Issuu

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 A LWA Y S L O C A L , A LWA Y S B E A U T I F U L

Midcentury

Merriment

SIT TING PRET T Y IN GIFFORD PARK

BASING ADVENTURE AT HOME

THE HEART OF THE HUB

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E N T RYWAY W

here on earth has 2023 gone? It seems like we just opened a new calendar to January, and here we are, getting ready to celebrate November and December's holidays. And what celebrations we will have! While many of us are planning on turkeys and roasts this time of year (how many pounds at what oven temperature for how long again?), consider another tradition. Pheasant hunting is a particularly time-honored family pastime during fall and winter in Nebraska, and Trent Leichleiter, managing partner at Pheasant Bonanza Hunt Club near Tekamah, shares his expert tip on page 36 for keeping the bird you serve at your holiday table moist and succulent.

If you’re looking to add a dash of nostalgic glimmer to your holiday season, take a look on page 26 at how Jenna Gabrial Gallagher decks out her midcentury modern home. Vintage silver serving platters, cherished childhood items, and nature-based crafts are ways this homeowner approaches keeping tradition front and center for her Christmas celebration in her Westside home. In this issue, you can also tour homes throughout the rest of the metro. On page 10, visit the sleek and organized “basecamp” that Nicole and Brian Mutchie have created for their active family. Clutter is reduced to a minimum with f loor-to-ceiling shelving, designated spaces for everything, and a curated approach. Travel east, and meet the Moody family in the Elmwood Park/Dundee neighborhood on page 18. It’s impossible not to feel welcome in their charming Dutch colonial home, where friends, family, and neighborhood children regularly gather. On page 46, take a look at South Omaha's newly renovated Georgia Row apartments, which offer much welcome affordable housing to neighborhood residents. Feeling welcome is what it’s all about during these months. Regardless of how you celebrate the end of the year, the Omaha Magazine family wishes you a happy, healthy, and sparkling holiday season! Kim Carpenter Managing Editor, Omaha Home kim@omahapublications.com

On the COVER

10 18 38 Contents 1

OMAHAHOME ENTRY WAY

MAKER Where Vintage has a Sweet Spot

SPACES Sitting Pretty in Gifford Park

FEATURE Basing Adventure at Home

AT HOME The Heart of the Hub

FEATURE Midcentury Merriment

HARVEST Bird by Bird

A SID AWARD FEATURE Tangled Up in Blue

ARCHITEC TURE A Row of Hope

Holiday merriment shines throughout Jenna Gabrial Gallagher’s midcentury home. From family traditions to period pieces, see how she celebrates the season. N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

VOLUME 13 · ISSUE 8

Editorial EDITOR EMERITA SANDY MATSON MANAGING EDITOR KIM CARPENTER SENIOR EDITOR JULIUS FREDRICK

Holiday SPECIAL

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Maker “They are almost like personal shoppers. They have a sense of style and stay consistent with their theme, so it makes it easy for people.” —Emily McPherson

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STORY stacy ashley murphy | PHOTOGRAPHY Bill Sitzmann | DESIGN Nickie Robinson

maker

Where Vintage has a

SWEET SPOT

15TWO HOME’S MIDCENTURY FOCUS HAS FaithFUL FOLLOWING

any successful partnerships start when opposites attract. There’s a yin and yang, a saver and a spender, a dreamer and a realist. That balance is evident when talking to Melissa and Jacob Peterson about their vintage home decor business, 15Two Home, which they’ve been running for almost a decade.

“Every single decision we’ve made has been ridiculously overanalyzed,” Jacob said with a smile. “Every step has been strategic and intentional,” Melissa responded with a clarifying sigh. The couple started selling vintage decor items and furniture on Facebook as a side hustle during their early marriage. Melissa, who always had an interest in interior design, purchased the items, while Jacob, whose father owned a small town hardware store, fixed them up. They decorated their home with their rehabbed findings, but eventually, the Petersons ran out of room. “I’m a minimalist at heart but it was hard for me to pass up the pieces I was finding,” Melissa admitted. She kept collecting. That was in 2014. The Petersons filled a garage full of 125 small items and vintage furniture. They posted their lot on Facebook and marketed it to Junkstock vendors for last-minute inventory since the biannual show was only two weeks away. They sold out within the first 45 minutes.

