Date:  December 2, 2024  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Bailey Dougan  |  

Paul Guess, owner of the Guess & Company Christmas warehouse in Des Arc, works with designer Debi Davis to create an elegant retreat complete with holiday décor

There’s no place like Des Arc for Paul Guess. Having worked as a pharmaceutical rep for 13 years, Paul traveled to and lived in numerous locations both in Arkansas and beyond. But he always longed for home. “Family is a core value for me, and I thought I had missed too many of my nieces’ and nephews’ activities, so it was time for me to come home,” says the Prairie County native.

The path that led him back was an unexpected one. During his time in sales, Paul attended a Harvard Business School program that reignited an interest he had long held in international business. In 2008, he decided to dip his toe in the water with a pop-up Christmas shop in Searcy. “I was testing the theory that if you have a good product and provide exceptional service, you can be successful even in a down economy,” he says. This first endeavor was a hit. After his then-employer asked him to move to Indianapolis, he knew it was time to head home and consider making this new venture a full-time gig. Upon moving back, he spent his days curating a list of importers he could work with on designs for holiday décor and accessories.

Today, Guess & Company has become known as Arkansas’s holiday destination. From October through early December, some 30,000 people descend on the town to shop 60,000 square feet of ornaments, floral pieces, ribbon, and seasonal accessories—two-thirds of which are designed by Paul—and candles from his Lux Fragrances line. However, he is as tickled about what this means for Des Arc as he is about following his passion. “There is nothing that makes my heart more full than to drive through town at this time of year and see other businesses full,” he says. In addition to bringing guests to town, the warehouse employs more than 50 high school students and donates the sales of all VIP Night tickets to charitable organizations. “It’s very humbling for me to think about, but I also feel a great sense of responsibility,” Paul says.

With all of these plates spinning, Paul feels it is imperative that his home be a place of calm where he can rest. To achieve this feeling of serenity, he turned to longtime friend and Little Rock designer Debi Davis. “Debi is one of the most talented designers in the Southern U.S. Nobody can pull together textiles and textures like her,” he says. Having worked together on several of his homes, she knew his taste and needs well. “I wanted everything to work with his lifestyle and for this to be a really livable home for him where he can relax,” Debi adds. Paul notes he was especially grateful, having rented a home in the area for years before purchasing this one to make his own.

It’s obvious he finds joy in decorating for the season, but Paul is mindful this is not the case for all. “I hope that we are all conscientious about the photos we share of our wreaths, garlands, and gifts this season. By sharing my home, I hope it brings joy for others but never makes someone feel less than. Times are not easy, and I want to be cognizant of that,” he says. To this point, he takes a sensible approach with holiday decorations, basing schemes on his everyday décor and choosing pieces that speak to him. “I’m on a budget just like everyone else, so I don’t change it up every year, but I will add to what I have,” he says. “It’s very calming and serene because this is my sanctuary.”

Above: Wanting to create a welcoming statement and bring in natural light, Debi traded the home’s single wood entry door for a more modern iron-and-glass pair. A wooden stairwell was also exchanged for a black iron version that complements the new doors. Paul starts the blue, white, and gold Christmas scene at the front door to give guests a glimpse of what to expect throughout the house.

Well-Rounded Décor
Debi complemented Paul’s beloved old-world-style dining table with a contemporary light fixture and mirrored walls that she notes help make the small dining space feel larger. The table’s coordinating chairs were recovered in an elegant cut velvet that adds to the design’s current accents.

“The way I select Christmas décor is based on my everyday décor, but it’s equally important that it reflects me.”
—Paul Guess, homeowner

Paul Guess of Guess & Company in his living room.

Wintry Mix
White walls and neutral furnishings provide a serene backdrop for gilded Christmas décor in Paul’s formal living room. His tree is adorned with floral picks, ornaments, and accessories in the gold, blue, and white palette found throughout the home, while a coordinating garland, crafted from the same elements, brings cheer to the mantel.

“I love helping people create a tree or a place setting because it brings them joy. I can help them forget about all their problems for a moment—or three hours if they are shopping in the warehouse!”
—Paul Guess, homeowner

Reoriented, Restyled
“The previous layout of the kitchen was L-shaped, and it just didn’t work well for him,” Debi says. To remedy this, she gave the room a full makeover with cabinetry being repositioned to create a small bartop for quick meals and the sink being relocated to offer a view outdoors. A former dining space in the bay window was transformed into a sitting area, a feature Paul felt he would use more frequently.

Outdoor Inspiration
“Paul is big on having the inside and outside match—and so am I,” Debi says, pointing to the den, which has views of the home’s pool and outdoor living area that feature a similar palette and style. “You don’t want to go into a colonial home and see something very contemporary,” she adds. In the background, a powder bath features a blue chinoiserie wallpaper that is echoed in this room’s accessories. Solid-hue swivel chairs, gold accents, and an acrylic glass-top table add to the clean and current feel.

Design Resources
Contractor Steve Ward Construction Christmas design Paul Guess, Guess and Company Interior design Debi Davis, Debi Davis Interior Design Accessories, art, furniture, lighting, mirrors, rugs, and wallpaper Debi Davis, Debi Davis Interior Design