Pepe and Denise Estrada are a sweet couple of empty nesters. Pepe grew up in Peru and attended college here in the United States. That’s where he met Denise. They’ve been married for 30 years and have two grown kids. The family lived in Peru for five years and then came to Bentonville 18 years ago, thinking they would just live here for a few years, but they ended up falling in love with the area. Since the kids are no longer living with them full-time, they were ready to downsize to a smaller house close the town square. 

We decided that with Pepe and Denise’s shared love for Peru, we would incoporate some of the traditional Peruvian style into this home. I was so excited about this. I’d never done a Peruvian house before! I love how it turned out. And, most importantly, Pepe and Denise love it too! 

BEFORE

The small ranch-style home the Estradas purchased is very typical of the quaint, ranch-style homes you see around Bentonville, Arkansas – so, Pepe and Denise wanted to keep much of that traditional Bentonville feel they’ve fallen in love with. Since they have special ties to Peru, we also wanted to add Peruvian-inspired elements to the outside of the house to create a subtle Bentonville/Peruvian vibe. To do this, we leaned into wood elements and Spanish-style terra cotta. The old roof was replaced with gorgeous composite roof tiles that are made to look like the clay roofs you see in Peru. These are great because they’re much lighter than actual clay roof tiles, more affordable and look beautiful. 

We removed the overgrown bushes, replaced them with new landscaping and added lots of beautiful flowers. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way. We chose a soft white shade for the brick and also made the entryway more welcoming by creating a front sitting area. Dave replaced the old post with a warmer natural wood post that coordinates with the new shutters. If you watched the episode where we did my sister’s house, you’ll see the huge tree where we got this beam from. Lastly, we installed new lighting and a new warm wood front door. 

AFTER

SOURCES

Exterior Lights | Kichler

Flag | Allegiance Flag Supply

Landscaping | Ground Effects Landscaping

House Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Simply White

BEFORE

Even though this room doesn’t have high ceilings, we were still able to create a large open space that flows comfortably from the living room into the kitchen. The crew opened up the area by removing the dividing wall between the living room and kitchen and replacing it with a support beam. We also changed out the carpet for the same new flooring we carried out throughout the house, and we added new lighting and fresh paint. I love how the bookshelf became a beautiful focal moment in this room. For décor, we had fun adding lots of Peruvian-inspired fabrics, textures and colors throughout the space.  

AFTER

SOURCES

Furniture, Rug & Art | Howse

Peruvian Entry Bench | Zuma Imports

Living Room Fan | Kichler

BEFORE

Pepe and Denise really wanted to open up the kitchen so they could entertain guests while they cook. By pushing back one of the walls and stealing space from a bedroom behind it, we were able to gain a lot more kitchen real estate. That’s where we were able to add a new pantry and dining area. Since we lost a wall of cabinets, we made sure to gain some cabinets back with an island.

We added new white oak cabinetry, leaving the lower cabinets and island their natural wood finishes. Then, we painted the upper cabinets and dining room built-ins a soft shade of gray. For the backsplash behind the range, we installed a lovely natural stone and chose a fresh white quartz for the countertops. Combining bright white colors with natural wood details allow the kitchen to feel open and warm at the same time. The kitchen and dining room also now has new appliances, new lighting and new flooring.  

AFTER

SOURCES

Cabinets | Premier Wood Concepts

Rug | Turkish Trunk

Appliances | Metro Appliances

Countertops | Pacific Shores Stone

Backsplash | Floor and Decor

Kitchen Pendants | Etsy

Kitchen Knobs | Amazon

Kitchen Pulls | Amazon

Upper Cabinet Paint Color | Farrow and Ball Dropcloth

BEFORE

Since there was a second bathroom available near the main bedroom, we were able to attach it to the main bedroom and turn it into a master suite. Pepe and Denise wanted to get rid of the bathtub, so that gave us some extra space to reconfigure the layout for a large walk-in shower, double vanity and better closet space. We wanted to have a little fun with the bathroom and bring in a Peruvian feel with the tile choice. The blue accent colors go beautifully with the arched shower wall, reminiscent of dome shapes you see in Peruvian homes. The pebble floor tile in the shower feels very natural, while the marble hexagon tile on the shower wall looks amazing.   

(Yes, there is now shower glass in the shower. We had to have the glass custom made and the long lead time meant it wasn’t there in time for the reveal. We have since gone back and installed the glass door!)

For the bedroom area, we kept it serene and peaceful with a calm paint color and we brought in some texture with woven shades and the bedding. We also added new flooring and new lighting. 

AFTER

SOURCES

Bedroom Furniture | Howse

Bedroom Fan | Kichler

Bathroom Floor | Home Depot

Shower Wall Tile | Home Depot

Shower Floor | Lowes

Shower Trim Kit | Build.com

Wall and Trip Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Simply white

Bathroom Vanity Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Overcoat

Dave and I were so excited to get started on this patio! Just like the beautiful courtyards you find in Peru, we wanted to create a similar feel for the Estradas right in their own Bentonville backyard. To do this, we planned on expanding the porch to make it large enough for dining and entertaining. Traditional Peruvian-style lush terra cotta pots, climbing plants, pavers and a fountain all add warmth and charm. 

Did you notice Dave light up when he heard Denise wanted a chicken coop? He picked up a standard chicken coop at the store and then spruced it to make it match the house. I’m still holding out hope for a chicken that will actually ride around on a mini bicycle! 

Dave also handmade raised flower beds out of cedar, which will last a long time and look great next to the tumbled pavers. Lastly, we created a little sitting area in the backyard in honor of Denise’s mother who passed away during the time we were working on her house. Dave made a bench using salvaged wood from our stock, and we added a tree next to the bench. Denise’s mom loved cherry trees. Now, they can sit and remember her in this quiet spot.