January/February 2017 Omaha Home

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017

ALWAYS LOCAL, ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL

AT HOME WITH THE HABROCKS Their Renovated Louisville Farmhouse

THE FABRIC OF LIFE

How Seasonal Textiles Reinvent A Downtown Condo

CLARENCE WIGINGTON

A Diamond In Omaha’s Architectural History

OMAHA HOME opener

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Sandy Matson Contributing Editor, OmahaHome

T

THERE ARE TWO ways we can look at

January: A. Sit around on your duff and sulk about the winter weather, or B. get moving and gear up for the rest of the year!

I decided this year I would combine two projects into one, you know, like the old saying, “Kill two birds with one stone.”

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OMAHA HOME OPENER

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SANDY’S MAKEOVER

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SPACES

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AT HOME

From a Spare Room to an Elegant Dressing Room

The Historian’s Personal Collection

The Habrocks' Louisville Farmhouse

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The Fabric of Life

H110 NEIGHBORHOODS Standing Bear Pointe

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Stalking Stocked Rainbow Trout

H118 ARCHITECTURE Clarence Wigington

H122 TRANSFORMATIONS Colorado Modern

Every issue of Omaha Home for the next year will include one of my DIY projects, which will culminate with my own year-long home project. Now, stay with me. I am converting my third spare room into a dressing room. Our walk-in closet just isn’t big enough, you could say, or maybe I just want a reason to have a room all to myself.

So, after much consideration as to how I would tackle this large project, I have decided to take you, the reader, on the transformative journey. Check out my to-do list on page 84, where I explain how I am gearing up for this year-long renovation project (and catch a glimpse of the room before I waive my magic wand).

In the current issue, be sure to check out page 94 for information about the Habrocks' home. It’s a great story: Kara Habrock grew up wanting to live in that home, and as an adult, she made her dream come true.

While a cozy country home is just the place for winter, those wanting to live in a hip downtown condo will enjoy our article on Ian Rose and Robert Voelte on page 100. These teachers collect art— specifically fiber arts—and decorate their homes seasonally. I’m not talking about putting up and taking down a Christmas tree. They completely reinvent their home with warm colors in the fall and cooler colors for the summer.

It’s a new year and a great time to start fresh with something you have been putting off. These cold winter months in Nebraska can certainly help with those chores that always seem to be pushed aside when the weather outdoors is more inviting.

Cheers to another wonderful and blessed year!

Sandy OmahaHome

"January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow."—Sara Coleridge

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January/February 2017

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Sandy's Makeover

FROM A SPARE ROOM TO AN ELEGANT DRESSING ROOM

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

DIY story by Sandy Matson photography by bill sitzmann design by matt wieczorek

L

ET’S BE HONEST. We all have our dirty

secrets—sometimes that secret is a collection of things. Some people may keep those collections confined to a drawer or a closet, but if you are like me, the clutter just expands into other places, sometimes into an entire room.

That is where my vision of “killing two birds with one stone” came to mind.

We have just one lonely room left in our whole house that has not been renovated, and in it sits all my clutter and to-do DIY projects.

Rather than feel overwhelmed with trying to tackle too much at one time for my renovation project, why not spread it out all year long? Then you can see how the steps of the renovation come together for one functional room—a dressing room!

We are not talking about a room that has been turned into a closet. While there will be a closet in it, the room needs to serve multiple functions and become a pretty extension of our house.

Normally I like to renovate a room and then decorate it, but in this instance, I want to create each project individually and show you what functions each project plans to serve. We will start with the March/ April issue, and end with the grand reveal in January/ February 2018.

Along the way I will work on the room itself, painting walls and trim, and reconfiguring the closet to maximize the space.

I hope you look forward to my first piece in the next issue, and I look forward to any feedback. Don’t forget to follow us on social media.

If you miss one issue, back issues are online at readonlinenow.com, and you can always go there and check it out.

OmahaHome Visit readonlinenow.com for more information.

January/February 2017 • omahamagazine.com

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THE HISTORIAN’S PERSONAL COLLECTION HOWARD HAMILTON’S HOME ARCHIVE

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

Spaces story by Ryan Borchers photography by bill sitzmann / design by matt wieczorek

January/February 2017 • omahamagazine.com

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Spaces

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OWA R D H A MILTON, 82, has

read every issue of every Omaha newspaper dating back to 1854.

The Omaha historian, who was once fluent in 12 languages, moved to the area at age 5 with his family in 1939 and has lived here ever since (with the exception of language immersion studies at Georgetown University and a three-year stint in Pakistan with the U.S. Army).

