Shine ID Studio, Jill White Designs and AC Designs give us a tour of some of their most swoon-worthy recent projects.
SAFE & SOUND IN STYLE
Designers: Natalie Biles + Stacey Breezeel, Shine ID Studio
Location: Chenal Valley
Photography: Aaron Stone Photography
What were the major goals of this home?
This new construction home was designed to accommodate the homeowner’s severe health condition. Her mast cell activation syndrome led to a condition with a severe, often anaphylactic and life-threatening latex allergy. The clients approached the design team needing help with everything from careful material selection to furnishing selection and installation. They not only wanted the home to be healthy, but to be designed in a beautiful, updated traditional style with Old World touches. Indoor air quality and healthy materials were also essential to the project.
The color palette was chosen to provide a clean and serene feel while traditional fabric patterns and furniture forms provide a traditional home aesthetic. We were tasked with not only making the home environment beautiful and comfortable, but also healthy and accessible.
What were the must-haves for the homeowners?
They wanted the home to be healthy and also serve as a retreat and a gathering space, as the health condition keeps the owner almost completely homebound. They wanted a space for their children, grandchildren and friends to gather and entertain.
They had personal requests of creating a gourmet kitchen they could cook and entertain in, as well as personal hobby spaces such as a piano room, wine room and outdoor living.
How did the initial concept evolve en route to the final project, if at all?
After the initial design presentation, the powder bath wallpaper and the fabric in the kitchen were stand-out favorites, and we tailored the remainder of the house to the color palette.
More often than not, a home built with sustainability in mind lends itself to capturing a more modern aesthetic. From the very beginning, we tailored our design to utilize products, materials and finishes that supported the client’s desire for a traditional home aesthetic with Old World touches. This design direction was carried throughout the whole project.
What’s your favorite attribute of the home?
There is a sense of peace and comfort as soon as you enter the home. It’s beautiful and inviting. The entry takes you down a hallway filled with personal touches curated just for this family, then the spaces start to open up with gathering spaces filled with sunlight.
It gave us great joy to see the couple with children and grandchildren enjoying the space together.
What lesson did you learn from this project that you’ll take with you going forward?
With every design decision we make, we can make choices that have an impact on the health and wellness of a home and our clients. It has challenged us as designers to incorporate more of these practices into each project.
LAKE LIVING
Designer: Jill White, Jill White Designs
Location: Heber Springs
Photography: Jason Masters
What were the major goals of this home?
To open the space up more for family hangouts and entertaining and to better highlight the views that were previously blocked from the common areas.
What were the must-haves for the homeowners?
A large island with lake views and a more open living concept vs. the choppiness that it previously had.
How did the initial concept evolve en route to the final project, if at all?
We had a pretty solid vision. The main goal was removing the sunroom to open up the rooms more and create an open concept. Other than tweaking the kitchen layout, we really didn’t stray from the original goal.
What’s your favorite attribute of the space?
Definitely the kitchen. Removing the wall that made the old sunroom really transformed the entire space and highlighted the lake, which is the main focus for this property.
What lesson did you learn from this project that you’ll take with you going forward?
That I’d like more lake house projects! Waking up here the day after install was dreamy. The views all across the back of the house are killer.
MODERN LINES
Designer: Amy Terry, AC Designs
Location: Chenal Valley
Photography: Jason Masters
What were the major goals of this home?
The major goal of this project was to create an open living space with clean lines. We wanted an open concept that allowed the kitchen to be incorporated into the den area and an upstairs walkway overlooking the downstairs. The homeowner has great taste and also trusted us to create and make selections we knew would look great. That trust in the designer always makes a project look its best.
What were the must-haves for the homeowners?
The homeowner wanted lots of natural light, and this was accomplished with an abundance of windows throughout the main living space.
How did the initial concept evolve en route to the final project, if at all?
The initial concept was a large open space where all of their living could happen, and I think we accomplished that.
What’s your favorite attribute of the home?
The builder, Brenda Hartness, was amazing to work with and helped our visions come to life. We liked a modern overall feel, but with some more traditional touches in the accents. My favorite room is the primary bedroom. I love the accent wall and draperies. The lighting we chose is also a favorite.
What lesson did you learn from this project that you’ll take with you going forward?
I feel like I’m always learning new lessons with each project. With this project, I was reminded of the value of a great builder and subcontractors in dealing with any problems and issues. I always try to remember that there will always be a problem with new construction. What matters is if we can get the problem solved. Great builders and resources make that happen.