Before
courtesy of Victoria & Marcus FordA large but overgrown and uninviting backyard
After: A Lush and Orderly Landscape Plan
YardzenTo tackle the overgrown yard, Victoria and Marcus consulted with online landscape design company Yardzen. “They gave us this fun quiz and asked about favorite plants and how we wanted to use the yard. Then they spit out this really nice design and rendering that was like, ‘Aha! Yes, that is exactly what we want,’ ” says Victoria.
After: A Pretty and Welcoming Yard
Brie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversPea gravel paths meander neatly through the yard, edged with ‘Minuteman’ hostas, Baby Gem boxwoods, ‘Shamrock’ Inkberry shrubs, and Endless Summer hydrangeas. “The more hydrangeas, the better!” says Victoria.
Get the Look: Landscape Design: by Yardzen
Before
courtesy of Victoria & Marcus FordAn unattractive concrete pad sat unused behind the garage.
After: An Inviting Seating (And Movie Watching!) Area
Brie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversFor the Fords, any night is movie night, so an established spot for movie-watching was high on the backyard wish list. To turn the wide-open area behind the garage into a comfortable “room,” the couple started by defining the space. A large water-and-stain-resistant braided rug woven of Sunbrella yarns provides the space-defining base, while a chambray blue Sunbrella retractable awning cozies things up and shades the pull-down screen. “The scalloped awning gives it this very preppy and chic feel, yet it’s still casual,” says Victoria. Get the Look: Retractable Awning: Sunbrella “Lapis” by Eclipse AwningRug: Sunbrella “Southport Stripe” in Ash by Colonial MillsSofa and Chairs: “Capistrano” (upholstered in Sunbrella’s “Canvas White” fabric) by Serena & LilyStriped Pillows: Sunbrella from TerrainPatterned Pillows: Sunbrella from TerrainCoffee & End Tables: Chesapeake by UniversalExterior Paint: Alabaster by Sherwin-WilliamsMovie Screen: 120-inch Pulldown HD screen from AmazonLandscape Design: by Yardzen
A Table Ready for Entertaining
Brie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversAn old wooden work table becomes a movie-night concession stand when filled with a nostalgic self-serve spread of popcorn, lemonade, a cooler full of ice-cold Cheerwine, and all the candy classics (including Victoria’s favorite, Raisinets).Get the Look:Popcorn Machine: Tabletop Popcorn Maker by NostalgiaPopcorn Boxes: Red & White Popcorn Boxes from SnappyBasket: Woven “Beachcomber” by Pottery Barn
Outdoor-Friendly Fabrics
Brie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversA mix of patterned pillows atop the rattan furniture’s crisp white cushions—all made of outdoor-friendly, indoor-pretty Sunbrella fabrics—brings practicality without sacrificing style.
Get the Look: Rug: Sunbrella “Southport Stripe” in Ash by Colonial MillsSofa: “Capistrano” (upholstered in Sunbrella’s “Canvas White” fabric) by Serena & LilyWhite Patterned Pillows: Sunbrella from Ballard DesignsNavy Patterned Pillows: Sunbrella from Terrain
Before
courtesy of Victoria & Marcus FordMore disregarded concrete pads sat unused at the rear of the wild and overgrown yard.
After: A Sunny Garden House
Brie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversA couple of old windows used as decorations at their wedding got Victoria’s design wheels turning. It was Marcus, though, who lovingly mapped out and hand-built the 9-foot-square conservatory from 33 salvaged—and differently sized!—windows Victoria gathered from Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. “Unlike me, Marcus is really good about actually measuring four times and then cutting once,” says Victoria. The finishing touch is a blue Dutch door that was scored years ago.
Get the Look: Landscape Design: by YardzenExterior Paint: Alabaster by Sherwin-WilliamsDutch Door Paint: Smoky Azurite by Sherwin-Williams
Before
courtesy of Victoria & Marcus FordA messy, sprawling yard with no usable space for storing yard and garden equipment.
After: A Chic Storage Shed
Brie Williams, styling by Rachel RiversCoordinating with their home’s color scheme, a new bespoke, Cape Cod–style storage shed by Tuff Shed satisfies a little of Marcus’s longing for life in New England and a lot of his desire to keep stuff out of the garage.
Get the Look:Shed: “Premier Pro Tall Ranch” by Tuff ShedExterior Paint: Alabaster by Sherwin-WilliamsDoor and Shutter Paint: Dard Hunter Green by Sherwin-WilliamsOutdoor Sconce: Hubbardton Forge’s “Mason” from LightologyLandscape Design: by YardzenBicycle: from Public Bikes
Jennifer Kopf
Jennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.
