Studio AKA Featured In Homes And Gardens

Screenshot from the recent Homes and Gardens article on Modern Garden Design.

Homes and Gardens has interviewed Dani for not one, but two recent design articles! The first covers modern garden design techniques and the second features backyard hot tub ideas.

Here are a few quotes from the articles:

'We read the site’s context – its geographic location, architectural style, interior furnishings, existing trees, solar orientation – for cues on how to initially respond in our designs,' explains Dani Alexander, Founding Principal of Studio AKA. She explains that even a historic home can give them hints that allow them to creatively interpret materials in a modern way.

'For example, the brick masonry of a historic townhome can look exceedingly modern when used on end in the landscape or with more contemporary, cooler colors such as schist, maroon, or charcoal, and it coordinates well with smooth cut stone. In one project, we helped the client select an inky paint color for their window bay which helped to link the brick facade to the cooler colors in the landscape. We also deployed a bluestone pattern that created asymmetrical plant beds to offset the strongly rectangular shape of the space, so that it would feel modern and have a sense of flow.

'Sometimes, it is the introduction of a new material that can tie a historic home to a modern landscape,' Dani continues. She explains how on a Georgian home, they worked with a high-end metal fabricator to create a curving steel and bronze staircase, pergola, and planters that balanced instead of competed with the historic facade. 'We also worked with TOBE Design Group, the interior designer, to coordinate flower colors with whimsical plastic outdoor furnishings for their children,' she adds. 'The result is a historic home with eclectic detailing that reflects the personalities of its new owners.'

Follow the links to read the articles in their entirety!

Source: https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/modern-backyard-ideas