Old Nebraska Building... 310 N 5th St. Seward, NE

June 14, 2022 TARA MILLER

Above is the existing condition of the building. Photo by Google Maps.

Above is my vision for the building: white brick, wood shutters and black metal doors & windows.

Do you ever drive by a building that has been empty for far too long? Or do you see multiple businesses cycle through one building year after year but don’t ever seem to stick around? I feel like that is the case with this little building in Seward Nebraska. It’s not a bad building. It’s not even that old. It’s just lifeless.

What can we do to give new life to old buildings? A lot. There's a lot we can do.
- Tara Miller

Let’s start with the exterior basics: walls, roof, windows, doors, and landscaping. Walls- the existing exterior walls are made of varied red brick. The windows and doors are white, with white trim and white shutters. The roof appears to be a dark blue metal roof with white soffit and fascia. The landscaping features grass and red woodchips with no plants. What can we do to bring life to this building? A lot. There’s a lot we can do. But a new building owner might not want to invest a ton of money into this property. So what could a potential buyer do to spruce it up a little? A quick fix would be: PAINT. You could easily paint the brick any color. I’d prefer to paint it white. But then, the issue becomes white on white on white because the doors & windows are white too.

Design Rule # 1 is you need contrast. - Tara Miller

So how do we add contrast? We add contrast by having light and dark items in the same space. So if we paint the brick white, we’ll need the doors and windows to be dark in order to get some contrast. I love the thin black steel aesthetic when it comes to new windows and doors. Repetition is always a brilliant idea when you’re designing something. The human eye naturally looks for consistencies. By taking the windows to the floor, they would be the same “size” as the doors visually. Then we could add two new windows to add extra daylight into the interior, and make the exterior look well-balanced.

Above is The Heartland Interior Design’s vision for the building.

After the exterior brick has been painted, and new windows and doors have been installed, then we are ready to have the wood shutters installed! These wood shutters give the exterior a new material and some warmth. They could even be functional and close if you want! But it would be more affordable if they were fixed in place and not moveable. I love the idea of adding a wooden element so much that I even added a wood inlay on the front of the roof gable as well! It really adds something to the exterior and brings it to life. It’s more dynamic! Then I balanced it all out by removing the blue roof and turning it into a black roof instead. Black is much more neutral and timeless. Blue won’t fit with many business logos, but black would go with any business logo. I left the soffit and fascia white, so that was easy! :)

Then last but not least, I removed the red mulch and went with dark brown mulch. Why? Because again, when you’re owning a building that businesses go in, you want a beautiful neutral palette for them. Neutral palettes also have the widest range of curb appeal. Then I added some simple lavender plants in the brown mulch for a soft touch of natural color. But you could easily plant ANYTHING here. Something is better than nothing.

WOOD SHUTTER INSPIRATION PHOTO via McAlpine House.

The image above is a home designed by McAlpine House. The shutters on this home were my inspiration for adding the shutters onto the 310 N 5th building. They add a sense of warmth and look wonderful against the white walls. Do you like shutters? Please let me know! I’d love to hear your thoughts. What do you think on my “BEFORE & AFTER” vision for the 310 N 5th building? Do you like it? Does it look more updated? Does the curb appeal level increase? I want to know your thoughts! I had fun doing this quick photoshop work. I love envisioning what a building COULD be. I see so much potential in the world around me.

Sweet Magnolia's Bake Shop Remodel by The Heartland Interior Design

November 16, 2021 TARA MILLER

All AFTER phtoos taken by Dana Damewood Photography

It was an incredible experience to be a part of the remodel for Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop. First of all, if you haven’t bought some of their baked goods, you are seriously missing out. My husband is a “sweets snob” and he stated that, “Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop is by far the best bakery in Nebraska.” When the owner Katina approached me for the remodel, I was ecstatic. I loved the vibrant website Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop had and I was drawn to how colorfully curated their social media presence was. I saw that the interior environment did not align with their digital image and knew we could help make the necessary changes to get them into alignment.

