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Cottage Comfortable

March 17, 2017 by Norma Edwards

A young family works with Yeary Lindsey Architects to reconfigure their Little Rock home, giving it new life and longevity

Childhood memories have a way of influencing us—whether we realize it or not. “I grew up in a house like this until I was in late elementary school, and I still remember every room of that house,” says Sarah Duke who lives with her husband Steven and their two young sons in a classic Heights neighborhood cottage. “I don’t know if that played a role in why I wanted a house like this or why I wanted to live here, but I think it may have,” she says.

The Dukes moved into their circa 1937 home in 2008, and while the charm of both the house and their neighborhood appealed to them even more as years passed, they began to notice the house wasn’t functioning as well as it could for them—especially once they began to have children. “It was great but it was a lot of little rooms,” Duke notes. For example, the front door led to a small den, which led to a cozy dining room, which led to a compact kitchen. The biggest room in the home was the couple’s master bedroom, which was part of a 1990s renovation by a previous owner. “When we had our first child, we spent a ton of time back there because it was the biggest room in the house,” Duke recalls. In 2015, when the couple learned they were expecting their second son, they knew they had a decision to make: renovate or move. “We loved where we were, we loved our neighbors, we loved the street, we loved the location because we can walk to Forest Park Elementary, so we were like OK, let’s just bite the bullet and redo it,” Duke says.

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Duke, who works with Moses Tucker Real Estate, has experience with floor plans and began to draw out her ideal configuration. “I called Ellen and said, ‘Here’s what I want to do. Can you make this real?’ She liked what I had done, and she made it work; she was just awesome,” Duke says of architect Ellen Yeary of Yeary Lindsey Architects.

“I just like taking these little Heights cottages and figuring out how to make them work. Because they are great houses to begin with—they start out with really good bones. I mean that house was cute before we ever got over there. It had been updated but it hadn’t been reconfigured to make it work for how we live today,” Yeary says.

To make it more livable and solve for the succession of rooms that greeted guests at the front door, Yeary and Duke eliminated the walls and created one large family friendly area that includes a living room, dining space, and a large kitchen. “Sarah had this vision from the beginning—to be able to see through the house. Some people would say, ‘I don’t want to walk through the front door and see the kitchen.’ But if your kitchen looks like Sarah’s, then that’s not a problem,” Yeary notes.

“I remember when that wall came down in the dining room, I couldn’t believe how much more functional it was already because we never sat in there; it was just a pass-through on the way to the kitchen,” Duke says of the structural transformation. Rather than being hidden—as Yeary notes—the family’s new kitchen was now front and center. Duke selected timeless yet eye-catching finishes to personalize it. For example, the backsplash features a neutral tile that is hand-thrown so it has a sort of “shimmer” that brings texture to the look. A brass faucet and hardware along with large funnel-shaped pendants over the island also add contemporary style without leaning too modern.

While most of the home’s makeover involved gaining space, Duke was concerned about losing cabinetry. Although the home’s former kitchen was small, its cabinets stretched to the ceiling along almost every wall. To ensure she would still have an abundance of storage, she and Yeary designed a large floating island that features concealed areas for tucking away everything from cookbooks to blenders on both sides of the structure. They also added a built-in sideboard along the side wall for storage as well as service space.

While Duke knew she wanted to have a place where she could cook and keep an eye on the kids as well as have an open space for them to run around, she also knew it was equally important for everyone to have a room to get away and be on their own. The renovation allowed for a screened back porch to be created, which is a favorite hangout for Steven, and a playroom for their sons. In addition, the boys each have their own bedrooms and a shared bath located to the right of the home’s front entry.

The master suite—a favorite spot for Sarah to relax—also received a reconfiguration and cosmetic updates. Windows were relocated to accommodate the playroom that now shares an interior wall with the master suite, and the fireplace was updated to be more in line with the Duke’s style. In the bath, carpet was traded for contemporary marble hex tile while a cultured marble countertop was replaced with a quartz option.
The Dukes also gained a second closet that adjoins to the master bath. Prior to the renovation, the couple shared a closet located to the right of the vanity. To enlarge their nearby laundry room, they took in part of this closet (which is now solely Steven’s) and blew out the bath’s back wall to build a new closet for Sarah as well as an outdoor storage space, which is accessible through the backyard.

“Their expectations and wish lists were really reasonable. They weren’t trying to overbuild the site. They have a nice comfortable family house,” Yeary says. Duke was equally pleased with the process and since the renovation she has started her own design company, Sarah Duke Design, to help others who are looking to renovate or redecorate. “Once it was all said and done, it was so worth it. It just works—and it was fun!” she concludes.

Design Resources
Architect Ellen Yeary, AIA, Yeary Lindsey Architects, Little Rock, (501) 372-5940, yearylindsey.com
Contractor Justin Cleveland, Little Rock, (501) 680-0554
Interior design Sarah Duke, Sarah Duke Design, Little Rock, (501) 539-1528
Accessories Providence Design, Little Rock, (501) 372-1886, providenceltddesign.com; Sarah Duke Design, Little Rock, (501) 539-1528
Art Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; DRAWL Southern Contemporary Art, Little Rock, (501) 240-7446, drawlgallery.com; Justus Fine Art Gallery, Hot Springs, (501) 321-2335, justusfineart.com; Local Colour Gallery, Little Rock, (501) 265-0422, localcolourgallery.com; Providence Design, Little Rock, (501) 372-1886, providenceltddesign.com
Cabinetry Renaissance Custom Cabinets, North Little Rock, (501) 256-3252, cabinetideas.com
Countertops Triton Stone Group of Little Rock, Little Rock, (501) 562-9994, tritonstone.com
Fireplace Antique Brick & Block, Little Rock, (501) 375-0060, antiquebrickinc.com
Florals Tipton & Hurst, locations throughout central Arkansas, (501) 666-3333, tiptonhurst.com
Lighting Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; Sarah Duke Design, Little Rock, (501) 539-1528
Paint Benjamin Moore, locations statewide, benjaminmoore.com
Tile Inside Effects, North Little Rock, (501) 954-8866, insideeffects.com
Wallpaper Sarah Duke Design, Little Rock, (501) 539-1528
Window coverings Accent Shutters, Inc, Maumelle, (501) 902-0810, accentshuttersinc.com; Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock, (501) 663-0460, cynthiaeastfabrics.com

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Home Work

March 17, 2017 by Norma Edwards

Designer Joshua Plumlee gives his 1960s-era Little Rock house a style upgrade that honors its roots while celebrating contemporary trends

For Joshua Plumlee, bringing work home isn’t a problem. As both an artist and designer, the walls of his home tell the story of his profession as well as his passion. However, when it was time for the mid-century home he shares with Jacob Ponder to be renovated, he took the design process to a new level, breathing life and functionality into the dated home while respecting its original floor plan and the era in which it was built. Here’s how the two tackled the renovation.

Best Laid Plans
Plumlee and Ponder purchased the home a little over three years ago and decided to live in it for a while to see how a renovation might help to better meet their needs. The priority was the home’s common areas on the ground floor. Additionally, they also wanted to create a mudroom that would allow them to bring groceries in from the garage to the kitchen and give them a space to house their washer and dryer.

