Date:  April 1, 2026  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |  

Debi Davis updates a west Little Rock dining room with a light palette and fresh pieces that can stand the test of time

Having lived in their home for more than 30 years with few changes, this Chenal couple felt it was time for an update. “We had a really wonderful recommendation for interior designer Debi Davis, and we found she could do all the contracting work at the same time, which we loved,” the homeowner says. Initially wanting to renovate the kitchen and hearth room, they decided to take a look at all of the downstairs living spaces, which flow one into another. Since they often host family for the holidays and friends for everyday gatherings, the dining room became a priority—and a place where they could have some fun with the design.

When Debi made her first visit to the house, she found the dining room was “heavy, dated, and busy,” she says. Immediately, she could envision a lighter treatment on the walls, updated lighting, and clean-lined accessories and furnishings. “For me, when you keep the palette calm, you don’t think about the mix of patterns and everything just flows together,” she says. She also notes this approach is meant to adhere to a timeless aesthetic that clients will not need—or want—to update soon after she leaves. “I like to think about the longevity of a project when I design,” she adds.

The wallpaper became the focal point with everything else following its lead. “We wanted it to be the statement and to make the room pop,” she says. “I wouldn’t have thought to do the wallpaper on my own, but we are so glad she did,” the homeowner says, noting that it’s a conversation piece when guests visit for the first time. To create a clean and clear feeling, Debi removed everything except the table and chairs—a treasured set the couple had owned since moving into the house. Initially, the homeowner had doubts about parting with a traditional crystal prism chandelier but when Debi showed her the updated option that features branch-like arms with quartz, she was sold. A streamlined bookcase and buffet were also brought in, and Debi repurposed an antique mirror the homeowner had purchased years prior at Marshall Clements that worked well with the scale of the room. Unobtrusive white intaglios were framed to hang on the walls while raw silk draperies elevate the overall look.

“I think Debi’s style is modern and updated but still traditional.”
—homeowner

Think Big
Schumacher’s “Chenonceau” wallpaper in Fawn creates an enlivening backdrop. “This is an unusual one for us to like because there’s a lot going on—but it works,” Debi says of the print that features silhouettes found in the wild.

Branch Out
Playing off of the nature scene on the wallpaper, the chandelier mimics branches. Its clean, contemporary aesthetic and large quartz crystals are meant to balance the overall design alongside the room’s traditional elements.

Use What You Love
The clients didn’t want to part with their cherished dining table and chairs. “Because they loved them, we wanted to work with those pieces,” Debi says. She updated the look by adding a host and hostess chair on the ends of the table and reupholstering the seats of the original chairs with a performance fabric that can stand up to frequent use.

Trim Up
Because of the room’s height, Debi knew the drapery trim would need to be bold to be seen. She found this laurel, cut-velvet selection and was delighted it matched both the wallpaper and raw silk drapery fabric.

Design Resources
Interior design Debi Davis, Debi Davis Interior Design Accessories, furniture, lighting, wallpaper, and window coverings Debi Davis Interior Design Flooring C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery Rugs Martinous Oriental Rug Co. Paint Benjamin Moore Painting Sanchez Painting Wallpaper (installation) Mike Mace