Date:  March 14, 2015  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Chip Jones  |   Producer: Rett Peek  |  

A mix of antiques, contemporary finds, and a range of cream hues make for a lovely—and livable—home in Little Rock’s Heights neighborhood

“Simplicity is the ultimate elegance,” says designer Debi Davis of a monochromatic, sophisticated home she recently redesigned for a client in Little Rock. Armed with this philosophy, Debi and her team gave the home a complete facelift, with new furnishings, fresh accessories, and a subtle palette.

Less is More
To create the sort of refined yet inviting and livable home the client desired, Davis felt it was imperative to pare down the furniture and accessories in each room in an effort to create calm. “I wanted to use fewer pieces, but ones that were more important—either because of their functionality or because of the statement they make. When you don’t over-accessorize, it keeps you from feeling overwhelmed,” she says. “When you have fewer things in a space, they can be ornate and still not overpower the design. There are ways to create interest without complicating a room.”

Design Fusion
While the home may have fewer pieces, the mix of old and new—as well as the contrast between the textures of wood and glass—creates an abundance of visual interest. Davis employed this tactic in common areas—in the dining room, for example, a contemporary custom rug and a new table by Hickory Chair live alongside an antique Italian mirror—as well as the graceful yet practical bedrooms in the home. Perhaps one of the most outstanding modern touches is the repetition of acrylic furnishings. “[The homeowner] loves clear acrylic pieces, so we are able to incorporate that in many of the rooms, including the coffee table in the living room and the barstools in the kitchen,” says Davis of the client’s preferences. “We really married old with new and ornate with clean lines throughout the design,” Davis says.

One Palette, Lots of Interest
Although the home appears to have a monochromatic palette—which by its very nature adds to the serene sophistication of the design—subtle nuances create dimension throughout the home. “We are known for doing monotone rooms, but that doesn’t mean they are all one color,” Davis says. For this home’s palette, she and her team chose what she refers to as shades of “vanilla, mixed with caramel and toffee to give it a richness.” From there, pops of brilliant white—most notably in the kitchen—and accents of blue were brought in to broaden the spectrum. “You can do monochromatic when you have tones that are layered and add interest with lots of texture in your fabrics,” Davis adds.

Lovely & Livable
Aside from fitting the homeowner’s personal style, the home also had to be comfortable for hosting her children, grandchildren, and friends frequently. “From the start, we wanted it to be pretty and livable. It had to be a house where every room was usable,” Davis notes. With a creamy neutral palette, maintenance may seem daunting, but Davis takes ease of use into consideration for every piece of furniture and fabric she selects. “We have dogs and we know how kids live, so we make it a priority to use things that are treated for durability as soon as they are delivered so you can really live in your home,” Davis says, meaning the grandchildren, dogs, and—of course—the homeowner can feel right at home in the newly designed spaces.

Design Resources

Contractor Keith Hardin, KHC, Little Rock, (501) 580-8778, khcbuild.com
Interior design Debi Davis, Debi Davis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 221-2032, danddinteriordesign.com
Interior design—associate designers Jo Butts and Stephen Garrett, Debi Davis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 221-2032, danddinteriordesign.com
Landscape design Robert Connell, Arkansas Tree & Landscape, Little Rock, (501) 912-1720
Accessories Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; Debi Davis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 221-2032, danddinteriordesign.com; Marshall Clements, Little Rock, (501) 663-1828, West Little Rock, (501) 954-7900, marshallclements.com; Reborn Relics Home, Little Rock, (501) 221-2032, rebornrelicsdesign.com
Art, bedding, countertops, fabrics, fixtures, hardware, lighting, paint, windows, and wallpaper Debi Davis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 221-2032, danddinteriordesign.com
Cabinets—custom, millwork, and painting KHC, Little Rock, (501) 580-8778, khcbuild.com
Carpet, flooring, and tile C&F Flooring, Little Rock, (501) 399-9909, candfcarpet.com
Draperies Creative Installation, Little Rock, (501) 664-6954; Designer Effects, Little Rock, (501) 661-4070
Florals Tipton & Hurst, locations throughout central Arkansas, (501) 666-3333, tiptonhurst.com
Furniture Debi Davis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 221-2032, danddinteriordesign.com; Marshall Clements, Little Rock, (501) 663-1828, West Little Rock, (501) 954-7900, marshallclements.com; Reborn Relics Home, Little Rock, (501) 221-2032, rebornrelicsdesign.com
Rugs Martinous Oriental Rug Company, Little Rock, (501) 224-0313, martinous.com