Homes
The Ins and Outs
An exterior designer crafts his Fayetteville home with contemporary design and thoughtful furnishings
BY
Allison Cook
PHOTOGRAPHY
Brian Meredith
STYLED BY
Allison Cook






The home of exterior designer Daniel Keeley with DK Design and antiques dealer Alexander Hunt with French Metro Antiques, both in Fayetteville, is a blend of outdoor living spaces, contemporary design and antique furnishings. The ranch-style home received an overhaul when the two moved in, including replacing the carpet in the main living areas with bamboo flooring and painting the stark white walls. “We wanted to give it a more up-to-date look,” Daniel says.

Originally, the back of the home offered a wooden deck running along one third of the house. “We knew we’d be spending a lot of time out here, so we extended the deck to run the length of the house,” Daniel says. With this added space, Daniel was able to put his design talent to work, crafting a unique space that’s functional and design savvy. A large grill anchors one side of the deck, in front of which Daniel placed a table with three potted plants to camouflage the space when not in use. A comfortable seating area includes upholstered chairs, a sofa and a lounger, while a large mirror visually expands the space and reflects the lush green surroundings.

The inside of the home is filled with original, local artwork and exceptional design elements. The open floor plan between the living room, den, dining and kitchen allows a consistent traffic flow, although each space is delineated with key furnishings. The den holds a Louis Philippe-period secretary, circa 1830 to 1845, with burled walnut and a marble top, as well as a Louis XI-style jardinière with exotic wood inlays, circa 1860. “I found the jardinière on one of my last trips to France,” Alexander says. “I really loved it, and was grateful to receive it as a birthday present.” Juxtaposed with these fine antiques, a handmade desk chair upholstered in outdoor fabric is paired with a sleek-lined sofa and chair. “We enjoy the composition of old and new pieces,” Daniel says. “We also incorporate natural materials throughout.”

One of these natural elements stands next to the living room fireplace. At first glance it appears to be some sort of a sculpture, but on closer inspection it’s a piece of driftwood. Daniel recovered the tree root from the White River. He had it mounted upside down on a stand, allowing the entangled rocks and eye-catching form to be fully enjoyed. Continuing the more natural elements, the artwork above the mantel is a photograph on canvas by Jake Aslin, who specializes in macro photography. “The image is actually a close up of rust,” Daniel says. “Jake takes something that tends to be ugly and finds the beauty in it.”

Another room that Daniel and Alexander utilize often is the outdoor dining room. They converted the existing carport into a spectacular dining space, complete with drapery, a one-of-a-kind table and banquette. “Daniel designed the table out of scrap metal and had it welded,” Alexander says. “The curtains are made of outdoor fabric with weights in the bottom, and the space is enclosed with a wall of planters.” The teak chairs, lanterns and botanical elements are also Daniel’s design. “We use the space a lot,” he says. “We entertain out here often, and it’s just a great place to relax. I always like creating beautiful outdoor rooms in unexpected places.”