A Little Rock couple turns to B. Interiors and Richard Harp Homes to build a custom home perfectly suited to both their tastes

When Catherine Young and her husband, Dan, became engaged, one question loomed large: Where would they live? At the time, she had a home in west Little Rock while Dan was in a Heights house he had purchased almost two decades prior. After considering his fondness for his neighborhood and her desire to be within walking distance of shops and restaurants, they decided to combine their lives at Dan’s—but not in that exact house. To get the updates and square footage they wanted, they knew it would be best to start from scratch. “Dan also really wanted something that was ours,” Catherine says of the desire to build.

“What we did was create a high-performing, energy-efficient home that really works for them,” builder Richard Harp says. “Anytime an old structure comes down, we want to be sensitive to that and the memories that are coming down with it. Here, we were able to recreate a 100-year-old home that can be enjoyed for at least five generations to come,” he adds. In the plans, the Youngs opted for an open-concept main floor where all the living areas flow one into another, a feature conducive to their lifestyle—especially with 1-year-old son Clark now in the picture—and that would have been almost impossible to create in the lot’s former home. Building also gave them the luxury of customizing spaces, including a home office for him upstairs and one for her downstairs, along with separate closets and two laundry spaces.

During the build, the couple also realized they would need help to blend their styles and craft an interior that reflects their tastes. “They are complete opposites in style,” designer Chandler Bailey of B. Interiors says. “Dan leans traditional, while Catherine is more glamorous and whimsical.” Chandler’s challenge was in marrying these two aesthetics to create a family home they both loved. “One thing I try hard to do in every project is create a cohesive feel and flow throughout a house, so you can tell there’s a plan that carries through it,” Chandler says, noting the mix of new and old. “Here, we created a feminine family home that mixes his and her style but is still elegant at the same time. It truly feels like their house,” the designer says.

The home’s happy palette starts in the entry where an antique demilune table is covered with a bright fringed skirt. A work by Little Rock artist Ashley Saer hangs on the wall.

Style In Bloom
“We love to entertain and use our china,” Catherine says. “Even though a lot of new houses don’t have them, we wanted a formal dining room because we knew we would use it.” In this room in particular, Chandler was not only able to meld styles but also weave together meaningful pieces from the couple’s families. For example, the chandelier and mirror came from Catherine’s parents while the table and buffet are pieces from the house where Dan grew up. The lilac and blue palette and playful floral fabric keep the design fresh.

Light, Bright & Practical
“This is a primo kitchen,” Richard says. “They are both fabulous cooks and have an herb garden out back, so we designed it to play to that.” A pass-through window over the sink makes handing steaks and burgers out to the grill easy, while an expansive island offers plenty of seating for indoor meals. The simple white palette and gold finishes balance with the color seen in the adjoining living spaces.

Greening up
“I knew this space was a good opportunity to go bold,” Chandler says of the butler’s pantry between the dining room and kitchen. Lacquered cabinetry and mirrored backsplash tiles bring what the designer calls a “Hollywood glam” to the small area.

“They are complete opposites in style. Dan leans traditional, while Catherine is more glamorous and whimsical.” 

—Chandler Bailey, designer

Pretty in Pink
“This is one of my most commented-on Instagram posts,” Chandler says of the powder bath’s statement-making Quadrille wallpaper. “You see this pattern in beige a lot, but I love that she went for the bold purple.” Feminine sconces with a bow detail and gold accents add to the room’s polish.

All in the Mix
The living room, breakfast area, and kitchen create one large rectangle of living space. Patterns that are traditional in style but also pack a punch when it comes to color, such as Highland House’s “Tobacco Leaf” seen on the living room chairs, speak to the mix of classic and playful throughout the home. Overhead, a butterfly fixture by Julie Neill for Visual Comfort brings whimsy.

“What we did was create a high-performing, energy-efficient home that really works for them.”

—Richard Harp, builder

Subtle & Serene
In the master bedroom, Chandler suggested tempering the home’s hues with a more subdued palette of pale green and cream. While the room is enveloped in one color, traditional paneling provides dimension and visual interest. A classic four-poster bed is paired with mirrored bedside tables Catherine had in her previous residence.

His-and-hers vanities sit on either side of the master bath while the open space in the middle is a common area with a tub and walk-through shower. Custom artwork by the couple’s friend Little Rock artist Jessie Russell Fuchs is seen over the tub.

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Design Resources
Builder Richard Harp, Richard Harp Homes Interior design Chandler Bailey, B. Interiors Accessories, fabrics, furniture, and lighting B. Interiors Appliances Metro Appliances & More Art Ashley Saer and Jessie Russell Fuchs Cabinetry Duke Custom Cabinets Carpet, flooring, and tile ProSource of Little Rock Countertops All Natural Stone Fireplace and millwork Richard Harp Homes Hardware PC Hardware