Date: July 19, 2016 | Story: Rosemary Hallmark | Photography: Rett Peek |
Exterior designer Daniel Keeley proves that outdoor spaces can add valuable square footage
With stately, Southern homes, designers walk a fine line between improving on the original and muddling something that was already beautiful. But when Daniel Keeley of DK Design received a call that his clients were breaking ground on a remodel of this favorite Fayetteville estate, he didn’t hesitate to jump at the challenge, working alongside Alan Madewell Architects of Tulsa and Tim Janacek of Janacek Remodeling.
The remodel allowed for a series of outdoor rooms around the property—the main terrace with an outdoor hearth and cozy seating area is a welcoming spot on cooler nights, while the fountain courtyard is a perfect reading nook. A dining area and fire pit around the pool terrace offer seating and lounging space for summer entertaining. Keeley used hedges and lush plant life to separate the rooms from one another and create a sense of intimacy, while luxurious furniture pieces in a monochromatic palette give the outdoor rooms a cohesive feel. “The homeowners’ commitment to quality and their ability to trust us and invest in the quality of the project is what makes this so great,” Keeley says.
Lush Landscaping
In keeping with the classic Southern style of this stately home, Keeley utilized hydrangeas throughout, including Endless Summer, Limelight, and Oakleaf varieties. Tall planters were given shape and structure with Kimberly Queen ferns, while purple Scaevola—Keeley’s favorite annual—adds a bright pop of color to the otherwise muted palette. Neatly trimmed boxwood and holly hedges juxtapose the lushness of the hydrangeas and ferns.
Double the Appeal
The front lawn is divided into upper and lower halves. Keeley surrounded the upper lawn with hedges and lush plantings to create an intimate arrival area and extension of the front porch.
Carport Conversion
Because a garage was on the list of additions in the remodel, an old carport off the dining room was no longer needed. Keeley repurposed the space as an intimate courtyard with comfortable seating and a water feature. The result was so beautiful, the homeowners added French doors from the dining room to access it more easily.
Hearth of the Home
Keeley teamed up with a local artisan to design a concrete console table that has the appearance of draped cloth, while chevron upholstered chairs and a white iron sofa create a space that feels as comfortable and chic as any indoor room. “I always tell people that outdoor furniture can and should be just as sophisticated as indoor furniture,” he says.
DK Design Outdoor, Fayetteville, dkdesignoutdoor.com
