Revived Outdoor Living Space

Before: Bob Lester and Sherri Ziff don't like to spend time in their own backyard, let alone take company out there. It's barren, cluttered with toys and unused furniture, and it lacks any sense of style.

After: By removing overgrown branches and adding tall topiaries, comfortable chairs and a bench surrounding a raised fire pit, this area of the yard is now perfect for family gatherings and entertaining visitors.

Before: Sherri Ziff's only attempt to add color and life to the yard is this unfinished purple wall. She admits to not having a green thumb so she's asked for help to surprise her husband with a relaxing and inviting backyard.

After: A collection of large frames and mirrors that had been stored in the garage turns the neutralized wall into a unique outdoor focal point, helping to enlarge the space. Lounge chairs from a yard sale get a fresh coat of paint and new cushions, and they flank a sunken water feature for a soothing place to relax.

Before: An outdoor bed is a nice idea, but this one doesn't have any appeal with its hard edges, crumbling foundation and dirty cover.

After: A new platform, plastic cover for the mattress, inexpensive jewel-toned bed linens, plenty of pillows and a canopy turn the eyesore into a romantic spot (the delicate items can be brought in on rainy days). For the background wall, a neutral base coat is covered with a rag rolling technique by applying two more colors (a deep blue and a terra-cotta tone) using crumpled newspapers or plastic grocery bags.

Serena Chang's design calls for a relaxing yard by incorporating indoor room ideas for this couple's outdoor space. It will include many existing but unused iron pieces and remake the outdoor bed into a romantic spot, plus provide a seating area in the center with a fire pit and a dining table in the corner for the entire family to enjoy.

Make custom cushions for any piece of furniture by cutting a piece of plywood and foam to the necessary size. Place the foam over a piece of fabric (be sure to use fabric sealant if the cushion will be outdoors) and set the plywood on top. Wrap the fabric over the foam and staple it to the plywood like a package.