405 Magazine

12/20/2024

🌲 Into the Woods 🌲

Evergreen cuttings branch throughout this seasonal setting

In this Wheeler District home with rustic and modern interiors, cozy furnishings and seasonal decorations combine for an inviting scene. Stylist Alice Decker of Decker8 Designs selected deep green velvet chairs with contemporary lines, a classic wooden table and a striped jute rug as the foundation for a winter-themed dining room. Her goal was to create an “effortless and relatable” feel by mixing greenery with things homeowners may already have on hand: simple dishware, shiny ornaments, antiques and thrift store finds.

Decker brought her own collection of brass candleholders in various styles and sizes for the table centerpiece. The mismatched and randomly placed candles play on the natural asymmetry of the evergreen branches, which were arranged down the center in place of a fabric runner. When asked about designing with fresh sprigs, she advised, “Don’t work toward too much symmetry or any point of perfection. Let your natural materials take on a life of their own and lie how they want to.” Golden drinkware and flatware frame the plaid napkins and leafy napkin rings to round out the place settings.

📚 Read more: https://www.405magazine.com/effortless-winter-style/

Written by: Evie Klopp Holzer
Photos by: Sara Stewart

12/18/2024

✨ Jewel Tones and Nostalgic Notes ✨

An elegant and bright pas de deux design this Christmas

As a former dancer, Mister Robert designer Cassidy Brunsteter knew exactly where to start creating a lush holiday moodboard. “For me personally, and for a lot of people, it’s such a tradition to grow up going to the Nutcracker ballet,” said Brunsteter.

The Mister Robert design team has noticed warm, dressy, inviting and timeless items emerging in both home and seasonal decor. “Jewel tones have been really making a comeback over the last few years, and that gives the same traditional feel,” said lead interior designer Keven Calonkey Carl. This is evident in the statement fabrics, trims and malachite teal and gold display tray and the Olivia Riegel gemstone-studded picture frame as well as the Bauble Stocking hand-stitched needlepoint ornament charm.

The moodboard is rounded out with vintage items and a classic nutcracker from Brunsteter’s personal collection she shares with her young daughter. We welcome the wonder and sparkle as we dance into the holiday season.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/jewel-tones-and-nostalgic-notes-a-holiday-moodboard/

Written by: Julie Partin
Photos by: Sara Stewart
Styled by: Keven Calonkey Carl, ASID, NCIDQ & Cassidy Brunsteter, Allied ASID of Mister Robert Fine Furniture and Design

12/16/2024

🧁 Baking With Vision 🧁

How Lauren Brooks Built Bakery Bling into a Glittering Success

Founded in 2014 by Lauren Brooks, “Bakery Bling” is transforming the baking industry with its luxurious, non-toxic, and fully edible “Glittery Sugar.” What began as an innovative solution for cocktail rimmers quickly grew into a beloved brand, offering whimsical gingerbread houses, designer cookie kits and edible cake toppers. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Bakery Bling operates out of a 100,000-square-foot facility, ensuring all products are nut-free, kosher, and crafted with the highest quality ingredients. Today, Lauren’s vision of creating safe, glittery products for families has become a household name, bringing joy and creativity to kitchens everywhere.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/baking-with-vision-bakery-blings-lauren-brooks/

Written by: Jake Durham
Photos by: Charlie Neuenschwander

12/14/2024

12/13/2024

👜 Belle of the Ballet 👜

Jewel tones and sparkle will make your festive look slay

Tale as old as time, The Nutcracker never ceases to capture the essence of the holiday season. This year, the Oklahoma City Ballet is breathing new life into its rendition of the seasonal spectacular with new sets, choreography, and costumes. As the cast and crew prepare to pull out all the stops, take the time to put yourself center stage with a few notes from the nutcracker himself. Boots are always a must for Oklahoma winters and are ready for any kickline you might find yourself in. Let your jewels reflect the dance of the sugar plum fairies, while your dress and jacket provide clean lines that are always on point. Lastly, tip your hat in homage to the iconic Nutcracker itself. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

1. ALC, Milo Clutch: Edit & Co.
2. Norman Covan, Medium Inside-Out Hoops: Naifeh Fine Jewelry
3. IRO, Belize Dress: Gretta Sloane
4. Bugatti Italy, KISS Nutcracker: B.C. Clark
5. ALC, Eliza Suit Jacket: Edit & Co.
6. Cecelia NY, Noel Woven Boot: Betsy King Shoes
7. Gigi Burris, Samira Hat: Gigi Burris Millinery

📚 Read more in our December issue: https://www.405magazine.com/issues/405-magazine/december-2024/

Written by: Bennett Hill

12/12/2024

🍞 Sourdough Art 🍞

Visual love in every loaf

There’s artistry in every facet of cooking, baking and mixology, from the composition of a dish to the garnish atop a cocktail. But when edible art is on the Christmas list, there’s nothing quite like a creative loaf of bread. With the holidays upon us, parties to attend and supper tables to fill, it’s the prime season for sourdough art.