The couple then went on to host their own booth at Junkstock for several years. They eventually started to specialize in midcentury modern items and found a fit at the annual Hutchfest. The shows were successful, but a lot of work, so the Petersons continued to sell and market online through their website and Instagram. They’ve found a successful rhythm—so much so that Melissa left her job in 2019, and Jacob followed 18 months later. Emily McPherson has been a loyal customer of 15Two Home since 2019. She’s bought several small items from the couple over the years and upwards of 10 furniture pieces. “It works out perfectly,” she said. “They do all the in between work—sourcing items, cleaning them up, and then pricing fairly.” Emily said it’s so much better working with them compared to just using Facebook Marketplace. “There’s so many scams now that vintage has gained in popularity and prices have skyrocketed,” she said. “But they have really remained consistent and fair on prices.” She also appreciates their quality and aesthetic. “They really spend the time, energy, and effort in finding pieces and curating photos to be super customized,” she said. “They are almost like personal shoppers. They have a sense of style and stay consistent with their theme, so it makes it easy for people.”

15Two Home has weekly “shop drops” where they post the items they have on their website on Fridays at 7 a.m. It’s a first-come-first-serve basis that typically includes 15 to 20 furniture pieces and about the same amount of accessories. Everything is either mid-century modern or fits that aesthetic. Jacob said they discovered years back it was easier to offer free delivery rather than coordinate pick-ups. Their now 13-year-old son assists with the deliveries and provides the muscle, according to his dad. Jacob loves that his job doesn’t pull him away from his family but rather includes them, and as a former youth minister, he appreciates the developmental lessons his son and 11-year-old daughter are learning. The Petersons’ long-term goal is to have a brick-and-mortar store, but for now they are content with their online business. “There’s a reality of a lot of years of anxiety, anger, discussion, and joy to get where we’re at, and we’re at a real sweet spot,” Jacob said. “If we can just be content for now, be wise, and be thankful that we can provide for our family, the rest will come.” For more information, visit 15twohome.com or instagram.com/15twohome/

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

SPACES

“She has a very Bohemian style, They don’t play safe.” —Jessica McKay

OMAHAHOME

Sitting Pretty

In Gifford Park

Bathroom Remodel Brings The Bougie STORY Chris Wolfgang PHOTOGRAPHY Bill Sitzmann DESIGN Nickie Robinson

“

he sink was k ind of the beginning of it a l l,” sa id Nicole Schermerhorn.

To develop a vision for an en suite addition to their circa-1900 four-square in Gifford Park, Schermerhorn and Frank Troia searched through A&R Salvage at the advice of Jessica McKay from Birdhouse Design Studio. “Jessica told us to go look around there and get a feel for what we liked,” Schermerhorn said. “I don’t want to say necessarily that we were trying to be as sustainable as possible, but we like older stuff. And then Jessica built the rest around it.” The porcelain and chrome sink, like much of the rest of the bathroom, is arresting. Unmistakably retro, it’s…blue? Teal? “Sea foam green,” Schermerhorn suggested. “She’s an art teacher,” Troia added with a smile at the precise description of hue. Color is obviously a strong theme, from the en suite’s petal-pink, mirrored French doors (also from A&R) to the shower’s grassgreen tile. The latter isn’t a perfect match for the sink, but it’s also not a huge contrast. “We wanted everything to blend together without being so matchy,” Schermerhorn explained. “I have a problem with that, but Jessica has tried to help me get away from it.”

“She has a very Bohemian style,” McKay said. “They don’t play safe.” Schermerhorn and Troia had been living in Gifford Park for a while before they purchased the four-square in 2019. “We really wanted to buy a house here,” Troia said, “but we originally passed on this one, partly because of the small bathroom.” “No AC, either,” Schermerhorn recalled. However, after they were outbid on three other homes, their real estate agent, Rusty Johnson from Insight Omaha Real Estate Group, helped them see the potential. “The previous homeowner had taken out a wall here,” Troia indicated, gesturing to where the en suite separates the main bedroom. “So we just had this absolutely huge master room.” A small, rather dark bathroom with no storage down the hall served as the home’s main bath. “There is another bathroom on the third level,” Troia said, “but we don’t do much there.” “Except foster kittens for Felius Cat Café & Rescue,” Schermerhorn pointed out.

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

OMAHAHOME

S PA C E S Schermerhorn and Troia are child-free, so the idea of a spacious, bright en suite held more appeal than replacing the small bedroom that had been removed. And it’s not as though the house is lacking for accommodations; they each have their own office, and there’s still a room for guests (when it’s not occupied by kittens). “So four bedrooms already,” Troia counted. “Maybe five?” “Oh, yeah. There’s a weird little room where I do puzzles,” Schermerhorn said. “But I don’t even think you can even fit a bed in it.” Over the course of six months, McKay helped Schermerhorn and Troia reclaim the north end of the huge bedroom for some personal TLC while staying true to the historic qualities of the house. Above the en suite’s doors, Marten Construction mimicked the unique peaked trim that a previous owner had carefully refurbished throughout the rest of the house.

