July/August 2013 Omaha Home

July/August 2013

Always Local, Always Beautiful

At Home in Sterling Ridge The Yannones' High-Tech Dream House in Omaha

Architect Q&A Homes for Heroes

OLD

JareD gerBer, aIa A Publication of

heLPIng thOse whO serve aFFOrD a hOme www.BestOfOmaha.com

2013 • july/august

73

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July/August 2013 VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4

E d i t o r i a l & C r e at i v e omaha publications editor

linda persigehl omaha home contributing editor

sandy matson assistant editors

bailey hemphill chris wolfgang editorial intern

peter setter (#28) creative director

john gawley director of photography

&

interactive media

bill sitzmann senior graphic designer

katie anderson junior graphic designer

paul lukes

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libby schlosser (#29) contributing photographers

kent behrens jim scholz

• tom kessler

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editorial advisors

rick carey

• david scott

contributing writers

mike becker wyatt deweese doug duchan jenna gabrial gallagher susan mcmannama, asid meghan townley

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Omaha Home Magazine appears as its own magazine and as a section within Omaha Magazine. To view the full version of Omaha Magazine, or to subscribe, go to omahamagazine.com/subscribe

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July/August 2013 VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4

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Omaha Home:

BUSINESS. ENTERTAINMENT. FAMILY. FOOD & DRINK. HEALTH. HOME. LIFESTYLE. STYLE.

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ART. AT HOME. AUTO. BEAUTY. BEER, COCKTAILS & WINE. BEFORE & AFTER. BEST OF B2B® .

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BUSINESS PROFILES. CALENDAR OF EVENTS. CHEFS. COFFEE & TEA. DIY PROJECT. DOWNTOWN. EDUCATION. ENTREPRENEURS. ETHICS. FAMILY ACTIVITIES. FASHION. FINANCE & REAL ESTATE. FITNESS. GALAS. GALLERIES & MUSEUMS. HOME HAPPENINGS. HOME IMPROVEMENT. HOT PRODUCTS. IN THE OFFICE. LEADERS. MUSIC. NEIGHBORHOODS. NEW HOME BUSINESSES. NEWS. NIGHTLIFE. NONPROFITS. NUTRITION. OPINION. OMAHA’S BEST DOCTORS ® .

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Omaha Home: contents in this issue

july/august 2013

features

H21

Feature: Homes for Heroes Program

H24

Neighborhood Profile: Waterford

H38

At Home:

The Best of All Worlds, the Yannone’s High-tech Dream Home

H46

Transformations: Balance & Harmony, Susan McMannama, ASID

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july/august • 2013 H9

Win an iPad Mini!

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Starting in July, visit Omaha Magazine's NEW mobile-friendly website and enter to win a prize. For more chances to win, enter monthly contests. Monthly prizes valued at $1,000.

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Omaha Home: contents in this issue

july/august 2013

Thank You Omaha!

departments

H13

Letter from the Editor

50 YEARS

OF GREAT SERVICE 1963-2013

H14

Architect Q&A: Jared Gerber, Gerber Architecture, PC

H17

Design Q&A: Jason Decker, Elite Landscaping

H30

H32

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Staff Picks: Sentimental Planting

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Real Estate Column: Making an Offer Landscaping Column: Diagnosing Troubled Trees Home Décor Column: Motorized Shades

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Omaha Home: from the editor

Re • pur • pose

T

Thank you for voting us Best of Omaha 3 years!

hose of you who know me know I have a

fondness for (some have even told me, a real knack for) home DIY projects. I love shopping yard sales, estate sales, and Goodwill looking for my next craft-it/build-it/ make-it-over home décor weekend obsession.

Repurposing home décor is certainly one of my favorite DIY strategies. We all have many old, unused, or even unwanted items in our home…taking up space in our cupboards, closets, storage rooms, and attics. And while it feels good to do a clean sweep every few years and shed those unwanted items, I beg you—WAIT and take another look. You might just have something wonderful right under your nose, clamoring for a new life with the help of a clever reinvention. With a little ingenuity, time, and a few supplies, you might just turn that little do-nothing piece into something entirely useful, uniquely decorative, or even a great conversation piece (while keeping it out of the landfill). And oftentimes, you'll spend a fraction of the cost to repurpose it as you would to replace it.

Think you're not crafty enough? Not the creative type?

Don't have time? Think again. Beside the obvious—Pinterest, which is flooded daily with great, new home DIY project ideas—there are plenty of websites and magazines devoted to the topic. Here are a couple of my favorites to get you started: popcosmo.com, houzz.com, and buzzfeed.com. And for directions and photos of two of my own DIY repurposed home décor projects, see pages H34-35. Good luck!

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Sandy Matson Contributing Editor, Omaha Home If you have a clever idea for a home décor makeover project, we' d love for you to share! Please email me a picture of your project ('before' and 'after' photos are ideal) along with a brief description of the makeover process to sandy.besch@omahapublications.com and we may include your project in a future issue of Omaha Home!

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Omaha Home: architect q&a Story by Linda Persigehl • Photos by Bill Sitzmann and provided by Kent Behrens and Tom Kessler

Q&A: Jared Gerber Gerber Architecture, PC

I

nspired by design from a young

age, Jared Gerber knew early on he was destined to go into architecture. Today, he makes his living helping homeowners design custom living spaces that not only reflect their personalities, but also fit their natural environment.

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Q: Tell us a bit about your background. How did you first come to discover your love of building design?

Q: Where did you receive your education and training in architecture? How did you end up in Omaha?

A: I think the architecture seed was first planted while I was growing up in Virginia.

We would take school field trips to Colonial Williamsburg, and I found myself more interested in the architecture of historic buildings than anything else. I really enjoyed studying the aspects that make a building unique—the setting, the form, the details…and trying to discern the things I liked and disliked about a particular building. These experiences also gave me an appreciation for historic preservation.

