A New Season

November 1, 2022 by Laura LaRue

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.”
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Savoring Summer

July 30, 2022 by ark_admin

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.

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Deck Your Doors

November 29, 2021 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

Pinecone Primer: 3 ways to make a merry entrance using a winter woodland staple

SOUTHERN CHARM

“This is such a charming exterior so I really wanted to play on that with the magnolia,” says Christina Gore of Christina Gore Design Studio. Her clients Elizabeth and Scott Poynter have a huge magnolia tree on their property, providing tons of fresh clippings. Christina wired these into a faux base and used pinecones to add a contrasting texturing along the garland, which ends with giant-sized gold jingle bells. “Even as an adult everyone wants to have a little bit of the magic of the season, and these bells do just that,” the designer says….

Take It Outside

September 15, 2021 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

Autumn Entertaining: Designer Shayla Copas puts her signature spin on a casual backyard gathering

With the execution of two Arkansas governor’s inaugural balls and a book on entertaining under her belt, interior designer Shayla Copas has put her mark on the professional party planning scene. More often, however, she enjoys having loved ones over for smaller, casual gatherings at home—especially in the fall, when cooler weather invites everyone to gravitate outdoors. “The backyard has traditionally been an area we reserve for family events. It’s really more of an intimate space,” Shayla says….

Lakeside Entertaining

June 25, 2021 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

Outdoor Soirée: Jonathan Parkey shares his recipe for a chic, laid-back weekend on the water

During the months of June, July, and August, you don’t need to look far to find Jonathan Parkey and Chris Marsh. The couple head to Chris’s parents’ waterfront home on Lake Hamilton every chance they get. “Chris grew up coming here, and it’s a special place for us,” Jonathan says. “His mother, Janice, is a wonderful hostess, and his dad, Randy, loves to fry up catfish for a crowd. It’s fun.”…

The Joy of Gathering

May 3, 2021 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

French Fête: As we ease back into entertaining, Jessie Gillham of Festive Haus takes inspiration from abroad for a spring affair that can be scaled to any size

In a time where we are beginning to invite loved ones back into our homes and share in the simple pleasures of hosting friends, party planner Jessie Gillham (@thefestivehaus) is all about enjoying the moment. “I think we all appreciate life and the opportunity to gather together a little more,” she says. Running with this thought, Jessie is sharing ideas for a French-inspired brunch that will allow you to focus on what truly matters—your guests. “I love how the French have mastered the art of joie de vivre, and entertaining in the morning is a great way to capture this idea because you don’t have the pressure of a formal dinner. It allows you to slow down and take it all in,” she says. To this point, “I didn’t want anything that wasn’t relatable or that was too complicated,” she adds, noting the flowers were from a local florist’s cooler and the food was pre-prepared from a local grocer. “I always say the host sets the tone. If the host is having fun, the guests will, too, so make it easy on yourself,” says the planner, who also creates and sells themed charcuterie boards….

Garlands of Plenty

November 20, 2020 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

Feeling Festive: Charlie Groppetti and Todd Smith invite us onto their screened porch to learn the art of making fresh, natural Christmas décor

As the owners of Park Hill Home in Conway’s historic district as well as a new wholesale company, Porch View, Charlie Groppetti and Todd Smith have become known in the Natural State and beyond for their inviting, down-to-earth décor. And, the holiday scene at their Vilonia farmhouse is no exception. “We keep it casual with the focus on the warmth of the holidays. There’s lots of great food, good company, and plenty of seasonal flowers and foliage,” Charlie says.

They particularly enjoy hosting guests on the screened porch, which serves as a passage to connect their farm to the home’s interiors, and, more specifically, the kitchen. While you’ll often find the space’s large farm table laden with wine and appetizers for guests or a weekend country-style breakfast for the family, for this occasion it’s covered with all the necessary materials you need (or could want!) to create a fresh Christmas garland. Read on for instructions to make your own version as well as recipes from their holiday menu….

On A Roll

October 27, 2020 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

One Cart, Three Styles: While holiday gatherings may be limited and smaller in size this year, there’s no reason you can’t open the bar. Here, Tipton & Hurst’s vice president and lead floral designer Chris Norwood uses pieces from the shop to style up three ideas that will take you from turkey to tinsel

GIVE THANKS
“This cart is bountiful and cozy,” Chris says of the rich color scheme as well as its beverage and snack selections, which include bourbon, red wine, cheese, and nuts. A dried-leaf wreath brings color to the bottom tier, while an artificial garland is accented with fresh seeded eucalyptus. Velvet pumpkins speak to a current trend, but could also be exchanged for seasonal gourds from the garden….

Fête on the Farm

August 5, 2020 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

Petite Party: The Velvet Boxwood hosts a charming children’s gathering inspired by all things Duck, Duck, Goose

A handpainted sign by Seanna Nickels, a member of The Velvet Boxwood team, welcomes guests on behalf of Laurie’s sons, Saddler and Whitaker.

As owner of The Velvet Boxwood, a floral and entertaining design company based in Little Rock, Laurie Miller approaches everything she does with her company’s motto: “Where South meets French.” So when she set out to plan a gathering for little ones inspired by a favorite childhood game, elements of both traditions—as well as the waterfowl central to Duck, Duck, Goose—found their way into every detail. For example, sweet tea served on an antique silver platter is a staple of traditional Southern hospitality, while a soft blue palette and aged terracotta vessels speak to the party’s French garden feel….

Ring Around the Posies

May 30, 2020 by Stephanie Maxwell Newton

Julielle Sears teaches us how to make a fresh floral wreath to brighten a loved one’s day

Julielle and Ben’s two children, Eli and Elle Harper, search for fresh blooms.

In a time of social distancing and delayed events, it’s nice to know your neighbors still care. Local creative entrepreneur Julielle Sears has found a way to show some love while still staying apart through decorative door wreaths featuring bright blooms. “You can arrange these wreaths and deliver them to friends with a tin of cookies to bless them during this time,” she says….

A New Season

Savoring Summer

Deck Your Doors

SOUTHERN CHARM

Take It Outside

Lakeside Entertaining

The Joy of Gathering

Garlands of Plenty

On A Roll

Fête on the Farm

Ring Around the Posies

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