Kellie Smith and Melanie Hönig, co-founders of home decor brand SmithHönig, have different ideas about outdoor decor. When they’re working together in the studio, they see things differently, too. That’s part of what makes their style so unique – and compelling. Melanie leans towards the classics, viewing the world through a lens of literary references and history. That shows up in her outdoor decor, too. Kellie likes to push both boundaries and buttons, mixing color and texture with strategic abandon and always with an eye to glam things up, inside and out.

Kellie’s schnorkie, Elsie de Woof, sits beside the duo's Crespi Arch outdoor throw pillow.

These days, Melanie and Kellie are each spending more time at home, working remotely, social distancing and getting outside when they can. Here’s a look at their individual outdoor decor styles. 

Melanie’s garden is an ever-evolving project, filled with cosy living spaces and plants passed down for generations. Her mother was a prolific flower cultivator and her father, a book-loving aficionado of garden techniques and experiments. (Ask her, sometime, about his barley obsession!)

Melanie designed her outdoor space herself, and its always evolving. The front of her landscape is semi-formal, featuring only white and green plantings. Color – and wildness – increase as you move into the private backyard and the woodlands beyond.

There are high stone walls, a carved turquoise gate, and climbing pink roses.

Under normal circumstances, Melanie would be entertaining in this outdoor extension of her home. Her outdoor decor features social areas, private spaces and spots for outdoor games. These days, the yard is used primarily for morning coffee, conference calls and dinner with her husband.

Not one to be held back by a need to match, Melanie adds the things she loves to her outdoor spaces. Each area features unique and disparate outdoor decor, combining Mr. H’s favorite Italian terra cotta urns…

…with a hot tub, indoor pool, totem pole and a life-sized driftwood horse. Are these things meant to go together? Well, let’s just say it’s an unexpected mix. We think it works.

At Home with Kellie

When she’s in town, Kellie spends her outdoor time on the wooden deck of her mid-century house, nicknamed Casa de Loco. There are oversized outdoor chairs and an array of colorful accents – from SmithHönig, of course.

These days, she’s also spending quality time at her family’s lake house, which is the epitome of cabin chic.

Kellie and the family love to scoot down to the lake for some major unwind time, when it’s not in use by other families looking for that same relaxing getaway. The house is available to rent so if you are looking for a quiet cove on a small lake with deer wandering through the yard, look no more.

There are bright orange Adirondack chairs filled with comfy outdoor pillows and an enormous metal fire pit. Sitting out by the dock with the flames flickering in the wind is a great way to soothe the soul.

Of course, there are all the necessary accoutrements for staying active, as well.

Kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and a boat in the dock keep the whole family entertained.