Date:  July 1, 2026  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Julia Glover  |  

After living in multiple states and homes, a couple finds their way back to Conway’s Beaverfork Lake 

For Trisha and Terry Sossong, moving has been a way of life. That’s one reason why they were particularly eager to put down roots on Conway’s Beaverfork Lake. “This is our twenty-fourth home—and it is our final one,” Trisha says with a laugh. When Terry’s job brought them to Conway in the early 2000s, they began to admire the lake, but the rarity of a home or lot becoming available prevented them from realizing their dream of living there. Years later, after moves to California and Tennessee following his career, a realtor reached out to let them know a property was for sale.

“Our son, Robert, is paralyzed from the neck down, and this piece of property was so great because it is all flat, so he can go out near the water,” Trisha says. As they started to see the promise of the lot, they could envision themselves there. Originally planning to renovate the lot’s existing house, their contractor, Rex Lovelady, and interior designer, Tami Risinger, agreed they needed to break the news that the existing structure wasn’t viable. The Sossongs saw their reasoning, and, along with the team, began to plan for a new home that fit the setting and their lifestyle.

“From the start, Tami just seemed to get me without me having to give a lot of detail,” Trisha says. “She seemed to understand exactly what we wanted.” Specifically, they desired a classic yet casual design they could enjoy as a forever home. The spacious waterfront lot allowed for a mostly one-level structure, which happens to closely follow the same plan as their builder’s personal home. They made considerations for large windows in every space along the back of the home, inviting the scenic lake view into their day-to-day routine. “They wanted an open floor plan that would allow them to live in every room,” Tami adds. The new build also provided an opportunity to position the home closer to the water, bringing the view even closer in range.

For the interiors, Tami played up Trisha’s favorite color, blue, which also happened to be a nod to the setting. “We have moved so many times, I’ve always had to do very neutral homes and have mostly used what I had through the years,” Trisha notes. “With the house being on the lake, the goal was to keep it casual and let the outdoors take center stage,” Tami adds. The result is a place they are certain to love for years to come. “This house takes my breath away every time we pull up,” Trisha says. “I want to say, Pinch me, because I can’t believe it’s true.”

Above: A circle drive welcomes guests to the front door, while beds planted with perennials make the house feel like it has been in place for years. “Ansley Park” brick complements three types of exterior stone to further the sense of age.

Natural Addition
A koi pond, previously located near the property’s original home, was transplanted to this location thanks to landscape designer Chris Olsen. He thoughtfully designed the pond and its surroundings to be visible from the interior while complementing its natural setting. “Chris really met the challenge,” Trisha says. “We love the sound of the waterfall; it’s such a restful place,” she adds. The nearby firepit and a grouping of Adirondack chairs are a year-round respite.

In the front entry, marble and brass lamps, which Tami notes have “a bit of a bamboo-like shape” speak to the interior’s natural inspiration, as do the artwork and the leaf motif seen on the overhead light fixture.

“With the house being on the lake, the goal was to keep it casual and let the outdoors take center stage.”
—Tami Risinger, designer

The Place to Be
The living room functions as the radial center of the home, meaning it needed to feel cohesive with almost every other space. To accomplish this, Tami carried the paint color throughout the adjoining spaces, and kept the accent colors—blue and green—in line as well. A pair of sofas and two spindle chairs offer seating for a crowd that is also within earshot of the kitchen. For personalization, the designer filled the bookcases with a mix of meaningful mementos and finds that reflect the Sossongs’ style.

Neutral Ground
The kitchen is the most neutral of the home’s public spaces, allowing it to work well with the adjacent bar, dining area, and living room, as well as the nearby sunroom. A white oak island with fluted details and a backsplash tile with a handmade look, laid vertically behind the range, bring interest while staying within the restrained palette. Brass mesh inserts, rather than traditional glass, offer visibility for displaying collectibles and bring character to the wall of cabinetry. The cabinetry is painted “Creamy” by Sherwin-Williams.

Blue Bar
With the bar being visible from the kitchen and living room, Tami wanted to make a statement. Brass-and-glass shelving contrasts with the deep, lake blue of the backsplash tile creating interest (as well as storage) along one wall. After rounding the space’s corner, the dressy bar space turns into a utilitarian pantry where the Sossongs can store small appliances, entertaining essentials, and dry goods, out of sight.

All is Calm
In the primary bedroom, Tami covered the walls with what she refers to as a “watery color that stays within the feel of the property.” A four-poster brass-and-ivory-chenille bed faces a picture window with views of the outdoor living area and lake beyond. Beams were incorporated overhead to bring the formality level down and adhere to the couple’s desire for a more casual home. Bits of vintage Grecian glass tied onto canvases create a quintet of art above the headboard, while the piece on the side wall is one Trisha purchased on a beach trip.

Garden Glory
Stepping into the primary bath is almost like stepping into a pristine landscape. Situated to take advantage of the views, a Thibaut linen wallpaper featuring birds and branches speaks back to the setting. “I wanted the pattern to be natural and subtle, and there’s this hint of an Asian feel that also plays out on the bamboo cabinetry pulls and light fixture,” Tami says. “Taj Mahal” quartzite counters and a porcelain floor tile that has the look of marble round out the room’s natural feel.

Design Resources
Builder Rex Lovelady, Lovelady Construction Draftsman Quality Designs Interior design Tami Risinger, Tami Risinger Interiors Landscape design Chris Olsen, Botanica Gardens Accessories, bedding, fabrics, furniture, mirrors, rugs, and window coverings Tami Risinger Interiors Appliances Metro Appliances & More Brick and stone Antique Brick & Block Cabinetry Grant’s Cabinets and Millwork Countertops Pacific Shore Stones Doors, flooring, hardware, tile, and windows Ridout Lumber Lighting GW Lighting Masonry Cullum Brothers Masonry Millwork Lovelady Construction Paint Sherwin-Williams Painting Chuy’s Painting Plumbing fixtures Winnsupply of Conway Wallpaper (installation) Dawn Mathis