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“Shout-out to them,” McKay said of Marten, a firm she uses regularly in her designs. “It’s never fun to use the old stuff, and this needed a lot of architectural salvage. We had to move a 100-year-old radiator, and you always have to problem-solve along the way when you start opening up walls.”

About the Home Fund: The fund, established in 1983 to assist seniors, people with disabilities and limited-income customers suffering severe financial hardships, has served more than 40,000 households through donations. The mission is to provide utility assistance by connecting customers in need with those who who can help.

The removal of the radiator was some cause for concern. The new bathroom has two exterior walls, the existing windows were large and old, and Nebraska’s winters are infamously unforgiving. “So we have a heated f loor,” Schermerhorn says. “It sounds bougie, but we kind of needed to do something after taking that out.”

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Café-style curtains from Among Other Things add some small extra insulation while keeping the bright natural light that Schermerhorn and Troia—and their many houseplants—love. Colorful focal points. Space for plants. And a tub deep enough for soaking. Clearly, modern luxury pairs perfectly with centuryold elegance in Gifford Park.

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Make a donation today. There are options to give, including a monthly pledge or a one-time donation. Visit our website or call 402.554.6666.

N E V E R H A N G U P L I G H T S AGA I N !

cape Lighti ng nds La

2023 First Place

PERMANENT HOLIDAY LIGHTING M I DW ES T L I G H T S CA P I N G.CO M | 4 0 2. 516 . 4 4 9 8 N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

FEATURE Story Chris Wolfgang Photography Bill Sitzmann Design Nickie Robinson

OMAHAHOME

BASING ADVENTURE

at Home

“

THE MUTCHIE FAMILY ELKHORN BASECAMP

emember the Brady Bunch?” asked Nicole Mutchie as she led a tour of her Elkhorn Prairies neighborhood residence. “It was always in my head: I gotta have that f loating staircase. That was probably what started the house, and then we built it around that.”

From the industrial brick-and-wood exterior to the crisp, white living room on the main f loor, the two-story home balances contemporary-mountain-lodge with a midcentury-modern-sitcom-set. “We knew we wanted an open f loor plan,” Nicole said of herself and husband, Brian. “Really clean, sleek lines.”

For example, the Mutchies eschewed 1970s shag carpeting for the f loating staircase on the main f loor, instead opting for simple metal and glass.

A few pieces of art thread throughout the living room, dining area, and kitchen. They include canvases custom-made by neighbor Tiffany Rase, a tiny gnome hand carved by one of their sons, and a metal bike sculpture displayed on an end table.

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

F E AT U R E For the most part, though, the space remains open and clear with plenty of natural light. “I didn’t want a lot of bookshelves per se,” Nicole explained. “I didn’t want to make it an option to have clutter. I’m not a keeper of things. If it’s in a box, it’s probably not that important, right?” Still, if you look closely, there are hints that Nicole, Brian, and their three teenage boys aren’t sacrificing a full life in order to maintain a pristine home. “We are very outdoorsy,” Nicole confessed. “We love camping. We have an airboat. We take it on the Platte a lot.”

How do they keep the clutter at bay? “Okay, if you want to open that can of worms…” With a laugh, Nicole led the way to what the family calls their mezzanine. Through the mudroom and above the garage is a plain plywood-f loored storage space that resembles a miniature REI outdoor supply shop. Floor-to-ceiling shelves are stacked with dry bags, tents, sleeping bags, and all manner of hunting, fishing, camping, and winter gear, all easily visible and accessible. “My husband’s very organized,” Nicole said, “so it works.”

Spending time in nature has been central to Nicole and Brian’s shared life since they met at UNL while studying horticulture. Post graduation, “we went and played for a couple years,” Nicole said, working ski lifts in Jackson Hole and Vail. About 20 years ago, they came back to Nebraska to start their business, Mutchie Tree Care, and a family.

Brian’s organizational skills are also on display in the garage, part of which functions as a personal bike shop. “He’s super into mountain biking, as are my boys,” Nicole said, “so this is where they dink around.” The shop includes a water bottle filling station, bike repair stands, and light fixtures made out of old tires and gears.

Of course, outdoor hobbies are a guaranteed way to collect stuff.

