Inspiring your Home and Lifestyle
Storied antiques and old world-inspired furnishings blend with timeless design elements in a new home for the perfect marriage between past and present
When homeowners Donna and Jim Bottin decided to move to West Little Rock to be closer to family, they thought they knew what they wanted. “The plan was to do an open-concept house, similar to what we had before,” says Donna. “But we wanted it to be a little more intimate and cozier,” she adds….
In Little Rock, a new construction home honors the European architectural integrity and simplistic lifestyle of the old world, while incorporating eco-friendly elements
Some might think that a believable faux finish or the highest quality crown molding is going the extra mile in home design authenticity; if so, they would not be the owners of the arguably most true-to-period, French country-style abode in Little Rock’s Chenal Valley. A fondness of both the European residential aesthetic and a no-nonsense lifestyle led this couple to seek out experts with a similar style and approach when it came to implementing their home’s plan, its construction and the design of the interiors.
Starting with T. Douglas Enoch, a popular Memphis architect known for his Old World-inspired designs, the homeowners assembled a team who shared their passion and would remain true to their plan’s European-inspired aesthetic principles as well as the historical accuracy. And while they may have traveled across the Mississippi River to secure Enoch, the remaining three members of the team were just a stone’s throw away in their own city of Little Rock. Contractor Bill Parkinson of Parkinson Building Group and designers Mona Thompson and Talena Ray, who co-own Providence Design, were the missing pieces and driving force behind what Thompson calls the “decorated, but undecorated look,” the homeowners wanted to achieve….
Guided by her connection to nature and interior designer Ashley Cardiel, Michele Anthony builds her dream home in Northwest Arkansas
El Dorado native Michele Anthony had been living in downtown Fayetteville for several years when she got the itch to move to the country. The idea started small, with Michele taking drives from time to time to look at property right outside of town. “I kept coming back to this land. There was something about it that spoke to me,” she recalls. “I could envision a house up on the hill and everything.”
As soon as she purchased the property, Michele started to dream up the details of her ideal home. “Part of my inspiration was to bring in some of the features of my dad’s cabin in El Dorado, like the open concept, stone fireplace, and exposed beams,” she says. “But I also wanted it to have modern features so it didn’t look completely rustic.” Michele assembled a team of professionals, including Legend Builders and Parkco Architects, to help bring this concept to life. For interior design, she has her sister, Andrea Brooks, to thank for the introduction to Ashley Cardiel Interiors; Andrea was already working with the designer to remodel a house of her own in Fayetteville, and she suggested the two get together. “It worked out great, too, because Ashley got me very quickly. There were very few things she would show me that I didn’t like,” Michele says.
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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.