Date: September 5, 2023 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Bailey Dougan |
A Little Rock homeowner blends modern conveniences and sentimental pieces in a recent renovation
When Rebecca Price decided to downsize, she knew a renovation was in the cards. “I wanted something light and open, but I also have a lot of family pieces I wanted to include,” she says of the motivation behind the makeover. While the entire home was updated, the kitchen and dining spaces got special treatment at the hands of her designer, Sarah Finley, and Bill Wrape, who served as the general contractor for the entire home.“I called this the four-poster kitchen because there were big columns that ran through the island,” Rebecca says with a laugh. Wanting to open up the line of sight, she and Sarah envisioned a clean space with a central island for prepwork as well as gathering. Bill reworked the footprint to straighten the existing walls and allow space for flush cabinetry while taking out unnecessary support beams. He also traded a reach-in pantry for a cabinet option that provided the same amount of storage while freeing up room in the floor plan. “One of the things I love about Bill is that he is a Certified Kitchen Designer, so when I had an idea he could quickly turn it into part of the plan,” Rebecca says. “He and Sarah were my dream team.”
After addressing functionality, style moved to the forefront with a focus on incorporating cherished furniture and finds collected through the years. “Rebecca has exquisite taste that has always been traditional,” Sarah says of her client, whom she has known since childhood. “When she moved, I think she was excited to take her family heirloom pieces and put a fresh twist on them.” In the breakfast nook, chairs from Rebecca’s previous home pair with an antique table and pine plate rack filled with blue and white china. Similarly, the dining room design features an antique table combined with new lighting and chairs for an updated yet classic look.
With a revised flow and style that is reflective of its owner, the adjoining spaces can now comfortably accommodate up to 20 guests. Rebecca enjoys filling the rooms with family and friends, noting book club, Bible study, and game night as just a few of the regular gatherings she now hosts. “I love to have people in my home,” she says.
The walls in the kitchen are painted “Alabaster” by Sherwin-Williams.
Scenic Dining
Sarah and Rebecca had discussed a mural-scene wallpaper for the dining room when Rebecca’s sister found this monochromatic option while visiting London. “It’s a contemporary rendering of a classic pastoral scene,” Rebecca says. Paired with comfortable chairs, a new curio cabinet, and a family heirloom table, the look is reflective of the client. “I love a curated space where everything has been collected over time,” Sarah says of the approach.
Central Station
“Rebecca allowed me to get creative and come up with something that worked for her,” Bill says of the kitchen layout and island. Designing the bases with drawers rather than cabinets allowed for ease of use, while a drawer microwave mimics the style. Features like the icemaker in the island, rollout shelving in the pantry, and an appliance garage for the coffee maker and toaster oven add to the streamlined feel.
“I love to have people in my home.”
—Rebecca Price, homeowner
Neutral Nook
In the breakfast area, a quartet of comfortable chairs surround an antique table. “I didn’t want to toss everything I owned so we did a mix of champagne colors to make them work,” Rebecca says. The antique French plate rack, seen on the wall, once belonged to Rebecca’s mother. It holds collections that have been handed down to her from her grandmother and great grandmother as well as pieces from her travels. “I found the flow blue platter dirty in a stack at a London street market,” she recalls. “It’s all collected and reminds me of all the women in my family who loved beautiful, welcoming homes—and that is what I want to be.”
Design Resources
Contractor Bill Wrape, Distinctive Kitchens & Baths Interior design Sarah Finley, Finley Design Group Accessories Cobblestone & Vine and Providence Design Appliances Metro Appliances & More Cabinetry and fixtures Distinctive Kitchens & Baths Countertops and Tile Triton Stone Group Fabrics Designer Effects Furniture Cobblestone & Vine and Finley Design Group Hardware and Lighting Light Innovations Paint Sherwin-Williams Rugs Cobblestone & Vine Window Coverings Finley Design Group
