A fresh take on farmhouse design brings life to this ranch-style home’s kitchen

Tucked away on two acres of property in West Little Rock sits the home of Angie and Bob Alexander. Inspired by the setting, the couple was eager to create a home that complemented the natural environment. “This is a Chenal home right in the middle of town, but it feels like it’s out in the middle of the country,” Katie Henry of Katie Grace Designs says of her clients’ rural-like setting. The Alexanders previously hired Henry to revamp their family room, dining room, and entry way to evoke a light, farmhouse-inspired style—coined as “Chenal Transitional Farmhouse” by Henry. “Angie called me about six months after that ready to do a full-home remodel and asked if I would help her,” Henry explains….

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Standout fixtures and intricate design details bring personality to this West Little Rock space

A shared situation can often make for the best relationships. For designer Miguel Newberg of M. N’Teriors and her West Little Rock clients, temporary displacement brought them together. “We had known each other for a number of years,” the designer relates, “and then we discovered we were living in the same apartment complex while I remodeled and she built.” The homeowner says she had “always wanted to work with Miguel,” and the shared circumstance seemed to bring them together….

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A mother-daughter design team updates a quaint Hillcrest kitchen to make it function for a busy family

Picturesque homes with historic architecture and charming details are what make the Little Rock neighborhood of Hillcrest a popular, sought-after area. With the beauty of these homes sometimes comes the sacrifice of space. When Melody and Judge Chris Piazza set out to renovate their Hillcrest kitchen, they shared the following wish list with Mara Lamb Malcolm and Retha Lamb of Lamb’s Interior Design: better flow, additional storage, updated surfaces, and a central gathering area….

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After a devastating flood, designer Leslie Tetrev helps a Dumas couple remodel their kitchen with mix of hues, patterns, and materials that is perfectly suited to them

In March 2016, Dawne and James “Tuffy” Hill faced a situation no homeowner wants to experience; a flood damaged the entire downstairs level of their rural Dumas home. “We had a foot of water that stood in our home for five days,” Dawne says. Knowing the damage was severe, they made the decision to fully gut and remodel the first floor of their home, and immediately called on designer Leslie Tetrev of North Little Rock’s Inside Effects. “I had worked with them on a remodel of their master bath and very recently completed their pool house, and I was eager to help as they started this renovation” Tetrev notes.

In talking, the Hills and Tetrev realized the aftermath of the natural disaster had provided them with an opportunity to not only refresh the style of the kitchen but also make it more functional for the couple, who often host their children and grandchildren for family dinners as well as holidays. “Before, I had a tiny kitchen with a small dining area,” Dawne explains. “Bringing down the wall between my formal dining room and the kitchen really opened the space. It has changed the way we use our house. We really use our [adjoining] dining room much more now.”

The removal of the wall also prompted a shift in the direction of the island, allowing it to now run parallel to the perimeter cabinetry. The cooktop, which was previously located in the island, was also moved to the back wall and took the form of a combined range/double oven for a streamlined appearance. The sink was installed in the island to allow for ease of use when chopping vegetables or washing dishes. “When I stand at the sink, I can now see out the front of our home, which I love,” Dawne says.

Aside from the layout, the space also received a style update. “I like timeless pieces and muted colors,” Dawne says. To create a customized look Tetrev employed a mix of materials, including two countertops—marble and quartzite, three cabinetry stains in graduated hues (seen on the island, perimeter cabinets, and side wall installation), and two different backsplashes, a brick-look tile and a geometric marble and wood selection. “No one thing stands out, but rather it all works together,” Tetrev says. Additionally, the designer requested the home’s beams be highlighted. They used reclaimed wood from the family’s farm to complement the room’s other industrial-style materials, and the beams are repeated throughout the house for a concerted design. “These were important to me because they tie the home together, and the beam between the kitchen and dining area creates definition between the two spaces,” Tetrev adds.

Although it can be difficult to see the good in any natural disaster, the Hills have certainly made the best of it by creating a space that is perfectly personalized to them while being spacious enough to accommodate their entire family.

