Tuck & Cover

Walking into Tuck & Cover in West Little Rock is like stepping back into childhood. Colorful art, comfy beds, inviting armchairs and intriguing toys await, all the goods needed to make a child's dream bedroom a reality.

That's the vision interior designer Laurie McFarland had when she opened her store in 2004.  With two young children of her own, McFarland had gained a reputation in her native Kansas City for creating beguiling bedrooms for kids and was interested in continuing this work when she and her family relocated to Little Rock.  “There wasn't a store here dedicated to children's design, though,” says McFarland. “When my own kids were old enough to start attending school, I decided that was a need I was interested in filling.”

Since then, McFarland's business has grown to include two degreed designers, and she and her staff work with clients to outfit entire rooms or help pull together the finishing touches.  “Kids' rooms can be a little overwhelming for people, especially a nursery where you're starting from scratch and have a time frame for getting it finished,” she says. “We're used to looking at the big picture of what a room needs and we have so many resources that it makes the process easier.”

Their design center, stocked with thousands of fabric samples, serves as a starting point for clients interested in custom bedding, window treatments or upholstery. Beds, dressers, shelving and other storage pieces round out the furnishings, with plump armchairs and ottomans added for comfort. Furniture and bedding lines like Lulla Smith, Serena & Lily, Bratt Décor and Young America are current favorites, and McFarland's frequent travels to markets and gift shows means there's always something new and interesting on the sales floor. She looks for locally-made goods as well, highlighting Arkansas artisans whenever possible.

Over the years, McFarland says she's worked on spaces for kids of nearly every age, from nurseries to dorm rooms. Doing so has made her a proponent of selecting quality pieces that can transition with kids through the years. “Look for items that work well now but could move to another room or a different use later,” she advises. “There's a way, no matter your budget, to make your child's room special, and we're here to help do that.”