30 minute read
TRENDSETTERS
trendsetters READY TO REFRESH YOUR HOME OR BUILD NEW? TURN TO A LOCAL INTERIOR DESIGNER FOR INSPIRATION AND EXPERTISE
A Special At Home in Arkansas Promotion
LITTLE ROCK J. Parkey
A decade spent in the fashion industry led designer Jonathan Parkey to his passion for home interiors. Previously focusing on highend womenswear in New York City, he moved back to Arkansas and started his own design business in 2018 with his retail store, J. Parkey, following in October 2020. “I decided to open my own design practice in Little Rock to better engrain myself in the community. Having worked with tastemakers and cutting edge fashion start-ups for the bulk of my career, it felt only natural to bring some of my own flair and style here,” he says. He thinks of rooms in the same way he used to think of dressing his clients— mixing pattern, texture, and color. “This approach is somewhat less scientific and more emotional,” he says. “I feel rules were made to be broken and bent; patterns are meant to be mixed; and colors should create an emotional response.” Above
all, Jonathan wants to listen, guide, and collaborate with his clients. “I say, lead with what sparks joy and don’t worry too much about resale value. If you like to cook, start in the kitchen; if you like to be outside, start with your back porch. Your house should look and feel like you. It should make you happy.” trendsetters WITH A BACKGROUND IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND A KEEN EYE FOR INTERIORS, J. PARKEY BRINGS JOY AND LIFE TO CLIENTS’ HOMES
LITTLE ROCK Shayla Copas Interiors
Since opening her design business more than two decades ago, Shayla Copas has become a name to know in design. “Our team has worked all over the United States designing awardwinning, affordable luxury interiors,” she says. “From new builds to renovations, we do it all.” Shayla stands out in the industry for her experience as a product designer for national manufacturers. “If a client is looking for a special piece, I can design it for them and have it produced,” she says. She also has a keen eye for color, selecting paint colors, and incorporating new fabrics and furnishings into an existing space. Shayla attributes her firm’s success to its client-focused onboarding process. “We get to know our clients and understand their wants and needs in depth before tackling each project,” she says. “This enables us to design a space that shows their personality.” Her first book, Four Seasons of Entertaining, was released in 2019, and she is currently working on her follow-up title. Shayla also serves on the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Commission and has served as interior designer for the governor’s residence.
trendsetters WITH A CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH AND EXPERIENCE IN PRODUCT DESIGN, SHAYLA COPA S INTERIORS PROVIDES CLASSIC STYLE WITH AN EDGE
LITTLE ROCK Providence Design
Sisters Mona Thompson and Talena Ray parlayed their love for all things beautiful into an antiques and interior design business in 2002. Their growing love of interior design prompted them to shift the focus of the business to residential design in 2013, when they opened their first studio and retail store in Little Rock. Providence Design has continued to grow in square footage and their product offerings.
Mona and Talena’s experience working with clients in a varied range of styles is why clients seek them out, and scouring varied markets and venues throughout the country for unique furnishings is what sets them apart. It’s the reason Providence Design has become a destination shopping experience for customers both in and out of the state.
While they consult daily on projects of all size, Mona says she and Talena have a “real passion for working with clients from the ground up” on remodel and new construction projects. “We love what we do and really enjoy working on all different kinds of projects,” Talena says. “It’s just so much fun helping clients make their homes the very best they can be.”
As far as current trends, Mona and Talena are currently loving cleaner designs and neutrals mixed with color. “The use of multiple textures adds great interest and we hope that gold metals and accents don’t fall out of grace any time soon.”, Mona says.
“During this crazy time of COVID-19, we find the extra time spent at home has our clients dreaming bigger. Providence has many new construction projects, remodels, and complete room refreshes in the works as a result.”
trendsetters PROVIDENCE DESIGN’S ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND REPUTATION FOR SUCCESS HAVE MADE THEM THE GO-TO INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM FOR CLIENTS AROUND THE STATE
LITTLE ROCK Debi Davis Interior Design
trendsetters KNOWN FOR THEIR LIGHT AND LIVABLE STYLE, DEBI DAVIS INTERIOR DESIGN USES MODERN AMENITIES AND THE CLIENT’S PERSONAL TASTE WHEN CREATING SPACES
Debi Davis | Debi Davis Interior Design | 2222 Cantrell Road | 501.221.2032 | debidavisinteriordesign.com
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS Kindred Home Interiors
Shelby Reynolds started Kindred Home Interiors in February 2020 with transparency, collaboration, and quality at the core of everything she does. “In each client partnership, we use these values to elevate the overall design and the client experience,” she says. “Crafting your individual style is something we do with confidence and care by recognizing the appropriate design choices for your space and lifestyle.”
