OKC, OK September 2024

BEAUTIFUL HOME PLANS

Welcome to Our Style Issue!

What comes to mind when you hear the word style?

While the term has multiple meanings, for the purpose of this issue, we focus on two: 1) a distinctive manner or custom of behaving or conducting oneself, and 2) a distinctive quality, form or type of something.

Our story on world-renowned magician/illusionist Rob Lake offers an excellent example of the first style type. To be successful in today's enter tainment-saturated world, a magician/illusionist can no longer rely solely on his or her technical skills ... a strong sense of style and a charismatic personality are key components in building a superstar.

Rob Lake, a master of both technique and style, is the son of longtime Norman residents Suzy and Steve Calonkey. His interest in performing began at an early age, and he was encouraged to follow his interests by his parents as well as his sister, Katelynn Calonkey Henry (owner of Henry Home Interiors, also featured in this issue), who served as his first magic assistant.

Rob also credits his parents with teaching him the importance of giving back through contributions to and service in various nonprofits. He returns home at least once a year to put on shows for animal rescue groups, in particular the Friends for Folks prison dog training program founded by local veterinarian John Otto, which we have featured in past issues. See story, page 18.

Inside, you'll also read about the legendary Edith Head. Some of the costumes worn by Hollywood stars from the 1930s through the 1960s designed by this remarkable woman, as well as costume design sketches, photos of Head with celebrities, and more, are on exhibit at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. But the exhibit and related special events close on Sept. 29, so make sure to visit before it closes!

In another feature, we shine the spotlight on Henry Home Interiors owner—and Rob Lake's sister—Katelynn Calonkey Henry, whose luxurious and sophisticated aesthetic is shaped by worldly travels and insightful touches. See story, page 14.

Also, don't miss our feature (page 24) about the "labor of love" that went into designing the 12,000-plus-square-foot office to house LRE Realty Brokerage. Among its amenities: a coffee shop and full gym!

Lots more inside...be prepared to be enthralled!

JERRI CULPEPPER, MANAGING EDITOR @CITYLIFESTYLE_OKC

September 2024

PUBLISHER

Jimmy Darden | jimmy.darden@citylifestyle.com 405.541.5650

MANAGING EDITOR

Jerri Culpepper | jerri.culpepper@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Tiarra “Tea” Harper

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Melissa "Mel” Drake, Harlea Robinson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jerri Culpepper, Brooke Barnett

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kaylee Johnston, Shevaun Williams

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

Learn

1-3: The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s annual National Day of The Cowboy celebration on July 27 drew huge crowds, who enjoyed lectures on chuck wagon cooking by acclaimed storyteller, humorist, poet and cookbook author Kent Rollins; saddlemaking demos; mechanical bull rides; a host of fun activities for children. 1: Acclaimed storyteller, humorist, poet and cookbook author Kent Rollins discusses “Food on the Trail.” 2: Troy West gave saddle making and other leathercraft demonstrations. 3: Liam Davies, 8, learns how to twirl a lasso.

Photography by Lindsey Davies

The Ultimate Care for Your Ultimate Smile

Cruise Showcase & Customer Appreciation Lunch Set

Join Travel Leaders/Bentley Hedges for a spectacular day at its Tour, Cruise Showcase and Customer Appreciation Lunch Oct. 5. Discover the latest travel packages, meet expert travel advisors and enjoy exclusive discounts. The event features informative presentations, special giveaways and a delicious lunch to thank valued customers for their loyalty. FMI: Bonnie Hedges, VP of Sales and Marketing, 405.237.3333, ext. 108, Bonnie1@bhtravel.com

Totally Rad Vintage Fest Set for Aug. 10

Totally Rad Vintage Fest, set for Aug. 10 at the OKC Fairgrounds, is a curated vintage event with vintage vendors, activities and more from the 1980s,' 90s, and Y2K eras! Feel the nostalgia as you shop from vintage vendors, challenge a friend at the free-play vintage arcade, strike a pose at the throwback photo ops or revel at relics of the past at the Rad Rewind Museum. Learn more and purchase tickets at TotallyRadVF.com

Silk & Spices Gala Set for Sept. 27

Save the date for the "Silk & Spices" Gala, a celebration of connection and culture, scheduled from 6-11 p.m. Sept. 27 at the La Bella Event Center, Oklahoma City. Immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of diversity, featuring music and traditions from around the world. The gala will begin with a cocktail hour reception with appetizers and drinks and photo ops. Tickets are $150: Business.asianchamberokc.com/events

To discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact Paul An at  development@asian chamberokc.com

Lady of the House

Katelynn

Henry, owner of Henry Home Interiors, propels primary suite to an award-winning space in an already historic, legendary home

Henry Home Interiors participates annually in the OKC Phil’s Symphony Show House, and this year, the historic Dolese Mansion was chosen as the canvas, marking the 51st year of this beloved event.

