Date:  June 1, 2023  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Stephanie Maxwell Newton  |  

A Bentonville family digs into a new build on cherished family land

Ashley and Chad Goss always had an inkling they would end up on a homestead. Ashley’s mother grew up on a Virginia farm and her dad raised sheep, and she envisioned a similar life for herself. Chad’s family bought acreage in Bentonville near what is now Coler Mountain Bike Preserve and built a home there when he was just 10 years old. “His parents wanted to teach him about taking care of the land and have a place their family enjoyed,” Ashley shares.

A few years ago, this same desire began to echo with Ashley and Chad, prompting them to think about trading their downtown Bentonville home for life on the land. They were able to parcel a piece of Chad’s family’s property where they could build their own house and raise their family. “It’s a slower life on the land,” Ashley says of the pasture setting where cows can be seen grazing and sunsets are unobstructed.

Knowing this would be a forever home, they wanted to get it right and turned to trusted friend and designer Erin Lefler. “Chad grew up with Erin, and when we talked about building I thought she would be so much fun to work with,” Ashley says.

With several remodel and new construction side jobs under her belt, Erin decided to make the career leap from teaching to interior design about five years ago and hasn’t looked back. Shortly after starting this project with the Gosses, she teamed up with friend and fellow designer Meghan Teeter to launch Lefler Teeter Designs.

Coming on board at the start and working alongside builder David Harris, Erin weighed in on everything, starting with the floor plan. “When we began they said they wanted to be practical, telling me, ‛We don’t need or want 10,000 square feet,’” Erin recalls. “We wanted it to be open but not so big that people don’t feel welcome,” Ashley adds. They also considered how they wanted life to look down the road, opting for small bedrooms that encourage family togetherness in the living and dining rooms. “We want our kids to be living life with us,” Ashley says. In the review of plans, Erin encouraged the Gosses to add a fifth bedroom, which proved prophetic when they learned they were expecting their third child during the building process.

Both Erin and Ashley describe the home’s style as English but with a current feel. “There’s a timelessness about it, but it’s earthy and organic as well,” Erin says. “On your own, it’s really difficult to make sure everything flows. But Erin could keep me in the ‘modern English country’ lane because she has the ability to envision the project as a whole,” Ashley says. “She took my ideas and made them better.”

Cozy Quarters
The open floor plan leads from the entry into the living room where a bank of windows highlights views of the outdoor living area. Features like the arched doorways and cast stone fireplace speak to the design’s English influence and bring character to the room. Here, Erin paired a vintage Turkish rug with more contemporary furniture for a timeless yet fresh feel.

Hub of the Home
The layout of the kitchen, which is situated in between the living and dining rooms, was determined by the Gosses’ desire for an island large enough to accommodate the entire family. In keeping with the English style of the design, stain was used on the island and base cabinets. “It was so tricky to find a color that worked with the flooring,” Erin says of the process, which went through multiple revisions before landing on a custom selection. Painted upper cabinets (Accessible Beige” by Sherwin-Williams) are accented by a painted brick backsplash and quartzite countertops.

“There’s a timelessness about it, but it’s earthy and organic as well.”
—Erin Lefler, designer

All in One Place
The family opted for one large dining space rather than a separate breakfast nook and formal dining room. “It’s more day-to-day and practical,” Erin says. To make it work for larger gatherings, the designer sourced a table that can easily extend for a crowd. An arched niche echoes the architectural feature found throughout the home and, along with the pair of built-in cabinets seen on either side, provides storage. A stone fireplace gives the feel of a cozy European cottage. The walls are painted “Origami White” by Sherwin-Williams.

Sentimental Study
“Chad wanted his office to have an English pub feel,” Erin says, pointing to the deep green walls (“Greenblack” by Sherwin-Williams), marble and brass accents, and inviting leather sofa as incarnations of this aesthetic. A gallery wall features everything from a Michelin Star-rated restaurant menu to a portrait of Nolan Richardson, all of which hold special meaning for the couple.

A reeded vanity cabinet, cloud-patterned wallpaper, and a contemporary mirror and sconces come together for a powder bath that delights guests.

In the Green
A sunroom adjoins the primary bedroom and looks out to the pool and pasture beyond. “I’ve not always been a stay-at-home mom, so I want to start hobbies like gardening and learning to paint,” Ashley says of the space that is conducive to both. As for the color (“Cast Iron” by Sherwin-Williams), she has always been drawn to green and felt it was fitting for the home’s setting. Wood-planked ceilings and terracotta floors add additional warmth.

Suite Retreat
The primary bedroom and adjoining bath are outfitted in neutral hues and accented with vintage rugs. As with the rest of the home, classic features—such as stained beams and the herringbone pattern of the tile surrounding the tub—are mixed with more contemporary furnishings and accessories. The artwork in the bath is by Little Rock artist Amanda Kella, who is the couple’s sister-in-law.

Kid-friendly Design
With three little ones under their roof, the Gosses wanted each child to have a space that suited his or her personality. Their second-grade daughter loved being a part of the process and even selected the travel-themed wallpaper from Rifle Paper Co. for her bath. Hex tile laid in a floral pattern and painted shelving in the bedroom add to the lighthearted, girlish feel.

“We wanted to keep the kids’ rooms fun and have them coordinate but not necessarily match the exact palette,” Erin says, pointing to the Gosses’ son’s room.

Design Resources
Builder David Harris Construction Draftsman Kevin Canada Interior design Erin Lefler, Lefler Teeter Designs Landscape design Better Lawns & Gardens and Professional Landscaping Co. Accessories, lighting, and wallpaper Lefler Teeter Designs Appliances Metro Appliances & More Cabinetry Best Choice Custom Cabinets Carpet and flooring Carpet One Countertops New Century Countertops Fabrics and window coverings Callista’s Creations and Lefler Teeter Designs Fireplace NWA Cast Stone Fixtures Ferguson Plumbing Supply Furniture Abide, Lefler Teeter Designs, and Lighting Emporium Hardware Hearth & Home and Lefler Teeter Designs Millwork Quality Millwork Mirrors Bentonville Glass Co. and Lefler Teeter Designs Paint Farrow & Ball and Sherwin Williams Painting Johannesen Painting Pool BC Pools NWA Rugs Abide and Lefler Teeter Designs Tile Townzen Tile Wallpaper (Installation) Tammy Melton Windows Encore Building Products