Moss Mountain
Little Rock, Arkansas
March 2013
the garden home of p. allen smith, over 600 acres, located just outside little rock, arkansas
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the view of the arkansas river from the artist's cottage located behind the main house
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just inside the front entrance, the staircase to the second floor
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smith's desk in the second floor master bedroom. a book of poems by wendell berry. also an 1820 mahogany poster bed that belonged to william fulton, the last territorial governor of arkansas.
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the bust trinity that hangs on the wall over the staircase. smith is "crazy about american history."
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the entrance hall. smith "likes the clean look" in this 1840s style home built six years ago. "it's a very traditional home," explains smith, "with all green technology. it's modern technology with traditional style." he inherited few furnishings from his family, but sought furnishings and antiques that were american made, particularly those from southern craftsmen.
the view from the summer porch includes a portion of the arkansas river which was part of the trail of tears. it is complete with single beds for use during the hot summers. "the american dream is associated with being rural," states smith.
"we love sharing this place," says smith. "why would we have this and not share?" the home is open for open house tours as well as group (40 persons) tours. wander the grounds, explore the vegetable garden, see the amazing rose garden. don't forget lunch and the scrumptious buttermilk pie. visit the website for schedules (listed through the end of 2013) and prices.
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inside the artist's cottage. in addition to working on four-to-six major projects year, smith finds time for his passion, painting. works like this organic vegetable in progress on the easel can be seen throughout his estate. many completed works hang in the visitor's eating area where smith's garden-to-table experience continues. "all hats make me a lunatic," he says. he confirms that the artist in him drives all passions - the gardening, the designing, the cooking. "it's interesting in connecting the dots from one thing to another. all things are connected." he also says much of his inspiration (for all creations) come from nature and travel.
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the fruits of his labor - the daffodils - can be seen overflowing in containers throughout the home. in the main kitchen - the one used for filming his pbs series, the bursts of color accent the traditional white cabinets and stainless appliances. custom built high counter tops make production a little easier. "the whole farm is a set," he says.
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what they read - and what the cook - and what they have ready for company - says a lot about a person. here's one section of his many cookbooks found in the main kitchen.
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the american dream
smith set out on an adventure to build a 1,600 square foot garden home (on his property) in 150 days at the cost of $150,000. although slightly over budget at $160,000, the eco-friendly home is remarkable in its construction and sustainability.
you can see the floor plan here as well as videos of the process. 
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a self-described "chicken freak", smith is passionate about preserving heritage breeds, american and european breeds plus the older ones recognized in the late 19th and 20th centuries. smith shares his estate with over 400 chickens, 40 geese, 40 turkeys and 30 ducks. he states he would do a "chicken show" if it were suggested. he remembers, as a child, catching one on main street in tennessee, and proposes that this began his love affair. he is active in the heritage poultry conservancy dedicated to preserving threatened breeds of domestic poultry. for more information on this project, visit his website.
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