Shelby describes her personal style as “worldly,” picking up finds here and there on her travels to incorporate into her home’s design. However, when it comes to her clients, she wants to create spaces reflective of their style. “When working on a project, I like to incorporate pieces that have a story. I find this brings warmth and texture to any space,” she says.
Overall, she feels Kindred
Home Interiors’ use of color is an attractive draw for her clients. She uses this to bring rooms to life and especially loves working in gathering areas. “The spaces where people gather most is usually the most rewarding spiritual and financial investment,” she says. trendsetters WITH AN EYE FOR COLOR, KINDRED HOME INTERIORS TELLS THE STORY OF THEIR CLIENTS THROUGH ARTFUL DESIGN
LITTLE ROCK Jayson Cain Interiors
Jayson Cain’s appreciation for antiques and design started in his childhood. After attending design school and working for a prestigious Little Rock firm, he launched Jayson Cain Interiors in 2007. He expanded on this in 2016 by opening a boutique offering Yves Delorme as well as home furnishings, antiques, and more—in addition to housing his design business. “We’re a handson design firm that’s dedicated to making our clients’ dreams come true,” Jayson says.
Consistent throughout Jayson’s projects is what he calls a “classical and refined design style.” “We always start our projects with unique found objects and build the space around those pieces to create a room rich with texture and comfort.” With people spending more time at home than ever, Jayson notes many clients are investing in luxurious bedding from both his ready-made and bespoke offerings. “These pieces are a comfortable, easy upgrade for the home,” he says.
trendsetters INSPIRED BY TIMELESS STYLE, JAYSON CAIN INTERIORS CREATES CLASSIC HOMES WITH ANTIQUES AND A MODERN FLAIR
Jayson Cain | Jayson Cain Interiors | 8202 Cantrell Road | 501.960.4802 | jaysoncaininteriors.com | @jaysoncainid
LITTLE ROCK Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design
Kathryn LeMaster has built her design business one step at time with “little leaps of faith.” “With my junior designer, Emily Parks, and project manager, Forrest Addison, I truly have my dream team, which is a big milestone for the company,” she says. For Kathryn, designing from a place of empathy is vital in highlighting each homeowner’s style. Her goal is to serve as an advocate for her clients throughout the design process no matter the scope of the project—from consulting to DIY design plans and full-service packages. “We tailor our service to our clients to reflect who they are as individuals, not who I am as a designer,” she says. Kathryn finds joy in her firm’s sometimesunconventional approach. “We rethink and strategize and innovate, always with the client’s best interest at heart.”
Emily, Kathryn, and Forrest
trendsetters KATHRYN J. LEMASTER ART & DESIGN APPROACHES EACH PROJECT AS A SACRED, PERSONAL PROCESS SHARED WITH CLIENTS
We Asked, They Shared
Designers tell us a bit about their style, their must-haves, and their dream projects 41%
Transitional 12%
Traditional
What style do you most identify with? 47%
Other
including Rustic, Boho, Organic Modern, and Eclectic
MARIANNA O’DEA, O’DEA STUDIOS “I try to add a piece of history in every project, whether it be an antique or something of sentimental value… Our lives tell a story and I’m a sentimentalist.”
JO WAITE, JO WAITE INTERIORS & CONSTRUCTION
CHANDLER BAILEY, B. INTERIORS
ALISSA OATES HASTINGS, RESTRUCTURE DESIGN & REMODEL
When working on a project, what one thing do you always incorporate?
LORI CARPENTER, LORI CARPENTER DESIGNS
“Schumacher’s ‘Safari Epingle.’ Every room needs a little bit of animal print, and this one happens to be my favorite.” “Mirrors, because they open up a room, reflect art or the exterior, and allow other beautiful things to be seen in the room.” “In addition to the client’s meaningful personal pieces, I always incorporate plants. A room isn’t complete to me until there is green life!”
