Season 2, Episode 6 RECAP of Making Modern with Brooke & Brice + Final Reveals + Updated Backyard Oasis Ideas
- Admin
- Jul 11
- 6 min read
In celebration of summer, we're throwing it back to Season 2, Episode 6 for a special recap of Pete and Lorraine's "Big Backyard Reno" in Franklin, Tennessee.
This couple has decided to host their upcoming wedding nuptials at home. They need Brooke & Brice's help to create an updated backyard paradise that is both inviting and warm, but also keeps in tune with their earthy, log-cabin style home and surroundings.
Homeowners Pete and Lorraine solicit the help of Brooke & Brice to help create the backyard oasis of their dreams.
The Clients
Homeowner Pete just recently assisted Brooke & Brice on a previous client project requiring the knowledge of sound dampening a room for a musician client's garage studio. As a Sound Engineer and Producer, he was able to give them advice for how best to complete the daunting task. But now it's his turn to ask for help. He does so by requesting Brooke & Brice to redesign his backyard for his bride-to-be Lorraine. They are hoping to host their upcoming wedding and guests in this new and improved backyard, so the expectations are high!
Sound dampening client project Pete worked on / Season 2, Episode 6 homeowners Pete and Lorraine.
The Backyard BEFORE & Client Consultation
The current backyard is a bit lackluster, to say the least. Brooke and Brice have their work cut out for them, especially since this is their first outdoor home project! The yard has a difficult slope that will need to be dealt with. There are rotten deck boards and stability issues with the railings and stairs. And while the current eye sore of an above-ground pool may be a daunting design task that needs addressing, Brice proves ready for the challenge.
The backyard BEFORE.
After meeting with Pete and Lorraine at a local coffee shop to discuss design ideas, Brooke & Brice come up with a plan of action. While giving a nod to the log-cabin design and aesthetic, Brice decides to lean into southwestern feel to compliment the home. Pulling from native American textures and warm tones, he plans to bring this backyard to life with pops of color using textiles and natural finishes, but also with plants and foliage. They also want to create separate social spaces for different styles of entertaining for future guests and add on a swim-up bar for the pool!
The backyard design plans.
First Challenge: All Hands on the Literal Deck!
Brooke and Brice recruit the help of the homeowners and their friend Grace to put in some sweat equity and assist with the first phase of demo and repair on the deck. After showing them the initial ropes of drilling and sanding, the team is well underway with the deck renovation, repairing old boards, sanding down planks, and removing old, rotting railing to prep the deck for newer modern metal railing.
Brooke and Brice recruit friends of the homeowners and introduce them to drilling and sanding 101.
Heavy Lifting Constructions Begins
While refinishing the deck is prioritized, Brooke recruits a deck team to help reinforce the parts of the deck that are not structurally sound, build up the lower deck area, and add on the framing elements for the new swim-up bar. Meanwhile, the excavation crew is on site to level out the sloped area of the backyard to get it ready for the new level gravel fire pit zone.
The base structure for the new fire pit and lower level decking is completed.
Workin' on the Weekend!
With Brooke and Brice's busy full time work schedules and careers during the week, they're often having to do their builder/designer hustle on the weekends, putting in a little sweat equity of their own. So for this project, they get busy working on cutting and installing all the new horizontal metal railing for the new and improved deck.
Things are starting to really take shape!
Brooke and Brice working on the weekends to keep the project on schedule.
Pause For Celebration
Construction Continues & Fire Pit Phase 2
On this busy day, there are several different trades teams on site to finalize stucco work on the bench seating in the fire pit area, level out the gravel, cut and install pavers, and more. Brooke is finally beginning embracing her General Contractor role, confidently delegating responsibilities to a team who is there to support her, which is not easy for her!
Brooke leaning into her leadership role as a now certified General Contractor.
