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Mexican-Themed Backyard

Outer Spaces : Episode HSPA-103 -- More Projects »
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Before: The garage is the first thing you see when entering the yard from the house and it's not very welcoming.
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After: Sun-drenched hues of green, orange and yellow, furniture freshened with stain and flowering plants add instant warmth and interest to the space.
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Before: The view from the garage to the house has harsh, angular lines and little color.
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After: Curved patio edges and a recycled concrete path plus new sod bring the dull area to life.
Outer Spaces is on the case of this backyard. Bill Katz wants to reward his wife, Michelle, a recent law-school graduate, with a fantastic Mexican-themed backyard makeover to celebrate her accomplishment and heritage. She'd love to make the existing patio more inviting for company. The unsightly overhead utility wires are another aspect of the existing yard that Michelle dislikes so designer Jack Phelan has an ingenious way to camouflage them with paper lanterns.
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Landscape designer Jack Phelan's plan makes the garage more of a focal point with colorful flowering plants, provides an inviting seating area, incorporates hanging lights to draw attention away from the utility wires and recycles broken concrete chunks into a pathway of stepping stones.
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Color and atmosphere are added by transforming tomato cages into festive luminarias, a paper lantern popular in Mexico. Learn how to make some for yourself.
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The existing furniture gets a new lease on life with a fresh coat of stain and tiled place mats. Use pressboard or thin plywood for the tile base and try the technique with mirrors, too.
Once the harsh outer edges of the unsightly brick patio and the shed are removed, the design plan is implemented:

  • The patio edges are softened by cutting the outer bricks to form curves. Plus, a new sod lawn is laid (be sure to water new sod thoroughly for 20 minutes twice a day in the early morning and late evening for the first few weeks).
  • Soft light comes from hanging luminarias and an aged ocher colorwash technique using layers of paint enhances the garage wall.
  • Tiled place mats and an application of stain bring the worn furniture back to life.
  • Finally, colorful tableware, cushions and pillows plus an umbrella for shade and potted flowering plants with bright blooms complete the makeover.

plates, bowls and tableware (Etrusco) (Pier 1 Imports)
furniture, pillows (Pottery Barn)
chiminea (Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH))

Resources
decorative project materials
Pier 1 Imports
Website: www.pier1.com

decorative project materials
Pottery Barn
Website: www.potterybarn.com

decorative project materials
Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH)
Website: www.osh.com
Also in this Episode
Outer Spaces : Episode HSPA-103
•Mexican-Themed Backyard
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