Date: July 19, 2016 |
Home to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the University of Arkansas, this cultural hub attracts the best and the brightest, making it a perfect place for living or visiting.
Slaughter Pen Hollow in Bentonville, has over 20 miles of trail used for biking, hiking and running. Image courtesy Visit Bentonville.
LOCAL FINDS
Vibrant shopping districts, historic downtown squares, and a world-renowned arts scene are making Northwest Arkansas one of the fasted growing regions of the state.
It is rife with trendy boutiques and upscale clothing shops for any fashionistas. No trip to the bustling college town would be complete without a stop at Riff Raff (479-571-4000, shopriffraff.com) on Fayetteville’s historic downtown square. The chic boutique, helmed by Forbes 30 Under 30 alum Kirsten Blowers, offers up adorable and affordable clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as gifts and home decor. From witty graphic tees to floral-print dresses, Riff Raff offers something for every woman.
Just a few blocks away on Meadow Street, stop in at By Request to shop for both women’s and men’s clothing. For twenty years, By Request (479-442-7525, byrequestnwa.com) has been putting the customer first, and service remains the top priority. Women will love the selection of clothing, shoes and accessories from favorite designers such as Johnny Was, Lafayette 148 New York, and Kendra Scott. Men can shop casual cool styles from Tommy Bahama or dress things up with blazers from Robert Graham.
From there, head up Fayetteville’s famous Dickson Street to Romance Diamond Company (479-443-9289, romancediamond.com), co-owned by father-daughter duo Patrick Brosh and Brittany Brosh Adair. You’ll be dazzled by both the gorgeous interiors and stunning selection of fine jewelry inside. Shop watches from Tag Heuer or colorful sets from Marco Bicego, or if you’re shopping for someone very special, shop engagement and wedding rings with the help of a personal bridal consultant.
In Springdale, be sure and stop by Euna Mae’s Heirloom Kitchen and Home Goods (479-419-9690, shopeunamaes.com), a self-proclaimed “itty bitty kitchen-y boutique.” Owner Amy Nelson Hannon stocks her tiny shop with an adorable collection of new and vintage bakeware and tableware, cookbooks, linens, and anything else you might need in a Southern kitchen. From jadeite salt and pepper shakers to Euna Mae’s housemade vanilla extract, this shop is a must-see for the Southern cook.
MAKE IT HOME
If you’re looking to put down permanent roots and build your dream home in the area, consider giving the professionals at Buffington Homes (479-251-1106, buffingtonhomesar.com) a call. With more than 40 years of experience, the builders at Buffington Homes design and construct homes fit for a variety of lifestyles. Select the plan option that’s right for you, then customize your design and finishes with the help of professional interior designers in the Buffington Homes Design Center.
Make a bold first impression on your new home with a one-of-a-kind custom front door from Manhattan Iron Door Co. (479-935-4395, manirondoors.com). The company’s doors are all made in the U.S.A. and can fit any style, from sleek and modern, to grand front entrances.
If you’re already settled in the area and would like professional help with your next redesign, Northwest Arkansas is teeming with talented designers ready to work their magic. Goddard Design Group (479-521-2592, goddarddesigngroup.com), helmed by renowned designer Chris Goddard, offers clients a range of styles, from Victorian traditional to contemporary minimalism. His eclectic design portfolio offers something for everyone, as does the Goddard design studio. Step inside and you’ll be awed by the floor-to-ceiling selections of wallpaper, fabrics, art and furnishings available for your home.
Just up the road, Melissa Haynes of MH Design Inc. (479-435-6990, melissahaynesdesign.com) calls Springdale home base, but her full service residential and commercial design work can be found all over the region. From drawing custom homes to choosing the perfect decor, Haynes has a keen eye for tailored forms, glam details, and playful patterns that come together to create her signature chic style. Her wide range of experience includes everything from historic home renovations to rural farmhouses, and urban condominiums.
While you’re in Springdale, stop by the Harper Howey Interiors (479-750-7300, harperhoweyinteriors.com) shop. Located in an old school house on Highway 71, interior designers Kimberly Harper and Cynthia Tune stock their shop with on-trend furniture, lighting, accessories, and colorful artwork. In addition to the adorable shop, Harper and Tune offer full service interior design. Whether you are building a new home, remodeling an existing home, or giving your home a much-needed refresh, Harper Howey Interiors is the perfect place to seek sophisticated and fun transitional design.
If it’s the outside of your home that could use a sprucing, call on DK Design (479-443-9002, dkdesignoutdoor.com). Award-winning exterior designer Daniel Keeley has been crafting residential and commercial outdoor spaces for twenty years. Known for his signature mix of classic and contemporary design, Keeley is able to take any outdoor space and create a calming yet sophisticated garden or a comfortable outdoor room perfect for sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. Whether you like to relax outdoors or entertain guests, DK Design can design the perfect retreat for you.
If you’re in the market for housewares or furniture, stop by one of Northwest Arkansas’ many home supply stores, which range in style from traditional to contemporary. At HOWSE (479-657-6211, thehowse.com) in Bentonville, shop an eclectic assortment of one-of-a-kind items for your home at up to 40% off retail prices. From contemporary upholstered items to rustic dining tables and modern artwork, HOWSE has something for everyone. If you find the perfect item for your home, they offer free next-day delivery on in-stock items, as well as complementary in-house design services. If you’re out and about on the weekend, don’t leave without stopping in to shop discounted items at WARE|HOWSE next door.
Located just off Fayetteville’s downtown square, WITH Home Supply (479-304-8446, withhomesupply.com) is a housewares and lifestyle store by sisters Rebekah and Sarah Fess. WITH offers an assortment of furniture, décor, kitchen, barware, textiles, and gifts with a minimal, natural aesthetic. Modern shoppers who crave a simplistic lifestyle can shop for anything from leather couches to scented candles in this clean, light-filled store.
Stunning home accessories are the first thing you’ll notice when stepping through the front doors at Christopher Allen Décor (479-301-2055, christopherallendecor.net). This Fayetteville shop is stocked with chic, modern treasures that will up the ante of any room. Whether you are in the market for a statement-making side table or eye-popping artwork, or simply shopping for a gift for your most stylish friend, the friendly staff at Christopher Allen Décor can help you find the perfect piece. You can even shop select items such as candles and soaps on the Christopher Allen Décor website.