A: My family eventually moved to Nebraska, and I went to high school in Fairbury. After receiving my bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I decided to take a break and found a job working at an architectural firm specializing in churches in Charlotte, N.C. I loved being two hours from both the beach and the mountains, but I missed the four seasons and my family, so after a couple of years I decided to move back to get my master’s from UNL. Immediately after www.OmahaMagazine.com

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Q: Tell us a bit about your firm.

Do you specialize in any niche of architecture or price range?

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

A: I founded Gerber Architecture, PC in 2005. I started as a commercial architect but gravitated to the residential side after designing my first house project. I soon discovered that residential design is very rewarding because it has such a direct, personal effect on a client’s everyday life. Today, about 90 percent of my work is residential. I’ve designed a wide range of projects, from simple room remodels to multi-million-dollar additions and remodels to new-construction homes.

I enjoy the design phase the most, as that’s the time when the creativity is flowing and there’s a lot of enthusiasm and energy with a project. I also enjoy the beauty of working >> www.BestOfOmaha.com

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Omaha Home: architect q&a Fairacres, Omaha

Lockwood, Omaha

Regency, Omaha

<< with different clients. Each homeowner collaboration—discussing their wants, needs, and ideas—creates a house that is truly distinctive, and each offers different problems and solutions. And although most of the drawings are done on the computer now, I still enjoy doing the initial schematic drawings by hand.

Q: Tell us about one of your favorite projects. What challenges and rewards did it offer?

A: One of my favorites was a new house that I designed on a beautiful 40-acre lot south of town that was full of bur oak trees and teeming with wildlife. With a large acreage, you not only design the residence…the creativity extends to the broader view of the site, the approach of the house. Siting the house can be the most difficult task…the H16

july/august • 2013

Plattsmouth, NE

vegetation, views, sun patterns, and topography are all factors the homeowner will live with every day. In this case, there was an open, flat area that initially appeared the best placement option. However, after further analysis, pushing [the residence] back to a spot nestled within some trees gave the house a feeling like it belonged…as if it grew out of the site.

The finished house is not huge—less than 3,000 finished square feet—but it’s the siting of the house, the quality of the spaces, and the craftsmanship of the details that reflect the homeowners’ personality and make it a great project. The house was featured on the AIA [American Institute of Architects] Omaha Home Tour a couple years ago, and I’m still getting feedback from attendees on how much they appreciated the house.

Q: Tell us a bit about you personally. Family, associations, and interests outside of work?

My wife, Kristine, and I have been married for almost 24 years. We have two boys— Creighton, a sophomore at Augustana in Sioux Falls, S.D., studying archeology, and Drew, a junior at Westside High School. We enjoy traveling, touring houses, and trying out new restaurants. I’m currently on the board for AIA Omaha and help organize various events for our membership. Interacting with my fellow architects helps keep me updated on changes going on both locally and nationally. I’m also a bit of a beer aficionado and enjoy some of the local and regional craft beers and the monthly home brewer’s club at the German-American Society. I’m a former athlete and a huge football fan and often take in a Husker game with my boys. www.OmahaMagazine.com

Omaha Home: design q&a Story by Linda Persigehl • Photos by Bill Sitzmann and provided by Elite Landscaping

Q&A: Jason Decker Elite Landscaping

A

s a kid, Omahan Jason Decker

was known as the neighborhood yard boy. Today, as owner of Elite Landscaping, he still spends most of his days working outdoors, creating and installing beautiful landscapes and outdoor entertaining spaces for homeowners. “I can’t picture myself doing anything other than this.”

www.BestOfOmaha.com

Q: When did you first discover your love for working in the outdoors? How did you get your start in landscaping?

A: Growing up in Armbrust Acres, I mowed 15 yards a week all through grade school and made good money for a young kid. At 15, I started working for a local lawn and landscape contractor. While I worked for my old boss, I read many books on landscaping and learned trial by fire. My parents were always my guinea pigs. They were my first pond, patio, landscape design, fire pit, lighting job, etc. School was never my thing.

I just loved being outside, the hard work, seeing the fruits of my labor, and interacting with people.

Q: What education and training do you have in landscape design?

Who were your mentors?

A: I graduated from Millard North High School in 2001 and then attended Metro Community College for one-and-a-half years, taking classes in advanced landscape design and plant knowledge. For the most part, I am self-taught. My mentors were definitely my father, Bob, and mother, Rose, who instilled in me great ethics and morals and taught me at a young age that hard work pays off. My mom continues to support me in my business as the company’s office manager.

Q: What kind of projects does Elite Landscaping take on? Who >> july/august • 2013 H17

Real Estate: making an offer Mike Becker, Bank of the West

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1. Do I know what the seller wants?

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1. Can I avoid contingencies? Sellers who do want to close quickly may get antsy about contingent offers—such as when the buyer needs to sell a current residence. Try to avoid contingencies if possible.

1. Is my offer price strong? A good real estate agent should be able to advise you on comparable sales and listings in the neighborhood you want. This information can help you strengthen your offer.

1. Do I have the cash to close? It's helpful to have your cash amassed in a liquid account to cover the down payment, closing costs, and other expenses.

If you answer "yes" to all or most of these questions, then you’ll be on stronger footing when it comes to making an offer on a home.

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Mike Becker is a mortgage banking regional sales manager for Bank of the West – Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. Becker lives and works in Omaha and can be reached at mike. becker@bankofthewest.com.

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www.OmahaMagazine.com

Omaha Home: design q&a West Shores, Omaha

Linden Estates, Omaha

<< are your customers?

A: Our main area of work is in outdoor patio and pool projects. We are the main installer for Lumberman’s high-end clients, and Bell Pools and New Wave Pools are great companies we work well with, referring business to each other. I do all my own landscape project work—meeting with each client, designing and bidding each job, then watching over the job site through completion. We only do around 15-20 projects a summer, and we continually keep in touch with clients, keeping their properties in peak shape with maintenance annuals, potting, and service work, etc.

