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A LWAY S L O C A L , A LWAY S B E AU T I F U L

JUNE 2020

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VOLUME 10 · Issue 4

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At Home F O RE V ER H O ME POT EN T I A L

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Feature AN A SHL AND OA SIS

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Feature ROGER & CHRIS COME HOME

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A rchitecture A PA I N T E D L A DY I N O M A H A

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A private gathering place in Roger and Chris’ lush English garden.

Story page 28. Photo by Chris Stout-Hazard (Roger + Chris).

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“As people think and work together, a fabric of shared meaning comes into being.”

-Harrison Owens

S

ocial distancing seems just a bit easier when the sun is shining and you’re able to be outside. Whether you’re exercising with your yoga class in the park (six feet between everyone, of course!), or enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend on the patio, being outdoors and together again is sweeter than ever.

If you are anything like me, sunny, warm weather is the perfect motivation to get those lingering spring projects done…straightening up the garage, finishing yard cleanup, or planting beautiful flowers in pots to bookend your entryway. The busywork and sense of accomplishment can do wonders for your mood, too.

This issue, we’re honored to have furniture makers Roger Hazard and Chris Stout-Hazard’s residence grace our magazine. Their Country Club home and garden is truly eye candy. These two certainly have a flair for design and color, and have mastered the art of personalizing a space to truly make it your own.

We also have features on the Ostlund family’s West Shores home in Waterloo, and on Marci Sesker’s Sandy Pointe Lake home in Ashland.

Breeze through the simply stunning photos of these homes and you’ll understand why so many (including me!) think lake living is simply the best. There are other great reads inside, including a Maker profile of woodworker Jason Jones and his kitchen tool creations, a helpful Harvest piece on keeping pests at bay the natural way, and more.

After several months of dealing with COVID-19, I want to share that I’m so grateful for the community that we have, supporting one another.

Although we’re ranked 59th in largest U.S. cities, Omaha truly does seem like small town.

And I am filled with hope and anticipation for continued growth of this wonderful publication.

It’s times like these that show us that we’re all in this together.

Sandy Matson Contributing Editor

D E E P -F R I E D

WOODWORKS JA S O N J O N E S : T H E D E E P - F R I E D, C O R N - F E D A R T I S T STORY | TA MSEN BUTLER • PHOTOGR A PH Y | BILL SITZMA NN DESIGN | M ADY BESCH

Born and raised in Omaha,

chef and woodworking artist Jason Jones grew up with a pastry chef mom and an architect dad. “I grew up mostly around the restaurant scene, learning firsthand what a crazy, hectic, loud, beautiful, passionate, unique, and diverse place the professional kitchen is. A place where life lessons are practiced and learned. Make it or break it, this is where things get done,” Jones recalled fondly.

Culinary arts and architecture may seem an unlikely pair, but Jones proved the influence of the two can make something special.

“When my dad would bring me to his office, I would head straight for the supply room just to look at all the tools the architects used. My dad, probably unknowingly, taught me that a tool is something to be respected and that it is not a toy.”

His love of tools extends to his art today, as he uses hand tools to create his woodworking pieces—no power tools for this artist. “I started with a few cheap power tools and after a few injuries and many frustration-induced headaches, I started looking for another way.” He works out of a home workshop, creating original pieces “30 minutes at a time, or into the wee hours of the morning.” He markets his culinary tool creations under the company name Deep-Fried Woodworks.

Jones’ first job was washing dishes at La Casa Pizzaria on Leavenworth Street. “I worked hard and was eager to learn and

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wanted to show off my skills, imitating what I had seen in my family’s restaurant,” he remembered. “I worked there for about 10 years and I have nothing but good things to say about those amazing people.”

“The similarities continued. A sharp tool is a safe tool. I could even use my kitchen knife-sharpening stones to sharpen my woodworking tools! Sharpening is a skill I had already learned in the kitchen, so it was great to be able to use that skill for a very different application,” he explained.

