To accomplish this, a recreation room next to the home’s existing kitchen was transformed to become the new kitchen. The old kitchen space was then converted to a dining area. To keep with the home’s woodsy setting and rustic exterior, Jim used similar materials in the kitchen. The rocks used on the island’s pillars and in the entry column were matched to the home’s exterior stone. Additionally, the flooring and handcrafted trusses along the ceiling were made from Arkansas cypress, adding to the room’s forest-like feel. In an effort to bring in a touch of color, Jim chose a rich green for the dining area wall and the tile along the kitchen’s backsplash, similar to the green you might encounter on a nature trail. Since light was a major goal in the renovation, Jim knew the area had to be opened up. A combination of skylights, high ceilings, and a wall of windows helped to achieve this. While both Jim and Robynn wanted to be respectful of the home’s natural footprint they also wanted the latest conveniences. They installed new stainless-steel appliances to make the kitchen workable and added a contemporary touch with furnishings and accessories. Radiant heat flooring, which is both cost and energy effective, was installed to provide additional warmth in cooler months. The design results in a style that Jim laughingly calls “rust-tech.”
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At Home in Arkansas