Personal space

Allison Stephens, in her personal space at her home in the HIllcrest neighborhood, with her daughter, five year old Elliott Stephens Friday, May 26, 2017.
Allison Stephens, in her personal space at her home in the HIllcrest neighborhood, with her daughter, five year old Elliott Stephens Friday, May 26, 2017.

Allison Stephens

Where I live: Hillcrest Historic District in Little Rock

Occupation: public relations manager for Heifer International and public affairs officer for the 189th Airlift Wing, part of the Arkansas Air National Guard based at Little Rock Air Force Base

My favorite space is: our round dining room table. Because it’s round, no one is at the “head” of the table.

Why? I was raised as a “military brat.” Both of my parents served in the Air Force, and we moved every few years. My parents worked hard to maintain a sense of consistency and comfort within each of our homes, and the kitchen table became that consistent place. Regardless of where we lived — Washington state, Virginia, Germany — we congregated at the kitchen table to talk about the day, make plans for the future, discuss current events. It all happened there. The same is true today. For our family, the dining room is our “operations center.” Naturally it’s where we eat and talk about the day, but we also use it for work, crafts, bill paying, thank-you card writing. It’s where we have important discussions and make life-changing decisions. It’s where we make each other laugh and cry.

If I could make one change to improve this space, I would:

find a way to add more natural light

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