Date:  September 28, 2017  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |  

Inspired by a palette of blues and a breathtaking view, Bear Hill Interiors designs a dreamy downtown Little Rock condo for a young professional

Designer Kevin Walsh and his client Anna Pambianchi were no strangers when they came together to find and renovate a Little Rock condo. In fact, the two go way back. “I have known her family for probably 15 years. Anna was a little girl when I started working with her mother on their family’s house in McGehee, so she has literally grown up with us,” Walsh says. Because of their longstanding relationship, Pambianchi and her mother, Amanda, consulted Walsh about the selection of a condo as well as its renovation.

A gold Kelly Wearstler for Circa Lighting chandelier adds a sense of glamour to the dining area.

Convenience and safety were top priorities for the young professional. “She wanted to be able to walk to downtown restaurants but also be able to walk away when she wanted to head out of town to Fayetteville or New Orleans for the weekend,” says Walsh. This particular building, River Market Tower, checked those boxes and also gave Pambianchi—and her parents—peace of mind in terms of safety. “There is a code and doorman at this building so it felt very safe,” notes designer William Lendermon, who worked alongside Walsh on the project.

Featuring the same palette as the guest room, but with an emphasis on blues, the master bedroom houses a luxurious king-sized bed that is paired with a vintage chandelier and abstract art.

After finding the perfect space, Anna was thrilled to be working with the Bear Hill team once again to create an urban retreat in the two-bedroom, two-bath unit. Anna gathered some inspiration shots to share with Walsh and Lendermon prior to beginning the renovation. “She was drawn to blue and a lot of gray and white so that’s sort of how the look developed,” Walsh says. “She likes a contemporary, layered look—which is what we do,” he adds.

Walsh notes that the guest bedroom is a mix of high and low pieces, including a West Elm bed fitted with Matouk bedding. The artwork is by Tennessee artist Kayce Hughes.

This style is apparent from the moment you first walk into the entry corridor, where a concrete accent wall, abstract art, and Venetian glass accents sit atop a mirrored chest. Concrete floors were an existing feature throughout the space that the designers chose to use to their advantage, mixing complementary elements that play nicely with what’s seen underfoot. Similarly, Walsh notes that one paint color was used in all the rooms, in an effort to make them feel spacious and also direct the focus to the downtown view seen through the condo’s numerous windows.

The entry hints at the condo’s layered design, which marries industrial elements—such as concrete flooring—with polished pieces.

The kitchen area received a complete remodel. Removing a second entrance to the guest bedroom (along the kitchen’s back wall) allowed for the creation of a floor-to-ceiling pantry, providing a designated space for the microwave as well as additional dish storage. To keep with the streamlined look, Walsh and Lendermon chose to use statuary marble for both the countertop and the backsplash. “I think it’s kind of interesting when you have deep veining in a marble to take it up the wall—it adds a little drama,” Lendermon says. “And also the simplicity of it keeps the kitchen feeling open and spacious,” Walsh says. At the island’s end, a built-in bar doubles as a china hutch, complete with glass-front doors to display Anna’s collection of blue, white, and gold barware and serving pieces. “She likes a little bit of glamour mixed in with the urban aspect. It’s definitely a polished look for a younger set,” Walsh says.

This juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary conveys throughout the dining and den areas in the open-concept space. For example, a modern glass-top table pairs with chairs that have a classic silhouette in the dining area while an acrylic coffee table and overdyed rug blend seamlessly with a tufted-back sofa and gourd lamps. “She has a number of fashion books and collected objects and some of these are on display but overall the design is very clean,” Walsh says. The designer also notes that the room is set so floral arrangements can be easily added for a quick transition or re-fresh when the homeowner entertains. “Anna has a vision for herself,” Walsh says. “She enjoyed working on this with her mother and incorporating some traditional roots, but also wanted the space to be a true reflection of her style.”

Design Resources
Interior design Kevin Walsh and William Lendermon, Bear Hill Interiors
Accessories Bear Hill Interiors and Cobblestone & Vine
Appliances Metro Appliances & More
Art Ashley Saer Art and Bear Hill Interiors
Bedding, fabrics, fixtures, furniture, lighting, mirrors, and rugs Bear Hill Interiors
Cabinetry Duke Custom Cabinets
Countertops All Natural Stone
Hardware PC Hardware
Paint Sherwin-Williams
Tile—kitchen Acme Brick, Tile & Stone