September/October 2013 Omaha Home

www.BestOfOmaha.com 2013 • september/october 89

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September/october 2013

Morton Meadows neighboRhooD PRoFiLe

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September/October 2013

VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 5

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david williams

omaha home contributing editor

sandy besch matson

assistant editor & web content editor

bailey hemphill

assistant editor

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

graphic design interns

libby schlosser (#29)carrie hausman (#30)

photography interns

keith bindersarah lemke

contributing photographer

lisa louise photography

editorial advisors

rick carey • david scott

contributing writers

molly garriott • dave modlintraci osuna • ellen pandorf, allied asidtina c. poole

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September/October 2013

VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 5

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Omaha Home: contents september/october 2013

features departments

H12 neighborhood profile: Morton Meadows

H23 feature: The Olde Towne Elkhorn Girls

H25 feature: Preparing to Overwinter Your Herbs

H31 feature: Be Our Guest, Landscape Redesign

H38 at home: Sophisticated Simplicity

H46 transformations: Casual Contemporary, Ellen Pandorf, Allied ASID

H11 Letter from the Editor

H18 new on the block: Antiques at Revival, Hutch

H20 design Q&a: Valeria Orlandini, Orlandini Art Conservation

H27 home décor Makeover: Window Shutter Wall Art

H28 dIY project: Concrete Countertops

H36 hot products: Whimsical Accents for Fall

H50 home happenings: Street of Dreams, Deer Park Preservation Tour, and Home & Garden Expo

columns

H19 Maintenance: Choosing a Roofer

H35 Landscaping: Installing an Outdoor Fireplace

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Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.

—William Cullen Bryant

H appY, cOLOrfUL LEaVES and pumpkin spice. Fuzzy sweaters and hearty, slow-cooked stews on chilly nights. Family gatherings, apple pick-ing, hayrack rides, and that one neighbor that turns his front yard into a

cemetery for Halloween. For many here in Nebraska, fall also means FOOTBALL!Whatever the upcoming season means to you, it’s right around the corner. And

fall can be fleeting, so take it all in while you can!This issue of Omaha Home presents a cornucopia of ideas for your home. I share

an easy decor makeover idea for old window shutters; there’s a helpful how-to on transferring your herb garden indoors; we give you a tour of one of Omaha’s grand-est and most entertaining homes, this one in the Gold Coast; and we share some unique, seasonal home décor items in our Hot Products section. We also highlight home professionals, shopping, upcoming home events, and more.

On a sad note, Omaha Magazine would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of David Rice, who passed away in July. David was influential in the Omaha interior design community, as well as president of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) in 1973. Two lasting pieces of his legacy are left to us in the forms of a scholarship for design students at University of Nebraska-Omaha and the David Rice-Ephraim Marks Scholarship for LGBT students at Metropolitan Community College. David, you will be missed.

SandySandy Besch MatsonContributing Editor Omaha Home

Your D•I•Y idea could be featured in 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 [email protected] and we may include your project in a future issue of Omaha Home!

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Omaha Home: neighborhood profileStory by molly garriott • Photos by Keith Binder

Morton Meadows

Old-Time Charm & Close-Knit Neighbors

T hE bUttErY SMELL Of popcorn hits the same time a wave of warm air does. Coaches, players, and spectators shuffle down tiled stairs to the semi-subterranean gym. It’s the same oversized subway tile that lines the wall and floors of most schools built earlier in the last century. A few worn bills are

exchanged for entrance into the gym. Pony-tailed girls in (often ill-fitted) basketball uniforms shout and shoot hoops, laughing and screeching to their teammates. Volunteers troll the bleachers selling raffle tickets for the “Shoot for the Loot” halftime free throw contest. Younger siblings hover around the makeshift snack bar, like bees to honey, while Aretha Franklin’s “RESPECT” blares over the P.A. system. It’s the annual Holy Cross Girls Basketball Tournament in all its glory—an ongoing tradition steeped in history. Just like its neighborhood.

Holy Cross Catholic Church and school, along with Mercy High School, Beals Elementary, and Bethel Lutheran Church, are anchors of the Morton Meadows neighborhood. These strong neighborhood institutions, along with its housing stock, are what drew Amy Haase, her husband, Dan, and their two children to the area. Haase, who serves as the neighborhood association’s president, says that Morton Meadows’ tree-lined streets, >>


<<wide boulevards, and varied architectural styles imbue the area with old-time charm.

The neighborhood was founded in the 1920s as a “western suburb” by Robert Messersmith with development beginning in 1922 and ending in 1945. Thoroughfares 42nd Street and 48th Street serve as its east-ern and western borders, respectively, and it extends to Leavenworth Street to the north and Center Street to the south.

Morton Meadows was fashioned according to the garden city movement of urban devel-opment. Originating in Great Britain in 1898, garden city developments were communities

incorporating “greenbelts,” or tracks of land designated as wilderness areas. These tended to be linear in nature and essentially served as mini-wildlife sanctuaries in otherwise urban areas. Following the heels of the Industrial Revolution, disciples of the garden city move-ment sought to infuse a little bucolic bliss into the lives of city dwellers, improving air quality in urban areas and affording residents access to nature.

That was Messersmith’s intent nearly 100 years ago. Flash-forward to today, and the greenbelts are still one of Morton Meadows’ most attractive features. Three separate

gardens areas add color and charm along Twinridge Boulevard. Barb Wilson, a Morton Meadows resident since 1982, volunteers with the neighborhood association’s beautification committee. The committee maintains these Twinridge gardens. Volunteers plant annuals every spring at the Identity Garden at 44th and Woolworth Avenue. Several years ago, grant monies funded the planter containing perennials situated at Twinridge and Pine. Neighbors wishing to spruce up the island at 45th and Center donated several bushes, perennials, and grasses.

This level of involvement is typical of >>


Omaha Home: neighborhood profile


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<< Morton Meadows residents, says Wilson. “We know our neighbors and watch out for each other. Whenever there is a storm that leaves tree debris in our streets and yards, everyone comes out to help with the cleanup. The same with large snowstorms. Neighbors help neighbors get the driveways and sidewalks cleared,” Wilson attests.

