Date: April 3, 2023 | Story: Virginia Brown | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Stephanie Maxwell Newton |
Susan Walsh transforms a Little Rock home using an elegant blue-and-white palette
Several years ago, the owner of this home in Little Rock’s Heights neighborhood was looking for some help refreshing the recently purchased residence. Her daughter-in-law connected her with designer Susan Walsh, and thus began a yearslong collaboration culminating in an interior that feels dedicated to her favorite color combo.For the overall aesthetic, the client had a simple request. “Her only requirements were blues and whites,” Susan says. “I was curating items for her house, and she understood that it takes time and research, and she was good with that.” They started the project with a meeting at the client’s former home, determining which pieces could translate to the new space. These would become the anchor pieces Susan incorporated into the new house in an updated way.
True to the “hurry up and wait” nature of home projects, this one was originally set on a tight timeline—only to experience delays near the end. Susan initially had six weeks before the homeowner needed to move in. She worked with contractor Fred Lord to remove the existing entryway tile for a fresher marble look and add panel molding. To help expedite the process, Fred even hired two paint crews—one for the left wing of the house and one for the right—and Susan got to work on a plan for furnishings.
When the homeowner moved in, the project was almost complete; it was liveable, but some areas, such as the living room, were still a work in progress. Then the COVID-19 pandemic began, and those final touches were put on hold even longer, turning this six-week project into a much longer endeavor. Extending the process was fine by Susan, who believes good design takes time. “A house really does evolve,” she says. “Which is not to say that you can’t do it all at once, but we did a lot in that first year and still allowed space for things to happen over time. That’s what made her house feel more personal.”
Dramatic Dining
The dining room came together in waves. Susan knew she’d be working with a few pieces from her client’s previous home, including the dining table, buffet, and chandelier. Then she found the pièce de résistance—a Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper called “Le Grand Palais,” and its cobalt color and over-scaled damask pattern set the tone for the rest of the room. “When I found the wallpaper, I knew I wanted to paint the table black,” Susan says. “I think I threw her a curveball; she had to sit on it a bit, but she said, ‘Let’s do it.’” The buffet was painted black to match and given a marble top for a total refresh.
Relaxing Retreat
A casual family room close to the back of the house offers the homeowner a place to gather with guests for television and conversation. “She spends a lot of time in this room and loves it, so it needed to be comfortable and allow for her to have friends over,” Susan says. She had existing swivel chairs reupholstered in a textured navy fabric and sourced a white sculptural mirror from Made Goods to add additional architectural interest.
Statement Ceiling
Susan pulled the deep blue hue from the wallpaper in the adjoining dining room and painted the living room ceiling in “Blueberry Hill” by Benjamin Moore. “At first she thought I was crazy, but painting the ceiling gave it a lot of lift,” Susan says. She also helped her client source original art. For example, the painting over the couch by Little Rock artist Zac Woodiel was created especially for this space. Across the room, a piece by Barbara Flowers (sourced from Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta) hangs over the mantel. Transitional elements such as the glass coffee table and foyer mirror balance the antiques and traditional architectural elements found throughout the house. Custom drapes, sconce shades, and ottomans covered in a blue-and-black velvet tiger print further the room’s layered appeal.
Soft and Soothing
Damask reappears in the primary bedroom (opposite), where Susan repeated a China Seas fabric in applications on the bedskirt, bench, upholstered headboard, and custom floor-to-ceiling draperies. She used a similar paint color to fully ensconce the room in the light blue hue. “It’s saturated, but still very soft and relaxing,” she says. “Sapphire Ice” by Benjamin Moore
Playful Contrast
Since the homeowner has plenty of grandchildren who like to spend the night, Susan wanted to have fun in a guest room intended for little ones. She chose a pale green wall color (“Rice Paddy” by Sherwin-Williams) paired with blue bedding and X-benches at the foot of each twin bed. Custom watercolors by Little Rock’s Ashley Saer tie together all the colors in the room.
Indoor-Outdoor Appeal
The backyard offers multiple areas for enjoying spring weather with friends and family. A covered porch is accessible from both the family room and primary bedroom, and Susan outfitted the space with timeless wicker pieces from Century Furniture. “We wanted it to be comfortable, and you have the flagstone to balance the wicker,” Susan says. By the pool, a table and chairs from Ballard Designs offer a spot for dining al fresco. Custom outdoor cushions tie the spaces together as well as to the home’s blue-and-white interiors.
Design Resources
Contractor Fred Lord Interior design Susan Walsh, Susan Walsh Interiors Carpet and Rugs C&F Carpet and Rug Gallery Framing BA Framing Tile Acme Brick & Tile
