Filed under: Famous Homes, Gardening, Garden Tours, Celebrity Homes
Watch Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen's Brooklyn backyard go from overgrown and under-decorated to polished and playful.I've seen the McCord-Van Kempen house on "Real Housewives of New York City" and now I've seen it in person. It's big, it's lovely, it's honestly quite jealousy-inducing. Alex told me that they were extremely inspired in decorating the inside but when it came to their outdoor area, they just didn't know what to do. After waiting and waiting for inspiration That's definitely the right time to bring in a professional, and it doesn't get any better than interior designer Elaine Griffin and her team. With her from some seriously bright new pieces (and Alex and Simon's sons François and Johan), the backyard went through a total transformation, in just one afternoon. Want to get a closer look at the process? Check out our slideshow!
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
Yes, it's lush, but this space could use some taming.
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
Color, texture and a better take on greenery.
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
A lonely bench and play car.
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
Now it's a grilling station. Yum!
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
Looks lackluster and out-of-place.
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
The perfect spot for roasting s'mores. Love those candle holders!
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
Is cute, but fades into the fence behind.
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
Is bright, beautiful red. Johan approves.
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
It's great-looking, but they don't know what to do with it.
A Backyard Makeover for Alex and Simon
Is Accessorized with sweet chairs, mini tables and pillows. Much better, right?
A special thanks to HomeGoods for organizing the makeover and supplying all the incredible outdoor decor and accessories. More thanks to Elaine Griffin for her amazing design work, Harlem Flo for the landscaping and all those stunning flowers and Taylor Made Contractors for their hard work (including painting the playpod!).
Looking for more makeovers? Check out some of our favorite: The four-seasons makeover, a kitchen saved by a "culinary man cave" and see how to make open shelving work for you.