Nestled in the premier west Omaha neighborhood of Bay Shores, this updated half-acre property was given new life in 2013 when current homeowners Brenda and Tom Nicholas purchased the home, completely renovated it, and brought their custom modern farmhouse to fruition. At the time of purchase, every aspect was original to the nearly 6,000 sq. ft. home, dating back to the late 80s. Fortunately, interior design comes naturally to Brenda, who has remodeled various family homes over the years.
For the Nicholases, it was the quiet location and friendly community that really sold the property. “It feels like we’re not in the city, but we still have all of the amenities of city life,” Brenda Nicholas said. “We have a huge backyard and we’re able to walk to the trails, which is very important, especially for an active family like ours. Plus, we have a great school district, and so many young families are moving into the area.”
Backing to the Zorinsky Reserve, this casual yet elegant residence features a manicured yard, a new DaVinci roof, as well as all new windows, siding, and deck. Inside, the traditional layout includes a grand staircase and entrance with inviting Australian cypress wood flooring that winds throughout. Nicholas said the inspiration behind the rustic flooring came from previously living in the South where antique heart pine is popular.
The theme of the five-bedroom, 1.5-story home is simple, according to Nicholas: comfort with an elegant flair. For example, the walls of the study are painted a striking black that contrasts with the white ceiling, giving the space a truly modern touch. In the dining room, the space boasts a crystal chandelier, black painted ceiling, crisp white walls, as well as a single brick wall insert composed of bricks from a historic building in downtown Omaha.
Vaulted ceilings, as well as oversized windows lining the walls, allow the main living area to feel bright and open. The gourmet kitchen, equipped with Carrara marble, antique Russian pendant lights over the island, and top of the line appliances, was completely redesigned to exude a luxurious and crisp essence. To the family’s delight, a deck off of the kitchen overlooks the private backyard, which is often filled with charming wildlife critters like foxes, turkeys, and eagles.
A walkout covered deck is also accessible from the main floor master, which features a marble bathroom with a cast iron bathtub and Restoration Hardware vanities. Upstairs, there’s more than enough room for guests and family members alike, as the level presents a bedroom with an en suite, as well as two additional bedrooms that feature a Jack and Jill bathroom.
The family also recently remodeled the basement of the home, installing vinyl plank flooring and an exercise room. The space houses a large living area and kitchen, as well as another guest bedroom and bathroom. The lower level also includes a spacious 24-foot by 37-foot shop with a separate garage door entry that is ideal for storing all essential household recreational toys and vehicles such as snowmobiles, kayaks, riding lawn mowers, and more.
When initially embarking on the renovation, Nicholas said the family purposely strived to achieve a timeless design so the home would continue to work well for new owners as time goes on. “It’s definitely been a work in progress the whole time we’ve lived here, but in our eyes, the house is pretty perfect now,” Nicholas said. “So much time has gone into the reviving of the home, and we certainly won’t be able to replace it when we move. Ultimately, it is our hope that the next family can sit back, relax, and really enjoy the house.”
This newly remodeled property was listed and sold in April 2021. For information on additional listings or to sell your home, contact Teresa Elliott with NextHome Signature Real Estate at 402-445-4899.