My customers are generally very hardworking professionals—small business owners, doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, executives for local businesses. They love their homes and yards and want them to be www.BestOfOmaha.com

one-of-a-kind retreats where they can spend time relaxing and getting away from the rigors of work and enjoying family time. Ninety percent of my work is referral-based, while a few jobs are generated by my website and my exhibit at the Omaha Home Show.

Q: What part of landscaping do you enjoy the most? What inspires your designs?

A: The most creative and enjoyable part is the design process—I’ve come up with some very unique and challenging designs, and I have a great team of guys who are very skilled and able to execute our designs well. Traveling is what inspires me! I travel about every six weeks, and at least once a year out of the country—Rio de Janeiro, Thailand, Mexico, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, Miami, Las Vegas… It

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gives me something to look forward to, and it refreshes the mind and body.

Q: How do you enjoy your spare time?

Spending it with my girlfriend, Christie.

She is the first woman who’s ever been able to get me away from work in the summer, our busiest time of year. We enjoy going to movies, sitting on the outdoor patio with friends for drinks, and dining out at Pitch Pizzeria, J’s on Jackson, M’s Pub, Roja, among others. We also like going downtown, and the Benson area is always fun. I also like to golf or just hang out with my bulldog, Diesel, and watch sporting events.

For a photo gallery of past projects or more info on Elite Landscaping, visit elitelandscapingomaha.com july/august • 2013 H19

Landscaping: trees

Your outdoor retreat

By Wyatt DeWeese, Certified Arborist, Terry Hughes Tree Service

on staff

W

EstatE GardEnErs, Inc. design

hen diagnosing a troubled tree, there are many vari-

ables that come into play. What species of tree are we dealing with? When and where was it planted? What problematic symptoms does it exhibit? One should look at the surroundings of the plant. Construction and soil compaction can play a huge role in a tree’s longevity. Weather is also a big factor.

Storm damage, such as hail, can wreak havoc on a tree’s well-being.

The biggest issue we see is poor initial planting. Many trees are planted too deep or too high in the soil. A tree can survive in these stressful conditions for approximately 4-5 years before showing signs of decline. Watering can be a big issue, too. Most trees need 1” of water each week. Not enough or too much water can be detrimental to the tree’s growth.

When treating a diseased tree, the right diagnosis is key. Only a certified arborist will know which fungicide is required to treat a fungal problem, or which insecticide will best treat a tree infested with pests. Using the proper treatment application method is also essential and may depend on the severity of tree damage. When you see a tree exhibiting signs of trouble, it’s best to call a professional arborist right away. Likely, the tree has been in distress for some time. Better yet, employ a regular tree service to service and treat your trees year-round, before the trouble starts.

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july/august • 2013

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Omaha Home: feature Story by Linda Persigehl • Photo by Bill Sitzmann

Stephanie Poltack, first-time home owner and teacher with Millard Public Schools.

Homes for Heroes

Program rewards those who serve with savings on their home purchase.

www.BestOfOmaha.com

W

hen mortgage loan officer Michael Petrovich

with The Private Mortgage Group in Omaha was offered the chance to work with the national Homes for Heroes program, he says it seemed like a perfect opportunity to show his thanks to those we depend on.

The program—which uses the tagline ‘Service Deserves Its Rewards’—offers discounts on real estate-related services to active and retired military, police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other civil servants that serve our communities and our country.

“My dad was a fireman for years with the Omaha Fire Department, and a good friend of mine’s dad is a retired Omaha police officer,” Petrovich says. “I also have a lot of friends in the military. [The program] sounded like an opportunity to help out a lot of friends and family, and this was an area I felt I could >> july/august • 2013 H21

Omaha Home: feature

Mike Petrovich with The Private Mortgage Group

Being a first-year teacher and a first-time homeowner, I’m very appreciative of all the help we received…It meant everything to us.

-Stephanie Poltack

Steve Minino, a Realtor with NP Dodge Real Estate

<< really make a difference…saving them some money when buying a home.”

Petrovich says as a Homes for Heroes affiliate member, he offers “hero” homebuyers free home appraisals, which are often required for home purchases and refinances handled by his firm. Waiving the fee saves the homebuyer $400. Fellow Private Mortgage Group employees Pete Coen and Jeremy Wilhelm are also affiliate members.

“We can offer the discounts to any qualifying client in the Omaha/Fremont territory we cover. All they need to do is sign up on the Homes for Heroes website, and it directs them to all the affiliates in the area,” Petrovich explains.

Real estate agents make up a large number of HFH affliliate members nationally. Locally, H22

july/august • 2013

Prudential Ambassador Real Estate agents Michelle Gustafson, Gary Gernhart, Mamie Jackson, and Matt Anderson are affiliates.

“We know the agents [at Prudential] and we’ve worked together to offer clients the HFH discounts. It’s been a team effort,” Petrovich adds.

The Homes for Heroes program was first created in 2002 by a group of lenders and Realtors in Minneapolis in response to the tragic events of 9/11. Petrovich was among the first Homes for Heroes affiliate members in Nebraska, joining in November 2012 when the program first launched in Omaha. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit, comprised of Realtors, lenders, and other real estate-related service providers, now has approximately 750 affiliates nationwide serving homeowners in 44 states.

Steve Minino, a Realtor with NP Dodge Real Estate, is another Homes for Heroes affliate in Omaha. Along with Realtors Deb and Mark Hopkins (all part of the Hopkins Home Team), Minino got involved when he learned about the program on the local news.

"We saw the advantages right away and jumped on board...being able to help our local heroes while getting some great exposure for us," he says. "It was definitely a winwin situation."

"My family also has a long tradition of members serving in the Marine Corps. We liked the idea of helping out family and friends who serve and who could really benefit."

As an affiliate, Minino says he offers 25 percent of his sales commission back toward the purchase process for Homes for Heroes www.OmahaMagazine.com

Better Quality. Better Service. Affordable Prices. clients. "This money is typically applied toward the closing costs being paid by the homebuyer," he says. "If the buyer is not responsible for closing costs, then the money is donated to a charity of their choice."

