Fluff Interior Design is helping the Tuls family take the long view of their spacious, 20-year-old home on a picturesque lot in The Hamptons subdivision in Omaha—all while helping them enjoy it today with a strong nod to the family’s 100-year-old dairy business as well as craft an aesthetic that fits their inviting lifestyle.
T.J. and Erin Tuls—owners and operators of Tuls Dairies with locations in Nebraska, Kansas, and Wisconsin—eventually plan to remodel the kitchen and bathrooms in the four-bedroom, six-bath rustic traditional that sits on 1.5 idyllic acres that even features regular visits from a wild peacock. But they made the decision early on to update and enjoy the house as-is with furniture, lighting, art, and accessories and tackle the bigger projects as they go.
“I have so much respect for how they’re going about this,” said Fluff designer Lorrie Williams. “I appreciate that they saw the massive potential in this property, but are willing to wait and transform it over time. They wanted a home that was beautiful and livable today—and it is—but it’s going to be a stunning show-stopper when they’re finished.”
The Fluff team created a space that’s perfect for the Tuls by introducing coastal colors and traditional styles—all while capturing the family’s past and present with highlights from the farm that include a cowhide leather chair and rug, pictures from business operations for T.J.’s home office, and enlarged photos of some of their dairy cows (“We raise happy cows” is the Tuls’ charming business slogan.)
Furniture was chosen that is comfortable and functional for the Tuls and their young son and dog, and they even moved from a fabric couch to white leather to give T.J. a relaxing place to land after a long day. “He literally comes in directly from being on the farm working with the cows, so like many Nebraska farmers, they need a wipeable couch,” Williams said.
All of it has combined to give the Tuls a lovely and livable space now while they work on making it their dream home in the future. “That’s what a home is meant to be,” Williams said, “lived in and not just looked at. It should be a refreshing, restorative, happy place to be that reflects who you are and how you live every day.”
For more information and design examples, visit fluffinteriordesign.com.
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Omaha Home Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