KATHRYN LEMASTER, KATHRYN J. LEMASTER ART & DESIGN
NATALIE BILES AND STACEY BREEZEEL, SHINE INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO
MERIDITH RANOUIL, MLH DESIGNS
LITTLE ROCK O’Dea Studios
Marianna and Cara After earning her degree in interior design from Auburn and gaining experience in high-end commercial and residential design, Marianna O’Dea started her own firm in 2017. Earlier this year, she opened a design studio in Hillcrest. “Having a space for our clients to come and meet with us, explore possibilities, and have access to our many samples is an exciting step for us,” she says. Shoppers in the area can also pop in to see an array of small accessories, handmade candles, and a limited selection of furniture. To help her clients truly love their homes, Marianna and her junior designer, Cara Calaway, focus on creating a cohesive mood and telling a story with every detail. “The feeling a person gets from their space is of great value,” Marianna says of her work. “I am drawn to lots of different styles, and bringing those together with scale and proportion, texture, patterns, and color is fulfilling for me. Plus, focusing on what makes a client happy and delivering that in the design is what makes a home enjoyable.”
trendsetters NOW WITH A BRICK-AND-MORTAR LOCATION, O’DEA STUDIOS OFFERS FULL-SERVICE DESIGN IN A RANGE OF STYLES
Marianna O’Dea, NCIDQ and ASID, Cara Calaway | O’Dea Studios | 2923 Kavanaugh Blvd., Suite B | hello@odeastudios.com | odeastudios.com | @odea.studios
L West Jr Designs LLC LITTLE ROCKI am NCIDQ and ASID
Larry West, Jr.’s interior design career officially began 26 years ago under the tutelage of Little Rock designer Tom Chandler. Initially in the bookkeeping department, Larry convinced his employer to take him out on a project, and from there, the rest is history. “I have been pushing furniture around my mom’s house since I was 3 years old and never stopped,” Larry jokes. “October 1995 is when I started charging people a fee to do so.”
One aspect of his business that Larry prides himself on is his ability to work hand in hand with clients to arrive at design decisions. “When I
work with a client, I’m most inspired to develop a specific design after sitting down and listening to what makes them tick,” he says. He also works to complete a project within the agreed upon schedule. “Our work ethic makes us stand out,” he says. “We don’t work Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. We work anytime the project is working.” Larry’s designs are personalized and classic, and he tends to rely more on timeless pieces than trends. “Our goal is to create a classic design that in 15 to 20 years our clients will feel just as proud of as they do today.” trendsetters TIMELESS DESIGNS, PERSONALIZED STYLE, AND A NONSTOP WORK ETHIC ARE HALLMARKS OF LITTLE ROCK’S L WEST JR DESIGNS LLC
LITTLE ROCK Art of Design
After working at various furniture showrooms and running a booth at a furniture market in town, Sha Davari opened her own store, Art of Design, in 2016. The showroom offers fullservice complimentary interior design and stocks furniture, lighting, rugs, art, and accessories ranging from traditional to contemporary, though overall, the store has Sha’s signature transitional feel.
Over 20 years of experience and industry knowledge makes Sha an expert in projects as small as a paint consultation and as large as a
remodel or new build. “I tell clients one of the most important things I do is keep people from making mistakes,” the designer says. From hundreds of custom options to items available to purchase right off the showroom floor, Art of Design makes the decision process seamless, especially in current circumstances. “People want to have an uplifting change in these stressful times,” Sha says. To help clients easily do this, the showroom has 10,000 square feet of furniture ready to be delivered to your door. trendsetters FROM CONSULTATIONS TO COMPLETE REMODELS, SHA DAVARI’S ART OF DESIGN OFFERS FULL-SERVICE INTERIOR DESIGN AND A STORE STOCKED WITH OPTIONS TO FIT A VARIETY OF STYLES
Sha Davari | Art of Design | 2200 Cantrell Road | 501-615-8565 | shadavari.com | @shadavari
FAYETTEVILLE Studio MH
In 2007 Melissa Hall Simmons designed her own home from the ground up. “My very first client toured the home and hired me!” she says. From there, her Northwest Arkansasbased full-scale luxury firm has continued to grow and expand its capabilities.
