Date: April 28, 2021 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Rett Peek |
In Fayetteville, designer Melissa Haynes updates a family home to match the cheerful, fun-loving personalities of its owners
A beautiful setting, tight-knit neighbors, and a location in the heart of Fayetteville were just a few of the reasons this family loved their previous home. So when the chance to purchase a house in the same neighborhood with a larger yard and acreage presented itself, they couldn’t pass it up. “We actually bought our last house from this same couple, and were completely flattered when they called to say they would be moving again and wondered if we were interested in their home,” one of the owners explains. “It had amazing bones, and we knew it was a great fit,” she adds.
While the couple was taken with the home and property, they still wanted to personalize the space to meet the needs and style of their family of four. “We wanted to brighten up the rooms, but more than anything we wanted to make it functional for us and little kids,” the owner says. They called on friend and designer Melissa Haynes, whom they had worked with on smaller projects at their past home. “Melissa just knows my style so well,” the owner says. “I like a lot of color, but I’m also drawn to traditional, classic pieces that are timeless. Her attention to detail is impeccable and their service is seamless for the client. She wants your home to function perfectly for each member of the family.”
Built in 1989, the designer notes the exterior and architectural features, including the exquisite trimwork and paneling throughout, were amazing. These stayed intact in almost every room but were freshened with coats of light, neutral paint. In the kitchen, the layout was shifted to allow for a larger island and appliances were updated and reordered to maximize flow. Similarly, in the master bath, separate his-and-hers spaces were combined to function at peak for the couple. Other rooms received cosmetic updates to bring them in line with the rest of the design. “She wanted each room to have individuality, but the trick for me was to create a common thread or connection between them all,” Melissa says. “It’s whimsical, family friendly, and there’s an animal motif in almost every room,” the owner says of the end result. “After the renovation, we moved back in February 2020, and we have really lived in this home since then.”
Full of Life
Having recently completed an update of the living room at the couple’s previous home, both the owners and Melissa wanted to make use of those furnishings in the same space at the new house. The blue palette has accents of lilac that keep the look playful and complement the scheme found in much of the home. Outdoor fabric covers the sofa to invite play, while the other pieces are stain-treated. The painting on the mantel is by Northwest Arkansas artist Allison Hobbs.
Melissa added library lighting to the existing shelves, illuminating books and collectibles the owners have gathered through the years.
Fond of Fauna
Animal motifs—a nod to both the home’s setting and the owners’ love of wildlife and pets—can be found in many of the rooms, including a powder bath located off the kitchen. Here, Melissa designed the vanity cabinet around a pair of zebra-shaped pulls. The room’s cheerful palette and playful wallpaper are a fun surprise for guests that still adheres to the overall home design.
Central Style
The dining room is located in the center of the home, making it a pass-through to almost any destination, and therefore it was important its style felt congruent with the adjoining spaces. A coat of light white paint updates the coffered ceiling, while a Schumacher wallpaper enlivens the walls with a blooming garden scene. Amethyst drapes and performance velvet chairs in a slightly darker hue bring in the jewel tones seen in other rooms, while antique pieces and a practical sisal rug personalize the space to the family.
“Melissa just knows my style so well. I like a lot of color but I’m also drawn to traditional, classic pieces that are timeless.” —homeowner
Kitchen, Customized
In the kitchen’s complete renovation, the refrigerator was relocated to a former closet wall and double ovens and a cooktop were swapped for a range with a hood. Additionally, cabinetry was extended to the ceiling to maximize storage space, and the island was enlarged to offer seating for the family of four. Practical quartz countertops were what Melissa calls “a total mom move” that will stand up to everything from spaghetti night to science experiments for years to come. These are complemented by marble tiles extending from the backsplash up the wall, bringing the natural beauty of organic veining to the room.
“When I saw this fabric it reminded me of my client; it’s playful, fun, and brings a bit of whimsy to the room,” Melissa says of the Lulie Wallace botanical print seen on the café curtains.
Neat Nook
The kitchen’s adjoining breakfast nook is a hive of activity and a common gathering spot for the family. Melissa had the chair cushions covered in vinyl and used zippered covers for the banquette to make for easy care. She notes the cerused oak table is a sturdy option that will stand up to craft time as well as meals. Nearby a pair of desks offer storage and a place for the kids to do homework, making the space a true hub.
Currently Traditional
A fresh coat of paint and new furnishings updated the master bedroom. The palette stemmed from the abstract fabric seen on the center throw pillow. “It’s sort of a chinoiserie landscape, and the homeowner gasped when she saw it,” Melissa says of the selection. A French-inspired bed and dark wood nightstands play to the desire for a timeless design. Overhead, a plaster chandelier reflects light upward casting a soft, mellow glow over the room.
During the renovation, separate his-and-hers baths were blended into one spacious master en suite with a large vanity and a shared closet.
A deep window lent itself to a deck-style tub that Melissa notes is “curvaceous and elegant” while also offering plenty of surrounding space to rest a book or a glass of wine while soaking.
Design Resources
Contractor Tim McMahon, Tim McMahon Building Company Interior design Melissa Haynes, Studio MH Appliances Metro Appliances & More Bedding, fabrics, furniture, lighting, rugs, tile (floor and backsplash), and window coverings Studio MH Cabinetry Collins Custom Cabinets Carpet and tile (bathroom) Tom January Floors Countertops Abstract Granite Fixtures Ferguson Plumbing Supply Flooring Wood Floor Gallery Painting Marquez Custom Painting Wallpaper Bill Story, Perpetual Vision
