From poolside getaways to gracious gardens, our Summer Home issue features a couple of beautiful backyards, one in Old Conway and one in Centennial Valley. Each homeowner has chalked up literally hundreds of hours into creating the perfect outdoor oasis. Attention to detail and personal touches help define both of these spaces, allowing the homeowners and their guests to feel welcome and relaxed.
Decorative lighting fixtures, lighting design, Oriental rugs, marble, granite, and quartz are just a few of the categories Hambuchen Lighting and Azmat Oriental Rugs/Marbella can assist homeowners with. A family history in their trade is the common thread that these two businesses share. Jill Hambuchen Turner and Gina Hambuchen Whitley of Hambuchen Lighting were literally “born to do this”, referring to their family business since 1946. Their grandfather started Hambuchen Electric more than 60 years ago and the sisters have continued the family business, offering excellent customer service and quality lighting for their customers.
Khalid Azmat Shaikh, owner of Azmat Oriental Rugs and Marbella, has a family history in his business as well. A native of Pakistan, a country known for their beautiful rugs, Shaikh has always had a love for the textile industry. He has been traveling back to Pakistan for more than 25 years, and bringing back beautiful “woven art.”
For a laid back summer weekend buffet at home in your own backyard, try some of this month’s tips from Chef Jill McCollum. Picnic food, sandwiches, hotdogs, hamburgers, barbeque, and an ice cream sundae bar are a few menu suggestions for a summer party. Use items from your home to help decorate outside for a beach theme party: lawn chairs, beach balls, beach towels, sand pails, straw hats, and some beach music to set the mood are Chef Jill’s picks.
We hope this Summer Home issue gives you some great ideas for your own home. As always, we appreciate our homeowners, Evelyn and John Rankin and Beth Horton-Zinn and Pete Zinn, opening their homes to us. The time, effort, and love that has been poured into both of these pool and garden spaces shows from every angle. The Zinn’s garden displays an iron garden plaque that sums up the sentiments of the couple and their space, “God lives in every garden. He loves each growing thing. Forget your ills. Get out and dig and sing.”