“DESIGN FRIENDS” IN THE GARDEN

LIVING “OUTSIDE THE BOX”

In my 20-year career as an Editorial Producer for national design and gardening magazines, I’ve had the opportunity to produce many garden photo shoots for Better Homes & Gardens magazine and its affiliate Special Interest Gardening Publications. One of my favorite parts of shooting gardens was the people I got to meet – all passionate about their gardens, plants and Making Their Every Day More Beautiful® in their outdoor spaces.

Which leads me to my next guest on “Design Friends”, whose business is all about creating beauty outdoors and “living outside the box”.

MEET DANIEL KEELEY

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Daniel Keeley is an acclaimed exterior designer who is the founder and principal of DK Design in Northwest Arkansas. He’s been designing outdoor spaces for over 20 years, and his work has won numerous awards and accolades over the years. Daniel’s passion for gardening started at the age of 14, and he’s been honing his skills ever since. His mission is to enrich the lives of his clients and others by creating elegant and inviting environments for entertainment, escape, and enjoyment. Doesn’t the world need more of THAT?!

I first met Daniel when I was living in Dallas, Texas and producing photo shoots in beautiful homes and gardens in neighboring Arkansas. Several interior designers told me about Daniel’s extraordinary talent for creating beautiful and inviting exterior spaces, so I was excited to meet a fellow gardener. I can attest that not only is Daniel one of the most talented designers I’ve met, but he is incredibly kind and down-to-earth. It came as no surprise to me that when I pitched his own home to my editors, they immediately wanted to feature it in one of their magazines.

EDITORIAL FEATURES

I produced the story we shot for a feature in Better Homes & Gardens “Before & After” magazine, shown below. What Daniel did with his 1948 cottage in Fayetteville was nothing short of spectacular. Below is the story, which shows that Daniel is not only highly skilled at exterior design, but his expertise extends to interior spaces, as well. This 1,000 square foot cottage lives large, thanks to texture, architectural details and luxe finishes and fixtures.

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In fact, the editors loved the home so much that it made the cover, which was photographed by the talented Rett Peek.

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I so enjoyed working with Daniel when we photographed his home for “Before & After” magazine, that when the editors of Better Homes & Gardens “Fall Decorating” magazine asked me to produce a story on creative ideas for styling with fall mums, Daniel was the first person I thought of.

Daniel and I worked together to create the story below, featuring his cottage and gardens as the fall backdrop for our mum ideas. In the opening image, Daniel accented his fabulous grasses with orange and cream mums from Sanders Nursery in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The bittersweet arch and mum wreath look so sophisticated against the rich bronze-painted brick exterior and natural wood front door.

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Here’s our Little Rock-based photographer extraordinaire, Rett Peek, photographing the vignettes & exteriors on our photo shoot:

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And here’s our fall wreath-making in action:

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MY CHAT WITH DANIEL

I had a chance to visit with Daniel recently, and he shared some interesting insights about how we’re blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor – and how our back yards are becoming extensions of our living spaces.

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Donna: It’s so nice to have a chance to chat with you, Daniel. Let’s start by talking a little more about your philosophy of “Living Outside The Box”. How did you come up with that, and what does it mean to you? And how can people apply that philosophy at home (both indoors and out)?

Daniel: Thanks so much for having me; it’s always great to get together! Our motto “Live Outside the Box” came from a business brainstorming session years ago, during which I was trying to better define who we are as a company. It’s a fun play on words that combines the more literal interpretation of living outdoors with the more philosophical idea of expressing individuality. For me it is using all the incredible elements found in nature, combined with the vast array of exciting outdoor furnishings available today, to make your garden and outdoor living spaces a true extension of your home and of your unique personality.

My advice on how to achieve this is to consider and to decorate your home’s interior and exterior spaces as a cohesive whole and to make design decisions that both enhance your home and speak to you on a personal level.

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Donna: Many people think gardens are a lot of work and chores (anecdotally, I once had a friend say to me that “Gardening is like washing dishes, but outside”. And she meant it!) What do you say to people who think that gardens are too much work? Is there such a thing as a low maintenance garden?