Katelynn Calonkey Henry propelled the primary suite to the winner’s circle, taking the coveted Favorite Room in the house award. Her vision for the ultimate retreat for the lady of the house was a vibrant, layered, masterpiece that left a lasting impression on the memories of the nearly 3,000 visitors who toured this year’s home.

Waves of calm wash over you as the ocean-hued walls engulf you in peace. It boasts a barrel ceiling, mirrored closet and a brick fireplace adorned with hand-painted tiles, each adding extra charm. A four-poster king bed framed in brushed brass is complemented by elegant nightstands in an olive ash veneer. A sculptural curved sofa creates a cozy nook perfect to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or an evening nightcap.

Tying it all together, a silk hand-knotted rug softens the floor, infusing subtle pastel hues to ground this magnetic space.

The serenity and versatility of this large primary suite is a testament to Katelynn’s dedication to every little detail and her ability to make a space not only beautiful, but functional as well.

Explore more details of this suite and many other eye-catching spaces on their website at HenryInteriors. com, and be drawn in by the captivating world of Henry Home Interiors, conveniently located at 3720 W. Robinson in Norman.

ARTICLE BY JERRI CULPEPPER | PHOTOGRAPHY

BY SHEVAUN

Small but Powerful

The serenity and versatility of this large primary suite is a testament to Katelynn’s dedication to every little detail and her ability to make a space not only beautiful, but functional as well.

Tucked into the elegant waterfall edge desk is a traditional Rajasthan bone inlay chair with subtle tones upholstered with soft blush velvet. Atop the desk you’ll find a lovely fuchsia faux orchid from one of Katelynn’s favorite vendors, Orchid and Olive of Oklahoma City. The small nook is a powerful space that inspires beautiful work to be done.

Custom Drapery Oklahoma Artists Chandelier That

Illuminating fabrics of contrasting jewel tones were elegantly curated by Katelynn and expertly constructed by Grace Allen Design.

Daydreaming by Hilary McQueen (shown above) depicts a lovely lady arranging tulips and daydreaming about her life, a new perspective detailed in every turn of the frame. Above the fireplace (large photo), a Piper B masterpiece adds a three-dimensional element via her signature layered technique.

Mesmerizes

The space is graced by a stunning threetiered chandelier, featuring a cascade of reflective glass floral pieces. Each clear glass flower captures and amplifies light, creating a mesmerizing sparkle that dances across the room. This breathtaking fixture not only illuminates but also adds a touch of elegance and grandeur, transforming the ambiance with its shimmering reflections and sophisticated design.

When we featured Katelynn as one of our Influential Women this spring, she shared a quote that perfectly encapsulates her design philosophy: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful,” by William Morris.

This quote resonates deeply with Katelynn and is evident in the stunning space we’re showcasing today. Every element reflects this commitment to beauty and utility, creating an environment that is both functional and visually captivating.

Katelynn’s career in the world of furniture and home design is a testament to her passion and expertise. She grew up surrounded by the intricacies of the furniture industry. However, it was only six years ago, when faced with a professional crossroads, that she decided to channel her expertise into launching her own work of art, Henry Home Interiors. Her vision was clear: to redefine home design with a distinct, fashion-forward flair.

In 2023, Henry Home Interiors took a significant leap forward by expanding their showroom from 6,000 to an impressive 10,000 square feet. This expansion included the addition of a phenomenal design center, allowing for a more comprehensive showcase of their exquisite offerings and a resource for local interior designers. Katelynn views each item in their collection not just as furniture and decor but as pieces of art, meticulously curated to bring sophisticated living into every home.

Katelynn and her dedicated team at Henry Home Interiors warmly invite Lifestyle readers to explore their expansive showroom in Brookhaven Village.

Transforming spaces into beautiful, functional environments that reflect the unique tastes and needs of their clients is the gold standard they gracefully set. Experience firsthand how Katelynn’s philosophy comes to life and discover how their curated selections can elevate your home.

