Faulkner Lifestyle Magazine October 2018

BY: JENNIFER STANLEY
PHOTOS BY C. NEUMANN — NEUMANN IMAGING
AND SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Conway residents Mary and Bradley Mannis have taken a calm,
organized approach to the redesign of their home. In patiently
waiting to determine their family’s needs, they have created a
modern, functional space that works for everyone.
The couple are parents to daughter Ryann, 14 and son Barron, 12.
Bradley is a partner in a green energy company, which helps cities
recover carbon from their waste. Mary assists him with proposals when
her schedule allows. She also manages her home and volunteers at
Conway Christian School, which their children attend.
The Mannis family purchased their home in August 2014. Mary was
immediately drawn to its potential. Though built in 1997, “it has a more
timeless look than other homes built during that time,” says Mary. She is
also drawn to European architecture. “My parents lived in Germany for
several years, and I have a great appreciation for European life and style.
When we bought the home, it was clothed in dark colors and had a very
southwestern style. I did not feel that was true to the exterior of the
home or the original intent for the property,” she states.
“When I look at a property, I try to understand what it wants to be and to
see its ‘personality’ if you will. I know that sounds weird, but a house can
really speak to you if you listen,” she says. Mary embarked on the project
in an effort to enhance the original intent of the structure. She adds, “In my
opinion, the outside of the home should foreshadow the inside. The whole
property should tell a story….and make sense. My story for this home was
of an English family who bought a home in France for holidays. I thought
about that when I was coming up with the design for the landscaping as
well as the interior.”
Prior to move-in day, they corrected some incompatible flooring and
repainted the entire home. Mary prefers Sherwin-Williams paint and
used Pure White for the trim and Pale Oak for the walls throughout.
However, to build contrast and interest, the master bedroom was
painted Black as Night. The couple also had the yellow oak floors