Date:  August 29, 2025  |   Story: Stephanie Maxwell Newton  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |  

Tilden House helps a Little Rock family remix their living room for maximum style and functionality

A beloved piece of art was relocated to a prominent spot in the entry. Now, a diptych of framed watercolors selected by the homeowners hangs on the wall behind the sofa.

With a great art collection, love of color, and several heirloom furniture pieces, the owners of this Little Rock home had a head start on their living room before they phoned designer Nikki Hastings and the team at Tilden House for help. “They had some beautiful pieces, but they felt like it wasn’t serving them,” Nikki says. With two children and a penchant for entertaining, the homeowners also knew this room could be doing more in terms of functionality.

To start, Nikki kept the layout the same—with two couches forming an L and two chairs—but recognized that the length of the room allowed for one more seating area near a set of windows at the front of the house. Here, she designated space for a game table, which can serve double duty as a homework spot. This sort of intentionality was at the forefront of all the new selections; for example, the windowpane plaid arm chair swivels so the person seated there can easily converse between seating areas. “That is now the coveted spot,” Nikki says. “They all fight over it when they’re here together!”

In terms of style, they went all in on pattern and personality. “We took inventory of the things they had and used that as our beginning point,” Nikki explains. That led them to the room’s standout fabric, “Concini” by Pierre Frey in Fleur Rouge, which is used on the draperies and throw pillows. “We knew we wanted to make a bold statement, and the colors and the vibe were perfect. That was the first piece it all branched from,” the designer says.

Because the home already had threads of green and blue throughout, those hues played a role in the rest of the selections. The sofas are covered in a performance velvet, which Nikki says is her go-to for standing up to everyday wear in a family home. A bound carpet for the rug allowed them to be very specific with the size; plus, its simple stripe acts as an understated backdrop that lets the fabrics used on the drapes, pillows, and lampshade shine.

The final piece was updating and arranging the built-ins. The team replaced all the cabinet doors with brass mesh while keeping the classic architectural details of the unit intact, and then turned their attention to styling the shelves. “Built-ins can be so intimidating,” Nikki says. “You get pieces you want to showcase, but blending them and making it all make sense can be challenging.” The team interspersed family photographs, collected art, and coffee table books purchased while traveling with colorful new accessories and more books based on their clients’ interests for a striking display that tells a story.

“This project was such smooth sailing,” Nikki says of the process. “They were so trusting and great to work with. Now it’s a space where they can all gather, and it can serve more purposes.”

Game On
A navy game table is now the preferred setting for puzzles and games of mahjong. The chairs feature green mohair on the back and a small-scale pattern on the front, which is repeated on the stools. A photograph of a New Orleans second line and embroidered cow skull are among items from the homeowners’ personal collection Nikki integrated into the design.

“We wanted everything to have that duality of curated but approachable.”
—Nikki Hastings, designer

Elevate the Existing
The previous cabinet doors were a mix of solid and wicker mesh for concealing speakers. For consistency, the fronts were all replaced with brass mesh to still offer uninhibited sound quality while “bringing in a little modernity,” Nikki says.

Identify a Showstopper
“We wanted this fabric to be the star,” Nikki says of the Pierre Frey pattern on the draperies. A triple tailor pleat and polished brass hardware complete a sophisticated display for a central element of the room’s design.

Add an Antique
The antique table behind one of the sofas was the first piece the homeowners bought for the house. Formerly tucked between a couch and the wall, the table is now not only more visible, but also serves a purpose by corralling two stools for additional seating.

Think Outside the Table
In using an ottoman rather than a coffee table, Nikki was mindful that the piece could serve multiple functions, even offering extra seating during large gatherings. The same blue fabric from the sofas forms a contrasting welt.

Design Resources
Interior Design Nikki Hastings and Lane Harrison, Tilden House Accessories Cobblestone & Vine, Possibilities Unlimited, The Shade Above, and Tilden House Fabrics, furniture, and hardware Tilden House Framing BA Framer Lighting The Shade Above and Tilden House Millwork Pinnacle Design & Cabinetry Rugs C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery Upholstery Professional Touch Up Window Coverings Christi Cooper Design and Tilden House