Visit them on socials @henryhomeinteriors for more!

You can always spot the student who spent their summer with Mathnasium.

Summer is the ideal time to do something that will give your child a huge advantage when school resumes in the fall: Accelerate their math skills with Mathnasium.

While most students experience math learning loss over a normal summer, disruptions due to the pandemic have caused many kids to fall behind even more. Mathnasium’s personalized Learning Plans are proven to improve grades and help kids catch up and get ahead in math. With live face-to-face instruction, either incenter or online.

And don’t worry — your child will still enjoy their summer. Because we make learning math fun.

Ask about our summer offer.

Mathnasium of North OKC (405) 412-8758 | mathnasium.com/NorthOKC 14101 N May Ave #116, Oklahoma City, OK 73134

ARTICLE BY BROOKE BARNETT

Extraordinaire Rob Lake Magician/Illusionist

NORMAN’S OWN, ROB LAKE, CREATING MAGIC, INSPIRING WONDER WORLDWIDE

date, Rob has sold more than 850,000 tickets in more than 55 countries.

When magician Rob Lake was only 10 years old, the trajectory of his life changed forever. While visiting Branson, Missouri, with his family, he remembers being spellbound watching what was the world’s largest magic show of the time.

“As a kid, I saw my fair share of magic shows—even had a magic kit—but it never took hold,” Rob reflects. “Then I saw this huge production. It had tigers, lions, 30 or 40 dancers, and was very theatrical. At that very moment, I knew I would be an illusionist. It was as if my full life path was programmed and downloaded into me with great certainty.”

Even before that pivotal moment, Rob remembers having what he refers to as the “show business bug.”

As a child, his heroes were Walt Disney, Steven Spielberg and Jim Henson. He grew up watching “behind the scenes” documentaries on the making of movie magic and Broadway productions. Instead of children’s books, he read textbooks that educated him on the art of making television shows.

“When I saw that first big magic show, I was overwhelmed and excited. But I also knew it was just the right fit. I knew I would someday be on stage,” he adds.

The Norman native has since become a worldwide sensation. To date, Rob has sold more than 850,000 tickets in more than 55 countries, and performed for sold-out audiences in Hollywood, Atlantic City, Times Square, the Dubai Opera House, the Atlantis Bahamas and more.

His YouTube and Facebook videos have more than 70 million views, and he was a finalist in season 13 of NBC’s  America's Got Talent. He is also the youngest magician in history to be awarded the Merlin Award for International Stage Magician of the Year by the International Magicians Society, the highest distinction for magicians.

Even while performing around the world, Rob says his ultimate focus on using magic to bring wonder and joy has never changed.

“Every time I create a new illusion, I’m literally creating the impossible, and holding myself to the highest standards. It can take years for an illusion to make it into my show. I often smile while performing, because I am thrilled that my ideas, dreams and inventions are real, live and on stage,” he explains.

“I often create wonder for audiences that really need it, like our troops, veterans, and shows for kids who would not normally be able to experience something like my show. I also do benefit shows for animal rescue groups, a major soft spot for me, and enjoy using my skills to help these organizations move forward.”

When creating his illusions, Rob says the style and vibe of the presentation is often more important than the trick itself.

He collaborates with designers, customers, stylists, scenic designers and lighting designers to bring his visions to life for his audiences to experience. He hopes to create the feeling that anything is possible, even for a fleeting moment.

“Everything I do is about style and theatricality,” he explains. “I don’t want to just fool or trick the audience. That isn’t thrilling for them or for me. I want to create a theatrical world to escape, but where the laws of our own reality can bend.”

Rob has also served as an illusion designer and creative consultant for multiple Broadway and national touring productions, as well as Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates and designs for Disney attractions worldwide.

“I’m always being creative and coming up with new ideas,” he says. “When I work with Broadway shows, Disney Parks or even Adele’s Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace, I get to think in new ways that would not really apply for what I am doing in my shows.

“Every time I create a new illusion, I’m literally creating the impossible, and holding myself to the highest standards.”

Rob collaborates with designers, customers, stylists, scenic designers and lighting designers to bring his visions to life for his audiences to experience.

“In my show, I can change the scenery and lighting and staging to adapt a new illusion. In their shows, I have to work with more limits so it allows me to stretch and try creative new things and innovate in new ways.”