A small garage door opens in the back of the shop and leads out onto a f lagstone pa-

OMAHAHOME

tio behind the house. Astroturf between the pavers avoids the hassle of trying to keep natural grass from frying in a Nebraska summer. Follow the patio around, and you’ll come to an outdoor living room complete with gas fireplace, TV, and heaters in the ceiling. “We never anticipated using this that much,” Nicole admitted. “It was kind of put in because that’s what fit in this space with the house design. But we spend a lot of time out here. It’s great in the fall.” The lot backs into a small woods rather than a neighbor’s yard, perfect for casual family parties and for their puppy, Nash, to run around. This adventure base camp in Elkhorn is the first home the Mutchies have built. “We were never like, ‘Oh we can’t wait to build a house.’ It just kind of happened. We found the lot, we liked the neighborhood, so we were like, 'All right, let’s do this.’”

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

F E AT U R E

OMAHAHOME

F E AT U R E In under two years, Zachary Nelson at Echelon Homes and Wendy Shaw from Absolute Design Interiors had the Mutchies’ forever home move-in ready by December 2021, with six bedrooms and five baths. “The building process was so smooth,” Nicole recalled. “It was f lawless. As soon as it was done, we were like, we could do this again. Which nobody ever says, right? Zach was amazing, and Wendy was monumental.” “We definitely had fun together,” Shaw said. “So many people want to do the same thing over and over. Nicole made me think outside the box.” For example, Nicole didn’t want lights blocking the view of the kitchen’s highgloss acrylic cabinets. So Shaw helped Nicole find some pendant lights that gave the quartz island adequate light without competing with the rest of the space. “It’s important to be able to put on the style of the client,” Shaw said. “And those lights? They’re like the jewelry of the kitchen.” The glossy cabinets are certainly still the stars of the show. Open the one to the left of the range, and you’ll find a walk-in prep pantry keeping the coffeemaker and other cooking gadgetry hidden from view—plenty of room for life tucked behind clean, sleek lines.

OMAHAHOME

“The building process was so smooth. It was flawless. As soon as it was done, we were like, we could do this again. Which nobody ever says, right? “ —Nicole Mutchie

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

STORY Veronica Wortman Ploetz PHOTOGRAPHY Bill Sitzmann DESIGN Nickie Robinson

The ofHeart the Hub A

THE MOODY FAMILY’S MIDTOWN HOME

traditional Dutch Colonial style home sits nestled among trees on a quiet street near Elmwood Park. Through its pink door, the energy of the home is as bright and sweet as the lemon tart a neighbor dropped off for the Moody family to enjoy. “We moved to Omaha without knowing a soul, and have been so fortunate to form deep and meaningful relationships throughout the years,” said Emily Moody.

OMAHAHOME

Emily works as an Ergonomic Specialist at Mutual of Omaha. Her husband, Craig Moody, is the managing principal at Verdis Group, a sustainability consulting firm located in Omaha. The couple and their two daughters, Lydia (12) and Jane (8), live in Omaha’s historic Dundee neighborhood. Emily and Craig knew when they moved to the home that they would need to remodel the kitchen and add a family room to create a space where they could enjoy

cooking their plant-based meals and keep an eye on their daughters playing. When Emily’s father passed away, he left them with the wish to create the space they needed. “From the day we bought the house, my dad was excited for us to update the kitchen. Unfortunately, he passed away before it was completed, but I think he would’ve loved it,” said Emily.

At Home

"We are really a drop-in kind of family, no invitation needed. And we are seeing this now with our children and their friends following this pattern. We love it.” —Emily Moody N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

OMAHAHOME

AT HOM E The couple spent time researching layouts by consulting with friends and industry professionals. “We were fortunate to have some great friends help out with a few key aspects of the remodel, both with the technical aspects and the labor to get it done,” Craig said. Close friends helped him with the demolition work, and he also spent hours on a then primitive IKEA project website, designing the cabinets for the kitchen remodel. The site crashed numerous times, but a determined Craig saw the project through technical glitches. His patience paid off. He designed, ordered, and hung all of the white kitchen cabinets. Emily affirmed with pride, “He just nailed it!” The Moodys hired contractor Jesse Lyda to partner for the project. “Ultimately, it was a friend’s husband we selected as our contractor. He was open to us doing some of the work. And

Jesse was the kind of guy who worked right alongside his crew, swinging his hammer. That kind of leadership, work ethic, and dedication was really important to us,” Emily shared. Remodeling historic homes presents challenges like finding the right materials to match other rooms. “We reviewed so many options for crown molding, trying to find the closest match to the rest of the historic house. Jesse turned one of the sample pieces upside down, and we discovered a near perfect match,” Emily shared. Finding space for modern conveniences additionally requires thoughtful design and craftsmanship. “Jesse was open to great ideas like that, from designing built-in bookcases to squeezing in a drop zone near the back entry of the house,” said Emily.

