Date:  December 2, 2024  |   Story: Stephanie Maxwell Newton  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Bailey Dougan  |  

Thoughtful details and a palette of pastels—both at the holidays and year-round—bring cheer to a west Little Rock new build

Karen and Kris Upton were on a walk through the recently developed neighborhood they now call home when they happened upon the perfect lot. “It was during COVID, and we ended up walking through this neighborhood and just loved the houses on the golf course,” Karen says. As president and CEO of real estate firm RPM Group, Kris’s initial thought was to purchase several lots, build houses, and put them on the market. “Then we decided we wanted one for ourselves,” Karen recalls.

They started working on the home’s drawings with Rick Alexander, residential home builder and a member of RPM’s staff, in hopes of creating a customized residence. “Our previous home was a spec house, and this time we wanted our own house from start to finish,” Karen says. “As we were working on the plan, I realized I was going to need help.” Enter Amy Terry, designer and owner of AC Designs. With a son the same age as the Uptons’, Amy had known the couple for years and even helped with small interiors projects and Christmas décor in the past.

For this home, Karen and Kris desired an open floor plan downstairs where they could host friends and family as well as a designated space upstairs for their college-aged son. To that end, a media room located right off his bedroom is a popular hangout when he’s home for the holidays. Amy helped delineate the spaces with color: a neutral palette accented with soft pinks and blues sets the tone on the lower level, while the second story rooms are drenched in a moody navy blue.

During the building process Amy looked for opportunities to tweak built-in details. “We wanted to do a few things that would make this house special and help set it apart,” the designer says. The gentle slope of the living room fireplace, a herringbone feature wall in the dining area, and an arched front door are all evidence of these early changes. “I definitely think building and new construction is a team approach,” she adds. “Even your best laid plans will have to change and be reconfigured. Everyone working together comes up with the best plan.”

Candace Davis, Amy’s partner in AC Designs Holiday, came on to help with the family’s Christmas décor—which was installed at the same time the Uptons moved into their new home. The team infused the seasonal additions, from baubles on the tree to ribbons tied on wreaths and swags throughout the house, with the home’s soft palette of pinks and blues. “I love walking in every room and seeing a little touch of Christmas,” Amy says.

“Having Rick and Amy work together with us was probably one of the best decisions we ever made,” Karen says. “I know people think design work is expensive, but I will truly say having Amy’s expertise prevented me from making costly mistakes. Her knowledge and ability to tie everything together made the biggest difference.”

Above: Whitewashed woods and rattan details give the home a coastal flair, which Amy notes was an underlying theme throughout the design. “They love the beach, and we were just trying to bring a little bit of that here,” she says. AF Decorative completed the faux finish on the ceiling and beams, and the abstract beach scene over the fireplace is by local artist Lauren Anderson. The chandelier, a bespoke creation from Julie Neill’s line for Visual Comfort, was one of Amy’s favorite selections for the room.

Elevated Entry
The arched front door framed by draperies is a favorite feature for both the designer and homeowners. “It offers privacy at night, but also looks so cozy from the inside,” Amy says. Over the entry table, a painting by Lauren Anderson introduces the home’s aesthetic from the get-go.

All is Calm
The neutral palette continues in the kitchen, where a honed quartzite covers the countertops and backsplash. The blend of black plumbing fixtures with gold hardware and lighting was a suggestion from Amy that creates a more custom look. “The mix of metals was eye-opening for me. You get in your mind that everything has to match,” Karen says. A wet bar to the left of the kitchen invites guests to pour a drink when the family entertains.

The cabinetry is painted “Alabaster” by Sherwin-Williams throughout the kitchen.

O, Christmas Scheme
Like the everyday décor, the Christmas tree has a transitional flair: Traditional ribbons and baubles adorn the tree, but a pastel palette and sprigs of eucalyptus give it a contemporary feel. Blush and blue are woven throughout every detail, from the ribbons and ornaments to stacks of presents spilling out underneath.

Sitting Pretty
In the casual dining space, a nature-inspired chandelier was intentionally hung high so as not to block the view of the golf course; after all, the green setting was the couple’s main draw to the lot. The fixture’s contemporary style is balanced by the vintage feel of the sideboard. “We were definitely trying to keep some traditional roots with this,” Amy says of the mix. Miniature wreaths on the back of each dining chair and a garland coordinate with the home’s Christmas scheme.

Her Space
Sliding barn doors off the entry lead to Karen’s office, where Schumacher’s “Indian Arbre” is the star of the show behind the desk and in the built-ins. The mirrored desk and Greek key-patterned pillows speak to the home’s traditional influence, while simplified ginger jars and clean-lined chairs keep the look current. Wreaths, ribbons, and a holiday swag continue the seasonal cheer. The cabinetry is painted “Crushed Ice” by Sherwin-Williams.

His Retreat
Upstairs, the media room is color-drenched in a navy hue for a more masculine take on the downstairs’ beachy blues. “We love how that treatment completely makes it cozy,” Amy says. The hair-on-hide ottoman, textiles, and, in particular, a custom painting ordered from Etsy speak to Kris’s desire for a Southwest theme, while built-ins house family photos and memorabilia. “We wanted a place to display their personal items, and everything there is meaningful,” the designer adds. The paint color used here is “Gibraltar” by Sherwin-Williams.

“I love walking in every room and seeing a little touch of Christmas.”
—Amy Terry, designer

Simplicity Reigns
Amy and the homeowners opted for layers of neutrals in the primary suite. “I love simple; simple doesn’t have to be boring,” Amy says. Polished nickel and marble are timeless selections in the bathroom, where the vanity offers his-and-her sinks for getting ready. “We wanted something to stand the test of time and be classic, and when we saw those faucets we knew we had to have them,” the designer says. “Those were our starting point.”

Merry & Bright
In the powder bath, Thibaut’s “Prisma” grasscloth marries the light and dark shades of blue seen throughout the house. An evergreen swag with blue and pink ribbons signals the holiday season over the mirror.

Design Resources
Builder Rick Alexander, RPM Group Christmas design Amy Terry and Candace Davis, AC Designs Holiday Interior design Amy Terry, AC Designs Art AC Designs, Ashley Saer, Amy Waggoner, Emily Cobb, Lauren Anderson, and M2 Gallery Appliances Metro Appliances & More Christmas Décor Juniper Hill, Silks A Bloom, and Tanarah Luxe Floral Countertops Affordable Granite and More Fabrics, lighting, wallpaper, and window coverings AC Designs Furniture Cobblestone & Vine, Cost Plus Furniture Warehouse, HOWSE, Kaufman By Design, and Providence Designs Flooring and tile Lumber1 Home Center Painting (decorative) AF Decorative Rugs AC Designs and Martinous Oriental Rugs