Story and Photographs by Deb Peterson
On top of a mountain overlooking the confluence of the North Fork and White rivers in Arkansas, Jim and Caroline Carroll are living their dream, a dream that began 18 years ago when they honeymooned at PJ’s White River Lodge in Norfork.
“We came back two or three times a year to fish the White River and camp on the Buffalo,” Caroline says. “We knew we wanted to retire here.”
When they heard about 12 acres for sale right next to the Ozark National Forest, overlooking the confluence, they fell in love with it at first sight and purchased it on the spot. Caroline worked on a house plan for two years in her spare time, which wasn’t often.
“We were in no rush,” she says.
They were working full time, Caroline as a corporate executive and Jim at his law firm in Jackson, Mississippi, and traveling as often as possible, almost always staying in lodges.
“I wanted to capture the essence of the various lodges we had visited,” Caroline says about her plans. “I wanted a place that gave us, and our family and friends, a feeling of peacefulness where we could spend our days in natural surroundings watching nature at work—birds, deer, butterflies, bees, and other critters.”
She started reading architectural books and magazines, gathering ideas, making binders full of photos, magazine pages, notes on building materials, thoughts about function.
“We entertain a lot,” Caroline says. “I wanted an open floor plan with a flow that would accommodate many guests, and a comfortable, easy living space for us as we age. I also wanted a plan where all space is used, and I wanted a feeling of coziness yet spaciousness, where the outside was always inside.”
She accomplished her goal by designing large, open spaces defined by flooring, large, framed windows in every direction but west, to minimize the hot summer sun, stone pillars and a stone fireplace, lots of wood, and warm colors throughout.
She worked with an architect for a while, but took the project over herself when he didn’t understand her ideas. A friend from Calico Rock created a blueprint for her and acted as subcontractor. “He grasped my vision and knew all the local craftsmen,” Caroline says.
Beautiful stonework is found inside and out—the fireplace and 22-foot pillars in the great room, the breakfast bar and backsplash in the kitchen, rock columns at the front gate, rock steps, ledges and retaining walls throughout the garden.
There is plenty of space for guests upstairs, and a loft over the entryway and great room serves as office, library, and game room.
“From the loft,” Caroline says, “you can see the White River on the east side, and the forest, gardens, and barns on the west side.”
A visit to the guest powder room is like standing in the river with a fly rod in your hand. The entire room is painted to reflect a river scene, with blue sky above and a blue tiled floor.
Among the art on the walls hang hunting trophies belonging to both Jim and Caroline, artist proofs of trout by artist William Dunlap, and the collection of Presidential signatures Caroline inherited from her parents.
Off the master bedroom, riverside, is a screened porch with a fireplace where the couple spends cool spring and fall evenings. A three-tiered deck provides space for sunbathing, reading, or watching the activity in the garden.
“My husband had only one requirement,” Caroline says. “He wanted a metal roof in Ole Miss red.”
The Garden
While the house was a project Caroline fully embraced, the gardens she dreamed of were her true passion. She grew up in a family that gardened, with a mother who was a master gardener, president of her garden club, and an officer in the National Garden Club of America. When Caroline was in sixth grade, her science project involved growing herbs hydroponically.
“I loved my corporate work,” Caroline says, “but I never had time to pursue my passion.”
When she retired in 2009 and the couple moved into “their retreat,” Caroline took master gardening courses.
“I learned a lot about the practicalities of gardening,” she says, “and then I let loose.”
She discovered in a hurry that gardening in the Ozarks involves more than digging a hole and sticking a plant in it. “I found it harder than I had thought because we live on rock,” she says.
She had to excavate holes and then amend the soil. She found a garden buddy to help her, fellow master gardener Shawna Hazel.
“My gardens took on a rock garden design,” Caroline says. “I decided it was easier to work with the “bones” of what naturally existed than to create a garden that was unnatural to the setting and the rustic feel of the house.”
The rocks she excavated line the garden paths that lead to a whimsical outhouse featuring a stained-glass window from a church in New Orleans and a trout weather vane, and the barn that houses Jim’s fantastic man cave and Caroline’s tractor.
The Carrolls lost 300 trees in the 2009 ice storm.
“Jim bought me a tractor and I use the auger to dig holes to plant trees,” Caroline says. She has planted 50 so far.
The Woman
Caroline Carroll has always been an adventurer. She studied French and Spanish in Europe in the 60s with the American Language League. She traveled an entire summer with her brother and sister on a Eurail pass. She left a high-level job in Manhattan after meeting Jim, and moved to Jackson, Mississippi. “I love getting out of my comfort zone,” she says. “The unknown does not bother me.”
She believes in lifelong learning, and following your passion:
“Learning new things is so important,” she says. “No matter how old you are, don’t be afraid to do things on your own, and always follow your passion. It opens doors. You never know who you might meet who will take you to a new stage in your life. Be open. Continue to grow.”
She takes her own advice. Her corporate years taught her skills she now enjoys using in her community.
“I always felt like I was missing out when it came to community work,” she says. “The wonderful thing I love about retirement is using my project management skills to take a concept and create a product. I love the interdependence of it all.”
She’s involved in several community organizations, including the Performing Arts Council at The Sheid, Peitz Cancer Support House, Foodbank of North Central Arkansas, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), and Daughters of the Revolution.
Through her community work, she is realizing an emotional attachment to the sisterhood of women, and tears up when she talks about it.
“My heart goes out to women near the end of life,” she says. “I’m so touched by their stories. When you treat other women as your sister, you appreciate them regardless of their appearance or their pocketbook. It’s a sisterhood.”
Garden Sidebar: A Garden for the Senses
“I wanted all the senses to be enticed throughout the seasons.”
Sight—she planted warm colors on the edge of the forest, cool colors by the house and the water garden. She included plants that attract birds, bees, and butterflies, mixed heights and textures, and plants that sway in the breeze: Feather Grass, Pink Muhly Grass, and Gaura.
Sound—she built a cascading water garden near the deck, and included a water fountain near the forest.
Smell—some of her favorite floral scents include rose, honeysuckle, and jasmine, all found in her garden.
Touch—from soft Lamb’s Ear to prickly cactus and smooth hanging fruit, Caroline included a variety of textures in her gardens.
Taste—you’ll find lots of herbs in Caroline’s garden: mint, basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, fennel, sage, and dill.
[nggallery id=56]
M! August/September 2012
Leave a Reply