At Home in Arkansas | December 2022

Kaufman by Design West

HARDWARE | MONDAY - FRIDAY: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM • SATURDAY 8:00 AM - 1 PM

SHOWROOM | MONDAY - FRIDAY: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM • SATURDAY 8:30 AM - 1 PM

501.673.3978 • 14900 CANTRELL RD. LITTLE ROCK • KAUFMANLUMBER.COM

Beautifully crafted jewelry creates romance and dreams forever.

OUR COLLECTION FROM JB STAR IS SURE TO BE CHERISHED FOR LIFE.

JB Star jewelry is meticulously designed and handcrafted by New York’s finest artisans using the latest finishing technology. The highest quality is ensured when each individual piece is carefully inspected and analyzed, then signed and numbered for authenticity.

Benton County location

Signature Bank Building 3712 S Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Suite 203 Rogers, AR

Newly remodeled flagship location Three Sisters Building 248 W Dickson Street Fayetteville, AR

Arkansas’ largest selection of interior barstools.

ENGLISH COUNTRY CHARM

Drawing from the homeowner’s love of the cottage life, Susan Walsh Interiors imbues a Little Rock home with a soft palette, classic patterns, and antiques.

MODERN EDGE MEETS

SOUTHERN

WARMTH

Laurie Miller of The Velvet Boxwood creates an elegant holiday design cohesive with her client’s modern organic style.

HOLIDAY MODE

After an extensive renovation with interior designer Lauren Blair, this family home shines bright with personality during the holidays— and all year round.

1540-8914, USPS# 020-999) is published 11 times a year (January/February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December) by Root Publishing, Inc., 2207 Cottondale Lane, Little Rock, AR 72202.

Happy Holidays!

We opened our doors in 1949. Our focus then and now is to bring our customers a quality product to match the quality of service we provide.

400 N. Magnolia St. | North Little Rock, AR 72114 pchdwe.com | sales@pchdwe.com | 501-224-1724

Publisher

Kelly Fraiser (ext. 101) kelly@athomearkansas.com

Editor in Chief Stephanie Maxwell Newton (ext. 102) stephanie@athomearkansas.com

Art Director Bailey Dougan (ext. 106) bailey@athomearkansas.com

Online Editor

Laura LaRue (ext. 104) laura@athomearkansas.com

Advertising Art Manager Taylor Evans taylor@athomearkansas.com

Contributing Copy Editor Susan Darcey

Contributing Photographers Hannah Huddleston and Rett Peek

Contributing Stylist Steph Smith

Contributing Writers

Tiffany Adams, Virginia Brown, Tate Gunnerson, and Rebekah Hall Scott

Account Managers

Isabella James (ext. 103) isabella@athomearkansas.com Olivia Bynum (ext. 105) olivia@athomearkansas.com Billing billing@athomearkansas.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Call 818.286.3115 or email subscribe@athomearkansas.com for customer service.

P.O. Box 15065 N. Hollywood, CA 91615-5065

ADVERTISING

For information about advertising in At Home in Arkansas, call 501.666.5510 or email kelly@athomearkansas.com

2207 Cottondale Lane Little Rock, AR 72202 501.666.5510

The 20th Century Club raises funds to provide no-cost housing to medically and financially qualified patients receiving cancer treatment within central Arkansas. The Lodge has been housing patients non-stop since 2011. To support our mission by funding nights of lodging and/or sponsorships please go to: www.HopeAwayFromHome.org

Christy Bray and Kate Dalton, Ball Chairs

From the Editor

Christmas traditions may seem relatively consistent across the board, but ask a friend about his or her family’s favorite rituals and you’ll realize just how many variations there are. Live tree or faux? All-white or multicolored lights? Hot cocoa or egg nog? Elf or It’s a Wonderful Life? Some families open gifts on Christmas Eve while others would never dream of peeking before Christmas morning. The choices we make for our celebrations year after year become our family’s story about the holiday, and those small differences are what make our particular traditions feel special.

As for me, I grew up with a faux tree and twinkle lights, except for the year my parents hung big vintage colored lights around the eaves and our home looked like a giant gingerbread house (in a good way!). White Christmas is our family favorite, but I honestly love them all. And no opening presents allowed on Christmas Eve—unless it’s Christmas pajamas. No matter how you celebrate, soak it all in; it’ll be over before you know it!

Merry Christmas,

GET IN TOUCH!

We love hearing from our readers. If you have a question, correction, or simply want to share your thoughts on a story, email stephanie@athomearkansas.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest (@athomearkansas).

LatestWell-known across the state and beyond, Heber Springs-based candle company Aromatique celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The brand was founded in 1982 by Patti Upton, and now her granddaughters, June Upton and Jordan Upton, carry on their grandmother’s legacy with the family-owned company. Aromatique produces candles, wax melts, oils, reed diffusers, and room sprays in a variety of fragrances, including its original and most popular, The Smell of Christmas. aromatique.com

Date Book

DECEMBER 3 Eureka Springs Preservation Society presents a selfguided tour of Victorian-era homes decorated for the season in the city’s historic district. Tickets are $25.

EUREKASPRINGSPRESERVATION SOCIETY.ORG

DECEMBER 4 Arkansas Governor’s Mansion hosts its Christmas Open House from 1-4 p.m. This free event offers a chance to see the governor’s residence decorated for the season.

FRIENDSOFTHEMANSION.ORG

DECEMBER 9 Historic Arkansas Museum holds its annual Nog-off, a free event from 5:30-8 p.m. in search of the best eggnog in Little Rock.

ARKANSASHERITAGE.COM

DECEMBER 22 The Grange Garden Club in Wilson presents All About the Amaryllis, a program about growing and harvesting this holiday flower. Attendance requires an annual membership ($100).

