Trusting the Vision
Some houses you plan for, and some find you. For Terri and Greg Giles, it was a little of both. Greg, an avid golfer, had always admired this property’s coveted location along Texarkana Country Club in Texarkana, Arkansas. “We always thought it would be an incredible house to have,” he recalls. “When it came up for sale, I wasn’t sure I wanted another remodel, but the location kept pulling me back.” When Terri’s brother, interior designer Kyle Barrett, helped them envision the home as a showpiece tailored to their lifestyle and collection, they knew the opportunity was too good to pass up. “The first time I walked in, I could see how much work it needed,” says Terri. “But Kyle kept showing me the vision—how it could become a showplace for our treasures.”
Originally built to the previous homeowner’s specific needs, the house was taken down to the studs and completely reimagined. Beloved architectural elements, like graceful arched cased openings, were preserved, while dramatic new features transformed the layout. The staircase was relocated and framed with a custom railing from Jerome LeGrand, who also collaborated with Barrett on distinctive metal shutters and awnings that add character to the exterior. A third garage bay, guest bath, and expanded laundry were added for function, while the finishes elevate every room far beyond the practical.
From the moment you step inside, the home sets the tone for refined luxury. Guests are greeted by a genuine Italian Ormolu and Lapis Lazuli table once owned by a Houston oil titan. Decorative window cornices, custom-made and personally installed by North Carolina-based R. Rogers Designs, frame the fairway views. The Giles’ holdings which include 17th-century Asian bronzes and pottery, Old Master oil paintings, and original contemporary works, turn each space into a curated gallery. In the master closet, a Baccarat crystal chandelier crowns the room.
The kitchen saw the most dramatic transformation, opening up the once-narrow footprint to create an airy gathering space anchored by a large island. Contrasting cabinetry tones are tied together by the prominent veining in the hand-selected marble countertops and backsplash by Chris Williams of Midway Marble & Granite. In the owners’ suite, Barrett added a groined-vault ceiling finished in gold for architectural drama, and expanded an adjacent bedroom into a glamorous dressing room and closet with meticulously designed storage. The master bath became a sanctuary, with an imported Italian marble credenza transformed into a dual-sink basin, and a handcrafted copper and brass tub commissioned from famed artisans.
Throughout the home, craftsmanship reigns. Stacked-edge stone countertops were fabricated to match Terri’s vision. Cabinet pulls and door handles by Edgar Berebi, renowned for high-end decorative hardware, add jewel-like detail. The powder room and formal dining feature hand-painted chinoiserie murals, created in panels specifically for this home, that feel more like fine art than wallcovering. Every hinge, shelf, and finish was chosen to complement both the architecture and the couple’s lifelong collection. Priceless treasures gathered on their travels and family heirlooms passed down through generations bring a deeply personal element to the home. “The goal,” Barrett says, “was to create a home that didn’t just hold their love of art and antiques. It had to be a work of art in itself.”
“Kyle was the vision,” Greg stated. “He is the one who created the vision, literally in every room. I do not know if I would have had the confidence to do this, but I knew Kyle would.”
The result is a home that is equal parts personal retreat and gallery, designed not just to be lived in, but to be admired.
Homeowner
Terri and Greg Giles
Year Built
1985
Location
Texarkana Country Club
Renovation Contractor
MLM Construction
Draftsman
David Blaze
Interior Design
Kyle Barrett
Stone & Tiles
The Design Center at
Red River Lumber
Midway Marble & Granite
The Carpet Shoppe
Landscaping
Cox Exterior Design & Development
Custom Metalwork
Jerome LeGrand, LeGrand Welding & Ironworks
Security
Acey Burglar Alarm Systems
Electronics and Media
Soundz Good Audio & Video
Favorite Piece
Kitchen Island
Favorite Room
Living Room
Fun Fact
The only home with an easement granted by Texarkana Country Club