He remembers how busy downtown Omaha used to be. “At that time, all the way from Leavenworth to Capitol was crowded during the day,” he says, remembering all the shops and the post office at 16th and Dodge streets.

“It would be like if you saw a picture of New York City’s Times Square.”

It seems fitting that a man who has seen so much of the city during so many phases of time should have a passion for history.

Hamilton fondly remembers his third-grade teacher making the students recite all the U.S. presidents, from George Washington up to then-president Truman, every morning. (He can still do it today.)

Hamilton has a particular passion for Omaha history. He taught it for years at Metropolitan Community College. In 1990, he founded and served as the first president of the TransMississippi Exposition Historical Association, named for the 1898 event that brought 2.6 million visitors to the city, one of them U.S. President William McKinley. >

Newspapers in Howard Hamilton's collection memorialize local and world history. / H88 /

OmahaHome January/February 2017

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

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Hamilton claims to have the world's smallest whittled chair in his archive.

< Hamilton published a book of 500 trivia stories about Omaha history, as well as a series of calendars with every day of the year marked by an event in Omaha history.

In 2012, he donated thousands of newspaper clippings to The Durham Museum. The collection’s name? The Howard Hamilton Research Archive.

Now retired, he uses his house as a storage space for artifacts he has collected over the years.

A tour of his collection reveals some amazing stuff: • A copy of the first issue of The Omaha Daily World from 1885. And a copy of the first issue of the The Omaha World-Herald from 1889.

• A piece of human hipbone from Omaha Beach. Hamilton found it when he visited in 2002 and thought it may have come from when the Allies stormed the beaches at D-Day. So, Hamilton brought it back to Nebraska with the intention of donating it to veterans.

(A pathologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center revealed that it was human, but not from 1944. “This bone is 3,000 years old,” Hamilton says the pathologist told him.

The bone likely came from someone who drowned in the Atlantic and washed up on the beach.)

• A piece of brick from a 1904 Omaha sidewalk that reads: “DON’T SPIT ON SIDEWALK.” • An article about the only man ever to survive being scalped, as well as a picture of the man and a picture of the scalp. The man was at the Plum Creek Massacre and was brought to Omaha afterward. “They attempted to have the scalp replaced after he recovered,” Hamilton says. When that did not work, “they gave it to him, and then he donated it to Omaha.”

These days, Hamilton seems to be feeling good about a pretty incredible find. >

January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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The archive includes everything from collectible buttons to souvenir programs.

Out of the Douglas County Historical Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection of 6 million artifacts and records, the biggest showcase is the General Crook House Museum.

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

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< U.S. President Grover Cleveland visited Omaha in 1887 because his wife inherited property from a Council Bluffs family.

Naturally, The Omaha Daily World devoted front-page coverage to the visit on Oct. 12.

But not all of the copies were on newsprint.

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“In 1887, [the paper] published this and made five copies on satin,” Hamilton says. Of those five satin copies, Cleveland received one and the heirs of Gilbert Hitchcock, the founder of The Omaha Daily World—who later bought The Omaha Herald and consolidated the two papers to form The Omaha World-Herald— received another.

And one is hanging on Hamilton’s wall, framed and in mint condition.

“It was at an antique store, in an envelope,” Hamilton says. “Twenty dollars.”

The storeowner knew it was original, but thought it was one of hundreds. Now it is behind glass at Hamilton’s house, a shiny newspaper with a story about Cleveland’s visit. The fold lines are prominent in the satin.

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“About the time I bought this, I had seen one in Glenwood, Iowa, tattered,” Hamilton says. “But mine was in an envelope, just like this.” OmahaHome Visit durhammuseum.org for more information.

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January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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At Home story by Sarah Wengert / photography by Bill Sitzmann / design by matt wieczorek

CLASSIC MEETS CONTEMPORARY IN A LOUISVILLE FARMHOUSE

KARA AND MONTY HABROCK’S CUSTOMIZED DREAM HOME

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HEY SAY YOU can never go home again—but Kara Habrock

managed to make it happen. The Louisville, Nebraska, native was living in Omaha with her husband when they felt pulled back toward their small­-town roots.

“We’re both from a small town and just couldn’t fight it,” Kara says. “I never envisioned I’d be back in my little hometown, but it's worked out great.”

Monty Habrock, whom Kara met while attending the University of NebraskaLincoln, is originally from Emerson, Nebraska.

The Habrocks first moved to an old home on five acres just outside of Louisville.

They lovingly remodeled the house, but it still wasn’t quite the right fit for their family, so they considered moving again. Kara had the perfect alternative in mind; in fact, it was a house she’d had on her mind practically her whole life.

