WELCOME

In my early 20s, years before I worked anywhere near the interior design industry, I made a New Year’s resolution that I still think about today: I vowed to make my home my sanctuary. I was living alone for the first time and, with un-hung art and belongings arranged only haphazardly since move-in, I realized my apartment was a place I’d rather avoid than come home to. After the resolution, I hung art, painted my dresser pink, and arranged my books by spine color. Even while low on budget and square footage, a few intentional decisions allowed me to finally relax in the space instead of finding every excuse to get out of it.

Since the first case of COVID-19 in Arkansas was announced in early March, this idea of “loving your space” is something our team has talked about a lot (via Zoom, of course). For those who have been able to stay home while social distancing, your house might be filling a new role as a classroom or home office, and it can be hard to feel at peace in a place that’s working so much harder than usual. For those who haven’t, whose work is essential to the community, I hope your home feels like a refuge after a long day—after all, you’re keeping the nation running, and we are so grateful for your service.

In publishing we’re always working ahead. I’m writing this letter about a month before the issue will land on newsstands, and it’s hard to know what our reality will be by the time it’s in your hands. All I can hope is that our magazine offers a bit of happiness and levity for our readers and that your home offers you sanctuary, especially now. Photograph by Rett Peek

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Stephanie Maxwell Newton, editor stephanie@athomearkansas.com