The New Classics

November 5, 2007 by ark_admin

Farrell

The Mark desk, designed by Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair, imparts a timeless silhouette in Gretchen and Craig Farrell’s living room, designed by Tobi Fairley, while punches of color from art and accessories keep the space young and light.

Farrell

The Mark desk, designed by Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair, imparts a timeless silhouette in Gretchen and Craig Farrell’s living room, designed by Tobi Fairley, while punches of color from art and accessories keep the space young and light.

The chocolate and slate blue color scheme is carried throughout the home, including the dining space adjacent to the kitchen, where a chocolate-brown upholstered banquette is paired with traditional seating around the square dining table.

Mobley

The corridor to the guest wing is dramatic with a petrified wooden pole from Thailand paired with a vibrant work of art and a classically shaped chair.

The entry to the dining room is framed with hand-blown Murano glass bamboo, an elegant and unexpected element.

The 160-foot-long corridor that spans the length of Julia Mobley’s Texarkana home, designed by Tom Chandler, provides access points to all of the main spaces, creating beautiful sight lines and ensuring the home isn’t overwhelming on a day-to-day basis.

Wahlquist

The upstairs media room in Monica and Clay Wahquist’s home was the first space to be decorated by designer Larry West, and it includes an adjacent billiards lounge with plenty of seating and is outfitted in a red, black and cream color palette with zebra carpet.

For their Valley Falls Estates home, Clay and Monica wanted fewer rooms on a larger scale, like the formal living room, and chose to incorporate stone, wood and iron as much as possible throughout the space.

In the formal dining room, the opulent textures of the window treatments and upholstery combine with an elegant color palette to create a sophisticated and welcoming spot.

Summer Party Planner

November 2, 2007 by ark_admin

Easy breezy seating is important for a backyard bash. We love a classic Adirondack chair paired with a silver drum side table from Favorite Things in Little Rock. A fun orange pom-pom throw from Full Moon, also in Little Rock, adds a big pop of color.

The best summer accessory? This super-cute cooler from Box Turtle in Little Rock. Featuring an AM/FM radio and decent speakers, this must-have also hooks up to your iPod or CD player for the ultimate portable party.

The epitome of summer, a picnic on a plush lawn can’t be beat. Spread out gorgeous quilts, like this reversible number from Vesta’s, toss in an oversized throw pillow or two from Box Turtle, and let guests lounge as they see fit. We also discovered a fun alternative to making ice cream in the Play & Freeze ice cream ball. Simply load the ingredients and shake, pass or roll the ball for 20 to 30 minutes and—voila!—a fast frozen treat. Sandwiches courtesy of Catering to You in Little Rock.

Nothing cools off the Arkansas summer like ice cream. We set up an ice cream bar for guests to create their own custom treats with a variety of toppings. Topping bowls, Vesta’s, Little Rock. Red, white and blue bowls, Room to Room, Conway. Rug, Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock. Ant, Conway’s Classic Touch, Conway.

Our favorite summertime songs! Search for the Summer Bliss Mix for download on iTunes!
“I Love Being Here with You”—Peggy Lee
“In the Summertime”—Mungo Jerry
“Cold Beverages”—G Love & the Special Sauce
“Feeling Good”—Nina Simone
“One More Day”—The Wood Brothers
“Everybody Loves the Sunshine”—Roy Ayers
“I Can’t Get Next to You”—The Temptations
“Me & Julio Down By the Schoolyard”—Paul Simon
“Inspiration Information”—Shuggie Otis
“Bongo Bong”—Manu Chau
“Superbowl Sundae”—Ozomatli
“Mellow Yellow”—Donovan
“Big Blue Sea”—Bob Schneider

Click here to see our recipe database, which includes some of our favorite drinks and treats for hot summer days.

