Inspiring your Home and Lifestyle
Fresh looks and stylish accessories to put on this season’s wish list— all available from local boutiques | A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
Blue shagreen clutch with adjustable chain from Kristin Chase. Gucci sunglasses with gradient lens from Barbara Jean.…
Shops, restaurants, and attractions in Fort Smith innovate with an appreciation for the city’s past | A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
On the westernmost edge of the state, Fort Smith—the second-largest city in Arkansas—is a place that embraces the juxtaposition of old and new. Just look at some of its most popular hangouts, such as The Bakery District (bakeryfs.com), which has repurposed a former baking facility into a new multi-use space. Opened in summer 2020, this gathering place allows the bones of its past life to shine while creating a new venue to meet, study, work, and support local businesses….
Food for Thought: With the launch of her cookbook, this Northwest Arkansas blogger continues to inspire togetherness through milestones large and small
For Little Rock native Abby Turner, food is a way of building community. Now a resident of Rogers and marketing professional at Walmart, Abby developed this philosophy as she moved across five cities in four states while establishing her career. “I was living in Birmingham, Alabama, about five or six years ago and was the loneliest I had ever been,” she recalls. “I was having a really hard time finding friends. I was working all the time, and I felt that I needed people and community. My mom threw out there, You need to invite people over, you need to cook! So I did.” Abby made dinner for three guests, squeezing everyone around her two-top table, and soon she found she had a circle of friends. “I made cheese tortellini—and it was terrible,” she laughs, “but they wanted to come back over and do it again.”…
Shaken or Stirred: Cozy up with a cocktail made with Fox Trail Distillery’s coffee liqueur
Fox Trail Distillery is more than your average distillery. While distilling, aging, and bottling multiple lines takes place at its Rogers headquarters, what sets this producer apart is its on-site bar. Here, carefully crafted seasonal cocktail menus allow patrons to sample the brand’s products in interesting ways. “As a bartender, I’m always trying to curate an experience that either explores new possibilities or revives cherished memories,” says beverage director Brendon Glidden. “As a spirits producer, we have the ability to achieve those goals on a larger scale.” To this end, Brendon and the staff at Fox Trail are constantly playing around with ingredients to create new cocktails that “contextualize their products,” he says.
…
Just moments from the Capital City, these two towns in Saline County offer unique local dining and shopping experiences | A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
Built in 1901, the Saline County Courthouse is a landmark in downtown Benton.
Baja Grill
While this Mexi-Cali eatery in Benton was founded as a food truck, it has now grown and made a name for itself as a brick-and-mortar (including a second location in Little Rock) thanks to an extensive menu of nachos, burritos, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and delicious cocktails. Drop by 2-6 p.m. weekdays to catch happy hour specials on libations and tacos. eatbajagrill.com
Congo Fireplace & Patio
Does the chilly weather have you inspired to outfit your backyard with a new outdoor fireplace or cozy furnishings? Benton’s Congo Fireplace & Patio, celebrating a century in business this year, has 20,000 square feet of showroom space featuring fireplaces, firepits, grills, and more. congofp.com…
Feeling Festive: Charlie Groppetti and Todd Smith invite us onto their screened porch to learn the art of making fresh, natural Christmas décor
As the owners of Park Hill Home in Conway’s historic district as well as a new wholesale company, Porch View, Charlie Groppetti and Todd Smith have become known in the Natural State and beyond for their inviting, down-to-earth décor. And, the holiday scene at their Vilonia farmhouse is no exception. “We keep it casual with the focus on the warmth of the holidays. There’s lots of great food, good company, and plenty of seasonal flowers and foliage,” Charlie says.
They particularly enjoy hosting guests on the screened porch, which serves as a passage to connect their farm to the home’s interiors, and, more specifically, the kitchen. While you’ll often find the space’s large farm table laden with wine and appetizers for guests or a weekend country-style breakfast for the family, for this occasion it’s covered with all the necessary materials you need (or could want!) to create a fresh Christmas garland. Read on for instructions to make your own version as well as recipes from their holiday menu….
Engaging artistic and culinary experiences in Northwest Arkansas make these two towns worthy of a weekend trip | A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
The word “power” is visible in a piece of Nick Cave’s installation currently at The Momentary.
21C Museum Hotel, Bentonville
Permanent installations and rotating exhibits make this boutique hotel a must-visit, whether or not you plan to stay the night in one of its luxury suites. Visit the hotel restaurant, The Hive, to dine and drink among the art: Johnston Foster’s “BuzzKill” depicting a hive of bees is on view overhead and all around. 21cmuseumhotels.com…
One Cart, Three Styles: While holiday gatherings may be limited and smaller in size this year, there’s no reason you can’t open the bar. Here, Tipton & Hurst’s vice president and lead floral designer Chris Norwood uses pieces from the shop to style up three ideas that will take you from turkey to tinsel
GIVE THANKS
“This cart is bountiful and cozy,” Chris says of the rich color scheme as well as its beverage and snack selections, which include bourbon, red wine, cheese, and nuts. A dried-leaf wreath brings color to the bottom tier, while an artificial garland is accented with fresh seeded eucalyptus. Velvet pumpkins speak to a current trend, but could also be exchanged for seasonal gourds from the garden….
Jewelry Trends: Add a layer of style this season with colored gemstones and a mix of metals
Lighten Up
1 Marco Bicego “Paaradise” 18K gold iolite and blue topaz short drop earrings
2 Marco Bicego “Paradise” 18K gold iolite and blue topaz necklace.
Romance Diamond Co., Fayetteville, romancediamond.com
…
The Delta yields more than abundant crops—the East Arkansas counties that make up this region are rich in experiences, too | A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
Rich-N-Tone Calls
The Rich-N-Tone headquarters in Stuttgart is a duck hunter’s paradise. The retail space includes a custom call shop and rotating exhibits of curated duck-hunting artifacts. Before you leave, pull up a seat at the Flying Duck Taproom and order a pint of RNT’s own beer, Flying Duck Amber Ale, which was created in collaboration with Flyway Brewing. rntcalls.com…
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.