Morton Meadows is “small-town” living in the city, or as Haase puts it, Morton Meadows has “a Norman Rockwell sense to it.” New neighbors are greeted with plates of chocolate chip cookies and loaves of pumpkin bread. Buckets of tomatoes and zucchini from kitchen gardens are shared during the summer months. Retired neighbors are surrogate grandparents to children across the street, offering baskets of goodies at Easter and specially reserved treats at Halloween.

“I think a good descriptor of our neighborhood is its friendliness,” and sense of community, says Haase. Individually, blocks host their own parties, closing off streets and stoking up grills for a night of barbeque. Residents along Morton Avenue host a small 4th of July parade. But Morton Meadows’ big blowout is its annual picnic. Originally held in the summer, last year


Omaha Home: neighborhood profile

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the Boulevard Bash was moved to the more temperate September to accommodate older neighbors who remained at home because of the heat. It featured live music along with picnic fare and family-friendly fun.

Morton Meadows’ prime midtown loca-tion is attractive to home buyers, says Suzan Downing, an agent with Keller Williams Real Estate. And so are the homes’ architectural styles, which range from Tudor Revival, bun-galow, and Colonial Revival. Home values have remained strong in the recently depre-ciated market. The average square footage

of Morton Meadows homes is 1,850 square feet. Twenty-nine homes have sold in the neighborhood since January of this year, with the average price at $152,010 (as of mid-July).

“In Morton Meadows, you can really appreciate the scenery, especially from the half-story window as you look out over the multitude of age-old trees rustling in the wind,” adds Downing.

Morton Meadows’ beauty caught Patrick and Megan Falke’s attention when they were looking for a home in Midtown a year ago. “We weren’t terribly familiar with the

neighborhood but immediately appreciated the personal feel of the area, punctuated by green space, active neighbors, and lots of small touches like the classic-style street lights,” states Patrick Falke. This “personal feel” stems from committed neighbors. “They are actively involved in making the neighborhood glow,” Falke has observed. “When you have actively engaged members of a community neighbor-hood, it becomes contagious.”


4541 LEaVEnwOrth St.402.315.9761antIQUESatrEVIVaL.cOM

P artnErS JOE and aManda Johnson are committed to reviving history. Through their new antique shop, Antiques at Revival, they are attempting to do just that, one piece at a

time. In June, they opened their business on Leavenworth Street with the goal of giving the Omaha community not just a run-of-the-mill antique shop but one that provides knowledge, advice, and lessons to its customers.

“In January of this year, I accidentally found myself without a job,” Amanda remembers. “We’ve always had dreams of opening an antique shop, so Joe says to me, ‘You can either go get a job, or we can create one for you.’ The rest is history.”

The shop carries a large variety of furniture, home décor pieces, and other odds and ends. Items so odd, in fact, that you can find air plants, terrariums, and even farm-fresh eggs. The couple continuously hunt for items all over the country to bring back pieces that customers might not usually see in this region. Those that ultimately end up in the shop date from around the 1790s to the 1970s. In addition to selling items, Amanda says Antiques at Revival is the only antique shop in Omaha that offers interior design and furniture repair and refurbishing classes.

“We do our best to specialize in high-quality, well-preserved merchandise,” Amanda explains. “Some of our pieces need a little TLC, and we put in the time, effort, and skill that it takes to bring them up to par. The craftsmanship that is put into antique pieces isn't something you come across today. It is truly amazing to look at a piece and see the detail, history, and pride that went into making it.”

With their shop, the Johnsons strive to be involved with the Douglas County Historical Society to help support their efforts of preserving Omaha’s history. Each month, Antiques at Revival donates a portion of their profits to the DCHS.

“We truly believe in the efforts of the historical society and all they do for Omaha and Douglas County. Without the historical society, a lot of Omaha’s history may have been lost forever,” Amanda says.

These monthly contributions are just one way this eclectic antique shop is striving to keep history, particularly Omaha’s, alive.

Antiques at Revival3157 farnaM St., StE. 7111402.995.9842facEbOOk.cOM/hUtchOMaha

I t aLL StartEd wIth a hUtch.From the moment Nick Huff and Brandon Beed traveled to

Lincoln to retrieve the cabinet furniture piece, they knew that the thrill of finding the hutch would ignite a passion for preserving and selling Mid-Century furniture. Shortly after that trip, they transformed that passion into Hutch, Inc., an antique and vintage furniture shop with Huff and Beed both serving as president.

Hutch, Inc., specializes in “high-end, Mid-Century furni-ture finds.” Anything from lamps, coffee tables, and couches to record players and dishware can be found at Hutch, but each item must fall into the Mid-Century style—something modern with a Danish inf luence.

“We define Mid-Century to be 1950s to early 1970s. Now, not all pieces during this time are what we want. We specifically focus on the modern, bright color, pointy leg with beautiful, clean wood pieces,” Huff explains. “We have rummaged the Midwest to bring Omaha the finest Mid-Century furniture under one roof.”

What makes Hutch different from other antique shops is that Huff and Beed preserve the furniture themselves. Whereas similar shops may paint or distress the furnishings, Hutch focuses on making the original character of the furniture shine.

“The furniture is so iconic and beautiful as it is that the only thing we try to do is make it look like you went back in time and were buying these pieces new,” Huff says.

In July, Hutch moved from a shared basement retail space in the Old Market to their own shop in Midtown Crossing. Huff says that the reaction from the Omaha community was humbling, and they hope to continue that success at the new location.

“We always thought Hutch would be a hobby—something we do just for fun,” Huff says. “We thought we would sell a few pieces online here and there, and always keep our finger on the pulse of Mid-Century furniture. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Hutch

Omaha Home:


Story by Peter Setter • Photos by Bill Sitzmann

Omaha Home: new on the block

A S dOrOthY SaId In The Wizard of Oz said, “There’s no place like home.” For most of us, our house

is our most expensive investment, as well as our pride and joy. Therefore, when choosing a contractor to remove and replace your roof, it's essential to do some research first.

