Date:  December 30, 2018  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Lauren Cerrato  |  

High style and stunning views are hallmarks of this home on the outskirts of Fayetteville

Michelle Trumbo dreamt of looking out her windows to a distant view of the White River and its woodlands. When fate intervened in the form of a friend who knew of a piece of property with just such stunning views, she and her partner, Joe Whiteside, knew the time had come to capitalize on the dream.

Both Michelle and Joe have an interest in homes and floor plans and had always wanted to build. Working with Kimberly Harper of Harper Howey Interiors and Roger Griffin of Legend Builders, they created a custom plan. “I had a very definite idea of how I wanted this house to flow,” Michelle says, noting the home is essentially seven spaces (including three bedrooms) that flow one to another. “We use every bit of the downstairs, from the den and kitchen to the living and dining rooms,” she adds.

While the home itself was new construction, they wanted to use a number of their existing pieces in the interiors. Kimberly helped with this, noting which pieces could be used as they were, which ones needed to be refreshed, and which areas would require new furnishings or accessories. “Kimberly laid out all the things from our old house that we were keeping and measured everything, so she had an amazing grasp on the spatial planning. When I would see things that I liked, she knew they would or wouldn’t work,” Michelle says. “We were at market once, and I saw these amazing barstools that I loved. She said, ‘those won’t fit.’ She tore a piece of paper out of her notebook and made a scale model to show me they were too big! That’s how good she is.”

Spatial planning wasn’t the only aspect of the home receiving this level of detail. On their trips to market, Michelle and Kimberly shopped for artwork, sat in chairs (“We sat on so many chairs, testing their comfort and seeing how they swiveled,” Michelle recalls), and selected lighting, which functions as jewelry throughout the home.

“I hear about people struggling through the building process, but we had so much fun. Joe was recently retired so it gave him a project and really fulfilled a desire for me, too,” Michelle says. “I don’t have any regrets about this house.”

Clean Concept
Because Michelle loves to cook and knew the kitchen would be a hub, she and Kimberly devoted countless hours to the space’s layout. “We spent weeks—maybe months—laying out the kitchen,” Kimberly recalls. They reasoned one solid island would overpower the room, but liked the idea of both work and dining spaces, so they split the concept into two separate islands, each having its own function. “Michelle really wanted to keep this space very clean, and she was especially specific about the clean lines on the sheetrock vent hood,” Kimberly says. Brass barstools echo the finish on the pendants overhead, adding polish to the room.

Bold in Blue
York’s “Kashmir Kaleidoscope” wallpaper, which is reminiscent of agate with a metallic gold running through it, stands out in the butler’s pantry. While at market, Kimberly found a French vendor who created the shelving seen here. “She has a large collection of glassware and serving pieces, so it was important to have a place for everything along with some open storage for easy accessibility and a nice display,” Kimberly says. “I always wanted a butler’s pantry, and I use it all the time. It makes a great serving space when we have people over,” Michelle says.

Family Time
A comfortable family room adjoins the kitchen, making it a popular gathering space before and after dinner. While new sofas were purchased for the room, Kimberly made good use of chairs and a coffee table Michelle already owned by incorporating them into this room’s design.

Light Dining
“Michelle is drawn to blues, so we used that color throughout the home, starting in the dining area,” Kimberly says. Here, a painting the pair found at market complements the upholstered hostess chairs. The table has built-in leaves allowing it to easily transform to seat 16, while a Currey & Company chandelier adds a hint of grandeur.

Chat Room
At the front of the home, a comfortable living area features large windows for sweeping views of the property. “There’s no TV in this space, so it’s a haven for conversation,” Kimberly says. “Joe and I like to sit in here at night to read, and my daughters and I often go in there to hang out and talk or just be together,” Michelle says.

Calming Trend
The master bedroom has stunning views of the back of the couple’s property, which can be accessed easily through a door that leads to the pool area. Kimberly worked with a bed Michelle owned, incorporating blue and linen hues to adhere to the rest of the home’s palette. A vaulted ceiling adds to the airiness of the room.

Scenic + Serene
You could say the couple went the scenic route in the master bath, where a floor-to-ceiling window extends beyond the traditional footprint of the bath creating a glass nook that houses a contemporary-style soaker tub. “She wanted to be able to sit in the tub and look out on the property,” Kimberly notes of the design element, “and Joe has a glass company so this was really a perfect expression of the two them.” A soft chandelier, which gives the appearance of a grouping of candles, adds to the ambience.

Masculine Retreat
“It was important to Joe to have a place where he can go and close the door and work or watch TV,” Michelle says of the home’s study, which features a wood-textured wallpaper and a darker palette, setting it apart from the rest of the home. Floating stairs lead to a loft that houses the couple’s book collection. “This type of stair was not in the original plan,” Michelle says. “Joe and our builder saw a commercial Randy Moss was doing in his home, and it showed these stairs. They both wanted to go for it, so Joe called a friend who has L & L Metal Fabrication locally, and they were able to make it happen.”

Teen en Vogue
In Michelle’s daughter Holley’s room, cherished pieces blend with fun, whimsical additions. For example, the brass bed is a family heirloom while the hanging chair is a contemporary element, which Kimberly notes is a popular choice for teenagers. The wallpaper, Schumacher’s “Blommen Marine,” is a blend of fronds and florals, fitting perfectly with the bohemian vibe Holley wanted.

Bunk Up
“Joe has two grandchildren, so this is not only used as a teen retreat but also a fun place for them to stay when they visit,” Kimberly says of the upstairs bunkroom. “Originally the space where the beds are located was going to be storage, but the builder came to us and said you could really make this usable space,” the designer adds. A navy sofa, which Michelle already owned, and a recovered ottoman complete the lounge area.

Design Resources

Architect Fugitt and Associates, Architects Contractor Roger Griffin, Legend Builders Interior design Kimberly Harper, Harper Howey Interiors Accessories, fabrics, furniture, hardware, lighting, mirrors, rugs, wallpaper, and window coverings Harper Howey Interiors Appliances Metro Appliances & More Cabinetry Jim’s Quality Cabinets Carpet and tile Encore Flooring and Building Products Countertops National Marble & Granite Doors (front door) Manhattan Iron Door Co. Fixtures Anderson Electric & Plumbing Supply Flooring Wood Floor Gallery Glass RGC Glass Inc. Paint Benjamin Moore Staircase (study) L & L Metal Fabrication Windows Meek’s Lumber & Hardware