In terms of the man behind the magic, Rob says he learned early on that he has to be authentic and vulnerable to gain an audience’s trust. He says the Rob Lake that the audience sees on stage is very similar to who he is offstage—just an amplification of his real personality. Offstage, he says he enjoys reading, watching movies and attending theater.

“I use downtime to recharge myself for the rigors of touring and performing,” he says. “I also recharge by being healthy and working out, and I love doing triathlons, especially alongside my dad. I love having a quiet time with my dog, and playing catch-up on the Oklahoma life I’ve missed while touring. I still fly home to Cleveland County after touring all around the world.”

This fall, Rob will tour in South Africa and hints of exciting projects and new illusions to come.

“Looking forward, I want to always be able to create, make magic and enjoy what I do,” he concludes. “I am proud that I get to literally make things I dreamed of become real. I’m a living testament to follow your dreams and passions. This is absolutely not the easiest path, but I can’t imagine it any other way. “

Follow@RobLakeMagic on social media, and view upcoming performances and tour dates at RobLake.com

• Most fun to perform - The Tower: vimeo.com/roblakemagic/roblaketoweragt

• Most difficult to create - The Mirror: vimeo.com/roblakemagic/mirror

• Most challenging - The Artist’s Dream: youtu.be/OoG_x-ygB2g

• Most time needed to create - The Laser.  “I had the idea for this when I was 12.  It took more than two decades and countless setbacks and trials before it made it to the stage,” Rob explains.   vimeo.com/807102580/7252c7c77a

“Everything I do is about style and theatricality...I want to create a theatrical world to escape, but where the laws of our own reality can bend.”

growth & INNOVATION

LRE REALTY BROKERAGE’S NEW OFFICE BASED ON SHARED VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Give - We give our best to every client.

Family - We promote a positive family spirit.

Growth - We continually pursue growth and learning.

Innovation - We embrace change and drive innovation.

Communication - We build open and honest relationships through conversations.

Fun - We have fun.

These values are what the LRE Realty Brokerage was founded on. With growth and innovation in mind, broker Peter Levinson and his wife, top producing team leader Tara Levinson, are on a mission to create a brokerage unlike any other in Oklahoma.

Among their talents as leaders in the real estate industry, they are both experienced professionals in design and renovation. Building this 12,000-plus-square-feet office was a labor of love for the Levinsons as well as their two daughters, Tiara Bollman and Tasha Simons, and their husbands, Nathan Bollman and Cole Simons, who are all licensed agents with LRE Realty.

The new office, located at 3020 E Britton Road in Oklahoma City, was completed late this spring and is now home to over 65 agents and growing. As they were involved in every detail of the building process, Peter and Tara’s vision of having a place for agents to grow in their businesses together was at the forefront of every decision made.

To be “Better Together”—as Peter Levinson always says—the upstairs conference room with accommodations for 120 guests sets the stage for endless training opportunities, not just for the brokerage but for the community. Two major events already have been held in this space.

The conference room features a built-in sound system, five TVs and a kitchenette for catering service. The conference space has a private entry and is also available for rent (contact Leadership@lrerealty.com for more information).

The 45 individual office spaces are all furnished with built-in desks with ample storage and feature quartz countertops for a sleek design. The building also features a fully custom-built kitchen with plenty of counter

space to host lunch-and-learns and allows for multiple seating arrangements.

The heart of the building is the coffee shop, where at any time of day you can find agents sharing stories over a cappuccino from their state-of-the-art coffee machine.

Tara and Peter both believe in the power of a well-rounded wheel of life and that you have to take care of yourself in order to take care of others. For this reason, they included a full gym. Along with

the gym, there are two oversized locker rooms with showers so that agents can be ready for whatever the day brings.

Tara’s core principle is “In everything you do, do it with passion or not at all.”

This building is not only eye-catching with its modern and thoughtful design but also a project of passion for real estate and community by the Levinson Family.

To learn more about Levinson Real Estate, visit ForSaleOKC.com or call 405.285.5750.

realty report

ARTICLE BY JERRI CULPEPPER

OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART EXHIBIT EXPLORES EDITH HEAD’S LEGACY

COSTUME DESIGNER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Do you love classic movies?