“This was definitely my idea,” Kara says, of the Habrocks' current home, a 100-year-old, two-and-a-half-story, remodeled farmhouse poised on a hill at the edge of town. “I grew up two blocks away, and my bedroom window looked right at this house. There was an old barn with Dutch doors where the new barn is now, horses, and a paddock. I’d walk over as a little girl and pet the horses. This house was like an anchor on the end of town, just that big old white farmhouse, and I just loved it as a kid.” >

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

From left: Sophie, Kara, Monty, and Claire Habrock stand in front of their "party barn."

January/February 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ omahamagazine.com

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One of the Habrock’s Australian shepherds looks for someone to play with.

< In fact, when Kara was 12, her parents actually considered buying the same farmhouse, but instead opted to build their own new home.

“I was just devastated. My mom still laughs to this day and says, ‘You never got that out of your head, did you?’ It was definitely a longtime dream,” Kara says.

Initially, Monty was not onboard. But the family had a front-row seat to a consistently re-emerging “for sale” sign each Sunday as they drove past the house on their way to church. In the end, it was a simple twist of traffic that brought Monty around.

“I surprised her on a Sunday morning. I was going into town for coffee and nearly got hit by a truck pulling out on the highway from our old house. I thought, ‘My kids are driving soon, and that could happen to them.’ So, I came in and said, ‘Kara, let’s buy that house.’ It’s only six blocks from school, I thought, they can't hurt themselves,” Monty says with a laugh. >

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

At Home

The renovated farm home includes a mix of original features and contemporary design.

January/February 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ omahamagazine.com

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One fun feature of the property is the Habrocks’ “party barn,” which includes a big-screen TV for watching movies or sports events with friends. / H98 /

OmahaHome January/February 2017

At Home

“I’ve always had to reconcile my love of old things with my love for sleek, modern things.

The inspiration for the design and decor of the house was to make that all make sense together in an eclectic mix of old and contemporary,” -Kara Habrock

< “I was in the shower washing my hair when he said that. I’ll never forget it. I called the realtor that afternoon before he could change his mind,” Kara says.

Due to its age and the Habrocks’ ultimate vision, the property needed lots of work. They both work at Roloff Construction, originally owned by Kara’s father, Larry Roloff. These days, Kara is vice president and general manager; Monty is vice president and chief estimator. The majority of their work is underground, for example, sewer projects for MUD and establishing the underground infrastructure for the CenturyLink Center and TD Ameritrade Park. Although they don’t specialize in the type of construction needed to renovate their home, their experience nonetheless proved helpful.

“The line of work we’re in, it makes you see what’s possible,” Kara says. “We have an eye for looking at a piece of ground and visualizing the possibilities, where a lot of people can’t. We knew it was possible, but it would be a long project.”

The Habrocks enlisted Steve Cramer of Cramer Kreski Designs as architect, Tom Slobodnik with Slobodnik Construction Group as builder, and Mary Murphy of the Interior Design Group as decorator.

“We had a great team put it together,” Monty says. “They really understood how we live and are all meticulous.”

Kara adds the team had a great eye for the Habrocks’ love of “old-fashioned style with a modern twist.”

“I’ve always had to reconcile my love of old things with my love for sleek, modern things.

The inspiration for the design and decor of the house was to make that all make sense together in an eclectic mix of old and contemporary,” Kara says.

Kara says it was crucial to preserve as much of the original, traditional foursquare farmhouse as possible, despite the need to basically gut it to update wiring, plumbing, heating, and air, while also executing an add-on.

“I can still tell where everything in the house was,” says Kara, pointing out features like original doors that have been repurposed within the home and a stretch of siding from the original home that has been relocated to an entryway.

The Habrocks replaced the dilapidated old barn with a new structure they have dubbed the “party barn,” where they have hosted family graduation and anniversary parties, school and church club meetings, and other affairs. The barn is a bright, airy space with a kitchen, bathroom, and large main area that can be easily converted for any occasion. The family, which includes daughters Claire, 19, and Sophie, 15, as well as Foster, a 14-year-old mini Aussie, and Kooper, a 2-year-old full-size Aussie, even lived in the barn for eight months in 2013 while the main house was being completed.

The Habrocks love entertaining family and friends—whether that is a couple dozen folks for Thanksgiving or a small, impromptu gathering for Game 7 of the World Series—and their warm, laughter-filled home is the perfect space for welcoming guests.

“We’re very casual and like to have people over.

We did not want it to be formal. We wanted open spaces with great little nooks,” Kara says.