Following the Omaha hailstorm on April 9 this year, many of us were barraged with phone calls, doorknockers, and direct mail-ers from roofing companies. It can be over-whelming. Here are a few pieces of good advice to follow when selecting a roofing company for repairs:

• Take your time and try not to feel pres-sured into making a rash decision. Remember, you are the customer, and you pay your insur-ance premiums.

• Check the yellow pages. Many con-tractors (sometimes known as storm chasers) come from various places (Texas or Colorado, for example) to set up shop temporarily to get your business. They create a phone number with the local area code, and they would NOT be in the Yellow Pages.

• Ask lots of questions. Where are they from? Where is their office located?

• Ask your insurance adjuster, friends, family, and neighbors who they recommend. There are advantages of using a local roof-ing company, such as creating relationships among neighbors to help build the commu-nity. By using local products, local companies do their part to build the local economy.

• Most importantly, a roofer is not going to guarantee another roofer’s craftsmanship. By having a local roofer, not only will you be supporting your local community, you will save time, money, and headaches if some-thing was done wrong and/or needs to be repaired. The level of customer service is at a much higher standard because of proximity.

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To learn more about Orlandini's work, visit her Facebook or at Orlandini-paperconservation.blogspot.com.

V aLErIa OrLandInI haS MadE a career of preserving works on paper and photographic materi-

als, many of which are proudly displayed in fine homes and museums worldwide. Ensuring that the rich stories, family memo-ries, and important lessons they convey live on for future generations is a job she takes very seriously.

Q&A: Valeria OrlandiniOrlandini Art ConservationQ: tELL US abOUt YOUr wOrk aS a prESErVatIOn SpEcIaLISt. whO arE YOUr cLIEntS? a: Orlandini Art Conservation was estab-lished in 2004 to provide the highest quality conservation treatment and preservation ser-vices for a broad range of paper-based objects: historic manuscripts, prints, printed docu-ments, watercolors, drawings, paintings in all media, collages, contemporary works, pastels, and posters, as well as parchment, ivory, and photographic materials. Regardless of whether you’re a discerning collector or a family seek-ing to preserve precious documents, my goal is to provide all clients with the same exacting standards required by major art and archival institutions. My clients are mid- to high-end collectors and custodians of artistic and valuable and irreplaceable historic materials from holdings in museums, archives, libraries, private owners, and corporate businesses. I work in a wide range of projects and budgets.

Q: whErE dId YOU rEcEIVE YOUr EdUcatIOn and traInIng In art and art cOnSErVatIOn?

a: I hold a B.F.A. from the National School of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires; a M.F.A. from the National School of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires; and graduated in 2002 with a M.S. and a Certificate in Art Conservation in Paper and Library Science at the University of Delaware/Winterthur Museum Art Conservation Program in Newark, Del.

Q: whEn dId YOU fIrSt dIScOVEr YOUr LOVE Of hIStOrY? whY arE YOU SO paSSIOnatE abOUt prE-SErVIng It?

a: I have always been an art and history geek! I grew up with artists in my family, and as a child I would dig for old artifacts at my grandparents' homes. I think that from that very early age, I became aware of how real history can be. Also, I come from a family of collectors and art and architecture lovers. Just about every member of my family collects

Omaha Home:Story by Linda Persigehl • Photos by Bill Sitzmann


Omaha Home: design q&a

old artifacts and memorabilia of previous generations. I grew up with a real sense of the importance of the past.

Every day, the vision of artists, the iden-tity of people, and the very evidence of his-tory all threaten to disappear. Left alone, old buildings will crumble, the Declaration of Independence will disintegrate, and the photographed faces of battle-weary Civil War soldiers will fade away, among other artifacts. The cultural patrimony, so painstakingly cre-ated over thousands of years, is surprisingly ephemeral with the ravages of time and the indifference of a disposable modern culture

its biggest enemies.

Q: hOw dOES YOUr wOrk IntErpLaY wIth hOME IntErIOrS and hIStOrIc hOME prESErVatIOn?

a: As a collections conservator, I work very closely with interior designers, archi-tects, engineers, and maintenance personnel to secure the building envelope where we protect objects from extremes and fluctuations in exterior temperature and moisture as well as light, dust, and gaseous contaminants. We frequently assess and measure temperature and relative humidity characteristics of air

surrounding collections, as well as patterns of use and handling protocols. The conservation mission recognizes the need to preserve the unique character of both historic structures and artifacts. No two collections are identical.

Q: what haVE bEEn SOME Of YOUr MOSt IntErEStIng paSt prOJEctS?

a: While working in a number of studios and labs, I've had the privilege to treat an array of fascinating objects: Old Master paint-ings; Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo Period; ancient Korean rubbings and manu-scripts; original newsprints from various >>


<< American cities upon Abraham Lincoln's assassination from April 1865; John James Audubon's "Birds of America" folios; origi-nal documents of the Founding Fathers; and many others.

Most notably in 2010-11, I partici-pated in the conservation treatment of the Thomas Jefferson Bible Project at the National Museum of American History, at the Smithsonian Institution. I worked with a team of conservators and scientists, con-ducting materials analysis, assessing aqueous stabilization treatment options, considering appropriate micro- and macro-environmental conditions, and a variety of other tests to help preserve this national treasure.

Q: what prOJEctS haVE YOU wOrkEd wIth SIncE MOVIng hErE?

a: I have treated several objects from the Durham Museum. This museum stands as a magnificent reminder of a bygone era and allows generations to come together to learn, to share, and to remember.

Also, a very rewarding project that I car-ried out last fall was the treatment of an original Wright Brothers Patent Document [No. 821,393] for the “flying machine,” circa 1903-06 that was brought to my care from a private collector in Iowa. This was a really interesting study piece about the history of aviation and contains five original signatures hand-inscribed in iron gall ink by the Wright Brothers: Orville (1871-1948) and Wilbur (1867-1912), witnesses, and attorney.