Minino also donates another five percent of his commission directly back to the Homes for Heroes organization, which they use to fund other projects, including the rehabing of homes to accommodate injured veterans.

"We're currently working with several Heroes clients, and we hope to grow that number in the next six months or so."

Millard Public Schools teacher Stephanie Poltack and her fiancé, Aaron Mackel, recently purchased a home together in West Omaha and took advantage of discounts offered by several local Homes for Heroes affliliates. “My Realtor, Judy Kramer with Prudential, told me about [Homes for Heroes] and referred me,” Poltack says.

“Through the program, we received closingcost assistance and got a discounted home inspection, and The Private Mortgage Group gave us a free home appraisal. I believe we saved $1,325 in all.

“Being a first-year teacher and a first-time homeowner, I’m very appreciative of all the help we received…It meant everything to us,” Poltack adds. “We were able to use the money saved to go out and buy a washer and dryer. It’s a great program, and I think if more people were aware of it, more would take advantage of it.”

Nationally, several media outlets and Hollywood celebrities have helped publicize the good works being done by Homes for Heroes’ affiliates nationwide, including Sean Hannity with Fox News, actor Gary Sinise, and the Orlando Magic basketball franchise.

However, the nonprofit has grown primarily through word of mouth via the internet and news media.

Petrovich says one of the goals of the Omaha-area affiliates is to raise awareness of the Homes for Heroes program in Nebraska and encourage participation by our local heroes.

“We’re getting together to discuss ways to advertise,” he said. "We’ve placed ads in the Fremont paper, hung posters in firehouses and around town…We want our civil servants and military to know we support them and say thank you for serving our country and our community.”

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july/august • 2013 H23

Omaha Home: neighborhood profile Story by Meghan Townley • Photos by Bill Sitzmann

A family enjoys an early summer ride along the Waterford Trail, which starts at the clubhouse and winds around the neighborhood lake.

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Waterford

B

A Peaceful Escape from the City Without Compromising Modern Conveniences

eautiful landscaping, nature at your doorstep, a state-of-the-art clubhouse and fitness center overlooking the serene pool...Sounds more like a dreamy vacation destination than a permanent residence.

Waterford is a cozy neighborhood tucked away at the corner of 156th and Ida streets in northwest Omaha.

“It is a quiet neighborhood with a lot of families and is a place where you really get to know your neighbors,” says Jennifer Magilton with CBSHome Real Estate. “It has that small-town sense of community.”

Resident Kim Brown attests to Waterford’s tight-knit community. “The neighborhood is friendly, quiet, and the neighbors are very supportive, caring, and gracious. We are all very close and know what each other needs. If you're going to be gone for a week, no problem…Your neighbor will get your mail or mow your yard.

And when a neighbor is going through a tough time, we all pull together and do whatever needs to be done," says Brown.

The residents of Waterford enjoy throwing holiday parties for the kids. “Traditionally, we have a Halloween >>

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july/august • 2013 H25

Omaha Home: neighborhood profile << party, an Easter Egg Hunt, and Santa comes on a fire truck,” says Brown. “We have people bring cookies for the Christmas event and candy for the Halloween event. A committee gets together to plan and solicit any donations or other items that need to be purchased.”

Brown and her family have lived in Waterford for six years and do not plan on moving anytime soon. "In the area where I live [northeast], we are pretty established… there are only a few lots left. So, if you want to buy, hurry!"

The subdivision offers three housing options, all with access to the private clubhouse, 24-hour fitness center, two swimming pools, lake, and walking trails: single-family homes, estate lots, and villas/townhomes with lawn and trash services included.

“The neighborhood has a variety of architectural [home] designs, from ultra-chic modern to Colorado cabin, as well as traditional homes in a wide range of prices… lots of different styles of homes throughout because of all of the different builders,” says Magilton. Homes sell for $250,000 to $700,000.

The winding roads of Waterford are a calming retreat from the city noise and traffic. The streets are lined with neat rose bushes, shrubs, and local prairie grasses. The neighborhood has a private clubhouse equipped with a pool and 24-hour fitness center. A second pool sits on the southeast side of the subdivision.

Outdoors enthusiasts enjoy the secluded 30-acre lake stocked with fish and the biking/ jogging trail. “I absolutely love the access we have to nature in terms of green space and walking trails,” says resident Maria Minderman. “You can access Standing Bear [Recreational Area] and many other trails through the trail system.”

The clubhouse is an excellent resource for residents. It's a charming space that includes a kitchen and a large, open space plus a sitting area with couches, a television, and fireplace.

Several of the Waterford community activities are hosted there.

"If you have a small party, I would guess the clubhouse would comfortably hold anywhere from 25-50 people. It would be a great place for a rehearsal dinner, graduation, or birthday party," Brown adds. “It is a very nice treat for residents if they do not want to go into Omaha…There is something right here that they can use. Plus, you don’t have >> H26

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Omaha Home: neighborhood profile

<< to clean your house!"

The neighborhood is unique in that it's located in both the Omaha Public and Bennington Public School districts.

Minderman’s children—who just finished kindergarten, second, and fourth grades— go to Saddlebrook Elementary in OPS, just 1.5 miles from her house. “I absolutely love Saddlebrook. The school is brand-new and has a library and a community center. I don’t think you could find a better school in Omaha,” says Minderman.

Brown’s two children attend Bennington Public Schools. "We have a lot of different school systems represented in Waterford,” H28

july/august • 2013

says Brown. “I know families that attend St. James [Catholic], Lifegate Christian School, and Concordia [Lutheran] School of Omaha.”

Brown and her family built their two-story, traditional home and were very pleased with their building options. “We didn't want a cookie-cutter house," says Brown, adding she admires the other unique homes in the area.

"A house was just built down the road from us that is absolutely beautiful. It has more of a Colorado feel to it. There are a couple of really unique homes that resemble a Frank Lloyd Wright style.”

