Nelljean Rice wins award for house renovation

Nelljean Rice has been awarded the 2010 Quattlebaum Design Award from the City of Conway for her house at 1100 Ninth Ave.

Rice, dean of University College, has lived in the house since she and her husband, the late Paul Rice, purchased it in 1988. Recent renovations added a master bedroom suite with bath and walk-in closet, an updated kitchen and a bedroom and bath for visits from her 92-year-old mother-in-law.

Given to the owners of structures cited for outstanding restoration, new construction, landscaped design and signage, the awards are named for C.P. Quattlebaum, the first mayor of Conway whose descendants still own some architecturally significant structures in the town.

Winners are nominated to the City Appearance Board by the Planning Department, said Michael Leinwand, planning director. The board then makes the decisions for each year's winners.