15 Mar 2026 Rooted in retro

By Kelli Reep

Step inside Robin Lewis-Sprague’s Conway home and it becomes immediately clear: This is not a house decorated for trends, but a home curated with memory, meaning and intention. Nearly 95 percent of her décor is vintage or antique, with a particular love for the bold colors, playful forms and soulful warmth of the 1960s and 1970s. Every room tells a story, and nearly every piece has lived a life before finding its way here.

Lewis-Sprague began collecting vintage items around 2011 or 2012, drawn first by the simple joy of the hunt. “I loved going to thrift stores and just finding things,” she said. At the time, she wasn’t chasing a particular decade or design philosophy but was guided by curiosity. That changed when she began working behind the scenes with Bella Rustina Modern Vintage Market, helping with administrative tasks for founder Ashley Norris. After more than a decade and over 90 shows, Lewis-Sprague had been immersed in a world of authentic vintage furniture, art and décor, and her own collection grew naturally alongside that exposure.

Today, she describes being in a season of contentment. “I don’t really buy much anymore unless I’m replacing something,” she said. That sense of satisfaction is visible throughout the home, where nothing feels crowded or accidental. Instead, rooms feel layered and lived-in, each object carefully chosen and allowed to shine.

The heart of the home is the living room, anchored by a rich green velvet sofa, the realization of which came from a Pinterest dream Lewis-Sprague held onto for years. Behind it, a dramatic gallery wall climbs upward, filled with vintage art, photography and found pieces arranged with both balance and boldness. One oversized framed artwork serves as the room’s anchor piece, purchased years before she ever knew where it would hang. “I bought it long before I used it,” she said. “But when the time came, it was perfect.”

That moment came during a turning point in her life. Lewis-Sprague bought out the house she shared with someone, cleaning it completely and starting from scratch. “I decided I was going to make my house exactly the way I wanted it,” she said. She rebuilt not just her home but her sense of self one intentional choice at a time. The result is a space that feels deeply personal and quietly triumphant.

While many homes blend vintage accents with modern big-box décor, Lewis-Sprague’s home is refreshingly free of mass-produced sameness. “You’re not going to see [items from national stores] in my house,” she said. “Everybody else has that. I like things that are different.” Sustainability is an added benefit. Repurposing and reusing older pieces not only reduces waste but also brings history and character into everyday living.

Her love of vintage extends outdoors, even if winter keeps much of it hidden for now. Lewis-Sprague is a certified Master Gardener, a title she has held since 2016, and her property — nearly two acres on the edge of Conway — has been selected as a tour site for the 2026 Arkansas State Master Gardener Conference, which will be held in Conway on June 2–4. Her gardens specialize in shade-loving plants, with mature trees, hostas, ferns and layered perennials creating a tranquil retreat.

The garden is also home to an extensive collection of vintage concrete statuary and garden antiques. Among them are seven bird baths, some inherited, some rescued from estate sales and one mushroom-shaped piece dated to the mid-1960s. One of her most treasured collections is a set of antique statues known as the “Four Seasons.” Over the years, she has patiently gathered three — Spring, Summer and Fall — and continues the quiet search for Winter. “I’ll find it eventually,” she said with a smile. “I’m patient.”

That patience reflects her approach to both collecting and gardening. Nothing here is rushed. Beds were built slowly over the years, borders edged with natural stone she gathered when she was younger. Changes are made thoughtfully, adapting as trees come down or light patterns shift. Mornings often begin on the back porch, coffee in hand, listening to the deep, resonant tones of quality wind chimes and enjoying the sanctuary she has created.

By day, Lewis-Sprague works as an administrative bookkeeper for the superintendent of Greenbrier Public Schools, a role that requires organization, precision and calm. At home, those same qualities translate into spaces that feel intentional but never rigid, expressive but never overwhelming.

Ultimately, her home is less about nostalgia and more about connection. “People are looking for things that remind them of slower times,” she said. “Positive feelings. Good memories.” In a world that often feels rushed and disposable, Lewis-Sprague’s home offers something enduring: beauty with a past, joy with a story and a reminder that home is where meaning is gathered, one treasure at a time.