Waterford offers the proximity to modern conveniences without sacrificing the natural

elements. "We have geese that make their home at the lake most of the year. It is very serene to walk around the lake and see the geese, ducks, and bunnies. I saw a bald eagle the other day," says Brown.

At the same time, the subdivision is just a couple miles from the shopping and dining at centers at 144th and 156th and Maple streets.

Target, Wal-Mart, and HyVee are just a quick drive away.

And if you're a golfer, Stone Creek Golf Course (156th & Ida) is just a stroll across the street.

www.OmahaMagazine.com

Home Décor: shades

by Doug Duchan, Echo Systems

Summer’s calling Motorized Shades Control Sunlight Easily

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As we become more con-

scious of our footprint on this planet, we realize that making the most of daylight in our homes simply makes good sense. What’s great is that it’s easier and more affordable than ever to control sunlight.

Motorized window treatments are no longer considered a luxury but a necessity by many homeowners.

Motorized shading systems offer numerous benefits: • Save Energy. Utilizing a shading system helps regulate your home's temperature and saves money on HVAC costs well beyond what traditional shades offer.

• Elegance & Ambiance. Stylish fabric options coupled with innovative technology elegantly transition a space while offering just the right amount of light for any activity. Shades align precisely within 1/16" of each other, creating a balanced, beautiful look on a row of windows anywhere in your home.

• Convenience. Shading systems can be controlled using a myriad of keypads, IR (infrared frequency) remote controls, and wireless tabletop controls, or may be set to an astronomic time clock for automatic adjustment.

• Safety & Security. A whole-home shading system can be programmed for simultaneous control. Homeowners can set a pre-determined “away” time, then just hit a button when leaving to close all shades and restrict the view inside your home.

• Reduce Glare & Protect Furnishings.

Shading systems diffuse light and prevent glare from washing out a computer or television screen. They also protect furniture, fine art, rugs, and even wood surfaces from the sun’s damaging UV rays.

To learn more about motorized shading systems or request an in-home consultation, call on the professionals at Echo Systems in Omaha at 402-334-4900 or visit echosystemsomaha.com. july/august • 2013 H29

Omaha Home: new on the block Story by Linda Persigehl • Photos by Bill Sitzmann

(L-R) Lorele Lesoing, owner; Meg Penrod, design assistant; Kelly Grimm, designer; Erin Schager, designer; Clarissa Tuxhorn, designer.

(L-R) Audio and Cameron

Bareknuckle Bazaar Lee Douglas Interiors bareknucklebazaar.etsy.com facebook.com/bareknucklebazaar

P

artners Cameron and Audio Helkuik are the owners

of Bareknuckle Bazaar, a new online home goods business based in Omaha. The company, “in the business of making art,” launched in May and features pillows, small housewares, and other home décor items, all hand-crafted by the duo.

“I have a string of highly creative jobs under my belt: art tutor, costume designer, art gallery manager, arts & crafts instructor, fashion designer…” shares Audio. “Cameron has a resume filled with more traditional business experience but has always wished to do something creative with his hands. We finally decided to join forces and take the plunge. Here we are now with Bareknuckle Bazaar, and we have so much creative energy we can barely stand it.”

Audio says the business aims to infuse high-quality, rugged yet refined design into the lives of its customers. “They might be looking to make tiny home improvements here or there, or to do a total overhaul [of their living space], but they’re focused on surrounding themselves with great design that will last.” Included in the store’s initial collection is a line of linen pillows with leather detailing, available in several patterns. All of the products featured on Bareknuckle Bazaar’s Etsy site are priced affordably at $40-$150.

Audio hopes to eventually expand the business into upholstery work—vintage furniture makeovers, custom bicycle seats, even auto “hotrod” upholstery. A brick and mortar storefront is not out of the question either.

For now, the business is using primarily social media—a blog and Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—to share photos of new items and market their goods to customers.

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12100 W. Center Rd., Suite 1101 402-932-9932 leedouglas.com

L

ee Douglas Interiors, a full-service design firm based

in Lincoln, Neb., has expanded into Omaha with the opening of a new design studio in Bel Air Plaza.

Established in 1989, the business, owned by Lorele Lesoing and Doug Dittoe, services home builders, outside designers, and residential clients. The Omaha studio also serves as a retail storefront, stocking furniture, home accessories, and artwork.

“Our design team draws on six decades of experience in the [home design] industry,” says design assistant Meg Penrod. “We’re accomplished in custom home creation, ground-up construction planning, design finish, remodeling, and project management.”

Other interior design services include: hourly consultation, wall treatments, window coverings, bedding, upholstery, furniture, and accessories. The business also employs a faux finish team, and offer original artwork and mural design services.

“Lee Douglas Interiors has worked with several Omaha clients over the years and felt their store and services offered something unique to the city,” adds Penrod. “We’ve earned a reputation for designing unique, warm, and creative atmospheres exceeding customers’ expectations.

Our clients are anyone wanting a clever approach toward aesthetically beautiful yet practical and functional design for their everyday life.”

Penrod says the studio has plans to launch Lee Douglas brands and an exciting online store. www.OmahaMagazine.com

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nited Electric, a longtime, family-owned retailer of home lighting and

accessories in Omaha, has expanded into window coverings with the acquisition of another veteran interiors retailer, A Well Dressed Window, formerly in Rockbrook Village. Both businesses now operate out of The Light Palace, UE’s showroom in southwest Omaha, serving both residential and commercial clients.

“For years, we’ve helped customers choose their interior and exterior lighting. Now, we can help customers control the natural light that flows into their home,” says Luz Vasques, UE’s marketing director. “Window coverings not only help to prevent sun glare and provide extra privacy but also help maintain the colors of your carpet and furniture and can help with energy efficiency.” And much like lighting, the right window treatments can completely change the look of a room, she adds. “These two businesses greatly complement each other.”

