Date: July 1, 2026 | Story: Virginia Brown | Photography: Mark Jackson/Chroma |
Perched above the Kings River, this serene family retreat in Northwest Arkansas blends nature, neuroaesthetic design, and spiritual intention
When this Northwest Arkansas family dreamed of a second home, they envisioned a peaceful escape overlooking the Kings River in Huntsville. Having visited the area countless times, they selected a site and called on Bret Park and Tim Patterson with Parkco Architects and landscape designer Daniel Keeley of DK Design, for their input on the terrain, and turned to interior designer Ashley Cardiel to give the interior of the home the look and feel they desired.
Ashley’s eponymous firm, which is based in Fayetteville, is known for its focus on neuroaesthetic principles—the idea that beauty, nature, texture, and thoughtful environments positively affect the nervous system and mental well-being. “The homeowners are very strong Christians, and the connection to God and nature was important,” Ashley says. “When they are out here, they want it to feel spiritual and worshipful. We wanted to take a humble approach, so the interior took a back seat to nature and the views.”
That intentionality is especially evident in the great room, where she leaned on texture—from the knotty pine ceilings to the extra-wide European oak floors and natural stone fireplace—to create a sense of calm and warmth. “All of the windows are overscaled, and focal points in the living room and bedroom spaces are geared toward nature and the outdoors beyond,” Ashley says.
Furnishings and materials throughout are highly durable and low-maintenance, since the second home is meant for escape and relaxation, not tedious upkeep. “Ease of maintenance is important when you’re not there every day to keep an eye on things,” Ashley says. “You’re going there with the intention to unplug and relax, so you don’t want a huge list of home maintenance items.”
Small personal touches, which Ashely calls “Easter eggs,” can be found subtly throughout the home. For example, in honor of the homeowner’s grandmother’s nickname, “Honey,” Ashley selected a honey onyx sink in the primary bathroom as well as artworks that feature the motif or hue.
Since the homeowner is an artist and writer, a dedicated art studio and requisite supply storage, plus a writing table with sweeping views in the living room, were important. A dramatic, playful “bunk house” downstairs offers an inviting nature-forward guest room for grandparents and kids alike. An equally important dedicated outdoor space, with durable tables and versatile chairs, means the family can immerse themselves in nature amid the rustling trees, bird calls, and river ambience. Even the bathrooms keep nature first: A large soaking tub in the primary bath faces a peaceful meadow where sheep often graze and its small mirrors encourage attention to be placed outward, not in. The property also includes a walking path down to a “thinking rock” beside the river, a spiritually meaningful spot for the homeowners.
In the end, the home is ideal for the family, not because of its grandeur, but because it focuses on what matters most. Every choice intentionally reinforces Ashley’s philosophy that thoughtful design can create a space not just for beauty, but for peace.
Above: In the great room, a natural stone fireplace adds texture. A commissioned art piece by Mark Jackson/Velesero, incorporates hints of gold, a nod to the homeowner’s grandmother, who was known as “Honey.”
Grounded in Nature
“This room was all about finding a way to create the sense of awe and wonder of nature,” Ashley says. The team accomplished the goal through scale, by enlarging the windows and doors to accentuate the expansive outdoor views. Additionally, vaulted ceilings reinforce openness. A mix of textures, including leather and performance fabrics, makes the room feel cozy.
The two-story new build on the Kings River is an immersive, laid-back escape. To create desired sightlines to the water, the main living spaces needed to be on the second floor. “That was the first design challenge,” Ashley says.
Informal and Inviting
“Because this is a getaway home, we didn’t want a formal dining space,” Ashley says. She opted for a large island to accommodate big groups, and a smaller drop table that acts as a dedicated space for one or two diners. The wood grain on the cabinetry complements the light-wood ceiling, and the leathered stone on the island and backsplash adds texture. “It’s not super shiny or formal,” she adds. “We wanted to keep it light, bright, and airy.” For durability and easy cleanup , the patterned barstools are covered in an indoor-outdoor fabric.
Everything about the river retreat, including the drop zone at the entry, was intentionally set to evoke a welcoming vibe, mimic the natural environment, and create second-home simplicity.
“The guest bath off the great room is a powder bath in terms of that jewel-box moment, but also serves as a full bath for guests,” Ashley says. Three micro-art pieces feature a honeybee motif, while a “painterly” wallpaper designed by artist Lindsay Cowles adds interest. Another of Cowles’ designs was used in the laundry room. “They feel like they have a natural hand to them,” Ashley says.
“You walk into a space like this, take a deep breath, and your shoulders lower. You think, I can rest here.”
—Ashley Cardiel, designer
Soft and Tonal
The primary bedroom was intentionally positioned among a canopy of branches to create a “treehouse” effect. Every bedroom in the house has direct outdoor access, this one leads to a raised deck with lounge chairs. Natural elements subtly continue through the room, from the mother-of-pearl, leaf-patterned nightstands to the branch-inspired chandelier. “Those are fractal patterns, and our brain actually craves them,” Ashley says. “It’s one of the reasons why, when we’re out in nature on a hike, it feels like we have so much mental clarity.”
Clean and Calm
The primary bathroom is a calming atmosphere focused on grounding and the sensory experience. “We wanted it to feel like you were outside on a stone path, a little wake-me-up for your feet when you’re barefoot in the bathroom,” Ashley says, pointing to the stone floors. Hand-cut zellige tile chosen for its imperfect, artisanal quality subtly reflects light. “It was never meant to be perfect,” Ashley says, “just textural and tactile.” A large soaking tub faces a meadow with views of grazing sheep, creating another immersive nature moment, while a live-edge wooden bath tray continues the organic feel. Limited mirrors that are small in size discourage over-focusing on appearance and encourage attention toward nature outside the large windows.
Playful Quarters
Designed to appeal to both grandparents and kids, the guest bedroom holds two twin beds to maximize sleeping accommodations. Each bed has its own dedicated semi-private canopy, plus reading lights and charging access. The blue-and-white Buffalo-check wallpaper creates a playful surprise overhead. Woven light fixtures, butterfly art made from recycled fabrics, and complementary butterfly pillows further the effort to bring nature indoors.
Downstairs, a dedicated art studio, with strong natural light and river views, reinforces the home’s role as both a retreat and creative sanctuary. A robust system of shelves, baskets, and drawers organizes art supplies. “The canvas inserts are washable, so if something spills or gets icky, you can just take the drawer liner out, throw it in the washing machine, and put it back in,” Ashley says.
“The family loves to dine and play games outside,” Ashley says. For durability, the designer opted for a concrete table that resembles slabs of wood. Two large swivel chairs offer a place to socialize or enjoy the views.
Design Resources
Architect Bret Park and Tim Patterson, Parkco Architects Builder Skip Lacy, L&L Builders Interior design Ashley Cardiel, Ashley Cardiel Interiors Landscape design DK Design Accessories, bedding, fabrics, furniture, lighting, mirrors, outdoor furnishings, rugs, and tile Ashley Cardiel Interiors Appliances Metro Appliances and More Art Ashley Cardiel Interiors and Mark Jackson, Velesero Cabinetry Twin Oaks Custom Cabinets (Neosho, MO) Countertops Signature Interior Expressions (Neosho, MO) Fireplace Godfrey & Black Brick and Stone Flooring Wood Floor Gallery Framing Art Emporium Hardware Ashley Cardiel Interiors and Twin Oaks Cabinetry Millwork Quality Millwork Paint Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams Plumbing fixtures Ferguson Plumbing Supply Stone Schwartz Stone Company Upholstery Joe Ellis Upholstery Windows and doors Builders FirstSource
