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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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In the Trees

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An outdoor addition and renovation blend seamlessly with this Little Rock home’s contemporary style

Having lived in eight different houses, you could say Mimi and Jim Hugg have a knack for homes. “Each time we moved, we got a better understanding of what we wanted in an outdoor space,” Jim says. After purchasing this 1970 home, they embarked on a renovation of both the interior (featured in the May 2023 issue of At Home in Arkansas) and exterior. Their wish list for the outdoors included a covered porch, pool area, a terrace off the primary bedroom, and features that would make the majority of the spaces usable year-round. “We wanted a house that would allow us to get outside easily,” Jim says. “The idea of an inside-outside aesthetic is so appealing to us.”
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Staying in Character

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In the Delta, an heirloom home receives an update that pays homage to its history while leaning into its future


Time-honored dwellings and found pieces are the kinds of things that make Heather Chadduck Hillegas’s heart sing. “I love historic homes, and I always want to save what is there and honor its past,” the Birmingham, Alabama-based designer says. When the opportunity to work on a project of this nature in her home state of Arkansas arose—with a client-turneddear-friend, no less—she embraced it fully.

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Modern Masculinity

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Designer Casey Sarkin helps bring warm tones and organic elements to a father’s family home


For a father building his forever home in Fayetteville, interior designer Casey Sarkin says the goal was to infuse the space with warm neutrals and natural textures to create a lasting legacy. “He wanted to build a family home where his kids could come; a lifetime house that would eventually welcome his grandkids as well,” Casey says. “The overall vibe needed to be transitionally modern and masculine, yet family-oriented and comfortable.”

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A Clean Slate

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Designer Debi Davis updates a west Little Rock home with a neutral palette and contemporary accents

Wanting a fresh start, this couple searched the metro area to find just the right home for their next chapter of life. “We looked at every house in Little Rock that fit our criteria. We kept coming back to this one—it had everything we wanted,” the homeowner says. Specifically, it checked the boxes for a primary suite on the ground floor and plenty of gathering space for their family, which includes six grown children who visit often.
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Building Traditions

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Whitney Bonaminio helps family friends create a cohesive design story in their home—at Christmas and all year-round


Whitney Bonaminio has specialized in holiday decorating with her business, Christmas by Whitney, for many years, but she recently branched out to full-service interior design projects. When some close family friends were building their new house in Little Rock’s Falstone neighborhood, they approached her to help with every element, including the home’s layout, architectural features, and furnishings. “This couple envisioned building their dream home,” Whitney says. “They wanted it to be full of all the amenities and welcoming to their four children in this blended family.”

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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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