At 10,000 sq. ft., The Light Palace is one of the largest home interiors showrooms in the Midwest, featuring chandeliers, bathroom lighting, outdoor lighting, ceiling fans, and home décor, including artwork, cabinetry hardware, electric fireplaces, and more. The Well Dressed Window gallery features a wide selection of designer blinds, shades, and shutters, as well as valances. It is one of just two Hunter Douglas galleries in the Omaha area.

Staff can also assist customers with selection of custom draperies, stationary panels, cornices, furniture upholstery, bedding, and pillows. Design consultations are free.

“Our experienced, well-trained staff will take into account your unique lifestyle needs as well as your budget,” says Vasques. “We can guide you and take the guesswork out of selecting your lighting products and window coverings. A high level of customer service is our No. 1 goal.”

www.BestOfOmaha.com

the new

july/august • 2013 H31

Omaha Home: d•i•y project Story by Linda Persigehl • Photo by Bill Sitzmann

Toddler Logan Hollins, 2 ½, loves his storybook room.

Giving Tree Mural d•i•y painting

W

h e n T r evo r Holli n s

decided he wanted to

paint a mural in son Logan’s bedroom in their West Omaha home, he found inspiration in a favorite read from his own childhood: Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree. The book’s cover illustration features a young boy catching an apple being dropped by a large, leafy tree.

“I liked reading Shel Silverstein books growing up and going back, reading the story as an adult, I became aware of the deeper themes

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july/august • 2013

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of these books—selflessness, the human condition, cherishing the earth…” Hollins says.

“Everyone is both the tree and the boy at some time in their life.”

To create the mural, Hollins used a technique his mother, an artist, had used to create a mural years ago. “I remember her using a crude image projector, which was basically a box with a mirror that would project whatever image was placed into the box onto a surface,” he says. “I got to thinking, I could have a lot more control over the image if I used a digital projector, so I used a digital camera to take a picture of the cover of the book. Then, using a laptop, I was able to scale and orient the image on the wall. Once I had the image projected, it was simply a matter of tracing over the lines of the image.” No problem for Hollins, an electrical engineer with HDR who works with computer-generated images daily.

With the help of his brother, Greg, Hollins traced the outline using paintbrushes and black latex paint, then filled in the apple and the boy’s overalls with red paint to replicate the color illustration. In all, the project cost him and Greg about six hours of their weekend and less than $50 in supplies.

One lesson the Hollins brothers learned the hard way was that the right tools make all the difference. “Having the correct brush type for this project is important. My brother and I originally started the project with some old paintbrushes I already had. We realized early on we needed fine brushes to do the job right, and so we spent a good amount of time wandering the aisles of Hobby Lobby searching for the perfect brushes,” he confesses.

Since the completion of the mural, Hollins and wife Alicia have decorated the rest of Logan’s room with other storybook themes: Curious George sheets now dress his bed, and an artwork purchased on Etsy creatively displays a whimsical illustration from the Dr. Seuss book And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street.

Hollins says he hopes The Giving Tree mural will instill in his son an appreciation for Silverstein’s. “Right now, [to Logan] it’s just a cool picture of a tree handing an apple to the little boy, as it was to me when I was his age. Hopefully, years from now, he will find the message meaningful.”

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West omaha: 168th & Center Downtown: 13th & Center july/august • 2013 H33

Omaha Home: sandy's makeover

after

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july/august • 2013

www.OmahaMagazine.com

Story by Sandy Matson • Photos by Bill Sitzmann

Metal-frame Chalkboard

Home Décor Makeover

H

ome décor doesn’t need to cost a fortune. In fact, there

are many great ways of repurposing dated or unwanted decorative items that otherwise might end up in a landfill, and quite often, they’re inexpensive projects to boot!

And just think what great conversation pieces they’ll make!

before 1.

2.

3.

4.

Take a decorative metal-frame mirror (I found mine at Goodwill) and tape off the mirror with painting tape. Then rough up the frame surface using fine sandpaper.

Paint the metal frame with paint designed specifically for metal surfaces.

(I used a fun Krylon Ivy Leaf paint to add a pop of color.)

Once completely dry, tape off the painted metal frame to expose only the mirror. Apply black chalkboard spray paint to the mirror, giving it several coats and letting each dry thoroughly in between. Remove painting tape from frame.

Display your new, fun chalkboard with colored chalk on a table-top stand or hang in your kitchen, office, or anywhere you want to add a little creative touch!

before

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Another tip: Take a group of miscellaneous decorative frames and paint them a uniform color (I used a metallic charcoal paint made for wood surfaces), then display as a collection with all your favorite family photos. july/august • 2013 H35

Omaha Home: hot products Photo by Bill Sitzmann

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For Your Summer Outings

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july/august • 2013

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Omaha Home: at home Story by Jenna Gabrial Gallagher • Photos by Bill Sitzmann & Jim Scholz

The Best of All Worlds The Yannone family finds their high-tech dream home in a new development that brings families and faiths together.

Jennifer and Bryan Yannone at home in Sterling Ridge.

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L

et’s dispense with the refer-

ences to a certain ’70s sitcom right off the bat. Yes, Jennifer and Bryan Yannone are the parents of a blended family of six kids.

Yes, Bryan is project director for Lockwood Development and Bloomfield Custom Homes, a position with some surface similarities to the architecture job of his TV dad counterpart. And, yes, the Yannones are a telegenic couple with a warm, relaxed vibe.

But their new home, the first in Sterling Ridge at 132nd and Pacific in Omaha, represents more than just the union of two families. It is the convergence of several decidedly 21st-century ideas about diversity, work-life balance, smart-home technology, and the logistics of new urban planning in an already very established part of the city.

Sterling Ridge is a mixeduse development of commercial, residential, retail, and religious space. When completed, the 153-acre site will feature more than 700,000 square feet of office space, 30 high-end custom homes, 10 villas, retail, restaurants, an assisted living facility, a hotel, and the Tri-Faith Initiative: a collaboration of Temple Israel, The Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, and The American Institute of Islamic Studies and Culture.