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

The peninsula counter pulls double duty for eating and play. There is a seamless flow between the kitchen and family room addition.

OMAHAHOME

AT HOM E The finished space features white cabinetry and subway tiles paired with matte black granite countertops from GMS Werks. The peninsula counter pulls double duty for eating and play. There is a seamless f low between the kitchen and family room addition. Soft carpet underfoot evokes immediate comfort. Two large walls of windows, installed by Marvin Window and Door Store, allow nature to become part of the space. “I love being in nature,” Craig said. “The large windows on two sides of the family room give us the feeling of being in a tree house. The Eastern Redbud blooms pink in the spring, and its leaves turn yellow in the fall; and it’s really cool when the light filters through it, into the room. The color of the room changes with the seasons.” The home’s formal living room underwent a refresh with the help of Jessica McKay of Birdhouse Design Studio. “This is a long room, the hub of the house, with heavy traffic.

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

FE A T AHTOUMREE I wanted to create a cozy gathering space,” McKay said. A backless navy daybed placed between two conversational areas creatively unites the space. McKay skillfully arranged many framed pieces of artwork in an approachable layered gallery setting. “Most of the art in our home is from local artists, many of whom are also friends,” Emily said. The walls feature pieces by Mary Zicafoose, Thomas Prinz, Wanda Ewing, Bill Hoover, Jamie Burmeister, Jill Rizzo, Peter Scherr, Joey Lynch, Brian Wetgen, Shawnequa Linder, and Cory Broman. A large-scale piece over the fireplace, a birthday gift to Emily from Craig, is from Erin Blainey’s collection. “The living room is full of great art by good friends and a lot of great memories. We built a strong community of friends and supporters in this room,” said Craig, ref lecting on the room serving as an early campaign headquarters for his two runs for the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) board of directors.

OMAHAHOME

The Moodys go to great lengths for those they love. Craig underwent kidney donor surgery for his brother about the same time Emily was pregnant and giving birth to their first daughter, Lydia. Every time the family gathers in their dining room, a large custom pastel drawing of Elmwood Creek by local artist and family friend, Watie White, serves as a focal point and reminder of that time of life. White delivered the piece to the house as Emily and Craig enjoyed their first night out of the house after the transplant and their daughter Lydia’s arrival. “Having my work living in the spaces my treasured people live, the thought that my work would contribute something small, but good, to their life. This is the rewarding gift that this art brings,” said White. The kidney donation inspired artist Cobi Newton to gift a drawing to the family, which featured on the first anniversary transplant party invitation. The original hangs in the home.

The three-season porch is nature-loving Craig’s favorite room in the house. “I meditate here in the mornings. I spend summer nights ‘camping’ with my daughters. It’s also a great space to have a drink with neighbors; we can all keep an eye on our kids playing outside while hanging out,” he said. The family’s use of approachable design and the welcoming energy that emanates from the home creates positive vibes within the neighborhood. Their daughters’ friends pop in and out of each other’s houses all day. It is common to have a few extra guests in the kitchen for a snack or in the dining room for dinner. “We are really a drop-in kind of family, no invitation needed. And we are seeing this now with our children and their friends following this pattern. We love it,” Emily said.

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

Midcentury

Story Katy Spratte Joyce Photography Bill Sitzmann Design Nickie Robinson

Merriment

Westside 󰡈ome Sparkles 󰡗ith 󰡖intage 󰡓easonal 󰑄ecor

he Gabrial Gallagher residence, home to parents Jenna and Brian, and a trio of daughters (Beatrix, 14; Irish, 12; and Millie, 7), is a mid-century modern dream house, perfect for entertaining. The family has hosted all sorts of festivities there, including two weddings, a concert, and a slew of parties. A thoughtful, era-appropriate kitchen renovation by WDO Custom has further elevated this special space, which especially shines during the holiday season.

OMAHAHOME

Jenna Gabrial Gallagher, a freelance writer and editor, had form and function on her mind when planning the kitchen refresh. “I love that some of my cabinets are extra deep because I have so many vintage silver serving platters, inherited from various family members and collected from estate sales. They were moldering in the basement before,” she explained.