“It's a very lived-in house, and the biggest compliment we get is when people come in and say, ‘Oh, it's just so cozy and comfortable’ because that’s definitely what we were going for. We love being home.” OmahaHome Visit louisvillenebraska.com for more information.

A stairway divides their home and work lives.

January/February 2017 • omahamagazine.com

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Feature story by Kara Schweiss photography by bill sitzmann & Keith Binder design by Matt Wieczorek

THE FABRIC OF LIFE

HOW SEASONAL TEXTILES REINVENT A DOWNTOWN CONDO

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

Just as the skies in winter can be gray, the dining room rug in this downtown condo turns to shades of charcoal.

feature

A chunk of amethyst and purple fabric create a more reflective look for fall and winter. / H102 /

OmahaHome January/February 2017

Wood floors continue in the kitchen.

W

HEN IAN ROSE and Robert Voelte moved to

a new condo on the top floor of the historic Beebe & Runyan Lofts, northeast of the Old Market and Gene Leahy Mall at Ninth and Douglas streets, the location provided everything the elementary educators and arts enthusiasts were looking for.

“We’re able to walk to the Holland. We’re able to walk to the Orpheum, the Old Market, all the parks down here. We’re also members of Film Streams, so we can walk over there as well,” Voelte says. “And as much as we’re passionate about teaching, we’re also passionate about travel. We’re close to the airport, which makes it really convenient because we do travel quite a bit, and it’s easy to get there.” >

January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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Feature

< However, the spacious two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,700-square-foot unit just can’t accommodate their entire collection of beloved artworks, furnishings, accents, and decor carefully selected over 30 years.

So rather than giving up a sizable percentage of these treasures or relegating them to permanent storage, Voelte has come up with an inspired solution: change out decor and refresh the look of his and Rose’s home twice a year.

“I thought about how museums only have a small percentage of their holdings on display at any one time,” he explains. “I decided to adapt that idea for my home and only display a limited amount of my belongings at one time, rotating things in and out. I am able to appreciate my home and the decor even more because everything always seems new and fresh to me.”

The process evokes good memories of past adventures, old friends, and even the story of how each item was acquired, Voelte says.

The pieces come from all over the world, and much was purchased during or influenced by travel. Core favorites include an antique Chinese chicken coop used to store dishes and linens; an antique Japanese kitchen cabinet that serves as a bookcase in the master bedroom; hand-carved one-piece spider tables from the Bamileke tribe in Cameroon; mid-century walnut Eames chairs; Akari washi—paper lantern lamps made by Noguchi in Japan; and Verner Panton dining chairs.

“I think our home is very unique,” he says.

“My style is eclectic with Asian, African, natural, classic, and utilitarian themes.

Authentic vintage textiles previously used in utilitarian ways—indigos from around the world, Indonesian ikats, Japanese obis, African tie-dyed raffia skirts, and Kuba cloth—are often the inspiration that begins the design process.”

“In late spring or summer, the feeling is lighter and fewer items are on display. The mood is brighter with hand-dyed indigo fabrics, khakis, whites, creams, and seashells—things I associate with summer” -Robert Voelte

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

It’s never quite the same look twice, Voelte adds, but he does work around his core pieces as well as some palette constants.

“In late spring or summer, the feeling is lighter and fewer items are on display. The mood is brighter with hand-dyed indigo fabrics, khakis, whites, creams, and seashells—things I associate with summer because we are both teachers who look forward to travel, socializing, relaxation— recharging our batteries,” Voelte says. “In the fall and winter, decor gets changed out, including rugs, artwork, and linens, as well as some furniture rearrangement. It is a more spiritual, reflective, introspective time, which is reflected in darker colors: purples, charcoal, Chinese red. The decor is more layered with design elements.”

The Renaissance Revival-style building in which the couple’s condo is located was built in 1913 to serve as a warehouse and showroom. The original architect was John McDonald, best known for the Joslyn Castle. The Beebe & Runyan building was listed on the National Register of Historic places in 1998. Rose and Voelte purchased their condo as a raw space following the building’s 2007 conversion. >

Textiles and artwork change with the seasons.

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Feature

“My style is eclectic with Asian, African, natural, classic, and utilitarian themes.

Authentic vintage textiles previously used in utilitarian ways— indigos from around the world, Indonesian ikats, Japanese obis, African tie-dyed raffia skirts, and kuba cloth—are often the inspiration that begins the design process.”

-Robert Voelte

< “When we walked in, we immediately were drawn to the exterior brick wall on the west side, which has two inlaid brick arches that span three windows each,” Voelte says. “It is quite eye-catching.”

Their unit boasts sloped ceilings that reach a height of 16 feet, original brick walls, and wood posts and columns.

