Date:  October 26, 2017  |   Story: Stephanie Maxwell  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Angela Alexander  |  

Earthy neutrals, cool accents, and abundant sunlight tie together this home’s modern take on traditional style

When Julie and Jeff Fackler decided to build from scratch in Bentonville, they had a few “musts” in mind: First, they wanted a one-story home where they would be comfortable after retirement. Check. Second, with their kids grown and out of the house, they wanted to live a little smaller. Check. And third, they wanted to be able to walk to downtown restaurants and events. Check.

After finding a nice flat lot about three blocks from the Bentonville square, all that was left to do was turn a sketch of her dream home into the real deal. “Our builder, David Harris, along with his architect [Kevin Canada] translated our floor plan from a napkin at Table Mesa [a Mexican restaurant now within walking distance of the Facklers’ well-situated house] to paper,” Julie says.

With help from local resources, Julie tackled the bulk of the design herself: “Let’s just say, thank goodness for Pinterest, Traditional Home, and At Home for inspiration,” she laughs. Timeless furnishings and neutral tones anchor the home’s classic style while geometric shapes, seen on  multi-faceted pendants and hexagonal bathroom tiles, give it a modern spin. The result is a stylish home that feels contemporary yet warm.

GO WITH THE FLOW
A U-shaped floor plan wraps around the back patio dining area where seven sets of French doors open onto the outdoor dining space—three from the living room, three from the kitchen, and one from the master bedroom. “We love being outside and wanted the access to get in and out freely. We also wanted as much light as we could grab,” Julie says. Additionally, an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living space creates the continuous flow the Facklers craved. “The house lends itself to entertaining,” Julie says. “We also seem to get more company being closer to downtown, which we love.”

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM KITCHEN WORK
Having worked with her on their previous home, the Facklers returned to Andi Stephens of Kitchen Distributors for their kitchen design. “Honestly, it’s a completely different style than we previously had, so when I approached her with our ideas she was very open and supportive,” Julie says. “I brought pictures and a vision and we worked together to make it happen. Her eye for details is so good.”

KEEPING IT SIMPLE
“This new kitchen is crisp and clean, simplified,” Stephens says, adding that Julie wanted open shelving for plenty of display space. “I love the idea of being able to find things you use every day without needing to open all your cabinet doors. [Julie] is great at arranging things, which is a talent you must have to live in a kitchen like this.”

REFINED RETREAT
An elegant master bathroom recalls neutral hues and light-filled windows found throughout the rest of the house. A straightforward design disguises some of the room’s more high-tech features, like a steam shower and heated tile floors. “The master bathroom had to be like a staycation retreat,” Julie says.

INSPIRED BY NATURE
A boat-shaped structure from Restoration Hardware in the corner of their bedroom pays homage to Julie and Jeff’s love of kayaking and canoeing, and the exposed beams and wooden side tables further play up this connection to the outdoors. To the right of the bed, a set of French doors open out onto the patio.

THE SWING OF THINGS
Tucked behind the living room, with windows overlooking the pool and backyard, is a small sunroom with a hanging swing. Accented by large windows, a mature fiddle-leaf fig tree, and nature-inspired patterns, the room echoes the outdoor world that surrounds it. “We love going in there to enjoy morning coffee and tea and a good book on rainy days,” Julie says.

HOP ON IT
We love these pillows that showcase Hunt Slonem’s “Hutch Print” for Lee Jofa’s Groundworks collection.

Design Resources
Architect Kevin Canada
Contractor David Harris Construction Co.
Contractor—kitchen Kitchen Distributors
Kitchen design Andi Stephens, Kitchen Distributors
Landscape design DK Design
Appliances Metro Appliances & More
Art Duane Gardner, Paul Edelstein
Cabinetry Kitchen Distributors
Countertops New Century Counter Tops
Fabrics M Grace at Home
Fireplace Hearth & Home
Fixtures Ferguson
Hardware and lighting Lighting Emporium
Paint Benjamin Moore
Pool Luther Stem Pools & Spas
Tile Townzen Tile
Upholstery—pillows and cushions Goddard Design Group, M Grace at Home
Window coverings M Grace at Home
Windows Ridout Lumber