Home Feature: The Newsom Family

The Newsom family's kitchen features a dining area with large window, large kitchen island, and custom cabinetry

Abby Scruggs

Communications Specialist

Austin and Emilie Newsom never planned to build their dream home. In June 2020, they moved into a house on the property adjoining Emilie’s parents and were a happy young couple starting their life together. On February 4, 2023, the unthinkable happened.

Sirens wailed and flames engulfed their home as the couple looked on helplessly. Emilie had left to do some shopping and Austin was helping a neighbor when Emilie received a call that changed her life forever.
“Around 11:30, I got a call from my dad saying my house is on fire and I rushed home,” Emilie remembers. As the fire trucks tried to extinguish the flames, it was clear that there wasn’t anything left to save.

They spent the next few weeks cleaning up and trying to decide what their next steps would be. They had some important factors to consider; most importantly, Emilie was 14 weeks pregnant with their first child, Hattie.

Hattie Enjoys Her New Home Austin and Emilie's daughter, Hattie, poses on the kitchen counter.

“The emotional toll was insane,” Emilie recounts. “We were pregnant and had nothing except a few clothing items Austin managed to throw out of the house. We felt 100 percent helpless
and hopeless in those moments.”

With the support and encouragement of their family and community, they knew that they had to keep their heads up and get to work for their daughter. “We knew we wanted to provide her with the best home to grow up in, so we just took our feelings of sadness from the loss and turned them into motivation to get back home,” Emilie said.

More motivated than ever, the couple got to work. In July 2023, the pad for their new home was ready. Emilie went into labor that same day. With a newborn in tow, they continued. While they utilized Sutherland’s in Fort Smith to get their home in-the-dry, Emilie and Austin took over from there.

Family, friends, and their community helped them complete the entire interior of their home without a contractor. Austin, Emilie, and Hattie officially moved in March of this year. Read on to see their finished home and their journey getting there.

Emilie, Hattie, and Austin look over their original building plans at the kitchen island

Making Plans – The couple never had official blueprints made for their home. They planned the layout with grid paper and colored pencils and Sutherland’s of Fort Smith helped produce a 3D rendering that guided the rest of the building process.

Bible verse written on the house frame board

Strong Foundation – When the home’s studs were still visible, the couple took the opportunity to write their favorite scriptures throughout the house. Although they are no longer visible, they know the strong foundation their home and family is built on.

Helping Hands – Emilie and Austin would like to sincerely thank all the individuals who helped make their home a reality.

Exterior of home with heavy equipment moving dirt. Two men walk near the house.

Helping Hands – Emilie and Austin would like to sincerely thank all the individuals who helped make their home a reality.

Emilie holds infant Hattie in the door frame of home under construction

Emilie and Hattie were no strangers to the construction site. They both spent many late nights in their future home.

Hattie’s Home – It is clear that Hattie rules this roost. Her room is filled with gifts from loved ones and the cutest vintage touches. Although she won’t remember it, Hattie will grow up in a home she helped build.

Touches of Hattie can be seen all around the home, including the porch where she enjoys time in her swing.

Wide angle view of kitchen featuring custom cabinets, large island, and dining area with large window

Fully Custom - This functional kitchen features custom cabinetry crafted by Caleb Harderson of Salus.

Emilie shows pull out cabinet drawers full of ceramic pans

Each cabinet has custom-fitted pull-out drawers to store kitchen accessories.

Microwave, pot filler, and stove in kitchen

A pot filler over the stove makes dinner prep even more convenient.

Large kitchen window next to dining area which features black metal chandelier

The large dining area will be the future site of many family meals.

Living room area with couches with kitchen area in background

Rustic Charm – Stained wood accents adorn this 1,800-square-foot home. Emilie hand-stained over 365 tongue and groove boards for the living space ceiling alone.

Bedroom area with large bed, olive green wall, and warm stained wood ceiling.

Cozy Interiors – Deep-stained furniture contrasts with the bright linens and abundant natural light in the master suite.

Modular closet with shelves and hanging racks.

Closets Galore – Emilie was resourceful when it came to building the modular closet of her dreams. She used ready-to-assemble furniture to help her closet space take shape.

The custom nature of this home shines through in the bathroom spaces. From the rock inlay to the freestanding tub, they are made for comfort, convenience, and style.

Full view of master bathroom cabinets and tub.

The custom nature of this home shines through in the bathroom spaces. From the rock inlay to the freestanding tub, they are made for comfort, convenience, and style.

The custom nature of this home shines through in the bathroom spaces. From the rock inlay to the freestanding tub, they are made for comfort, convenience, and style.

The custom nature of this home shines through in the bathroom spaces. From the rock inlay to the freestanding tub, they are made for comfort, convenience, and style.

Husband, wife, and young child stand in front of their new home.

Country Living – With their closest neighbors being family, the Newsoms enjoy the privacy and beauty of country life.

Wide view of field with house in the distance.

Country Living – With their closest neighbors being family, the Newsoms enjoy the privacy and beauty of country life.

When searching for financing for their home, the Newsoms met with several different lenders, but Joyce Ridenour, Fort Smith loan officer, helped them realize Farm Credit was a perfect fit. “We had heard good things already,” Emilie said. “We compared Farm Credit to a couple other places, but Joyce pretty much sold us on everything.”
Their favorite aspect of their Farm Credit loan is the ability to lock in their rate long term. With fluctuating interest rates, they valued the security of a fixed-rate mortgage. They also appreciated the opportunity for easy rate conversions without having to refinance if rates drop in the future.
When asked what advice they would pass on to other couples, Austin said, “Patience. Have patience with your partner because it’s by far the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do.” After persevering through the hardest season of their life, the Newsoms are happy at home in the dream house they never planned to build.