Q: what adVIcE wOULd YOU gIVE thOSE LOOkIng tO prESErVE faMILY hEIrLOOMS?

a: The American Institute of Conservation and Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) has developed guides for caring for your treasures at conservation-us.org. There's also a book by Heritage Preservation entitled Caring for Your Family Treasures that can provide folks practical advice and easy-to-use guidelines on how to polish silver and furniture without diminishing their value, as well as creating safe display conditions for artworks, ceramics, dolls, quilts, books, photographs, and other treasured collections. These are tips with clear and understandable information on how to care for beloved family treasures.


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The Olde Towne Elkhorn Girls Female business owners join forces to

promote small-town Nebraska.

T O SOME, “SMaLL tOwn” can imply limits, not too much to offer, even boring. But to others who know

better, the term small town suggests friendly people, strong values, and off-the-beaten-path variety. The merchants of Olde Towne Elkhorn are working together to promote the latter identity and are slowly but surely being discovered.

Just a few blocks west of the busy highway that is 204th Street, you’ll find a quiet street lined with plenty of unique spots that bring about a shopping experience that will satisfy and surprise those not already familiar with Olde Towne.

“We’re still kind of a secret, but I think it’s growing more and more,” says Andrea Ramsey, owner of Andrea’s Designs. It’s a unique combination of women-owned busi-nesses, as well as the camaraderie that these women share, that has helped this small busi-ness district become a welcoming and fun place to spend an afternoon.

The shops range from home furnishings and décor, to clothing and jewelry, to a haven for local artists and those with a green thumb. And while the shopping will satisfy a variety of styles and tastes, the owners of these busi-nesses have one goal in mind…to support one another.

Andrea’s Designs specializes in traditional home décor and furniture. Ramsey is an inte-rior decorator and works with fresh flowers as well.

Leona Anderson, owner of Little Scandinavia, has had her shop for seven years. This little haven of all things Scandinavian has more than the customary moose and Viking-related items. It also offers sweaters made of Norwegian wool, Danish jewelry, and a small section devoted to food and drink favorites from the region. The store is wel-coming and cozy, especially when Anderson greets you with a cup of coffee and home- baked goodies. >>

(L-R) Deb Trowbridge/ Studioviews, michele minnick/ The garden gallery, Leona anderson/ Little Scandinavia, Karly Van Wie-Olson/ Karly & Company, Kristi Keith/ Red Door accents, andrea Ramsey/ andrea's Designs, Kelli Fuglsang / This & That & Other Stuff, Laurie Owens/ The Whistle Stop Country Store.


Story by Traci Osuna • Photo by Bill Sitzmann

Omaha Home: feature

<< Anderson has seen the community grow in recent years. “Each one of these women brings something unique and fun to our downtown,” she says. “We have a good time when we get together.”

Studioviews, owned by Deb Trowbridge, had its grand opening last April. The studio offers lessons in working with clay and slab pottery, as well as original works. Trowbridge and her partner, Colleen Riordan, also do commission work such as custom mosaic countertops and backsplashes.

Across the street, Karly Van Wie-Olson opened Karly & Company last November. While she specializes in home décor and gifts, Van Wie-Olson describes her style as more rustic with a mix of contemporary. She is also an interior designer for both residential and commercial spaces. She says that her experi-ence with Olde Towne has been wonderful. “It’s really charming and has a lot of character. I think people miss that.”

She also appreciates the way the women all support one another and work so well together. “I love the people here.”

One way the Olde Towne group has found success in promoting each other’s businesses is in starting “Second Saturdays.” The pro-motion, which includes several but not all of the 21 downtown shops and eateries, allows customers to earn one “Olde Towne Buck” for every $20 they spend at participating shops on the second Saturday of every month. The shopkeepers will hold an annual auction in which customers can bid on items donated by participating stores. This free event includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages.

An old church houses Kelli Fuglsang’s shop, This & That & Other Stuff. Since moving in last October, Fuglsang has enjoyed work-ing with the other ladies along Main Street. “I didn’t know what to expect being down here…we’re kind of off the beaten path.” She adds that they all look out for each other. “It’s phenomenal. I’m so happy to tell anybody that comes in about any of the shops…how

to get to them, what they have...” Using the shortcut that Fuglsang tells her

customers about, you can find The Garden Gallery. At first glance, it appears to be the yard of a busy gardener; you soon discover that this is not the run-of-the-mill flower garden. “I specialize in really unusual annu-als, perennials, and tropicals,” says owner Michele Minnick. Open year round, she also works with mums, poinsettias, and bulbs. Visitors will also find fun potting containers and garden art and accessories to help create your own “Fairy Garden.”

“They’re one of the biggest trends,” says Minnick. Legend says that these miniature gardens and their fairies will watch over your own garden and can include anything from tiny bridges, trees, ponds, pathways, and birds and nests.

Inside the Garden Gallery house, shoppers will find more unique pieces for, well…inside the house. The rooms of the old home have been converted to showrooms filled with fun clothing, jewelry, home décor, and art, much of which is supplied by as many as 25 to 30 local artists, including Minnick herself. “I do more whimsical paintings,” she says as she points to the brightly colored canvases.

Minnick’s been in Olde Towne for several years and says that she loves the community of which she has become a part. “It’s neat, because all of us are different.”

The neighborly atmosphere cannot be missed. “If somebody’s running late, we’ll go stick a note up on the door or we’ll go in and help them out in their shop,” she says. “It’s just really supportive…It’s good.”

If you’re looking for a fun, friendly, and unique shopping excursion, Olde Towne Elkhorn will not disappoint. Bring your friends—and make new ones—in Olde Towne.

Be sure to check out Olde Towne Elkhorn’s blog at www.oldetowneelkhorn.blogspot.com and stop out for the next Ladies Day Out, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

“It’s phenomenal. I’m so happy to tell anybody that comes in

about any of the shops."-Kelli Fuglsang, This & That & Other Stuff


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Preparing to Overwinter Your Herbs

S EptEMbEr and OctObEr can be some of the most reward-ing months for a gardener. Plants are

fully grown and pumping out as many fruits as they can before the first frost. It’s like they know their time is up.

