first time she’d ever owned anything by herself. “At 42 years old. That was a big deal for me, that autonomy.”

Built by an Italian couple in the late 1920s, the building originally housed a barber shop on one side and some larger enterprise on the other, perhaps a bar or mercantile.

“But there aren't any ghosts here,” Narwicz promised. “I was hoping there might be, but there aren’t.”

What her home lacks in ghosts, it makes up for with other mystique. “That winding road out there that turns into 19th,” Narwicz said, pointing out one of her huge living room windows, “everybody calls it Rum Runners Road.” Tunnels, she explains, lead from her basement to other buildings—some now vacant lots—on the corner.

“MUD found it when they were redoing the streets.”

AT HOM E The 400-square-foot barber shop now serves as Narwicz’s kitchen and dining room, and the larger space with the shop windows and angled entrance is an open living room and office. Two bedrooms and a bath, complete with claw-foot tub, are tucked in the back. “It needed all new everything,” Narwicz said. “Every time I sold a painting, I would do some improvement.

Sell a painting, and you know, get some wiring done.”

Today, the space is a chic artist’s bungalow combining European minimalism with Caribbean maximalism, but Narwicz still maintains her little-at-a-time approach to renovation. All of the building’s external brick has just been repointed, and the exterior trim is freshly painted a Southwestern teal. Narwicz plans to tile around the angled front door and recently added electricity for a pair of porch sconces.

Given the understated yellow brick outside, the interior is unexpected. “I call this ceiling

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the wedding cake,” Narwicz said, smiling up at the white-painted tin ceiling and elaborate crown molding. Large contemporary brass cage light fixtures hang next to messy original brick work, keeping the vibe eclectic. Tin around the front door is about three-quarters painted a dark navy. “I was painting it blue, and then decided I didn't want it to be.” It looks fabulous, of course.

Little of the art on display is made by Narcwicz. “All of these paintings are like a history of my friends. And I have a lot of my mother's paintings. She was a master watercolorist, and she did that when she wasn't raising five kids and working as a nurse.

This little bust here, she did of me as a baby.

When my chubby cheeks were up here,” she said with a gesture.

When it comes to making a century-old nonresidential building livable, thinking outside the box is essential. Exposed conduit runs along the ceiling to avoid the expense of opening up the tin. To avoid los-

ing six inches of living space, the kitchen is insulated on the outside—insulation fills a six-inch cavity built onto the external stucco and covered with galvanized steel. “It's been pretty effective,” Narwicz said.

The steps down from the living room into the kitchen are salvaged pine timber. The wallpaper, however, is new, from Cole & Son in England: “It’s incredibly expensive, and I don’t care.” A thin piece of marble surrounded by butcher block serves as a countertop. “This was in Mrs. B’s kitchen,” Narwicz points out, referencing famed Nebraska Furniture Mart founder Rose Blumkin. “It’s great if you love baking and doing pastries.” She glances at a still-life painting on the kitchen wall. “You know, my mom did this one the year I was born. 1962.”

Narwicz creates her own art in a studio she built five years ago with DeOld Andersen Architecture on the empty lot next door.

“My house is nothing special, but the studio is always more interesting because things are happening there.”

When it comes to making a centuryold nonresidential building livable, thinking outside the box is essential.

J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2024

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AT HOM E Between the house and the studio sits a private courtyard, a miniature version of the garden she designed on 13th Street. A small grove of birch trees is a reminder of her childhood home on Long Island, and hyacinth beans climb up a trellis next to cardinal f lowers. At peak growing season, Japanese maples rub shoulders with giant lilies, hydrangeas, hostas, and a variety of herbs. A few sculptures from friends provide safe spaces for birds and a Buddha brought home from Myanmar. A fire pit holds down a conversational area on textured black concrete just outside the kitchen.

From the courtyard, the house’s original stucco displays years of mending. “I like the cracks. I like to see the map,” Narwicz said.

“Other people are like, you have to paint that all white or make it look like a Southwest building or something. But that's the building. That's what it is.”

Steel stairs made by Wood Chaser ring musically as Narwicz walks from the garden down into the dugout studio. A huge window offers a wide view of the garden, as well as that soft north light artists love.

Against a 24-foot-long paint-speckled wall, several large-scale paintings rest. One canvas is layered with Sanskrit and Einstein formulae.

“This is not separate from over there,” Narwicz said, gesturing across the garden to her home, “even though it's two different buildings. That is kind of like the repository for all the things I'm thinking about. All my books and my history and my sentimentality that we all love to surround ourselves with. And here—” she indicated her studio with a wave of a hand “—is where I disseminate it.”

