Colorful Combinations

January 26, 2010 by ark_admin

Canvas Color

January 26, 2010 by ark_admin

Color reigns in artist Barry Thomas’ West Little Rock studio, with bright dabs of paint covering nearly every surface. An Impressionist painter, Thomas knows the impact of color. Similar to Claude Monet, one of the founders of Impressionism, Thomas excludes browns and blacks from all his work. The result: vibrant canvases that reflect the purest hues and colors.

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Northwest for the New Year

January 26, 2010 by ark_admin

In the four-plus decades since Sam Walton began his discount retailing business in the northern corner of the state, the cities of Bentonville and Rogers have grown and diversified to fit the changing economy. Now, they offer a rare mix of historic charm with refurbished downtowns and modern amenities with top-notch restaurants, hotels and shopping. Pack your bags for a long weekend getaway and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Friday Afternoon and Evening

Start your trip with a step back in time at Bentonville’s downtown square. Refresh yourself with a snack at the neighborhood-favorite Station Café (111 N. Main St., 479- 273-1343), and then head next door to B. LaRue (109 N. Main St., 479-464-9977) for an eclectic array of gifts and home décor items. Travel around the neighboring streets for an assortment of other home furnishings shops: For Me and My House (112 S.E. A St., 479-273-2519, www.formeandmyhousear.com), Cottage of Bentonville (116 W. Central Ave., 479-254-0974), Ideas Antique & Modern Décor (118 W. Central Ave., 479-268-3900 (www.ideasantiquedecor.com) and Bloom (120 W. Central Ave., 479-273-1190).

Downtown Bentonville is home to several museums as well. If time permits, check out: Crystal Bridges at the Massey (125 W. Central Ave., 479-418-5700, www.massey.crystalbridges.org), a satellite location housed in an ornate, circa 1908 building while the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is being constructed; the Walmart Visitors’ Center (105 N. Main St., 479-273-1329, www.walmartstores.com); or the new Museum of Native American Artifacts (202 S.W. O St., 479-273-2456, www.museumofnativeamericanartifacts.org).

Complete your tour of downtown with dinner at Table Mesa Bistro (108 E. Central Ave., 479-715-6706, www.tablemesabistro.com), known for modern Latin cuisine, and then head down the highway to check into your weekend home-away-from-home, the Aloft hotel (1103 S. 52nd St., 479-268-6799, www.starwoodhotels.com). Featuring loft-like guest rooms, a buzzing bar scene in the open lobby and industrial design elements throughout, the hotel promises to be a contemporary retreat.

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Kitchen Couture

January 12, 2010 by ark_admin

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Holiday Wish List

November 25, 2009 by ark_admin

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From At Home to Your Home, Happy Holidays

November 24, 2009 by ark_admin

The At Home in Arkansas team (first row, from left) Account Executive Katie Rawlings; Associate Editor Paulette Pearson; Publisher Kelly Fraiser; Marketing Coordinator Lauren Quick Strother; Senior Account Executive Jennifer Hay; Account Executive Kathy Condrey; (second row, from left) Advertising Coordinator Laura LaRue; Northwest Account Executive Shannon McMasters; Art Director Mandy Keener; Editor in Chief Diane Carroll.

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South for the Winter

November 24, 2009 by ark_admin

El Dorado was one of just five towns across the country to receive a coveted Great American Main Street award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation this year, prompting us to stop by and see what the buzz is all about. What we found is that friendly people and a delightfully slow pace make this south-Arkansas gem ideal for a family weekend getaway, especially during the hectic holidays. Visit www.GoElDorado.com for more information about holiday celebrations, including Cookies with Santa and the Toys for Tots Bike Run, both on December 5.

Friday Evening

Begin the weekend with a family dinner and movie date. The Laredo Grill (200 E. Main St., 870-875-1722) serves up Mexican food and hearty steaks in a relaxed atmosphere, a good primer for candy and popcorn at Stars Cinema (2620 W. Hillsboro St., 870-862-1919, www.starstheaters.com). Other more elegant dinner options are Fayray’s (110 E. Elm St., 870-863-4000), offering gourmet food and an impressive wine list, and Mel’s Seafood Restaurant (707 Timberlane Dr., 870-863-9950). Turn in at the Union Square Guest Quarters (234 E. Main St., 877-864-9701, www.usgq.net), where reservations include breakfast in a train car overlooking a courtyard and fountain.

