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November 2016 | athomearkansas.com 53

Life/Flavor

S O U T H E R N C O M F O R T S

HomeGilted antique

heirlooms make a striking statement

against a Chinoiserie wallpaper by Griffin & Wong in the master

bedroom of designer M. Bruce Woodward’s family residence. Turn to page 64 to read the

full story.

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64 At Home in Arkansas | November 2016

ON THE BANKS OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER, A TOWNHOUSE BUILT BY A PROMINENT LITTLE ROCK DEVELOPER IS NOW HOME TO A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE FURNITURE, BOOKS, AND MAPS

HISTORICALInfluence

S TO RY: J EN N I FER BO N DSPH OTO G R A PH Y: R E T T PEEK

S T Y LI N G : CH I P J O N E S


DDownsizing Does not mean sacrificing style, as designer M. Bruce Woodward proved when he and his mother and father—Mr. and Mrs. Mac Woodward—moved from their family home on Edgehill to a smaller townhouse near the banks of the Arkansas River. “You can live just as well in 1,000 square feet as in 7,000. It’s about making classic choices that fit your lifestyle,” he says. Woodward gave the home, built by developer Virginia Bailey, a fresh update with an extra dose of style, keeping the Southern principles of comfort and practical formality in mind. And, while, Woodward’s father passed away shortly after the move, he and his mother continue to enjoy the easy elegance of the newly renovated home.

DESIGNING IN THE DETAILSThe Woodwards call Little Rock home, but also spend time on their ancestral property near Magnolia, so their goal was to find a smaller space reminiscent of a grand, formal home. At first glance, he thought paint and a few minor updates would suffice, but, in the end, the entire

unit was taken down to its studs. “Once we got knee-deep in the renovation, I decided to make 40-year choices,” Woodward explains. “I wanted to add a lot of detail and sophistication.” Inspired by homes in Charleston and New York, Woodward added moulding, paneling, and—in a few select places—wallpaper to the Georgian-inspired residence, which was built in the early 1980s. A soft gray paint color provides continuity throughout the downstairs rooms and is an unobtrusive backdrop for the family’s collection of antiques. Woodward punctuated the spaces with muted colors, bold—but minimal—accessories, and modern art. “Design is cyclical. Some things may fall out of favor temporarily, but a classic style will always come back around,” he says.

TIMELESS FORMALITY“To enclose a room instead of open it up is almost unheard of these days,” Woodward says of his decision to remove an opening into the kitchen that was over the sink. “It’s still very accessible to the map room and the dining room,

The symmetrical entrance speaks to the home’s Georgian influence. The gas lanterns are Bevelo, door hardware is Edgar Berebi, and the cast iron urns are antique. Facing

page: The living room ceiling had to be reinforced to hold the

bronze chandelier the Woodwards brought from Edgehill. A striking

pair of 18th century porcelain urns sit on 19th century gilt mounts.

They, the sconces, and the chandelier all came from a friend and antiques dealer in New York.

but with doors, there is also the option to close it off.” An avid cook, Woodward puts the space to frequent use, but designed the cabinetry to conceal the more hardworking features. Slide-out drawers inside the cabinetry hold china, two sinks and two dishwashers—hidden behind panels—make cleanup a breeze, and the countertop is a durable blend of marble and granite. Central to the rooms at the back of the house, Woodward designed the space to feel more like a butler’s pantry. “It’s all there; I just don’t like to see it,” he explains.

Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining room is the home’s only eating space. “This was the Baileys’ private residence, and I took a lot of the styling cues from them and the way they lived and entertained,” Woodward says. The pretzel-back dining chairs by Baker are covered in olive-green leather (“Save your Fortuny for a spot where you won’t spill gravy,” Woodward suggests), and several pieces of the family’s silver are more than display items. “I believe in using the good stuff,” Woodward says. “If you have it, why not use it?”


IN THE FAMILY“I love to use family pieces, but I think it is important not to force it,” Woodward says. “If something isn’t working, call up a relative and see if anyone else is interested.” Case-in-point, the gilt mirror in the dining room. “I had my eye on it at Marshall Clements for several years,” he recalls. “And sure, there were a few other [family owned] things I could have used in that space, but this one just makes me happy.” Many of the family’s 18th- and 19th-century antiques did make the move from their Edgehill residence, including a bronze chandelier and several Persian rugs, from which Woodward likes to pull the color scheme for a room.

Woodward’s late father was state geologist emeritus and had a fantastic trove of state-related treasures. A collection of Arkansas maps that spans three generations is on display in the cozy map room—a favorite spot for after-dinner drinks. An 1871 map by David Fulton Shall, the state’s first cartographer, has the prominent position over the mantle. Woodward had a mahogany sideboard built into one wall and hired David Zoellner to give the room a faux bois finish.

Upstairs, the master bedroom has the feel of a fine European hotel room, with a custom hand-painted Chinoiserie wallpaper by Griffin & Wong. French furnishings, including a new marble mantle, an Empire-style bed, and lush draperies give the room a sense of history.

“There is something very practical and Southern about using what you already own, just in a new way,” Woodward says. “And I do believe in paring down, just pare down with the very best you can afford.”

The inlaid chest is an 18th century Dutch piece. The portrait is believed to depict children from the Galloway family. Below: The map room’s faux bois paint technique mimics warm pine paneling. Mrs. Woodward bought the Waterford chandelier while on vacation in Ireland. The books are Woodward’s grandmother’s collection, and are all by Arkansas authors. The acid green ceiling color was pulled from the Chinese rose famille lamps. Woodward bought the cranberry glass urns in New Orleans. Facing page: The paint finish in the dining room was selected to enhance the plaster work and molding. The 18th century gilt mirror is from Marshall Clements. The Persian rug is an antique.


The kitchen’s ceiling is papered in a graphic print by Nina Campbell. The refrigerator, freezer, warming drawers, and dishwashers are all concealed behind cabinetry panels. The hardware is silver gilt, and task lighting is conspicuously hidden in the molding.

THERE IS SOMETHING VERY PRACTICAL AND Southern

ABOUT USING WHAT YOU ALREADY OWN, JUST IN A NEW WAY.

—M. Bruce Woodward

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”


Design ResourcesContractor Richard Harp, Richard Harp Homes, Inc., Little Rock, (501) 690-4277, richardharphomes.comInterior design M. Bruce Woodward, M. Bruce Woodward Interiors and Design, Little Rock and Magnolia, (501) 681-4630Landscaping David Munsey, Better Lawns & Gardens, Little Rock, (501) 454-9803, betterlawnsar.comAccessories, art, fabrics, furniture, hardware, and wall coverings M. Bruce Woodward Interiors and Design, Little Rock and Magnolia, (501) 681-4630Glass West Little Rock Glass, Little Rock, (501) 223-3034, westlittlerockglass.netLighting The Shade Above, Little Rock, (501) 374-3555, theshadeabove.comMirror Marshall Clements, Little Rock, (501) 663-1828, West Little Rock, (501) 954-7900, marshallclements.comPainting Greg Taylor, CertaPro Painters, (501) 223-8998, little-rock.certapro.comPainting—decorative David Zoellner, Metropolitan Decorating, Little Rock, (501) 529-2079, zartistguy.comRugs Hadidi Oriental Rug Co., Little Rock, (501) 225-8999, hadidiruggallery.com

A soft duck egg green envelops the master bedroom. The bed is a reproduction by Baker. Light and privacy are controlled by shutters installed on the outside of the windows. Woodward had the master bath clad in mirrors with an antique finish by West Little Rock Glass. The hardware is by Edgar Berebi.


Billy Hartness ConstruCtion inC.,

LittLe Rock

Bosley ConstruCtion, LittLe Rock

Bret Franks ConstruCtion, conway and

LittLe Rock

BuFFington Homes, FayetteviLLe

C. Cougill rooFing Co., noRth LittLe Rock

Carl gray Henson ConstruCtion,

LittLe Rock

CeltiC ConstruCtion, SpRingdaLe

CHarles Jordan ConstruCtion, LittLe Rock

CHuCk Hamilton ConstruCtion, LittLe Rock

Creative HeigHts Partners, llC, LittLe Rock

Curtis ContraCting, inC., LittLe Rock

david Harris ConstruCtion Co., RogeRS

denton ContraCtors, llC, Lavaca

dwellings, inC., LittLe Rock

e. ward ConstruCtion, LittLe Rock

Fred lord, LittLe Rock

geer ConstruCtion, hot SpRingS

graHam smitH ConstruCtion, LittLe Rock

HendriCks ConstruCtion ComPany, conway

Hennard Custom Homes, LittLe Rock

Hines Homes, MauMeLLe

Homes By ward, LoweLL

JaCk Hartsell ConstruCtion, LittLe Rock

Jon CallaHan ConstruCtion, JackSonviLLe

JosH Porter, inC., RogeRS

keitH Hardin ConstruCtion (kHC),

LittLe Rock

kevin HugHes ConstruCtion ComPany,

LittLe Rock

l and F ConstruCtion, FayetteviLLe

lynn diCkey ConstruCtion, inC., MauMeLLe

mark Baker Custom Homes, LittLe Rock

mCmaHon BrotHers ConstruCtion,

FayetteviLLe

mJ Herr ConstruCtion, LittLe Rock

Parkinson Building grouP, LittLe Rock

randy James ConstruCtion,

noRth LittLe Rock

randy wiggins ComPany, inC., SheRwood

reForm design + Build, conway

renaissanCe Homes, noRth LittLe Rock

riCHard HarP Homes, inC., LittLe Rock

river roCk Builders, LittLe Rock

river valley Builders, LittLe Rock

sCHrader Homes, llC, BRyant

summerwood, inC., LittLe Rock

tHe dillon grouP, LittLe Rock

treeCe ContraCting, llC, gReenBRieR

turner & sons ConstruCtion, LittLe Rock

willmark Homes, llC, LittLe Rock

woodHaven Homes, MauMeLLe

Each month we ask you—our valued readers—to share your top picks for everything from landscaping professionals to restaurants in our Local Favorites poll. Here’s a look at your favorite Arkansas

homebuilders.

local favorites2016

homebuilders


“Do it! If you are going to spend the money on a new home, you deserve the highest return on your investment. Build the home where you will create memories for the next 20 years. Use your dollars where you feel them best spent. You’ll experience an excitement in coming home every day knowing you created it!”

—RIchaRD haRp, RIchaRD haRp homes, INc.

“Use a builder you trust and that you feel will provide you the best service. You can tell pretty quickly if you want to be in a working relationship with someone. That gut feeling is usually correct.”

—DUsTIN heNNaRD, heNNaRD cUsTom homes

"count the cost first. I do a detailed estimate for every client, then we can track cost as we pay bills and produce a job cost report to stay in budget. I walk them through the project on paper before we do anything else. That's the whole success of building a home."

—RaNDY WIggINs, RaNDY WIggINs co., INc.

What’s your best advice for someone Who is considering building his or her first home?

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See one of Richard’s projects featured in this

issue on page 64!

r i c h a r d h a r p h o m e s . c o m

5 0 1 . 6 9 0 . 4 2 7 7f a c e b o o k . c o m / R i c h a r d H a r p H o m e s

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