FEATURE

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

F E AT U R E

OMAHAHOME

The family has hosted all sorts of festivities there, including two weddings, a concert, and a slew of parties. A dreamy color-blocked fridge, sleek cabinetry, and a bold cerulean Amalfi Coast Fireclay tile backsplash are other creative touches from the project that combine to make the space warm and welcoming, especially for holiday guests. Gabrial Gallagher delights in transforming her home into a particularly festive spot. She even utilizes holiday decorations and furniture she grew up with, which feel especially poignant after losing both parents in the last decade. “That '70s style fits really well in my mid-century modern house,” she said. Playful traditions, like misspelling four “Noel” candles (N-O-E-L) to say “Leon” instead, Jenna’s father’s name, have lasted, too. The family takes turns switching the candles, back and forth, almost daily. N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

F E AT U R E

“That '70s style fits really well in my mid-century modern house.” —Jenna Gabrial Gallagher

OMAHAHOME

F E AT U R E

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

F E AT U R E Additionally, the “GaGas” (the family’s affectionate nickname for each other) aim to avoid the holiday consumption/waste cycle by bringing in as much as possible from nature, like fresh-cut greenery from the yew tree in the front yard. It adorns the railing around the traditional sunken living room and serves as a garland around various windows, built-ins, and mirrors. Pomanders, citrus fruits stuck with cloves in patterns then hung with ribbons, are another elevated touch for hosting. “I like to do pomanders as party/table favors at the holidays,” Gabriel Gallagher said. “They are a fun project for the girls to do, a sustainable favor, and they smell divine.” Some new decor is mixed into the family collection as well, like a Palm Springs Santa Village from World Market clustered on the fireplace hearth. The kitchen cut-out is home to a vintage Nutcracker collection and is festooned with golden 3D stars from Target. A dresser from her mom, “which was in every house I ever lived in,” says Gabrial Gallagher, has been refinished in a soft green hue and now serves as a buffet in the dining room and another surface to decorate for the holidays.

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oversized steaming pop-overs swaddled in bright cotton fabrics and placed in her intricately carved teak bowl (handed down by our parents) are, by far, my favorite holiday brunch tradition!” shared Michele Gallagher, one of Jenna’s sisters. “Popovers are nonnegotiable,” Gabrial Gallagher added. “It’s the only time of the year I make them.” The jazzy holiday standards oozing through the speakers, part of the GaGa holiday playlist, have become a nonnegotiable, too. Everything from Shirley Temple to, appropriately enough, Lady Gaga, helps set the tone for the feast, an abundant pescatarian-themed spread. The fish-forward meal, featuring a rotating cast of oysters, calamari, mussels, lobster tail, and crab, is loosely inspired by the “The Feast of the Seven Fishes” Italian holiday tradition. Caprese candy canes, Raclette, oven-baked artichokes, and cranberry, olive, and caper crostini are additional signature dishes served over the holidays. The capers present like “little jewels glistening,” the hostess explained. She serves mocktails and cocktails, particularly champagne and bourbon, in specialty stemware, another family heirloom.

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STORY Patrick McGee | DESIGN Nickie Robinson

NEBRASKA’S PHEASANT SEASON

t is no secret that Nebraska contains some of the best pheasant hunting in the nation.

Pheasants Forever describes the state as a “bird hunting cornucopia” that boasts 800,000 public access acres supporting upland bird hunting—and that’s only 2% of the mostly-private land in the great state. (Upland bird hunters might also be lucky enough to find access through landowners.) Native Omahans are no doubt accustomed to seeing bird dogs leashed on neighborhood walks or pheasant hunting-themed bumper stickers on trucks. In short, pheasant hunting is big in Omaha, and with the heavily anticipated season come (rightfully) big expectations and even bigger traditions.

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Per the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, this year’s upland bird hunting season begins October 28, 2023, and runs through January 31, 2024. During the season, bird hunters may take three rooster pheasants per day with a maximum possession limit of 12 birds. There are plenty of pheasants for the taking in Nebraska’s sprawling fields. Many bird hunters have their own spots and bird dogs, with plenty also relying on guides. Every fall, Trent Leichleiter, managing partner at Pheasant Bonanza Hunt Club near Tekamah, looks forward to guiding groups through the club’s 1100 acres of fields. He enjoys guiding generations

of hunters as they arrive with excitement, walk the fields, and pass on the tradition. “I remember not being able to sleep the night before the season opens,” he said, recalling how pheasant hunting brought together family members, many of whom had traveled from elsewhere for the occasion. To this day, he appreciates when families fill his lodge and husbands and wives walk the fields with his well-trained dogs in search of upland game. For upland bird hunters who do not wish to join a club, Leichleiter advised looking for open fields with milo, oats, wheat, and millet. He said, “Millet is like candy to game

