For Julie and Ben Pruet, escaping to the European countryside doesn’t require purchasing tickets or packing bags. Rather, the couple simply steps outside and wanders through their garden, making their way to the arched doors that lead to their Old World-inspired outdoor kitchen. 

Travels through Europe influenced the couple to infuse their West Little Rock home with Tuscan ambience, a look that carried over to the home’s exterior and grounds. When Ben retired a few years ago, Julie cooked up the idea of a European-inspired outdoor kitchen as a mutually enjoyable addition. “The kitchen was my retirement gift to Ben,” says Julie, “a space where he could enjoy grilling, and I could share in the experience with him. We love being outdoors on the beautiful days here in Arkansas, and wanted to bring a little of our indoors outside.”

Blending the outdoor space with the style of their home was a priority, and Julie worked with builder Jack Hartsell, designer Kim Brockinton and decorative painter Andrew Bruckman to give the new area rustic appeal. “Even though this kitchen was basically for my husband’s use, I wanted it to be a space that would be visually pleasing for us and for entertaining as well,” she says. “Being an engineer by background, it is all about the functionality for Ben, but for me it was much more than stainless steel appliances and a prep area for cooking.” Julie ensured that each element in the kitchen, including the stone and Western cedar construction materials, Spanish cedar cabinets and island, bronze metal vent hood, copper light fixtures, textured and colored walls, along with aged shutters and arched doors, added to the overall Old World look she envisioned. 

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