Daniel: I say “hire a gardener!” Haha. No not necessarily, but there is some truth to that. I laugh because 99% of new clients I meet say they want “low maintenance,” but that is such a subjective term. Yes, you can design a garden with the goal of minimizing maintenance, but there is no such thing as a no-maintenance garden. But like so many of the best things in life, the rewards are worth the effort…especially if you have a gardener to help!

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Donna: I agree about hiring a gardener – as with so many things design, a true professional will help you avoid mistakes!

So let’s talk about photo shoots. Remember that time we worked together on the photo shoot for Better Homes & Gardens “Fall Decorating” magazine? After we finished shooting, you hosted a fabulous outdoor dinner in your converted carport with some of our favorite Arkansas design friends. I thought that was such a clever conversion of a space. What gave you that idea, and do you have any tips for readers who want to create a lovely dining space outdoors?

Daniel: Of course I remember! What a fun night! I’ve been converting carports into outdoor living and dining spaces since I was a teenager at my parents’ house, and I have continued doing it at every house I’ve owned. I am just a garden geek, I guess. I’ve always had this obsession with “outdoor rooms,” and the carport is an easy structural target for a good makeover. Case in point is the space you referred to: all I did was add a grill, a dining table, outdoor drapes and lighting, and Voila!…instant outdoor dining room! By the way, we need to schedule Round 2!

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Donna: I am all in! Let’s plan for it – with the same fun cast of characters from the design world.

Speaking of design, I think good design is about the occasional surprise element. For example, bringing indoor items outdoors in an unexpected way. What sort of “surprises” do you like to include in your outdoor rooms?

Daniel: I, too, love a good surprise, and the element of surprise has been a powerful component of good garden design going back centuries. Sometimes it is a fabulous fountain or sculpture that steals your heart when you round the corner into a space. Or, it could be different colors and styles of furnishings brought together in a room.

When we are designing for clients, I think perhaps the way we create “surprise” most often is simply by raising outdoor spaces to the same level as interior spaces. From stylish furniture to lush fabrics to unique accessories, the end result is not your typical, “expected” patio set.

Donna: Great idea to raise the outdoor spaces to the same level as indoor spaces – that sure helps to blur the lines between indoors and out.

Now let’s talk “design dilemmas”. Outdoor spaces can present more than their fair share of challenges. What is a common “Design Dilemma” that you encounter in your work?

Daniel: Oh, yes…we’ve had some doozies! Everything from unearthing 100-year-old cisterns to 70-mile-an-hour winds on a rooftop terrace to shutting down roads to deliver 40 foot trees. During COVID, one of our biggest dilemmas has been dealing with crazy lead times on furniture. We’ve been waiting on one order for 11 months!

But I would say the most common dilemmas are those that arise simply because many homeowners don’t think about their outdoor spaces until relatively late in the building or remodeling process. From undersized patios to a lack of electricity right where you need it, many design dilemmas can be avoided by hiring a professional as early as possible.

Donna: It’s all in the planning, isn’t it? Now let’s address the budget aspect of exterior design. What would you say is your go-to, budget-friendly tip that offers a lot of bang-for-the-buck?

Daniel: Flank any doorway or entry with a pair of planters filled with colorful plantings. The effect is instant and powerful. I also like to use colorful throw pillows to give a seating area an easy makeover. One final tip is to place a recirculating fountain near a porch or patio. It doesn’t have to be expensive (it can even be hidden) but the sounds of the water are one of those things that transform the experience of a space immediately.

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Donna: I agree about adding a water feature. I’ve had some sort of fountain in every garden, and it’s so peaceful and soothing.

Now let’s talk about plants. You offered readers a great tip in our Better Homes & Gardens story about not putting fruit-bearing trees near your outdoor dining space. Any other quick planting tips?

Daniel: Buy the largest trees and shrubs you can afford, so you enjoy them right away, but don’t waste money on large perennials. Pint, quart or 1-gallon pots are just fine, and perennials grow quickly. Nevertheless, in most cases I recommend buying twice as many as you think you need. Most people underestimate how many plants it will take to fill a space, and perennials are easy to trim or transplant if they get too crowded after a few years!