Saturday Morning

Bundle up for a stroll on the square. First stop: Elm Street Bakery (116 E. Elm St., 870-881-8844), serving specialty coffees and teas, as well as pastries and fresh baked breads; the kids will love the marble soda fountain. House of Wylie (232 E. Main St., 870-862-6372) is another option for warming up with coffee.

Next, browse a large selection of adult and children’s books tended to by a knowledgeable, friendly staff at Jefferson Street Books (117 N. Jefferson Ave., 870-862-8123); indulge in shoe therapy at Shelly’s Shoes, Etc. (115 N. Jefferson Ave., 870-875-1233); and window shop at Murphy-Pitard Jewelers (201 N. Jefferson Ave., 870-863-8818, www.murphy-pitard.com). For a home-style lunch, we love the vegetable soup and cornbread at The Old Towne Store (113 N. Jefferson Ave., 870-862-1060, www.theoldetownestore.com), which has a bakery and deli, and sells wholesome foods and supplements. Or make the short trip to Morgan’s Florist (320 W. Thompson St., 870-862-8933, www.morganflorist.com), a must-visit destination offering a deli with famous chicken salad, as well as an eclectic mix of gifts that includes hand soaps, picture frames and gift baskets—you can even pre-order and customize your own holiday wreaths to bring home.

Saturday Afternoon

Spend the afternoon marking off your holiday shopping list. On the square, Backwood’s Art and Frame Gallery (209 E. Main St., Ste. A, 870-863-5254) specializes in regional art; Murphy Long Design (111 E. Main St., 870-863-6625, www.murphylongdesign.com) offers unique accessories, furnishings, china, linens and more; and Too Cute (103-D E. Main St., 870-862-7979) will keep the kids entertained with toys and accessories. Further afield, Sports Alley (107 E. Cedar St., 870-862-8151, www.thesportsalley.com) is the place to buy gifts for the sports fanatics in your life; Especially for You (522 W. 19th St., 870-863-9292) stocks jewelry, baby gifts, bags and more, all of which can be personalized with monograms; and Blewster’s Antiques (1603 W. Hillsboro St., 870-862-2903) is brimming with antiques, gifts and decorative accessories for the home. The Slaughter House of Gifts (1803 Sumac Dr., 870-863-4273) has a new location where you’re also sure to find a unique gift or two, whether it’s a kitchen gadget or tableware.

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Stately and Southern

October 22, 2009 by ark_admin

South of Little Rock, groves of pecan trees juxtaposed against acres of rice, cotton and soybeans mark the beginning of the Arkansas Delta. Native to our region, pecans have been a Southern favorite for centuries—Thomas Jefferson even had a supply sent to him in Paris when he was missing the tastes of home. Ours won’t have to travel quite so far. With Thanksgiving coming up, they can go right in a pie.

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Falling for Fayetteville

October 22, 2009 by ark_admin

The spectacular seasonal foliage of the Ozark Mountains combined with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks games makes Fayetteville a popular autumn destination. This year, new options in lodging, shopping, dining and entertainment are available. Clustered around campus and downtown, the recent additions blend with perennial favorites to make this area an enticingly urban getaway.

Where to Shop:

Starting from campus, traverse down Dickson Street and around the downtown square for the city’s best boutique shopping. Destinations are listed by location for a walking-friendly visit.

Private Gallery
623 W. Dickson St.
(479) 587-1140
www.shopprivategallery.com
Accessories galore, including handbags, shoes and jewelry.

Luxe Beauty
608 W. Dickson St.
(479) 582-3800
www.luxearkansas.com
Beauty treatments and products in a sleek setting.

V.S. Mobley’s General Store
339 N. West Ave., Ste. 101
(479) 587-1444
www.vsmobley.com
Home accessories, gifts and more (see page 14).

Lola Boutique
339 N. West Ave., Ste. 103
(479) 443-5535
www.lolaboutique.com
Designer apparel in an urban setting.