For more information about the artist and her work, visit christinanarwicz.com.

“I like the cracks. I like to see the map.

Other people are like, you have to paint that all white or make it look like a Southwest building or something. But that's the building.

That's what it is.”

–Christina Narwicz

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STORY Sara Locke | PHOTOGRAPHY Bill Sitzmann | DESIGN Nickie Robinson

ATIMELESS

Take

CHARM TAKES ROOT IN NEW HOME

"T

he verse that always comes to mind when I’m designing a living space is Isaiah 32:18: ‘And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting place,’” Courtney Perkins reflected during a recent tour of her spacious Elkhorn home. The homeowner said she incorporates the verse into everything from the architecture of her newly constructed residence to the lighting in a client’s toddler-friendly hearth room redesign.

The Chicago native and mother of three relies heavily on meaningful items when creating a living space, favoring natural elements and sentimental keepsakes over mass-produced tchotchkes and clutter.

“I love layering different materials for dimension and depth, but a minimal approach is the way I like to do things,” Perkins explained. “I would prefer that the archi-

FEATURE

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tecture of a space serve as the backdrop to life and everything else in the room just accentuates it. I don’t want anything fighting with the character of the house.”

The Taylor University graduate doesn’t shy away from statement pieces or even a bold aesthetic when called for, but insists that a timeless take is the one you’ll never regret.

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F E AT U R E “Styles change every seven years. This is true in everything—hair, clothing, backsplashes. You can see trends change, and suddenly your expensive f looring or unique wallpaper is looking really dated,” Perkins shared. “For most of us, it’s more realistic to choose beautiful, high-quality, timeless designs, and then accessorize with contemporary fashions when they really speak to you.”

When previously living in the family’s 1939 Colonial home in Dundee, Perkins enjoyed the challenge of styling around the home’s charm and unique character. But moving into their newly constructed custom home in Elkhorn, she knew that charm would have to be something the home built over time.

“It was important to me to avoid using anything hyper-trendy when we were building our home and to let the space just be a

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peaceful setting for our lives to tell their own stories,” she said of their five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom Elkhorn residence. The 3,800-square-foot home was custom built in 2016 by Kirt Jones of Castle Brook Builders, and Perkins has spent the last seven years thoughtfully incorporating elements of the family’s history into each room.

“In the last month before our Elkhorn home was completed, I was having a lot of strong feelings about leaving our Dundee home,” she said. “This was where we raised our babies, and we wanted to hold onto part of our past home while moving forward into this bright new space we had built to fit our present and our future.”

At that time, the Perkins’ Dundee neighbor was cutting down a tree that the family had walked past every day.

“For most of us, it’s more realistic to choose beautiful, high-quality, timeless designs, and then accessorize with contemporary fashions when they really speak to you.”

–Courtney Perkins

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F E AT U R E “I asked if I could have a slice from the trunk,” she shared. “It lives on our shelf in the Elkhorn house, and it’s a really meaningful piece to us. It makes me happy every time I see it.”

In fact, every item in the Perkins’ home recalls a memory or adventure the family has enjoyed together. Leaves and palm branches brought home from a pilgrimage to Gethsemane, pottery from a 10th wedding anniversary trip to Greece, even the bed where their daughter sleeps.

“My husband’s parents were talking about getting rid of this really beautiful bed frame they had in their home,” Perkins recounted.

“It was classic, with a pristine wood finish.

It was the bed my father-in-law slept in when he was growing up, and it was in excellent condition. I almost painted it. That was the trend at the time. But I listened to my intuition that reminded me that classic, organic, and natural is never a mistake.”

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“I would prefer that the architecture of a space serve as the the backdrop to life, and everything else in the room just accentuates it. I don’t want anything fighting with the character of the house.”

–Courtney Perkins

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F E AT U R E While you can find nature making itself at home in all of Perkins’ designs, you can also find the family making themselves at home in nature.

“When we were building our home, we knew we wanted to use our outdoor space.” Perkins said. “For me, I had to have a great front porch. We’re right along the Elkhorn River facing west and a little up on a bluff, so one of our favorite things is to enjoy the sunsets from our porch with a glass of wine."

A dedicated dining room was also a must.

“Everyone insisted that nobody builds dining rooms anymore, but we knew we needed one,” the homeowner said. “We love hosting friends and family and invite a group from our church to our home two or three times a month. It’s not uncommon to have 25 people over for a gathering, and we are always so grateful for the space.”