They finished the space as a semi-open loft designed with custom finishes and natural materials like walnut cabinetry built by hand, honed marble counters, and slate tile or refinished original birdseye maple f loors. >

Rose and Voelte collect art as souvenirs from their travels.

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

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Feature

Original brick walls remain exposed in the historic structure.

< Every detail shows thought and consideration, like backsplash tiles that were hand-carried in a suitcase from California. Niche and built-in shelves highlight special artworks. “Everything has to be aesthetically pleasing to me or it won’t be in my house,” Voelte says.

The space was also designed with entertaining, especially dinner parties for family and friends, in mind.

“I love to cook, so I spend a lot of time in the kitchen,” Rose says. “Our kitchen is so open that even when you’re in the kitchen, you’re not detached from the rest

of the home. I can still be in the middle of what’s going on.”

“A s much as we love to travel, we love our home,” Voelte says. “We have a great life!” OmahaHome Visit beeberunyan.com for more information.

January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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Neighborhoods story by Wendy Townley photography by Bill Sitzmann design by matt wieczorek

Spacious yards allow plenty of space for kids to play. / H110 /

OmahaHome January/February 2017

STANDING BEAR POINTE January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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Neighborhoods

Shelley Callahan leads a neighborhood entourage back indoors.

S

PR AWLING AND QUIET in north-

western Omaha, Standing Bear Pointe is tucked a stone’s throw away from the intersection of 144th and Fort streets.

Commuters undoubtedly pass by the neighborhood each day, likely giving little thought to the homes, the people, and the stories that live just beyond the stately stone entrance and large trees that open Standing Bear Pointe to the outside world.

It’s possible that many find their way to Standing Bear Pointe quite literally by accident, looking instead for the neighboring Saddlebrook or Hillsborough neighborhoods.

That’s exactly how Shelley Callahan found her future home, nestled in a neighborhood that, some 10 years later, she says she and her husband could reside in forever.

“Even if we won the lottery, we probably wouldn’t leave the neighborhood,” she says.

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

As an image consultant, Callahan had traveled all around Omaha meeting with clients.

A wrong turn one day brought her unexpectedly to Standing Bear Pointe. At the time, she and her husband, Ty, had been shopping for a new home; but even after a two-year search, nothing had felt quite right.

Until Standing Bear Pointe.

“I was drawn in by the size,” she recalls.

“They were all custom-built homes, but with a uniqueness.”

The neighborhood’s approximately 125 completed homes (and its more than 480 residents) have easy access to the Standing Bear Lake Recreation Area: the water, the green space, the mature trees, and all that Mother Nature and her four seasons could offer within the boundaries of a suburban setting.

The couple returned to the neighborhood soon after their first visit, spending a mere 15 minutes walking through one of the homes for sale. It didn’t take long for them to decide that it would be the home where they would raise their future children.

“It was this feeling!” she says excitedly of their home. Something about the house itself and the nearby residences were all the confirmation they needed to stay for good.

In the 10 years since, the Callahans have welcomed two young sons—Montgomery and Marshall—and a 10-year-old fox terrier named Sam. But more than that, the family has developed deep connections with their fellow Standing Bear Pointe neighbors. Many of the residents moved into the neighborhood, raised their children, retired—and never left.

THE PONCA CHIEF AND THE AREA'S NAME

S

TANDING BEAR POINTE and

neighboring Standing Bear Lake are named for the Ponca leader Chief Standing Bear.

In Omaha in 1879, Standing Bear successfully argued that Native Americans are “persons within the meaning of the law.” The court decision came after Standing Bear and followers escaped from forced relocation to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).

She cites the mixing of generations that has created such a strong sense of community among her neighbors. Unlike the stereotype of today’s subdivisions, where residents pull into their garages each night without paying much mind to their neighbors, Standing Bear Pointe, Callahan says, feels a lot like family.

The older families have bonded over the years, rearing children, retiring, and welcoming grandchildren—even great-grandchildren.

The younger families also raise children together, often developing relationships through carpooling to school, walking the streets on Halloween, and visiting each other’s homes throughout the week simply to say hello. They have bonded during the annual block party and neighborhood garage sale, the impromptu backyard picnics that occur with little planning yet leave behind deepened friendships and fond memories.

“It takes time to develop that kind of neighborhood,” she says. “There is a culture of Standing Bear Pointe. It’s safe with a small-town feel.”

And while Callahan and her neighbors are a mere two minutes away from a Baker’s Grocery Store, Target, and the other modern conveniences that come with living in an urban environment, they find themselves routinely visited by wild turkeys, foxes, and even deer.

