Date: May 9, 2018 | Story: Stephanie Maxwell Newton | Photography: Rett Peek |
Providence Design updates a Little Rock home to reflect its owner’s sophisticated, transitional style
Providence Design commissioned Arkansas artist Buddy Whitlock to create this piece of art, which conceals the television. A remote opens the panels to reveal the mounted TV.
When Mona Thompson and Talena Ray, the design team and real-life sisters behind Providence Design, first saw this home, it had many of the markings of late 1990s décor: dark, jewel-toned rooms, faux-finish walls, and heavy, shapeless furnishings. But the home’s new owner, a professional and father of four who initially planned to build new, saw past the house’s outdated aesthetic and recognized that the bones of the home could be perfect for a family abode. “He had a vision, and he saw that it had potential,” Thompson says.
That vision was helpful in this extensive renovation where no square inch was left untouched. “We stripped it down to the bare bones,” Ray says. “We redid all the floors, painted everything Benjamin Moore’s ‘White Dove,’ and did custom window treatments throughout the house.”
Thompson and Ray kept in mind the home’s traditional architecture and homeowner’s contemporary style when choosing accents and furnishings for the home. “He wanted a really clean, modern look,” Thompson says, “but there’s a little bit of rustic and some natural elements mixed in to keep it warm.”
BEFORE
AFTER
Opened Up
Prior to the renovation, the kitchen had two smaller islands that broke up the room’s workspace. “It wasn’t very cohesive,” Ray notes. To make better use of the space, Providence replaced the central island with one larger structure and removed the second island entirely. This update provides plenty of prep space and additional seating. Plus, since a wall with additional cabinetry between the kitchen and living room was removed, the new island also offers lower cabinets for much-needed storage.
Clean & Casual
A darker stain on the hardwood flooring throughout the home lends an air of sophistication—even in the more casual spaces, like the breakfast room. The unfinished wood on the table and sideboard along with the neutral tones of the rug and chairs complement the dining area’s backyard view. French doors allow natural light to filter into the room and open out to a living space equipped with an outdoor kitchen.
Go for Gold
In the formal dining room, a pendant light with a drum shade replaces an ornate, outdated chandelier as the focal point. “One of the things the homeowner said in the beginning was, ‘I’m not a gold person,’” Thompson says with a laugh. “But before it was over, we had a touch of gold everywhere. The mix of the iron, glass, gold, brass … all of those textures and materials keep the space warm.”
Monochromatic Scheme
Blue-ish grays in the bedding, rug, and custom drapes keep the master bedroom feeling masculine, while an upholstered headboard and quilted blankets ensure style doesn’t compromise comfort. In the master bath, Thompson and Ray made use of every inch of space. “One of the unique features is that the floor goes straight into the shower,” Ray points out. “It’s not a very big master bath, so it needed to have something special. Plus, there is no wasted space.”
Room for Two
The home’s neutral hues continue into one of the children’s rooms, where a built-in bunk bed is home to two of the homeowner’s sons. The bed’s classic structure and built-in staircase will retain their style and function as the kids grow.
Great Outdoors
The patio was a blank slate when Providence became involved in this project. “We added the tongue-and-groove ceiling, the beams, the rock, the outdoor kitchen, and the fireplace,” Thompson says. “It was nothing like this.” Thanks to the addition of the fireplace, the Restoration Hardware seating is functional year-round.
Design Resources
Contractor Bill Parkinson, Parkinson Building Group Interior design Talena Ray and Mona Thompson, Providence Design Cabinetry and hardware Duke Custom Cabinets Countertops Stone World Designs and Triton Stone Group Fabrics Designer Effects and Providence Design Fixtures The Plumbing Warehouse Flooring and tile (kitchen) ProSource of Little Rock Furniture, lighting, and upholstery Providence Design Paint Benjamin Moore Rugs Martinous Oriental Rug Co. Inc. Window coverings Mountjoy’s Custom Draperies
