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TRADITIONAL TAKE European Elegance

Designer Jayson Cain helps a Conway couple bring timeless character to their home

WRITER TIFFANY ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHER RETT PEEK STYLIST STEPH SMITH

move was not on the radar for A Dana and Brian Barrilleaux until a burst water heater and the cleanup it entailed stirred the possibility. As longtime residents of Conway, they loved the area and wanted to find a home they could enjoy for years to come. After reaching out to a friend about the availability of houses for sale in a golf course neighborhood, they met builder Rex Lovelady and his wife, Stephanie, who would soon be putting their home on the market. “Dana really fell in love with this house immediately,” Brian says. “We came over on a Friday night to see it, and by Sunday we were making steps to purchase it,” he recalls.

While the process transpired, the couple began to consider the interiors of their new home. “Brian and I are opposites when it comes to decorating, so we knew early on we would need a designer to help pull the house together,” Dana says. A friend recommended Jayson Cain of Jayson Cain Interiors, and Dana recalls immediately being drawn to his style upon first visiting his Little Rock shop.

Since the home had recently been built, there were no structural updates necessary, but the

An 18th century oil-on-wood portrait of Hercules brings old world style to the openconcept dining room. Dana and Brian Barrilleaux in their home’s sitting room.

WARMING UP While the kitchen was in pristine condition when the Barrilleauxes purchased the home, Jayson suggested changing out silver hardware and faucets for rich, satin brass options. A neutral palette connects the space to the adjoining dining room and family room. “We were not used to an open-concept home, but Jayson made it all flow and we’ve come to love it,” Brian says.

Barrilleauxes knew Jayson could bring their style and character to the house. As is his practice, the designer visited the couple’s previous home to see which pieces were dear to them and what could be used in the new space. “I love traditional style in the sense of found objects,” Jayson says. “My goal is always to start with these 17th and 18th century pieces as the foundation; and, overall, my aesthetic is to use large pieces but fewer of them,” he says. “For this house, I really wanted to up the ante on its look and give it a refined European presence.”

At every turn, the home is now filled with conversation-starting finds, from the antique bleached wood sideboard at the front door to the coffee table in the family room made from remnants of an 18th century piano. “It’s awesome to be able to salvage a piece and then turn it into something that is both beautiful and functional today,” Jayson says.

GRACEFUL & INVITING In the living room, upholstered sofas and chairs with nailhead trim provide a comfortable place for catching up on television shows, while pieces such as the coffee table and an LED crystal chandelier add polish. Underfoot, a wool sisal rug is a practical selection that can stand up to everyday wear.

In the sitting room, a reproduction of a European lantern hangs near a bookcase constructed using an antique French colonial topper.

IN BLOOM Jayson outfitted one of the downstairs guest bedrooms with a custom nailhead-bordered headboard and luxurious Lili Alessandra linens and throw pillows. A large-scale botanical work creates a colorful focal point.

ENCHANTING OUTDOORS The outdoor dining area, which has a view of the neighborhood golf course’s 12th fairway, is a favorite spot for relaxation and entertaining. Here, an expansive table offers seating for 10, while a fountain softly bubbles in the background. The couple, who have three sons and four grandchildren between them, have hosted everything from impromptu gatherings to Christmas dinner under the pergola.

NEUTRAL GROUND In the master bedroom, Jayson employed a symphony of neutral fabrics and textures to create a graceful retreat. An antique Venetian mirror hangs over the center of the bed and is flanked by a series of framed botanicals above the bedside tables on both sides.

Design Resources BUILDER Rex Lovelady, Lovelady Construction INTERIOR DESIGN Jayson Cain, Jayson Cain Interiors ACCESSORIES Fabulous Finds, Jayson Cain Interiors, and Park Hill Home BEDDING, FABRICS, LIGHTING, MIRRORS, RUGS, AND WINDOW COVERINGS Jayson Cain Interiors FLORAL DESIGN (OUTDOOR DINING AREA) The Plant Outlet FURNITURE Fabulous Finds, Jayson Cain Interiors, and Marshall Clements HARDWARE Jayson Cain Interiors and Kaufman By Design West

OLD WORLD ACCENTS Jayson worked with an existing wall of shiplap behind the master bath’s soaking tub, topping it with an antique zinc dormerturned-mirror. Altar sticks and an ivory bust lend additional European flair.