“Seeing the animals never gets old,” she says with a grin.

Standing Bear had sought to bury his late 16-year-old son on their ancestral land, near Ponca Creek and the Niobrara River.

The federal government’s removal of the Ponca (also known as “The Ponca Trail of Tears”) took place in 1877.

The 1879 case, Standing Bear v. Crook, lasted just 12 days. Judge Elmer S. Dundy in the U.S. District Court in Omaha ruled that Standing Bear and other Native people were lawfully allowed to enjoy the rights of other Americans. OmahaHome

Homes in Standing Bear Pointe often sell fast, Callahan says. (Omaha annexed the area in 2015.) New neighbors are routinely welcomed and join the family this community has created. Callahan points to a young man, a bachelor, who used to lived next door.

He and the Callahans quickly became friends with a story to share: Shelley and Ty introduced their neighbor to his future wife. The couple eventually married.

“We truly feel blessed to have found this neighborhood,” she says.” OmahaHome Visit standingbearpointe.org for more information.

January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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Harvest story by Patrick McGee / photography by Doug Meigs / design by matt wieczorek

STALKING STOCKED RAINBOW TROUT

EASY OMAHA FISHING FROM FALL THROUGH SPRING

W

HEN THE WEATHER gets cold in Nebraska,

make room in your kitchen for rainbow trout.

Catch them from the shore before the lakes freeze over, and catch them through a hole in the ice (once a safe layer of ice has formed).

Many anglers will catch their limit in less than an hour.

When the bite is hot, parents will be pulling fish off of children’s hooks faster than they can drop a line into the water. Daryl Bauer, a fisheries biologist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission since 1988, says there’s plenty of trout to catch in select Nebraska waters throughout the winter.

Bauer’s words were proven true by the crowds of anglers lining the banks at Standing Bear Lake this past fall. The number of anglers reeling in trout was almost as incredible as the number of darting and jumping trout visible from shore.

Game and Parks generously stocked rainbow trout in Standing Bear Lake, Benson Park Pond, Century Link Lake at Mahoney State Park, Lake Halleck, Hitchcock Park Pond, and Towl Park Pond. The commission intended to stock 265,000 trout statewide this fall and winter. >

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

Writer Patrick McGee gets some quality time at Standing Bear Lake.

"Their idea of finding feed is swimming around and waiting for someone to drop pellets on their heads."

-Daryl Bauer

January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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Harvest

< The trout are stocked from the Grove Lake Trout Rearing Station in Royal, Nebraska, where they are hatched and fed a specially formulated feed. Bauer says the feed is “not just junk food. It produces quality meat.

These are quality fish.” The trout are raised until they reach about 10 inches in length, at which time they are ready to be stocked and caught. Bauer says it takes about 10 months to produce trout of this quality. When all is said and done, it costs about $1 to raise each trout.

Funds come, in part, from fishing licenses.

So, if you are licensed, you’re paying for trout.

Catch them while you can, because Game and Parks does not intend for them to last after the winter. Bauer says trout are cold-water fish. He says Standing Bear will not be cold enough for the trout to survive in the summer.

“If there’s any [trout] surviving in the summer, they will perish.” Bauer says that almost all of the trout are caught, and studies of tagged fish at Standing Bear show that 85 percent or more of the trout are being harvested before the water warms up.

Catching trout from the shore and through the ice is simple. Bauer tells anglers to keep in mind that these fish have been raised in a hatchery their whole life. “Their idea of finding feed is swimming around and waiting for someone to drop pellets on their heads,” he says. Bauer says that varieties of Berkeley PowerBait “smell an awful lot like the pellets the trout are reared on.”

A spinning reel with 6- to 8-pound test line is ideal, and the same rig can be used for both shore and ice fishing if you don’t have ice fishing gear. Bauer says his grandpa used his open-water rod through a hole and pulled fish through the ice. “You just have to stand a little further from the hole,” Bauer says. OmahaHome Visit outdoornebraska.gov for more information.

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

Winter weather makes perfect conditions for keeping the freshly caught trout while continuing to fish.

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CLARENCE WIGINGTON A DIAMOND IN OMAHA’S ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

The Broomfield duplex, built in 1913, won first prize for “best twofamily brick dwelling” in a national competition sponsored by Good Housekeeping magazine.

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

architecture story by Ashley Wegner / photography by Bill Sitzmann / design by matt wieczorek

January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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architecture

W

HEN SHE LIVED a block

away, Linda Williams would pass the Broomfield duplex at 25th and Lake streets almost every day.

That was a little more than a decade ago.