Mae’s Emporium
352 N. West Ave.
(479) 575-9626
www.maesemporium.com
A gem of a store, with vintage and antique jewelry. Open Wednesday through Friday, and Saturdays by appointment.

Dickson Street Bookshop
325 W. Dickson St.
(479) 442-8182
A Fayetteville icon boasting thousands of used and out-of-print books.

Romance Diamond Co.
248 W. Dickson St.
(479) 443-9289
www.romancediamond.com
The name says it all—if a trip down Dickson Street puts you in the mood, check out their fine jewelry and watches.

Nightbird Books
205 W. Dickson St.
(479) 443-2080
www.nightbirdbooks.com
Recently relocated to Dickson Street, this bookstore invites browsing, relaxing and listening to their namesake birds.

French Metro Antiques
200 W. Dickson St.
(479) 587-0804
www.frenchmetro.com
Direct importers of fine French furnishings and accessories.

I.M. Spa
25 N. Block Ave.
(479) 251-7422
www.imspa.net
Relax with a facial, massage or a cup of tea while you shop.

French Quarters
11 N. Block Ave.
(479) 443-3355
www.french-quarters.com
A one-stop shop for all things French, from furnishings to home accessories and gifts.

Corazon
15 S. Block Ave., Ste. 105
(479) 587-9294
Unique and handcrafted home furnishings, including colorful glassware and one-of-a-kind metalwork.

Where to Eat:

1936 Club
300 W. Dickson St.
(479) 442-9682
www.36clubfayetteville.com
Open for lunch or dinner, locals frequent ‘36 Club often for the seasonal fare.

Bordinos
310 W. Dickson St.
(479) 527-6795
www.bordinos.com
Fresh ingredients from regional farms inspire the lunch and dinner menus, all enjoyed in an artistic setting.

The Common Grounds
412 W. Dickson St.
(479) 442-3515
www.commongroundsar.com
A breakfast and late-night dessert favorite.

Emelia’s Kitchen
309 W. Dickson St., Ste. 2
(479) 527-9800
www.emelias-kitchen.com
Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of town, plus a popular Sunday brunch.

Hammontree’s Gourmet
205 W. Dickson St.
(479) 521-1669
www.hammontreesgourmet.com
Recently opened and adjacent to Nightbird Books, this lunch spot has built its menu around a dozen diverse variations of grilled cheese sandwiches.

Smiling Jack’s Fresh Foods
262 N. School Ave.
(479) 935-4899
www.smilingjacksfreshfoods.com
A recent addition just off Dickson Street, Smiling Jack’s is an all-natural option for lunch or weekend dinners.

Theo’s
318 N. Campbell Ave.
(479) 527-0086
www.theosfayetteville.com
A chic nightspot for drinks and dinner, plus outdoor patio seating.

Trail Side Café and Tea Room
546 W. Center St.
(479) 966-4945
www.trailsidetea.com
On the newly opened Fayetteville bike trail, the café offers soups, salads, and classic lunch options in a unique setting near downtown.

What To Do:

Clinton House Museum
930 S. California Blvd.
(479) 444-0066
www.clintonhousemuseum.org
Close to campus, take a walk down Arkansas’ memory lane.

Clubhaus Fitness
612 W. Dickson St.
(479) 287-Haus
www.clubhausfitness.com
This newly opened, environmentally friendly health club is just steps away from campus and offers day passes as well as hourly bike rentals for enjoying the city trail system.

DDP Gallery
7 E. Mountain St.
(479) 442-0001
www.ddpgallery.com
Just off the downtown square, the gallery spotlights contemporary art and participates in First Thursday Gallery Walks around the area.

Fayetteville Farmers Market
www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.com
A long-standing Fayetteville tradition held on the downtown square, the farmers market runs Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. through November 21. On Sundays, it moves to the grounds of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, another destination well worth a visit (479-750-2620 or www.bgozarks.org).

Fayetteville Underground
1 E. Center St.
(479) 387-1534
www.fayettevilleunderground.com
A new addition to the local art scene, this group of four urban galleries is located in the former bank vault areas of the Bank of America building on the square.

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