Cooking was always in his blood, Jones said. He was 23 when he enrolled in culinary school at Metropolitan CommuJones creates pieces that are both useful nity College and, upon graduating, and artistic. Most pieces lean toward the “I dove deep into the culinary world and culinary and are “very functional,” said tried to learn about everything I could friend Brandon Hahn, who has known get my hands on,” he said. “I worked with Jones since kindergarten. “He’s thought and under many talented chefs in many about it, and he’s got a better way of makOmaha restaurants, including The Flating it,” Hahn added. “If he’s not going iron, Dario’s Brasserie, Localmotive food to make it better, he’s not going to make truck, and Avoli it at all. He’s a very pasOsteria. Ultimate- “I quickly started realizing sionate dude.” ly, I returned to the similarities between the family that Jones soon took to crecooking and hand tool gave me a chance ating the very items he woodworking. Quality when I was just a was accustomed to uswood and materials are kid.” He is curing in the kitchen. “I just as important as rently a kitchen had worked with many quality ingredients.” manager at La wooden cutting boards Casa Pizzaria. and wooden utensils — Jason Jones through the years, so I Jones first stumbled upon a hand tool had a good idea of what I wanted. Soon woodworking community on Instagram friends and family became interested and was hooked. “This social community in my wood creations and I would give showed me a new and old world of worksome away for presents. Then friends of ing wood with hand tools. For the first friends would ask me to make something time in my life I found something that I for them.” He’s been selling his creations enjoyed as much as cooking.” about three years, launching a website in 2018. He said sales have about doubled “I quickly started realizing the similarities over the past two years, though sales have between cooking and hand tool woodnever really been his focus. working. Quality wood and materials are just as important as quality ingredients.”

Most of the wood Jones uses for his pieces is locally sourced.

“I want these items to be put to work, to be handcrafted one at a time, not manufactured by machines, last as long as possible, and to be an heirloom for people to want to use every day.”

— Jason Jones

JUNE 2020

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MAKER

“My focus is, and has always been, preserving traditions within the craft and highlighting the benefits of wooden kitchen products,” Jones said. “I want these items to be put to work, to be handcrafted one at a time, not manufactured by machines, last as long as possible, and to be an heirloom for people to want to use every day,” he shared.

Cutting boards are a favorite of his clients. “I still make a few here and there because it is an absolute essential tool in the kitchen and everyone who likes to cook should have a quality cutting board that, if properly cared for, will out-live them!”

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Next came wooden spoons. “I designed and created the ‘Chefspoon,’ a spoon built from the ground up for all-purpose cooking,” Jones said. “I also carve eating spoons, serving spoons, and other cooking spoons. My process for these starts with a log and an axe. I finish with a carving knife and hook knife, not sandpaper. I enjoy doing these axe and knife spoon carving demonstrations at local art markets. I think people really like to see how their wood spoon is made one at a time with this attention to detail.”

Jones has an insatiable desire to learn and grow and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

When asked to predict what the future holds for his art, he responded, “I am not sure what will come of my woodworking adventures, but right now the sky is the limit!”

Check out more of Jason Jones’ culinary creations at deepfriedwoodworks.com.

Crafting

Made Easy The McCrery’s Dundee Basement Remodel STORY

Katy Spratte Joyce PHOTOGRAPHY

DESIGN

Bill Sitzmann

Mady Besch

O M A H A M AG A Z IN E.CO M

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he basement of one home in Dundee took more than 100 years to properly finish.

The Mediterranean-inspired Dundee charmer, built in 1914, was purchased in 2016 by a pair of physicians, Becky and Dave McCrery.

Their three daughters—Ellen, Cecilia, and Julia—and beloved Maltipoo Olaf round out the family.

For the 2018 renovation—a largescale project that reshaped the entire 2,000 square foot basement—Becky McCrery worked with interior designer Jacque Christensen, then of Aaron Carlson Design. Today, Jacque is the owner and lead designer of her own firm, Jacque Christensen Design.

The pair worked incredibly well together, perhaps partially because Christensen lives in a lovely old Dundee home herself, making her an ideal steward for the McCrery project. The designer expanded, “There’s nothing more offensive to an old, grand, beautiful house than putting something new and trendy in it.” Christensen balances the modern application and new use of space with honoring the history and character of old structures. In fact, she married the two thoughts in taking the homeowners’ recently unearthed original house blueprints and framing them as new artwork in the finished McCrery basement.

McCrery was excited to “dive right in” to this first big house project, adding that “it was a really rough basement” with minimal finish.

And after renovating the basement in their previous home with great

results, McCrery knew it made sense to complete the project while the kids were young so they might enjoy it for many years. Christensen gave credit to McCrery for giving her total creative freedom.

and crafts. What was already a popular destination for games and puzzles has transitioned into an even more vital getaway during these unprecedented pandemic times when the family is always home.

While the entire lower level was gutted and remodeled—even requiring a structural engineer to remove weight-bearing walls— perhaps the most interesting of the completed spaces is the young girls’ craft room, designed as a cozy and functional spot for arts

In an odd twist, the craft room occupies a former nook utilized by the previous owners as a sort of DIY wine cellar, complete with numerous cedar wine shelves for bottle storage. That adults-only area has ironically made for the perfect kid-centric room.

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Unique touches like vintage Penguin Classics book covers wallpaper from Osborne & Little add a playful backdrop for a now-beloved area. Its youthful vibe is complemented by a fun Currey & Company light fixture. While quirky design elements add charm to the space, it’s function that reigns supreme. Built-ins provide optimal storage without sacrificing aesthetics, and custom pillows and a bench cushion from local creator Wendy Monbouquette make the space comfortable for long days of creative fun.