The very location of the site signifies this spirit of inclusiveness. It was once home to the venerable Highland Country Club, established in 1924 as a club where Jewish members would be welcome.

(Highland changed hands in the 1990s and the newly >>

www.BestOfOmaha.com

july/august • 2013 H39

Omaha Home: at home

1.

The large, open-concept kitchen-dining-family room features a huge sectional and two islands, allowing ample space for all eight of the Yannone-Gibbons clan to hang out.

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july/august • 2013

2.

Clean lines, cool colors, and high-end appliances create a contemporary yet functional kitchen.

3.

A decorative backsplash composed of neutral-colored linear mosaic tiles adds a modern, artistic touch.

www.OmahaMagazine.com

4.

Another living area with a gas fireplace and more seating sits adjacent the kitchen. A window, top right, peers into the kitchen area. More windows offer views into the indoor/outdoor room.

www.BestOfOmaha.com

5.

A stone wall and second gas fireplace lend a rustic feel to the indoor/outdoor sitting room.

6.

A wall of windows folds open next to the vented gas grill, allowing access to the backyard.

july/august • 2013 H41

Omaha Home: at home

7.

Daughter Michaela’s room, decorated in shades of taupe and yellow, features inspirational quotes on canvas wall art and decals.

8.

A Husker motif is featured in son Brayden’s room.

<< named Ironwood shuttered and was sold to Lockwood Development at a bank auction in 2010.)

In a city that is constantly expanding to points west, north, and south, the central location also acts as an integration point for several parts of town.

This was especially important to the Yannones, who had children in two separate school districts. “There was nowhere in Midtown Omaha where you could build a new, custom home without having to knock down an existing home,” says Jennifer, a gifted and talented facilitator for Omaha Public Schools.

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As members of the community and because of their family association with the development company, the Yannones are particularly sensitive to the historical and civic importance of the property. “People were disappointed when Ironwood closed,” Jennifer acknowledges. “Lockwood wanted to make this development worth the sacrifice. For every tree they took down, they planted five more.

They spared no expense to provide a community feel.”

Inside the seven-bedroom, 5,700-squarefoot Yannone home, that communal sense is most keenly felt in the open kitchen, dining, and seating area that serves as the focal point

of the family’s activities. “We spend most of our time between these three rooms,” says Jennifer of the multi-functional space which features clean lines and cool, neutral colors.

“I wanted it to look contemporary, but still homey and livable.”

The family worked with Lisa Shrager of LMK Concepts and Megan Bret of Exquisite Finishes on the home’s interiors.

“The trick was making the home durable and low-maintenance without compromising style,” says Shrager. She achieved the family’s desired blend of a sleek look and a warm vibe by balancing hard, manmade surfaces like the kitchen backsplash comprised www.OmahaMagazine.com

of multiple metals including stainless steel and bronze, with natural materials like stained rich oak wood on the cabinetry and granite countertops.

This harmony reverbates around the room: a mantle of 12x24-inch tile acts as a horizontal counterpoint to the strong vertical presence of the fireplace itself. This is geometrically echoed in light, linear tiling that serves as bridge between the three sections of the main family space and on the flooring and walls throughout the home.

The children picked their own colors, themes, and bedding for their rooms: a Husker motif for the youngest, Brayden www.BestOfOmaha.com

Yannone (9); sports for the two middle boys, Baylen Yannone (11) and Drew Gibbons (12); music and guitar for the eldest boy, Luke Gibbons (14); and inspiring quotes for Jennifer’s daughter, Michaela Gibbons (17).

Her older daughter, Jessica Gibbons (21,) lives away at college but has claimed a room on the lower level for school breaks.

The Mediterranean-inspired exterior of the home, which also serves as a model for Bloomfield Custom Homes, was Bryan’s idea. It's sand-colored stucco and stone ediface, crowned by hipped roofs, envelops an open, road-facing courtyard and would not be out of place among the revival

9.

Baseball wall decals and a neutral décor decorate son Baylen's bedroom.

10.

Basketball wall decals and motivational sports phrase decorate son Drew’s bedroom.

11.

Bold color blocks of red and black are used in son Luke’s room. Album covers serve as artwork.

mansions of Pasadena. “I wanted a home that was a vacation.”

Before they could kick back and enjoy, the family had to educate themselves about the various “smart” features of their home, most of which, including cameras, garage doors, lights, and music, can be operated from an iPad. “When you walk out the door, there’s an off button. You can shut off the whole house!”

Jennifer says with glee. “Before we moved in, we had to take the kids around, ‘This is how you shut off the lights…’”

And while the Yannone-Gibbons clan is clearly having fun with the more dazzling features of their new stomping grounds (such >> july/august • 2013 H43

Omaha Home: at home 12.

The home features a Mediterranean-inspired exterior, with sand-colored stucco, a stone ediface, and hipped roofs.

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july/august • 2013

13.

Jennifer and Bryan’s master bedroom is neutral and airy. Modern sconces, canned lighting, and a sleek wall-mount TV and fireplace lend a contemporary feel.

14.

The luxurious master bath features a huge walk-in shower with frosted glass doors, a square sunken Jacuzzi tub, and a vanity, which lines the entire length of the generous room.

www.OmahaMagazine.com

15.

Numerous gadgets and high-tech tools control various systems in the “smart” house, offering increased convenience, safety, and comfort for the homeowners.

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<< as the time Michaela called Jennifer from downstairs to tell her it was too warm and Jennifer "fixed it" without leaving the comfort of her sofa), their parents are careful to keep them grounded.

“They all think we live in a mansion,” Jennifer laughs. “But we remind them that we’re blessed to have this. When school’s out, we do a lot of volunteering, like at the Open Door Mission.”

“With the house came new responsibilities,” says Bryan. “It’s a group effort to keep a house this size, but the children have become very efficient about it.”