As she walked past the duplex, she remembers thinking, “There is something interesting about that building… something I really like.” She liked the diamond shapes inside the top border, the hints of classical style in the columns in the front, as well as the rhythm and symmetry in the arched windows.

She did not know what made the building so special until a 2002 trip to the Great Plains Black History Museum.

It turned out that the Broomfield duplex, built in 1913, was indeed special. In 1909, it won first prize for “best twofamily brick dwelling” in a national competition sponsored by Good Housekeeping magazine. The duplex’s 2502-2504 Lake St. address was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, too.

But what made it particularly significant was that it was one of many residential structures in the area designed

by Nebraska’s first African-American architect and also the nation’s first African-American municipal architect— Clarence W. “Cap” Wigington.

Williams was shocked. She had a Bachelor of Science in design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Architecture, and this was the first time she had ever heard about Wigington.

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OmahaHome January/February 2017

“I thought, ‘If I’m educated and I don’t know about him, there are a lot of other people who don’t know about him. So ever since then, I’ve been spreading the word about him.”

-Linda Williams

“I thought, ‘If I’m educated and I don’t know about him, there are a lot of other people who don’t know about him,’” Williams says. “So ever since then, I’ve been spreading the word about him.”

Williams, who works in the architecture field, has spent the last several years working to shine light onto Wigington’s work. She has presented seminars about Wigington for the Douglas County Historical Society and currently leads Restoration Exchange Omaha’s North 24th Street Walking Tour, which highlights three of Wigington’s significant Omaha buildings.

Wigington was born in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1883 and his family moved to Omaha shortly thereafter. Wigington graduated from Central High School (then Omaha High School) at age 15 and worked for the prominent Nebraska architect Thomas Kimball for six years before opening his own office. While he was in Omaha, he designed almost a dozen homes by independent commission, mostly in his North Omaha neighborhood. In 1914, he and his family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he served as a senior designer for the City of St. Paul for 34 years. He designed several municipal buildings as well as monumental ice palaces for the St. Paul Winter Carnival in the 1930s and 1940s.

He passed away in Kansas City in 1967 at age 84.

While Williams highlights several structures on her 24th Street tour, including Kimball’s Black History Museum and the Jewel Building (designed by F.A. Henninger), she spends a significant amount of time and effort explaining the three buildings on the route by Wigington.

She talks about the Broomfield duplex and the fact that it was actually one of two identical duplexes on the corner designed

by Wigington. The second, called the Crutchfield duplex, was destroyed by a fire in the 1980s. Williams talks about

Zion Baptist Church at 2215 Grant St., another structure on the National Register with big classical columns, original stained glass windows, and a cornerstone with Wigington’s name.

And she talks about the prairie style and craftsman elements of St. John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church at 617 N. 18th St., which Wigington helped remodel.

Williams’ dedication has so far caught the attention of architecture and preservation aficionados in Omaha and nationwide. In 2015, she won a diversity scholarship through Historic New England and she was recently named a Diversity Scholar by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Another recent honor was particularly significant to Williams, even though it was not even for her. In October, the Central High Alumni Association inducted Wigington into their hall of fame. Since no one from Wigington’s family was able to accept the award, Williams was asked to accept on their behalf. Williams plans to deliver the award to the family, who live in Chicago, this year.

It was a humbling honor to accept the award and a humbling duty to continue sharing Wigington’s legacy with everyone who will listen. She says it is important for people to know not only what he did, but that he accomplished so much during a time in history when black men faced significant challenges.

“When you think about that particular time and era, there was Jim Crowism going on,” says Ethel Mitchell, current owner of the Broomfield duplex. “To have this black man do what he did and design this type of building was just unheard of. It’s hard to put words to that—it’s just outstanding.” OmahaHome Visit restorationexchange.org/events/ walking-tours to learn more.

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January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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Colorado Modern A mix of materials and a heavily treed lot gives this contemporary home a Colorado feel.

BRINGING MOUNTAIN INSPIRATION TO THE PLAINS

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H

OW DO TWO people, each with an

appreciation for very different tastes in design, come together to build their perfect dream home?

When our client came to us, the husband leaned more towards a contemporary, midcentury modern look, while the wife loved a Colorado-inspired design. We knew the challenge of marrying these two concepts would be great. But the final product would be even greater.

OmahaHome January/February 2017

Lisa Cooper, Allied ASID, and Kris Patton, ASID, feel there is no higher compliment than to obtain new clients by referral from a previous clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friends and family. This new home construction project was no exception.

