Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Personal space
Randal Wright
Where I live: Fayetteville Historic District
Occupation: owner of Eventures, a party rental business
My favorite space is: our “Party Shed.”
Why? Our house was built in 1923 and my partner, Randy Northam, and I think the backyard shed has been here for most of that time. It had a dirt floor and was used to store lawnmowers and tools, and there was a weird upper level that was so low that you had to duck to get inside. It featured a musty smell and about two million spider webs. We were a little scared to go inside.
We ripped out the upper level to expose the barn’s full 15-foot height, and the tin ceiling was practically begging us to hang a huge chandelier. We found a 6-foot tall bronze piece on one of our annual trips to antiques week in Texas, and with the help of a pulley and some muscle the chandelier went into place and transformed the space. I have never been one to do what’s expected.
I love the fact that it’s so versatile. The shed has hosted a Thanksgiving dinner, our son’s birthday party, a wine tasting, and Randy loves to take his easel and brushes out to the barn to create his art.
If I could make one change to improve this space, I would: definitely make it larger. I love the fact that it’s small but we have lots of friends we love to host!