Date:  July 2, 2020  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Lauren Cerrato  |  

Unmistakable architectural cues and clean, transitional interiors are hallmarks of this lakeside escape in Hot Springs Village

Island living is not a term frequently referenced by Arkansans. However, Holly and Danny Berry are doing just that on a small piece of property in Hot Springs Village. While the couple, who married in 2012, share a full-time residence in east Texas, Holly has had a vacation home in the Village for the past 13 years and, thus, was familiar with its incomparable beauty. When a real estate agent showed them this island property, they were intrigued. Plans began to take shape to build a weekend getaway with a sweeping view of Lake Balboa where they could relax together and entertain friends and family.

“We like the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, especially the fact that in his designs, nothing is uniform; the ceilings alternate in lower and higher heights,” Holly says. Danny, who is a commercial builder, brought in an architecture firm he works with frequently to help draw up the plans. From there, brothers Matthew and Nicholas Sarver of Hot Springs’s Sarver Construction took the reins. “We were so thrilled to have Matthew working on this project,” Holly says of the builder who passed away in early 2020. “One of his many talents was good vision; and he certainly had that for our home,” Holly says.

The building process was nearing the finishing line when Holly visited Joshua Plumlee’s design store, Ransom Interiors, in Little Rock one day. “Walking into Ransom, I fell in love with the shop and with Joshua,” Holly recalls. While she had already selected some of the furnishings for the home, even going to market to make purchases, the home needed art, accessories, and other pieces to make it complete. “I have used a designer in all my homes, so I knew how instrumental he would be in helping me pull it all together.”

“She has immaculate taste; she loves clean, organic materials mixed with a little bit of edge and lots of texture,” Joshua says. He notes the architectural style carries over into the interiors through the mix of natural and sleek, streamlined furnishings as well as the addition of abstract art pieces. “I think they just have so much fun in this house,” Joshua says, referencing the numerous conversation and dining areas both indoors and out.

“I’ve lived in six or seven homes now and they have been everything from rustic to French provincial,” Holly says. “I like taking on a different look in each one, but this is my first transitional home. I think the older you get, the less you want to clean and keep up, so this style works perfectly.”

Clean Cuisine
The layout and many of the features in the kitchen follow the design of Holly’s primary residence in Texas. The table was a find from Serena & Lily, while the artwork seen near the refrigerator is part of a collage series Joshua created earlier this year. Open shelving filled with cream and white pottery as well as clear glass gives an unobtrusive dose of style.

We like the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, especially the fact that in his designs, nothing is uniform; the ceilings alternate in lower and higher heights.” —Holly Berry, homeowner

Dining in Detail
“This room has a beautiful diffused atmosphere,” Joshua says of the dining room, which connects to both outdoor areas as well as the kitchen. A textured grasscloth wallcovering in a graphite motif lends a dressier feel to the room while the Italian walnut dining table and chairs complement the midcentury elements found throughout the home. Joshua added lighting and accessories with rich black accents to give the design an edge. Eight-foot ceilings give the dining room a more intimate feel.

Vantage Point
As both an artist and interior designer, Joshua says he oftentimes wore two hats when considering the design of the living room. A piece of art was needed for the space between the French doors and windows; however, it needed to be something that didn’t detract from the view. A mixed media on paper work entitled “Graffiti Corner,” which Joshua created for a room he designed at the 2018 Symphony Designer House, was the perfect addition. In terms of furnishings, he complemented the sofas and buffet Holly already owned with new swivel chairs, brass floor lamps, and a textured coffee table. The three-dimensional piece seen over the buffet was crafted from coconut fibers by artist Jeremiah Palecek.

Tranquil Setting
The home features split baths off the master. In Holly’s, a soaking tub offers a spot to relax with a glass of wine at the end of the day. Neutral hues direct the eye to the view outside the window, while a Roman shade offers privacy.

Underfoot, porcelain tile gives the look of bleached wood with a durability that can stand up to lake life. 

Suite Sunrise
Full-length windows and doors allows the Berrys to take in nature from the comfort of the master bedroom, while neutral streamlined furnishings that are characteristic of the rest of the home don’t draw the eye too heavily in one direction. Joshua created a nook where Holly can enjoy morning coffee by outfitting a corner area with a comfortable chair, side table, and a floor lamp.

Bunk Room
Collectively, Holly and Danny have more than a dozen grandchildren—all of whom love to frequent the bunk room. The space features four built-in, queen-sized beds on one wall and two twins beds on the opposite side. “I love that these are almost like a little caboose car, tucked away with the curtain,” Holly says. She purchased the rug before knowing exactly where it would be used. To make it fit the space, Joshua had it cut and rebound to provide warmth to little toes in the morning.

Calming Retreat
In a fashion similar to the master suite, the guest room is meant to be a private escape after a day on the lake or playing golf. The en suite features a lighter take on the home’s neutral palette along with luxurious bedding and a soft antique rug.

Room for a Crowd
“We really enjoy the Village and entertain here a lot,” Holly says. An outdoor area accessible from the dining room, living room, and master bedroom provides the perfect spot to sip a pre-dinner cocktail and take in a view of the lake. Sleek low-back sofas and a neutral color scheme adhere to the home’s overall design, while a stacked stone fireplace provides warmth on chilly nights. Brett Pultz of Creation Scapes did the home’s original landscape design. It is now maintained and seasonally refreshed by two local Master Gardeners, Bonnie and Bob Bammes.

I think they just have so much fun in this house.” —Joshua Plumlee, designer

Generously sized chairs with knotted rope sides create a cozy conversation area on the covered porch and speak to the incorporation of texture throughout the furnishings.

Design Resources
Architect McKinley-Golden Architects & Engineers (Lufkin, Texas) Contractor Matthew Sarver and Nicholas Sarver, Sarver Construction Interior design Joshua Plumlee, Ransom Interiors Landscape design Brett Pultz, Creation Scapes and Bonnie and Bob Bammes Accessories, fabrics, furniture, lighting, outdoor furnishings, and rugs Ransom Interiors Appliances Metro Appliances & More Art Joshua Plumlee, Ransom Interiors Cabinetry Abernathy Custom Cabinets Fixtures Falk Plumbing & Supply Framing M2 Gallery Hardware (case goods) PC Hardware Lighting Sanders Supply Windows The Millwork Co. Window coverings Creative Windows and Draped & Tailored