OUTDOOR LIVING
By Daniel Keeley | Photos courtesy of DK Design
The Art of Gardening
Gardens began as a utilitarian necessity for growing food, but they quickly evolved to be much more than just a means of survival. Garden design has become one of the most expressive and enduring art forms ever developed and is represented the world over. It should come as no surprise, then, that other works of art feel right at home in a garden and have long been a key component of thoughtfully designed green spaces. Garden art and ornamentation can take many forms and offer multiple rewards, such as personal expression, visual interest and historical reference. So, as you consider your own outdoor spaces this season, remember to include this important layer of design and experience the art of gardening.
In this rooftop seating area, custom artwork was created by printing an original photograph on pieces of sheet metal. As functional as it is beautiful, the art cleverly slides open to reveal an outdoor television.
The silhouette of this playful sculpture stands in contrast to the variety of foliar forms that surround it and evokes the symphony of sounds Mother Nature has to offer.
Antique statues depicting the four seasons add visual interest, lend a sense of history and anchor the seating arrangement in this elegant, enclosed courtyard.
The form of this reproduction sculpture provides textural contrast and kinetic energy to this vignette in an alfresco living room. The relationship between the artwork and the clawfoot console table serves to amplify the overall effect.
Consider how your art will appear at night. Here, solar-powered light tubes serve as both a captivating art installation and a useful light source. Their vertical configuration also draws the eye up and outward to the view beyond this rooftop terrace.
This carved stone Buddha sits atop a custom iron base at the edge of a shady sitting area. Its calming effects are accentuated by a rain curtain water feature that perfectly frames the sculpture.
In this intimate courtyard, a cast stone lion’s head occupies an otherwise blank wall. Its impact is elevated further by a custom frame of reclaimed wood and iron.
An original sculpture by artist George Dombek provides a whimsical focal point in this private garden. Its arborescent form mimics the dense woodland background.
In this outdoor living space, a hand-painted metal work hung above a console table transforms an uninteresting wall into an eye-catching focal point.