But it doesn’t have to be the end for some plants if you know how to help them out, according to Tony Cirian of Cirian’s Farmers Market on 50th and Leavenworth. Most herbs, for example, are as simple to grow indoors as they are outside. So if you’ve devel-oped a taste for fresh basil on your tomatoes or tarragon in your scrambled eggs, don’t despair the coming winter. These tips will keep you in fresh herbs no matter the cold:

• Let annuals go to seed. Annuals, such as basil, cilantro, chervil, borage, and dill, are going to seed by now (and probably have been ever since tem-peratures started soaring). Collect the seeds and plant them in pots right away. Set the pots inside under a grow lamp or in a very warm windowsill. Keep them just moist until you start to see shoots.

• Salvage smaller mature annuals. Dill, cilantro, and chervil are too tall to transplant easily and probably don’t have many useable leaves left anyway. Cirian says that you can pot up smaller annuals such as basil and parsley (actually a biennial) if they still have leaves to harvest; they’ll last a bit longer if you bring them inside, but >>


Omaha Home: featureStory by Chris Wolfgang • Photo by Bill Sitzmann

<< they will die eventually. “You might get an extra month or so out of them,” he says. But by that time, the seeds you planted will have ger-minated. You’ll only have a small gap, if any, without fresh herbs.

Know the needs of your perennials. Perennials are essential additions to an herb garden, but they can vary in their care:

• Rosemary, for example, is technically a tender perennial but isn’t usually hardy enough to endure our Zone 5 winters, according to Cirian. You can attempt to pot up the entire plant and bring it inside. Cirian does warn that the plant will get a bit woody and lanky over the winter. “It’s just not getting the sunshine and warmth to be really vibrant.”

• Tarragon is another perennial that benefits from potting up over the winter for extra protection. It can be handy to divide a root clump, leave a few plants outdoors, and just bring one inside. (Note that Russian tarragon is unfortunately more commonly sold, though it tastes more like a weed than the licorice flavor of French tarragon.)

• Other perennials, such as chives, common thyme (thymus vulgaris), sage, oregano, and lavender, are easily left in place throughout the winter and will come back nicely next spring. To enjoy them inside as well, root thyme, sage, oregano, and lavender cuttings in pots. Keep the cuttings moist until you see new growth. You can add chives to your winter kitchen by digging up a clump and dividing into pots.

• Some perennial herbs can be invasive and so should only ever be grown in pots. A large pot of mint or lemon balm adds a fresh smell to your patio and can easily be moved inside before the first frost.

To make the most of your indoor herb garden, use potting soil (never garden dirt) and only water once a week. “You don’t want that root system to rot,” Cirian says. He adds that there’s not much need to fertilize over the winter, as “potting soil already has a slow-release food.” Just make sure light and warmth are in good supply, and that’s all it takes to keep yourself in fresh herbs all winter long.


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Window Shutter

Wall Art


Omaha Home: home décor makeoverStory by Sandy Besch matson • Photo by Bill Sitzmann

D EcOratIVE wIndOw ShUt-tErS crEatE a great focal point in any room and work perfectly

to fill a large, open wall that needs a little something. And the more aged and unique, the better!

1. Take an old window shutter and wash away any dirt or debris from the sur-face, using tap water and a sponge. Let the shutter dry completely. Then, using fine sandpaper, sand away any remaining debris (though don’t sand smooth—a rough surface adds to the rustic charm).

2. Paint the shutter with the type of paint made best for your shutter finish. Some paints are made for metal, others for plastic or fiberglass. I used a paint ideal for wood surfaces.

3. For more interest, use a different color paint for a second coat. I used a second paint with a metallic finish, apply-ing with a rubber stamp for a unique, subtle design. (When selecting paint color and stamp design, consider other colors and patterns used in the room’s décor to tie the look together.)

4. For a more finished look, apply a clear coat of sealant and let dry overnight.

5. If desired, mount a decorative piece of hardware or home décor item directly to the shutter. I used a small iron sconce, then added a candle. Be creative!

6. Finally, mount the shutter to the wall securely. Two shutters hung side by side or “bookending” a piece of art or furniture also make a unique display.

Concrete Countertops R EpLacIng thE

OLd tILE kitchen countertops of his

Morton Meadows home had been on Jeremy Glasser's to-do list since moving into the house in 2008. When a break between jobs afforded him a bit of time to tackle the project, Glasser went to work creating new concrete counters, which offer an earthy look and tactile feel while also being extremely durable and resistant to heat and scratches.

Glasser did not go this DIY entirely alone, seeking expert advice and step-by-step instruction from the


Omaha Home: d•i•y projectStory by Linda Persigehl • Photos by Bill Sitzmann and provided by Jeremy glasser

after

book Concrete Countertops Made Simple by Fu-Tung Cheng. The how-to book also comes with a helpful DVD.

First, Glasser measured the counter space and drew templates for the countertops on 1”-thick melamine board. Then, using the melamine and silicone, he created the forms in which to pour the concrete to set. (Glasser says plexiglass can also be placed inside the forms to offer a smoother concrete finish.) Reinforcing rebar was laid inside the forms to help strengthen the heavy cement counters.

Second, Glasser hand-mixed 10 bags of countertop concrete mix and poured the wet cement into the forms. "If I were to do it again, I'd rent a cement mixer, though," he shares. "One dry/unmixed patch did make it through to the finished product." Though casual observers might not notice.

Next came settling the concrete. Though

Cheng's book recommends using a stick vibrator to help level out the poured con-crete, Glasser employed his “inner MacGyver” ingenuity and rigged up an old motor from an off-balance washing machine to the bottom of the form's table. The gadget shook out the concrete and eliminated all but the smallest bubbles quite well.

Once the cement had cured (this took about a week), he used a file to sand down the unfinished edges “because they can be quite sharp,” he adds.

