Date: September 5, 2023 | Story: Rebekah Hall Scott | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Bailey Dougan |
In her parents’ new Rogers home, interior designer Corey Powell creates an airy kitchen with gathering in mind
A surprising opportunity popped up when interior designer Corey Powell’s parents, Dana and Tom Tull, were searching for a home in Northwest Arkansas. Corey’s neighbors decided to move, meaning the house right next door became available. The couple purchased it and now live just down the street from their daughter and her family. “My kids can ride their bikes from our property to theirs, so it’s really special that they can just show up, drop their bikes off, and walk right into the kitchen,” Corey says.But before the Tulls could feel at home, there was a renovation in store. Luckily, they were able to call on the talents of their daughter to help update the kitchen’s deep red walls and checkered floor with a soothing neutral palette punctuated by brass and wood tones. “Because the kitchen was so dark to begin with, they wanted to go in the complete opposite direction and just make it feel really open and airy,” Corey says.
The refreshed space includes quartz countertops and backsplash, while a gray subway tile adds dimension to the areas above the range and around the sink window. Corey also included open shelving to break up the palette and draw more attention to the surrounding views of the property. “The windows add such a statement, so I really wanted to give them a luxurious feel for this kitchen,” Corey says.
Dana says the majority of her time spent at home is here, where she enjoys the large island and abundance of natural light. “We love to host friends and family, and this is the perfect place to congregate,” she says. “I just love that I had a part in creating this space for my parents,” the designer adds. “It was a really neat experience knowing the kitchen would be one that I would spend lots of time in, both at holidays and just being with my parents in their home.”
“We love to host friends and family, and this is the perfect place to congregate.”
—Dana Tull, homeowner
Luxurious Lighting
One request the Tulls had for their kitchen was lighting featuring milk glass. Corey selected two pendants that fit the bill to shed light over the large island. Along with the wood tones of the open shelving and barstools, brass hardware throughout brings warmth to the space.
The kitchen walls are painted “White Dove” by Benjamin Moore and the cabinetry is painted “Revere Pewter” by Benjamin Moore.
Stylish Solutions
Because the kitchen is entered right off the driveway, Corey added a stylish catch-all area complete with storage and a shiplap accent. “I wanted to create this space that was functional but also felt like an extension of the kitchen,” she says. Shiplap is also used on the ends of the island, adding eye-pleasing repetition to the design.
Design Resources
Interior design Corey Powell, Corey Powell Design Company Accessories, fixtures, hardware, and lighting Corey Powell Design Company Appliances Tucker’s Furniture & Appliance Cabinetry Lance Sanford Cabinets Countertops Verona Marble Company Countertops (Installation) Natural Stone Mountain Flooring and tile Flooring by Design Paint Benjamin Moore Painting Santiago’s Painting Rugs Turkish Trunk Tile (installation) Rocamar Tile Co.
