Elkhorn home designed perfectly for family
When Chris and Tonya Olson decided to build a new home four years ago, they had only a handful of requirements. They wanted their daughter to have her own space that she and her friends could enjoy, Chris wanted a large garage, and Tonya wanted a kitchen where she could entertain. With the help of the Calabretto Building Group and Tom Clark, with Advanced House Plans of Omaha, they met all three requirements and then some.
Their one and a half story, 4,332 square foot, Mediterranean-style home in The Estates at Coventry in Elkhorn includes an open floor plan with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a two-story great room. The Olson’s chose Calabretto Building Group after seeing a home they had designed and built in the Street of Dreams. “We liked everything about that home, and incorporated several elements into our design,” Tonya said. Some of these included the elevation of the house and the enclosed vestibule entry.
Other than those few features, the Olson’s let their architect design the entire house. “Tom was wonderful to work with,” Tonya said. “He was very thorough, knowledgeable, creative, and experienced. He literally designed the home from scratch.” Four years later, the Olson’s still enjoy that design and the area where they live. “We love the neighborhood,” Tonya said. “It’s quiet, like we’re living in the country, and we love our neighbors.”
In fact, one of her neighbors painted the oversized canvas prints that hang on either side of the two-story stone fireplace in the great room. Tonya enjoys entertaining neighbors and family in the oversized kitchen that features a large center island with quartz countertop. The kitchen also has GE Monogram stainless steel appliances, a hood over the range enclosed in wood and accented with glass mosaic tile, and a hearth room with fireplace.
The main floor master suite includes his and hers walk-in closets designed by California Closets, a double shower and whirlpool tub, and heated floors. The entire home uses a geothermal system for energy efficiency. There is a full laundry room off the master bedroom, a drop zone with oversized lockers, a work station, and separate dining room. The home is decorated in neutral colors with bright yellow accents. “The Interior Design Firm of Omaha helped with all the accessories, and I would absolutely use them again,” Tonya said.
The second floor has three bedrooms, which the Olson’s use for an office, a large TV room for their daughter, and a bedroom with walk-in closet and its own bathroom. The halls have arched walkways, and a custom railing from S&W Fencing decorates the balcony that overlooks the great room. “There are a lot of unique, custom touches throughout the house,” Tonya said.
Those custom features extend beyond the interior the home. The four-car garage includes drains in the floor for easy winter washing and built-in cabinetry. There is even a built-in shed behind the house for storage. The large patio features a fire pit, and the natural-based landscaping was done by Lanoha.
The only thing Tonya said she’d change about the home are the colors. “After four years, trends in decorating change,” she said. “I’d like to use more greys and silvers throughout the house, especially in the kitchen countertops and backsplash tile. Styles change so quickly, new trends come out all the time, and it’d be nice to update some of those in our home.” And with a home you love, that’s easy to do.
