French Quarter Patio

Host Susie Coelho, designer Brian Toffoli and friends Joel Bronson and Sylvia DeKnight conspire to surprise homeowner Michelle Thomas by using French-Quarter flair to take this New Orleans native's backyard from blah to wow. They want it to be low maintenance for Thomas so she can enjoy sharing it with friends and family.

Before: This plain and underused back patio is a clean slate that can take a little southern charm and the hot water tank is an eyesore that needs to be camouflaged.