As with many home renovations, the kitchen received one of the most dramatic makeovers. “My focus in the renovation was largely in regard to space planning and functionality,” says Ponder, who notes that his “style has evolved by default” thanks to Plumlee’s influence. “I literally obsessed about the layout of the kitchen for nine months leading up to demolition,” Ponder admits. “I probably drew at least 30 variations of plans that would maximize the area in an attempt to not have to steal square footage from anywhere else.”

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Defining Open Concept
When it came to the dining and living areas, the homeowners strived for functionality rather than openness simply for the sake of openness. “We wanted it to feel open, clean, and bright,” Plumlee says. “Yet we didn’t want it to feel too open concept because it’s not that kind of house. I think it’s a good hybrid of how we live today and how it might have been when this house was built.” A desire for different, defined areas without the feeling of containment led to a thoughtful solution when it came to the home’s most-used rooms. Plumlee and Ponder eliminated walls that sectioned off the dining room, kitchen, living room, and front sitting room but kept the area’s hallways, including one that leads from the front entry to the living room and a second that leads to a main-level guest bedroom. This created defined space separation while still providing a visual openness that allows the cook to see through to both the living room and the sitting room beyond. “I never imagined I could be working in the kitchen and carry on a conversation with someone who is all the way at the opposite end of the house. Every room flows into another without feeling like one giant room,” Ponder says.

New Building Blocks
Sheetrock and nails weren’t the only design tools used in the makeover. Plumlee gave the new rooms a complete cosmetic makeover as well. In the kitchen, dated appliances were traded for state-of-the-art stainless versions and chipped Formica was replaced with white Carrara marble. “I liked a lot of the statuary marbles but I liked the color here. We cook a lot so we knew it was going to get a lot of wear but we embraced that,” Plumlee says. In addition, hardwood flooring was laid in the kitchen, dining room, and living room to seamlessly match the existing planks in the sitting room.

Decorative Elements
Of course, furnishings and accessories were key to making the updated rooms feel like a home—and, truth be told, probably one of the highlights for Plumlee who worked with both Cobblestone & Vine and mertinsdykehome before starting Ransom Interiors in 2016 with Julie Smith and Laura Borg. He describes both his personal style and the style of his home as “stately, but edgy and youthful at the same time.” This mantra is evident in the mix of masculine furniture, saturated color, and contemporary art seen throughout the home. In fact, many of Plumlee’s own works grace the walls, including a large abstract piece that sits in an ornate frame and seems to have a commanding presence in the sitting room. Even the mudroom benefits from a coral-hued painting that the artist created to bring the hues of the kitchen rug into the mudroom.

There’s no shortage of art and eye-catching accessories along the way either, from the vintage ashtrays and optic glass pieces in the living room to the murano glass in the sitting room. “I’m a collector. Minimalism is great, but I’m kind of a maximalist. I like my treasures,” Plumlee concludes with a laugh.

Joshua’s Tips for Makeover Success
Having worked with numerous clients on renovations and now living through his own home’s remodel, the designer has a few insights to help you achieve the look you want and keep your sanity in the process.

1/ First and foremost, keep your overall vision in mind.
When you have the end result in mind, it can take away some of the anxiety that comes with living in the trenches of a renovation.

2/ Don’t sacrifice your own comfort for resell value.
With every major decision during the renovation, ask yourself, “Is this what I really want?” In other words, take resell value into consideration but don’t let it be the overall guiding factor. Create a home where you want to spend time.

3/ When considering removing walls: open floor plans are great, however, they don’t always suit the architectural integrity of the home.
This was certainly the case in my house. We wanted it open and airy, clean and bright, but we still wanted that element of discovery. Plus, taking out too many walls doesn’t allow the opportunity for hanging artwork. Clients often complain to me that their homes don’t have enough wall space.

4/ When installing sconces and overhead lighting, always consider the fact that furniture and artwork will migrate around the home.
Being an avid collector, I carefully measured and positioned sconces and accent lighting to allow for major pieces of artwork to move around the home and still relate to the overall lighting scheme. The key here is that flexibility is a form of luxury.

Design Resources
Interior design Joshua Plumlee, Ransom Interiors, Little Rock, (501) 838-7267, ransominteriors.com
Construction JQ Enterprises, Little Rock, (501) 952-6602
Accessories, art, and wallpaper Ransom Interiors, Little Rock, (501) 838-7267, ransominteriors.com
Backsplash and countertops—kitchen All Natural Stone, Little Rock, (501) 228-9777; Triton Stone Group of Little Rock, Little Rock, (501) 562-9994, tritonstone.com
Cabinetry—kitchen and floor installation NQ Enterprises, Little Rock, (501) 349-8704
Florals Tipton & Hurst, locations throughout central Arkansas, (501) 666-3333, tiptonhurst.com
Furniture and lighting Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-2676, cobblestoneandvine.com; mertinsdykehome, Little Rock, (501) 280-3300, mertinsdykehome1.wixsite.com; Ransom Interiors, Little Rock, (501) 838-7267, ransominteriors.com
Paint Benjamin Moore, locations statewide, benjaminmoore.com

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Family Friendly Update

April 26, 2016 by Norma Edwards

A Little Rock designer reimagines her own home to make it better suit every member of the household’s needs and style

After eleven years in their former home, the Newberg family was ready for a move when a traditional red-brick home in an established neighborhood caught their attention. The location satisfied the family’s need for community—they already had friends in the area—but the dated interior left much to be desired. “It was very dark and had a lot of paneling that was pretty, but not really my style,” interior designer Miguel Newberg recalls. “But I loved the bones of the house; it was very charming.” To better suit her family’s needs, Newberg worked with architect Ellen Yeary to reconfigure the floor plan on the main level to include an open, eat-in kitchen, a private home office, and a sports-themed man cave for her husband, Andy. Additionally, doorways were widened to improve traffic flow, and Newberg collaborated with Richard Harp of Richard Harp Homes—who was the main contractor for the entire home’s renovation—to update the stairway’s banister to a sleek steel-and-wood version that better complements the home’s transitional furnishings. Only the second level—home to daughters Kathryn and Elizabeth—escaped structural updates and instead received only cosmetic refreshers.

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Palette Rules
Though she is known for her use of color, Newberg chose mostly neutrals for the main spaces of the home, and punctuated them with eye-catching art, bold lighting, and a mixture of pattern. A sandy neutral paint color and newly refinished hardwood floors set the stage in each room. Sleek upholstery and a marble-topped coffee table mingle with a painted antique armoire in the living room, where a large abstract painting provides a punch of color. “We spotted it in Memphis, and Andy and I were both instantly drawn to it,” Newberg says. The piece unites the blues and grays found throughout the home and offers a touch of rusty red.

The bedrooms wear a bit more color. In the master, soft shades of blue echo a painting commissioned from artist Lauren Meredith. In a similar manner, six-year-old Elizabeth’s room has a punchy, youthful scheme of green, hot pink, and yellow and features bold damask-print drapes that formerly hung in her nursery.

Feeling of Nostalgia
“The house has great street appeal; I immediately pictured the girls riding bikes and playing basketball with our neighborhood friends,” she recalls. The traditional home’s center-hall layout reminded Newberg of the antebellum houses in her home state of Louisiana. However, the multitude of small rooms on the lower level didn’t suit the family’s lifestyle.

To remedy this, she relocated the kitchen to a larger space at one end of the main level that was formerly the family room. This allowed for both a breakfast table and large, quartzite-topped island to be accommodated, making it possible to seat a crowd comfortably. Within the first few months after the renovation, the updated space along with the nearby dining room, played host to family dinners and community group gatherings, and Newberg predicts many more to follow. “I love that the girls can sit at the island and work on homework while I cook dinner,” she says. “We really wanted the kitchen to be the core of the house, the place where everyone gathers.”

Spaces of Their Own
High on the Newberg family’s collective wish list was a personal space for each family member: An out-of-the-way home office for Miguel, private bathrooms and a separate hang-out spot for each of the girls, and a sports-watching haven for Andy. Post-renovation, the house delivers. An unused front bedroom became the master closet, and the additional square footage also allowed a stackable set of laundry machines to move into the space. In turn, the former laundry and craft room became the office of Newberg’s design firm, M. N’Teriors. “Now we each have a space where we can be completely ourselves,” Newberg says.

Design Resources
Architect Ellen Yeary, Yeary Lindsey Architects, Little Rock, (501) 372-5940, yearylindsey.com
Contractor Richard Harp, Richard Harp Homes, Inc., Little Rock, (501) 690-4277, richardharphomes.com
Interior design Miguel Newberg, M’NTeriors, Little Rock, (501) 993-2766, mnteriors.com
Kitchen and bath design Miguel Newberg, M’NTeriors, Little Rock, (501) 993-2766, mnteriors.com; Ellen Yeary, Yeary Lindsey Architects, Little Rock, (501) 372-5940, yearylindsey.com
Landscape design Better Lawns & Gardens, Little Rock, (501) 454-9803, betterlawnsar.com
Accessories Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Little Rock, (501) 225-0002, cantrellfurniture.com; Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; DP Designs, Little Rock, (501) 831-2009; Embellish, Little Rock, (501) 223-6965; Hadidi Rug and Design Gallery, Little Rock, (501) 225-8999, hadidiruggallery.com; Haus Werk, Little Rock, (501) 663-5251, shophauswerk.com; Obsessions Interiors, Little Rock, (501) 868-9333; Phoenix Interiors, Little Rock, (501) 225-0400
Appliances Metro Appliances & More, Jonesboro, (870) 933-7800, North Little Rock, (501) 758-1988, Springdale, (479) 750-2200, metroappliancesandmore.com
Art DP Designs, Little Rock, (501) 831-2009; The Showroom, Little Rock, (501) 404-7372, www.theshowroom.us.com; White Goat, Little Rock, (501) 603-9460, whitegoatstyle.com
Bedding Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com
Cabinetry Capitol Custom Cabinets, North Little Rock, (501) 771-0472
Carpet and tile—backsplash, bath, and flooring ProSource, North Little Rock, (501) 758-0801, prosourcewholesale.com/littlerock
Countertops Pacific Shore Stones, Mabelvale, (501) 455-3600, pacificshorestones.com
Fabrics Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock, (501) 663-0460, cynthiaeastfabrics.com; Designer Effects, Little Rock, (501) 661-4070, designereffects.net
Fixtures The Plumbing Warehouse, Little Rock, (501) 664-4183, tpw-lrshowroom.com
Flooring Arkansas Wood Floors, Jacksonville, (870) 688-8788, arkansaswoodfloors.com
Floral design Cabbage Rose, Little Rock, (501) 664-4042, cabbageroseflorist.com
Furniture Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Little Rock, (501) 225-0002, cantrellfurniture.com; DP Designs, Little Rock, (501) 831-2009; Phoenix Interiors, Little Rock, (501) 225-0400
Hardware Capitol Custom Cabinets, North Little Rock, (501) 771-0472; PC Hardware, Little Rock, (501) 224-1724, pchdwe.com
Lighting Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; Light Innovations, Little Rock, (501) 223-9026, light-innovations.com
Mirrors West Little Rock Glass, Little Rock, (501) 223-3034, westlittlerockglass.net
Outdoor furnishings Antique Brick Outdoor, Little Rock, (501) 375-0060, antiquebrickoutdoors.com
Paint Sherwin-Williams, locations statewide, sherwin-williams.com
Painting J & B Painting, Alexander, (501) 766-9507
Painting—decorative Angelfish Studios, Little Rock, (501) 960-4826, angelfishstudios.net
Rugs Hadidi Rug and Design Gallery, Little Rock, (501) 225-8999, hadidiruggallery.com
Shutters Laura’s Draperies & Blinds, Little Rock, (501) 803-4146
Upholstery Professional Touch Up, Little Rock, (501) 658-8223
Windows Windows, Doors & More, Bryant, (501) 315-3300, windowsdoorsandmoreinc.net
Window coverings Designer Supply, North Little Rock, (501) 851-8066

Functional & Fashionable

April 26, 2016 by Norma Edwards

A Little Rock boutique owner’s home receives new life with the help of interior designer Krista Lewis

“My home and my style have grown up with me through the years,” Emily Brown says. As the owner of Little Rock’s much-loved women’s boutique, Tulips, Brown knows a thing or two about color, accessorizing, and finding the perfect pieces for your look—and this knowledge isn’t left behind when she exits her boutique and enters her house.

Home Again
Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first house Brown and her husband, Mark, have owned on this quiet West Little Rock street. “We lived next door to this very house; we moved off the street for about a year, but had to come back,” she says. “I kind of had my eye on this house and always wanted it.” In 2009, Brown got her wish and the family moved in to the two-story, traditional brick home. In the early years of living there, they made minimal updates to accommodate the family, which includes son Peyton, 10, and daughter Millie, 6, but had not undergone full-scale cosmetic and structural renovations until they started working with interior designer Krista Lewis. “Krista and I went to the University of Arkansas together and have been longtime friends,” Brown says. “The reason I like to work with her is because her work ethic is like mine—super strong. And, of course, she has great style!”

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Functionality First
“The kitchen was the first space we worked on together,” Lewis notes. As the centrally located main hub of the home, it was important for this room to be equally practical and inviting for the young family. The cabinetry was updated and a larger island was built to offer workspace and a dining counter, as well as additional storage. The appliances were also relocated to create a better workflow, and lighting was installed over the island to illuminate the area.

Perhaps the area of the home that was least functional was the master bath. “It was essentially two bathrooms before the renovation. There were his and her sides; she had a tub and a big vanity, and he had a shower and smaller vanity. They both had their own closet and water closet, which did not have a door, and everything was carpeted,” Lewis discloses. Realizing the footprint didn’t work for them, the Browns opted to take in a portion of the spacious master bedroom, relocate the bath features to one shared side, and create a closet on the other. The additional space acquired from the bedroom also allowed for the creation of a vestibule, which makes a stunning statement at the entrance to the master suite. “I love this space,” Brown exclaims. “I have my laptop at my vanity in the closet, and I often sit in there at night after my kids go to bed, have a glass of wine, and fill Instagram and internet orders for the store.”

Color It Happy
A light—yet not neutral—palette carries throughout the home, with Sherwin-Williams’ “Contented” on the walls in the majority of the home and also on the cabinetry in the master bath. In the den, this color is complemented with warm corals found on the club chairs—which are covered with indoor/outdoor fabric that is kid-friendly—and in the accent pillows and window seat cushion. “Emily goes to the beach each summer and she loves it, so this room has a bit of beachy influence without being over the top or out of place for Little Rock,” Lewis says.

Upstairs—just as in her boutique—the color pink is a standout in daughter Millie’s room and in the details of the master suite. “Pink is in my blood, and you can’t get it out,” Brown laughs. “People asked me if my husband was OK with pink, and I just tell them that he is married to Tulips so, of course, he is OK with it,” she adds. While a hot-pink-and-white palette can be found in the boutique, lighter shades grace the master bedroom and show up in the bath’s wallpaper. “Bringing it [pink] into the renovation at home just shows how much I love the color,” Brown says.

Fashionable Mix
It almost goes without saying that a strong sense of distinctive style also flows from room to room. For example, there are elements such as the grouping of plates over the kitchen’s banquette or the tulip-patterned wallpaper in the dining room that catch your eye and cause you to pause for a moment. “I try to pick classic pieces that are functional for our life with kids and dogs,” Brown says. “I also like to add a cool twist with an old piece from an estate sale or a framed piece of art from our children’s school. It’s kind of like an outfit from my store—when styling our customers, we always add a wow factor that sets you apart from others.”

Overall, grace and livelihood seem to run rampant from the action of Brown swinging open her front door to welcome guests down to the tiniest well-placed accessory. “My mom always taught me that love is in every detail. Hard work has been put into my business and our home for years, and love is definitely in every detail. I feel it represents us as a family and, most importantly, it welcomes the people that we love to share it with; we are very thankful,” Brown says of the completed makeover.

Design Resources
Interior design Krista Lewis, K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com
Contractors Jeffery Lee, Pinnacle Home Improvement, Little Rock, (501) 944-1700; Krista Lewis, K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com
Accessories Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock, (501) 663-0460, cynthiaeastfabrics.com; K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com; Marshall Clements, Little Rock, (501) 663-1828, West Little Rock, (501) 954-7900, marshallclements.com; Providence Design, Little Rock, (501) 372-1886, providenceltddesign.com
Cabinetry—master bath and kitchen Richard Mears, Renaissance Custom Cabinets, (501) 256-3252, cabinetideas.com
Carpet Akel’s Carpet One, locations throughout Central Arkansas, akelscarpetone.com; C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery, Little Rock, (501) 399-9909, candfcarpet.com
Countertops—kitchen Casa Blanca Granite, Little Rock, (501) 744-0387, casablancagranite.com
Countertops and tile—master bath Inside Effects, North Little Rock, (501) 954-8866, insideeffects.com
Fabrics, fixtures, hardware, lighting, and wallpaper K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com
Fixtures—bath Southern Pipe & Supply, locations statewide, southernpipe.com
Fixtures—kitchen Falk Plumbing Supply, Hot Springs, (501) 321-1231, North Little Rock, (501) 664-3911, falksupply.com
Flooring—wood Akel’s Carpet One, locations throughout Central Arkansas, akelscarpetone.com
Furniture Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Little Rock, (501) 225-0002, cantrellfurniture.com; Fabulous Finds Antiques & Decorative Mall, Little Rock, (501) 614-8181, fabulousfindsantiquesanddecorativemall.com; K Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com
Millwork—closet J&J Custom Cabinets, Little Rock, (501) 766-1870, jjcustomcabinets.net
Mirrors West Little Rock Glass, Little Rock, (501) 223-3034, westlittlerockglass.net
Paint Benjamin Moore, locations statewide, benjaminmoore.com; Sherwin-Williams, locations statewide, sherwin-williams.com
Rugs C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery, Little Rock, (501) 399-9909, candfcarpet.com
Upholstery Howard’s Upholstery Shop, Little Rock, (501) 225-0476
Window coverings Mountjoy’s Custom Draperies, Mabelvale, (501) 455-2216

A Perfect Pairing

April 26, 2016 by Norma Edwards

The duo from Harper Howey Interiors unites to give one of their own residences a fresh and sophisticated makeover

What do a designer and an accountant have in common? One might say “not much,” but Kimberly Harper and Cynthia Tune have mastered the art of combining their separate talents into a successful full-service design business, known as Harper Howey Interiors. When mutual divorces brought the long-time friends closer than ever, they both went on the hunt for a fresh start. “I was doing tax returns, but it wasn’t fulfilling,” Tune recalls. “We started talking about doing a store together.” One afternoon, Harper happened past a century-old former schoolhouse in Springdale and immediately saw its potential. “The only thing we had to do was add two electrical outlets, and—from a business standpoint—I knew that if we could spend our initial investment on inventory instead of improvements, we could make it work,” Tune says. Harper rebranded her design business to reflect the new partnership, and the pair have been creating beautiful work across the state since—including their most recent project, Tune’s personal residence.

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Change of Residency
Not long after their business launched in 2012, Tune started looking to downsize her living space. She found a traditional red-brick home on a private, wooded lot in Fayetteville and bought it, sight unseen. Previous owners had been friends of hers, but it had been years since she was inside the home. After living there for a few months and figuring out what worked for her and what needed to change, she moved out and began a four-month renovation—helmed by Harper—to brighten the home and implement her desired functional preferences.

Making it Work for Her
Outside, ill-fitting shutters were removed and the brick was painted a creamy white. Inside, new hardwood flooring and tile replaced tired carpet. The public spaces were painted a soft neutral to bring light into the formerly dark rooms. As in many renovations, the kitchen and master bath got most of the attention, with all new cabinetry, lighting, and fixtures.

To improve the home’s flow, Tune had the wall between the kitchen and living room taken down, bringing in much-needed natural light. The addition of new cabinetry with simple recessed-panel doors keeps the space feeling classic, while extending the countertop over the peninsula created a breakfast bar to maximize seating, which is especially beneficial when her college-aged children bring home friends. The cabinetry on one wall is interspersed with open shelving to display dishes and glassware.

In the master bath, a large garden tub was removed to make room for a spacious shower stall. Additionally, a double vanity was exchanged for a single sink with more counter and cabinet space. Tune borrowed two feet of space from the garage to expand the closet. “The room just functions better for me now, and it feels like I’m in a luxurious hotel every day,” she says.

Better Together
While their trained professions may make Harper and Tune seem like an unlikely pair, magic happens when their strengths are combined. “I like order and symmetry—I’m a CPA after all—everything has to balance,” Tune says. Meanwhile, Harper’s use of bold color and grand gestures pushes the boundaries of design. “We go about things totally different,” Tune says of their working relationship. “During the renovation, for example, Kimberly was thinking ahead to how we would lay out the furniture, but I was more focused on getting the canvas just right, knowing we could add the layers in later,” Tune explains.

Evolution of a Home
“I definitely advise doing major renovations before moving in whenever possible – no one likes to live in that kind of mess,” Harper states. “But when furnishing and adding details it’s nice to take your time and find the right pieces.” In the first pass after the initial renovation, all of the walls, cabinets, and ceilings were given the same neutral paint color. Over time, wallpaper was added to the dining room and backs of the shelves in the living room, and the master bedroom was painted a cheerful, but serene, periwinkle. To tie in the en suite, Harper had the ceiling painted the same shade.

And there’s more to come, promises the pair. Eventually, the walls of the bath will be covered in a marbled paper. Next on the project list is a narrow sunroom that overlooks the backyard. Is that the last project? “Probably not!” Tune says with a laugh. “Is a house ever really finished?”

Design Resources
Interior design Kimberly Harper, Harper Howey Interiors, Springdale, (479) 750-7300, harperhoweyinteriors.com
Accessories, art, bedding, fabrics, furniture, lighting, mirrors, rugs, tile—backsplash, wallpaper, and window coverings Harper Howey Interiors, Springdale, (479) 750-7300, harperhoweyinteriors.com
Appliances Metro Appliances & More, Jonesboro, (870) 933-7800, North Little Rock, (501) 758-1988, Springdale, (479) 750-2200, metroappliancesandmore.com
Carpet, flooring, and tile Freeman Floor, Fayetteville, (479) 582-3311, freemanfloorco.com
Fixtures Plumb Perfect, Springdale, (479) 750-2333, springdalewinnelson.com
Hardware Encore Flooring & Building Products, Springdale, (479) 361-8900, encoregroupusa.com
Paint Sherwin-Williams, locations statewide, sherwin-williams.com

Refresher Course

April 28, 2015 by agill@athomearkansas.com

A few small updates led to a full home remodel—including a reworked floor plan and fresh furnishings—for an empty-nest couple

When it came to the renovation of their home, three things emerged as top priorities to the owners of this house on the outskirts of Sheridan: their family, the view of the farmland surrounding their property, and the overall functionality of the house. However, a total renovation wasn’t the original reason the couple called on architect Carolyn Lindsey and contractor Greg Dunlap. Initially, they simply wanted to change out the home’s windows, doors, and flooring. “Once we started talking with [the homeowner], he told us that nothing had been done to the home since he moved in more than 20 years ago,” Lindsey explains. Ideas began to flow, and everyone involved quickly realized this was going to be a bigger project than the original “few updates” requested. “They really needed advice on everything from new paint colors to furniture, so that was when we brought in Brittany,” Lindsey says of the addition of interior designer Brittany Nixon to the renovation team.

With a constant flow of family and guests, the home needed to feel comfortable and usable. What’s more, the structure itself needed improvements that would allow everyone to gather in the common areas and also to move easily about the space. Inspired by the lush green land just outside the home’s walls, as well as the owners’ collection of Western and rustic-inspired art and accessories, Nixon, Lindsey, and Dunlap set out to turn the couple’s vision into a reality.

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Request: Infuse the home with more light and a palette that matched the home’s environment.

Result: “Previously, the kitchen and living space were separate rooms, both with dark, stained-wood finishes. We brightened up the living space by removing the paneling, and took down the wall between the two areas to let the light pour in from the breakfast room’s windows,” Lindsey explains. When selecting paint colors and fabric swatches, Nixon turned to the landscape for cues. “Tying the elements of the outside to the inside was hugely important, and this is reflected in the color scheme. In the spring and summer, you can see the correlation between the colors. Without it being literal, I was trying to connect the two,” she says of the home’s palette, which includes shades of gray, blue, green, and white.

Request: Update the furnishings and furniture placement to reflect the owners’ casual, comfortable lifestyle.

Result: Refurbishing key pieces the couple already owned brought the rooms up to date without replacing every item in the home. For example, the breakfast nook’s existing dining set received a facelift complete with a new finish and reupholstered chairs. In the living room, multiple seating areas allow for a conversation space, chairs and a couch invite guests to watch television, and a separate nook at the far end can be used for reading—all within one space.

Request: Eliminate the home’s compartmentalized spaces and give it a streamlined, cohesive flow.

Result: Removing the expansive wall that separated the kitchen from the living area, created one large gathering space that allows the family to interact whether they are cooking dinner or watching a ball game. “Because they are so family oriented, an open floor plan was the first thing that came to mind when they started talking about how they envisioned being together and using the home,” Nixon says.

Additionally, a furnace was relocated, allowing for a hallway to create an opening between the dining room and kitchen. The dining room was previously a dead-end room, but moving the furnace and creating the walkway brought it back into the flow of the home—making it easy to cook in the kitchen and entertain in the dining room.

Request: Make the kitchen more functional for cooking and dining, and create more storage space.

Result: A large island was installed to serve as a defined work and eating zone. Its extra-deep construction provides the couple with more storage for serving pieces and cookware. Because the kitchen had only one wall for upper cabinets, Nixon and Lindsey used the space wisely by bringing the cabinetry surrounding the cooktop all the way down to the countertops. “When we open a kitchen up to the living room we like to provide a space for everything behind doors to keep the counters uncluttered,” Lindsey notes. Large appliance garages hide a coffeemaker, toaster, and blender, while still keeping them close at hand.

Perhaps the biggest change in terms of functionality was eliminating a home office that sat at one end of the kitchen. Nixon and Lindsey cleverly relocated the office’s necessities to the master bedroom and transformed this area into a concealed pantry that is accessible through what appear to be oversized cabinetry panel doors. This entry blends seamlessly with the panels on the full-size freezer and refrigerator, which are located on either side of the pantry entrance. Storage was also maximized here: “The pantry is really large, so it becomes the overflow of kitchen, but it remains very concealed,” Nixon notes. Incorporating a countertop inside the walk-in pantry also allows for a prep-work or baking station, adding to the convenience and efficient use of space.

Request: Realign the master bedroom in a more symmetrical manner. Give it—and the adjoining bath—a style refresh.

Result: Repositioning the bedroom’s windows allowed the bed to be centered on the back wall and for bedside tables to be placed near the windows on either side of it. Leveling off the room’s former tray ceiling makes the space feel less condensed. Additionally, the design team transformed the portion of the room near the back window from a sitting area into the couple’s office. Streamlined, transitional pieces replaced a bulky furniture set. In the bath, the existing tub was given a facelift, and a new shower was installed. A brilliant white palette lends a clean, refreshing feel to the shared space.

Request: Create cheerful guest rooms that can accommodate a crowd.

Result: The goal was to sleep as many people as possible in the house, since grandchildren and guests visit frequently. To do this, Nixon maximized sleeping space in one of the home’s two guest rooms by using two full-size beds that could sleep four people in one room. Several elements, including a punched-up version of the home’s color scheme and easy-to-replace FLOR carpet tiles, make it a top pick for the youngest visitors.

Design Resources

Architect Carolyn Lindsey, Yeary Lindsey Architects, Little Rock, (501) 372-5940, yearylindsey.com

Contractor Greg Dunlap Construction, Sheridan, (870) 917-9315

Interior design Brittany Nixon, Brittany Nixon Creative, Little Rock, (501) 247-7828, brittanynixoncreative.com

Kitchen and bath design Carolyn Lindsey, Yeary Lindsey Architects, Little Rock, (501) 372-5940, yearylindsey.com; Brittany Nixon, Brittany Nixon Creative, Little Rock, (501) 247-7828, brittanynixoncreative.com

Accessories Brittany Nixon Creative, Little Rock, (501) 247-7828, brittanynixoncreative.com; Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; Coming Home Interiors, Little Rock, (501) 225-3131; Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock, (501) 663-0460, cynthiaeastfabrics.com

Appliances Metro Appliances & More, Jonesboro, (870) 933-7800, North Little Rock, (501) 758-1988, Springdale, (479) 750-2200, metroappliancesandmore.com

Art Brittany Nixon Creative, Little Rock, (501) 247-7828, brittanynixoncreative.com; Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; M2 Gallery, Little Rock, (501) 225-6271, m2lr.com; White Goat, Conway, (501) 504-6643, Little Rock, (501) 603-9460, whitegoatstyle.com

Bedding—custom Sew Much by Monica Smith, Little Rock, (501) 952-3768

Cabinets R&B Cabinets, Sheridan, (870) 917-9482

Countertops AHI Stoneworks, Hot Springs, (501) 262-1622, ahistoneworks.com

Fabrics, fixtures, mirrors, tile, wallpaper, and windows Brittany Nixon Creative, Little Rock, (501) 247-7828, brittanynixoncreative.com

Fireplace—insert Congo Fireplace & Patio, Benton, (501) 316-4328, congofp.com

Flooring Ozark Hardwood Flooring, Marshall, (870) 448-5775, ozarkhardwoodfloors.com

Furniture and lighting Brittany Nixon Creative, Little Rock, (501) 247-7828, brittanynixoncreative.com; Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com

Furniture—custom headboards and window coverings Mountjoy’s Custom Draperies, Mabelvale, (501) 455-2216

Hardware Brittany Nixon Creative, Little Rock, (501) 247-7828, brittanynixoncreative.com; PC Hardware, Little Rock, (501) 707-0600, pchdwe.com

Millwork Brown Millwork, Sheridan, (870) 942-5224

Paint Sherwin-Williams, locations statewide, sherwin-williams.com

Rugs C&F Flooring, Little Rock, (501) 399-9909, candfcarpet.com; Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; Hadidi Rug & Design Gallery, Little Rock, (501) 225-8999, hadidiruggallery.com

Upholstery Robby Chism Upholstery, Little Rock, (501) 257-7932

Heirloom Revival

April 28, 2015 by agill@athomearkansas.com

Interior designer Kathryn LeMaster helps a Little Rock homeowner revive a house her family has called home for five generations

To live in a home that has housed five generations of your family would have been none too remarkable a century ago, but in 2015, it’s a true rarity. Little Rock-native Lynn Baker found herself in this fortunate position after inheriting her childhood home from her parents. “The house was built in 1930, and my dad’s family moved here in 1939, when he was 10,” Baker says. She goes on to explain that her father’s own grandparents also lived in the home with them during that time, and the house was then purchased by her parents after they were married. Additionally, she and her brother, along with his daughter (Baker’s niece), had both lived in the home at one time or another before it became solely hers.

Through all of those years and the numerous family-member residents, the house had only been renovated once—when her parents made an addition to it in the 1990s. “It was time for an update,” says Baker, who searched the Internet to find interior designer Kathryn LeMaster, whom she then hired. “I knew I wanted someone who was ASID (American Society of Interior Designers)-certified because my grandmother was a designer and was a member. Kathryn got right back to me and as they say, ‘the rest is history,’” Baker recounts. Considering both the home’s rich field of memories and the current owner’s needs, LeMaster crafted a thoughtful design that not only honors the past, but will also last for generations to come.

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Collected and Curated

“We tried to do a mix of old and new,” LeMaster says of the approach she took to the design. “I didn’t sell everything and start over,” Baker adds. For instance, the paneling in the den is original to the home’s 1990s addition and stands in juxtaposition to newly acquired contemporary artwork and a clear, acrylic fan for an eclectic vibe. “The painting in the den was a found piece done by artist V. Noe,” LeMaster notes. “It was such a perfect fit that it looks like we had it commissioned.”

A number of the furnishings in the home were either family pieces that had been handed down through the years or ones that Baker brought from her previous residence. LeMaster worked with these existing elements while also infusing new life into the space with eye-catching fabrics and accessories. Perhaps this is most strikingly evident in the master bedroom, where an heirloom painting became the jumping off point for the room’s color scheme. Its various shades of yellow and gray inspired LeMaster to find similarly hued fabrics for the draperies and custom bedding.

Budget Wise

A combination of vintage and current selections weren’t the only design elements that pose a contrast. “We also layered in different items budget-wise,” LeMaster says. For example, Baker opted for a custom CR Laine sectional in the den, while the room’s ottomans were an inexpensive online find that were then reupholstered. These pieces, paired with antique side tables Baker already owned, create a mix of high and low.

Aside from the furnishings, it was also important to Baker to make functional changes that will prove to be a smart investment over time. “I want to be here for 20 years if I can,” she notes. With this in mind, LeMaster completely reworked the flow of the master bath to better serve Baker’s needs. “Originally, this was a Jack-and-Jill bath, so we closed off the second opening and created a private water closet. We also added built-in linen storage in that new space.” With these functional improvements, there also came some luxurious upgrades. “I splurged on heated floors. There are some places you want to spend your money, but others you can save, and I said let’s find a place to save it somewhere else,” Baker laughs. Other deluxe features include a bench in the shower, a television concealed in the side of the bath’s cabinetry tower, and a small vanity area for applying makeup.

Personal Preferences

Since her family has enjoyed such a rich history in the home, it was important to Baker to celebrate this, while still making the rooms her own. In the kitchen, new open shelving crafted from cypress boards offers a place to display sentimental figurines. Similarly, cabinetry panels that were set aside in the kitchen renovation were repurposed to create a small china cabinet for treasured pieces in Baker’s new home office (which was formerly the laundry room).

The palette in one of the home’s guest rooms is also indicative of Baker’s style. “She told me at the very beginning of the project that she definitely wanted a purple room. So that was the starting point,” LeMaster says of the lilac-hued walls and fabrics in the home’s front guest bedroom.

Carrying the refresh throughout the spaces, LeMaster also worked her magic on a charming porch that Baker used previously for storage. “She is such a green thumb, so she wanted a space that could be her workroom,” LeMaster says. “She had a vision of a garden oasis.” Working with contractor Tim Hankins, who came up with the idea of using a metal washtub for a creative and industrial take on a sink, the attached porch was transformed into a potting room. “She worked around my quirky requests,” Baker says, of her relationship with LeMaster—one which, perhaps, has resulted in a home with enough history and charm to last for another century.

Design Resources

Architect Tim Hankins Construction, LLC, Little Rock, (501) 940-1200

Interior design Kathryn J. LeMaster, Allied ASID, Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design, LLC, North Little Rock, (501) 626-0267, kathrynjlemaster.com

Landscape design Andrew Kenley and Kyle Melton, Natural State Horticare, Sherwood, (501) 350-7583, naturalstatehorticare.com

Accessories Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Little Rock, (501) 225-0002, cantrellfurniture.com; Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design, LLC, North Little Rock, (501) 626-0267, kathrynjlemaster.com; Mid-Towne Antique Mall, Little Rock, (501) 223-3600, midtownantiquemall.com

Appliances Metro Appliances & More, Jonesboro, (870) 933-7800, North Little Rock, (501) 758-1988, Springdale, (479) 750-2200, metroappliancesandmore.com

Art Rita Henry, Gallery 26, Little Rock, (501) 664-8996; V. Noe (Vivian Noe Griffith) Conway, (501) 514-5166

Bedding—custom and window coverings Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design, LLC, North Little Rock, (501) 626-0267, kathrynjlemaster.com; Sew Much by Monica Smith, Little Rock, (501) 952-3768

Cabinets, millwork, and painting Tim Hankins Construction, LLC, Little Rock, (501) 940-1200

Countertops The Countertop Store, North Little Rock, (501) 771-9200, thecountertopstore.biz; Top That, LLC, Hot Springs, (501) 624-5914, topthatllc.net

Fabrics Designer Effects, Little Rock, (501) 661-4070, designereffects.net; Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design, LLC, North Little Rock, (501) 626-0267, kathrynjlemaster.com

Fixtures Southern Pipe & Supply, locations statewide, southernpipe.com

Flooring Hardwood Floors by Kyle Scruggs, Little Rock, (501) 690-6848

Framing M2 Gallery & Framing, Little Rock, (501) 225-6271, m2lr.com

Furniture, lighting, mirrors, and wallpaper Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design, LLC, North Little Rock, (501) 626-0267, kathrynjlemaster.com

Glass West Little Rock Glass, Little Rock, (501) 223-3034, westlittlerockglass.net

Hardware Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design, LLC, North Little Rock, (501) 626-0267, kathrynjlemaster.com; PC Hardware, Little Rock, (501) 224-1724, pchdwe.com

Rugs Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Little Rock, (501) 225-0002, cantrellfurniture.com; Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock, (501) 663-0460; cynthiaeastfabrics.com; Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design, LLC, North Little Rock, (501) 626-0267, kathrynjlemaster.com

Tile Inside Effects, North Little Rock, (501) 954-8866, inside-effects.com

Upholstery Howard’s Upholstery, Little Rock, (501) 225-0476

Windows—storm Griffis Gentry Glass, Bauxite, (501) 952-9153

Newly Appointed

April 28, 2015 by agill@athomearkansas.com

Interior Designer Krista Lewis revamps a nondescript home in West Little Rock to create a richly personalized dwelling for her brother and his young family

There comes a time when the mismatched and makeshift décor you’ve acquired through various life transitions simply no longer fits your lifestyle or taste level. That was the case when Heather and Scott Allmendinger, along with their two young children, Vivian (6) and Croix (4), set out to purchase and furnish a home where they could picture themselves living long-term.

Even before buying a new place, the couple turned to Scott’s sister, interior designer Krista Lewis, for guidance. “They were ready to move into a house where they could put down roots and be comfortable for a long time,” Lewis says. Having an expert in the family certainly has its perks, and Lewis guided the couple through the process of choosing—and then renovating—their new home. Lewis gave her stamp of approval to this particular house, because, she says, “the basic floor plan was ideal.” Though it didn’t need many major structural changes, Heather and Scott “were eager to personalize the space,” she adds. Prioritizing Heather’s fondness for formal interiors, Scott’s desire for the home to be optimally functional, and the couple’s shared love of hosting friends and family, Lewis created a deeply meaningful setting for this next chapter in their lives.

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Palette Cleanse

Lewis’s design clients gravitate to her signature casual-comfortable design style, and—as Heather was selecting her favorite images from design books and magazines—the designer noticed that “her taste leans more formal, with lots of dressy textiles.” Country-French décor, therefore, became the decorative aesthetic that united the visions of both designer and homeowner. Though the Allmendingers favor a very traditional style of furnishings, Lewis intentionally kept the atmosphere youthful, in order to best represent the family’s vibrant spirit. The designer’s key to keeping the tenor of the design from being overly serious was carrying an airy and fresh color palette throughout the floor plan. “The home is primarily done in light taupes, warm whites, blues, and gold,” Lewis says, and “the master bedroom is celadon, rose, and taupe, because Heather really wanted a touch of pink somewhere in the home.” The luxurious master bathroom is almost entirely neutral with gold accents.

Hospitable Home

Because the Allmendingers entertain frequently, for different sizes and types of gatherings, they required a variety of spaces that would serve this purpose. The formal dining room offers an atmosphere of easy refinement, featuring a damask wallcovering by Thibaut, an oversized mirror with a gilded frame—which hangs above a distressed painted buffet—and custom pinch-pleated silk draperies in a checkered pattern that follow the contour of the graceful, arched window.

The living room, similarly, layers texture and pattern for an elegant effect. Antiqued mirrors, exquisite silk drapery panels, and glimmering gold finishes throughout the room imbue the palette of blues and yellows with a reflective sheen. The sofa and two club chairs are tailored and traditional, while select accent fabrics lend a slightly more contemporary attitude; for instance, a high-contrast chevron pattern livens up the two upholstered armchairs situated fireside. The kitchen, an adjacent keeping room, and the fully updated screened back porch are better suited to casual entertaining and everyday family living.

Private Luxuries

One of the most private spaces in the Allmendingers’ home—the master bathroom—ended up being the most sumptuous of all. To achieve the “high-end hotel feel” the couple wanted, a major transformation was necessary. “We didn’t change the layout of the plumbing fixtures, but by enclosing the shower and selecting new finishes from top to bottom [it] feels like a completely different space,” Lewis says. The existing base cabinetry was repainted and topped with quartzite countertops. The redesign makes the space feel more intimate and private, whereas, before, the room felt too open and exposed for comfort. Gold leaf was applied to the mirror frames to match the Visual Comfort light fixtures, and an inset marble mosaic—an idea drawn from Heather’s inspiration images—embellishes the porcelain-tiled floor.

Meaningful Mementos

The design details of the Allmendinger home that are the most personalized are also the most personal to the family. For instance, the painting of a pelican that hangs above the living room fireplace is by Louisiana artist Elaine Gleason and serves as a reminder of Heather and Scott’s engagement (which took place in New Orleans) as does the grouping of mixed-media crosses by Helen Bolin—another Louisiana artist—that hangs above the skirted console table in the same room. The touch of pink Heather requested appears in the upholstery of a delicate armchair she inherited from her grandmother and which now sits in her bedroom—a daily reminder of a much-beloved family member. It is at these intersections of personal style and personal memories that Lewis says she can see the higher value of a truly unique home design: “I love that they personalize the space and bring such happy memories to the house.”