Then came sanding. The process took three passes: first with 320-grit sandpaper, then 800, and lastly 1500, using an orbital sander hooked up to an air compressor. Finding the right paper proved to be a bit of a chore. Glasser was able to procure his supplies at an auto body shop, "though [the paper] was fairly expensive—$40 a box."

Lastly, Glasser applied a top coat of pen-etrating sealant and later, a coat of auto wax to the cement for a smooth finish. “You want carnauba wax or something that is going to be food-safe,” he says.

In all, the project took approximately $300 and about three weeks' time.

Asked what challenges the countertops project offered, Glasser says creating the forms, which required great care and patience so as to not create wrinkles in the forms, which can transfer to the cement. Also, moving the cured cement pieces from the forms into place. "That concrete was horren-dously heavy. You have to have good, strong help to move it into place."

The natural cement countertops that Glasser and wife Chris now adore in their updated kitchen were well worth the effort.


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Be Our GuestMaking Room for Hospitality in a Landscape Redesign

T hEY tELL ME, It’S up to you to change things out. We trust you.” Alex Ostblom, a landscape designer

for Lanoha Nurseries, strolls across a newly transformed Westside lawn, naming flowers off the top of his head. Impatiens, begonias, mandevilla, and sweet alyssum are planted in great swaths of color, sweeping along side-walk, driveway, and around to a brand-new >>

“


Omaha Home: landscaping featureStory by Chris Wolfgang • Photos by Bill Sitzmann

<< back yard. Guests to the remodeled home might never suspect what the place looked like just a few months earlier.

Ostblom explains that the homeowners wanted a lawn that matched their refinished house’s new capabilities: to blend in with the rest of the stately neighborhood and to provide a perfect space to entertain family members and close friends. “Other than that,” he says, “they didn’t have too many particulars.” So Ostblom let his creativity loose, beginning the design process in March and construction in May. The entire project was completed by June 15.

The first order of business was to rede-sign an unsightly retaining wall that led around the north of the house to the back yard. Originally made of concrete block, the five-foot wall created a tight alley between the house and a small mountain of unusable back yard. Its considerable height so close to the back of the house blocked off half of the dining and living room windows. A cramped patio made a stab at bringing hospitality to the space.

To simultaneously create a much less imposing wall while also making the yard itself usable, Ostblom removed tons of dirt to create tiers of lawn that allowed him to install a limestone wall less than two feet tall. The limestone complements colors in the house and can actually be found in the landscaping of nearby homes, bringing the property more into the neighborhood’s fold. Large blocks of the limestone accent the front and back yard, “giving the grandkids something to climb around on,” Ostblom points out.

Thanks to the greatly shortened wall, guests in the dining and living rooms can enjoy a panorama of seasonal annuals (“One of the owners just loves lots of color,” Ostblom says), a rose cutting garden, and mature ever-greens. “They wanted everything to look like it’d been there for years,” Ostblom says, so Lanoha Nurseries set field-grown spruce and conifers in place with machinery. “That’s a one-time deal,” he explains. “If the trees don’t take to this well, we can’t get the equipment back in here to put in more of that size.” So he’s monitoring their progress closely, already eyeing some barely noticeable brown needles on a spruce. “That one might be under stress from over watering.”

Frequent entertainment of friends and family meant the homeowners needed a large, welcoming space. In particular, they wanted a gas fire pit large enough where several >>


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<< people could comfortably gather. The idea of an L-shaped outdoor kitchen was tossed around, but the couple decided instead to place a simple grill out of sight around the home’s south corner to ensure that the fire pit remained their outdoor gathering place. A gas line leads from the house to the grill; no empty propane cans here.

Ostblom notes that establishing such a mature landscape within six weeks calls for careful attention to how light will change

over the seasons. Most of the yard is in at least partial shade, particularly in the front yard and to the north. To the northeast and east, the yard transitions into full sun. To cope with the variety of landscape elements (varying light, drainage, and plants with dif-fering needs), Ostblom says he redesigned the home’s irrigation entirely. “They have turf, trees, annuals...it all requires different watering.” To facilitate easy maintenance by Lanoha Nurseries without disturbing the

homeowners, Ostblom had the irrigation clock moved from inside the garage to just inside the gate in the backyard.

“I visit about once a month,” he says, though he admits he makes the rounds in the neighborhood frequently, checking in on this and other landscaping projects for any signs of trouble. “Communication. That’s the biggest part in making sure it all looks amazing.”


Omaha Home: landscaping feature

Installing an Outdoor fireplace

O nE Of thE faStESt grow-ing backyard trends is an out-door fireplace. When deciding

to install your own, one of your first choices is to select the fuel type. Will it be a wood-burning unit, or are you looking for the con-venience of gas? If you decide on wood fuel, make sure to pick a fireplace location with proper clearances for good draft and check your local building codes to make sure you are in compliance. If you select a gas-burning fireplace, managing the smoke and draft are not issues. Keep in mind you will need a gas source, whether it's propane or natural, and there may be some plumbing and possibly some trenching required to get the gas line to the fireplace unit.

Once you've decided your fuel type and fireplace location, you'll need to determine what it will be made of. The two basic types of construction are custom masonry and prefabricated. The benefits of masonry con-struction are that it will most likely last a long time and will produce more heat, if that is a priority. The prefab units are built as a metal shell with a metal chimney and often have a firebrick liner, replicating the look of a masonry fireplace. Because there is less mass, they may not produce as much heat. On the plus side, a prefab fireplace allows for a faster, easier installation.

Most outdoor fireplaces are finished with a stone or brick veneer. There are many varieties in terms of size, shape, and color to choose from, so coordinating your fireplace look with your home's style or color is easy. Whatever outdoor fireplace you choose, you are sure to have some memorable times sitting around the fire with friends and family!

To see a selection of options for your outdoor fireplace, visit the Lumbermen's showroom at 13709 Industrial Rd. in Omaha. For more info, visit online at lumbermens.biz.