Studio MH specializes in renovations and new construction with a team that has the capability to draw house plans, create interior elevations and lighting plans, and select interior and exterior finishes as well as furnishings and accessories. They work on commercial and
residential projects of all kinds, from urban condos to rural farmhouses, historical renovations to contemporary builds—and everything in between. “We want to change the way our clients ‘live’ in their homes—the way they feel, see, and experience life practically, functionally, and aesthetically,” Melissa says. To do this, she guides homeowners toward finding and developing their style all the while creating a clean and classic overall feel. “Ultimately, we want our clients to feel a connection to their home and to have it be a reflection of them.” trendsetters IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, STUDIO MH WORKS WITH CLIENTS TO CREATE CLASSIC HOMES THAT REFLECT THEIR OWNERS
50%
Neutral with pops of color
22%
Neutral with lots of texture
What is your preferred palette?
11%
Bright with lots of pattern and print
11%
Earthy with organic colors
6%
Moody with deep, dark hues
“I am currently working on my dream project, which is my own home! I am using this project as a bit of a design laboratory, trying out new ideas and finish techniques.
JILL LAWRENCE, J. LAWRENCE DESIGN
KRISTA LEWIS, K. LEWIS INTERIOR DESIGN “I would love to own my own Airbnb and design it exactly how I would want my own personal getaway to feel.”
RUTH BRITT, RUTH BRITT INTERIORS
With nothing off limits, what is your dream project?
“I’d love to design in South Africa. We are shooting a chapter of my next book there, and I am so excited! I love the patterns they use in their beadwork and fabrics.
SHAYLA COPAS, SHAYLA COPAS INTERIORS “I would love to work on a new build that has great views and incorporates organic modern design. I love the tranquility and texture natural elements bring into the home.”
SHELBY REYNOLDS, KINDRED HOME INTERIORS
SANDY SUTTON, SANDY SUTTON’S DESIGN CENTER
LISA STAGG, LJ INTERIORS “My one dream project would be to work with and design a room for the famous and ever intriguing Anthony Hopkins. That would be exciting!”
NELL SPEARS, AB ANTIQUO
LITTLE ROCK M.N’Teriors
Miguel Newberg, owner of M.N’Teriors, has been designing for over 22 years and is still in awe of the privilege she has to create personal spaces for her clients. She goes on to explain, “We strongly believe that choosing an interior designer to guide you through the process ensures not only a timeless space that reflects your style, but makes the process seamless too.”
For Miguel, 2020 was an opportunity to remember why she loves what she does. “We found that people are taking a closer look at their homes and tackling smaller projects like finding the perfect art piece, updating light fixtures, or picking out new paint.”
Whether it’s a new construction home, a remodel, or smaller upgrades, M.N’Teriors is equipped for the project. The goal is simple: to help clients make their home a place of elegance and comfort that they will enjoy for years to come.
trendsetters FROM SINGLE ROOMS TO FULL-HOME REMODELS, M.N’TERIORS HAS THE EXPERIENCE TO BRING YOUR DESIGN DREAMS TO LIFE
Miguel Newberg | M.N’Teriors | 501.993.2766 | mnteriors.com | @mnteriors
LITTLE ROCK Katie Grace Designs
For Katie Rees, her career inspiration began with her Aunt Faith, a talented designer in Kansas. Katie calls her “the spark that lit what was always inside me.” That spark eventually led to opening her own business in 2011. Katie Grace Designs is often noted for its adaptability to each project and client. With her work varying from partnering with architects in the initial design stages to one-room remodels, Katie highlights how every project is unique. “Every contractor and every client is different, and
each new project requires that I adapt my style accordingly,” Katie says. “One of my primary roles, and differentiators, is collaborating with each in a way that ensures the client is comfortable and stress free.” Katie emphasizes the significance of the relationship between her as a designer and her clients—one that goes beyond a simple contract. “After a year of collaborating and working to help them script some of their most intimate spaces, the relationship oftentimes morphs into a true friendship,” the designer says. trendsetters ADAPTABILITY IN EACH PROJECT AND A GENUINE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DESIGNER AND CLIENT SETS KATIE GRACE DESIGNS APART
LITTLE ROCK MLH Designs, Inc.
