Rustic & Responsible

When Gail and Chuck Maxwell purchased a lot on Fayetteville’s Mount Sequoyah, they knew they had found the perfect place to build their dream home. They also knew they wanted the process and structure to be environmentally responsible and innovative, including the home’s open floor plan kitchen. Luckily, they already knew the right person to help carry out this mission—LEED-accredited designer and longtime friend, Missi Walker. Working together, the trio perfected the recipe for a green kitchen.

NATURAL WORKZONE

• The locally milled cherry cabinetry is comprised of grade three and four lumber, “which would normally be cast off due to knots and slight imperfections,” says Walker. However, in this rustic space, the knots add character and make the wood an efficient use of resources. An all-natural stain, free of chemicals, gives the cabinetry a solid, sleek finish.

• Hickory hardwood floors provide a color contrast that blends with the natural look of the room. Again, to reduce the use of chemicals, the couple chose a no-VOC wax finish.

• Stainless steel Energy Star-qualified appliances add amenities while keeping energy usage, and thus utility costs, low.

ECO-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT

• A palette of earth tones and an abundance of stained wood echo the home’s rustic surroundings. The wall color is a low-VOC custom blended paint based on Sherwin-Williams’ Edamame.

• “The Maxwells had to clear several trees from the property in order to build but, ever resourceful, they were able to salvage a few that now serve as both decorative and structural supports in the kitchen and living area,” notes Walker. “Not only was it a smart use of materials, it also lends a very personal touch to the space,” she adds. 

• The cedar railing, custom made in a mortise-and-tenon or peg style, was also produced from locally milled wood. An artistic display of branches along the railing adds to the space’s rustic feel.

• An abundance of triple-pane windows, which are vinyl clad for low maintenance, allow the family to enjoy natural light during the day. At night, recessed lights and a row of pendants, all lit with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), illuminate the kitchen for entertaining or whipping up a quick family dinner.

• “Gail is great at finding new uses for items and even found these barstools through an online resale store,” says Walker. The durable stools blend with the room’s stainless steel appliances and contrast with the wood island.

Design Resources

Interior design Missi Walker Interiors, Fayetteville

Appliances Metro Appliances & More, locations statewide

Barstools Makinroom.com

Cabinetry Collins Custom Cabinets, Lowell

Countertop, tile New Century Countertops & Tile, Springdale

Paint Sherwin-Williams, locations statewide

Want a greener way to shop for household items? Visit Makin’ Room, a local web site where users can list and sell gently used furniture, appliances and more in areas such as Jonesboro, Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas. www.makinroom.com