Quite simply, sourdough bread art is the process in which bakers score and shape their loaves before baking, to create a final product marked by intricate textures and shapes. These can be as simple as a line, designed to control the dough’s expansion in the oven and keep it from cracking, or something more elaborate and original, which accomplishes the same scientific task while also using the dough as a blank canvas for an edible showpiece that would look right at home at the center of a holiday spread.

That kind of edible art is on display at establishments like Edmond’s Twisted Tree Baking Company, which chef/owner Robert Black described as a European-style bakery specializing in hand-crafted, old-world-style breads and pastries. And a big part of that hand-crafted approach is in the art of it all.

📚 Read more: https://www.405magazine.com/fresh-sourdough-in-okc/

Written by: Matt Kirouac
Photos by: Rachel Maucieri

12/11/2024

🩰 The Nutcracker’s New Look 🩰

An exquisite spin on a holiday classic

The holiday season is full of tradition — and for many locals, that includes seeing The Nutcracker performed by Oklahoma City Ballet year after year. Between the incomparable score by Tchaikovsky and the illustrative dancing on stage, audiences of all ages are captivated by the classic story of Clara and her toy nutcracker as they battle the Mouse King.

What is it about Oklahoma City Ballet that has guests returning to see this annual treat? While some may argue that ballet is a stagnant art form, OKC Ballet’s artistic director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye continues to re-imagine this timeless tale. “We’re not merely staging a performance; we’re crafting a warm, wholesome holiday story, and a visually stunning masterpiece for our audience,” said Jolicoeur-Nye.

The focus of the ballet continues to be just that: the incredible ballet dancing of both the professional company and students of the Yvonne Chouteau school. But this year, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Devon Energy and The Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker will look completely different.

Everything from the sets to props and even the lighting design have been updated for the 2024 season, which begins Saturday, Dec. 14 and runs through Monday, Dec. 23. The Nutcracker will feature new choreography by Jolicoeur-Nye, as well as new characters to accompany Clara along her journey to the magical Land of the Sweets. But the most exciting — and impressive — change to this year’s production is likely the new costumes for the entire cast.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/the-okc-nutcrackers-new-look/

Written by: Lavinia Creswa
Photos by: Hannah Hudson and Shevaun Williams

12/09/2024

🎄 Shine On 🎄

There’s no place like this Gaillardia home for the holidays

Even in spaces that are consciously, cheerfully beautiful all year long, the holidays are when some homes truly shine. The McElroy family moved into this stunning Gaillardia home in July of 2022, enlisting Taylor Malone of Dovetail Studio to help them renovate the master suite and kitchen, and select fixtures and furniture — a collaboration that resulted in spaces that are welcoming and traditional with modern twists. Warm oak paneling pairs well with bright white walls; the cozy library is made contemporary with a pair of aqua velvet chairs and a chandelier of glass orbs; and the powder bath’s original black and white floral wallpaper stands out with the addition of a fluted vanity in eggplant purple.

And each November, Malone and her business partner Natalie Turner — they also co-own Millésime House, a home décor shop — outdo themselves in outfitting the McElroy house with Christmas decorations. On the front porch, a lighted evergreen swag frames the archway, and wreaths with velvet ribbons hang atop the double doors, while garlands drape elegantly along the banister and the mantel inside. A mix of faux and fresh greenery brings the best of both worlds: longevity and the crisp scents of evergreen, cranberry and eucalyptus. In the foyer, a round stone table stands ready to hold platters of food, while gold and glass boxes filled with ornaments and topped with ribbons resemble a pile of presents.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/home-for-the-holidays-in-gaillardia/

Written by: Emily Payne
Photos by: Sara Stewart

12/06/2024

🍽️ A Restaurant Worth Rallying Around 🍽️

Nostalgia is served in Norman

Restaurants often trade in nostalgia, tugging on familiar heartstrings and tinkering with recognizable flavors to conjure a palpable sense of connection for diners. Though nostalgia might be a frequent calling card for many, few pull it off with such authenticity as Norman newcomer Rally Kitchen + Bar. Located in the NOUN Hotel, nostalgia is baked into the property’s DNA, and woven through a menu — by well-traveled chef Greg Cook — that toes the line between endearingly familiar and refreshingly novel.

