Date: June 1, 2022 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Rett Peek |
Inspired by the owners’ fun-loving personalities, Katie Grace Designs mixes whimsy and sophistication in this west Little Rock home
Whether you’re purchasing an existing home or looking to build—as was the case for this family—the phrase location, location, location continues to ring true. “We were living in Maumelle but everything we did was in Little Rock,” Laura Westlake recalls. She and her husband, Allen, owner of Westlake Plumbing, drove around west Little Rock neighborhoods looking for a place to build that would put them closer to work, school, and activities. “We instantly fell in love with the Falstone neighborhood and the view on this particular lot,” Laura says.
Having built previous homes, the couple has come to enjoy the process and were eager to dig in; plus, Allen’s industry experience allowed him to serve as the general contractor. Shortly after locating the lot, they also reached out to Katie Rees of Katie Grace Designs. She had helped with their past projects and came on board in the drafting phase to help achieve the flow and style the Westlakes desired.
With four kids ranging from ages 8 to 17, spaces unique to each child as well as rooms where they could hang out with friends were top priorities on the home’s second story. “There’s tons of activity in this house so I made sure it would grow with them,” Katie says. Downstairs, the primary suite and more polished areas for entertaining and hosting a crowd take center stage. “I’m all about flow and no wasted space,” Laura says. This led them to creative solutions, such as incorporating wine storage underneath the staircase and opting for a comfortable hearth room rather than a breakfast nook to adjoin the kitchen.
Beyond space planning, the Westlakes leaned on Katie to infuse the interiors with personality. Because Laura has a penchant for pattern and color, Katie was able to incorporate a range of hues, fun wallcoverings, and eye-catching lighting into the design. “There are bold, more playful spaces, but those are balanced with lots of calm, warmer areas where you can get cozy; I tried to do a mix to achieve all their goals,” Katie says.
Design, Uncorked
One wall of the hearth room is dedicated to storage for the couple’s wine collection. While not climate controlled, the feature is a striking visual and makes good use of otherwise voided space under the staircase. Pottery pieces by local artist Kelly Edwards are displayed at the side.
Everyday Elevated
Since the family opted for a hearth room over a breakfast nook when designing the floor plan, the dining room is their primary eating space. A subtle cork wallpaper brings texture to the walls without being overtly trendy. A pair of chandeliers act as the room’s statement jewelry over a custom 12-foot table crafted by Turner Custom Millwork.
Seeing Green
The living room is seen upon entry from the front door; therefore, both the Westlakes and Katie prioritized giving it style and color. Katie found a jewel-toned fabric for a pair of upholstered chairs and played off its green-blue hue with the cabinetry paint color. “For the most part, we kept everything very neutral but pulled this color throughout the entire downstairs,” the designer says.
Clean and Classic
While the Westlakes wanted a neutral kitchen with white cabinetry, they didn’t want it to feel stark or uninspired. To this end, Katie incorporated a warm wood island that complements the ceiling and floor to ground the room. “The details make this kitchen feel original—and not like a kitchen that is in every home,” Katie says, pointing to the hardware, lighting, and herringbone pattern on the ceiling.
Wood shelving, brass hardware, and dark, leathered quartzite countertops are elements repeated in the hardworking mudroom (above) and pantry (below).
The primary suite connects to a private laundry (shown here) while the second floor has its own dedicated laundry room for the kids.
In the hearth room, a wood-burning fireplace and comfortable chairs invite relaxation. The work on the mantel is by Bentonville artist Melissa Abide Griffith.
Suite Escape
A wooded view of Pinnacle Mountain, which can be seen from the primary bedroom, is a feature that originally attracted the couple to the property. Katie highlighted this by creating a sitting area for morning coffee. Elegant, neutral furnishings elicit a serene feel. In the adjoining bath, subtle patterns and understated hues define the design. For example, what Katie refers to as a “statement-making marble tile” covers the back wall of the shower. A large-scale abstract work by Tanya Sweetin hangs on the wall between the shower and vanity spaces, adding to the calming feel in the room.
“My style has some whimsy to it, but I wanted this house to be refined and timeless. Katie gets that about me.”
—Laura Westlake, homeowner
Design Resources
Architect Scott Evans, ImageWorks Interior design Katie Rees, Katie Grace Designs Landscape design Creative Design Plantscaping Accessories Cobblestone & Vine, Katie Grace Designs, and Providence Design Appliances Metro Appliances & More Art Emily Cobb, Lori DeYmaz, Melissa Abide Griffith, Lindsey Meyer, and Tanya Sweetin Bedding, fabrics, lighting, rugs, and window coverings Katie Grace Designs Cabinetry and hardware Duke Custom Cabinets Carpet and flooring ProSource of Little Rock Countertops Affordable Granite & More Fixtures Westlake Plumbing Furniture Cobblestone & Vine, DP Designs, Katie Grace Designs, Providence Design, and Turner Custom Millwork Paint Sherwin-Williams Painting (decorative) Angelfish Studios Tile First Quality Tile