It’s a synthesis formula that the businesses, other families, and spiritual communities of Sterling Ridge would do well to copy. As Jennifer puts it, “We all pitch in and take care of what we have.”

For more information on this unique mixed-use development, visit sterlingridge.com www.BestOfOmaha.com

july/august • 2013 H45

Omaha Home: transformations Story by Susan McMannama, ASID • Photos by Angel Stottle

Transformations is a regular feature of Omaha Home that spotlights a recent project by a local ASID interior designer. The copy and photos are provided by the designer. Homeowners’ names may be withheld for privacy.

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july/august • 2013

www.OmahaMagazine.com

Balance & Harmony

A

s an interior designer (and a Libran),

Susan T. McMannama, ASID, has always sought balance and harmony within her projects. In the case of this recent remodel of the lower level of a home in Champions Run, harmony was needed to balance the wife’s desire for a contemporary feel with the husband’s desire for a hideaway fit for a transplanted Texas Longhorn.

There were a few must-haves requested by the homeowners: a full-size kitchen for entertaining, plenty of storage, a wine room, a fireplace, and a bedroom for frequent guests. The husband wanted to include a pair of Eames chairs and ottomans. Plus, all of the finish materials should be easy to maintain, and the colors needed to flow from space to space.

Space for the guest bedroom area was found by relocating the door to the furnace and storage room, creating a hallway that separated the quiet area from the more active spaces. The new entrance to the furnace/storage room included double doors. A Murphy bed system was implemented within new cabinetry on one wall of the bedroom. Luxurious bedding from The Linen Gallery was used to add softness and a pop of color. The bedroom could double as a home gym.

A quartz material was used for the abundant countertops in the kitchen, and a glass tile mosaic, selected >>

meet the designer

Susan T. McMannama, ASID Susan McMannama Interiors

www.BestOfOmaha.com

july/august • 2013 H47

Omaha Home: transformations << by the husband, was used for the backsplash. The custom cabinetry, which was stained and glazed, can store all of the dishes and equipment for any size gathering.

Lighting, both underneath and inside glass cabinets, added sparkle and helped illuminate the couple’s glass and bottle collection. The travertine-looking ceramic tile floor flows from the kitchen through to the wine storage room and into the bathroom and hallways. Custom counter stools were upholstered in a woven leather fabric.

After relocating the door to the bathroom, the original tub/shower was removed and a new walk-in shower with a floating bench took its place.

A sleek, hand held faucet and an oversized showerhead were used to balance the size of the shower. The original vanity received a new quartz counter plus a glass vessel sink. Marble and glass tiles were used to frame the existing mirror.

The symmetrical sectionals in the sitting/viewing area flank the pair of Eames chairs and ottomans. A new fireplace and TV were built into a recessed area that formerly held a big-screen TV. Light oak “drinks” tables harmonize with the black leather. A mica wall covering was installed on the fireplace wall and also on the wall with the buffet.

To keep marital harmony in the family, a photo of a Texas Longhorn was hung above the buffet. Two more steers soon followed for the sitting area, followed by a fourth in the wine room.

The final Longhorn was hung in the hallway to the bedroom, with a treasured antique bench (hers) placed below for balance.

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july/august • 2013

www.OmahaMagazine.com

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july/august • 2013 H49

Omaha Home: staff picks

My favorite plant would have to be an apple tree.

When I was a kid, my family lived in Nebraska City, Neb., home of Arbor Day. Naturally, there were trees everywhere, but we had two apple trees in our yard.

Every fall, my dad would bring out the ladder and let my younger sister and I help pick apples. We kept quite a few bags for ourselves, but we also gave some away to family, friends, and neighbors.

Bailey Hemphill

e select many plants and trees for our

yards purely for their aesthetics—beautiful color or shape, heavenly scent, or because they pair well with other plants. But sometimes, we choose for sentimental reasons—because they simply remind us a special person in our lives, a fond memory, or a particular place dear to our hearts.

We asked Omaha Magazine staffers what some of their favorite yard plantings are what makes them special.

Growing up on a farm in Iowa, we had those big, beautiful peony bushes... seemed like we had hundreds, many as big as me. There were different shades of pink, and white ones with pink on them. Their smell reminds me so much of my childhood home and running around, barefoot and carefree.

Just this last week, my fiancé and I were doing a major landscaping project at our home, and I thought it would be neat to plant a few of those peony bushes.

However, before I got a chance to buy them (and not knowing my fondness for them), he said, “I hate those peony bushes, they always have ants crawling all over them.” I had to chuckle to myself. Guess I’ll just have my wonderful memories and admire them in other people’s yards!

Assitant Editor &

Sandy Matson

Web Content Editor

Contributing Editor

I'm not much of a flower girl, though I do love growing food.

This year, I actually planned out my garden and have nice rows with labels. One thing I've had for the last three years is rhubarb. It's made the journey from my grandma's garden, to my parents, and now I have some of it. It's loving the rain and growing like crazy. I have been going through the family cookbook and have found many yummy-sounding desserts to try this summer, and I might even throw some into a smoothie for a little extra kick. The leaves can also be used to make walking stones for a pathway. Gotta love all the uses of rhubarb.

Katie Anderson Senior Graphic Designer

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Sentimental Plantings

july/august • 2013

Our second home–the one in which we saw our kids grow from babies to grade schoolers–had a mature Linden tree in the backyard. Our sheepdog mix, Maxie, loved this fullbodied, dense tree for the wonderful shade it offered.

Our beloved Maxie has since passed away, and so our family planted a Linden tree in the backyard of our new home in remembrance of her. The kids and I call it the Maxie Tree.

Linda Persigehl Managing Editor

I have fond memories from my childhood of playing with snapdragons at my aunt and uncle's house in Glenwood, Iowa. When my wife and I planted our first flowerbed at our new home this spring, we included a row of purple snapdragons—making them snap brings back the kid in me.

John Gawley creative director

www.OmahaMagazine.com

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january/february 2013 • july/august 2012 H51/123 123

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