Inspiring your Home and Lifestyle
A bustling historic district with local boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment keeps people coming back to this small-town gem
Benton feels like the heart of Saline County, and not simply because it’s the county seat. The city’s walkable downtown and charming storefronts, many of which have been in place for close to a century, bring character and vitality to this small town situated along Interstate 30.
…
In Northwest Arkansas, blogger Hannah Huddleston brings sweetness to this tart Christmas-table staple
Hannah Huddleston and her husband, Frederic, moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2021 with future retirement in mind. So far, it feels as though she was meant for life in the Ozarks. “I had chickens in San Diego; I always felt a little like a misplaced farm girl,” she says with a laugh. The pair looked all over—including in Texas, Arizona, and other parts of the Natural State—before finding the 17-acre plot of land they now call home in Berryville. “In San Diego, our yard was so small, you could be outside and touch your house and your neighbor’s fence,” she says. “Now we live on a river and have this beautiful view and quiet space. It’s what we’ve always wanted.”
…
Holiday plants make for cheery Christmas gifts and beautiful additions to seasonal displays. Here, Chris Norwood from Tipton & Hurst helps us ensure these festive flora thrive
…
Explore this region through the eyes of best friends who love NWA’s food, culture, and sense of community | A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
Patrons lounge on swings inside the Airship at Coler coffee shop.
Over the past decade, reasons to visit Bentonville and Rogers have steadily multiplied along with the growing population. Of course there’s the museums, but add to that the ever-growing lineup of events—think Bentonville Film Festival, the new Format Festival, and acts at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion—and there’s always something new to see.
…
JoBeth McElhanon of Lilias & Olive finds sweetness in life’s transitions with a fine-feathered shindig
For JoBeth McElhanon, event designer and owner of Lilias & Olive, there’s no reason too small to gather with loved ones. And after watching a friend send her youngest of four to college, she realized the empty nest was one such milestone to celebrate. “For a lot of my friends it’s a bittersweet moment,” JoBeth says. “They’re excited about what the future holds, but it’s tinged with sadness. That makes it a good rallying point for friends.”
…
Along the Arkansas edge of the Mississippi River is a region teeming with history and opportunity
When Ted Herget answers my phone call it’s after 8 p.m. in the French Alps. Surprisingly, he doesn’t ask me to call back when he’s returned to the States; I say one word about Jonesboro and he jumps right in. He wants to talk about the past, present, and future of the Delta—its agriculture, music, history—and, of course, its connection to the outdoors. This all-or-nothing passion is in part what’s led his outdoor lifestyle brand, Gearhead Outfitters, to such great success over the past 25 years.
…
Designer Casey Roark sets the scene for all things autumn in a Fayetteville backyard
Twenty years ago Casey Roark started her Northwest Arkansas design business doing While You Were Out-style bedroom makeovers. That quickly led to full-scale renovations and new-construction builds via word of mouth. However, she still has a great appreciation for the small things—namely, live plants and seasonal décor. “Seasonal design allows me to get creative. It’s fun to step away from the day-to-day and use things that are fresh,” the designer says, noting her love of gardening at her own home….
Independent restaurants, local shops, and a supportive community make this central Arkansas town one to visit again and again
Having opened more than 40 years ago, Patti and David Stobaugh’s restaurant Stoby’s is now a Conway icon. And while their hearty breakfasts and classic sandwiches are hard to beat, the undeniable star of the menu is Stoby’s Cheese Dip. The recipe is one David perfected as soon as the restaurant opened and has been a hit for its easy, mild flavor ever since.
Over the years, they’ve added a spicier variation to their offerings, but that’s not all that’s changed for the Stobaughs; in 2006, Patti left her career as a corporate accountant to join David in the business. Soon after, PattiCakes Bakery was born. “I wanted to have a cookie shop and thought maybe I’d do the desserts for Stoby’s, sell cookies, and that would be it. But we opened and it just blew up,” she says.
…
Little Rock chef Alicia Watson cooks up plant-based dishes that wow the masses
“Change your plate, change your life.” That’s the philosophy behind Alicia Watson’s plant-based meals-to-go business, Vito & Vera. Named after her grandparents, the moniker carries Alicia back to her days of growing up in Chicago around a table that was laden with stories alongside sustenance.
The idea for Vito & Vera came after 20 years in the occupational therapy field, where she found plant-based diets to be improving the health of her clients. This spark led her to culinary school, a place where she learned to make dishes that were as tasty as they were healthy. “You must recreate the taste and texture,” she says of her methods. For example, the mushroom crab cake (seen at right) has the flavor and crispness of its namesake while being completely plant-based. Alicia notes people are often stunned that the dish not only looks beautiful but tastes like the item it was inspired by. …
Jen Bienvenu shares glimpses of a backyard dinner party designed with both kids and parents in mind
As a designer, Jen Bienvenu notes her love of entertaining was most likely spawned even before her passion for interiors. “My mom is a fabulous hostess. She taught me how to set a table and the order of operations for a party,” she says. Now that Jen has her own family, she puts these skills—and traditions—to good use with a group of friends who often host one another, especially during the laidback days of summer. “The end of summer is a moment caught between the return home from beach vacations and back-to-school activities,”Jen says, noting it’s the perfect time to pause.
…
At Home in Arkansas offers you a look inside the state's most inspiring homes. The magazine features monthly advice from the experts to help you plan your next remodel or redesign, entertain at home, or find Arkansas's best kept secrets. It is your definitive guide to the state's finest homes and gardens, design professionals, fashion and entertaining essentials, and premier shops and showrooms.