Holiday Party Planner

November 2, 2007 by ark_admin

We turned to the professionals to take care of the food, flowers, serving pieces and extra touches to make our guests feel welcome and comfortable. The round dining table affords plenty of room for our tablescape and promotes easy conversation. Our menu included vegetable tarts with shaved radishes, pesto vinaigrette and aged balsamic vinegar, Palette Catering in Little Rock, as the first course. The entrée was roasted duck atop mango chutney, duchess sweet potatoes and a medley of vegetables by RSVP Catering in Little Rock, and the dessert was a pumpkin and chocolate ganache cheesecake, Copper Grill and Grocery in Little Rock.

The flower arrangement by Phil Cato of About Vase in Little Rock boasts a tapestry of cream roses, antique hydrangeas, millet, figs and sunflowers for a touch of nature, while the pumpkin-inspired glass candleholder from Haus Werk in Little Rock offers a touch of warm light. The notched threads of glass in parallel lines on the Juliska water glasses create great texture, and golden tones flow from the Crane and Co. place cards from Molly’s Paperie in Little Rock to the Balcon Natural napkins from Yves Delorme in Little Rock to the mixed and matched china from Fifth Season in Little Rock, featuring Kate Spade’s June Lane Gold and Downing Street patterns atop Vera Wang’s Golden Grosgrain Wedgewood.

Whether offered at the table whole, or plated, the pumpkin and chocolate ganache cheesecake from Copper Grill in Little Rock was artful with its contrasting layers, glistening chocolate covering and mint and floral garnishes. It’s the perfect way to end the dinner with its light texture and unique, smooth flavor.

Fall Planting Guide

November 2, 2007 by ark_admin

The Farrells’ newly renovated backyard by The Good Earth in Little Rock includes a stone walkway that winds through the freshly planted beds, which are filled with hellebores, an evergreen perennial that blooms in winter, Gumpo azaleas, spreading yews, Deep Blue and Primrose pansies, dwarf Hinoki cypress, Little Gem magnolias, Bloodgood Japanese maples and a variety of other perennials that promise color and texture throughout the season.

A curbside pull-off area in the front of the Farrells’ home is crafted of native stone and features beds filled with dwarf English boxwoods and pots filled with hardy plantings like Cast Iron plants, Deep Blue and Primrose pansies, golden moneywort, red ornamental cabbage and asparagus fern.

An architectural sundial breaks up the space in the flower beds and provides visual contrast to the plantings.

Touring Bentonville

November 2, 2007 by ark_admin

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Stuttgart Wings Over the Prairie

November 2, 2007 by ark_admin

A few items from Ragans Gifts.

Wilkerson Jewelers

A few items from Ragans Gifts.

Wilkerson Jewelers

Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie

November is an exciting time in Stuttgart, as this close-knit community assumes its role as the “rice and duck capital of the world,” welcoming the influx of waterfowl enthusiasts who hope to take advantage of the superior hunting opportunities provided by the area’s prime location on the Mississippi flyway, where countless migratory geese and ducks spend a portion of their winter.

To celebrate the occasion, Stuttgart hosts the annual Wings Over the Prairie Festival, a week of events that includes the World Championship Duck Calling Contest. This year’s festival begins Saturday, November 18 with the Queen Mallard Pageant, followed by open house at the local downtown retailers on November 19. The carnival and duck calling events begin Wednesday, November 22, while the arts and crafts fair kicks off on the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 24. The festival continues through Saturday, November 25, culminating in the Duck Gumbo cook off and World Championship Duck Calling event.

Shopping

Spectacular, service-oriented retailers are a big part of Stuttgart’s appeal, with many stores located on and around Main Street. Shop the selection of high-quality home furnishings at Mayn-Mart, where names like Broyhill, Rowe, Ashley, Pulaski and Hooker fill the showroom. At Morris & Co. Romancing the Home, floral and interior design are the specialties, and a hand-picked array of gifts and home décor is sure to catch your eye. Known for their furnishings, Buerkle Furniture also offers custom bedding and window treatments, interior design services, and all the elements to complete the look of your home, from wallcoverings and flooring, to stone, tile and countertops.

