The Write Way

There's much that makes The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow unique. Located in Eureka Springs, it was established in 1999 by two writers, Crescent Dragonwagon and her late husband Ned Shank, as a place where writers and artists could enjoy long stretches of uninterrupted creativity. A former bed and breakfast, it includes six suites, and in exchange for each month of stay, writers donate one day a week to community presentations in elementary schools, senior centers, libraries, universities, after-school programs and other community venues. “The Writers' Colony bridges three elements our writers love,” says executive director Jennifer Hansen, “ample focused, uninterrupted work time; the world of artistic opportunities and ideas in Eureka Springs; and step-out-your-door access to the outdoors and nature.”

In addition to these opportunities, Dragonwagon and Shank also wanted to create a space for culinary writing. “At the time, and as far as we know this is still true today, we are the only writers' colony that recognizes and supports culinary writing as a genre for residency,” says Hansen. Recently, they were able to completely renovate the culinary writing suite to create a place that was ideal for both cooking and writing. Former executive director Sandy Wright worked with Ann Maine, then the editor of Renovation Style magazine, and now editor-in-chief of Traditional Home, and KitchenAid, who donated all the appliances to completely revamp the dark and dated kitchen.

To begin planning the renovation, Maine spoke with a dozen chefs and culinary writers about what they'd want most in a test kitchen, and the answers were translated into the writers' colony kitchen. Size takes a back seat to organization, with ample counter space, easily accessible storage and an abundance of light at the top of their list. Not only is the space appropriate for testing every kind of recipe and taking notes, it also accommodates video cameras for product demonstrations. Open shelving makes it simple for cooks to find everything they need, while extra storage and counter space is provided by a rolling island, which tucks neatly away in an under-counter “garage” when not in use.

The most distinctive aesthetic feature of the kitchen is the glass tile mosaic that covers the walls in shades of blue and green, which are echoed in the incredible views outside the windows. Wide bands of blue tiles on the backsplash refer back to the cobalt-blue KitchenAid appliances, and simple raised-panel KraftMaid cabinetry is accented with satin-nickel pulls, creating a look that Hansen describes as “reminiscent of 1950s style, but elegant and timeless at the same time.”

Since the renovation, the kitchen is filled with activity, thanks to the culinary writers in residence who are constantly testing recipes and hosting cooking classes, but it's also become a gathering place for the other writers and the colony staff, enticed by the rich aromas issuing forth. “Sometimes we even get to enjoy the fruits of their labors,” says Hansen.

Design Resources
Design: Ann Maine, Deborah Krasner
Appliances: KitchenAid
Builder: Handyman Connection
Cabinetry: Carla Fish, KraftMaid Cabinetry
Countertops: DuPont Zodiaq
Cultured stone: Owens Corning
Tile: Walker Zanger
Fireplace: Pilgrim Hearth
Furniture: Maine Cottage, Restoration Hardware
Mobile kitchen island: John Boos & Co.
Windows and doors: Marvin
Paint: Sherwin-Williams
Window coverings: Smith + Noble