“Our goal was to design an interior environment that accurately reflected the brand’s existing identity as seen on their website and in their colorfully curated social media account.”

— Tara Miller

A few of the ways we accomplished this goal was through a hierarchy of focal points, both the addition and removal of color, and lighting. Let’s start with talking about the focal points. The original space had their old logon painted on some palette wood on the back wall. It was small and dark so it was hard to see. We wanted customers to immediately connect with the bold & colorful Sweet Magnolia’s they knew and loved as soon as they walked into the space. So we designed a HUGE feature wall that covers the ENTIRE back wall. We did a background of their magnolia petals, and overlaid their logo in white with a deep purple outline to make sure it was highly legible. We also scaled it appropriately for the large wall and large enough to be easily seen from the viewing distance upon entry. Then we had the extremely talented local muralist Sharon Manhart of Arbor Street Studios paint the mural. She was incredible to work with and did an amazing job. Below the mural there are multiple sinks that get used everyday. In order to protect the wall from any unwanted water splashes, we found a white picket tile and had it installed vertically just below the mural so it would block any moisture from getting onto the drywall. It is beautiful and highly functional.

While the logo wall is the primary focal point, the baked goods & point of sale became our secondary focal point. The baked goods are so beautiful, they speak for themselves. We just wanted to give them a beautiful canvas to be displayed on. Katina wanted to consolidate her goods from two display cases into one. This gave us the opportunity to have a custom built “front desk” area that could also display goods on top of it. We went with a durable quartz countertop in a dusty gray color with subtle veining. This neutral backdrop really allowed the colorful baked goods to POP! Katina also wanted to bring in a Tiffany’s blue color into the space. We knew the front desk would be the perfect spot for this color so we had the base of the front desk made of paneled wood and painted in this vibrant color. We also made sure there was usable storage below the countertop and on the back side of the front desk so employees could store boxes and other miscellaneous items there.

The tertiary focal point is… you guessed it: the “GET SCONED” wording on the floor. The old tile had to go. It was dark and did not add anything to the space. We had that removed and replaced with a bright white penny round mosaic tile. Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop is known for their epic scones. (My personal favorite is the Blueberry scone, and my husband loves the Spinach Feta scone.) We knew we wanted a tile quote on the floor and Katina had the idea to choose the words “GET SCONED,” in order to pay homage to their excellent scones. It was the perfect flooring solution! It’s much brighter, more fun and even more slip resistant than the original flooring because there is grout every 1” instead of every 18”.

Now while focal points are super fun, they are pieces of the overall puzzle and need to be supported by the other puzzle pieces to be successful. The first thing we actually did in the space was give the walls and ceiling a face lift with a fresh coat of white paint. This helped give the space a bright and airy feeling and reflect the natural daylight from the windows back into the space. Next, we removed old fans that weren’t being used and had three pendants installed over their prep island. These brass fixtures have white enclosed shades on them so if a bulb ever went out (or God-forbid exploded) all the glass from the bulb would be contained in the white shade and no debris would find it’s way to the food-prep surface. #safetyfirst! This is one of the MANY reasons why it’s important to work with a professional commercial interior designer on your commercial space and NOT work with a decorator. Building Code knowledge saves you from being closed due to not passing building inspections. If you’re curious what the difference is between an Interior Designer and a Decorator, you can read the legal description as stated by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification found here.

All in all, we loved how the remodel turned out for Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop because it feels bright, colorful and lively. We feel that this accurately reflects their incredible website and social media presence. If you have any questions about our Interior Design Services, please go to our SERVICES page to read more! Thank you!

Old Nebraska Home... 225 Lakeside Drive. Grand Island, NE.