The adjacent large living room and kitchenette serve as a gathering place for the entire family. They love their mini kitchen with two beverage fridges—one for the girls’ sodas and the other for wine. A sink, plenty of counter space, and dishwasher make the space perfect for entertaining. The addition of a microwave makes family movie night even tastier with popcorn just a few steps away. It’s clear that the McCrerys will be enjoying their family-friendly basement for years to come.

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FOREVER HOME POTENTIAL

THE OSTLUNDS SET TLE IN AT WEST SHORES Story K A T Y S P R A T T E J O Y C E Photography B I L L S I T Z M A N N Design M A D Y B E S C H

After moving nine times in the past 17 years for various career opportunities, Tracy and Mike Ostlund were ready to settle down. The pair, longtime sweethearts who met while working at Baker’s Square in high school, were ready to return to their Omaha roots with kids Garrett and Bailey and charcoal Lab Grizzly in tow.

When they learned through a personal connection that a home on a rare point lot at the upscale West Shores development had become available, the Ostlunds jumped at the chance for lakeside living. (Point lots include about double the waterfront length of other parcels in the area.) They purchased the Waterloo home without delay.

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Renovation of the kitchen and adjacent area was the first major project. The Ostlunds hired Mandy Lassek and Janine Dunn, designers with Lassek and Dunn Design, as consultants and Tackett Construction as general contractor. While a live-in renovation is no easy feat, the firms and the homeowner worked together well, creating a glorious result. Designer Lassek had this to say of the working relationship: “[The Ostlunds] were full of energy and were very appreciative of our design input. They were both very decisive, which makes the project progress quickly from start to finish.” Tracy added, “We were very much on the same page; I would see something in my head, then tell Mandy and she would just get it.”

The kitchen reno began by removing a wall that obstructed water views and formed another small room. The space was used by the previous owner as a home office, but Tracy elected to turn this enclave into her version of a “she shed.” Designer Dunn explained: “Tracy wanted a room that she could call her own and be able to absolutely enjoy the beautiful view of the lake.” It’s since become Tracy’s favorite spot to relax and enjoy a cocktail.

While the newer home was in good shape when the couple purchased it in 2019, the inside was painted a pinkish-brown tone that was not to their liking. So, Tracy and Mike promptly changed it.

(They closed on the house on July 22 and the painter was there on July 23.) They opted for a custom, creamy white paint to make the space feel beachier and wide open.

Soon after, the master bedroom’s his and her closets got facelifts. Tracy chose cheetah carpet for hers. “I had always wanted cheetah carpet in my closet since I saw it in a Street of Dreams house. But then Mike didn’t want to be left out…he picked a tiger carpet for his!” Next, the real work began, and as Mike likes to say, “[the project] just snowballed from there.”

Major updates to the kitchen meant that pizza connoisseur Tracy, who fittingly has Italian ancestry, had four ovens installed instead of the original one. (Her quirky specialty is a peanut butter pie inspired by northern Minnesota eatery Zorbaz).

CE Smith Custom Cabinets and CKF Countertops brought their expertise to the project, while a chevron-patterned hood added a fun touch.

Lassek said that she and her design partner appreciate the unique features of this reimagined kitchen. “We love the color palette with the amazing marble-patterned backsplash. We had not used this color palette with the different Cambria from CKF [before],” she said. “Mike and Tracy were bold with their choices and it paid off in design.”

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“WE HAD NOT USED THIS COLOR PALETTE WITH THE DIFFERENT CAMBRIA FROM CKF [BEFORE],” MANDY LASSEK SAID. “MIKE AND TRACY WERE BOLD WITH THEIR CHOICES AND IT PAID OFF IN DESIGN.”

AT HOM E

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Lassek continued: “[Additionally], the white picket fence backsplash along the perimeter really complemented the bold pattern on the range backsplash area.

We introduced the brushed brass handles along with the faucet, and it really popped with the navy and white cabinetry.”

One point of contention was whether to include a unique round detail on the end of the large kitchen island. Lassek and Dunn both thought it would be “too much going on,” but Tracy had always wanted a rare feature like this, so she stuck to her guns. Ultimately, Lassek said, “We listened to the homeowner and couldn’t be happier with the end result.”

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The reno team completed several projects in the home’s lower level as well, including replacing basement carpet with new tile, turning the downstairs kitchen into a bar, and adding a butler’s pantry with extra bar storage. Additionally, they took an unused nook and crafted a special space for avid fowl hunter Mike—a locked gun room, complete with a Browning safe door.