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Donna: As you know, last year, as more people were working from home, outdoor spaces became much more important than ever. Any ideas for people who want to create an outdoor oasis, but don’t know where to start?

Daniel: First, start close to the house. The closer and easier it is to access, the more you’ll use the space. Then, ask yourself what you want to do in the space (lounge, dine, work, etc.) and how many people you want it to accommodate. These 2 simple questions will help guide everything else…how large the space needs to be, what furnishings you need, etc. After you have the basics defined, you can move on to the fun parts like selecting materials, choosing decorating styles and shopping for furniture!

Donna: Those are such helpful tips! Now, here’s a design challenge for you. What do you think is more difficult to design, a large outdoor space or a small outdoor space? And why?

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Daniel: I don’t really think one is more difficult than the other, but I love small spaces, and I’d much rather have a finished small space than an unfinished large space. For people who might be intimidated by a large space, the trick is to divide it into a series of smaller spaces – much like rooms inside your house. Start with functional spaces for lounging, dining, cooking, swimming, raising vegetables, storage, etc. and then use any leftover space creating more “garden-y” areas like flower borders, lawns, bosques, etc.

Donna: And here I thought I had my gardening and landscaping vocabulary down, but I had to look up the term “bosque” (for readers, it’s a cluster or grouping of trees). So let’s talk about favorites. As in plants. Do you have a favorite plant (or shrub) that you love to incorporate in your design plans? Tell us a little more about your choice, and why.

Daniel: If I had to choose only one plant to work with the rest of my life, it would be Boxwood. Some people might find that dull, but boxwood is a classic staple that is evergreen and extremely versatile. A few other favorites are Catmint for a fool-proof perennial (and don’t worry it’s not really a mint and is not invasive) and Magnolia and Gardenia for their intoxicatingly scented flowers.

Donna: I remember the classic boxwood hedge you planted around your home that we shot for the magazine. Classic, symmetrical and stunning! And definitely not boring or dull.

So, do you have any exciting new things on the horizon that you can share with us?

Daniel: I sold my house last year and am about to begin the process of remodeling my new one. I’m starting with the bathroom and then planning to move on to the kitchen and front facade. I also bought a small ‘Pandemic Getaway’ place in Key West and have been enjoying putting my personal design stamp on it, as well as exploring potential new projects there in the Keys.

Donna: The Keys are a perfect spot for a getaway – I spent a month there scouting locations back in 2005 and the houses and gardens are so fabulous. I’m sure you’ll make it stunning. I’m so excited to see what both your new home and getaway will look like!

I like to ask my Design Friends a variation of this next question. Complete this sentence: A garden isn’t complete without ______________________.

Daniel: Oh my gosh…what a question! Haha. Call me “Mr. Talkative” today, but I’ve got a multi-part answer: The cheesy response: People. After all, what good is a garden if it is never seen and enjoyed? The practical response: A place to sit. It’s easier to stop and smell the roses if there’s a bench nearby! And then, there’s the honest response, which is: A garden is never complete. Humans create gardens, but they still contain the products of nature, and as such are constantly changing and evolving. The sooner one accepts this, the sooner one can truly appreciate the rewards of a garden.

Donna: I love a good honest response. And frankly, that’s why I’ve enjoyed working with passionate gardeners over the years. They’re very accepting of the vagaries of nature, and have a great outlook on life and things as a result.

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Thank you, Daniel, for sharing your wonderful ideas and philosophies with me and my readers today.

DANIEL’S LINKS

To see more of Daniel’s work, visit his website DKDesignOutdoor and follow Daniel on Instagram @dkdesignoutdoor.

I hope this post has inspired you to Make Your Every Day More Beautiful® by incorporating Daniel Keeley’s creative ideas into your outdoor spaces!

IDEAS FOR OUTDOOR LIVING

Here are links to some of Daniel’s favorite plants (boxwood, catmint and magnolia), plus outdoor furnishings, planters, garden ornaments and lighting.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW FOR SHOPPING LINKS: