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Lake Living

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Marianna O’Dea helps a young family turn a weekend retreat into a practical and playful full-time residence

“An epic five-month summer.” That’s how one of the owners of this Hot Springs home describes the initial months of the pandemic, which they spent away from their Little Rock residence and at the lake instead. “We felt a little guilty when we looked around, but we had been living our best life,” the homeowner says. For the young family of four, days spent wakesurfing and nights looking out at the water were a dream. Not wanting to lose sight of the togetherness and fun they shared during that season, they made the decision to move to their Lake Hamilton vacation home permanently.
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A Natural New Take

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Krista Lewis brings the outside indoors for her clients’ contemporary new build on Greers Ferry Lake


After a fire destroyed their lake house in 2021, interior designer Krista Lewis’s clients knew they wanted to rebuild with safety in mind. “We lost every single thing except the foundation and the driveway,” the homeowner says. “Everything had to be redone.”

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Something New

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Designer Mona Thompson Phelan’s next chapter includes a newly constructed west Little Rock home


When you ring the doorbell at Mona and Dick Phelan’s home, you’ll be greeted with the sound of Pharrell Williams singing his catchy hit “Happy.” It’s a fitting soundtrack for the feeling that continues once you cross the threshold of the recently built home. While sophisticated and refined, there’s an air of approachability and a sense of comfort that seems to dance from room to room. It’s not stuffy and there’s no pretense, but rather a sense of genuineness that comes from knowing what you like and how to incorporate it—and working with people who know you well.

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Moving Towards Modern

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Interior designer Meridith Ranouil creates a contemporary, funky feel in a couple’s new build

With a new home came the opportunity for a new style. “My furnishings had always been traditional, but I’ve always loved abstract art,” the owner of this west Little Rock home says.
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Classic & Current

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The best of both worlds combine in a new build helmed by designer Nikki Hastings

It’s no secret that renovations rarely go exactly as planned. However, for this young Little Rock couple, plans for an update turned into plans for a new build. “They were having issues with the structure; and once we got in, we learned the plumbing and electrical weren’t up to code and would have to be ripped out,” explains designer Nikki Hastings. Weighing their options, starting afresh seemed to be the most viable path. “I know there are people who are quick to pull the trigger on just level it and go, but I really feel like we did the due diligence to not have to do that,” Nikki says.
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Timeless with a Twist

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For a family’s forever home in Fort Smith, interior designer Melissa Hall Simmons creates a fresh take on tradition

Melissa Hall Simmons of Studio MH helped her Fort Smith clients create a lasting home for their young family by mixing traditional bones with contemporary flair. “These clients have two young girls, and their first house was a smaller space,” Melissa says. “They were thinking, Long term, we want to raise our children in this home.” Having worked with the designer on a previous project, these homeowners were eager to collaborate again. “Melissa does a great job of introducing new ideas while at the same time narrowing down the amount of decisions throughout the process,” the homeowner says. “She would listen and evaluate our styles and wants and then present a few options, allowing us to feel very engaged but not overwhelmed.”
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True Reflection

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Garry Mertins breathes new life into a Heights home with structural updates, meaningful pieces, and an infusion of color

Having lived in her Heights home for 20 years, Dawne Vandiver knew the time to renovate had come. “I almost decided to sell, but I talked with Garry and he had a vision,” she says of local interior designer Garry Mertins. “He is unique in that he knows as much about building and the mechanics of a home as he does decorating,” she adds.
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Enchanting Garden

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In Little Rock, Ashley Childers imbues her outdoor living spaces with English-inspired appeal

A passion for gardening and hosting inspired interior designer Ashley Childers to add an outdoor living space and English-style garden to her family home in Little Rock. “We love all four seasons in Arkansas, and I’m grateful we live in a climate where we can experience all of them,” she says. “My husband and I really love to garden together, so we wanted to create a little oasis for ourselves—something that we could enjoy all year-round.”
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A Growing Landscape

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A small start leads to a full, flourishing garden at Chris H. Olsen’s getaway

“I’m just going to do azaleas and keep the yard simple.” That was the line that central Arkansas landscape designer Chris H. Olsen told himself when purchasing his rural retreat in Cabot. After completing the interiors (featured in the October 2023 issue of At Home in Arkansas), it seemed almost reflexive for him to turn his attention to the outdoors, a space that existed in the form of a bare country lawn when he signed the deed. “The idea for azaleas progressed to a cutting garden, and now here we are,” he says with a laugh.
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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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