“The NOUN serves as a callback for alumni of the University, Norman citizens and visitors; a nod to how far one has come,” explained Justin George, general manager of the NOUN Hotel. “Rally is an outlet that ushers one back. The University decor harkens great memories and the food brings you right back to where it all started.”

Everything about the all-day restaurant, despite being newly opened in August, feels like a homecoming. It’s in the food, at once classic and unexpected. It’s in the decor, modern yet homey. Altogether, it’s in the atmosphere — a convivial community spot soundtracked by upbeat music, the sound of cocktail shakers and laughter among guests. In many ways, it’s the simplicity of it all that makes Rally so enriching. But, often, it’s the simple things that are often the hardest to pull off — especially with this level of earnestness.

Nowhere is this more evident than the menu, which George bills as “comfort food, reimagined,” and “a familiar fish in an unforgettable fashion.” Again, there’s nothing inherently new about contemporary comfort food, but the delicacy in which Cook combines ingredients and presents it on a plate exhibits a keen understanding of what that concept really means.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/rally-kitchen-bar-nostalgia-is-served-in-norman/

Written by: Matt Kirouac
Photos by: Rachel Maucieri

12/04/2024

🏡 Spaces Made Beautiful 🏡

Kelsey Leigh Design Company & McGregor Homes

Kelsey Leigh Design Company has taken Oklahoma — and the United States — by storm over the past four years. Founder Kelsey McGregor’s timeless interior design work has recently been featured in Magnolia Journal, Rue, House Beautiful, Luxe, Good Housekeeping, Architectural Digest and The Spruce. This fall, Magnolia Network filmed a pilot for a home network show called “Building Oklahoma” about the work that Kelsey does in tandem with her husband, Scott McGregor. Their design-build team features both new homes and renovation projects.

Kelsey and Scott met in college in 2004. She remembered, “We met for tacos and Scott made me laugh so hard I had to leave the building and run outside so that I didn’t choke.” Married in 2007, they moved to Oklahoma following family connections. Kelsey said, “Scott grew up in L.A. and I grew up in Denver. We thought we’d just be here for a couple of years — but 17 years later, here we are, loving it. We loved the quality of life here and found a community and a church. We put down roots here.”

In 2009, Scott started his own company called McGregor Homes. “We build homes in the Edmond and Oklahoma City metro area. And Kelsey was helping us with all things design on the side, when she wasn’t pregnant,” he laughs. “We have four kids.”

In 2019, Kelsey began designing for a few of her friends’ homes, and soon word of mouth had her phone ringing. People loved her warmth and orientation to natural surroundings. Her degree is in teaching, and she admitted that she was nervous to go into design full-time: “I’m what they call self-taught. I read books and learned my own software. At first, this was a point of insecurity for me, especially in the beginning. And then I found out that some of my heroes in design are also self-taught. Design is art and art is subjective.

📚 Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/kelsey-leigh-design-company-mcgregor-homes/

Written by: Kristen Grace
Photos by: Charlie Neuenschwander

12/03/2024

✨Serendipity for the Season✨

Kismet: “When you encounter something by chance that seems like it was meant to be …”

That is how this issue felt.

The cover feature, “50 Things That Make Our Lives Better in OKC,” is a love letter to all of the things — big, small, quirky, innovative — that we love about where we live. The only hard part about writing it with two of my favorite people and writers, Evie Klopp Holzer and Lavinia Creswa, was narrowing the list down to 50. In a nod to the season, our layout was designed with a Christmas tree in mind; a sentimental collection of ornaments and tidbits that when combined as a whole sparkle and shine.

As we were brainstorming cover options, we received some images from Oklahoma City Ballet of the new costumes for its production of The Nutcracker (coming in at #25 on the list). When we opened the link together in the office and saw the photos, there was a collective gasp, as they took our breath away! Photo by Shevaun Williams & Associates, Commercial Photography, Inc. We knew for several months that a profile of the Ballet’s fabulous new version of Tchaikovsky’s classic would have a prominent place in the Arts section. But as various contributors began to turn in their work, we got a surprise: a Nutcracker theme was woven throughout, without us even orchestrating it. Our expanded winter home design section is chock full of holiday spirit with decor inspiration sure to bring the cheer.