For many of us, part of our fascination with the films of yesteryear

“TOGETHER

organized by OKCMOA and presented by The Ann Lacy Foundation, explores the incomparable career of Head

THESE COSTUMES

HELP TELL THE STORY OF EDITH HEAD’S LEGACY

AS ONE OF THE GREATEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL

COSTUME DESIGNERS IN FILM HISTORY.”

lies in the glitz and the glamour—in the heartthrobs of filmdom who are known now, as they were then, as much for their style and presence as for their acting acumen.

Picture your favorite classic movie scene: maybe it’s Grace Kelly in Hitchcock’s Rear Window or Barbara Stanwyck in All About Eve. Whatever it is, from romantic comedies to biblical epics, you’re likely to find one name associated with it: Edith Head.

Many of the memorable costumes worn by America’s most famous movie stars from the 1930s to 1960s and designed by the eight-time Oscar-winning costume designer are featured in an exhibition continuing through Sept. 29 at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer,

(1897-1981) through sketches, screening areas and 70 original costumes that capture the height of this remarkable individual’s career.

The exhibit, comprising the museum’s entire third-floor galleries, highlights Head’s rule over Paramount and Universal Studios’ costume departments.

Various sections spotlight a variety of costume styles, including formal gowns, musical performance costumes, tropical wear, daywear, period pieces and historical costumes. Visitors also have the opportunity to learn more about Head’s working relationship with Hitchcock, her life outside of her career and her processes.

“Only at OKCMOA will you be able to see one of Grace Kelly’s  Rear Window dresses alongside Cornel Wilde’s costume from  The Greatest

Show on Earth , Barbara Stanwyck’s dress from  All About Eve, and beachwear from Elvis Presley films,” observed Catherine Shotick, curator of the exhibition.

“Together these costumes help tell the story of Edith Head’s legacy as one of the greatest and most influential costume designers in film history.”

Each costume is labeled with details providing insight into the costumes as well as the film-making industry at that time and the actors’ careers. QR codes are provided throughout the exhibition that, when scanned, lead to both English and Spanish audio of label and panel text, as well as visual descriptions of select costumes.

Other award-winning actresses who sported Edith Head creations over the years include Veronica Lake, Ginger Rogers, Olivia de Haviland, Marlene Dietrich, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley MacLaine and Kim Novak. Actors include Cary Grant, Paul Newman, John Wayne and Steve McQueen.

With over 400 films to her credit, Head ruled the costume design departments at Paramount and Universal Studios from the early 1920s to the early 1980s. Head helped define the style of classic Hollywood with her striking designs, which earned her 35 Oscar nominations and eight Oscar wins—more than any other woman to date.

Noted for the range of her costume designs, from elegant simplicity to intricate flamboyance, Head is credited with putting Dorothy Lamour in her first sarong for  The Jungle Princess (1936). The project she was most proud of was her design of a woman’s uniform in the late 1970s for the United States Coast Guard, in response to the growing number of women in the service. She received the Meritorious Public Service Award for her efforts.

HEAD HELPED DEFINE

THE STYLE OF CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD WITH HER STRIKING DESIGNS...

Head was nominated for 34 Academy Awards, winning a record eight of them for her work in The Heiress (1949), Samson and Delilah (1949),  All About Eve (1950),  A Place in the Sun (1951),  Roman Holid ay (1953),  Sabrina (1954),  The Facts of Life (1960), and  The Sting (1973). She was the author of an autobiography, The Dress Doctor (1959), and a self-help book,  How to Dress for Success (1967). She appeared as herself on-screen in The Oscar (1966). Head continues to receive recognition in the 21st century. For example, she was the inspiration for the Edna Mode character in Pixar’s The Incredibles,” noted OKCMOA President and CEO Michael Anderson, Ph.D.

Tickets to the exhibition are available online at  okcmoa.com, in person, or by calling 405.236.3100.

Opposite page, Top: Costume design sketch of Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens in the film ‘To Catch a Thief’, 1955, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research

Bottom: Costume design sketch for Mitzi Gaynor as Patsy Blair in the film ‘Anything Goes’, 1956, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research

This page, top: Costume worn by Grace Kelly as Lisa Fremont in the Paramount Pictures production of 'Rear Window', 1954. Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design: Larry McQueen

Middle: Grace Kelly in an iconic scene from Alfred Hitcock’s film ‘Rear Window’ (1954). Edith Head designed many of the costume worn by bigname movie stars from the 1930s through the 1960s

Bottom: The Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s ‘Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer’ exhibition continues through Sept. 29.