WILSONARKANSAS.COM

Photos by Rett Peek (portrait) and courtesy of publishers Photos by Rett Peek (portrait) and courtesy of Aromatique

Stephanie Maxwell Newton, Editor in Chief STEPHANIE@ATHOMEARKANSAS.COM

Recycled glass candlestick holders in Duck Green

Bear Hill Interiors, Little Rock

BEARHILLINTERIORS.COM

Faux bamboo candlestick holders with twisted black tapers

Cynthia East Fabrics, Little Rock CYNTHIAEASTFABRICS.COM

“Iris” (left) and “Bella” (right) glass candlestick holders in Cadet blue Cobblestone & Vine, Bentonville and Little Rock COBBLESTONEANDVINE.COM

Hand-forged metal candlestick holders with antique copper finish Freckled Hen Farmhouse, Fayetteville

SHOPFRECKLEDHEN.COM

Rounded black wooden candlestick holders with green tapers Tipton & Hurst, Little Rock TIPTONHURST.COM

“Edelweiss” candlestick holders with an antiqued brass finish Box Turtle, Little Rock

SHOPBOXTURTLE.COM

Images courtesy of vendors

Up the Walls

Nothing adds pizzazz like powerful prints and a pretty backsplash. Here’s your guide to what’s new in wallpaper and tile—and how to execute it

PRODUCER BAILEY DOUGAN

Images courtesy of vendors

“Coral-21” from Kravet Couture’s Portfolio Ii collection.

NEUTRAL

MOVEMENT

Tone-on-tone palettes and eyepleasing patterns work in any style, any setting

GO BOLD WITH WALLPAPER

START SMALL

If you’re intrigued by wallcoverings but don’t know where to begin, start in a powder bath or mudroom. Patterned paper packs a big statement in a smaller space. If you love it, then consider wallpapering a larger space like your living or dining room.

FIND YOUR STYLE

Wallpaper can work across the spectrum of styles. For a minimalist approach, choose a neutral pattern (like one shown above) and forego art on your walls. If you’re all about embracing maximalism, add a gallery wall for a layered, elevated effect.

STAY BALANCED

Take note of the entire room’s design for a cohesive result. For example, in a bedroom, the print you choose might affect the scale of patterned fabric on your duvet. Create a moodboard to ensure these elements all work in harmony.

GO HIGH

Most designers will tell you: Don’t forget the fifth wall, and draw the eye up with wallpaper on the ceiling. However, even if you feel comfortable DIY-ing your walls, covering the ceiling is a job worth hiring a professional.

1 “Entanglement” high-performance wallpaper in Black from the Carol Benson-Cobb Signature collection by York Wallcoverings. 2 “Panache WP” in Noir from Kravet Couture’s Trad Nouveau collection by Corey Damen Jenkins. 3 “Tavaro Sisal” in Sandstone from the Modern Luxe Wallcovering collection by Kravet Couture. 4 “Game Birds” in Antique from Lee Jofa’s Icons Wallpapers collection. 5 “Burlwood Ogee” in Black/Taupe/Gray from the Candice Olson After Eight collection by York Wallcoverings. 6 “Vinyl Magnetism” in Compass Cream by Phillip Jeffries.

From small-scale mosaics to porcelain slabs that mimic stone, today’s tile makes a statement STYLE LOOKS LIKE STONE!

TILE CHOOSE THE RIGHT BACKSPLASH

FIND THE RIGHT HUE

When picking out a backsplash tile, look to your countertops and cabinetry color for guidance. Do these elements of the design lean warm or cool? Ask for a sample of any tiles you’re considering and compare them in person before buying in bulk.

GET INTO FOCUS

If you fall in love with a style that’s outside your budget, don’t despair. Create a focal point above the range or sink with a special inset and cover the rest of the walls in a coordinating, more wallet-friendly option of a similar thickness to incorporate the look for less.

GO FOR THE GROUT

Grout can go a long way in adding to the overall look of your backsplash. Choose something close in color to your tile for a seamless look, or select a contrasting hue to highlight the pattern it’s laid in.

BE PRACTICAL

Keep in mind how you are going to keep the surface clean. If you cook on the stovetop a lot (and maybe sometimes make a mess), you might be better suited to a large tile and dark grout rather than a dainty mosaic with light-colored grout.

7 Ann Sacks “Swiss Cross Mosaic” glazed tile in Cottonwood from the Savoy collection. 8 Emser NEWTRO 1-by-6-inch ceramic tile in Ocean. 9 Crossville “Calacatta Oro Venato Bookmatch” porcelain tile panel from the I Naturali collection. 10 Crossville “Handwritten Leaf Mosaic” tile in Private Affair. 11 Emser “Spin” glazed porcelain mosaic tile in White/Black.

Local Retailers

CROSSVILLE TILE

Arnold’s Flooring America, arnoldsflooringlittlerockar.com

BPI North Little Rock, bpiteam.com C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery, candfcarpet.com

D&D Floor Covering, ddfloorcovering.com

Encore Building Products, encoregroupusa.com

Laws Flooring & Rugs, jonesboro.abbeycarpet.com

Peter’s Flooring, petersflooringandpaint.com

ProSource of Little Rock, prosourcewholesale.com

Southern Interiors, southerninteriors.net

Statements For the Home, statementsforthehome.com

Stone Studio, stonestudiobycci.com

Townzen Tile, townzentile.com

White River Flooring, whiteriverflooring.com

EMSER TILE

C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery, candfcarpet.com

Emser Tile, emser.com

Kaufman By Design West, kaufmanlumber.com

Lumber One Home Center, lumber1.com

Peter’s Flooring, petersflooringandpaint.com

ProSource of Little Rock , prosourcewholesale.com

Southern Interiors, southerninteriors.net

Stone Studio, stonestudiobycci.com Triton Stone Group, tritonstone.com

White River Flooring, whiteriverflooring.com

Ann Sacks, Kravet, Lee Jofa, Phillip Jefferies, and York Wallcoverings are available to the trade.

