Backyard Goals: Inside Alexa Collins’s Tropical Modern Oasis

Project Spotlight
Client: Alexa Collins — entrepreneur, model, and influencer
Location: South Florida
Wood Species: Durathermo Ayous (thermally modified with )
Profile: 1×6 tongue-and-groove, V-joint — installed without oil
Installer: Backyards & Pergolas
Supplier: Brazilian Lumber

Top-Down Design That Speaks Luxury

Stepping into Alexa Collins’s residence feels like entering the pages of Architectural Digest—a masterclass in sleek modernity tempered by the warmth of natural materials. True to her curated aesthetic, she anchored the South Florida outdoor living spaces with a Durathermo Ayous ceiling—golden, clean-grained, and lightweight—installed by Backyards & Pergolas in tongue-and-groove that sweeps across two stories, adding depth and continuity without burdening the architecture.

Design Choices: Soft Modern, Coastal Cool

Alexa’s aesthetic blends modern minimalism with coastal ease—neutral palette, natural textures, and just-enough contrast to feel curated. By concentrating the wood overhead rather than on the walls, the space stays open and breezy while gaining warmth and texture. From one view, sculptural planters frame a low, white sectional; from another, swivel chairs angle toward the pool for sunrise conversations.

A Space That Moves Like Water

Oversized black-framed sliders dissolve the boundary between the living room and patio. Grand, square columns and deep overhangs frame views of palms and hedges, guiding the eye outward to the pool and sky. Upstairs, a glass-railed balcony becomes a quiet perch for sunrise.

Floor note: The current travertine was existing when the home was purchased and is slated for replacement; the salvaged material will be resold.

The Ceiling: A Statement in Craftsmanship

Precision-cut 1×6 boards create a seamless plane across connected outdoor rooms. Recessed lighting and oversized black fans punctuate the field of warm wood, balancing utility with a minimal profile.

Installed Ayous V-joint ceiling, left without oil to showcase the natural golden hue.

Material Breakdown: Why Durathermo Ayous?

Durathermo wood is thermally modified using heat and vacuum—no harmful chemicals—to deliver performance with a clean, modern look.

• Naturally rot-resistant 
• Pest- and mold-resistant 
• More dimensionally stable than untreated wood 
• Sustainably sourced 
• Lightweight—ideal for overhead applications 
• Smooth grain and minimal knots suit Alexa’s clean design preferences

Product detail: Durathermo Ayous 1×6 tongue-and-groove profile used throughout.

Installer insight — Backyards & Pergolas:
“Durathermo gives us the aesthetic of a tropical hardwood with the ease of a softwood. It’s a win for us and for our clients.”

The Result: Stylish, Smart, Sustainable

From golden-hour reels to dinners under the fans, Alexa’s backyard now lives like an extension of her brand—modern, calm, and effortlessly photogenic. Thoughtful architecture meets performance-driven wood, turning a single material choice into the home’s signature.

Want This Look?

• Samples, specs, and pricing for Durathermo Ayous available at Brazilian Lumber 
• Installation by Backyards & Pergolas @backyardandpergolas 
• Follow @alexacollinshome for behind-the-scenes updates and the upcoming flooring refresh