Brunch at Brighton

As a teenager, Gary Childers loved jumping from the rocks in Dam Site Recreation Area into the waters of Greers Ferry Lake, and he always took note of a bluff-top piece of undeveloped land. “I used to stare at those bluffs and think, ‘If a guy could just get a lot there and build a house, what a dream,'” says Gary.

Gary and his wife, Jackie, eventually purchased the bluff-top lot, which is in the Brighton Pointe community near Heber Springs, and designed their house to highlight the surrounding lake views from every angle. This is especially true in their kitchen.

Walls of windows frame the living room, dining area and kitchen, which blend together seamlessly thanks to the open floor plan and continuous dark-stained hardwood floors. For design assistance, the Childers contacted longtime friend and designer Lou Anne Herget of LA Herget Interiors in Little Rock. “We began with the color scheme and fabrics,” she says. Taking cues from the surroundings and the Childers' favorite seaside vacation spot in Florida, Herget suggested a palette of soft blue and cream. “The blue is reminiscent of the water and the cream evokes sand,” she says.

Above the sink, the Childers reserved space for a large window. “We had some people tell us to put cabinets there, but we knew we would enjoy the view more,” Gary says. “Jackie even saw to it that no trees were removed from the sight line so it would continue the natural setting.”

The design team also made sure the kitchen had an easy-to-use configuration as well as spaces for entertaining. “Having two sinks is wonderful,” Jackie says. “The prep sink is ideal for washing vegetables and offers more workable room.” Stainless-steel appliances highlight the space, and the matching vent-a-hood is both functional and attractive. “We chose that hood because of its slender shape,” Jackie says. “It doesn't obstruct the sightline across the kitchen.”

The island's footed construction and built-in bookcases give it a furniture-like appearance, while a dual-height counter delineates the cooking area from a dining space with bar stool seating.

The door in the kitchen leads to a screened porch and onto a large wrap-around deck. “That combination works great for entertaining,” says Gary.  “We've got plenty of space to entertain family and friends, and they can enjoy the water views from any angle.”

RESOURCES
Builder: Wayne Moore Construction, Little Rock
Interior and kitchen design: Lou Anne Herget, LA Herget Interiors, Little Rock
Appliances: Metro Builders Supply, Maumelle
Flooring: Woodward Flooring, Heber Springs
Lighting: Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock
Furnishings: White Furniture, Benton
Hardware: PC Hardware, Little Rock