Interior design is the “perfect blend of architecture and art” for designer Meridith Ranouil, Allied ASID. Though she considered becoming an architect, Meridith “fell in love and never looked back” after an interior design class in college. She opened MLH Designs in 2003, and since then, has won multiple awards and achieved the level of Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer. Meridith is often hired in the early planning stages of a space. “I love collaborating with architects and contractors to perfect the space trendsetters planning and kitchen and bathroom
design of a home,” Meridith says. From there, she helps select fixtures and finishes as well as the finishing touches, like fabrics and art, to create exactly the home the client is envisioning. “I take my clients’ style and tastes and put it through my filter,” Meridith says. “The end result is typically clean and simple.” “I have the ability to give the client guidance beyond aesthetics,” says Meridith. “I can listen to and successfully interpret the wants and desires of my clients and help navigate the day to day details of the entire construction process.” MULTI AWARD-WINNING INTERIOR DESIGNER MERIDITH RANOUIL OF MLH DESIGNS GIVES GUIDANCE FOR A THOUGHTFUL DESIGN PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH
Meridith Ranouil | MLH Designs, Inc. | 501.766.0594 | mlh-designs.com | @mlh_designs
LITTLE ROCK K. Lewis Interior Design
“Beautifully livable interiors”—that’s the motto Krista Lewis works toward with every new interior design project. The designer opened K. Lewis Interior Design in 2001 to help clients achieve functional, comfortable interiors. Whether a homeowner is drawn to traditional, midcentury, or contemporary design, Krista’s goal is to “create environments that reflect our clients’ personal tastes and enhance their lives,” she says. “We also want to be advocates in the design and building process. While sheltering in place, Krista has heard from many homeowners who are considering their surroundings with fresh eyes. “We all lead such busy lives that I can understand why people sometimes don’t think much about their interiors,” she says. “This extended time at home has allowed us to see our homes as more than a place where we pause in between the activities of our lives; rather, it’s a place that can nourish and improve our lives. I’m hopeful there will be a shift in perspective after this.”
trendsetters WITH ALMOST TWO DECADES OF INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE, KRISTA LEWIS OF K. LEWIS INTERIOR DESIGN OFFERS A THOUGHTFUL, LIVABLE APPROACH
LONOKE Shine Interior Design Studio
Natalie and Stacey Founded in 2019, Shine Interior Design Studio has been a dream in the making for Natalie Biles and Stacey Breezeel. “We enjoy interiors that are clean and crisp with layers of pattern, lighting, and color. Where Stacey may add a mix of metals to create depth, Natalie turns to pattern and bold color to round out visual interest,” the pair say. The firm designs to the individual needs and preferences of each client—from traditional to contemporary—utilizing design principles and their extensive knowledge along the way.
With over 40 years of combined experience, they have worked on everything from large new construction homes and remodels to restaurants and offices. As trained professionals, the team solves problems and comes up with designs that marry function and beauty. “At Shine, we absolutely love what we do and we love our clients. With each new project, we also learn something about a material or about our process; we are constantly refining. It is our joy to help our clients love where they live and work,” the two say. trendsetters KNOWLEDGE OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL INTERIORS GIVES SHINE INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO A RANGE OF EXPERTISE
Natalie Biles, ASID, IIDA, and Stacey Breezeel, ASID, LEED-AP | Shine Interior Design Studio | 115 N. Center St. | 501.777.5373 | shineIDstudio.com | @shineIDstudio
JONESBORO AND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS ESI Design
Edith Snell began ESI Design in 1987 after earning her degree in interior design. After more than 34 years in business, and while raising four children, Edith’s passion for design struck a chord with her oldest daughter, Riley Lindley, who now brings her own skill set to the ESI Design team. Together, the two are able to service a large portion of the state, from Jonesboro to Northwest Arkansas. “We tailor our design to each client’s individual needs, and no job is too big or too small,” Edith says. The team is there through every step of the process, from space planning to furnishing selections. “We believe your home or office is so much more than furnishings and paint colors—it should be a reflection of you,” she says. While ESI Design is equipped to work within any design style—from French country to boho to farmhouse—Riley says her personal style is a fresh take on traditional. “I find that in my own home, I lean toward transitional, neutral pieces and modern touches in lighting, fabrics, and rugs,” she says, noting this look is a great way to bring current shine to a timeless home.
