Date:  November 28, 2014  |  

Filled with charm, including a bustling downtown area, this small, south Arkansas town is big on hospitality, style, and culture

                                       AREA ATTRACTIONS                                   

If you’re headed to El Dorado, you’re in luck when it comes to seasonal attractions. Not only is this month the perfect time to take in the town’s holiday décor and cheer, it’s also the culmination of the 50th anniversary festivities for The South Arkansas Arts Center (870-862-5474, saac-arts.com). Marking the end of this yearlong celebration is a special exhibit of internationally known Arkansas artist Carroll Cloar’s work in the museum’s Merkle and Price Galleries. Cloar’s paintings, which depict life in the South and his Arkansas roots, can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Library of Congress, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and now at the South Arkansas Arts Center. Carroll Cloar’s Arkansas will be on display now through December 19. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

                                          LOCAL FINDS                                          

Whether you’re a native or a local, you’ll want to be sure to take advantage of the shopping destinations in El Dorado. If you’re in the market for holiday décor, a fun hostess gift, or even the perfect Christmas present, we suggest heading to All About Flowers and Postage (870-862-5437, allaboutflowersandpostage.com) on the historic downtown square. The shop is truly a one-stop destination featuring flowers, gifts, and a post office all in one convenient location. Let their floral design experts create and deliver a bouquet for a loved one or consult with them for flowers for your next special event.

From there, we recommend heading to Sydney Murphy Design (870-863-6625, sydneymurphydesign.com) on East Main Street. Shop the store’s huge selection of gifts, home décor, lighting, furniture, kitchen wares, china, and more. If you’re looking for a wedding gift or want to register for your own big day, they also have the area’s best selection of china and serving pieces. Sydney Murphy Design also offers full-service commercial and residential interior design consultations with ASID-certified designer Courtney Stone in their on-site design center. Visit this widely loved, resourceful shop for all of your home needs.

                                           MAKE IT HOME                                        

If you’re longing to call El Dorado home—or, perhaps, you have already made it home—local designer Andrea Brooks of Andrea Brooks Interiors (870-314-1334, andreabrooksinteriors.com) can help to make your interior design or renovation dreams come true. While Andrea is a nationally known talent, she lends her savvy to projects of all sizes across the state. These projects cover a range of styles from farmhouse to contemporary, but all boast her signature ability to layer color and texture, add original art, and give her clients something unexpected, which lends a comfortable, personal air to each of her designs.