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Into the Woods

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Escape to your backyard for an easy-to-recreate autumn scene


Walk down the wooded pathway to Charlie Gropetti and Todd Smith’s backyard escape and you’ll likely feel as though you are miles into an Arkansas forest. “The idea was to feel far out but not actually be far from the house,” Charlie says. As the owners and creative minds behind national home décor brand Porch View Home, busy schedules often leave them with little time for lengthy vacations, making this at-home retreat even more alluring. The dense thicket consists of a circle of plantings on their property outside Vilonia. “It’s the gathering spot when we have parties,” Charlie says. “I think that’s because it has a very sheltering feel. You are enveloped in trees here and feel safe.”

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A New Season

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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

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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

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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.
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Take It Outside

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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.

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Lakeside Entertaining

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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.”

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On A Roll

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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


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Fête on the Farm

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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.

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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.

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