Date: July 1, 2023 | Story: Rebekah Hall Scott | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Stephanie Maxwell Newton |
Interior Designer Sha Davari brings relaxed sophistication to a couple’s new home on Lake Hamilton
On Lake Hamilton, a newly built house caught the attention of a couple who had always dreamed of a place on the water. They originally purchased a home to renovate when they found a move-in ready new build by Carriage Custom Homes and decided to change course. “The home was almost finished when they saw it for the first time, and that’s why this house really worked for them,” says interior designer Sha Davari, whom the couple called upon to furnish and personalize the lake house. “They really liked the finishes and details in it, so it didn’t require a lot of remodeling.”
Sha is the owner of Art of Design, a furniture and décor showroom in Little Rock, and she previously worked with the homeowners on their primary residence in Conway and a home in Florida. When it comes to designing multiple projects for the same clients, “it’s easier once you have a relationship with somebody and know their taste,” Sha says. For the lake house, the couple wanted the décor to be a bit more casual and contemporary than their Conway home.
Sha chose a soothing palette of creams, grays, and browns mixed with stone, wood, and bamboo to create the welcoming retreat.
In the cozy living room, cream couches flank the stacked-stone fireplace, and a glass coffee table with a base of tangled teak roots sets the tone for the space. “I tried to use a lot of natural textures and organic-feeling pieces to add some warmth,” Sha says of the piece. “It’s casual and relaxed, and it’s definitely not fussy.” Built-in shelving filled with sculptural accessories gives the central space a collected feel while connecting it visually to other rooms. The open floor plan creates an easy flow between the living room, dining room, and kitchen, all while prioritizing the waterfront views.
A patio runs along the back of the house and offers multiple spots for relaxing, entertaining, and dining with friends and family. In the primary suite, custom drapery along two walls creates a soft, calming atmosphere and continues the neutral color story. The large primary bathroom with a soaker tub and deep walk-in shower enhance the serene space. “The couple wanted to feel like they were in a luxury spa or hotel, and I think we accomplished that,” Sha says.
Walk on In
In the entry, a rattan bench and mirror made of banana leaves bring natural touches to the black-and-white color palette. A cowhide rug and piece of abstract art complete the warm welcome.
Tonal Touches
Creamy couches and armchairs provide ample space for conversation in the living room, where high ceilings and waterfront views draw the eye up and out. “We used all performance fabrics on the upholstery so that even though they have a light color, they clean up easily,” the designer says. “Everything wears well, and it’s livable and durable.”
Complementing Copper
A herringbone tile backsplash and durable quartz countertops anchor the light and bright kitchen, while the sage green island incorporates cool colors of the surrounding water and greenery. The home’s high ceilings left plenty of space above the kitchen cabinets, so Sha selected large copper charger plates and woven baskets to nestle in these nooks. Acrylic bar stools with gold metal legs provide easy seating and round out the room.
“We used a lot of gold accents in the house because the hardware was all gold, and we wanted to continue that story.”
—Sha Davari, designer
Elevated Elements
Sha specified interesting light fixtures to bring personality to every area of the house. For example, a chandelier with delicate strands of shells hangs over the dining table, continuing a coastal feel that permeates the design. Blue-green glassware pulls cool tones from relaxing landscape artwork, and rattan chairs and a patterned rug bring texture to the polished space.
Cozy Neutrals
In the primary bedroom, Sha solved the problem of tricky window placements by installing custom drapery along two of the walls to create cohesion. “This helped the whole room flow, and it didn’t get chopped up with the stopping and starting of just putting drapes on the corner windows,” Sha says. The drapes have a subtly textured geometric design that sets the tone for the entire suite.
Easy Entertaining
At the lake, the quality of outdoor living is just as important as the interior spaces. On the patio that runs along the back of the house, the homeowners and their guests have several comfy spots available for lounging, watching the game, or enjoying meals together.
Relaxing Retreat
In the primary bath, a contemporary chandelier draws the eye up to the tray ceiling and the alabaster sconces above the vanity. In the window above the freestanding soaker tub, Sha used a Roman shade in the same fabric as the bedroom’s drapes. Artwork with gold and cream tones adds a touch of glamour to the spa-like atmosphere.
Design Resources
Interior design Sha Davari, Art of Design Contractor Doug Rodgers, Carriage Custom Homes Accessories, bedding, fabrics, lighting, and outdoor furnishings Art of Design
