Southern Radiance
With its eye-catching stone facade and sleek, simple lines, it’s clear why the current owners were instantly captivated by this beautiful property. It took years of patient searching for them to find the ideal place to raise their family. “We had been working with Amy Warren for about ten years trying to find the perfect house. Every time I asked her to show us a house, I know she probably thought, ‘Oh, it’s her again,’ but one day, we were on vacation, and she sent these pictures. I thought, ‘This is not Texarkana. There’s no way. Where is this house?’ As soon as we got back, she showed it to us, and luckily, it all worked out because we love it.”
Inside and out, a space has been curated that is traditional and welcoming without being fussy. When you first enter, there is a large curved staircase accentuated by a circular light fixture. Tucked into the bend of the stairs is an antique sideboard showcasing a sterling silver tea set that once belonged to the owner’s grandmother. This level of personalization and attention to detail continues to be exemplified throughout the house, and this is not at all surprising, considering that the owner has a degree in interior design and previously worked in the design field. On top of this, she grew up in Tennessee, where she developed a love for all things truly Southern, and this taste is reflected throughout the house in her choice of both colors and accents, such as the blue and white chinoiserie porcelain pieces in the living room.
Particular attention has been paid to each of the art pieces across the house. “Art is a big thing for me. I don’t like to hang just anything on the wall just to fill up space. I’ll leave things blank until I find something I really like,” the homeowner explained. In addition to the various collected pieces, a lot of the art is personalized. In the living room, a series of watercolor portraits of the owners’ children hang near the fireplace; this set was commissioned by former Pleasant Grove exchange student and now professional artist Alla Bartoshchuk. The master bedroom displays two pieces that were made as a collaboration between the family and local artist Nicole Brisco.“The boys each did one of those. I picked out some paint colors and let them just go to town,” she explained. “Then Nicole came back, toned it down, and added her signature look.” Also commissioned by Brisco is a large mixed-media piece at the back entrance. At first glance, the work looks like simple abstract art, but upon closer inspection, significant dates can be found discreetly worked into the piece so as not to distract but to enhance. “Those are dates that were important to our family— when my in-laws were married, when my husband was born, when I was born, when my parents were married, and other dates like that,” she said.
Perhaps more important than being the perfect place to awe guests and display meaningful art, the house is also the perfect place to raise three kids. Upstairs, the children’s rooms have each been designed to reflect the tastes and personalities of each without disrupting the cohesiveness of the property. One of the boys requested antlers he had mounted from a couple of successful hunting trips be included. The owner was able to work the real antlers in with a modern, decorative mount, hinting at a hunting theme while also maintaining the overall style of the home. In her other son’s room, she intentionally layered masculine textures and patterns to create a space that will continue to grow with him. Across the hall, their daughter’s room is all things girl—florals, pinks, and dainty details. “Those two lamps were my grandmother’s. I’ve always thought they were so sweet,” she said. The antique lights are perfectly situated atop a white dresser and in front of a beautiful pink and gray floral wallpaper for another feminine layer.
This home, with its blend of tradition, personalization, and thoughtfulness, truly reflects the family that inhabits it. Beyond being a building with beautiful design, it is a place where memories are made and cherished, and each room tells a story of its own.
Location
Pleasant Grove
Landscaping
Brothers Landscaping
interior wall color
Sherwin Williams Alabaster
Custom Framing
Christopher’s Frame Shop
Shutters & Blinds
Blind Ambition
Electronics and Media
Soundz Good Audio & Video
