Two Become One

Before

Tom and Jen Delaney's project area is divided into two distinct garden rooms — the front yard and the courtyard. Both areas have different functions yet they must work together. The Delaneys would like to finish off the new front wall and add plant material to screen the yard from the noisy street.

After

They want to replace the entry path with one that complements the surface of the courtyard. Plus, they'd like to find a way to open the courtyard up to the front yard and incorporate plant material that ties both spaces together in a tropical theme. And they want to do it all with a budget of $15,000 for labor and materials.

Before

Each designer has had an introductory meeting with the Delaneys and are ready to present their ideas. Pamela Homfelt's design calls for lush, tropical plantings surrounding a poured concrete patio. Gary Gardner plans to extend the Spanish colonial-style of the Delaney's house by creating a tropical garden with Moorish accents. Didier Debaud's back-to-nature concept features native plants and bold accents.

After

After one week of reviewing the three plans, Tom and Jen choose Gardner's design. And now the Delaneys have the tropical refuge they were looking for. Gardner has combined their front yard and courtyard into one unified outdoor space where they can relax and entertain. The new design gives the couple a yard that's safe for children and pets without compromising the couple's grownup tastes.