By Dave modlin, exec. VP/gm, Lumbermen’s


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Omaha Home: at home

SophisticatedSimplicity

Entertaining in a Historic Home

T hE nEwESt dEVOtEE Of the work done to the stately property at 38th and California streets also hap-

pens to be among its oldest—in more ways than one.

“Walking into that home again all these years later,” says Joe Barmettler, “was just pure magic.” The retired attorney was recently feted on the occasion of his 80th birthday in the home built in 1917 for his grandfather, bakery magnate Otto Barmettler. “They did a beautiful job with the house,” Barmettler adds. “I was flabbergasted at every turn.”

“They” refers to Avery Loschen and Will Perkins, the current owners who have spent the last few years meticulously restoring the once-faded Gold Coast beauty. >>


Will Perkins (left) and avery Loschen with their Old english Sheepdog, Bridget.


Omaha Home: at home

The homeowners' passion for antiques is everywhere to be found.

as many as 200 guests have been ushered through the home's grand foyer.


The formal dining room features the home's original plaster ceiling.

The couple often "winters" in the cozy library.

<< Girded by towering pines on its perch atop a hillock, the home has a breathtaking view of the Downtown Omaha skyline.

And how did the Barmettler clan wrangle an invitation from all-but-perfect strangers?

“It all just kind of came together,” says Loschen with a chuckle. “We love to enter-tain. Our goal here with this house can be described as ‘social, social, social.’ We want to use the house for entertaining and hosting fundraisers.” Loschen, a real-estate investor, had previously spent nearly two decades at the

helm of an Oregon-based nonprofit.Since the home is still what the owners call

“a work in progress,” the pair has a long list of projects slated for the property. Loschen and Perkins currently use a third-floor ballroom as storage while it awaits new life, and the three-bedroom caretaker’s house will become the studio for Perkins’ interior design practice.

Designed by famed architect F.A. Henninger, the 10,000-square-foot Second Renaissance Revival home features Doric columns framing pavilions of multi-paned,

f loor-to-ceiling windows. Also among Henninger’s lasting contributions to the Omaha landscape, several of which are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, are the Havens-Page House on the north-east corner of 39th and Dodge streets, the Jewell Building (once the site of the legendary Dreamland Ballroom and now the home of Love’s Jazz and Arts Center), and the ever-popular Elmwood Park Pavilion.

Peeling away layers of history revealed more than a few surprises. Among the pair’s


Omaha Home: at home

The South Solarium, aglow in morning light.

archeological finds were richly patinaed cookie tins bearing the logo of the Iten-Barmettler Biscuit Company. Also unearthed was a long-forgotten, boarded-up bathroom. In addition, Loschen and Perkins discovered hand-painted Arts and Crafts wallpaper bor-ders that will be recreated in their original positions throughout the home.

And ranking highest on the serendipity scale? That would be the story of the rather circuitous route traveled by the home’s roof-ing material.

“The company we hired to do the roof,” Loschen says, “stumbled upon the original Spanish tile in a salvage yard, and we were able to buy it all back. Better yet, the manu-facturer is still in business and had the origi-nal molds, so we were able to fill in here and there where needed.”

Like a pair of Canada geese, Perkins and Loschen tend to migrate through their home with the changing of the seasons. The sun-drenched South Solarium is a favorite for morning coffee during spring and summer.

The warm hues of the mahogany-clad library, complete with one of the home’s several fire-places, offers a cozy respite from winter’s chill.

The space is decorated in an eclectic mix of antique furnishings and art, including a work by David Stirling (1887-1971). The Corydon, Iowa-born landscape painter worked in Estes Park and throughout the Rocky Mountains for 50 years in the early part of the 20th century.

“It’s a deliberate blend of styles to emulate a historic look without being stiff or stuffy,” >>


iten's cracker tins discovered in the remodeling process.

a lone candle tops Joe Barmettler's 80th birthday cake.

The Second Renaissance Revival home overlooks the Duchesne campus.

<< Perkins explains, defining his home’s feel. “It’s all about comfort, both for us and our guests.”

The “comfort” theme continues in the kitchen, which itself delivers a lesson in history.

“A kitchen in a house like this,” Perkins explains, “would have never been seen by guests. All of the floors in the service areas are in maple and the public part of the house is in oak. We wanted to keep that theme of simplicity in all aspects of the kitchen, so we kept the maple.”

“Only after we found it four layers down,” Loschen quips.

A space once invisible to all but servants now bustles with conversation whenever guests arrive in the home. Quite a change from its middle-aged, frumpier years when the home served as a dormitory for the adja-cent Duchesne Academy.

Whether in the most intimate of gatherings or, as in the case of a holiday party that found over 200 people circulating with ease through the cavernous home, Loschen and Perkins have created a “social, social, social” space for entertaining. Loschen sums up the couple’s philosophy with yet another riff on the theme of hospitable yet sophisticated simplicity.

“Why have a home like this,” he muses, “unless you want to share it?”


Omaha Home: at home


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meet the designerEllen Pandorf, Allied ASID

Ellen Pandorf Interior Design

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.

Casual Contemporary Home & Lifestyle

A YOUng faMILY caLLEd thE design firm, Ellen Pandorf Interior Design, to help design and furnish

their new home in a western development. They wanted something elegant and ideal for entertaining friends and family, yet accomo-dating for their casual lifestyle with their two young children. They were leaning toward a casual, contemporary style. Ellen Pandorf Design helped them soften the look to work with the home's stone and stucco architectural style and create a more transitional look.

In the entry, an elegant marble mosaic tile medallion with a sweeping iron stair-way leads to an open walkway between >>

Omaha Home:


Story by ellen Pandorf, allied aSiD • Photos by Lisa Louise Photography

Omaha Home: transformations

B E A U T I F U L M A D E E A S Y

Y O U S H O U L D H A V E S E E N

T H E “ B E F O R E ” P I C T U R E .

At The Tile Shop, we love transforming dated, ugly rooms into inviting, beautiful living spaces you’ll want the world to see. So bring us your next

project. Our expert staff will work with you every step of the way, from design and install to posting the stunning “after” pictures on our Facebook

wall. We’ll make the process easy and fun, and your new space beautiful. The Tile Shop. Beautiful made easy. Get inspired at TileShop.com.

