Moving was not part of the plan. But when Kris and Karen Upton first saw their Cammack Village home, they knew it was meant to be.
“We were drawn to this home for its character and solid foundation. Built in 1955, it had a warmth and authenticity that immediately felt right, along with the kind of craftsmanship that stands the test of time,” Karen says.
When it comes to homes, one could say the Uptons are experts. Kris is the owner and CEO of RPM Group, a full-service Arkansas-based real estate firm that celebrated its 70th anniversary this past year. Karen is a co-owner of the business and President of Coldwell Banker RPM Group. Together, the two have worked in real estate for more than 20 years.
But even with their years of experience, the couple had never embarked on a personal home remodel – until they purchased their Cammack Village home on Sunset Drive.
“Our goal in remodeling was to honor its history, elevate the floor layout and make it more livable for our family,” Karen says. “We focused on thoughtful updates that brought in modern functionality, improved flow and added comfort — while preserving the charm and integrity that made the home special in the first place.
“The result is a home that feels both rooted and refreshed,” she says. “It lives well for today, yet still reflects the era and style in which it was built. It’s comfortable, welcoming and timeless — a place that feels easy to be in and meaningful to come home to.”
It’s often said in real estate that “the home chooses the buyer,” and for the Uptons, this cliché rang true. The two were not looking to buy a home. In fact, they had just settled into their “forever home” in Chenal at the time.
“After recently building our forever home on the golf course in Chenal, Allison Pickell, a friend and top-producing agent at our firm, suggested that we tour the home. My husband was more than a little surprised, but it helps that we have talented agents deeply knowledgeable about local market characteristics and skilled in aligning taste with value. Kris and I quickly decided on the first tour that this should be our new home,” Karen says.
The couple enlisted the talents of RPM Group Construction and Amy Terry, designer and owner of AC Designs, to bring their vision to life.
Most of the changes were cosmetic, Karen says. “The only structural change we made was to open the wall between the kitchen and dining room. It allowed more light to stream into the kitchen and provided a beautiful view,” she says.
Every room was painted and updated – including the kitchen and bathrooms. The results were stunning, but the process did present some challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges was striking the right balance between preserving the home’s original character and updating it for modern living,” Karen says. “Because we kept the existing footprint, every change was carefully considered.
“Working with an older home also meant navigating structural limitations and making updates behind the walls that aren’t visible but were essential,” she says. “The process required patience and intentional decision-making, which guided us to a more thoughtful and timeless result.”
Karen says her favorite remodeled area is the vast sunroom at the back of the home, which serves as a dining and gathering space.
“It functions as a true multi-purpose room – part bar area, part dining space and part comfortable seating area,” she says. “The room has floor-to-ceiling windows that visually connect the room to the pool and outdoor living space, filling it with natural light and making it feel like an extension of the outdoors.”
While investing in a move and subsequent home remodel may not have been part of the plan, Karen says it was well worth the effort. She advises house hunters to look beyond the homes they tour to see their true potential.
“Consider what it could become,” she says. “Having been in the real estate business for over 20 years, we’ve lived in new construction, older homes and properties that required significant remodeling. We have moved over 10 times in less than 20 years. Time and time again, we’ve seen that some homes simply need a little vision and TLC to reach their full potential.”
Karen advises investing in a strong team to help bring the vision to life. “A great builder and designer can make all the difference,” she says.
“When buyers can see past surface-level details and focus on the bones, layout and possibilities, they often discover a home that can be transformed into something special.”
“When buyers can see past surface-level details and focus on the bones, layout and possibilities, they often discover a home that can be transformed into something special.”