We love all the goodies at Ragans Gifts, including a wide selection of Arthur Court Designs pieces, Vietri pottery and Wedgwood china, along with irresistible gourmet foods from Stonewall Kitchen. Gifts, home accessories and jewelry fill the shelves at The Added Touch, along with candles by Yankee and Root and a full selection of Lampe Berger. Full-service florist Fern and Feather is also known for their chic and sophisticated gifts, holiday décor, flags and stationery, while Coker Hampton offers plenty of décor and accessories from names like Vera Bradley.

You can’t make a trip to Stuttgart without stopping in Wilkerson Jewelers, where oodles of diamonds by Hearts on Fire are joined by fashionable favorites like Tag Heuer watches. Ladies will love the apparel at accessories from brands like Tribal at Ware Haus, and Lumber One has everything you need to outfit your home from start to finish, from flooring, paint, fencing and Andersen windows and doors, to patio furniture and rugs. And at S&W Nursery & Produce, you can browse row after row of lush botanicals and even take home some local delicacies.

For a true Grand Prairie experience, you have to set aside plenty of time to visit Mack’s Prairie Wings, America’s premier waterfowl outfitter. Whether you’re in the market for clothing, hunting gear, hunting dog supplies or even outdoor-inspired home décor, they’re sure to have plenty of options to choose from. And just next door, RNT Duck Calls, started in 1976 by world champion duck caller Butch Richenback, hand-crafts versatile, realistic duck calls for passionate hunters the world over.

Dining

The premier culinary event during Wings Over the Prairie is the Duck Gumbo cook off on Saturday, November 25. This is a legendary party that you won’t want to miss, with 48 teams competing for the title of world’s best duck gumbo, the music of Superflux and a fun-loving crowd that’s sure to include old friends you haven’t seen in years. Along with sampling all the fried delights the carnival midway has to offer, be sure to stop in local favorite The Little Chef for delicious Southern home cooking, or La Petite Cajun Bistro for plenty of seafood and Cajun specialties.

Entertainment

Explore the area’s agriculture past (and future) at the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie. This award-winning museum has a huge range of interpretive exhibits that are sure to engage kids of all ages, plus lots of awe-inspiring machinery from days past.

Lodging

An easy hour’s drive from Little Rock, Stuttgart has a few national hotel chains to choose from if you’d like to stay overnight, but for the full effect, make arrangements to stay at one of the myriad of hunting lodges and camps in the area. From more luxurious options like the amenity-laden Wildlife Farms to more rustic accommodations, these lodges can set up hunting trips of a variety of lengths or leave you to enjoy the natural wonders of this amazing location. Contact the Stuttgart area chamber of commerce at 870-673-1602 or www.stuttgartarkansas.org for a current and complete list.

Wings Over the Prairie Festival, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce 870-673-1602, stuttgartarkansas.org.

Mayn Mart 870-673-1953
Morris & Co. Romancing the Home 870-673-2386
Buerkle Furniture 870-673-6371, 800-990-9187
Ragans Gifts 870-673-2741
The Added Touch 870-673-1306
Fern and Feather 870-673-2656
Coker Hampton 870-673-2691
Wilkerson Jewelers 870-673-4441
Ware Haus 870-673-9244
Lumber One 800-434-3601
S&W Nursery and Produce 870-673-8211
Mack’s Prairie Wings 877-MACKSPW, mackspw.com
RNT Duck Calls 888-RNT-CALLS, rntcalls.com
The Little Chef 870-673-7372
La Petite Cajun Bistro 870-673-1833
Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie 870-673-7001
Wildlife Farms Wildlife Farms 870-241-3275, wildlifefarms.com

Hardy

November 2, 2007 by ark_admin

Known for its natural beauty, the Spring River in north Arkansas is a fantastic place to spend a fall weekend, with canoeing, fishing and camping options galore. But if you’re in the mood for a fun day trip off the water, check out the offerings in Hardy, where antiques and crafts abound on Main Street, and there are plenty of unexpected options to choose from.