MEASURE, MEASURE AGAIN

For both wallpaper and tile you’ll need not only the square footage of the walls you’re intending to cover, but also considerations for pattern repeats and overage–nothing is worse than running out of your material in the middle of a project and having to order more!

FIND THE GOODS

The

MAINTAIN THE EFFECT

To get the most out of your new addition, be sure to clean regularly to ensure longevity. Wallpapered surfaces should be dusted every couple of months, and backsplashes might need to be tended to on a weekly or daily basis, depending on the area’s usage.

“Ashmont Standard Field Tile” from Ann Sacks in Bianco and Beige.

Family Room Fun

WRITER VIRGINIA BROWN PHOTOGRAPHER RETT PEEK STYLIST STEPHANIE MAXWELL NEWTON

Designer Kendall Jones brings style and whimsy to a casual living space in Little Rock

When called on to update a client’s family room in a way that was functional yet fun, designer Kendall Jones kept her style directives simple.

“It’s a straightforward space,” she says. “We wanted to create something family friendly, but nice enough to entertain guests— something traditional with a youthful spin.”

The first step was to increase the room’s natural light by removing existing plantation shutters. “If you don’t have a light-filtering or privacy need, I like to keep the windows open,” Kendall says. “Right away, it made this room so much brighter.” Custom drapes frame the windows to soften the space without blocking the view outdoors.

Kendall then moved the TV from the corner to over the mantel, which was updated to suit the space’s new more modern look. “The mantel was the only structural change; it was really ornate and took up too much room,” the designer says. “The home is more transitional-contemporary in style, so the ornate mantel didn’t belong.”

More versatile and accessible seating came in the form of a pair of couches rather than a clunky sectional. To create separation from the adjacent kitchen, Kendall added two teal swivel chairs, which still allow for easy conversation between the two spaces. Plus, the chairs’ leather and performance velvet materials are easy to clean and keep the look fresh. “Nothing in here is too precious for their two young boys,” Kendall says. “They can move pieces around and put them back together, but it works in a really grown-up way.”

Kendall replaced a ceiling fan with a funky, modern brass-and-bulb spoke fixture. “Something unexpected keeps it light,” she says. BEFORE

1

LET LIGHT IN Kendall replaced plantation shutters with custom window coverings to allow more light into the space. A graphic trim echoes other instances of blue throughout the space.

2

DO LOOK DOWN

A burled wood coffee table was not only the right size for the small space, but its durable texture makes it a perfect fit for family game nights. The feminine feel of a pastel-hued Oushak rug balances the table’s more masculine tone.

3

PLAY WITH PATTERN

Pillows featuring cutvelvet leopard print and a colorful, painterly design add a pop of personality to the neutral sofa and help tie in all the colors in the room.

4

USE SPACE WISELY

In moving the TV from a wall of corner built-ins, Kendall created hidden storage behind cabinet doors as well as a defined focal point over the mantel. A velvet sofa with curved lines plays into the transitional style of the new space.

—Kendall Jones, designer

“The style of the furniture is traditional, but the fabrics and silhouettes keep it from being too stuffy.”

Design Resources

INTERIOR DESIGN Kendall Jones, Kendall Jones Design ACCESSORIES Art of Design, Cobblestone & Vine, Cynthia East Fabrics, Kaufman by Design, Midtown Vintage Market, and Urban Outfitters FABRICS Designer Effects FURNITURE Art of Design MILLWORK

Jamie Price WINDOW COVERINGS Nancy Osborn LIGHT FIXTURE Light Innovations

Cranberry Craze

WRITER STEPHANIE MAXWELL NEWTON PHOTOGRAPHER & STYLIST HANNAH HUDDLESTON

Hannah’s holiday pavlova topped with berries.

Hannah Huddleston and her husband, Frederic, moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2021 with future retirement in mind. So far, it feels as though she was meant for life in the Ozarks. “I had chickens in San Diego; I always felt a little like a misplaced farm girl,” she says with a laugh. The pair looked all over—including in Texas, Arizona, and other parts of the Natural State—before finding the 17-acre plot of land they now call home in Berryville. “In San Diego, our yard was so small, you could be outside and touch your house and your neighbor’s fence,” she says. “Now we live on a river and have this beautiful view and quiet space. It’s what we’ve always wanted.”

No matter her zip code, Hannah’s always felt most at home in the kitchen. About three years ago, she started sharing her creations online through her blog, Sweet Savory Sour. “I’ve always loved cooking; it’s like a love language for me,” she says, a sentiment that makes her sound right at home in the South. Through the process, Hannah has found what she enjoys most is exploring unexpected flavor combinations. “The blog started to really inspire a lot of creativity and things to try. It’s like experimentation that you can eat and drink,” she says.

For this issue, we asked Hannah to take inspiration from cranberries, that classic ingredient that comes up in iterations sweet, savory, and sour. Among her creations was a batch of rosemary and cranberry “MaryBerry” cookies. “Cranberry has a bitterness to it. When you combine that with a sugar cookie, all that tartness gets balanced out and it just becomes more of a complex tasting cookie.” Try your hand at Hannah’s MaryBerry cookies and visit her blog (sweetsavorysour.com) for more cranberry-inspired treats.

RECIPE

Rosemary & Cranberry “MaryBerry” Cookies

Yields approximately 2 dozen cookies

SHOP

COOKIES

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 tablespoon vanilla extract ¼ cup milk powder

3 cups all purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt

ROYAL ICING

2 cups powdered sugar

1 ½ tablespoons meringue powder 5 tablespoons of water

GARNISHES

white sanding sugar, for garnish sugared cranberries, for garnish rosemary sprigs, for garnish

PREPARE

Combine butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and milk powder in a large mixing bowl and mix until well combined and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix slowly until just combined. (If dough seems overly sticky, add a tablespoon of flour until it is soft and dry.) Roll dough onto a square of parchment paper no larger than a gallon-sized zip-close bag. Refrigerate in the bag for at least an hour.

