Holding Court

When it came time for Glen and Lisa McSpadden to design the outside of their Bentonville home, they were referred to exterior designer Daniel Keeley of DK Design in Fayetteville. Although the stucco colors and fixtures had been chosen, Daniel helped the McSpaddens design the shape of the front courtyard, complete with stone columns, beautiful rockwork and lush plantings. Since Glen and Lisa met and were engaged in Florence, Italy, they were greatly inspired by Italian architecture, and knew they wanted a fountain incorporated in the front courtyard. The multi-faceted fountain is flanked with colorful plants, which create a secluded retreat, while the stone pathway is another nod to the Italian influence. “I chose the stone walls and columns to match the stone on the house, and the concrete path with stone detailing adds a nice architectural feel,” Daniel says.

The mixture of plantings he chose accents the rockwork without becoming overwhelming, and the pops of color and texture cause the space to feel complete and established. Because Lisa is a photographer and works from her home studio, she asked Daniel to create several outdoor areas with colorful surroundings and interesting features to use in her work, including the stone staircase with cascading, flowering plants. “With all of the stonework that was involved in this project, the craftsmen at Hammer and Chisel Stone Masonry and Timber Framing in Fayetteville were paramount,” Daniel says.