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“There’s nothing better than watching a good dog work a field.” —Trent Leichleiter

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A TIME-HONORED FAMILY TRADITION birds.” During the warm season, focus on Indian grass, big blue stem grass, little blue stem, and switch grass. In the winter, look for overwintering structures. Identifying grass and forage is a big part of the sport, and a guide is especially useful for that. The same can be said for a good bird dog. “There’s nothing better than watching a good dog work a field,” said Leichleiter. Hunters with access to productive land, good dogs, and decent marksmanship should have success in Nebraska. Even so, bird season wouldn’t be complete without a field-harvested meal enjoyed in

a warm home with the family. Food is certainly a major part of nearly every pheasant hunting tradition. Leichleiter said pheasant meat is like chicken and can be used as a substitute in most dishes. His favorite pheasant preparation features stuffed pheasant breast fillet stuffed with Boursin cheese wrapped with cottage bacon, then grilled. Bacon wrapping, the pheasant expert explained, prevents the breast from drying out, an important step since pheasant is naturally lean. At the end of the season, pheasant hunting is about much more than taking birds. There’s a unique, local culture surround-

ing it, and a holiday spirit that is fitting for Nebraska’s coolest seasons. With the excitement surrounding upland bird hunting, families bond, friends walk fields, and maybe more importantly catch up and spend time with one another. But in Nebraska, the chances of getting birds is high, too. For more information, visit pheasantsforever.org; outdoornebraska.gov/hunt/hunting-seasons; and outdoornebraska.gov/i/1505144-small-gameand-waterfowl-guide-23-24.

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

To create a stylish, yet uniquely fun aesthetic, we employed neutral colors on main furniture items, while pops of color appeared in pillows, drapery, ottomans, and accessories.

OMAHAHOME

ASID AWARD FEATURE Story Allison Weatherly | Photography Mandy McGregor | Design Nickie Robinson

Tangled Up In Blue A MASTERFUL REMODEL THAT SINGS TO A FAMILY

hen this Iowa family of five desired a vibrant, warm, and sophisticated makeover of their 2019 dark and heavy feeling ranch, we were tasked with refurnishing the main living spaces and minimizing sound travel from the main level to the basement.

To create a stylish, yet uniquely fun aesthetic, we employed neutral colors on main furniture items, while pops of color appeared in pillows, drapery, ottomans, and accessories. We utilized bold colors, like oranges and blues, alongside patterns to showcase

our clients’ personalities. Small details like wallpaper, paint, and paneled walls added unique visual interest. We also used knotty, textured woods, metals, and other materials that referenced the clients’ familial connections to the railroad and industrial roots. Controlling sound was critical. The open concept f loor plan and hard surfaces caused sound to travel between upstairs and downstairs. To remedy this, we added a signif icant amount of soft surfaces, including rugs, draperies, and more upholstered items throughout.

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

OMAHAHOME

A S I D AWA R D F E AT U R E The basement is a space where the clients have fun. It’s where they hang out, play video games, and host watch parties. While the layout remained similar, we selected furnishings that better filled the space and connected to the rest of the home. Small changes such as a paneled wall and a mural created focal points that previously did not exist. We utilized the same color scheme and some of the same fabrics to make the home feel cohesive. We partnered with a local muralist to create this one-of-a kind lyric mural. Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up In Blue” is one of the clients’ favorite songs, and they wanted to incorporate it in some way in the basement. We came up with the idea of creating this mural with a striking black background with white hand printed lettering.

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

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N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

A S I D AWA R D F E AT U R E To maximize seating, we reconfigured furniture with two larger sofas, swiveling lounge chairs, and two ottomans that can move throughout the expansive space yet still make it feel cozy. We used several durable fabrics, including ones with Krypton technology, for the main furniture pieces. The clients wanted everything to be able to stand the test of time and desired durability so their high school son could have friends over without worrying about wear and tear. Since the family wanted a place to host game nights and social gatherings, we also added two coffee tables and side tables.

For the office design, the client wanted his personal space to ref lect his style and be where he could both work and relax. He preferred the office to be more moody and dark, so we tied this into the rest of the home by maintaining bold patterns while removing vibrant colors. We tied in the same paint color on the walls and paneling that we used on the basement wall paneling. The desk and the lounge chair needed to face the TV while still displaying an attractive background for virtual meetings. We accomplished this by relocating the TV to

We used several durable fabrics, including ones with Krypton technology, for the main furniture pieces.