Design Resources
Contractor and kitchen design Leslie Tetrev, Inside Effects
Appliances Metro Appliances & More
Cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, hardware, and tile Inside Effects
Florals Tipton & Hurst
Furniture—breakfast nook Marshall Clements

An El Dorado couple redefines their beloved home’s kitchen to serve the next generation

Two years ago, these El Dorado empty-nesters made the decision to move across town into a residence that formerly belonged to one set of their parents. As the home where the couple took their own children for family gatherings, the 1963 ranch-style house held a lot of memories and charm. However, they agreed it needed to be modernized for them, their three now-grown children (including At Home staffer Laura LaRue) and their spouses, as well as their grandchildren, all of who visit frequently.

The couple worked with architect and designer Richard Wharton on the renovation. “They took the project seriously, and since they have a history with the home we wanted to be respectful of the entire house,” Wharton says.

In thinking about their needs, space became a high priority. Rather than remodeling the home’s existing kitchen (which is now an entry/laundry room), the homeowners created a new one that is all their own. “This space was non-existent; it was previously the backyard,” the homeowner says. “Our house is now in a U-shape with the kitchen looking out onto our patio and two wings on either end of the house. I love how open it is now, and because we are on the edge of town, the windows off the kitchen look out into a wooded area.”

With the newly created space came plenty of room to accommodate the couple—who both love to be in the kitchen and cook—as well as their extended family. A 14-foot, L-shaped island is the centerpiece of the design, offering seating for six (the exact number of their grandchildren) as well as plenty of workspace for mixing cookie dough or chopping veggies for a salad. “I saw an island this color on the cover of At Home [in May 2015] and called Laura to see if she could help me track down the paint color,” the homeowner says. The color, Sherwin-Williams’ Cyberspace was the perfect mix of blue, gray, and black for the homeowner’s taste. Outside of this rich hue, “we stayed with a neutral, clean palette so that the people who fill the kitchen could be the focus,” Wharton says.

Since both the husband and wife enjoy preparing meals, top-notch appliances were a must on their wish list. A commercial-style gas range and double ovens are a fixture against the room’s side wall, while a pot filler adds convenience. “We also added a warming drawer—something we did not have in our previous house,” the homeowner notes. “This has become one of my favorite things; you can put prepared dishes or takeout in there and then eat whenever you’re ready,” she says of the popular addition. Low-maintenance quartzite countertops cover the surfaces for added ease of use.

The pair also enjoys entertaining friends. A separate wet bar area includes an icemaker and wine chiller, allowing guests to serve themselves without interfering with food preparation. The top-mounted, glass-front cabinetry keeps barware close at hand.

The newly finished space is a treasure to both the couple and their family. “To see my parents complete this renovation and move in is pretty special for my whole family—especially since the home belonged to my grandparents,” LaRue says of her mom and dad’s new addition. “For all of the grandchildren to be able to grow up and play here (and run around that kitchen island), just adds to the countless memories that we all have made under this roof over the years,” she concludes.

Design Resources
Architect and kitchen design Richard Wharton, Champagnolle Design
Contractor Larry West & Sons
Cabinetry, millwork, painting, and windows Larry West & Sons
Countertops and tile Midway Marble & Granite
Fixtures and hardware Sanders Supply, Inc.
Flooring Storey’s Floor & Carpet
Florals Tipton & Hurst
Lighting Champagnolle Design
Paint Sherwin-Williams
Rugs Sydney Murphy Design

Built for both personal enjoyment as well as entertaining, this Arkadelphia family’s outdoor space invites relaxation and togetherness

Terri and Taylor King’s backyard had numerous things going for it: a generous-sized porch, a pool, and a sweeping view of their pasture. However, after raising two children in the home they built in 2001, they were ready for a few updates. “Richard Harp worked with them on a renovation of the interior of their home, and when it came time to talk about the backyard, he suggested the Kings meet with us,” David Munsey III of Better Lawns and Gardens says of his introduction to the project. Specifically, the Kings hoped to create a space they could enjoy together on weeknights as well as when family and friends visited. “This is their forever home, and we wanted to help them create something that would last and that they could enjoy with their kids and grandkids for years,” Munsey says….

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