Shopping
A great first stop is The Hardy Pottery, where owners Dale and Liane Maddox have been creating their own pottery for years. Not only can you choose from numerous colorways in the Maddoxes’ own wares, they also offer work by other Arkansans, including handmade jewelry and beautiful gifts. Quincy’s Corner features fun and colorful clothing and gifts for children and babies, from special-occasion outfits to play clothes and diaper bags. The well-stocked bookstore, Words, is tucked just off Main Street on Spring in an old home, with cookbooks arranged in the original kitchen and a special section for the works of local authors. And for home design with an Ozark flair, Sassy Tree offers candles, collectibles and accessories.

To take home a unique piece of Hardy, stop in Flat Creek Dulcimer Shop, where you can browse locally made dulcimers and enjoy the traditional music. Miller’s Leather Shop also offers many local items, including belts, wallets and even holsters. And you’ll definitely want to check out the Razorback-themed goodies at the Red Hog Shop.

Antiques, however, are the town’s main attraction. Shops and malls line the street, and you can find anything from fine crystal to mid-century kitchenwares to toys from the 1980s. Starks Antiques has a great selection of beautiful glassware, linens and furnishings. For china and vintage jewelry and purses, as well as reproduction fabric from the 1940s and cute note cards and books, Tall Cotton is a must-stop, and Memory Lane is the place to go for the true antique mall experience, with two floors of booths to explore. At Hardy Furniture and Antiques, the outdoor area is literally filled with 1950s lawn furniture that’s just waiting for a colorful paint job, and curiosities like an old horse-drawn buggy.

Dining
When it’s time to grab a bite, or a shot of caffeine, the place to go is Afterwords, a coffee shop connected to Words bookstore. The coffee is strong, the sandwiches are yummy, and there are always specials on the chalkboard. We loved the chocolate muffin shots, filled with cream cheese and a flavor shot, and fresh-squeezed lemonade, and we’re definitely intrigued with the s’mores platter, served with a fire bowl for tableside toasting. The Quincy’s Corner Tea Room is open for lunch with seating upstairs and on the patio, and The Corner Booth is a great spot for waffles in the morning. But, if you just want to refresh yourself with an ice cream cone and pick up some local foods and candy, try the Old Time Candy Shoppe.

Other Attractions
For history of a different kind, visit the Good Ole Days Vintage Motorcar Museum, where you can see antique, collectible and classic cars dating back as far as 1908. When it’s time to tuck in for the night, check into the Olde Stonehouse Bed and Breakfast, in the heart of Hardy, for 1920s atmosphere furnished with antiques. Or rent a cabin through 3 Rivers Outfitters, where they can also set up a float trip for novice or advanced canoers and rafters and outfit you with all the latest
in fly-fishing gear.

Dave Anderson

November 1, 2007 by ark_admin

Dave Anderson’s professional career in photography came later in life after years in the film industry in New York City.

“I collected photography for many years,” he says, “and one day I received a flyer announcing a rare workshop given by one of the artists I collected. I decided I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”

Within weeks of picking up a camera, Dave was hooked. A few months later, he quit his job and became devoted to his photography.

Leaving New York City, Dave drove to Beaumont, Texas, to study with noted photographer Keith Carter.

During this trek, Dave stopped in a small town, and was greeted by a man asking where he was headed. When Dave answered Beaumont, the man told him of nearby Vidor, and its historic association with the Ku Klux Klan.

Intrigued by the history and social implications of the town, and by the fact that everyone told him not to go, Dave visited Vidor, and it became the focus of his first photography book Rough Beauty.

Soon to be in its second English printing, Rough Beauty has revealed Dave’s ability to capture the human spirit in its natural setting.

The project has been exhibited internationally and has been applauded by the New Yorker and New York Times.

