Photography by Alise O'Brien
When Melissa Cella and her family spend time together in their Ladue home's outdoor pavilion, she says it feels like they’re on vacation. To create such an environment, Melissa and her husband, Ken, hired Kelly Johnson, of Kelly Johnson Design, to lend both creativity and practicality to the backyard. We chatted with Johnson and Melissa to learn all about the look.
Design Goals
In the main house, floor-to-ceiling glass walls provide unobstructed views of the backyard from the front porch. Therefore, the design of the new pavilion would need to be not only functional but visually impressive. “The pavilion really catches your eye as you’re coming in and looking directly through the house,” says Melissa. The pavilion also functions as the focal point in a yard with existing outdoor features, adds Johnson.
Privacy, Please
A wooden wall at the back of the pavilion helps screen the view of buildings just beyond the property line. Streams of light pour through its wooden slats, casting a pretty glow. “The privacy wall reinforces the idea of blending indoor and outdoor living spaces,” says Johnson.
Designer Furniture
Johnson advises buying quality outdoor furniture. “You get what you pay for,” she says. The designer selected a sofa, dining table for 10, as well as a pair of chairs, from reputable trade manufacturers sold through KDR Designer Showrooms, Design & Detail, and the showrooms at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. The Cellas requested a Ping-Pong table, which is at the edge of the pavilion, and the two hanging daybeds that flank the fireplace. Part of the challenge was finding seating styles for the pavilion that didn’t already exist on the main deck. “[The daybeds] are super fun, different, and unexpected,” says Melissa. “They get a lot of use.”
Accessories Vibe
Whether it was for the blue throw pillows or the cream-colored cushions, Johnson opted for a cool fabric color palette that includes chevron-print accent pillows on the hanging daybeds. Johnson says the neutral color scheme also blends in nicely with the overall outdoor design, as well as the interior décor of the main home.
Center of Attention
The fireplace serves as the room’s focal point, inviting guests to gather on the adjacent daybeds. Its floor-to-ceiling stone surround is similar to the stone on the outdoor kitchen, which lends consistency across the design.
Top to Bottom
Accents in black and wood tones are among the main home’s most prominent décor features. Johnson repeated those elements in the ceiling beams and slats, and she added two overhead fans to keep heat at bay during the summer months. The oversized porcelain tile floor also appears in all of the public spaces throughout the main home. Says Johnson: “It makes a big impact to have that same material that’s on the front porch go right through the inside of the house and out the back door.”