Edith and Riley
trendsetters HELMED BY A TALENTED MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO, ESI DESIGN STRIVES FOR CLASSIC DESIGNS WITH A MODERN SENSIBILITY
FAYETTEVILLE Ruth Britt Interiors
With a degree in interior design from the University of Arkansas, Ruth Britt worked as an artist for more than a decade before starting Ruth Britt Interiors in January 2021. “I’m into innovative use of color and pattern mixed with modern and chic designs,” Ruth says. “Each of my projects ends up a reflection of my personal style while heavily incorporating the client’s personality and vision.” In addition to her bright, cheerful designs, Ruth also offers custom oil paintings, which range from colorful interpretations of the classics to whimsical portraits and abstracts. “As an artist, I like to incorporate custom art into my projects—each is unique to the client,” she says. Currently, her favorite projects are high-end dorm rooms, though she says kitchen remodels remain one of her most popular requests. “The kitchen truly is the heart of the home where everyone gathers and creates lifelong memories, and I feel like it is the best place to reflect your personal style in the home,” she says.
trendsetters A LOVE OF COLOR, PATTERN, AND CUSTOM ART HELPS RUTH BRITT INTERIORS BRING PERSONAL STYLE TO EVERY PROJECT
Ruth Britt | Ruth Britt Interiors | 479.466.5678 | ruthbinteriors.com | @ruthbrittinteriors
FAYETTEVILLE Casey Sarkin Interior Design
“Your home is your refuge, and it should contain the things you love,” designer Casey Sarkin says. This is a mantra she carries throughout her business, whether she’s working with clients on a renovation or building from the ground up.
“Currently, I see more people are entertaining at home, or are not vacationing and want their home to be their oasis,” Casey says. She believes neutral palettes and natural finishes, like wood and stone, are a great backdrop for eyecatching patterns, light fixtures and art. “Design is my passion; I work with small and large budgets, and I enjoy the challenge and creativity that a small budget can create,” she says. “Overall, I love the process, from the build to the final install. The journey along the way creates lasting friendships.”
trendsetters NATURAL MATERIALS AND EYE-CATCHING PIECES ARE PART OF CASEY SARKIN INTERIOR DESIGN’S APPROACH TO MAKING HER CLIENTS’ HOMES A REFUGE
ASH FLAT Lori Carpenter Designs
Twenty-five years ago, Lori Carpenter opened The Grapevine Home as a gift and accessory store in Ash Flat. As her customers admired her work in the store, she took on clients who asked for help decorating their homes. “Eventually, I invested in myself and my business by enrolling in online courses and completed my interior design certification while running the store full-time and raising my three children,” she recalls. In recent years, Lori has transitioned the gift store into a design showroom complete with fabric and window treatment samples, rugs, and hardware; this led to renaming her business Lori Carpenter Designs. Now, she’s the current president of the Interior Design Society of Arkansas.
“I serve many clients who are busy homeowners who want to have a beautifully styled home, but don’t necessarily have the time to create the space of their dreams. I take that off their plates so they can focus on the things they love most,” she says.
trendsetters A VISIONARY WHO THRIVES ON NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES, LORI CARPENTER DESIGNS CREATES INVITING, CLASSIC INTERIORS
Lori Carpenter | Lori Carpenter Designs | 870.847.0286 | loricarpenterdesigns.com | @loricarpenterdesigns
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE Restructure Design & Remodel
Almost five years ago, Alissa Oates Hastings—owner and lead designer/ contractor of Restructure Design & Remodel opened her showroom and design-build business. “I have always been interested in the arts, graphic design, and architecture. Interior design brings these aspects together and allows me to use my creativity to serve clients,” she says.
Restructure offers a design team as well as the construction specialists necessary to complete your project.
“From cabinets to hardware to window treatments, we can guide you through the entire design process, then on to the remodel itself,” Alissa says. Noting that renovations can involve difficult decisions and unexpected setbacks, she desires to simplify the experience and be proactive. “We like to give clients realistic expectations, considering timeline and value and what the Restructure team can offer to make projects run smoother.” trendsetters A PAIRING OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE SETS RESTRUCTURE DESIGN & REMODEL APART IN THE INDUSTRY
NORTH LITTLE ROCK LJ Interiors
“Your home should be a place of refuge at the end of the day,” Lisa Stagg of LJ Interiors says. “I’ve found when my clients love their homes, they invite others in, and that’s when memories are made.” She credits her mother with instilling this philosophy in her at an early age. “I grew up with a very talented/creative mother…she designed and sewed beautiful clothes. We would spend hours choosing the perfect fabrics for her customers and for my latest outfit,” she recalls. This early encounter led her to a career in visual merchandising before opening her own business in 2006.
