Date: August 14, 2013 | Story: Jennifer Bonds | Styling: Ellen Scruggs |
In Hot Springs, a husband-and-wife homebuilder team creates the perfect kitchen for entertaining
The cobbler’s children may need new shoes, but that stereotype doesn’t hold true for this homebuilding husband-and-wife team. Erin and Don Hinkle have lived in six houses in the ten years since they began developing homes on Lake Hamilton, and by now—with help from a trusted team of architects and designers—they are able to execute their vision easily.
Don, who ran manufacturing plants for Kohler, and Erin, who worked in information technology for an education company, came into homebuilding by chance after Erin looked at a wooded piece of property near Hot Springs, where the couple owned a condominium and kept their horses. “All I saw were trees and weeds,” she says, “but Don saw a neighborhood.” Together, they began Arkota Developers, Inc.—named for Arkansas and Don’s home state of South Dakota—on nights and weekends, and are now beginning their third subdivision.
In their latest masterpiece, a Mediterranean-style lakeside villa built in 2011, the kitchen is a hard-working showcase ideal for entertaining. “Nothing on my wish list was left out,” says Erin. “I love to cook and entertain, and this is the perfect setup.” Two large islands anchor the space, which is open to an eating area with a round copper-topped table and the great room, which faces the spacious pool deck and lake beyond. On the floor, porcelain tile made to resemble wood planks is a durable solution that holds up to wet feet coming in from the home’s saltwater pool.
The larger granite-topped island is the real workhorse: it features seating for four, a deep single-basin sink and a raised dishwasher. Erin installed it this way to better accommodate her five-foot-ten frame. Overhead, a pair of pendant lights with delicate mercury glass shades provides task lighting.
Erin and designer Julie Nichols created the second island to resemble an antique table. The distinctive turquoise paint adds a touch of color to the space. When hosting parties, Erin uses the dark hardwood surface as a buffet table. “This is where life happens,” she says. “When we have people over, this is where everyone always ends up congregating.”
Along the wall, a 48-inch, six-burner Thermador stove is centered beneath a stone archway. “We added the arch after the kitchen was framed,” Erin recalls. “I thought it needed something and Julie came up with the idea, driving my husband crazy.” Custom cabinets follow the graceful arc of the stone and frame a vent hood that has been faux-finished to resemble aging copper, contributing to the kitchen’s old-world style.
The most interesting part of the kitchen is what you don’t see. A butler’s pantry holds a microwave, an ice maker and a second dishwasher, “so I can hide all of the dirty dishes when I entertain,” Erin explains. Don worked with a carpenter to design cabinet-fronts for the refrigerator and full-size freezer. “Now they look like a piece of furniture—it is my favorite part of the kitchen,” says Erin.
Design Resources
Architect Don Dillard, Dillard Design, Arkadelphia, (870) 464-7835
Contractor Don Hinkle, Arkota Developers, Inc., Hot Springs, (501) 262-4040
Interior design Julie Nichols, Statements Interior Design, Hot Springs, (501) 620-4545, statementsinteriordesign.com
Appliances Metro Appliances & More, Jonesboro, (870) 933-7800, North Little Rock, (501) 758-1988, Springdale (479) 750-2200, metroappliancesandmore.com
Countertops Emcar Marble & Granite, Hot Springs, (501) 625-7194
Flooring and tile ACME Brick, Tile & Stone, Fort Smith, (479) 782-7974, North Little Rock, (501) 812-5574, Russellville, (479) 968-6900, acmebricktileandstone.com
Fresh floral Tipton Hurst, Conway, (501) 329-6663, Little Rock, (501) 666-3333, North Little Rock, (501) 753-0709, tiptonhurst.com
Furnishings I.O. Metro, locations statewide, iometro.com
Lighting Mor Electric, Hot Springs, (501) 624-5577
Windows and millwork The Millwork Company, Hot Springs, (501) 318-0919, themillworkco.com