In order to realize the clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; multipart vision, we teamed with Marshall Wallman, vice president of design at Curt Hofer & Associates, and his team to create this dream home. >

Transformations story by

Lindi Janulewicz, Interiors Joan and Associates photography by

Tom Kessler, Kessler Photography page design by

matt wieczorek

MEET THE DESIGNER

MEET THE DESIGNER

The interior design industry is fast-moving, challenging, and multifaceted. I love that I have the opportunity to be creative and technical, all in a day’s work. Our clients are amazing people, and the projects that I’ve had the chance to work on have been extraordinary.

Design is my passion, and to have the opportunity to receive an education and the experience it takes to gain knowledge and expertise in this industry is such a privilege. I have amazing clients and have had the chance to work on incredible projects.

I wouldn’t trade this career for the world!

lisa cooper

kris patton

January/February 2017 • omahamagazine.com

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Transformations

Textural fabrics and earthen accessories combine with tailored draperies to create a sophisticated space.

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< Our clients enjoy the topography and ambience of Colorado and the architecture of that region. They also like things a bit more contemporary, so we tried to meld together a vintage Colorado midcentury modern look for their new home. While the home itself was meticulously planned to achieve this design, the lot the family selected was just as important. A space with abundant trees would set the perfect tone for a woodsy, private residence.

OmahaHome January/February 2017

The home’s curb appeal sets the tone for the design elements that wait inside. The entrance—with its vast windows and incredible sightline from the workspace all the way to the dining room—makes a strong introductory statement.

Main and lower levels of the home feature similarly strong design conceptualization in the fireplaces. They aren’t located on exterior walls, as fireplaces typically are; rather, the hearths are positioned in the centers of the rooms (to be more architecturally integrated into the spaces). Carefully placed windows allow for ample natural light to pierce the space. Not having a fireplace in a traditional placement, flanked by windows, adds interest. >

Wood detailing was added to the ceiling of the dining room to enhance the strong sightline created from the workspace entry all the way through the hallway and into the dining space.

January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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Transformations < Powder rooms on each level also provide an opportunity to get creative, and they incorporate high-end elements such as a stainless steel vessel sink, which perforates a quartzite countertop, and walls tiled in a 3D relief.

A color palette of natural tones with blackened steel blue, fern green, aged ore, slate gray, and metallic burnt merlot creates an ambience that possesses an elusive balance between vintage and modern appeal. We relied upon myriad materials to achieve the design our clients desired. Natural stone, used in both the exterior and interior of the home, gives a rugged, earthy feel. A mix of concrete, weathered and reclaimed woods, organic natural stone surfaces, and quartz work symbiotically. Wood ceiling details, a kitchen backsplash fashioned of fern gray subway tiles with a vintage pattern, and handcrafted wall coverings all add to the unique flavor of this home.

Perhaps one of the most striking elements of the home’s design scheme is the incredible use of light fixtures as art pieces. In an effort to avoid a predictable sea of sameness, we used a multitude of finishes from bronze to antique brass, to polished nickel, creating an acquired look in which each piece can be outstanding.

People oftentimes look at lighting as functional, and they forget that light fixtures can be beautiful, artistic pieces in the home. For this project, we used sconces in the hall to transform industrial design into artful sophistication. The dining room fixture is a chandelier crafted of Cupertino wrought-iron branches, each supporting a delicate chain adorned with a single crystal bead. The entry pendants are made of distressed mercury glass, dressed in antique brass chainmail. And the nursery fixture is feminine and fresh, suggesting a vintage flower design with its glass petals and chrome detailing.

The challenge of melding our clients’ appreciation of contrasting aesthetics of design proved to be a thought-provoking opportunity to create a true standout of a project… and their enthusiasm encouraged our efforts.

They seemed to truly enjoy the process, expressing energetic and positive feedback on every aspect of their new home construction. The end result was a dream home with a cohesive design and a unique look…and two very happy homeowners. OmahaHome Visit asid-neia.org for more information. / H126 /

OmahaHome January/February 2017

Two hand-crafted wall coverings and wood detailing on the ceiling of this dining room create an intimate space.

January/February 2017 omahamagazine.com

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It’s everything you want in your home – from its fresh architectural style and detailing, to the classic timelessness that feels as perfect for your life today as it will in the years to come. It’s also why Curt Hofer & Associates is the area’s most inspired high-end homebuilder. Imaginatively conceived, flawlessly executed – let Curt Hofer & Associates create and build your new custom home.

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It begins with an idea. Please contact Curt Hofer & Associates at 402.758.0440. For an appointment, visit curthofer.com or see our Ideabook at houzz.com/curthofer.

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OmahaHome January/February 2017 additional information: 402.778.9077

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