In 1891, a new school was built in Greenwood, Arkansas. Built in the Italianate style, the building was two stories tall and had three rooms. Known as The Rox, the school was used until 1953 when a new, modern elementary school was built. In 1960, it was purchased by alumni Betty and Means Wilkinson. The school underwent a transformation to become their home. Many years later in 2006, Means and Betty’s son, Ed Wilkinson and his wife LaDonna, wanted to transform The Rox again, restoring it to its original style and at the same time creating an up-to-date home for their family.

Left: The interior design of The Rox is in the Edwardian style, which is roughly in the same period as the Italianate style. The entry has a 27-foot ceiling and is embellished with a beautiful multi-piece crown with rosettes and acanthus modillions.

 

 

 

Below: The entry hallway shows the original Edwardian wall paneling and is complemented by a rectangular coffer in the center of the room with Acanthus and Egg & Dart mouldings.

 

Another great feature designed into the renovated home was custom-built mantels. The mantel on the left is found in the dining room and features classically carved corbels with fluted columns and decorative mouldings, all in Mahogany.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The mantel on the right is in the Family Room and shows an elegant but relaxed style, with Acanthus and Egg & Dart motifs and flanking side panels, painted a refreshing white.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the art gallery, which shows a nice balance between the dark original Edwardian wall panels and the new crown moulding, which matches the build-up in the tall entryway.

This library is the one exception to the rest of the house, as it is in the English Tudor style. The bookcases are divided into bays by pilasters with hand-carved decorative elements.

The coffered ceiling (above left), is defined with traditional hardwood mouldings and a classic dentil motif. The custombuilt mantel (above right), is highly decorative, with custom carved urns, swags, and Corinthian capitals and pilasters

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