Bassett Designs for Elite Clients

Northwest Arkansas’ most discriminating home-owners want Marynm Bassett to help design their palaces. For almost 40 years, Bassett has developed dwellings for some of the biggest names in the area by designing their homes from a conception to a house-warming party.

Retired Tyson Foods Inc. executive Leland Tollett, Hudson Foods founder James T. “Red” Hudson and Athletic World Advertising founder Gregg Ogden have all enlisted Bassett to create their castles. Pictures of the Tyson skybox in Walton Arena, two houses and an office for former Razorback basketball coach Eddie Sutton and a work space for Frank Broyles, the University of Arkansas athletic director, are also featured in Bassett’s album of completed projects.

Bassett said her clients seek her help to define their own style.

“What you want is to end up with a house that feels like the people in it,” she said. “I’ve worked with people who have wonderful taste, but they are afraid of their own decisions.”

While she manages all of the typical responsibilities of interior design — picking colors, matching rugs, selecting furniture and choosing art works — Bassett also often serves as a sort of general contractor for the home’s style. Bassett collaborates with artisans such as stone masons, architects, wood workers, glass blowers, steel and bronze workers and painters.

Bassett declined to disclose her rates, but she does charge by the hour. She also only takes jobs “on a handshake” instead of working on contract.

Almost any request can be filled, if the client wants to pay to make it happen, Bassett said. She said the following trends are popular in upscale designing:

In the kitchen — Solid granite counter tops have become popular in many cooking spaces. Refrigerated and freezing drawers that fit under the counter tops, eliminating the bulk of a double-door upright refrigerator, have begun appearing more often, too.

Leisure space — A common amenity is the addition of a home theaters, complete with rows of authentic theater chairs and a gigantic television screen and surround sound for the sporting events and DVD movies. Wet bars that double as classic soda fountains are also fashionable.

Running water — Lounging in a Jacuzzi has long been a symbol of status, but today’s shower systems take the hydro experience further. Rendering several shower heads, a “total environment” shower can perform as a steam room, a tanning salon and a misting den.

Some trends in interior design seem to be more subtle, such as lighting. Indirect lighting, or coven lighting, can cast a mood throughout the house.

Technology continues to change the way people design their houses, Bassett said. Remote control light fixtures, surveillance cameras and pre-wired Internet connections have become standard in most upscale homes, she said.

Although Bassett is constantly sought for her work, she only supervises one or two jobs at a time because some ventures take up to five years to complete.