When ready to bake, remove dough from the refrigerator and heat oven to 350ºF. Roll dough out to about ¼-inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to make about 24 cookies. Bake for 12 minutes, or until slightly golden throughout. Remove and allow to cool before decorating.

To make royal icing, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water into a mixing bowl. Mix for 2-3 minutes. Icing is ready when a drizzle is reabsorbed within about 8-10 seconds. Use a piping bag to ice each cookie, starting with the perimeter. While icing is still wet, sprinkle with white sanding sugar and garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs. Allow to dry at least 2 hours before enjoying.

HOLIDAY CHEERS

Hannah also uses her blog to explore the art of tasty mocktails. “When we stopped drinking, we missed the ritual of sitting down on a Friday and having something fun to sip on while we relax; something more special and complex than a soda,” she says. This particular drink uses the star ingredient, cranberries, both mixed in and as a garnish along with a rosemary sprig and an orange twist.

Find recipes for Hannah’s berry pavlova, cranberry-citrus mocktail punch, gouda-cranberry bites, and more at sweetsavorysour.com.

Gouda-cranberry bites are a hit with Hannah’s family.

Red & Green Thumb

Holiday plants make for cheery Christmas gifts and beautiful additions to seasonal displays. Here, Chris Norwood from Tipton & Hurst helps us ensure these festive flora thrive

PRODUCER & STYLIST STEPHANIE MAXWELL NEWTON PHOTOGRAPHER RETT PEEK

POINSETTIA

Euphorbia pulcherrima

While associated most with Christmas, poinsettias (and several other varieties here) are actually tropical plants—meaning they require lots of sunlight, a warmer setting (think 60-75ºF during the day), and not too much water. “The biggest issue is people always overwater them,” Chris says. “They have really small root systems, and they like to be kept arid and dry.”

DID YOU KNOW?

The poinsettia’s “blooms” are actually modified leaves called bracts.

DID YOU KNOW?

It might look like a lily, but the amaryllis is a closer cousin to the daffodil.

AMARYLLIS

Hippeastrum

Amaryllis must go through a dormant phase in early fall to ensure blooming by the holidays. If you’re gifted an amaryllis bulb, place it in a cool spot with bright light; once a stem starts to emerge, move it to a sunny window and water once a week. Turn the pot to keep the stem growing straight. Once flowers open, move the plant out to direct sunlight to extend the life of the blooms.

MINI CYPRESS TREE

Cupressus macrocarpa Cypress trees need as much natural light as possible (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day) and adequate water. “They dry out really fast, especially indoors in the winter when most of our homes are dryer,” Chris says. Try them on your patio or screened porch to bring the season outdoors, and be sure to give them proper drainage—their roots should never be in standing water.

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

Schlumbergera bridgesii Many of us receive a Christmas cactus (or its relative, the Thanksgiving cactus, pictured here) with beautiful bright flowers, only to wonder why they don’t bloom again the following year. The answer is temperature and light. About 6-8 weeks before Christmas, alternate the plant’s position between complete darkness (in a cool closet or under a box) and light every 12 hours. Water only when the soil feels dry and you should have new blooms by Christmas morning.

All plants available through Tipton & Hurst in Little Rock.

Discover Benton

WRITER STEPHANIE MAXWELL NEWTON PHOTOGRAPHER BAILEY DOUGAN

Loblolly Creamery honors its storefront’s history by highlighting and preserving the Family Shoe Store’s 1950s hand-painted signage.

Benton feels like the heart of Saline County, and not simply because it’s the county seat. The city’s walkable downtown and charming storefronts, many of which have been in place for close to a century, bring character and vitality to this small town situated along Interstate 30.

The area’s natural production of bauxite, a source of aluminum, was to thank for Saline County’s economic boom in the first half of the 20th century. In 2008, Benton’s commercial downtown was given the designation of a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. But while there are plenty of reasons to be intrigued by the area’s past, its residents are working hard to think toward the future, too.

Heather Baber-Roe, a relative newcomer to Benton, knows firsthand that a melding of new and old are important to the city’s success. In 2020, she and her husband, Craig Roe, opened the second location of their Tex–Mex restaurant, Baja Grill, in Benton. Though the concept was originally a food truck located in the vicinity, Heather and Craig sold the truck in 2014 to open a brick-and-mortar closer to home in Little Rock. “We weren’t going to even think about opening a second location until our kids went to college, but the mayor approached us and said, We want to bring you guys back to Benton,” Heather says. After a meeting with their now-landlords, they couldn’t see a reason not to jump at the chance. “Our landlords wanted to buy some commercial property and totally redo it, but they wanted a local restaurant in there that would be a good addition to downtown,” Heather says. After several busy months commuting between Little Rock and Benton, the couple made the leap and moved 30 minutes southwest. “Craig had been wanting to move to Benton for a couple of years, even before having a restaurant here, but I was more hesitant,” Heather admits. “But there’s such a large group of people who appreciate the eclectic nature of local businesses and encourage that here, which is important to me.”

Since the move, Heather and Craig’s opportunities and love for the city have both multiplied. They’re now owners of three additional concepts in the same city block as Baja Grill: casual dining spot Valhalla, Valkyrie Axe Throwing, and Rober, a more intimate

restaurant set to open by the end of the year. Next door to Rober, Heather and Craig have a gourmet market in the works called South Street Provisions, which they hope to open by early 2023. “We really like our neighborhood and neighbors, both at home and at work,” Heather says, naming Italy in Town and Burger Shack as two businesses she admires as institutions of downtown Benton. “It’s a tight group, and it feels like we’re a part of something special. There are people here who took a chance on it before we did, and that’s what’s made it possible.” Read on for some of our favorite ways to discover Benton.

