CURRENTLY CLASSIC

THE NEW TRADITIONAL ISSUE

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Traditional blends with contemporary in the mantel’s trio of artwork. The largest, a vintage floral painting inherited from one of the homeowner’s grandmothers, is complemented by a Renee Bouchon abstract work and a gilded floral piece.

Currently Classic A NEW TIMELESS

Designer Melissa Haynes works with a Fayetteville family to create a new home filled with beloved furnishings, fresh colors, and plenty of charm

hen Melissa Haynes first et her clients—Tonia and Brad McMakin and their son, Matthew—she sensed they were ready to uild a ho e they would enjoy for decades to co e. The couple found a site in an area particularly dear to them; Brad is the golf coach at the University of Arkansas, and this neighborhood houses the team’s practice course. “They have such a sense of community here, and really wanted to put down roots in this neighborhood,” Melissa says.

Over the course of five years, Melissa and her team drew plans for a home on the site and assisted

ELEGANT MEETS COMFORTABLE Melissa notes it was important to Tonia to create a living space that feels as comfortable as it looks elegant. Luxurious velvet chairs trimmed in bullion fringe sitting opposite a pair of more casual English roll arm chairs convey this mix. The same goes for the room’s artwork, where florals and abstracts add to the color palette of apricot and green without adhering too closely to any one style. “Layering in pieces that are a bit unexpected gives a room a well-rounded, collected look,” Melissa says.

GREEN WITH BEAUTY “Tonia loves green, so we incorporated it throughout the house,” Melissa says, noting the celadon Barbara Barry for Ann Sacks backsplash in the kitchen. Rather than complement the hue with a neutral color or a more predictable shade of blue, Melissa and her team paired it with shades of apricot (as seen on the barstools and in the adjoining hearth room) for a twist on tradition.

Design elements such as the honed Carrara marble and bell jar pendants over the island keep the space rooted in classics.

in the build. When it came time to work on the interiors, the McMakins had a number of early antique furniture pieces and collectibles they hoped to use in the new home. “Tonia wanted to freshen up their look and lighten the palette, but also mix in some heirloom and vintage pieces,” Melissa says. While the family’s style leans traditional, it was equally important the home be comfortable and welcoming, as they often entertain and host the golf team for less formal get-togethers. Durable fabrics, inviting chairs, and rooms that flow one into another lend themselves to these gatherings without veering from the classic flair. The result is an artful mix that suits the family and proves to be inviting for guests.

KEEPING CLOSE The hearth room, which adjoins the kitchen, allows the family to spend time with the cook while relaxing. A built-in cabinet keeps treasured heirlooms, like Tonia’s collection of Majolica, close at hand. The brown sofa is a favorite lounging spot for the family’s black Lab, Annie. “We went with a dark, durable velvet here so she can have free rein over the space,” Melissa says of the practical and inviting fabric selection.

NOOK AND TIDY A cozy banquette in the kitchen serves as the main dining space for the family. Melissa notes the green accents seen indoors act as a neutral against the green backdrop of a wooded area and the golf course seen through the windows. A custom, cerused oak table pairs with lattice-back chairs to provide additional seating for a crowd, while a glossy shaded pendant with a warm, brass interior lends a current polish.

“We wanted this whole house to be a simplified version of traditional style.”

—Melissa Haynes, designer

Built-in drawers are a smart storage solution.

SUITE LIFE A velvet upholstered bed frame and coordinating drapery panels carry the home’s signature green hue—interpreted in a slate variant here—into the private spaces. Contemporary lamps, which appear to have been dipped in gold leaf, lend a fresh air while playing off the waves on the mirror seen over the headboard. At the foot of the bed, classic and current mix effortlessly in the structured bench covered with an agate-inspired silk fabric. In the bath, marble, shaded sconces, and glass accents give a sleek, elegant look. “This is a timeless and clean bath they are not going to tire of in 20 years,” Melissa says.

Design Resources INTERIOR DESIGN Melissa Haynes, MH Design CONTRACTOR Ashley Patrick, L&F Construction ACCESSORIES, ART, BEDDING, FABRICS, FIXTURES, FURNITURE, LIGHTING, RUGS, TILE, AND WALLPAPER MH Design APPLIANCES Metro Appliances & More FLOORING Wood Floor Gallery PAINT Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams WINDOW COVERINGS Mountjoy Draperies