When it comes to her personal style, Lisa likes clean lines and the juxtaposition of traditional pieces paired with modern and contemporary additions. To this point, she often uses a client’s existing furnishings in a design, thus creating an updated look by mixing new and old. The designer also strives to create organized, highly functional spaces. “My goal is to create beautiful, edited spaces that function well over time,” Lisa says. “My affordable design rates allow everyone to have a beautiful home,” she adds. trendsetters A PASSION FOR BLENDING NEW WITH OLD IS KEY AS LJ INTERIORS CREATES HOMES WHERE MEMORIES ARE MADE
Lisa Stagg | LJ Interiors | 5016 Calico Creek Cove | 501.529.4382 | @ljstagg
LITTLE ROCK J. Lawrence Design
Jill Lawrence founded J. Lawrence Design in 1995 after receiving a degree in interior design and interning for a renowned designer.
She describes her own style as clean and classic. “I gravitate toward clean lines and furnishings that really stand the test of time. The ultimate goal is to design a room that will look as current in 20 years as it does today.” To accomplish this, Jill steers away from trends and focuses her attention on each individual client. “I concentrate on functional needs first. Then we make it durable
and beautiful,” she says. Excellent working relationships with vendors and sub-contractors allow Jill’s team to carry out a project. She also notes that choosing a designer is much like choosing a mate. “Once you choose, you must trust them and communicate your expectations thoroughly,” she says. As for current trends, Jill says she loves the idea of fully living in every square inch of your home. “No more ‘rooms for show,’” she says. “I also like the return to living comfortably in less square footage.” trendsetters JILL LAWRENCE OF J. LAWRENCE DESIGN RELIES ON CLASSIC STYLES TO CREATE SPACES HER CLIENTS WILL LOVE FOR YEARS TO COME
LITTLE ROCK B Interiors
Designer Chandler Bailey had always dreamed of starting her own business but wasn’t sure when or how it would come to be. “I worked for Bear Hill Interiors for five years and after I got married I liked the idea of a flexible schedule. My husband encouraged me to go for it, so I did!” she says.
At B Interiors, Chandler brings her transitional style to clients’ homes by mixing antiques with new pieces. “Using my clients’ family heirlooms is one of my favorite things. I am also a girly girl, so I love a floral print as well as making a statement with a
fun piece of art, a bright pillow, or a large piece such as chairs or a sofa,” the designer says. These small décor updates have been among Chandler’s largest requests recently as clients spend more time at home and strive to personalize their homes. As a mother of two, Chandler particularly enjoys working on family homes. “I know what is kid-friendly, so working with families is always super fun for me. I love getting to know people through their homes. It’s so personal and such an honor when they choose me to be a part of it!” trendsetters A PENCHANT FOR TRANSITIONAL STYLE AND FAMILY HOMES MAKES B INTERIORS A NATURAL CHOICE FOR DESIGNING FUNCTIONAL, BEAUTIFUL SPACES
Chandler Bailey | B Interiors | 1809 N Monroe Street | b-interiorslr.com | @binteriorslr
FORT SMITH Jo Waite Interiors & Construction
Jo Waite started her interior design business in 2003. Since then, she has become a licensed contractor and opened Waite & Co., her gift shop and showroom in Fort Smith. “It’s been a privilege to work for 18 years creating spaces that have meaning for people,” she says. “That’s what is important to me and what I consider success. Business may get tough but design never does—I simply love it.”
Jo describes her personal style as eclectic yet timeless. As a designer
and contractor in one, she offers her clients a full spectrum of services suited to their scope of work— from helping select draperies and wallpaper to large-scale remodels and new construction projects, both commercial and residential. Jo especially loves helping clients with kitchens and outdoors spaces. “Your environment matters,” she says, “and I feel having these two spaces designed brings people the biggest joy.” trendsetters DESIGNER AND CONTRACTOR JO WAITE INTERIORS & CONSTRUCTION OFFERS CLIENTS A SEAMLESS DESIGN PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH
