Impeccable Taste

Hughes' kitchen is outfitted with granite countertops from All Natural Stone accented with a stone backsplash from Acme Brick.

A custom iron door leads into the butler's pantry and wine cellar.

Building homes runs in Kevin Hughes' blood. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and uncle, Hughes continues the family legacy as a third-generation builder in Little Rock. His most recent project is a labor of love for his own family of four, which includes his wife Karen, an attorney with Watts, Donovan and Tilley; 16-year-old son Brandon; and 14-year-old daughter Jordan. Their Deauville Court home in Chenal Valley is a testament to Hughes' years of experience. "I incorporated ideas from other homes I've built to create the perfect home for my family," he said.

The kitchen, which will be featured during the annual ACRC Cooks Tour, is a masterful combination of efficiency and beauty. Hughes achieved a Tuscan influence by adding elements such as Persian brown granite countertops by All Natural Stone and custom-built solid alder cabinets with carved rope details, created by Kevin Hughes Construction Company. The cabinets extend to the top of the 10-foot ceiling. "Even though it's not as accessible, it's a ton of storage for the items you don't use as often," he said. The intricate stone backsplash, designed by Linda Anderson of Acme Brick, adds a soft touch with its mixture of colored and glass tile.

In addition to the aesthetic features that make Hughes' kitchen exceptional, he has added many hidden details that make the room user-friendly. Full-extension drawers open past the edge of the cabinets to simplify finding the right pan or utensil, a hinged water faucet over the range allows for effortless filling of large pots, and an appliance garage next to the refrigerator provides the perfect place for small appliances to stay ready for immediate use without cluttering the counter. And while three ovens plus a warming drawer ensure cooking for crowds is manageable, the surround-sound speakers with separate volume controls in the kitchen allow the cook to choose the tunes, making entertaining enjoyable as well.

Hughes' reputation for building creative kitchens has earned his home a spot on the 2008 Cooks Tour, presented by the Arkansas Cancer Research Center Auxiliary.

"This will be the third time in four years that one of the houses I built will be in it," he said. "It's for a good cause, and we're happy to help out in any way we can." On the tour, guests will visit four homes of varying styles in the Deauville Court subdivision, and at each house a different executive chef will prepare dishes for guests to enjoy. The chefs for this year's tour, all owners of their own restaurants, are Michael Selig of Vermillion Water Grille in the River Market, Scott McGehee of Boulevard Bread Company with several Little Rock locations, Mark Abernathy of Loca Luna and Bene Vita in Riverdale and Evette Brady of 1620 Restaurant in west Little Rock. The tour will take place on Sunday, April 20, and tickets are available by calling 501-686-8286.