One friend turned design client, Sarah Clatterbuck, enlisted Perkins to update her family’s main first f loor.

“I had a tall order for Courtney when we were talking about what I wanted for our Hearth room and living space,” Clatterbuck said. “I wanted something kid-friendly and light, but warm. Something comforting, but still bright. Her first thought was that we should address the lighting. Something that would have a big impact and be worth the investment, but that wasn’t within reach of our children’s curious little hands. There is so much longevity to the design she created, with these beautiful colorful accents and space for our own creativity in time.

She’s such an incredible listener, and such a light and cheerful presence. It really fills her bucket to use her gifts and talents, and it shows in the work she does.”

And it shows throughout Perkins’ own thoughtfully curated Elkhorn residence.

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HOW TO

DESIGN WITH KIDS IN MIND

W

hen designing our home, our oldest two boys were still little, so they could not provide input into their shared bathroom, which was both good and bad. I'm still debating that one. They could not tell me what they wanted, so I could do whatever I liked. But I also knew they would grow into their own people, and they might hate it if I did not design their bathroom with items that resonated with them. While I wanted to keep to our overall home aesthetic—what one might describe as a cozy coastal retreat—I also wanted to allow our sons to have their own boys' bathroom.

START BY SEGMENTING THE SPACE I started by designing the space where each boy would have their own sink/vanity space off their rooms. (They share the bath area). I decided to carry the colors (white and navy) from our powder room to the boys' bath to keep it cohesive and give the children a little color. I kept the walls and tile white to keep the space feeling clean and fresh and reduce painting costs in favor of money allocated toward building.

FOCUS ON FUNCTION Space and functionality were key points for me.

I wanted ample space for linens, toiletries, and diapers. (Thank goodness I did, as now I have two more boys in diapers!) I added a f loor-toceiling cabinet in the bath space for all those items. I put the seasonal items up top since I don't need to access those often. We added red oak shelves that we bleached to look like white oak to add texture and warmth to the space, but also provide additional storage.

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"For safety, I kept the tiles on the floor small throughout, allowing more grip from the grout in case the boys spill water on the floor."

–Michelle Horst OMAHAHOME

B IS FOR BATHROOM, B IS FOR BOY THYME & THEORY

STORY Michelle Horst PHOTOGRAPHY Mandy McGregor DESIGN Nickie Robinson J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2024

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T H Y M E & T H E ORY

SAFETY FIRST For safety, I kept the tiles on the f loor small throughout, allowing more grip from the grout in case the boys spill water on the f loor. (I found this is a frequent occurrence—ha!) I will admit that white grout in a bathroom when potty training might not have been the smartest idea, but thankfully shaving cream does the trick for cleaning.

Whether you want to deem it a cleaning hack or a pro tip, try this if your own white grout is looking lackluster.

MAKE IT PERSONAL To add personality that could easily be changed, I added a couple pictures near the vanities, trinkets on the shelves, and a novelty light fixture in the bath area that allows one to add toys or other decor. If the boys ever decide they no longer want dinosaurs, I can easily take them out and switch it for other toys.

The boys love their space and haven't asked me to change the colors or decorations yet, so it is a win.

This article is part of an on-going series chronicling the design-build of Michelle Horst’s midwest coastal retreat home in West Omaha. Follow her design progression at ThymeandTheory on Instagram.

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sman

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-Maker -

Wattle & Daub’s James Patrick Sechser

"I

really like working on old stuff; I've always been one to look at the things that go unnoticed and find the beauty in it all," artisan woodworker James Patrick Sechser recently shared. "I feel more like an artist than a carpenter."

That confession is an apt ref lection of what drives the Omaha-based business owner, who turned his passion for honoring old materials and techniques into his full-time gig, Wattle & Daub Craftsman. The name is intentional. “Wattle and daub” is a building technique that dates back thousands of years. It involves using a woven lattice of wooden strips, the “wattle,” which is then “daubed” with a sticky material typically composed of wet soil, clay, sand, straw, and even animal dung. Wattle and daub is often evident in the construction of many historic buildings.

"I consider myself a craftsman who specializes in historical preservation," Sechser explained. “My bread and butter are doors and windows.”

The artisan grew up among the massive trees and stately homes near Elmwood Park and has always appreciated the beauty surrounding him in East Omaha. But his journey to Wattle & Daub began in 2014, when he and his wife, fellow Nebraska creative Buf Reynolds, purchased a 1923 craftsman-style home in Dundee. Their first significant house project included a kitchen renovation during which they removed a wall, which involved discarding an old-fashioned café (swinging) door. Although the end result was beautiful and functional, looking back, Sechser regretted losing that unique door.

This experience inspired a protective spirit toward the rest of the home, and the original fixtures that remained morphed into an adoration of what Sechser affectionately calls "the old ways," which range from techniques to tools to styles. Tinkering at home led to the realization that other historic homeowners must feel the same way.

So, after honing his fenestration restoration skills as a side hustle since 2020, the artisan made the leap from corporate life to founding Wattle & Daub in 2022. Through his company, Sechser has found a community that cares about adherence to historic craftsmanship with responsibility and sustainability in mind.

"I really like working on old stuff; I've always been one to look at the things that go unnoticed and find the beauty in it all."

— James Patrick Sechser These days, he is swamped with a doublehung window project in Mercer Park, a Dundee window and door refresh, a Bemis Park custom door, as well as additional projects. Plus, more than just residential clients come knocking. Roughly 15% of Wattle & Daub's business focuses on the commercial sector. A certain iconic lilac door at Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop in the historic Joslyn Castle neighborhood is an excellent example of Sechser's efforts.

"An unfortunate series of break-ins led to the loss of several panes of art glass in our

early 1900s door," said owner Katina Talley, who turned to Sechser for a solution after a mutual friend sang his praises. "James quickly arranged a time to come assess the door and walked me through the restoration process," she expanded.

The craftsman stripped the door, removed and replaced damaged and rotting wood, restored the hardware, and installed new panes of art glass. "Now we have a lovely, original door with improved energy efficiency and charm," Talley gushed.

Customers have certainly noticed the updates.

"That purple door has gotten me more business than any other project," Sechser laughed.

Looking ahead, the woodworking artisan visualizes his growth in a few key ways.

He will continue to update his newlyheated workshop and focus on acquiring more historical tools. He also aims to continue working on projects with regional restoration mentors Randal Weber and Ben Brunick, who worked on the windows at the Sioux County Courthouse in Harrison, Nebraska, and hopes to master crafting more windows and doors from scratch.

Finally, Sechser will continue the painstaking updates for his own home. In fact, he's currently replacing the ropes from his house's double-hung windows with brass chains for a fully vintage aesthetic. The future is bright for Wattle & Daub Craftsman and the historic homes of Omaha and beyond.

For more information, visit oldomahahomes.com.

STORY Katy Spratte Joyce • PHOTOGRAPHY Bill Sitzmann • DESIGN Nickie Robinson

J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2024

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GREEN FIREPLACES

D

an Claxton knows fireplaces. He started Claxton Fireplace Center nearly three decades ago. “We started it back in ‘94, so we’ve been in business 29 years, going on 30 next year,” he said. “I’ve been in the industry since ‘86, so going on 38 years.” In that time, he’s watched trends come and go as people swayed in their preferences for fireplaces in their homes and office spaces.

“Claxton Fireplace tore out my existing fireplace, mantel, and over-mantel for a complete renovation and update of my main area fireplace that was original to my home, which was built in 2003,” Christensen shared. “A beautiful, custom, precast stone mantel, hearth, and over-mantel was installed. The new fireplace remodel definitely updated and re-energized the room!”

route as people look for the cleanest way to enjoy a warm, crackling fire. He said that many people nowadays are seeking the opportunity to convert their fireplaces to gas instead of wood-burning, although there are outliers. “We have a few people who are purists and want to burn wood or live out on an acreage and have access to wood.”

“It was a wonderful bonus!” she enthused. “Our new fireplace definitely provides heat that we didn’t have before and has reduced our monthly heating bills.”

“Our new fireplace definitely provides The energy effiBut the latest trend heat that we didn’t have before and has ciency of the new in fireplaces has fireplace was a reduced our monthly heating bills.” pleasant taken an environsurprise mentally conscious for Christensen.

–Brenda Christensen

But mostly, people these days approach Claxton about ways to make their fireplaces burn cleaner, with fewer pollutants and allergens being released into the air. Traditional fireplaces that burn wood can release pollutants that make the air difficult to breathe for people with asthma or other respiratory issues. Woodburning fireplaces aren’t very energy efficient either, as they tend to pull more heat out of a room than add to it.

In fact, according to the environmental Protection Agency, "A wood-burning fireplace is a very inefficient way to heat your home.

Fireplace drafts can pull the warm air up the chimney, causing other rooms to be cooler. If you use central heat while burning in a fireplace, your heater will work harder to maintain constant temperatures throughout the house."

Instead, the EPA recommends options like gas-burning fireplaces to maximize efficiency.

Client Brenda Christensen didn’t go into her fireplace purchase with the intention of making her home more energy efficient, but she was pleased when she discovered her new fireplace was much more high-performing than the one she replaced.

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OMAHAHOME

Claxton has a trusted network of architects and designers, who frequently consult with him to find out if he can create the fireplaces of their clients’ dreams, especially green, energy-efficient fireplaces. “Those guys are always dreaming up things for their clients that are difficult, so they’ll use us as a resource. They’ll call us up and say they have this project, this is what we envision, how can we do it?”

Usually, Claxton and his team can figure out just about any fireplace, sometimes creating custom products for special projects. He especially enjoys joining a project after someone else has declared, “This can’t be done,” especially when it’s a question of making a fireplace more energy-efficient.

“So, we figure out a way to get it done,” he laughed. “We’re out-of-the-box thinkers; the way our company works is we’re a turnkey company. If somebody wants to remodel a fireplace or they want to add one they don’t have, I go out and evaluate the situation, and then we come up with a plan and our company does the whole job.”

For more information on energy-efficient fireplace options, visit www.epa.gov/burnwise/ and claxtonfireplace.com.

for Cozy Spaces

STORY Tamsen Butler DESIGN Nickie Robinson Photo from Unsplash

Harvest

Cleaner Air

STORY Marilyn S. Hansen & Faith Combs Images Courtesy of Jay Davis Photography DESIGN Nickie Robinson

A Master Class In A Master Bath THE DESIGNERS BRING SEA GLASS TO STYLISH RENOVATION

T

his 15-year-old home received an updated design with a fresh new spa-inspired master bathroom. Shortly before the clients moved into their house, the husband experienced a stroke. It brought home to them how important aging in place could be in the future. Although they tried to adjust things when they first moved in, they could not find many solutions to make the bathroom more accessible.

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The small master shower was the most challenging aspect of the home and made day-to-day living difficult. The couple did not have enough storage space in the vanity, and the alcove bathtub was a seldom-used eyesore. With the new design, husband and wife now have a stunning accessible shower with ample space, a lower shower entrance, and multiple shower attachments that can be enjoyed by both owners.

ASID AWARD FEATURE

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A S I D AWA R D F E A T U R E

Inspired by the clients’ recent travels, we incorporated elements of the ocean and a feeling of serenity throughout the design.

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J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2024

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CREATE YOUR OWN ENVIRONMENT In nature, evolution can require a process of thousands of years.

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Contact us today to see why Curt Hofer & Associates has earned top awards for our iconic design and inspired living spaces for more than 30 years.

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A S I D AWA R D F E A T U R E To make the shower feel even more spacious, we removed the glass block window in the shower and replaced it with a large glass panel while still keeping lower portions of the shower walls.

A few inches makes an enormous difference, which allowed us to extend the vanity in length. That crucial amount of space allowed for a vanity with more storage, sconces for more focused lighting, and decorative mirrors. The freestanding tub creates an illusion of space, and the owners have a beautiful tub that fits them perfectly. The clients enjoy their disguised closet at the bath’s entrance now that it is covered in elegant custom sheer drapery.

Inspired by the clients’ recent travels, we incorporated elements of the ocean and a feeling of serenity throughout the design. Inspiration also came from the elegant tile we used in the backsplash and in the tub niche with subtle colors echoing in the granite countertop.

Emphasizing blue-gray, lavender, and mauve adds a sense of serendipity to the room. A heated f loor was installed for that special spa touch, enhancing the ambience when dimming the light fixtures and lighting a candle. It is the pure serenity the client wished to achieve.

For more information on this and other makeovers, visit designersomaha.com.

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al Estate r/Re Ag lto en ea

t

Lastly, without lowering the f loor joists, we created a low threshold shower.

Design experience and a resourceful installer meant we were able to achieve an acceptable entry to solve the problem.

The client was pleased and amazed at how seemingly simply the solutions were executed. Cold showering in the chilly winters was dispelled by the warmth of the cozy heated f loor. These thoughtful solutions resolved the problems of function and still created a wonderful elegant spa bathroom.

Relax in your clean home.