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the south wall to allow more room for sideby- side furniture. We created two walls for virtual meeting backgrounds: one a blackout curtain to minimize glare; the other, a paneled wall, which we designed with wallpaper, light fixtures, and artwork specifically selected because the client works in architecture. The end result was a remodel that will meet this family’s needs, both in terms of work and play, for years to come.

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Allison Weatherly, Allied ASID, is a junior designer and design assistant with The Modern Hive in Omaha. She received a Gold Award for the Best Use of Space in the 2023 Nebraska/ Iowa Chaper American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Awards held in September. The project also won for Emerging Professional. For more information, visit themodern-hive.com.

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Architecture

A Row of Hope

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STORY Lisa Lukecart PHOTOGRAPHY Bill Sitzmann DESIGN Nickie Robinson

inCOMMON Shines Up A Queen Anne Diamond In The Rough

ompared to the unadorned structures surrounding it on Park Avenue, the Georgia Row house sits like proud royalty, showing off her f lamboyant façade. The Queen Anne exterior charms with squat columns, parapets, and arches. Age weathers the exterior, but rich red brick breathes hints of bygone days of residences built to last. The bones, at almost 133 years old, creak from time to time, but solid masonry materials caught the eye of Christian Gray.

The revitalization maintains the outer shell of its past despite the updated contemporary interior. Row houses typically exhibit a similar exterior but could stand alone despite appearing attached. The style, a hallmark of the 16th century, inspires a uniform front with mutual walls and roof lines.

Unlike other booming urban areas, Omaha rarely built row houses, so the unusual construction along the street stands relatively alone in the city. The Georgia Row, which took its name from Georgia Avenue before it changed to South 29th Street, converted to a boarding house that lodged 48 people at the time of the 1900 census. “We spent a great deal of time and resources to preserve the exterior,” Gray said.

“It’s beautiful and interesting. It stops you in your tracks,” the co-executive director of inCOMMON Community Development said.

“It’s beautiful and interesting. It stops you in your tracks.” —Christian Gray

Gray, a resident of the same neighborhood, walks almost daily past the regal southeast hexagonal and northeast rounded towers containing stem-like motifs and metal cornices. inCOMMON decided to transform the alluring building into apartments for residents who could no longer afford high rent prices. Despite a gutted and deteriorated interior, the nonprofit entity saw an opportunity to restore a nationally-registered historic house, an effort that would also bring people together.

In 1890 architecture firm Findley and Shields designed the three units for J. Herbert Van Closter, president of the Nebraska Mortgage and Loan Company. The first occupants worked for various insurance and investment companies; thus, the families may have shared a certain camaraderie.

The sides and back body focus on functionality, while the front face dresses up the neighborhood with its frilly pavilions, graceful transoms, and stately moldings. Rough limestone worn down over the years needed an update. Fish-scale shaped tiles on the turret glow under reconstruction after workers placed them back on top a weatherproof membrane. New double-pane glass in the windows creates a soundproof barrier. The shells remain so that sunlight can stream into the tripartite, round-arched, and Palladian window arrangements.

N OV E M B E R/D ECE M B E R 2023

A RCHITECTURE

A disintegrated wall necessitated installing modern material in the rear of the residence, although the brown stucco comes close to mirroring the previous appearance. Steel fire escapes replace rickety rails and wooden stairs, serving a dual purpose in both safety and connection: they lead the way to the Hanscom Spanish Colonial Revival dwellings, built in 1921, that inCOMMON acquired in 2015 for more space. The following year, it purchased Georgia Row. Hanscom adds 64 studios or one-bedrooms compared to Georgia Row’s 11 two-and three-bedroom units, although the benefits of a larger square footage can’t be beat for families. The collective amenities across the alley in Hanscom provide a fitness area, bike storage, and community room. A few blocks away, inCOMMON waits for occupants to take advantage of adult education programs, leadership development, and block parties. “We are excited for our tenants not just to enjoy well-constructed buildings but also engage in the broader vibrancy of the neighborhood,” Gray said. The 850-square-foot and 1,100-squarefoot apartments cost about $900 to $1,200 for families under 60% of the area median income. The primarily Latino population, who might otherwise be forced to move due to rising rent prices, can now live in the area and stay to raise another generation under the three-story roof and turrets. Mainly, the noble Queen Anne represents hope. “Our perception on real estate development is that if you put pride into the finished product, it carries over to the tenants,” Gray explained. “They will be appreciative of the building.” For more information on both the Georgia Row and Hanscom apartments, visit incommoncd.org.

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