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: The winged neon sign for bike and skateboard shop Holy Roller United. Heather Baber-Roe and Craig Roe in front of Baja Grill. The sign to Valhalla. A display of home décor and food-forward books at 501 Faire. The dining room at Burger Shack, a family-owned diner popular at lunch. A stately stallion statue at Wild boutique on Market Street.

SHOP

With everything from pillows and throw blankets to books, jewelry, and bath goods, 501 FAIRE (shop501faire.com) is a one-stop shop for gifts and home décor. If you can’t make it to their Market Street storefront, you can shop online—and they even offer free delivery to Benton, Bryant, and Conway.

STATED APPAREL (stated.me) is home to beloved outdoor brands like Nativ, Kavu, and Southern Marsh as well as the store’s own line of screen-printed tees featuring designs for Arkansas and surrounding states. For furnishings, WHITE FURNITURE (whitefurniturecompany.com) has been a staple of Benton’s downtown since 1966. Step inside the family-owned business to shop sofas, chairs, lighting, and rugs.

DINE

BAJA GRILL (eatbajagrill.com) has become a favorite for its unique menu, which presents every entree as a tasty combination of ingredients each available in taco, burrito, quesadilla, nacho, or “naked bowl” form. After “Chico” Santos, the founder of ITALY IN TOWN (501.794.6499) passed away last year, new owners picked up the helm to honor the restaurateur and keep his well-loved Italian restaurant going. The current menu stays true to Chico’s originals while adding weekly specials to the lineup.

VISIT

Head to the BAUXITE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION MUSEUM (501.557.9858) in nearby Bauxite to explore the area’s past through collections of historic artifacts, antique mining equipment, geological specimens, and other memorabilia from the Aluminum Company of America. While parts of the ROYAL THEATRE (theroyaltheatre.org) date back to the 1920s, the Art Deco-style marquee and sign are part of a post-war redesign. The Royal Players’ current season includes Elf the Musical from December 2-12.

Part of "The Benton Mural" on the Bell Building.

Home English Country

WRITER TIFFANY ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHER RETT PEEK STYLIST STEPHANIE MAXWELL NEWTON

While her address has changed through the years, one color combo has been a mainstay throughout each of this Little Rock homeowner’s abodes. “Pink and green have always been my colors,” she says. “I even had a pink couch in my first house.” When she and her husband decided to make a move to this residence, they turned to longtime designer Susan Walsh to incorporate the hue while also giving the home a cozy, refined appeal.

Susan, formerly of Bear Hill Interiors and now at the helm of recently launched Susan Walsh Interiors, leaned into both the colorway and the couple’s style with romantic florals, luxurious fabrics, and vintage accents that all convey a sense of character and a feeling that the home has been intact for years. “My style is English Country,” the homeowner says of her bend toward these design elements. “I feel like I should’ve been born in England or Ireland.”

The bones of their newly purchased home played into this aesthetic. Renovated for the previous owners by Gary Pursell of Creative Heights Partners and Gary Pursell Construction, the house had a look that captivated Susan’s client with wooden beams and a large stone fireplace. “My client is a true homebody. She always has something cooking in the kitchen and is baking for others; she buys flowers and arranges them,” Susan says. “Everything in her house has a story and there’s a real warmth to it.”

The owner also loves to dress the house for the season, calling on Zac Woodiel to add a layer of traditional holiday finery that adheres to the cheerful everyday palette. “People get tunnel vision about using traditional holiday colors for their décor, but it really makes more sense if you follow the home,” Susan says of the light pink and green accents. AH

CHEERFULLY TRADITIONAL

The stone fireplace and wood trim in the cozy den (opposite) convey the English countryside look that drew the owners to the home. Furnishings such as the trunk-style coffee table, floral sofa, and fringed club chairs also speak to this. Here, stockings are hung for the couple’s children and grandchildren, while the home’s main tree and fresh greenery convey the sight and smell of holiday cheer.

“Designers want people to love their homes because they understand what the home can do for the spir it.”

—Susan Walsh, designer

Christmas greeting are suspended by ribbons in the butler's pantry.

THINK PINK

After deciding to use an existing daybed and pair of armchairs in the formal living room, Susan says it only felt natural to select pink for the walls and silk drapes. “My husband is so kind about using pink everywhere, and it is always tastefully done because of Susan,” the homeowner says. Underfoot, an Aubusson rug ties the look together while a small tree holds nostalgic holiday ornaments of Christmases past.

“Intimate White” Sherwin-Williams

“The front entry starts the story of the house,” Susan says, pointing to a floral fabric on the balloon shade and antique ottoman as well as a banister trimmed in garland and bows for Christmas.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

“I have one ornament from my childhood, and I really wanted to use it to create an oldworld tree that takes me back to being a kid,” the owner says. Susan and Zac laid all of the family’s ornaments out on the dining table to identify a common theme, which manifested in numerous Christopher Radko pieces. “I had a visual that was vintage ornaments en masse,” Susan says. The Radko selections and other similar décor were hung on the tree alongside pink and green plaid ribbon for a timeless Christmas design.

SET FOR THE SEASON

In the dining room, Susan notes the scenic chinoiserie wallpaper serves as art. Old-fashioned tiebacks on the drapes, cane-back chairs, and antique pieces create the traditional charm apparent throughout the rest of the home, while the table setting reflects the homeowner’s love of china. “My mother-in-law sets her table for every holiday. I have always thought this was very special, so I started doing it in my home—and Christmas is my very favorite,” she says.

Design Resources

INTERIOR DESIGN Susan Walsh, Susan Walsh Interiors CHRISTMAS DESIGN Zac Woodiel ACCESSORIES Bear Hill Interiors, Fabulous Finds, and Sweet Home Furnishings & clement FURNITURE (DINING ROOM) Roy Dudley Estate Sales WALLPAPER Susan Walsh Interiors WINDOW COVERINGS Mountjoy’s Custom Draperies

TRUE BLUE

Susan brought blue into the primary bedroom for a fresh take on the home’s rendition of English Country. A lit à couronne frames the iron bed, creating a tailored focal point, and pairs of boxwood wreaths accent the walls during the holiday season. The couple’s dogs—Bunny, a Frenchton, and Bridget, a Goldendoodle—sit sweetly on a bench at the foot of the bed.