“I almost didn’t show the images from Vidor because I thought no one would want to see them,” says Dave.

Now living in Little Rock with his wife Ashley and their son Noah, Dave is currently working on photographing areas of New Orleans, doing assignments for Time, Newsweek and Texas Monthly as well as honing his portraiture talents in his studio.

“I worked with Chris Smith of Alison Architects to design the studio. We were inspired by the mid-century architecture of my home as well as the studio of the late Heber Springs photographer Mike Disfarmer. Disfarmer’s spare backdrop and use of soft Northern light really spoke to me.” Dave purchased old wood from a Michigan barn—his home state—and covered one wall of the studio.

“I enjoy shooting portraits in the studio, but I also love capturing people in their natural environments.”

Check out Dave’s work on his Web site dbanderson.com.

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Laura Laser

November 1, 2007 by ark_admin

Laura Laser started as an artist 20 years ago when she began dabbling in mixed media, incorporating stamps and drawings.

With four years dedicated to drawing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a degree in studio art, Laura has honed her mixed-media skills over the past 10 years, and is now represented exclusively at T. Lamarr Interiors & Fine Art in Little Rock.

“When my first daughter was born, I really felt drawn to get in gear about my art,” Laura says. “I felt that I needed to do it, and that it brought great balance to my life.”

With a wall of windows and cheery light-blue walls her top-floor studio inside Pulaski Heights First Christian Church, she’s able to work on many pieces at once.

“I love the personal nature of painting portraits,” she says.

“And those can take hours and hours to complete, while my mixed-media pieces may take months. They are constantly evolving and increasing in layers. For me, it’s about the process and the free expression. I feel that my art inspires positive feelings, and it’s very approachable.”

Through T. Lamarr, Laura offers a wide variety of mixed media and paintings, most of which weave bright colors with images, words and abstract form.

“At first, I tried to create what I thought clients would want,” she says. “But Tobi and Melissa assured me that my best work came when I wasn’t trying so hard. It was a real relief that they supported me and my art without limitations.”

Check out Laura’s work at tlamarrfineart.com.

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Be Jeweled

October 31, 2007 by ark_admin

From Murphy-Pitard Jewelers in El Dorado, this 18-karat two-tone ring boasts a gleaming tanzanite center stone surrounded by diamonds. For extra sparkle, each side is accented with beautiful pink diamonds.	From Roberson’s Fine Jewelry in Little Rock, this John Hardy midnight-blue topaz bracelet from his Batu Sari Collection features pavé-set diamonds and intricate, handcrafted detailing.
Adorn your finger with this one-of-a-kind, custom-made 18-karat white-gold ring from Kenneth Edwards Fine Jewelers in Little Rock. The smoky quartz and aquamarine stones are a vibrant duo, and the 40 diamonds encircling the unique contour of the ring are utterly eye-catching.	Dress up or down an outfit with this versatile David Yurman necklace, boasting not only two rows of cushion-cut blue topazes and diamonds, but also a blue topaz and diamond enhancer that easily clips on and off the necklace. Available at Mary Healey’s Fine Jewelry in Little Rock.
Frame your face in color with these 14-karat, yellow-gold diamond earrings, featuring multicolored, princess-cut sapphires and diamonds. Available at J. Oliver’s Fine Jewelry, Little Rock.	From Marco Bicego’s Aruba Collection, this 18-karat gold bracelet offers a mixture of quartz and topaz for an elegant look to match any outfit. Available at Romance Diamond Co. in Fayetteville.
From Camden & Co., in Jonesboro, this Rodney Rayner Dragon ring is a showstopper (and the 2005 Town & Country Couture Design Award winner). The diamond claw and side motif accentuate the 18-karat white gold and pavé-set amethysts and diamonds.	This striking necklace is set with emerald-cut citrine, amethyst, blue topaz and garnet with diamond accents. The 18-inch, beveled anchor chain is the perfect complement. Available at Faye’s Diamond Mine in Clinton.