L O C A T E D A T 1 2 9 5 1 W E S T C E N T E R R O A D I N T H E M O N T C L A I R S H O P P I N G C E N T E R

© 2013 The Tile Shop

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<< the children's bedrooms and the guest bedroom.

The living room has two seating areas that work well for larger gatherings. One area faces the beautiful, two-story tumbled stone fire-place, and the other features plush silk sofas and chairs overlooking the pool.

The family room/kitchen is an open, comfortable area with a blue rug that brings out the blue of the granite countertop in the kitchen. The family likes to cook for family and friends, so the kitchen was designed with a round layout that allows everyone to work together. The wood floor is a hand-scraped cherry that comple-ments the lighter wood tones of the cabinets.

The formal dining room is elegant with two chandeliers and two tables that accom-modate either a large gather-ing or a smaller party. The walls have a warm, metal-lic sheen that coordinate well with the beaded wall covering in the cured ceil-ing. The room also features a large artwork from local artist Larry Roots. Beside the dining room is a large pantry that serves as a go-between from the kitchen to the dining room. The kitchen also features easy to maintain yet refined-looking floor tiles.

The master bedroom has soft blue and java brown tones that complement the master bath stone tiles. The walls have a special paint finish with mica wall cov-ering that gives a glow to the room.

A few more pieces from local artists, and the home's contemporary yet casual look will be complete.


Omaha Home: transformations


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OMaha faLL hOME & gardEn ExpOOctObEr 25-27cEntUrYLInk cEntEr OMaha

T hE OMaha MEtrO’S LargESt consumer show devoted to building, remodeling, home decorating, land-

scaping, and other home services returns this October for its 25th year.

The Omaha Fall Home & Garden Expo sponsors are the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Greater Omaha Chapter, Cox Communications, and the Woodhouse Auto Family. The event is pro-duced by Mid-America Expositions, Inc.

Expo guests can look forward to the fol-lowing: cooking demos and tasty samples prepared by Omaha chefs; holiday décor, gifts, and fashions; quilting demonstrations; “Ask the Master Gardener” segments by the UN Extension Services, the Ultimate Garage exhibit, the NARI Room Design Gallery, arts & crafts displays, and eco-friendly products and ideas for the home. Patrons can also regis-ter to win multiple prizes, including a $25,000 kitchen or bath makeover.

Exhibits are open Friday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discount tickets are available at Old Chicago restaurants. For more on the event, visit showofficeonline.com.

9th annUaL rEStOratIOn and prESErVatIOn tOUrOctObEr 6 dEEr park nEIghbOrhOOd

T akE a waLkIng tOUr of some of Omaha’s early 20th century-era homes and buildings in the Deer

Park neighborhood. The area is bounded by I-480, the Missouri River, Martha Street, and Spring Lake Park. The neighborhood features a mix of brick, bungalow, and cottage-style homes, many built to accommodate immi-grants working in South Omaha’s packing houses, plus a 125-year-old commercial dis-trict on Vinton Street.

The tour is sponsored by AIA (American Institute of Architects) Omaha and presented by Restoration Exchange. The Exchange teaches and motivates the public to restore and preserve older properties through educa-tion, advocacy, and invigoration.

“With its close proximity to the Interstate and downtown, along with a nice variety of older, affordable properties, it is a great place to live, work and shop,” said Restoration Exchange Executive Director Kristine Gerber.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at res-torationexchange.org or the day of the tour. $10 each or $15 for two. All proceeds support restoration and preservation educational efforts in the metro area.

2013 StrEEt Of drEaMSSEptEMbEr 14-29dEEr crEEk hIghLandS

T akE a tOUr Of some of Omaha’s newest upscale homes, built by five of the best custom builders in the

region at the Street of Dreams, now in its 29th year. The event will be hosted in The Deer Creek Highlands subdivision, 120th & Deer Creek Drive. The neighborhood pro-vides scenic views of The Players Club at Deer Creek country club and golf course.

The tour, produced by Build Omaha and MUD, includes seven one-of-a-kind, high-end custom homes built specifically for this event. The homes showcase the latest trends in new home construction, interior design colors and décor, landscape design, and state-of-the art home technology. Builders participating this year include: Absolute Customs (with two homes), Nathan Homes, Falcone Homes, Advantage Development, and Platinum Builders.

Cost is $10 adults, $5 children. Event runs Wednesday thru Friday, 12-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. For more info visit Omaha Street of Dreams’ Facebook page or buildomaha.org

Upcoming events regarding all things pertaining to the home.


Story by Linda Persigehl

Omaha Home: home happenings

www.BestOfOmaha.com 2013 • september/october 139january/february • 2012 H51/139

HO

ME

I.B.C

.

HOME I.B.C.

Selecting a builder is as much an expression of taste as it is a statement of confidence. No one understands this better than Curt Hofer & Associates. As one of the area’s most respected custom homebuilders and remodelers, we provide a one-of-a-kind experience in creating your once-in-a-lifetime home.

From individual rooms, to how these rooms come together to create a home, to the landscape and exteriors that immediately bid you welcome, the team at Curt Hofer & Associates knows how to bring the best ideas to life – yours. The result? Your home...your builder. Exceptional.

CURTHOFER

& A S S O C I A T E SYour home...your builder. Exceptional.

2332 Bob Boozer DriveOmaha, NE 68130

Phone: 402.758.0440n

www.cur thofer.com

Your home...your builder. Exceptional.

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Pella Windows and Doors of Omaha and Lincoln offer a wide range of energy-efficient windows and doors, so you can spend less on your heating and cooling costs, and have more for other things that matter to you. We’ll help keep your home – and your budget – comfortable.

888-419-6802 • pellaomaha.com

Omaha 9845 South 142nd Street | Lincoln 6891 A Street, Suite 118, Clocktower Center

© 2012 Pella Corporation

Thank you Omaha!

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September/October 2013 Omaha Home

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