Even with multiple large-scale projects under their belt, the Ostlunds look forward to tackling their future to-do list. Up next? Converting their outdoor patio space into an entertainer’s dream, complete with custom pizza oven for Tracy’s signature pies, an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, and an open sky bar with dreamy lake views.

The Ostlunds never say never when it comes to moving yet again, but they both agree…this West Shores home is sure beginning to feel like their forever home.

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STORY CARRIELLE SEDERSTEN

PHOTOGRAPHY THE MULLERS PHOTO CO.

DESIGN MADY BESCH

An Ashland Oasis A Modern Industrial Home with an Organic Feel

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O M A H A M AG A Z IN E.CO M

F E AT U R E

“You walk in and you can just instantly breathe. You just feel like you’re in nature...Really, it’s like you’re in a glass box.”

— Monica Freeborn

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hat is it about going to a lake that makes the air feel fresher with each inhalation? A feeling that starts in the chest and quickly f loods over your entire body. Everything that’s not right in front of you falls away, and worries begin to fade. You start to notice all the small details: the way the light hits the trees and which way the wind blows, and for that moment, you don’t feel separate from, but part of it all. You slow down. Feel the grass beneath your feet. Come back to your senses. Back to now.

Stepping inside Marci Sesker’s house feels just like that. It transports you to another place. A place that mixes industrial elements like steel beams and concrete f loors, often found in historic buildings, with cozy, organic materials mimicking nature’s warmth and serenity.

The centerpiece of the newly built, 1 1/2 story, open-concept custom home in Ashland is the peaceful panoramic view of Sandy Pointe Lake. Natural light pours in from all the windows lining the entire perimeter, making you forget where the walls should be.

“You walk in and you can just instantly breathe,” said Monica Freeborn, owner and designer at Amethyst Home, the interior consultant for the house. “You just feel like you’re in nature...Really, it’s like you’re in a glass box.”

Everything in the home was intentionally chosen to complement the lake. From the massive windows lining the entire length of the kitchen and living area, to the water- and sand-resistant concrete f loors running throughout the main level. Both features were must-haves for Sesker when building her home.

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“It was more important to me to have big, tall windows that go to the ceiling…than having a full top level,” Sesker said.

The vaulted ceilings in the living room reach more than two stories high, and both interior walls have a row of rectangular windows right below the ceiling that bring in additional light further expanding the room. Painting all the walls white creates an even greater feel of openness, as the places where the walls start and stop blend together into one cohesive, blank canvas that has no end.

Not everything in the home is black and white. Artwork, like the oversized print in the dining area, adds small pops of color, while real and faux greenery lend an organic feeling to the space.

The clean white walls contrast with the onyx steel beams, adding dimension and grounding the space to create a cozy downtown loft at-

To balance out the modern architecture, Sesker and Freeborn selected soft ivory, natural linen slip-covered sofas with down feather cushions and pillows that are not only comfortable, but also machine washable—perfect for the Seskers’ laid-back lake lifestyle.

Sesker enjoys the lake view most often from one of these relaxed, low-profile sofas that barely peek over her giant back window. She fondly recalled the day she got them.

“We [she and her daughter] just sat on these couches and were like, Is this heaven or what?”

Sesker said. “Everything was just so perfect. To look outside. The couches are just the right look. It’s such a cool coastal sort of beachy feeling.”

Also chosen to complement an aquatic lifestyle are the low-pile rugs, which don’t trap sand and vacuum easily. A gray and ivory Indian hand-knotted wool rug in the liv-

“I’m so happy that we’re out here just to be able to see the water flowing by. It’s kind of like your dream house...it’s really what I wanted.”

— Marci Sesker

mosphere. The yin and yang of light and dark elements results in a timeless aesthetic that is striking and sophisticated.

Nowhere is that more evident than the matte black, ceramic f loor-to-ceiling tiled wall on the north side of the living room. What Freeborn describes as one of her favorite “moody moments.”

“We loved that the colors are just slightly different, so it has a handmade look to it. They’re not perfect. We love to embrace the imperfections in design. If you look at it closely, they’re not all the same size,” Freeborn said.

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ing room brings in a natural material that adds both softness and warmth to the hard concrete f loors while anchoring the handmade, black-stained pine coffee table. A pair of round camel leather chairs sit opposite the ivory sofas.

This theme of pairing hard and soft plays out with another hand-knotted Indian rug in the entryway and continues in the kitchen with a deep onyx-colored vintage Turkish runner.

In the kitchen, the countertops, waterfall island, and backsplash—all of which are made of white quartz—work in perfect harmony with modern stainless steel appliances and dichromatic Euro-style cabinets. The lower cabinets are done in natural wood, and the upper cabinets in black.

