Bringing it All Home - The Las Vegas Residence of Donna and Byron Peterson

Author: Nancy Ackerman
Released 16 May 2007

Aramco Annuitants Donna and Byron Peterson

Byron and Donna with smiles, and views beyond.

Memories of Egypt

When Donna and Byron built their dream home in Las Vegas, they knew exactly what they wanted. With an endless stretch of blue sky and a mountain skyline visible in the distance beyond their backyard (and from most rooms) they focused their views and lifestyle on nature’s beauty, which came free with the house. Their first Las Vegas home was professionally decorated, and while beautiful, revealed nothing about its owners, which led them to begin again, this time using all the wonderful things they had acquired during their years of living in Dhahran.

The top of the coffee table rises up to become a party serving table. Donna created the floral arrangement.

Byron was a Systems Analyst in Account Policy Methods and Systems (APM&S) and Donna worked in Housing, then Computer Security Administration (CSA) where she was the editor on “CSA Notes”, and was also Training Coordinator. Byron was active in RHCC, bowling, softball and DTG, and Donna’s interests were centered around DTG activities. Her last involvement was to direct the musical production of Damn Yankees.

Bedouin framed necklaces.

The Petersons lived for 15 years in Dhahran, and traveled widely during those years, acquiring a houseful of souvenirs and a decorating mantra: “we want to keep memories and whimsy in our home and wake up with a smile each day.” The photo below shows that they have done this very well!

Stepping into the spacious foyer gives the first glimpse of the orientation of their home, with views to the pool and desert landscaping…and mountains beyond, visible through the huge glass windows framing the formal living area. It is a beautiful introduction to a home filled with light, and decorated with a world wide collection of treasures.

Framed Hanjar

Donna and Byron have placed a tall, glass fronted curio cabinet in the large entry area and filled it with their collection of Matrioshksas (nesting dolls), crystal, and dolls accumulated from their travels to Russia, Poland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Sweden. This couple definitely stretched their travel zones out of the Middle East, and, while doing so, seized on the opportunity to research their genealogy.

This niche of treasures leading into the master bedroom can be enjoyed from the entry area.

Beyond the entry, and separated by large faux marble columns, is the spacious dining room and triangular shaped living area. Here is where the bounty collected from trips to Egypt and Oman, as well as Saudi Arabia, come together in the form of cartouches, a framed Hamjar, necklaces, paintings, and, over the fireplace, a metal plaque of all the Queens of Egypt. With a simple arrangement of all white sofas and a dramatic floral accent (made by Donna) atop a striking triangular coffee table, it flows beautifully into the outdoor vista beyond the windows.

The large bedroom offers views of the pool (and a convenient door to access the back yard) an entertainment cabinet for TV and books, and a comfy chair and ottoman from which to enjoy them. This colorful room holds memories of Paris and Polynesia, places they have visited and enjoyed.

Silk Qum

The casual dining area with views to mountainscape and pool.

The luxe bathroom is pure enjoyment, and Donna makes no bones about loving the spa atmosphere in this light filled area. Her sign proclaiming Indulge, says it all.

The much lived in family room and gourmet kitchen (Donna worked for years at Williams-Sonoma) as well as a casual dining niche, are separated from the formal living and dining areas by a glass and stone fireplace. The floor to ceiling glass windows open up the area to the outdoors, and a door leads to the patio and al fresco dining area.

In the family room it’s all about comfort, provided by green leather sofas, a music and TV centre, wet bar, and memorabilia of the sports that Byron loves. Golf reigns in the form of wall prints and souvenirs, but room is made to hang one of two stained glass pieces created by Clare Jones…one a replica of the old Aramco symbol, and the other, of an oil derrick, hangs in Byron’s study.

The African motif guest bath.

A further few steps leads to the exercise room and bath, and Donna claims they faithfully use the side by side treadmills at least five days a week. This room is ‘under construction’ and will ultimately become the Mountain room, no doubt reflecting their love of hiking.

A wing off the family room holds the African guest room, guest bath, and Donna’s personal study. The serene black and cream décor, along with the wooden animals acquired in Kenya (a set of carved animals was given to Byron in exchange for his socks…which is another story) carries into the bath with towels embellished with lions, giraffes and elephants. The whimsy of a Pith helmet on the wall adds to the charm.

Aramco visitors enjoy seeing old friends in these DTG photos... Bob, Dawn, Noel, Keith, Chris, and...

Continuing into the next bath area is where DTG and theatre have taken over, and framed pictures of Dhahran Theatre Group productions that Donna and Byron were involved in cover one wall.

Beyond is Donna’s study, clearly defined by the large initials on the wall that proclaim this is her space. Personal photos, books and knick knacks as well as her computer, define a private area that she cherishes.

Yes, Byron also has his personal space, located at the front of the house, where he enjoys his personal artwork as well as a serious working office. Custom designed cabinetry and flowing counters make this a dream space for storage and computer use.

Donna says, 'This is just for me'

Donna and Byron are now totally content with their home and their life ‘after Aramco”. These days, both are sought after for ‘extra’ work in Las Vegas film productions. At this writing they are both busy with a new episode of CSI, where Donna gets to look out of character as a caricature of a tourist (big hair, hoop earrings and jeans with heels) and Byron wears the tourist uniform of shorts, tee, running shoes and fanny pack.

The stained glass oil derrick by Clare Jones is a prized piece, and hangs in Byron's study.

Their experiences to date have included Rocky Balboa, Next, and The Grand, alongside such luminaries as Woody Harrelson, Jason Alexander, Dennis Farina and more. They keep packed bags at the ready that contain 3 sets of clothing each to fit calls for flashy gamblers, tourists and casino guests. They especially love this line of work because it reminds them of the camaraderie they enjoyed doing DTG productions. Donna says that she is in a time warp right now, not a stereotyped lady of 60, nor a young 30, so she is studying ‘voice over’ because it is ageless. She expresses many thanks to the directors who educated her in theater, especially to Chris Robbins for his direction of Midsummer Night’s Dream that showed how Shakespeare can be modern, fresh, and relevant. She remembers how impressed she was when Bob Reece shaved his head to look middle-aged in one DTG production. And she recalls the total professionalism of Keith Kynoch, as well as all the other experiences she enjoyed both on and off the Dhahran stage. Thanks to them she continues to enjoy the make believe and dress up of theatre. Next time you go to a movie, watch for Donna and Byron in the crowd scenes.

Donna and Byron can be reached at: bpbennie@aol.com.

If you would like your home to appear on the Aramco ExPats website please write to me at RNAckerman@aol.com