Also in this issue we are so excited to introduce you to the OKC power designer/builder couple making a splash on national levels and the baker artist behind the sparkly gingerbread houses flying off the shelves this season.

We round out our Christmas coverage with a dining section full of colorful limited-time celebrations of spirits and warm sourdough art.

I hope this issue finds you enjoying the holidays and all the beauty that comes with it. Without a doubt, 2025 was the fastest, warp-speed year of my life. It truly seems like yesterday I was hanging the monogrammed stockings by the chimney with care. With our family collection having recently grown from four to five, my heart is extra full. From all of us at 405 Magazine, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

~ Julie Partin

11/29/2024

FRIDAY FEATURE: 🌟 2024’S BEST NEW RESTAURANTS 🌟

Barseo 🌮
3020 N. Walker Avenue, OKC

A seemingly humble newcomer in the Paseo, it didn’t take long for the unassumingly dubbed Barseo to debunk assumptions and establish a reputation as a neighborhood cornerstone. The corner bar has the look, feel, and convivial volume of a quintessential neighborhood staple, but the menus are filled with enough original surprises to keep diners and drinkers coming back time and again.

Big Biang Theory 🍜
704 W. Sheridan Avenue, OKC

If the perpetual lines down the block were any indication, the Big Biang Theory food truck was ready for the next step: its first brick-and-mortar. After rolling out the mobile operation in 2019, and quickly amassing a fan following, the Northwest Chinese concept put down roots on Film Row, offering more room for those gigantic bowls of gigantic noodles.

Vignola’s Italian Kitchen 🍝
23 W. 1st Street, Edmond

OKC certainly isn’t lacking in quality, authentic Italian restaurants, but one newcomer made a big impression when it landed in a small, rather unassuming location in the Edmond Railyard. Vignola’s Italian Kitchen is a passion project for husband-wife team Ashley and Giovanni Vignola, the latter of whom attended culinary school in Florence — and it shows.

Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/2024-best-new-restaurants-in-okc/

Written by: Matt Kirouac
Photos by: Madi Rae Jones (Barseo)

11/27/2024

🌆 To Make a Difference 🌆

Volunteering in OKC

As Oklahoma City continues to grow, so does the need for volunteers across various organizations that support everything from the environment to education. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or just starting out, giving back offers numerous personal and community benefits. Volunteering not only strengthens bonds within the community but also contributes to personal growth and even provides personal health benefits. Studies show that volunteering can reduce stress, improve mood and even enhance cognitive functioning, particularly in older adults. In addition to personal rewards, volunteering is an excellent way to develop skills to boost your career prospects.

So, where can you get involved in Oklahoma City? Here are a few local organizations that can always use a helping hand and make a big difference in our community.

📚 Read more about Volunteering in OKC here: https://www.405magazine.com/volunteering-in-okc-this-season/

Written by: Jake Durham
Photo by: Jake Durham - AI-Generated Art using Midjourney Concept

11/25/2024

🦠 Flu Fighters 🦠

Staying healthy this winter

According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 28 million cases of the flu were reported in the United States during the 2023-2024 flu season. Symptoms can be mild, but for more vulnerable populations it can lead to hospitalization and even death. With the height of flu season—between December and March—rapidly approaching, it is important to take precautions to stay healthy this winter.

The most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting the flu is to receive the flu vaccine annually. The flu vaccine was first administered to the American public in 1945 after being developed for the military at the University of Michigan by Thomas Francis and Jonas Salk. According to a 2020 study, during the flu season of 2019-2020, the vaccine prevented an estimated seven million cases of the flu, including 100,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 7,000 deaths.

We spoke with Dr. Angela Morgan, a board certified in family and preventative medicine and owner of Morgan Family Medicine, about how to protect yourself and your family from influenza.

