Sweet Serenity

Heber Springs, Ark., is just about an hour’s drive — but a lifetime away — from Little Rock. Within this town of about 7,200 is a perfect example of “getting away from it all” … Primrose Creek.

Primrose Creek is located along the Little Red River. This secluded, 149-acre property offers the best in modern convenience without spoiling Mother Nature’s splendor. The exteriors of the gated community’s homes are rustic, and from the smallest cabin to the largest residence, seem right at home in this wooded neighborhood.

“We want to maintain the rustic feel of living on the Little Red River,” Randy Ensminger said of Primrose Creek. Development guidelines direct that 80 percent of the materials used on the homes’ exteriors be native stone, wood or wood siding. “This helps ensure that each building is harmonious to these surroundings,” David Ashmore said. The two are co-project managers for Primrose Creek.

Resident Ann Willis has lived at Primrose Creek fulltime since last November. “I moved in during the winter. It was absolutely gorgeous and quiet. For a time, it was just me and the animals,” she said, referring to the deer, birds and other wildlife that live in the surrounding woods. “I always wanted to live in a cabin — I’m the oldest of two girls, and my dad took me hunting and fishing. I planned everything exactly as I wanted it.”

Willis’ 2,000 square-foot cabin is definitely rustic, but far from roughing it. The main living area is open, yet cozy and comfortable. The kitchen has granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, warm pine cabinets and an island with seating for four; a dining table adds eight. Knotty pine floors, walls and ceilings provide the perfect backdrop for the cabinet. The living room’s fireplace was fashioned using native rockwork, and she added a mantle of cypress wood from Sheridan, Arkansas.

Willis worked as a realtor for many years and was an interior designer; she’s now retired, however, she artfully achieved a cabin chic look without going over the edge. Many of the furnishings are pieces she collected over the years. Willow tree headboards and Adirondack chairs add to the overall look. The cabin has three bedrooms and a loft that sleeps an additional five. Willis’ home also has 1,000 square feet of decks and porches, including a sleeping porch, an enclosed porch and a deck. 

Not all of the homes at Primrose are intimate and rustic. Owners may design their homes to their taste. An example of a more modern home is just a stone's throw from Willis’ abode. This home has about 3,500 square feet of luxe living with concrete-stained and wood floors, vaulted ceilings and clean lines.

The spacious kitchen, living and dining rooms are open and light. The kitchen has granite countertops, and the island and dining tables have concrete tops; beautiful distressed cabinets line the walls.

An outdoor kitchen, appropriately just outside the dining room, has a large stainless steel grill and a bit of whimsy in a cabinet filled with various colored bottles. A large deck runs across the rear of the home, and a dozen or more can sit in its various conversation areas and look out onto the river. The home’s screened-in porch is an ideal place to take in the televised morning news with a cup of coffee … even in the fall or winter as a stone fireplace warms the room.

Sleeping quarters include spacious master and guest bedrooms on the lower level and a loft with lovely king and twin platform beds.

These two homes, with exteriors that are right at home in Primrose Creek, contrast one another and demonstrate that residing by the riverside is truly living.

Primrose Creek is located just off of Highway 110; it was once home to the River Ranch Resort. “This is a beautiful spot. There’s great scenery … it’s close to the river, close to town, and there’s a great variety of geography,” Ensminger said. “ We really felt redeveloping the land, reclaiming these 150 acres, would be doing service to the river.” 

Ensminger and Ashmore said the area is ideal for those looking to take advantage of the great fishing and for those who wish get away from it all — whether it’s just for a weekend or for a lifetime. The gated community, pool house and guest houses will never consist of more than 70 residences and together provide the security, recreation and amenities that are available to those in urban areas … but with the serenity and tranquility that accompany laid-back waterside living.