Modern Edge Meets Southern Warmth

In Little Rock, Laurie Miller of The Velvet Boxwood creates a subtle, elegant holiday story for a family home

WRITER REBEKAH HALL SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHER RETT PEEK STYLIST STEPH SMITH

SUBTLY SEASONAL

To create a soft backdrop on the mantelpiece, Laurie and her client cut the garland in half and draped one piece along each side rather than doing a traditional swag across the center. Velvet ribbons drip off the edges, and fairy lights tucked among the greenery bring a faint glow to the cluster of mercury trees in the center. Hammered gold candlestick holders and gray candles draw the eye upward and complement the home’s existing color palette. “The candlesticks fit the space and scale so well,” Laurie says. “It feels like they were made for it.”

WARM ELEGANCE

A live pine tree, cut down by one of the homeowners’ children, glows with lights, baubles, and family photos hung in gold frames. Silver dollar eucalyptus and a mix of ribbons are used in the tree and staircase garlands to give the scene a “modern and understated Southern vibe,” Laurie says.

When Laurie Miller first connected with these Little Rock homeowners through one of her clients, she says she immediately understood their vision for the home’s Christmas design. “They wanted the house to have an elegant, modern feel to it, but still have all the warmth you feel at Christmas,” she says.

For Laurie, decorating for the holidays has been a lifelong passion. When she worked for a design firm before starting her own business, she served as lead Christmas designer and taught classes on the subject. “I’ve always had a real love and passion for Christmas,” Laurie says. “My birthday is three days before Christmas, so it’s my time of year. I love what the season represents and the time with family.”

Because her clients also value togetherness at the holidays, Laurie says the open-concept house is a perfect fit for their tight-knit family. The homeowners worked with interior designer Jill Lawrence on creating a streamlined, organic style throughout the home, and Laurie wanted the Christmas décor to “embody what Jill had done, and make it all uniform,” she says.

Stepping outside traditional holiday shades such as red and green, a color story was selected based on the slate and blue tones already present in the home.

“That was something we were very intentional about, making sure that everything flowed seamlessly and kept a cohesive storyline through the whole home for the holidays,” Laurie says.

Along with ribbons in shades of blue, gray, and cream, Laurie added touches of a coffee-colored brown to help “soften and give more definition” to the décor, including sugar pine cones and mochatoned ornaments. “It can become heavy if you get too matchy-matchy, and we were trying to keep the house organic and flowy,” she says.

Bursts of fresh greenery throughout the home—including the client’s favorite, silver dollar eucalyptus—bring texture to the space’s cool colors and modern lines. “The home is so cozy that we just wanted to keep everything understated, almost like you didn’t know Christmas was there, but it was,” Laurie says. “That was our goal for the whole design.”

At the base of the home’s elegant staircase, a live pine tree glows with twinkling lights, shining metallics, and small gold-framed family photos hung as ornaments—a holiday tradition that continues to bring joy. “Their son was home from college the day we were installing, and it was amazing to watch him unbox the frames, remembering things and laughing,” Laurie recalls. “They’re just a really great family, and they love special moments.” AH

A wreath of mixed greenery is suspended by cream satin ribbon on the range hood. On the kitchen island, a live arrangement of fresh cedar and white orchids provides a “casual, elegant statement,” Laurie says.

UNDERSTATED BEAUTY

A blonde pine hutch displays the client’s collection of porcelain and stoneware, as well as pieces of pottery her children have made over the years. Clusters of bottle brush trees are mixed in to “keep that subtle Christmas story going,” Laurie says.

“There are moments for decor, but then there are moments where simplicity can speak much louder.”

—Laurie Miller, The Velvet Boxwood

SIMPLE & SOPHISTICATED

In the dining area, Laurie wanted to highlight gold sconces on either side of the window with bursts of green. “I just thought immediately when I saw the space that the fixtures would be gorgeous with swagged greenery over them,” she says. A vase filled with live cedar continues the story onto the table’s centerpiece.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

In the butler’s pantry, a live cedar garland tied with ribbons hangs on the window. Stems of fresh seeded willow eucalyptus maintain the greenery’s presence through the house, while the red tones of pomegranates and oxblood-colored glassware bring a “subtle bit of Christmas cheer,” Laurie says.

SOFT AND SOUTHERN

Laurie says she and her client wanted to break up the strong lines and angles of the entrance by bringing “a little more of that Southern, traditional look to it.” To soften the lines, they added swag dips in the greenery garland, along with silver dollar eucalyptus “to give it more body and definition,” Laurie says. Ribbons in slate blue and cream, sugar cones, twinkling lights, and wood beads—plus Millie, the family’s pooch— round out the warm welcome.

“It’s a soft, subtle, warm, and inviting space.”

—Laurie Miller, The Velvet Boxwood

HOLIDAY MODE

WRITER TATE GUNNERSON PHOTOGRAPHER RETT PEEK STYLIST STEPH SMITH

A Heights family home receives an artful renovation at the hands of designer Lauren Blair and layers of seasonal décor by Tanarah Luxe Floral

The family’s beloved pooch, Willow, gets comfortable on a slipper chair in the family room. “She’ll come snuggle with you wherever you are,” the homeowner says.

FINE DINING

A textural grasscloth wallcovering by Thibaut fosters a cozy environment for the family’s annual Christmas Eve dinner. Here, an overscale gilded iron chandelier from Visual Comfort hangs above a traditional wooden dining table while an energetic flamestitch fabric by Aerin Lauder for Lee Jofa brings personality to the painted chairs.