📚 Read more tips from Dr. Angela Morgan here: https://www.405magazine.com/fighting-the-flu-this-winter/

Written by: Lavinia Creswa

11/22/2024

FRIDAY FEATURE: 🌟 2024’S BEST NEW RESTAURANTS 🌟

Raven 🍽️
4200 N. Western Avenue, OKC

Arguably one of the toughest closures of the past year, the demise of longstanding VZD’s left a glaring void in its absence. But the storied space, once home to a drug store, didn’t sit dormant for long, as evidenced by the recent emergence of a promising new wood-fired entry called Raven. The iconography of the building endures, albeit with a bit more sheen and polish nowadays, as well as an impressively expanded portfolio of fine spirits newly stocking those drug store shelves. At the heart of it all is the menu from Timothy Abell, who cooks up new menu items on a weekly basis, spotlighting both seasonal supremacy and technical dexterity.

Levity Breakfast House 🧇
309 S. Peters Avenue, Norman

In a crowded brunch scene, one Norman entry stands apart. Levity Breakfast House, in a literal house from the 1920s, feels like dining in someone’s home — albeit the food and coffee are likely leaps and bounds better than standard morning fare. Queue up in the inevitable line, peruse the pastries, and mull over the specialty drinks du jour (like an iced Blueberry Matcha with Japanese matcha, vanilla, and housemade blueberry syrup).

Read more here: https://www.405magazine.com/2024-best-new-restaurants-in-okc/

Written by: Matt Kirouac

11/21/2024

See how easy it is to transform your space with new blinds!

Book now to get your window treatments installed before the holidays with Bumble Bee Blinds of Norman

https://www.bumblebeeblinds.com/norman-ok/

11/21/2024

✨ 405 Person of Interest: November 2024

🎥 Kevin Ford: A Life Behind the Lens 🎥

From Hollywood to the Heartland

Kevin Ford arrived at Picasso Cafe smiling, a bit breathless, with a film camera on his arm. “I’m sorry about this,” he said, nodding to the camera. “The camera is just an extension of me. There hasn’t been a week of my life I haven’t been filming since I was 10 years old.”

As a prolific narrative and documentary filmmaker, Ford has made corporate movies, NBA documentaries, political pieces and art films. Growing up in California, he spent time in New York City film schools, lived in Austin for over a decade and recently fell in love with Oklahoma City, moving here with his wife and collaborator, Emily, in 2022. Emily, born and raised in Oklahoma City, had moved away to Los Angeles for 31 years. “The first time I came here, this place made an instant impact on me,” he said. “We visited Picasso, saw the murals, bought art at Wildfire Gallery, and made new friends at AllSweet and Prairie Surf in Midtown. I feel so proud to be living in Oklahoma City. There is such a creative energy here.”

Some of Kevin’s notable works include Sr., a documentary about the life and works of Robert Downey Sr. and his relationship with Robert Downey Jr., and Everything is Stolen, which recently premiered at Santa Fe International Film Festival.

📚 Read more about Kevin Ford here: https://www.405magazine.com/kevinford/

Written by: Kristen Grace
Photos by: Charlie Neuenschwander

11/20/2024

🌾 Round and Round 🌾

Circular sightseeing at an Arcadia landmark

It’s big, red, round and one of Oklahoma’s iconic landmarks. It’s a barn, or at least it used to be.

Located on historic Route 66, the Arcadia Round Barn captures the attention of curious passersby, beckoning them to stop and discover more about the interesting structure that seems right at home in the small, rural town.

Local farmer William Harrison Odor built the barn in 1898—like other locals, he was concerned about tornadoes, and many believed round structures were cyclone-proof, so he embraced the idea and hoped that a tornado would sweep around his circular barn rather than through it.

Odor, his brother-in-law J. Henan Keely and a crew of farmhands built the barn using native burr oak for the framework. For the curved roof rafters, green 2x4s were soaked in the river, then shaped and dried.

Creativity often came into play. It was 43 feet from the floor to the highest point in the roof, so a sturdy ladder was built to reach that high. An often-repeated story is that Odor was the only one willing to climb the ladder to secure the first two rafters together where the dome peaked.

During construction, a few workers recognized the potential for the spacious loft and a way to show it off to the public. They suggested a smooth hardwood floor instead of the planned plank flooring and offered to pay the price difference. In return, they wanted to schedule three dances there. Odor agreed but insisted only good music be played. Future Oklahoma governor Martin Trapp was one of the musicians who played at the first dance.

The barn originally was painted white and its exterior often sported advertising. When it became red isn’t documented.

Read more about the Arcadia Round Barn history here: https://www.405magazine.com/the-historic-arcadia-round-barn/

Written by: Linda Miller
Photo by: Linda Miller