Date:  October 31, 2019  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Lauren Cerrato  |  

Designer Krista Lewis helps a Little Rock family infuse their Tudor-style home with timeless furnishings and accessories

“Traditional is my comfort zone,” says Little Rock-based designer Krista Lewis of K. Lewis Interior Design. “I think people come to me because it’s my wheelhouse. Even though I love the interest of doing all different kinds of design, I really have a passion for traditional style, and that’s even how I want to decorate my own space,” Krista notes. 

For the three-story house this Little Rock couple shares with their two young sons, the designer wanted to not only celebrate the home’s style but also the couple’s personal preferences. “It’s a traditional rock, Tudor-style home, so to go too contemporary or transitional on the inside wouldn’t make sense,” Krista says. “But they are a young family, so the design also needed to work with them in terms of functionality. It’s not your mother’s traditional, but it’s now and a little younger,” she adds.  

When Krista came to the project, the bones of many of the spaces had been recently renovated in a traditional style, including the kitchen. Upstairs, the couple updated the master bath to meet their needs, while a bunk room and expansive outdoor living area were added on the lower level. “For me, this job included lots of space planning, editing what they had, and bringing in new furniture and fabrics,” Krista notes. “When I came in, it was like, This is what we have to work with; tell us where it would look best or let us know if we need to get rid of it,” she laughs. “And we were able to find a place for many of the pieces they had and cherish.”

To this point, pattern and color played a large role in the design. “They love blue—and so do I,” says Krista of the accent hue found throughout much of the home. Additionally, floral, striped, and fretwork fabrics—all of which have proven to stand the test of time—carry throughout the spaces. “She was drawn to floral, especially in the den,” Krista says of the homeowner’s preferences. “It’s a timeless look, and you aren’t going to get tired of it. After all, you’re investing in these pieces you’re going to have for a long time, and I think traditional style lends itself well to that.”

Formally Theirs
In the formal living room, traditional pieces such as a marble-topped iron console (seen on previous page) and oil paintings mix effortlessly with a natural seagrass rug, one of the features that allows the young family to enjoy the room to its fullest. Krista brought in new furniture to complement artwork and accessories the couple already owned. “The settee is custom because we needed something small since it’s more of a pass-through room and entrance to the home,” the designer notes. “Its velvet covering is also super durable for the kids.” A pair of Hickory Chair armless chairs are covered in a striped fabric that combines all of the room’s hues.

Fine Dining
In the dining room, Krista added freshness with a new rug and fabric cushions on the chairs. The draperies and light fixture were existing and speak to the home’s overall style. “All of the lighting in the home is more traditional,” Krista says, “and all of it, from the sconces to the chandeliers, fits perfectly with the house’s Tudor-style.” 

Chef Center
The kitchen connects to the less formal den space as well as a smaller butler’s pantry and the screened porch. It also serves as the family’s main dining space for casual meals. While the bones of the room were in place, Krista added a valance (in the same fabric as the den’s draperies) and low-profile barstools that wipe clean for easy care. The blue island is a more vivid take on the hue’s appearance throughout the home. 

“It’s not your mother’s traditional, but it’s now and a little younger.”
—Krista Lewis, designer

Above: Pairing florals with striped fabrics and layered rugs adds interest to the design. 

The Place to Be
“This is where they live all the time,” Krista says of the den that is a central stopping point with the kitchen, formal living room, and porch all radiating from it. The designer notes the floral on the sofa is a lively pattern, but its neutral palette keeps it easy on the eye. Krista sourced the art over the sofa from artist Lauren Barksdale, whom she discovered thanks to her years spent in Louisiana prior to moving home to Little Rock. “I really love introducing new artists to clients,” she adds.

Southern Breeze
The home’s traditional feel continues to the back porch where features such as slate flooring and a wooden paneled ceiling treatment add a timeless warmth. A spindle-leg table and weathered-look X-back chairs create a welcoming space to gather with friends and family.

Above: The home’s signature blue hue carries into the downstairs den, which serves as a gathering spot (and sleeping space, thanks to built-in bunks) near the pool.

Soft-Spoken Suite
All of the bedrooms, including the couple’s master suite, are housed on the top floor of the three-story home. In the bedroom, a mix of patterns adds interest while the united neutral palette brings a sense of calm to the room. The couple also redesigned the bath on their own shortly after moving to the home. The clawfoot tub, hardwood floors, and paneling all speak to their love of traditional design.

Above: The tufted headboard is a new custom piece that pairs well with a set of nightstands the couple already owned.

Design Resources
Architect Jennifer Peacock, Peacock Design Contractor Ron Head, Ron Head Construction Co. Interior design Krista Lewis, K. Lewis Interior Design Landscape design David Chappell, David Chappell Landscape & Design Accessories, art, bedding, fabrics, furniture, hardware, lighting, rugs, and window treatments K. Lewis Interior Design