LIVING SPACES
By Nancy Peevy | Photos by Chadwick Turner
Putting Down Roots
This Fayetteville couple chose Northwest Arkansas twice
In Fayetteville, Nick and Becca Montesano have found what they believe to be the perfect combination of big-city careers paired with small-town life.
The couple met while attending the College of New Jersey and both interned at the consumer sales division of Johnson & Johnson. After accepting full-time roles there, they were eager to get the coveted experience of working with the world’s No. 1 retailer — Walmart. They thought the move to Arkansas would be a quick stint, and even moved back to the Northeast after a few years to pursue other work opportunities. But they eventually realized no place felt quite like home the way Northwest Arkansas did.
“We both had careers in consumer-packaged goods, and it felt possible here to have big work ambitions with a much easier quality of life,” Becca said. “We found community really quickly, and we felt that it would be a great place to start a family. It felt like a really unique balance of big city perks with a small-town feel, which we had a hard time finding anything similar elsewhere. It’s a very special place.”
So, Nick and Becca decided to move back to Northwest Arkansas, build a house and put down roots in Fayetteville.
In looking for a lot to build on, the Montesanos were able to find one in an established neighborhood in Fayetteville called Remington Estates. After Nick and Becca interviewed several builders, a friend suggested Amanda Edgmon with Stone Harbor Custom Homes.
“We hit it off right away, and we knew that we wanted her to build our house,” Nick said. “The company was started by her parents 30 years ago. The coolest thing about it is they’re a very small shop. They only do a few houses at a time, so they really connect with their clients. You’re getting that personal touch. They’re solely focused on your house. You’re not just a number to them. They truly stand by their quality, and they want you to be happy.”
Being a “trusted partner who listens and brings vision to life” is an important part of Stone Harbor, Edgmon said.
“The best homes begin with understanding the people who will live in them,” she said. “Before we talk about floor plans, there are conversations: ‘How does your family live? What matters to you? What do you want your home to make easier, better or more enjoyable?’ That understanding shapes everything that comes next. For us, luxury isn’t about expensive finishes or a massive amount of square footage; it’s about time and the experience of being thoughtfully guided through a major life decision.”
Edgmon said she believes the baseline for a good builder is knowing “things like knowledge of the area, quality construction, ability to nail a timeline and land on budget.”
“We strive to be more than good,” she said. “We strive to be the builder that listens, that understands how a family wants to live, brings experience to the decisions along the way and creates a home that is uniquely theirs.”
For their home, the Montesanos wanted “an open concept with a lot of natural light,” Becca said. “We wanted high ceilings throughout the house, which we have in the living room and primary suite, and we wanted it to be really livable.”
The couple’s two-story floor plan includes an open kitchen, living room and dining room, which is great for gathering the family or entertaining. The expansive living room, with a large fireplace, has a wall of windows and doors that open to an outdoor patio space that features a second fireplace and flows out to the saltwater swimming pool. The home also has a dedicated heated and cooled workout room in the third car portion of the garage.
In the middle of the build, Nick and Becca found out they were expecting their first baby, so they had a deadline to get into the house. They were pleased that Edgmon worked hard to get them into the house well before the baby was born so they would feel settled.
“We really enjoyed working with Amanda and her project manager, Todd, to the point where we stay in touch and had them over for dinner once the house was done,” Nick said. “I think for a builder partnership with clients, you hear a lot of horror stories, and our experience with them couldn’t have been more opposite.”
Now the Montesanos have the perfect spot to raise their daughter, Maren, thrive in their careers and spend time with Becca’s family nearby. And there’s plenty of room for Nick’s family to visit often.
“It’s nice to be able to have a community of friends here and also family too,” Becca said.
The couple has hosted their daughter’s baby shower, a Friendsgiving at Thanksgiving, Becca’s sister’s wedding rehearsal dinner, and lots of friends and family.
“It’s easy to have friends over on a random Thursday night,” Nick said. “And the day to day is just more fun. From the small moments to the big ones, our house turned out to be the perfect place to celebrate all of them.”
The Montesanos feel with full confidence that their decisions to both put down roots in Northwest Arkansas and work with Stone Harbor to build their dream home were among the best they could have made. Safe to say, they are home to stay.
Home Pros:
Appliances: Metro Appliances • Builder/Contractor/Architect • Stone Harbor Custom Homes • architect Nick Pierce • Cabinets: Justus Cabinets • Concrete/Driveways/Walkways: JW Fritts Concrete • Décor/Furnishings: Murray Hill Market; Pottery Barn; Precious Cargo • Doors/Windows: Harry G. Barr Co. • Drapes/Fabrics: Ikiriska Custom Curtains • Electronics/Electrician/Wiring/Alarm System: Powers Electric • Fixtures: Lighting Emporium; Kichler; Lowe’s • Flooring: ProSource of Northwest Arkansas; M & M Tile and Carpet • Flooring/Tile Installation: Molina Flooring • Garage Doors: A-Z Overhead Doors • Granite/Marble/Tile: Pacific Shore Stones; Genesis Countertops and Accessories • HVAC: Armor Heating & Air • Landscaping/Lawn Care: On It Property Maintenance; Blue Dog Farms Landscaping • Masonry/Bricks: Paez Masonry • Painting: Quality Pro Painting • Plumbing/Fixtures: Delta; Ferguson; J&B Supply • Pool/Pool Service: Backyard Customs; Aqua Clean Pools • Shower Doors: Abram’s Glass • Trim: Newton Brown • Additional Vendors: Thomas Fence