F E AT U R E

Making the black upper cabinets the same height all the way across as Sesker envisioned was a challenge during the build.

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Sesker explained, “[In] A typical house, [the cabinetry] goes across, and then you have to go up because of the gas stove for ventilation. So my cabinets are a little bit higher than the normal.”

Freeborn added that because they had to raise the upper cabinets, the backsplash is about six inches higher than what’s standard, which adds to the overall lofty feel of the home.

Ultimately, it turned out exactly how Sesker wanted it, and she loves everything about her new house.

“My goal was for Marci to be happy and wake up in a home that felt like a true expression of herself,” Freeborn said. She feels the mission was accomplished.

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What Sesker is most looking forward to is having get-togethers this summer with her family and her neighbors, many of whom decided to move out to Sandy Pointe Lake after living in the same neighborhood for nearly 17 years.

“I think we always talked about that when we first got married, that someday we’d want a lake house,” Sesker said. “I’m so happy that we’re out here just to be able to see the water f lowing by. It’s kind of like your dream house...it’s really what I wanted.”

Visit amethystomaha.com to view more design projects and home decor similar to this Ashland home.

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omahamagazine.com JUNE 2020

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feature

Roger & Chris Come Home: Adventurous Design, Bold Moves

from Omaha’s Newest Power Couple Stor y PA T R I C K M A I N E L L I

Photog raphy CHRIS STOUT-H A Z ARD, ROGER + CHRIS

Desi g n M ADY BESCH

ne thing a person learns after hosting nearly 200 episodes of an Emmy-nominated home design show: “All the info you need to buy a house is on the internet. The only reason you go in person is to get an emotional reaction.”

O

In 2016 when Roger Hazard—a designer and former host of A&E’s Sell This House—and his husband, Chris Stout-Hazard, purchased their current home in Omaha’s Country Club neighborhood, they made the commitment sight unseen.

At the moment of sale, the 1932 Tudor had great curb appeal— whitewashed red brick, dramatic roof peaks over the door and windows—but not much else going for it. “Nothing in the kitchen worked,”

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Roger remembered. “There was a gas leak. It smelled terrible. But this is our profession; I’m used to renovating houses in a week on TV, so it didn’t scare me.”

By the time the New Jersey lease was up and the seasons working as a TV star had passed, it was time for new vistas. Omaha, where Chris was raised and still has close family, was high on the list of options.

“We decided after having spent years in other places, but constantly coming back to Omaha to visit family, it might just make sense to be here ourselves. It was obvious the city is headed in the right direction,” Chris said.

In fact, Roger’s television perRoger confirmed.

“We decided after having sona suggests “I knew Omaha spent years in other places, a man who was a perfect opbut constantly coming back has never once portunity. I’ve to Omaha to visit family, it known fear worked all over the might just make sense to be country and have in the face of here ourselves. It was obvi- seen how cities even the most ous the city is headed in the change for the betfrightening right direction.” design chalter. I could see the lenges. During signs [here].”

— Chris Stout-Hazard the show’s run, from 2003 to Once they made 2011, Roger traveled the country, the move, the home renovations behelping homeowners quickly redegan immediately. Chris remembered, sign and stage their homes to be “Roger literally drove halfway across more appealing to buyers. the country from New Jersey and went right to the paint store.”

Because production of the show was constantly moving between Four years later, the house is a rich cities, the couple, who first met in feast for the senses. Moving from Roger’s hometown of Austin, Texas, room to room, the home achieves a could take up residence wherever good balance of dark, rustic secluthey pleased. This meant stints sion and bright openness. Throughout, in Austin, upstate New York, and adventurous paint choices—stripes Montclair, New Jersey, where they and swoops, two- and three-tone rented a forested midcentury modrooms, f loor-to-ceiling geometric patern mountain home with a grand terns—give the whole home a bold and view of the Manhattan skyline. playful feel.

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Especially striking is the black and white mud cloth pattern that fills a kitchen wall and moves up the staircase into the upper landing. The whole intricate creation was hand-painted by Chris, who worked for years in tech for financial institutions before deciding to embrace his creative talents and join Roger in the design world.

While the house is full of joyfully designed nooks to hide away in, the home’s true sanctuary waits out back. What was once an entirely empty grass lot has been transformed into a lush English gothic garden.

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“I designed the garden and planted

every single plant myself…over 3,500,” Roger shared proudly. “I’m a huge believer in going for what you want. The garden is only three years old, but it looks like it’s been here 15 years.”

“I’m a huge believer in going for what you want. The garden is only three years old, but it looks like it’s been here 15 years.”

— Roger Hazard

Like the home, the garden landscape is full of artful corners to get lost in. Billowing hydrangea blossoms, plush ferns, and enclosing cypress walls all create distinct and secluded sitting areas.