SET THE TABLE

The homeowner’s fine china, a 50th anniversary gift from her grandfather to her grandmother, is paired with the silver she received from her parents as a wedding present to create a sentimental place setting. “I was named after my grandmother, so the china is special to me,” she says. A collection of mercury glass Christmas trees collected over the years completes the tablescape.

Good design takes time, as interior designer Lauren Blair knows all too well. The Little Rock native worked for top-tier New York design firms for a decade before launching her own business, Lauren Phillips Blair Interior Design, and relocating back to her home state. So when these clients contacted her about taking on a remodel of their beloved Heights residence, she was deliberate about getting it right. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” she says. “When you take your time and things evolve, you get a better end product.”

During the project, Lauren worked with architect Joe Johnson and design professional Nikki Hastings to relocate and enlarge the kitchen, move the dining room, and

eliminate walls to create a more gracious flow throughout the home. The updated space is an elegant setting for new furnishings and a vibrant art collection, all suitable for the home’s surroundings as well as the family of six. “It all works together to make a relaxed, happy home,” the homeowner says of the result. “It’s comfortable and fun.”

While efforts were made to ensure the renovation stayed in keeping with the home’s traditional bones, Lauren was free to play off her clients’ love of art when selecting fabrics and accents. For example, in the foyer, new millwork suits the home’s time period, while a trio of contemporary art pieces keeps it feeling fresh. In the family room, a Kelly Wearstler pattern modernizes the classic design. “Fabrics

add a little extra punch of color and energy,” Lauren says. The home’s updated interiors make it the perfect setting for family gatherings, especially during the holidays when the homeowners call on Tanarah Luxe Floral to decorate the home, indoors and out. “They have been so kind and fun to work with,” the homeowner says of her relationship with Tanarah’s team. “They get as excited about this as

I do!” While they leave much of the Christmas décor to the professionals, the family enjoys the tradition of decorating the trees themselves while reminiscing, sipping hot chocolate, and enjoying the fun, comfortable feel of their refreshed home. “It has a good overall aura, and I’m so thrilled that they’re pleased,” Lauren says. “This house is filled with a lot of lighthearted family love.” AH

DRESSED FOR SUCCESS

A patterned wallcovering by Brunschwig & Fils and an antique Turkish rug—one the designer found on the website 1stDibs— enliven the utilitarian mudroom, which is outfitted with lockers that keep clutter out of sight. “The wallcovering adds a pop of interest,” Lauren says. “It’s like getting dressed; you need to have the right accessories.”

TIMELESS APPEAL

The spacious kitchen is outfitted with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry complemented by marble countertops and a coordinating backsplash, which uses cut marble to mimic classic subway tile. Metal pendants in a bronze finish provide an industrial slant and contrast to the all-white room, and bistro-style barstools provide a spot for casual meals and homework while meals are prepped. “The kitchen is the heartbeat of the household, and it works really well for their family,” Lauren says.

On the stairs in the foyer, a neutral, patterned runner combines style with durability—a must for a family with four children. Preppy tartan ribbons and sprigs of faux holly tie the stairwell’s Christmas décor to the front door.

A wet bar near the family room lacquered in a custom teal hue makes for a nice hub when entertaining.

“Your art showcases who you are.”

“Creamy” Sherwin-Williams

SIT & STAY AWHILE

Tufted slipper chairs by Billy Baldwin Studio paired with a light blue sofa create a stylish spot to enjoy the fireplace in the formal living room. “The chairs are tailored but comfortable and easy to sit on,” Lauren says. The mantel is decked with a combination of fresh and faux greenery as well as luxurious velvet ribbons by Tanarah Luxe Floral. A colorful abstract by South Carolina’s Page Jones Davis hangs above the fireplace.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

A beamed tongue-in-groove ceiling treatment was added to the cozy family room during the home’s renovation. Here, a jute rug anchors a pair of matching custom sofas and slipper chairs covered in Kelly Wearstler’s teal “Graffito” fabric. Over the fireplace, a wreath and garland continue the home’s holly jolly atmosphere while paperwhites on the coffee table are a more subtle nod to the season.

Design Resources

INTERIOR DESIGN Lauren Blair, Lauren Phillips Blair Interior Design CHRISTMAS DESIGN Tanarah Luxe Floral ACCESSORIES Bear Hill Interiors FABRICS, LIGHTING, AND WALLPAPER Lauren Phillips Blair Interior Design MIRRORS Cobblestone & Vine RUGS C&F Flooring and Rug Gallery PAINT Sherwin-Williams

The Nıce List

Photograph by Bailey Dougan; Styled and produced by Bailey Dougan and Stephanie Maxwell Newton

1 Robe with tie-waist and pockets, $180. Fig Modern, Conway, figmodern.com 2 “The Smell of Christmas” gilded ornament candle, $28. Aromatique, aromatique.com 3 Small “Coolio” crocodile rug, $125. Box Turtle, Little Rock, shopboxturtle.com 4 David Yurman “Angelika” 18K yellow gold drop earrings with pavé diamonds, $6,850. Sissy’s Log Cabin, Pine Bluff, Jonesboro, Conway, and Little Rock (Heights and Chenal Promenade), sissyslogcabin.com 5 “Do Not Disturb” jute tote bag, $100.60. Sugartown Mercantile, Stuttgart, sugartownmercantile. com 6 Two-bottle hammered brass ice bucket, $99. 501 Faire, Benton, shop501faire.com

7 Jellycat “Bashful Bunny,” $26 (plus $8 for customization). Mrs. Polka Dot, Little Rock, mrspolkadot.net 8 Needlepoint pillow, $98. Box Turtle, Little Rock, shopboxturtle.com 9 Pebble pearl earrings (available in a variety of colors) with polished 14K yellow gold over brass ear wire, $110. Box Turtle, Little Rock, shopboxturtle.com 10 Footed porcelain bowl with gold titanium beading, $85.99. Eggshells Kitchen Co., Little Rock, eggshellskitchencompany.com 11 Claude Dozorme steak knives with wooden storage box, $186 Fresh i.d., Little Rock, 501.478.6006 12 White waterfall orchid, $85. Tipton & Hurst, Conway, Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pine Bluff, tiptonhurst.com

