OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING
By Daniel Keeley | Photos by Chadwick Turner
Thrill of the Grill
The Setting
Oversized windows and French doors connect the pavilion visually and physically to the garden outside.
A multipurpose bar counter provides extra space for activities ranging from dining to doing homework. Here it serves as a beautiful backdrop, decorated with a collection of tropical plants and blue-and-white porcelain from Tipton & Hurst.
An eclectic combination of an outdoor table and chairs offers flexible options for entertaining. For this occasion, Dayana Muir at Tipton & Hurst created this beautiful table setting, complete with elegant Ginori 1735 porcelain. Tipton & Hurstis the exclusive dealer in Northwest Arkansas for Ginori 1735. The pattern featured here is Oriente Italiano — the white is Aurum and the blue is Pervinca.
Custom arched gates create a welcoming entry into the bluestone dining patio and grill center. They also discreetly separate the space from the adjacent carport as well as the street beyond.
A shaded lounge area at the back of the garden, with comfortable seating and a cozy fire pit, is the perfect place for relaxing after dinner.
While we always eagerly anticipate our annual Thrill of the Grill gathering, this year was particularly exciting. The first reason is the location: one of our recent projects for some of our favorite clients. Initially tasked with updating a crowded and crumbling patio and transforming an old shed into a useful space, we ended up with a total garden overhaul. The project is complete with a new, four-season pavilion that plays host to everything from poker nights to family projects to, of course, grill parties.
The second reason this year’s Thrill of the Grill was so exciting is that chef Case Dighero teamed up with Atlas the Restaurant for the grilling menu. Not only is Atlas one of Northwest Arkansas’ premier dining experiences but executive chef and owner Elliot Hunt is a dear and longtime friend. Finally, for this year’s décor, we partnered with Tipton & Hurst. Lead designer and event specialist Dayana Muir and her team helped create a truly beautiful setting (and made my job a breeze!), so, read on. We think you, too, will find this year’s griller particularly thrilling!
Swivel chairs upholstered in outdoor fabric transform the corners of the pavilion into cozy nooks — perfect for reading, observing game nights or enjoying a cup of morning coffee.
HOME PROS:
Architect: Parker & Associates Architects
Brick: Ryder Brick, Inc.
Builder: L&F Construction
Cabinetry: Justus Cabinets
Countertops: New Century Countertops
Design/Appliances/Fabrics/Furniture/Hardware/Lighting/Rugs: DK Design
Masonry: Mayes Masonry
Millwork: Osage Custom Trim, LLC
Stone: Schwartz Stone Company
Table Setting Styling: Tipton & Hurst
Windows/Doors: Meek’s