Date: June 1, 2023 | Story: Tate Gunnerson | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Stephanie Maxwell Newton |
Jenny Turner calls on a dear friend to design a comfortable, classic abode with space for the whole family
The oldest of five, Jenny Turner feels blessed to belong to a large family who enjoys spending time together. So it comes as no surprise that she and two of her siblings have built homes on the same 250-acre tract of land in central Arkansas’s Scott. Their close proximity is a dream for their mother and an ideal setting to host the sort of large soirées for which the family is known. “It’s not uncommon for there to be 50 of us together,” Jenny says. “We wanted a spot to keep our family connected.”
Naturally, both the rural setting and focus on family informed the style of her new residence. For interior design, Jenny turned to longtime friend Lisa Stagg of LJ Interiors. “She wanted a modern farmhouse that fit in with all the beauty surrounding them,” Lisa says. “Her home in the city was much more traditional, so she was going out on a limb.”
To wit, the new build boasts a spacious, open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and windows with unobstructed views of the outdoors. Traditional farmhouse elements such as wooden beams, board-and-batten paneling, and comfortable upholstered furnishings mix with more contemporary accents to give the home transitional appeal.
Amid the neutral palette, touches of color and whimsy bring Jenny’s cheerful personality throughout the design. For example, a mural-style wallcovering creates a grand first impression in the dining room, which is open to the entry and living room. Brass accents balance the industrial nature of black and wood finishes while adding a touch of girlish glam to the kitchen and primary bath. “It’s a very warm, inviting feeling that’s so beautiful,” Lisa says.
A lifelong city dweller, Jenny still marvels at the glimpses of wildlife and sunsets she enjoys from the setting of her new home. Plus, there’s the joy of gathering with her neighboring siblings to host everything from pool parties to Easter egg hunts. “We hope that one day our younger siblings come here and build too,” Jenny says. “There’s just nothing like it.”
Inside the front doors, an entry table and mirror welcome guests while hinting at the curated, transitional style beyond.
Setting the Tone
While the same white paint color was used on the walls, trim, and cabinetry throughout the house (“Alabaster” by Sherwin-Williams), interior designer Lisa Stagg specified a different sheen for each application. “That creates a more interesting look,” she says. Durable yet attractive laminate flooring gives the look of real hardwoods in the connected living spaces.
A linear fireplace and black exterior doors bring modern style to the mix. A pair of landscape paintings by local artist Heike Talbert echo the home’s pastoral surroundings.
Flower Power
A brass candelabra-style chandelier illuminates the open dining area without detracting from the vibrant floral wallcovering that creates a powerful backdrop for everyday meals and special occasions alike. A table with a fluted pedestal base and a mix of solid and patterned dining chairs suit the home’s neutral palette while allowing the room’s focal point to shine.
“It’s a very warm, inviting feeling that’s so beautiful.”
—Lisa Stagg, designer
Place to Be
A trio of brass pendants plays off the half-moon stools in the spacious kitchen, which is outfitted with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and Taj Mahal quartzite on both the countertops and backsplash. During Jenny’s regular get-togethers, there’s plenty of seating for guests at the kitchen island as well as a table in the nearby breakfast area. A small hearth room around the corner—which also connects to the primary bedroom—offers a cozy space for morning coffee.
Storage Style
In the spacious pantry, a Moroccan-style tile plays off the floral motif that can be found elsewhere in the house, and its black and white colorway lives easily alongside the white cabinetry and leathered granite countertops. The glass-front uppers mimic the X motif found in the kitchen cabinets to help visually connect the two separate spaces.
Pastel & Peaceful
The lumbar pillow fabric (“Coastal Spritz” by Windy O’Connor) inspired the soft color palette in the primary bedroom, where burled wood chests flank a four-poster bed by Providence Design. An antelope-print bench and furry pink throw blanket add to the feminine feel of the gracious space.
Serene Space
A hand-painted mural by AF Decorative depicting branches and birds adds a playful air to the primary bathroom. Brass fixtures tie into the mural’s golden hue while adding warmth to the cool gray tones of Carrara marble flooring and arabesque-style tile surrounding the tub.
Design Resources
Builder Dillon Homes Draftsman Gwen Couch Interior design Lisa Stagg, LJ Interiors Landscape design Eminent Terrain Inc. Accessories Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Cobblestone & Vine, and Providence Design Appliances Metro Appliances & More Art Cobblestone & Vine, Heike Talbert, and Providence Design Cabinetry and millwork Duke Custom Cabinets Carpet, flooring, and tile C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery Countertops Affordable Granite and More and Pacific Shore Stones Fabrics Cynthia East Fabrics Fireplace Royal Overhead Door Fixtures Falk Plumbing Supply Furniture Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Cobblestone & Vine, Dilliard’s, Ethan Allen, and Providence Design Hardware and lighting Light Innovations Mirrors Providence Design Paint Sherwin-Williams Painting Dillon Homes painting (Decorative) AF Decorative Rugs Cantrell Furniture Design Center and Martinous Oriental Rug Company Windows Pella Window coverings Nancy Osborne and Janet Baker