“Omaha has an amazing climate for gardens,” Roger noted. “I’m amazed at how bland the landscaping is around here, though! I’ve lived in New York for many years, and that’s a much harsher climate that people do a lot more with. It looks like cemetery planting around here.

Nothing but hedges. To me, Omaha has beautiful topography and that should really be embraced more.”

Luckily for Omaha, this couple’s enthusiastic eye for design is now on view and on sale in a new Dundee retail space.

Since 2009, Roger and Chris have been hard at work designing and manufacturing custom, built-to-order furniture under the all-too-appropriate moniker Roger + Chris. This year they opened their first-ever showroom.

Their 25,000-square-foot factory in Hickory, North Carolina, has been producing high-quality couches and chairs for everyday homeowners and high-end commercial clients like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and CNN.

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Their new Dundee location puts them squarely in the middle of one of the city’s creative hubs. The shop’s immediate neighbors, the smallbut-mighty design firm Round and Round, are eager to welcome the new kids in town. “I’m super excited for the Roger and Chris store,” said Round and Round designer Justin Kemerling. “It looks awesome. Great design everywhere. Brings good life to the neighborhood. Looking forward to having them as neighbors.”

Like their home, the interior of the retail space is anything but routine. Roger explained, “It’s a concept store. It’s more about an experience when you come in. We created a fictional character who hired us to design their home—a rock star with an upstate old home that he wants as a retreat. It’s pretty over the top with the design. It’s meant to make you smile.”

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we like to test out styles [at home] before we offer them to consumers,” Roger explained. “Like a garden…

We evolve and the house evolves.”

“We’ve always succeeded by being ourselves and not following the routine,” Chis said.

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“Since we own our own factory,

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“Home design is unnecessarily intimidating,” Chris added. “We love showing people that there is no reason you should be afraid to do this—to do it yourself.”

To see more of Roger and Chris’ furniture creations, visit rogerandchris.com.

“Home design is unnecessarily intimidating. We love showing people that there is no reason you should be afraid to do this— to do it yourself.”

— Chris Stout-Hazard

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A RCHITEC T UR E

A Painted Lady in Omaha Old Queen Anne in Bemis Still a Looker STORY | LISA LUKECART PHOTOGRAPHY | BILL SITZMA NN DESIGN | M A DY BESCH

TWO TALL TREES stand sentry, guard-

ing the entryway. The long limbs of the tree creak and accentuate an ornate house, dead center, further up the beaten concrete steps. The vacant windows peer down at the barren yard.

The Queen Anne residence, located at 3524 Hawthorne Ave., intimidates despite being dressed in bold colors. The timeless beauty of the Edgar Zabriskie Home, though, isn’t lost on those who cruise down the curvy streets of the Bemis Park Landmark Heritage District. It’s a black and white photograph fixed up as a glossy, colorful modern-day print. The ornate skin and bones of the structure showcase its historical significance.

Zabriskie, a Civil War veteran, built it in 1889 during the building boom. A dusty-looking photo, taken by a photographer from a ladder with a large-format camera, freezes the original model of the Victorian era. Horses are pulling a sodlike contraption and the trees are just saplings.

The 14-room home, designed by the architectural firm of Fowler and Beindorff, sat regally alone for almost a decade, anticipating the development of the Bemis Park suburbs in the new century.

“I loved that it was the first house here, on top of the hill, just waiting for the city to build around it,” real estate agent Tim Reeder said.

Reeder specializes in marketing old and historic homes at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.

“I loved that it was the first house here, on top of the hill, just waiting for the city to build around it.”

The Queen Anne model, popular with wealthy — Tim Reeder American industrialists, typically borrowed from a wide range of stylistic traditions.

This becomes evident looking at Zabriskie’s three-story dwelling with a multi-gabled roof, which added pointed peaks similar to those in neo-Gothic architecture.

The asymmetrical wooden construction promoted the ideas of English architect Richard Norman Shaw, who inspired the movement.

A bell-shaped roof (later ripped off in the Easter tornado of 1913) rounded out a turret on the southwest corner. The Eastlake porch caught the eye with exterior spindle and lattice embellishments. A band of shingles divided the first and second story. Zabriskie utilized technological advancements in the interior, adding a coal furnace with a hand-cranked conveyor belt and a clock spring thermostat. Gas light fixtures blazed on stormy nights, since it was built without electricity.

It remained a Zabriskie legacy for 79 years until his son died of a stroke sitting on the front porch.

With no relatives left to inherit, the historic belongings inside sold to the highest bidder in an auction.

Even the carriage house, where Zabriskie Jr. and his wife lived for a short time, was moved and sold off. The Victorian residence, for the first time, became available to the public.

