Christina A. Koch

Omaha

Editorial Director at Retrofit Magazine

Editorial Director at Retrofit Home Magazine

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Articles

Lessons from Wright

3 weeks ago | retrofitmagazine.com | Christina A. Koch

I recently was able to tour Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter studio and home in Scottsdale, Ariz. Having toured and written about several of Wright’s projects, including the Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, Iowa, which appeared in retrofit, I’ve come to appreciate Wright’s work, especially his penchant for connecting his designs to nature. Taliesin West appears to spring forth from Scottsdale’s McDowell Mountains.
Color Conundrum - Retrofit Home

3 weeks ago | retrofithomemagazine.com | Christina A. Koch

My house looks a little like a paint testing laboratory right now. I currently have 10 sample-sized paint jars on my kitchen counter with rinsed brushes drying around my sink. My walls upstairs and downstairs host numerous strokes of paint—adjacent to fireplace stone, near upholstery, opposite windows and alongside windows. I have been viewing the paint swatches throughout the day and with electric lighting and, unfortunately, am becoming more confused.
A Passion for Sports

Mar 10, 2025 | retrofitmagazine.com | Christina A. Koch

In a world where so many outside forces drive people apart, sports has a way of bringing us together. For example, when I moved to Chicago from Iowa in my early 20s, my new co-workers immediately asked whether I was a Cubs fan or Sox fan. I was not a baseball fan and hadn’t even considered following the sport.
A Maximalist in My House

Sep 16, 2024 | retrofithomemagazine.com | Christina A. Koch

I’ve decided my 6-year-old has the makings of a maximalist. As Interior Designer Ryan Austin Hagood defines it, the maximalist design philosophy is guided by the belief that “more is more, not less”. This describes my daughter Clare very well. When we moved into our ranch-style home last Summer, Clare wanted her bedroom on the main floor—near my husband’s and my bedroom.
New School Year, New Experiences

Sep 16, 2024 | retrofitmagazine.com | Christina A. Koch

Now as the parent of a 6-year-old, I have come to realize back-to-school time is as import- ant to parents as it is to our kids. And not just because it means more structure for the entire family. I think there’s an excitement surrounding how much our kiddos will learn and evolve in the coming year, as well as the friendships they will make that could last a lifetime. As I write this column, it is the final week before my daughter Clare begins first grade.
Expect Changes to retrofit's Online Content

Jul 15, 2024 | retrofitmagazine.com | Christina A. Koch

I had a sobering Google Meet recently. During the conversation, I felt a little like Rip Van Winkle, the man from Washington Irving’s 1819 short story, who awakes to a very different world after sleeping for 20 years. I wouldn’t say I’ve exactly been asleep these past 24 years while writing and editing for trade publications.
The Strength of a Team

May 20, 2024 | retrofitmagazine.com | Christina A. Koch

Thinking back throughout my life, the times I accomplished the most or believed I was most successful were times I was part of a great team. I didn’t want to be the cog in the wheel that failed everyone, so I’d work harder, longer, smarter to ensure my entire team was productive. For example, I loved volleyball in high school, but I wouldn’t say I was a great volleyball player until I got to college and found the team that built up my confidence.
Retail Attraction

Mar 11, 2024 | retrofitmagazine.com | Christina A. Koch

As part of my family’s move to Omaha, Neb., I joined several local Facebook groups (like restaurant reviews and moms in the know) and my NextDoor neighborhood group to ensure I’m aware of the happenings in my new community. Not long after we moved, my daughter Clare’s new dance studio shared a post on Facebook from its neighbor, a baker who had gone from baking in her home to a brick-and-mortar store and was struggling to keep the store operating.
Architectural Battens Now Available in New Dimensions, Heavy-duty Iteration and with New Hardware

Jan 5, 2024 | retrofitmagazine.com | Christina A. Koch |Robert Nieminen |KJ Fields

Longboard Architectural Products, a provider of premium extruded aluminum building products, proudly announces a significant expansion to its architectural battens, the Link & Lock series. This release includes new dimensions, the introduction of a Heavy Duty (HD) iteration, and an array of new mounting hardware options. In a stride toward architectural versatility, Longboard Architectural Products expands and enhances its renowned Link & Lock architectural batten series.
Marvin Welcomes Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Jan 5, 2024 | retrofitmagazine.com | Christina A. Koch |Robert Nieminen |KJ Fields

Marvin, a manufacturer of windows and doors, welcomes Val Johnson as senior vice president of human resources. Johnson joins the company’s senior leadership team and will guide the development of Marvin’s evolving human resources function. “Marvin is first and foremost a people-centered organization,” says Paul Marvin, chief executive officer.