Stocking Stuffers

Rechargeable flameless USB lighter, $35 (includes monogram). Mrs. Polka Dot, Little Rock, mrspolkadot.net

Cavender’s All Purpose Greek Seasoning, available in a variety of sizes and multi-packs. Cavender’s, greekseasoning.com

Peepers “Out of Office” polarized sunglasses, $25. Rejuvenation Clinic Day Spa, Little Rock, rejuvenationclinic.com

16 “Boyfriend” distressed tote, $120. Talk of the Table, Fayetteville, talkofthetable.myshopify. com 17 David Yurman “Lexington” chain necklace in 18K yellow gold with pavé diamonds, $18,500. Sissy’s Log Cabin, Pine Bluff, Jonesboro, Conway, and Little Rock (Heights and Chenal Promenade), sissyslogcabin.com 18 “Fatima” sky blue decorative urns, $175. Ken Rash's Arkansas, Little Rock, kenrashsoutdoorfurniture.com

19 Resin-block bowl with tortoise interior, $165. Fig Modern, Conway, figmodern.com 20 The Peabody Matchbook watercolor print, 9”x12”, $48. Sugartown Mercantile, Stuttgart, sugartownmercantile.com 21 Dolly Parton stencil art by Jay Hinely, $420. The Details, Fayetteville, thedetailsyall.com 22 Tabletop fondue dip set, $27.50. Rhea Drug Store, Little Rock, rheadrugstore.com 23 JB Star diamond circle earrings, $14,900. Romance Diamond Co. Jewelers, Fayetteville and Rogers, romancediamond.com 24 Pixie Mood vegan leather backpack, $100. Rejuvenation Clinic Day Spa, Little Rock, rejuvenationclinic.com

25 Oliver Pluff & Co. “Soothing Tonic” hot toddy cocktail recipe set, $38. Talk of the Table, Fayetteville, talkofthetable.myshopify.com 26 David Yurman “DY Elements” ring in 18K yellow gold with pavé diamonds, $4,800. Sissy’s Log Cabin, Pine Bluff, Jonesboro, Conway, and Little Rock (Heights and Chenal Promenade), sissyslogcabin.com 27 Juliska “Winter Frolic” oval platter in Ruby from the Country Estate collection, $150. Tipton & Hurst, Conway, Little Rock, and Pine Bluff, tiptonhurst.com 28 Baobab “Maasai” candle from the Feathers collection, $146. Tipton & Hurst, Little Rock, tiptonhurst.com 29 Adult and child’s striped apron set, $47 (plus $8 for customization). Mrs. Polka Dot, Little Rock, mrspolkadot.net 30 Avocado salt and pepper shakers, $25. The Details, Fayetteville, thedetailsyall.com 31 Marco Bicego 18K yellow, white, and rose gold three-row bracelet from the Masai collection, $3,450. Romance Diamond Co. Jewelers, Fayetteville and Rogers, romancediamond.com

Must-Haves for Him

32 291 Barrel Proof Colorado Bourbon Whiskey, $109.99. The Ridge Wine & Spirits, Little Rock, 501.225.8060 33 Tag Heuer “Aquaracer” automatic watch with green dial and titanium band, $4,200. Romance Diamond Co. Jewelers, Fayetteville and Rogers, romancediamond. com 34 Sitka “Jetstream” windproof, fleece-lined jacket in Deep Lichen, $379. Fort Thompson Sporting Goods, Sherwood, ftthompson.com 35 Cock-A-Doodle Brew beer can chicken rub, $8.99 Ken Rash's Arkansas, Little Rock, kenrashsoutdoorfurniture.com 36 Duck Camp mallard embroidered snap-back hat, $33. Sugartown Mercantile, Stuttgart, sugartownmercantile.com 37 Dog-shaped glass whiskey decanter, $65. 501 Faire, Benton, shop501faire.com

HAPPYHolidays!

Kelly Fraiser, publisher

Before Christmas, my favorite tradition is picking out the perfect Fraser fir tree with my family. On Christmas day, when the last present has been opened and the food is put away, I love just laying on the sofa watching A Christmas Story all day long—maybe with a quick nap in there somewhere.

Taylor Evans, advertising art director

Growing up we always opened one gift on Christmas Eve. I just got married in July and look forward to continuing this while starting new traditions with my husband, Mike, and our future family. I've always loved the idea of matching PJs on Christmas Eve!

Stephanie Maxwell Newton, editor-in-chief

I love wrapping presents. I’ll usually wait until I have a big stack of gifts to do all at once, then settle in with a holiday movie and mug of mulled wine and get after it. It gets me in the holiday spirit and so excited for the season!

Isabella James, account manager

After church on Christmas Eve, my family loves to play board games (Scattergories is a recent favorite) while watching Christmas movies. The next day, we all cook Christmas dinner together from scratch.

Olivia Bynum, account manager

After the Christmas Eve church service, my family and I open one present each in matching pajamas. In the morning, we enjoy breakfast, specifically cinnamon rolls and mimosas, while we open more gifts.

Laura LaRue, online editor

We go to the Capital Hotel for a special storytime with Santa every year. From the toddler-sized white robes the children wear to the little sparkle in my sons’ eyes, it’s a memory that is precious to me. It’s so magical!

Bailey Dougan, art director

Every year, my family and I go to the movie theater on Christmas night wearing matching Christmas-themed onesies. We get stares and laughs the whole time we are there, but it is truly one of the funniest nights—and so fun!

We’re wishing you a very merry Christmas, from our office to your home. Here are a few of our favorite traditions this time of year