R

Besides accessibility, creating ease of maintenance was one of our more significant challenges. For this reason, we avoided marble tile for the shower, selecting porcelain tile that imitates some of the most exotic marble slabs. The handheld additional shower head assists in showering and cleaning. To prevent frequent calcium deposits, we installed crisp, glittery chrome fixtures, which are the most resistant to deposits. Porcelain tile enveloped the room adding to the more stain resistant material, while also providing an elegant touch. The unusual f loor tile is 16 inches wide by 47 inches long. Divided into smaller sections, it provides the illusion of 8-by-8-inch tiles. This eliminated a large number of grout joints, adding to the ease of maintenance.

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SOLID AS A ROCK e

r u t ec

it h c Ar

“Different materials capture the benefit of the sun’s energy and work as different storage mediums.” ­­­­­­­­­–John DeGroot

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STORY • PHOTOGRAPHY • DESIGN Kim Carpenter • Bill Sitzmann • Nickie Robinson

DISTRICT 66 HOME DISTINCTIVE FOR WHAT IT D OESN’T SHOW

I

t’s one of Omaha’s most unique homes.

No, it’s not the stately Italian-Georgian inspired architecture that makes this residence so exceptional. Nor is it the regal wood-and-brick exterior that elicits interest. In fact, it’s not even the gently curved ceilings that soar throughout the 2,700-square-foot abode that make this house such an Omaha standout.

When it comes to John and Pat DeGroot’s commanding architectural masterpiece located on a quiet street in the heart of District 66, it’s more about what lies beneath than what visitors and passersby can see on the surface. That’s because buried underneath the entire home lie some one million pounds of granite.

That amount translates to roughly 490 tons. The granite, quarried in Missouri and transported on f latbeds for the DeGroots' dream home, comprises a heating storage system designed to control the residence’s ambient temperature.

Devising novel ways to store energy is an endeavor that has interested John since the early 1970s, when an oil embargo prompt-

ed fuel rationing. “We were going through quite an energy crisis,” he recounted. “It made people realize that we should be looking at alternatives and not be so dependent on just one way of meeting our energy needs.”

It would take several decades until the DeGroots, who will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in May, found the perfect alternative. In 2003, they began working with architect Eddy Santamaria, now of Contrivium Design + Urbanism, to construct a home that would meet both their aesthetic and energy demands.

Above all, John wanted to be intentional about how to meet the home's energy needs.

“It was a challenge to be more efficient users of energy. We looked at different possibilities,” he said, noting that at the time solar panels were cost-prohibitive and less energy-efficient than they are today. Still, the building site boasted optimal southern exposure, making it ideal for the kind of alternative that John, whom Pat calls “the visionary” in the marriage, envisioned.

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F ERACTHUI T A REEC T U R E After careful consideration, the couple settled on using granite as the perfect vehicle. “Different materials capture the benefit of the sun’s energy and work as different storage mediums,” John explained. “The nature of granite is that it has a very high value in terms of being able to store energy.

You want a combination of hardness, something that does not break down over time or give off dust, and something you can use in various sizes. You need to create pathways for air to circulate.”

This means using an enormous volume of rock that includes larger slabs, which form the conductive arteries through which air passes, and smaller pieces, which are more effective at storing energy.

The DeGroots enlisted SL Jensen Construction as their contractor, and the company created a concrete-lined pit for the granite, which the company also had

to power wash before placing it, an arduous process that necessitated using a crane.

“He was the contractor who was willing to do this,” Pat remembered. “Some of them shied away from this—and the neighbors all thought we were building an indoor swimming pool. Everyone thought that!”

As for the architecture itself, Pat had very specific ideas in mind. “I kept saying to Eddy, ‘I love Georgian architecture, however, I love curves, and I love the movement of the buildings,’" she shared. “‘The regular English Georgian is very stiff. It’s like a salt box. But I still love Georgian. I’m still attracted to it, but I loved something a little bit softer.’ He said, ‘Oh! I’ve got it!’ And he started telling us about this Italian architect [Andrea Palladio, who designed villas, palaces, and churches during the 16th century], and we went from there.”

Those curves also served a purpose. They conceal a labyrinthine ductwork system and allow air to circulate more easily.

“The trick is to be able to hide ducts,” John explained. “You don’t want to sacrifice the things you want to have in a residence just to be able to get the benefits of the solar design.”

The DeGroots finally took up residence in 2005, and over the years, they’ve added seven geothermal wells to augment the granite, making heating and cooling independent of exterior sources.

An unexpected but luxurious benefit?

“We never run out of hot water,” Pat sighed with a smile.

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