Bungalow Beauty

The original front porch of this Fayetteville bungalow was closed in years ago, creating a flat, non-descript entry for guests that the new homeowners wanted to renovate. They called Eric Hobbs of Hobbs, Inc., and he opened up the porch again, complete with traditional columns and a unique railing. With the porch opened up, the homeowners turned to exterior designer Daniel Keeley of DK Design in Fayetteville to make the outdoor area livable. “The homeowners wanted contemporary touches,” Keeley says. “And, my goal was to turn the porch and yard into outdoor living rooms as extensions of the house.”

Traditional teak chairs with thick cushions for comfort intermingle with contemporary accents, such as the oversized, semi-transparent resin planter—a favorite of Keeley’s—and the lush landscaping includes perennials and annuals with punches of color from azaleas, day lilies and more. The teak sofa is outfitted with all-weather throw pillows, while Keeley created a multi-functional ottoman with two upholstered foam squares. “The ottomans are perfect as a coffee table or extra seating, depending on the situation,” he says.

The house is raised from the street with a stone wall, and to emphasize this separation, Keeley wrapped the yard with boxwood hedges, creating a living wall enclosing the front yard. “I knew the homeowners would use the outdoor spaces a lot, and to give them a gathering area in addition to the porch, I turned the front yard into a garden and added a table and chairs set,” he says.