Modern Mediterranean

Steve Thompson and Rick Andreoli recently moved to their small home in Echo Park and inherited a backyard in desperate need of some imagination. The space was a horrifying mix of purple walls and lime-green splashes, more psychedelic than classy. Matt James takes on this space with a vengeance, going for a Mediterranean look with a modern twist that will create the entertaining space the guys are after. It's not all plain sailing—the California weather is refusing to play ball, going from baking sun to pouring rain and then back again. With Matt more used to the mild weather of London, he finds himself bedridden with sunstroke while the build continues without him.

Steve and Rick have a house that fits their lifestyle perfectly, however their yard leaves a lot to be desired. It's a mass of concrete, and the walls are painted bright green and plum purple accented by a gray-and-aqua floor. Steve admits they're a "little more than slightly embarrassed" by it. To make it worse the neighbors can see into their backyard. They long for a private paradise with a Spanish-Mediterranean feel where they can take advantage of the California climate and entertain their friends.