At Home in Arkansas:
This home in Little Rock’s Edgehill neighborhood has a rich history.
Kevin Walsh of Bear-Hill Interiors:
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Natural Entertaining
When Little Rock residents Shawnee and Wayne Bruffett decided to build a poolside gathering space at their Pleasant Valley home, they could hardly imagine what it would become. “Actually, I just wanted to get a chiminea” says Shawnee, “and it snowballed.” What they got was an outdoor living space that is as functional as it is beautiful. Landscape architect Daniel Lanehart and Morris Chappell Landscaping worked together to create an area perfect for intimate family gatherings, as well as large backyard celebrations.
One of the most prominent features of this outdoor space is the large wood-burning fireplace designed by Daniel Lanehart of Arkansas Landscape. Made of flagstone and brick, it’s positioned between a built-in firewood holder and a television cabinet, and it provides almost year-round use of the space. “Personally, fall is my favorite time of year,” Shawnee says. “My kids and their friends love to go out there and make s’mores by the fire.” Two ceiling fans and an iron chandelier hang from the pergola, which shades a large teak dining table. Knockout roses and Encore azaleas provide beautiful pops of color, while columnar evergreens and Japanese maples give an elegant and manicured look to contrast the backdrop of trees and greenery surrounding the property. “Morris Chappell designed all of the lighting and landscaping, and they created the extra touches to keep the space from looking overwhelming,” Shawnee says.
The outdoor kitchen is equipped with a built-in barbecue grill, as well as a refrigerator and an icemaker for added convenience. “The backyard is always equipped for entertaining,” Shawnee says. The teak cabinetry matches the dining table and provides sleek under-counter storage. The entire area is tiled with Pennsylvania bluestone provided by Joe Murdaugh Masonry, and the stone extends from the kitchen and around the pool. Its natural highlights of blues and creams add visual interest and complement the natural surroundings. “The neatest thing about our backyard is that we want to be there,” Shawnee says. “It’s just so nice to have our own little retreat right outside our door.”
Complementary Design
 
At more than 7,000-square feet, the 2007 Build for the Cure Idea House is a stunning Spanish-Colonial home that calls to mind the spectacular residences of old Hollywood. Nothing complements a home of such grand stature more than beautiful landscaping and amazing outdoor spaces, and that’s exactly what Clint Morris and David Chappell of Morris-Chappell Landscaping and Neptune Pools and Chris Olsen of Botanica Gardens brought to 21 Bella Rosa Court.
Upon arriving at the house, a lush front lawn designed by Morris-Chappell Landscaping features El Toro Zoysia grass, which performs well in both sun and shade, making it ideal for both the front and side yards. “The front of the house was so balanced and straight forward that we wanted to keep the landscaping symmetrical,” says David Chappell. “We chose a number of plantings that would help maintain that Spanish-Colonial, old-Hollywood look and complement the architecture of the home.” To that end, arborvitae trees were planted next to the street and in the beds, with their slim look echoing the columns across the front porch, and as they grow, they’ll only become more streamlined. Japanese maples and Yaupon holly trees were also incorporated near the house, with pansies, white and coral Encore azaleas and Indian hawthorn to add color. … |
