Date: April 17, 2017 | Story: Katie Cox | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Angela Alexander |
A vast collection of antiques, modern art, colorful accessories, and whimsical lighting combine to bring this Northwest Arkansas home to life
Donna Hanna purchased her Fayetteville fixer upper eleven years ago, and has since transformed the home into a glamorous, timeless showcase of art and collections. With more than twenty years in the design business, Hanna’s passion for interiors comes from a very personal place. “I have always been interested in design. My father was a developer and builder in Northwest Arkansas, so I’ve always been around building and remodeling. I would help him pick out paint colors and finishes for his homes. One thing led to another, and people started calling me to help them with their projects. That was the start of my business, Donna Hanna Interiors,” Hanna says. Her popularity and eye for high-end quality also gained the attention of Northwest Arkansas home boutique Christopher Allen Décor, where she currently works as the store designer. Many pieces from the shop seem to reflect her style and have made their way into her house. Read on for ideas on how to bring her signature style into your own home.
Display Your Entertaining Essentials
“I love entertaining and having friends over for a glass of wine,” Hanna says. An antique beverage cart tucked in the corner of the dining room adds visual interest when not in use and can be easily accessed when Hanna hosts parties and get-togethers. “Pieces like this beverage cart also help to break up the newness of a space and venture out from the showroom look,” Hanna adds.
Keep It Clean
A colorful house doesn’t have to mean colorful walls. A neutral palette of creams and whites allows Hanna’s furniture and accessories to take center stage and creates a spacious, airy feeling. Vaulted ceilings create more visual space to make the home feel larger. A clean backdrop also allows for new pieces to be introduced into the design scheme with ease.
When in Doubt, Add an Antique
“I like a little contemporary mixed with one antique,” Hanna says. For example, her living room boasts a stately antique secretary paired with a set of animal-print chairs. Floral pillows add a pop of color and unexpected pattern. “I don’t like everything being brand new. To me, that doesn’t take a whole lot of creativity. I love finding an antique piece that‘s just right for the space, and then pairing it with contemporary accessories. That’s a perfect blend.” Her general rule of thumb: One antique in every room.
Add Some Jewelry
“I like to be surrounded with beautiful things,” Hanna says. The chandeliers found throughout the home are a testament to that love. From turquoise Murano glass to a Niermann Weeks chandelier made from shards of feathered glass (shown here), Hanna has a strong affinity for beautiful lighting. “It’s like jewelry,” she says.
Incorporate Trends in Small Doses
“People cannot afford trendy design,” Hanna says. Instead, she suggests bringing in new influences through pillows and accessories and keeping the bigger pieces neutral. Bright pink flowers on the mantel and side table, a yellow lamp, and blue pillows add interest in the family room without overcommitting to a color palette. “The color of the day might be green, so naturally you want to run out and paint your walls green. But in a year it could be blue. You don’t want to have to go back three to four years later and redo the house again. It’s not practical or affordable,” she says.
Go for Big Impact
“I’m into bigger pieces and less tchotchke,” Hanna says. Case in point, the sizable mirror with Murano glass accents that hangs in the powder bath. A piece of this size and stature creates a focal point with little need for accessories.
Play with Paper
A smaller space, like a study or bathroom, offers a great opportunity to play with pattern or color. In her office, Hanna used a muted floral wallpaper to add personality. Layering textures, such as metallics, animal hides, glass, and satin finishes, create a luxurious setting for this quiet space.
Shine Bright
A mirrored bedside table, metallic lamp, oversized wall mirror, and Lucite bench lend interest and dimension in the master bedroom. Adding reflective surfaces to a space helps to create more light and the feeling of depth in a small room.
Design Resources
Interior design Donna Hanna, Donna Hanna Interiors, Fayetteville, (479) 502-2871
Accessories Christopher Allen Decor, Fayetteville, (479) 301-2055, christopherallendecor.net; Donna Hanna Interiors, Fayetteville, (479) 502-2871; French Metro Antiques, Fayetteville, (479) 587-0804, frenchmetro.com; Harper Howey Interiors, Springdale, (479) 750-7300, harperhoweyinteriors.com; Lighting Emporium, Springdale, (479) 751-8184, lightingemporium.com
Bedding Lighting Emporium, Springdale, (479) 751-8184, lightingemporium.com
Cabinets—bathroom and fireplace Estes Wood Designs, Bentonville, (479) 273-2974, esteswooddesigns.com
Carpet and flooring Freeman Floor, Fayetteville, (479) 582-3311, freemanfloorco.com
Countertops—bathroom Petersen Granite & Marble, Marble, (479) 665-2191, petersengranite.com
Fabrics Donna Hanna Interiors, Fayetteville, (479) 502-2871; Fabric Gallery, Springdale, (479) 751-7711, thefabricgallery.com
Fixtures Ferguson Plumbing, Springdale, (479) 927-2793, ferguson.com
Furniture Christopher Allen Decor, Fayetteville, (479) 301-2055, christopherallendecor.net; Donna Hanna Interiors, Fayetteville, (479) 502-2871; French Metro Antiques, Fayetteville, (479) 587-0804, frenchmetro.com; Harper Howey Interiors, Springdale, (479) 750-7300, harperhoweyinteriors.com
Hardware Lighting Emporium, Springdale, (479) 751-8184, lightingemporium.com
Lighting Christopher Allen Decor, Fayetteville, (479) 301-2055, christopherallendecor.net; Donna Hanna Interiors, Fayetteville, (479) 502-2871
Paint Benjamin Moore, locations statewide, benjaminmoore.com
Painting Pinnacle Drywall & Painting, Sprindale, (479) 422-2742
Rugs Abide Furniture, Springdale, (479) 750-5225, abidefurniture.net; Lighting Emporium, Springdale, (479) 751-8184, lightingemporium.com
Tile—bathroom Freeman Floor, Fayetteville, (479) 582-3311, freemanfloorco.com; Tom January Floors, Inc., Fayetteville, (479) 521-2422, tomjanuaryfloors.com
Upholstery Fabric Gallery, Springdale, (479) 751-7711, thefabricgallery.com; Sprouse Upholstery, Springdale, (479) 756-8711, sprouseupholstery.com
Wallpaper and window coverings Fabric Gallery, Springdale, (479) 751-7711, thefabricgallery.com