Jim Bechtel gazed at what he remembers was a hideous pale-yellow exterior, painted that color for the sale in 1972. The original color remains a mystery. “I’m sure most people took one look and left, but we [he and his then-wife] were young and in love,�

Bechtel recalled.

Bechtel purchased a slice of history for $20,000, and in a sense, inherited a money pit. The disrepair and neglect meant making improvements. Soot covered shredded wallpaper. Original wooden fishscale roof shingles and front porch spindles were rotted. Brick replaced wooden posts, along with the railing on the front steps. Bechtel gave the house a facelift, paint-

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“I’m sure most people took one look and left, but we were young and in love.”

— Jim Bechtel

ing it in classical pastels of pink, lilac, and orchid. The trim became adorned in turquoise and crème. He worked closely with the historic preservation society to ensure any changes met the standards.

Most of the exterior and interior are original. The woodwork of the mantelpieces, the staircase, and wainscoting on the first f loor remain intact. Grillework, gingerbread, and fretwork add detailed touches. Oak pocket doors hide out of sight. Even the servant call system functions. Ceramic tiles of the fireplace, depicting Renaissance musicians, were likely imported from Italy. The mirror, from France, possibly contains real silver. A single-paned window of the turret on the first f loor of the tower has curved glass so smoothly polished it feels like being outside.

The second f loor is massive with five bedrooms and two bathrooms. The third f loor probably housed servants back in the day, with three rooms and an attic.

Bechtel lived there with his family until he sold it in 2017. When Vanessa Jewell saw a small for sale sign in the window, she had to see it.

“I just love old homes.

It’s not cookie-cutter,” Jewell explained.

The Jewell family purchased it after seeing only the first f loor, which blew them away. Fresh cedar siding meant she could paint it in all her family’s favorite colors of blue, red, black, and white. Along with a new roof and gutters, the porch woodwork has been replaced.

The house is back up for sale for $385,000.

And it has been reported to be haunted. Reeder told a tale about how a Zabriskie sister-in-law died in the upstairs room. Her dress caught on fire, engulfing her in f lames. And thus, the rumor of her tortured spirit walking the halls was born.

Electricity had been added years before, but the gas/ electric chandeliers still work in most areas of the home. Bechtel’s Halloween parties became notorious because of the glow cast by those gas f lames. Partygoers enjoyed “a particular weed” in the 1970s. Guests seated in the dining room claimed to see a ghost.

Bechtel believes it could have been the drugs at work, or possibly the street lights or branches which cast moving shadows on the glass pane doors. But others think it is the ghost of old Zabriskie himself…still sitting on the porch.

For more information, visit bhgre.com/property/3524Hawthorne-Ave-OmahaNE-68131/42119142/detail.

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JUNE 2020

H A RV E S T

Story by PATRICK M C GEE

Patio Gardening with

Pest-Repellent

Plants

Catnip Plant Nepeta cataria

L U S H P L A N T E R S O F F L OW E R S A N D P O T T E D H E R B S increase the

ambiance of patios and porches, but they can serve another important function: repelling pests. Scott Farrington, owner of Indian Creek Nursery on the border of the Dundee and Midtown neighborhoods, said controlling pests with plants rather than chemicals is quite effective.

(It’s also important to the mission of his nursery, which has cut down on chemical control by 90% in the past five years using alternative methods.)

Homeowners who wish to reduce their dependence on commercial chemical products can use many common, attractive, and otherwise useful herbs and f lowers to repel pests effectively, he said.

Look to some of the best-smelling kitchen herbs for help keeping the bugs away. Culinary herbs with fragrant essential oils often have pest-repelling properties, Farrington said. Lemongrass is not only a fine culinary herb and an attractive spiky plant, but also repels many pests,

Farrington said folklore points to the protective power of marigolds. The tales may have some merit, he believes, although he can’t verify. (The blaze orange f lowers are particularly attractive though.) And lavender, with its beautiful purple f lowers and relaxing scent, repels mosquitoes, ants, and even f leas. Lastly, there’s catnip. It’s not only adored by cats, but also attractive, smells fresh, and its essential oil is a roach repellent (supposedly more effective than DEET), he added.

There is limited scientific evidence in the area of naturally repellent plants; however, some is beginning to emerge. For instance, in a 2016 study by Baidoo and Mochiah, botanical insecticides (specifically garlic and hot pepper) protected nearby cabbage plants from pests and were a cost-effective alternative to typical insecticides (see “Comparing the Effectiveness of Garlic [Allium sativum L.] and Hot Pepper [Capsicum frutescens L.] in the Management of the Major Pests of Cabbage Brassica oleracea [L.],” Sustainable Agriculture Research; Vol. 5, No. 2; 2016).

