A few years ago, Susie and Bob Knapp were contemplating how they were living in their current home. They had lived in the house they had built since 2005 and loved the location, but its large yard and pool weren’t getting used. Good friend and realtor Vanita Lund told them about Loveland Estates, 18 lots just east of Westside High School, not far from their existing home. The Knapps embarked on building a 4,000-square-foot “dream home” with the help of architect Robert Torson and builder Bloomfield Homes.
The Knapps’ directive to the designer was simple, but bold: “Push the boundaries with color and pattern.” This was music to the ears of JH Interior Design’s Mary Ritzdorf, known for her fearless approach to design. “ I was thrilled to play a part,” she said.
Fortunately, the chemistry between Ritzdorf and Susie was immediate. “Mary and I just sang together,” Susie recalled. “I was never afraid to ask what she thought of something, and she was always honest. It was like she was going to live in the place!”
This strong collaboration allowed them to push those boundaries while maintaining a sense of balance. Susie requested that each space have its own personality, but it was important to make sure the rooms within view of each other still flowed. As Ritzdorf explained, they succeeded in creating a space that felt lively without becoming overwhelming. “We knew when to stop and where to give the eye relief,” she said. A perfect example is the main living area, where they kept the walls and window treatments tone-on-tone. “This gave the wall coverings, furniture, and fabrics the chance to truly shine,” she explained.
To complement the bold design choices, Ritzdorf introduced a fresh and colorful palette, carefully weaving in the family’s heirloom pieces. “The homeowners had a lot of great art and existing furniture, so it wasn’t like starting from scratch,” she said. “We were able to combine unexpected colors, patterns, and periods to make the house feel joyful.”
The collaboration between Ritzdorf and Susie didn’t stop at design concepts—it extended into hands-on decisions, like traveling together to the Dallas furniture market for key pieces. Over the course of 18 months, the duo was in constant communication, refining every detail. The result was a series of unexpected touches, like the ombre effect on the dining room chairs, that further enhanced the home’s eclectic feel.
Ultimately, the home is a bold celebration of color and pattern, blending traditional elements with modern flair. “Sometimes I’ll walk into different spaces in the house and just smile,” Susie said. “Mary nailed it. I have to pinch myself to realize I actually live here.”
Mary Ritzdorf, a designer with JH Interior Design for nearly 10 years, is known for her bold use of color and ability to combine the traditional with the modern. She loves taking people’s style and communicating it through their interiors.
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Omaha Home Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
