English Countryside Meets Modern Art in This Arkansas Home
After its recent transformation, this historic Fort Smith, Arkansas home is equal parts English country house and modern art gallery. Take a look inside! Image: Mark Roskams
Set on five lush acres in Fort Smith, AR, a stately home with more than a century of history has been radically reborn. Interior designer Chris Goddard of Goddard Design Group knows the property well. In fact, this marks his second full renovation of the space. What was once an English countryside-style retreat has been transformed into a refined, art-filled residence that reflects a new chapter for its owner.
PinDreaming of a trip to the English countryside? The exterior of this Arkansas home can take you there without ever leaving the U.S. Image: Mark Roskams
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Originally a modest stone structure built over 100 years ago, the home’s historical bones still shine through. “The original stone façade still remains,” Chris explains, “but the house has been added onto multiple times over the years.” The first renovation, designed by Chris for a married couple, reflected an English country house aesthetic: rich in antiques, old-world textures, and European charm.
But life changed. The couple divorced, and the husband, now the sole owner, sought a dramatic reinvention. “He wanted the house gutted and turned into the ultimate bachelor pad filled with modern furnishings and contemporary art,” says Chris. “A total change from what it looked like before.”
PinWith 5,800 square feet of carefully considered design, the home is both profoundly personal and effortlessly sophisticated. Image: Mark RoskamsPinGreenery offsets the myriad of patterns and textures. Image: Mark RoskamsPinPops of color abound. Image: Mark Roskams
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For Chris, reimagining a space he had once designed was a rare opportunity to stretch creatively. “Having spent so much time on the first remodel, it was great fun to reimagine a classic space in a more modern way without being disrespectful to the architecture,” he says. And while the layout remained traditional, with “perfect proportions that make for great flow and easy color transitions,” everything else was up for reinterpretation.
Chris’s aesthetic is known for its fearless individuality. “I never do the same thing twice or repeat furnishings or textiles,” he emphasizes. “Each client is different, and their interiors should reflect that. I have never understood formulaic design or repetition.”
That philosophy comes to life in every corner of this house, where authenticity meets modern flair. The kitchen island, for instance, is fashioned from an 18th-century Dutch painter’s table, grounding the space in history. The flooring throughout the home was salvaged and imported from Europe. “I wanted the background to be authentic to the time period the house was built and juxtapose that with modernity,” Chris notes.
Pin“Every space has unique details as that is my signature. The kitchen island is made from an 18th-century Dutch painter’s table,” Chris tells us. Image: Mark RoskamsPinEye-catching artwork can be found throughout the home — including the kitchen. Image: Mark Roskams
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PinBold black and white checkered flooring sets a timeless foundation in the dining room, where the classic pattern meets contemporary design. Image: Mark RoskamsPinA rich walnut bar anchors the masculine space, complemented by an intricate wood inlaid ceiling that adds warmth and architectural depth. Image: Mark Roskams
Texture, art, and a sense of story are central to Chris’s designs. “I love spaces [that] tell a story or transport the homeowner to somewhere special,” he says. “The use of color saturation, lots of texture, outstanding art, and a bit of whimsy do just that in this residence.”
The standout room in the home — at least in the homeowner’s eyes — is the cigar room, formerly the formal dining room. It’s been transformed into a moody, masculine retreat. “We upholstered the walls in chocolate suede and centered two chocolate mohair chairs in front of the fireplace,” says Chris. “He spends most of his time in this cozy space.”
PinDark, moody walls and layered artwork create an intimate, collected feel in the cigar room — a cozy retreat designed for quiet moments, conversation, and, of course, cigars. Image: Mark RoskamsPinEclectic vignettes offer both modern and vintage elements. Image: Mark Roskams
In the main living room, a Vladimir Kagan sofa and Yves Klein coffee table set a tone of sculptural sophistication. The family room, designed for comfort, features over-scaled furniture and a custom walnut bar accented with square nailhead-inspired paneling.
PinGenerous seating in the living room invites effortless entertaining, while plush textures and thoughtful design make it equally suited for a quiet retreat. Image: Mark Roskams
But perhaps the most defining feature of the home is the owner’s extraordinary collection of global street art. “He loves working with global street artists and muralists, and the house is filled with their works,” Chris shares.
PinA curated collection of global street art brings bold energy to the hallway, where layered runners and a sculptural green hall table add texture and unexpected modern flair. Image: Mark RoskamsPinA modern light fixture hovers above the spiral staircase, where stained glass windows cast shifting patterns of color and light across the walls, creating a dynamic interplay of old and new. Image: Mark RoskamsPinColor-drenched in a rich coral hue, this bedroom wraps walls and ceiling in warmth, while abstract art above the bed adds an expressive touch. Image: Mark RoskamsPinBathed in natural light, the bathroom stuns with bold blue and gold wallpaper, while ornate patterned tile flooring adds a layer of timeless elegance. Image: Mark Roskams
Surprisingly, this complex renovation ran with relative ease. “This process went fairly smoothly, which is not the norm,” says Chris. “We had addressed all the major issues in the first remodel.” Originally slated for nine months, the project was extended to a year and a half due to the labor-intensive finishes and high craftsmanship involved. As Chris puts it, “A home is never really finished — as there is always something to add or enhance.”
PinA long blue sofa anchors the wood-paneled sitting room, where vibrant red artwork draws the eye, and layered coffee tables showcase a curated mix of books, figurines, and sculptural paperweights. Image: Mark RoskamsPinWarm wood paneling envelops the office, where a classic desk and built-in shelves lined with books create the feel of a refined, intimate library. Image: Mark RoskamsPinRich royal tones define this bedroom, where deep blue walls and drapery are crowned by a luminous gold ceiling, creating a luxurious atmosphere with touches of regal red throughout. Image: Mark RoskamsPinA bold red nightstand contrasts the surrounding artwork, bringing a playful pop of color and balance to this bedroom’s curated design. Image: Mark RoskamsPinPlayful polka dot wallpaper sets a lively tone in the bathroom, while backlit mirror illumination adds a cool, contemporary glow to the space. Image: Mark Roskams
Outside, the transformation continues. The home is surrounded by lush English gardens, thoughtfully landscaped with gravel paths, whimsical follies, and a picturesque pool — offering a serene counterpoint to the vibrant interior.
PinA grand stone fireplace anchors the patio, where comfortable chairs circle a table featuring a built-in ice holder — perfect for keeping wine and beer chilled during outdoor gatherings. Image: Mark Roskams
For Chris, the experience of revisiting this home was uniquely fulfilling. “This was a designer’s dream,” he says. “To reimagine a project I had previously done in a completely different style.” And what a stylish reimagination it is — where timeless architecture and edgy artistry come together in perfect, personalized harmony.
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
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