Look to some of the best-smelling kitchen herbs for help keeping the bugs away. Culinary herbs with fragrant essential oils often have pest-repelling properties, Farrington said. especially mosquitoes. Most herb gardens host basil for cooking, but the aromatic annual also helps repels ants, mosquitoes, and f lies. Rosemary, another culinary staple, repels mosquitoes and spiders. Common herb fare, such as chives, oregano, and dill, do their fair share of repelling bugs. Blooming chives will attract bees and butterf lies (in contrast to repelling unwanted insects). And all of these herbs are well-suited for planting in pots on patios, porches, and other outdoor living spaces, he added.

Herbs aren’t the only plants with pest-repelling properties. Many f lowers have them as well, though some may not be table fare; rather, they’re better suited for ground planting, Farrington said. One such plant, citronella geranium, repels mosquitoes. Chrysanthemum, a frilly perennial f lower, repels Japanese beetles and spider mites with its unique scent. Nasturtium repels white f lies, aphids, squash bugs, and beetles, he said. It is often planted around the perimeter of vegetable gardens for its repellent properties.

Farrington said that many herbs can be made into natural repellent “potions” by boiling leaves and stems, or otherwise extracting the essential oils.

These natural concoctions are more environmentally friendly and generally safer than store-bought pesticides, he believes. Indian Creek sells a natural pest repellent made of herbal essential oils including rosemary. Natural concoctions are generally safe for human skin, Farrington said, but should be tested by individual users, as some may have more sensitivity. Homemade concoctions should also be spot-tested on fabric items, such as cushions and patio furniture, as they may stain.

Planting herbs around the porch provides more than greenery and pleasant aromas. It can facilitate a comfortable, pest-free experience outdoors.

Add to your patio a few pots of colorful geraniums, lavender, and marigolds, and you’re likely to lengthen your time outside on those summer days just a bit more. Enjoy!

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STORY

ALEXIS TROUT

|

PHOTOGRAPHY

A MOUR A PRODUCTIONS

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DESIGN

M ADY BESCH

From Dark & Drab to Light & Bright New Color Palette Helps Kid-Friendly Kitchen Shine

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T R A NSF OR M AT IONS

O M A H A M AG A Z IN E.CO M

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BEFORE

Meet the Interior Designer

ALEXIS TROUT

ALLIED AS ID, D3 INTERIO RS Alexis Trout began her design career in 2012 and joined D3 Interiors in 2014. Since that time, she has worked on a diverse range of residential and commercial projects of all sizes. Her goal as a designer is to create lasting relationships with her clients, bring a fresh creative eye, and create inspiring spaces.

BEFORE

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O M A H A M AG A Z IN E.CO M

T R A NSF OR M AT IONS

T

hese homeowners had yearned for years

for a more functional kitchen space that fit their active family lifestyle. From the start, the project goals were to update the layout and create a more modern and bright kitchen and hearth room. This involved a full kitchen tear-out while the homeowners were living in the house. While an inconvenience, they faced the challenge head-on to complete their dream kitchen.

The first step was to design a more functional way to use the kitchen. We achieved this by removing the batwing twotiered island and replacing it with a single, level, oversized island. This will serve as a place for the family to have breakfast, do homework, and enjoy each other’s company while cooking.

We also redesigned the layout of the kitchen perimeter. The sink was relocated to the island and replaced with a massive 4-inch range and vent hood, which creates a dynamic focal point to the space. We then had space for a larger refrigerator and created a hidden cabinet pantry door entrance through the kitchen.

(The original entrance into the pantry was off the garage entrance, so relocating this made access to food items much easier when working in the kitchen.)

After the kitchen layout was finalized, we took out the dark wood tones and brought a light and bright palette into the space.

Warm gray tones were used for the cabinetry, and a show-

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stopping marble-look quartz countertop was chosen for the oversized kitchen island. The perimeter countertop is a deep charcoal that is offset with a unique backsplash tile featuring an elongated picket shape in a high-gloss white finish. The original dark wood f loors were replaced with a light gray wash Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). This product gives the look and feel of real wood but is a more versatile and durable product that will stand up to the demands of kids and pets.

The same light color palette was carried over to the fireplace wall with the use of an off-white stacked stone applied f loor to ceiling. The original cabinets and mantel were replaced with a modern design showcasing open shelving and a “f loating” base cabinet.

This couple and their young family had a vision of an open, durable kitchen in which they could gather and grow for many years to come. They wanted a kitchen open enough to play and cook together, but tough enough to handle the wear and tear of growing kids. It wasn’t easy maintaining their dayto-day schedule while going through a full kitchen tearout, but they came through the other side with a kitchen of their dreams!

• • • •

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