Kate Hudson Transforms an Overgrown Landscape Into a French-Inspired Retreat
Actress Kate Hudson and Drew and Jonathan Scott redesign a sloping California backyard into a three-tiered, tranquil oasis on Celebrity IOU. This six-week makeover is truly transformational.
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Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
Photo By: DENNYS ILIC
An Outdoor Oasis for a One-of-a-Kind Matriarch
With help from Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott, actress Kate Hudson redesigned her mother-in-law Melissa's backyard on Celebrity IOU. Melissa, a 30-year educator and glowing grandmother, always puts her family and grandchildren first. “This opportunity highlights how much [Melissa] does for everyone else. We’ve never done anything like this for her before,” said Kate. Melissa suffered two broken feet several months prior to the renovation and was still recovering, so Kate knew reinventing the backyard of the home she raised her two boys in would not only add function and appeal, but take a weight off Melissa’s mind.
SEE MORE: Celebrity I.O.U.
Kate and Her Daughter Plant a Garden for “Moo Moo” Melissa
Melissa instilled in her family a love for gardening, so Kate invited her own daughter Rani to help plant new garden beds for “Moo Moo" (Rani's nickname for Melissa). “We have a garden at home too,” Rani proudly shared with Jonathan. New raised planter boxes provide Melissa with a place to foster her homegrown fruits and vegetables. Now, her mature fruit trees and grapevines can continue to thrive.
Before: The Back Porch
The porch leading off Melissa’s kitchen was not only completely overgrown, but it needed some safety-related repairs. Damaged railings, an old metal roof and obtrusive wiring systems compromised Melissa’s ability to enjoy the space she once loved.
After: The Back Porch
A brand-new, hotel-worthy porch spans the entire length of the home. The electrical wiring that previously hung in front of the kitchen window was relocated. Two pergolas painted white offer shade from the California sun. Kate knew Melissa always wanted to have porch access from her bedroom, so Jonathan and Drew swapped one of her bedroom windows with French doors. Constructed of durable composite decking and comfortable seating, this maintenance-free deck and modern railing system is the ideal upgrade to suit Melissa’s backyard lifestyle.
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Before: The Entertaining Areas
“Welcome to the jungle, baby,” said Kate as she showed Jonathan and Drew the backyard. “It has a magical quality, but it’s kind of a danger zone.” The uneven pebble area was hard to walk on, especially for Melissa, who was still recovering from an injury that also prevented her from keeping up her garden.
After: The Entertaining Areas
To call this an “upgrade” is an understatement. The design team thoughtfully tiered Melissa’s backyard into three sections. The top tier boasts an outdoor kitchen and dining area. The second tier features a cozy backyard fireplace, accessorized with sofas and tables for lounging. Out of sight on the lower tier, the bros installed a dedicated bocce court. Distinct hardscapes marry with new grassy areas for play. Throughout the redesign, the team worked to retain as much of the existing landscape as they could.
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After: The Outdoor Kitchen
Drew and Jonathan finished the 38-inch grill's base cabinetry with sleek stucco. Porcelain countertops boast durability year-round, while the rustic harvest table and comfortable chairs comfortably accommodate guests. Given its proximity to the new back porch, Melissa thinks of this new space as a dedicated extension of her kitchen.
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Before: The Garden
The bottom tier of the yard housed an unused gardening shed and an old chicken coup. Melissa knew she'd be unable to keep up with high-maintenance landscaping, so the team brainstormed ideas for an easy-to-maintain yet functional area Melissa could enjoy.
After: The Bocce Court
Playing off Melissa’s love of Southern France, Drew and Jonathan built a low-maintenance bocce court for backyard entertaining. Upcycled railroad ties frame Melissa’s perennial garden, while a smart irrigation system ensures easy upkeep. Tall shrubs offer privacy, adding to the European-backyard ambiance.
see more: Michael Bublé Surprised His Grandpa’s Caretaker With a Renovation
After: The Raised Garden Beds
Her intense gardening days might be behind her, but Kate still wanted to give Melissa an area to grow her favorite herbs and vegetables. Three beds — complete with galvanized metal storage bins for tools and gardening accessories — provide plenty of space in the lower tier. Adding to the ambiance, Jonathan and Drew stamped the round, concrete steppingstones with a pattern reminiscent of tree stumps. A new wooden fence offers privacy, while river pebbles provide a level and maintenance-free ground surface.
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Before: The Art Casita
Melissa and her grandchildren used the magical little shed out back as an art studio. It was functional and structurally sound, but neglected and overgrown.
After: The Art Casita
The design team refreshed the exterior with white paint and new doors that allow for ample natural light inside. The pared-back landscape showcases grape vines Melissa planted and trained to grow across tall trellises. The bros added a porch to the entryway, which they constructed with the same maintenance-free composite deck boards they used on the back porch of the house. Wooden tables and potted lavender emulate design details Melissa fell in love with during her time in the South of France.
see more: Howie Mandel Surprises His Tour Manager With a Complete Condo Makeover
Before: The Art Casita
Kate wanted to turn Melissa's art studio into a warmer, inspired and family-friendly space where Melissa could do art projects with the grandkids.
After: The Art Casita
Drew and Jonathan installed durable vinyl flooring to add warmth to the casita. For a rustic look, they extended the existing paneling across all the walls floor-to-ceiling. A round table with leather poufs offers flexible, creative space for Melissa’s grandchildren, while a desk and organizational system on the other end of the room provides a dedicated area for Melissa. Updated with large French doors and c
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