February 21, 2021 TARA MILLER

Hello! Do you fall in love with old homes like I do? Finding super unique old homes on zillow is a guilty pleasure of mine… but it doesn’t stop there! I see the phenomenal bones of the home and I look at the current state. Then I imagine enhancing the uniqueness of the home while also bringing some of the finishes and fixtures into the 21st century. However, more often than not, I see the house for sale on zillow and I dream a thousand dreams for it, then it gets sold. Then it pops back up on the market and someone came in and painted the interior grey & white and try to sell it to make a quick buck. This breaks my heart. Does it break yours too? This is why I’m starting this series on my blog: Old Nebraska Home. I’ll post current listings of older Nebraska homes and I’ll share a few of my dreams to renovate it. If you ever fall in love with one of these homes and want our help at The Heartland Interior Design, we would love to help you renovate it and give it new life.

Above is the existing exterior of the home. Photos by Modern Real Estate Nebraska.

Above is my vision for the home: white siding, black roof and black brick planter boxes.

This home is located on a stunning lake just west of Grand Island, Nebraska. The address is 225 Lakeside Drive. Grand Island, NE 68801. I saw the phone on Modern Real Estate Nebraska’s Instagram and I fell in LOVE with the architecture of the home. Look at these incredibly large panoramic windows with spectacular lake views! I am smitten and I know my husband would love this home too because it is literally located on it’s own peninsula on the island. Aka: no direct neighbors. The only slight setback to commanding your own peninsula is the long driveway: think Nebraska winters. You’ll have some serious driveway snow-removal to do…. but that’s besides the point lol.

The home has incredible roof lines and multiple brick planters for tons of fun plants AND it has built in benches. There are so many different indoor & outdoor gathering spots on this property. It has room to accommodate anyone and everyone! If you go to the zillow page, I dare you to count all the exterior furniture groupings. It’s a dream place for anyone with large extended family or a big social circle.

I would say the toughest sell might be the approach to the front door. We can easily fix the landscaping. Add some stair stepped pavers. Remove the concrete blocks. Add some boxwood plants and maybe some white hydrangeas…. but there is the turret to discuss. What is a turret? It’s the part that looks like a castle. I would remove the top of the turret so it would just be a simple cylinder and then I would paint that whole thing white. You may not be able to envision it entirely, but I promise you it will help substantially. I would also restrain all the deck to a more natural wood-tone.

The entry is actually very nice. It is spacious and flooded with natural light. There is space to hang a stunning new chandelier and I would have the existing floor tile removed. Then I would replace the floor tile with a natural grey slate tile. It would add texture and warmth to the space while still being durable. I would paint the walls white and replace the windows to have black frames. Then I would also replace the front door with a metal and glass black steel door.

As you progress into the home you instantly see the height and scale of the home. The two story entry gets even better when the stairs cut up and down into the adjacent spaces. From the top to the bottom, you can see four different levels from one vantage point. Talk about a WOW factor! I would substantially clean up the stairs. I would start by removing the wooden handrails and replace them with sleek black metal handrails and balusters. Then I would remove the carpeted treads and I would have natural wood treads. Lastly, I would paint the stringers white so they are visually lighter but still keep the structural integrity of the staircase.

One of my favorite features in old homes is the sunken lounge. I absolutely love this concept because it’s cozy and social in a way that’s not designed around a TV. I think the sunken lounge promotes conversation and taking time out of your day to just be with the people around you. This sunken lounge could definitely use some updating because it looks tired and dated. I would remove all the carpet and install white oak wood flooring. I would paint the walls white. I would update the little stair railings. Then I would replace the brick surround on the fireplace with a marble surround for a more dynamic and contemporary look. Then I would reupholster the lounge cushions in a green fabric to add a pop of color. I would install a new light fixture, add a new table and different throw pillows for a much more unique space.

