Leigh Lusk Interiors rethinks a Little Rock kitchen to perform at peak
…
Something New
Designer Mona Thompson Phelan’s next chapter includes a newly constructed west Little Rock home
When you ring the doorbell at Mona and Dick Phelan’s home, you’ll be greeted with the sound of Pharrell Williams singing his catchy hit “Happy.” It’s a fitting soundtrack for the feeling that continues once you cross the threshold of the recently built home. While sophisticated and refined, there’s an air of approachability and a sense of comfort that seems to dance from room to room. It’s not stuffy and there’s no pretense, but rather a sense of genuineness that comes from knowing what you like and how to incorporate it—and working with people who know you well.
…
Full of Joy
A doctor-turned-designer infuses her family’s home with her signature, livable style
“Growing up I wasn’t even aware interior design was a thing,” says Kricia Palmer. As a former pediatric allergist/immunologist, she first became intrigued with design while she and her husband, Jon, were both in medical school. “During my residency, we watched shows like Trading Spaces, and I realized this was something I was drawn to,” she says. “We were poor med students at the time, and I loved playing around with our house.”
…
Gracefully Restored
A Fort Smith man calls on trusted professionals to create a country getaway that’s anything but rustic
The West Camp is where Steve Clark hangs his hat when he needs a change of pace. Located outside Fort Smith on approximately 2,000 acres, the cabin and its outdoor living spaces have quickly become a restorative retreat. “There’s no television, and that’s intentional. I like to be fully present,” he says. “It’s so quiet out here; you forget how noisy it can be in town. It’s incredibly relaxing.”
Considering its modern amenities and inviting living spaces indoors and out, it might be hard to believe this house is a century old. While Steve has been coming to the land for years, he decided it was time for an overhaul that would turn this old farmhouse—which was once home to the ranch’s cattle manager—into an overnight destination, and he called on Daniel Keeley of DK Design as well as Carrington Creek Homes to lead the transformation. Chase Smallwood, who had worked with Steve through his role at Carrington Creek Homes on past projects, served as interior designer for the project. “The directive was to modernize it in a way that would still lend itself to the history of the home,” Steve says. The contractor maintained the cabin’s integrity by staying within its original footprint while maximizing space; this involved gutting and rearranging the kitchen, turning a wasted hallway into a Jack-and-Jill bath, and building custom bunk beds to accommodate Steve’s grown children and their spouses. “Overall, he wanted it to feel warm and furnished, but not overcrowded, so we kept everything pretty simple while using richer tones and texture for interest,” Chase says.
…
Life on the Water
Pam and John Morton create a timeless retreat on the shores of Greers Ferry Lake
Greers Ferry Lake has always been a special place for Pam and John Morton. “John grew up in nearby Higden, and we have played on this lake together for 37 years,” Pam says. It was during their early years of marriage when they happened upon a peninsula with uncleared lots. Situated on the edge of town as well as the edge of the water, they were taken with the location. “John’s uncle was able to tell us a man from California owned the property. We tracked him down, and he said he wasn’t interested in selling; but two weeks later he called back, and the rest is history.” In 1998, the couple built what was then their primary residence on the pristine lots.
…
Happy House
A Little Rock couple calls on an old friend to design a new-construction home packed with personality
…
Back to Nature
An unexpected twist in a family’s home search leads to an outdoor-inspired design filled with comfort and style
Making their home in a Jonesboro subdivision was not part of the plan for Britni and Josh Brown. “We had purchased 10 acres, revised a house plan, and were pulling the permit to build when we got a call about this house,” Britni says. However, with a wooded landscape, nine acres to roam, and even backyard access to a lake, the property hardly felt like it was in the middle of a neighborhood. “I’m attracted to older homes, so I wanted to see this house,” Britni says. “And, as soon as I saw the backyard, I fell in love. We couldn’t have gotten the natural landscape on the other land.”
…
Country Made Modern
Guided by her connection to nature and interior designer Ashley Cardiel, Michele Anthony builds her dream home in Northwest Arkansas
El Dorado native Michele Anthony had been living in downtown Fayetteville for several years when she got the itch to move to the country. The idea started small, with Michele taking drives from time to time to look at property right outside of town. “I kept coming back to this land. There was something about it that spoke to me,” she recalls. “I could envision a house up on the hill and everything.”
…
Elevated Organic
Designer Casey Sarkin creates a show-stopping kitchen and bath for a Fayetteville family
This contemporary home in Fayetteville was built for togetherness. “They’re a big, busy family, so they wanted their house to be a place they could all gather and be together,” says designer Casey Sarkin, who worked with the homeowners on the plans. “We also designed it to be clean with lots of built-in organization, because she doesn’t like a lot of clutter.”
…
Mad for Mod
Interior designer Tami Risinger’s period perfect renovation of this 1950s Fort Smith home reveals the comfortable elegance of simplicity
If you lived through the post-World War II boom era—or if you’ve watched even a few episodes of the hit HBO series Mad Men—chances are that words like “calm” and “relaxing” are not the first moods that spring to mind when you think about the culture or aesthetic of that time. But interior designers and architects of the period urged homeowners to eschew elaborate ornamentation in favor of clean lines, expansive floor plans, and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces: beauty and function, without all the “fluff.” That’s why, when Michael Morton called on designer Tami Risinger to put her signature, clean-and-classic spin on his mid-century, ranch-style home, she knew she could deliver. “I have done many commercial projects with [Michael], and I was excited to help him with his home. I have worked with him so much I just know what he wants: a comfortable home that is laid-back and relaxed, where he could have friends over and entertain.”
…