Walkway Build
With all the trades teams gone for the day, Brooke has some solo time to focus on construction of the new walkway for Pete and Lorraine's backyard. She saves money by ripping down scrap wood pieces for the project. After a quick build and a little stain, this walkway is ready for install!
Brooke working on the new walkway for Pete and Lorraine's backyard.
Landscape Design & Installation
The landscaping portion of this project gets underway. Brooke and Brice first head to a local nursery to pick out trees and plants. Before long, it is installation day.
Shopping and installation for Pete and Lorraine's new backyard landscaping.
Final Installations: Rock Walls, Stained Planters, Painted Pool Exterior, Deck Railing, Poolside Bar, and Upholstery!
Once again, Brooke and Brice have recruited the help of family to assist with the final push on projects at Pete and Lorraine's. This time, Brooke's brother Brock is in the fold helping with the rock walls (part of the landscape design), and staining wood planters. Brice paints the exterior siding of the above ground pool for a refreshed and updated look. Project Manager Josh is on site to finalize deck railing. The stone team is on hand for the swim-up poolside bar installation. And the upholstery team delivers the new bench seat cushions. It's almost time for the final reveal!
Final Installation - everything is coming together!
Final Touches
Final Reveal Day is here! Brooke and Brice put the finishing touches on all the little decorative details.
Lorraine comes home from her bachelorette trip with Brooke and Brice eagerly awaiting the bride and groom to be. They are excited to show them their new backyard and the future site of their upcoming wedding!
The Final Reveal - Fire Pit
Now this is a fire pit ready for entertaining family and friends for years to come! Brooke and Brice have created an entirely new zone in Pete and Lorraine's backyard. It is now ready for hosting guests, eating s'mores, or relaxing fireside conversations. Complete with new stucco bench seating, there is plenty of room to sit. There's a new wooden walkway in addition to concrete pavers which guide you up to the new lower level deck area. On the surround, there are new rock walls and easy maintenance plants.
The new fire pit entertaining area.
The Final Reveal - Lower Deck
As they find their way up the new concrete pavers and steps, Pete and Lorraine are welcomed to their new and improved lower deck. Complete with a swinging solo chair for quiet reflection moments, there's also new beautiful wooden planters, new foliage and trees, and of course, the new swim up bar. They also note the refreshed paint color on the exterior siding of the pool. It's safe to say they are pleased with the results!
Lower Deck reveal of Pete and Lorraine's new backyard makeover.
The Final Reveal - Upper Deck
The upper deck reveal continues to showcase Brice's modern design updates with the beautiful newly refinished decking and railing. There's new lounger patio chairs, umbrellas and dining area. This couple is definitely prepared for many different entertaining possibilities!
The final details of the upper deck are revealed.
BEFORE Reminder, Design Sketch, & AFTER
As a reminder, this backyard has come leaps and bounds since the start of the project. From overgrown, dull, dreary, outdated, and structurally deficit, to a modern refreshed oasis, this backyard is now an entertainers dream!
BEFORE Reminder, Design Sketch, & AFTER
Final Thoughts
This project was the very first outdoor project for Brooke and Brice. There was no lack of obstacles, challenges and learning curves throughout the process. However, this dynamic duo stepped up, relied and relented to the talents of their team, and got it all done. The final results speak for themselves. It's safe to say that Pete and Lorraine will have no issues or embarrassment by hosting their upcoming nuptials in this beautiful new dream backyard.
Homeowners Pete and Lorraine soaking up their new backyard.
Let's Get Married!
After a beautiful wedding ceremony, Pete and Lorraine walk over from their reception area to show off their newly renovated backyard transformation. The couple celebrated with their closest friends and family, and even toasted Brooke and Brice (in their new fire pit area) to a job well done and a new chapter of life ahead. Here's to love, sweat and future memories!
Celebrating the newlyweds, Pete and Lorraine at their beautiful wedding!
Official Photos
View the official final reveal photos from this episode in our Portfolio COMING SOON.
Should we do another outdoor renovation project?
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