There are so many simple updates I would do to this incredible home, but I just wanted to give you a little taste of my vision. If you are interested in purchasing this home, I would love to have a conversation with you about how we could renovate it together. I see so much potential here that I even tried to get my husband to move to Grand Island lol! (He works in Omaha and it doesn’t make sense for us to leave his job.) Luckily, I work all over the state (and we even have some potential jobs out of state) so I can really work from anywhere. Anyways, that is not the point. The point is, there are so many incredible homes in Nebraska and sometimes a real gem pops up on the market that catches my attention. If you see an incredible old home, please let me know! I’d love to see it too and maybe even share my two cents about the potential design direction. As always, thank you for reading and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Before and After: Julia Mason Art Studio

August 7, 2018 TARA MILLER

When I heard the incredible news that Julia Mason was going to quit her full time job to follow her dreams, I was immediately inspired. When I found out that her new endeavor involved sprucing up a cute little shop to use as her retail storefront, I quickly offered my interior design services. To my amazement, she graciously accepted and we quickly got to work. I began the process with a secret inspiration board on Pinterest that I curated to fit Julia's aesthetic.

At our first site visit, we discussed ways to freshen up the exterior with some simple paint options. I used Photoshop to show Julia different exterior paint colors and signage options. Julia showed me around the charming little studio and explained how she wanted it to function. She told me that she planned to use the space to display her work, sell her art, and work on current projects. She shared her love for natural wood finishes, her need for display, and that she wanted her art to be the focus of the space. She told me that the main design challenge within the space was how to address the two windows and a door that led to a different part of the building that the landlord owned. She mentioned that when people entered the space, their first comment was, "What is behind these windows and that door?" We did not want this to be the focus of the space. I took measurements of the space to draw a floor plan in CAD and quickly got to work.

I mentioned that we could utilize peg board to fit precisely within the trim of each window and door. Then customers could not see beyond the space, and we could utilize the peg board for product display. I shared my secret Pinterest board with Julia and showed her some bold statement walls that were covered in faux greenery and featured a neon sign hanging the middle of it all. Julia loved this look and utilized it as both a way to cover up the windows, and a way to showcase her work. Brilliant! We also incorporated an encouraging neon sign over the greenery of the second window. It reads, "DO WHAT YOU LOVE." This inspirational quote was spoken by Julia's father and it is a special personal touch within the space.

Julia told me that she wanted a streamlined look. It would be very clean and intentional. I was fully on board! I spoke with Julia about her process and the different types of artwork she produced. It became clear to me that this space would be primarily used in three different ways: to sell "LOCAL" art, to promote her "CUSTOM" capabilities, and to work on projects currently in "PROGRESS." This simple understanding lent itself nicely to signage throughout the space. We achieved this when Julia hand-painted these three words onto separate pieces of wood, and mounted them in pre-selected areas in the studio. This not thoroughly explains how the space is laid out and what Julia is selling, but it also draws our eyes up towards Julia's high ceilings.

" It became clear to me that this space would be primarily used in three different ways: to sell LOCAL art, to promote her CUSTOM capabilities, and to work on projects currently in PROGRESS. "

- TARA MILLER

In order to further connect with her customers, I suggested that we create a "sign in" area where people could put their names and e-mail addresses if they wanted to be kept up to date via Julia's e-mail newsletter. I sketched a simple sign in table made of natural plywood that fit into this little spot next to the stairs. This is a great spot to capture e-mails while customers peruse from the "CUSTOM" to the "LOCAL" display section of Julia's studio. (Check out those adorable totes too!)

The storefront windows flood the space with gorgeous amounts of natural light. I thought this would be the optimal spot for some seating and a little accent table. This snug seating area could be utilized for a one-on-one sit down meeting with a customer to discuss their custom art piece. The seating area lends itself to great conversation while being out of the main circulation paths throughout the space.

Initially, I pulled together a few seating and accent table options for Julia and I to work through. She landed on a stunning duo of pink metal chairs + a ceramic accent table. The accent table came in right away, but the original chairs got delayed for MONTHS. I love perusing through local shops and boutiques and luckily, I had just picked up a gem. This lovely chair was upholstered in a peachy/ pink vinyl and it had intricately carved bamboo wooden legs. It didn't work for the first spot I tried placing it at, but when I brought it to Julia's studio, I knew it was magic. It worked perfectly! HUGE shoutout to the great people at Starts With Vintage for helping me source these amazing pieces. Thank you so much! #supportlocal