Design Resources

Interior design Krista Lewis, K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com

Contractor Jon Callahan, Callahan Construction, Jacksonville, (501) 837-3575, jcbuilds.com

Accessories Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Little Rock, (501) 225-0002, cantrellfurniture.com; K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com; Providence Design, Little Rock, (501) 372-1886, providenceltddesign.com; Tanarah Luxe Floral, Little Rock, (501) 372-1400, tanarahluxefloral.com

Art Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Little Rock, (501) 225-0002, cantrellfurniture.com; Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com; Providence Design, Little Rock, (501) 372-1886, providenceltddesign.com

Bedding, carpet, fabrics, fixtures, hardware, lighting, mirrors, and wallpaper K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com

Cabinets—bathroom, millwork, and painting Callahan Construction, Jacksonville, (501) 837-3575, jcbuilds.com

Countertops—bathroom Pacific Shore Stones, Mabelvale, (501) 455-3600, pacificshorestones.com

Flooring—master bath Inside Effects, North Little Rock, (501) 954-8866, insideeffects.com

Flooring—outdoor area Acme Brick, locations throughout Arkansas, acmebricktileandstone.com

Florals Tipton & Hurst, locations throughout central Arkansas, (501) 666-3333, tiptonhurst.com

Framing The Showroom, Little Rock, (501) 372-7373, theshowroom.us.com

Furniture Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Little Rock, (501) 225-0002, cantrellfurniture.com; Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com

Lampshades—custom The Shade Above, Little Rock, (501) 374-3555, theshadeabove.com

Outdoor furnishings and rugs Cantrell Furniture Design Center, Little Rock, (501) 225-0002, cantrellfurniture.com; K. Lewis Interior Design, Little Rock, (501) 952-6952, klewisinteriordesign.com

Paint Benjamin Moore, locations statewide, benjaminmoore.com; Sherwin-Williams, locations statewide, sherwin-williams.com

Painting—decorative Angelfish, Little Rock, (501) 960-4826, angelfishstudios.net

Upholstery Howard’s Upholstery, Little Rock, (501) 225-0476

Window coverings—dining room Mountjoy’s Custom Draperies, Mabelvale, (501) 455-2216; Pam Meredith Sewing, Lonoke, (501) 266-2325

The Winning Entry: Curb Appeal Makeover Reveal

July 25, 2014 by ark_admin

This past spring At Home in Arkansas launched our first Curb Appeal Makeover Contest. After months of anticipation, hundreds of worthy submissions, and weeks of planning and planting, we’re excited to reveal the winner of our exclusive makeover with exterior designer Daniel Keeley of DK Design

This Little Rock house had plenty going for it—a friendly neighborhood location, a curved brick pathway, and a traditional façade—but lacked a warm welcome. Follow along as Keeley reimagines the home’s front lawn area to make it feel as inviting as the family who lives here.

The first stop was Horticare Nursery, where Keeley shared his plant picks to bring the area to life. For the main landscaping, he chose arborvitae (to provide height) and boxwoods for evergreen color along with hardy hostas and begonias. The area is accented with hydrangea and Encore^®azaleas for a touch of Southern charm. Window boxes, featuring impatiens, variegated liriope, and caladiums, were installed on each of the windows that flank the home. For an extra burst of color, pink Double Knock Out^® roses, variegated potato vine, and asparagus fern fill the planters by the front door.

Next, it was off to Antique Brick Outdoors to select a classic bench. Since both Gentry’s mother and mother-in-law live with the family, it was important for them to have a place just outside the front door where the ladies could take in the neighborhood view. They chose a “Club” teak bench by Summer Classics with a cushion made from Sunbrella outdoor fabric.

Last, but certainly not least, the home was in need of landscape lighting to illuminate the walkway and highlight the new plantings. Keeley found just the solution—landscape accent spotlights by Kichler—at Little Rock’s Light Innovations.

When the project was complete, both Keeley and the Gentrys were thrilled with the end result. The refreshed entry not only has an inviting feel, but also a space to sit and take in the view with friends and neighbors.

SPECIAL THANKS to our lead designer and presenting sponsors who made this project possible:

Daniel Keeley, DK Design, Fayetteville, (888) 670-4899, dkdesignoutdoor.com

Antique Brick Outdoors, Little Rock, (501) 375-0060, antiquebrickoutdoors.com

Horticare Nursery, Little Rock, (501) 407-2727, horticare.net

Light Innovations, Little Rock, (501) 223-9026, light-innovations.com

In With the Old and the New

June 23, 2014 by ark_admin

A restructured roofline and plenty of repurposed finds transform a cramped attic into a comfortable and charming family area

Built in 1932, the home that Anna Dickinson shares with her husband and two small children is loaded with charm—much of which can be attributed to the signature style of her Little Rock shop, White Goat. However, there was one portion of the house lacking in functionality. Located in Little Rock’s Heights neighborhood, the house was constructed in a time when most homes lacked central heating and air, thus the top floor had been originally used as a sleeping porch. Years later when the porch was enclosed, short ceilings made the room claustrophobic, and window units were insufficient for Arkansas’ extreme temperatures. Therefore, the upstairs portion of the home fell into disuse and became a graveyard for the family’s castoff furniture.

Enter Chris Milligan of Dwellings, Inc. Looking at the big picture, he knew the first step in creating a livable space was to build a taller exterior shell, which raised the roofline while preserving a streamlined look with the original roof. Now the twelve-foot ceilings of the upstairs sitting area create a loft-like feel, while eight-foot ceilings in the overlooking reading nook accommodate the vaulted ceilings of a first-story room. Next, central heating and air were added to the space, while a cushioned window seat cleverly disguises the additional ductwork.

Always mindful of the end result, Dickinson knew that if the space was not stylish, the room would remain unused. She enlisted White Goat designer Adam Smith to help her infuse the room with the shop’s signature mix of French country minimalism. The wood walls, railing, and ceilings were covered with a coat of fresh white paint to complement the sofa and to create contrast with the room’s other more vividly hued furnishings. Even with two small children, Dickinson is not afraid to use a light color palette. “Slipcovers can be washed,” she says. To offset the light hues, the ceilings were lined with reclaimed wooden beams from a one-hundred-year-old barn in Kentucky. An exposed brick wall adds balance and texture, as well as a bit of history. What’s more, some of its whitewashed bricks were recovered from the home’s original pier chimney.

In fact, everywhere you look the Dickinson family’s restructured upstairs embodies White Goat’s principle of giving new life to found objects. The team repurposed materials from around the world within a traditional cottage layout. For instance, when Dickinson fell in love with an antique stair railing that did not meet safety codes, Milligan used lumber from the attic’s original rafters to construct an equally charming—and up to code—version. Additionally, the wood floors were reclaimed from an Amish farm in Pennsylvania, and the sliding doors were found in a French salvage yard. It’s not just the architectural details either; a century-old Belgian leather chair is one of Dickinson’s favorite elements.

While the design trio collaborated to create a functional space that’s reflective of the family’s style, Dickinson gives Milligan praise for his ability to reimagine the bones of the home. “I had ideas; Chris had visions. He took an awkward Heights home and helped it make sense,” she says.

Design Resources

Designer and general contractor Chris Milligan, Dwellings, Inc., Little Rock, (501) 831-0729, dwellings-ar.com

Interior design Adam Smith, White Goat, Little Rock, (501) 603-9460

Accessories and furnishings Pottery Barn, Little Rock, (501) 663-0181, Rogers, (479) 246-0118, potterybarn.com; White Goat, Little Rock, (501) 603-9460

Art, lighting, mirrors, and rugs White Goat, Little Rock, (501) 603-9460

Fabrics White Goat, Little Rock, (501) 603-9460; Window Works, Little Rock, (501) 219-1500, windowworksdesign.com

Paint Sherwin-Williams, locations statewide, sherwin-williams.com; White Goat, Little Rock, (501) 603-9460

Painting—decorative: Daniel Bright, White Goat, Little Rock, (501) 603-9460

Upholstery Window Works, Little Rock, (501) 219-1500, windowworksdesign.com

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