Mississippi Makeover: America's Most Desperate Landscape 2018
Jason Cameron and crew head to Florence, Mississippi to help a family rescue one truly desperate landscape, replacing a gaping backyard sinkhole and collapsed pool with a spectacular new patio and deck — and some amazing outdoor features.
Contractor-in-Chief
Every year DIY Network poses the question "what's the most desperate backyard landscape in America?" and every year the candidates come rolling in — pictures and videos of yards ranging from downright drab to undeniably embarrassing to positively frightening. Once the worst of the worst is selected, James Cameron and crew surprise the winning homeowners with a complete landscape makeover —with plenty of bells and whistles.
Meet the Watkins Family
This year's recipients of DIY's dubious 'Most Desperate Landscape' title is the Watkins family from Florence, Mississippi — Dywayne, Shonda and their two sons, Garrett and Tristan. Shonda and Dywayne are owners of a trendy coffee shop in the charming deep-southern small town of Florence, Mississippi. But prior to the renovation, their backyard was not only desperate, it was downright dangerous.
Just How Desperate?
Before
The old patio and deck represent an ambitious attempt to create an ideal space for outdoor entertaining, but things got sidetracked to the point that it's now it's a "ramshackle mess of broken dreams" and a "patchwork of DIY Don'ts" — complete with a crumbling outdoor kitchen and a tired tiki bar.
Before
Without question, the thing that helped clinch the title of ‘Most Desperate Landscape’ is the gaping crater-like hole just off the patio. The collapsed structure — resulting from an earlier and failed attempt to add an above-ground pool — is both unsightly and unsafe.
Before
Problems began with poorly executed construction, then torrential storms eventually collapsed the pool, stone path and portions of the fence. "We’re at a complete loss to know what to do here," said Shonda. The situation is so bad that the neighbors, despite their cultivated Southern graces, had begun to talk.
After
Mega-Deck
The new multipurpose deck includes a new pergola and incorporates an outdoor kitchen and grilling area, serving bar, a separate lounge area, outdoor fireplace and a semi-enclosed spa nook with hot-tub. The kitchen area seen here features gray concrete countertops and bar seating.
Outdoor Lounge
Outdoor Lounge
Perfect View
Above the fireplace is one of the renovation's very special custom features — a rotating panel for mounting the weather-resistant outdoor TV. The panel, secured within a box housing, is attached using center-mounted swivel plates that allow it to spin laterally so the TV can be turned to any angle for ideal viewing.
Private Retreat
At the end of the deck opposite the kitchen is a hot-tub nook with privacy screen made using decorative landscape panels. The TV can be swiveled 180 degrees so that the TV can be viewed from this area as well.
Order Up
The former tiki bar is replaced with a functional outdoor kitchen, grilling area and serving bar. The kitchen features a flush-mounted sink, gas grill and tile countertops.
Swing Time
The bar-side swings were made using reclaimed lumber from the old pool deck and provide a whimsical take on additional bar seating.
Statement Lighting
Totally Zen
Patio Style
Patio Detail
Patio Detail
Patio Detail
Patio Detail
Patio Detail
For the Birds
Gather 'Round
The fire-pit with circular gravel pad and Adirondack-inspired seating provides a welcoming spot for chilling out at the end of a day.
Warm Up
Before
After
Practice, Practice
As a bonus for the Watkins kids, both avid soccer players, the team installed a soccer practice area with goal and synthetic-turf field.
