Modern Low-Maintenance City Backyard Makeover

Designers Emilia Wisniewski and Pete Kiriakopoulos of Studio 1 NINE 1 transform this overgrown city backyard into a sleek and modern low-maintenance retreat. A beautiful dark stain brings new life to the old deck, while pavers and pea gravel extend the living space into the garden. Planters are added for extra greenery and flower beds line the fence for a layered look. Get Emilia and Pete's backyard tips on how to create a modern space with multiple living zones.

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[sakinahabdul-jaleel]

ANYTIME Emelia is ON....I STOP AND WATCH! Her personality, personal and professional style is hands down...THE BEST! SHE needs her own design show on HGTV

[tiffytattoo]

I was waiting for the after shots...
Sorry, but this is so unconnected and loveless (yes, modern can look like it's made with love).

The before was beautiful. Lush green!

[lorenwil]

They could not be any cuter together. They make each other laugh — that must make their work even more fun — and they do great work.

[everythingandanything]

Emillia always passes the VIBE check!

(and her partner tbh- great chemistry!)

[effie]

Have never seen Emilia & Pete together in a professionsl capacity. Love their humour & their design aesthetic...though a little sunshine would have added so much to this lovely back yard. 🌞

[josephinebrevig]

Simple...definitely low maintenance. So glad you didn't chop down all the trees. Not sure if i would have gone with that fencing colour. Great to see a couple working well in business.. the chemistry is infectious.

[krisztinakovacs]

I immediately liked when I saw her! Fav designer!

[leonardogarrido]

I wish they had left more green in the space but I get the low maintenance request. This lady never disappoints

[tamtran]

The trees provided privacy, and they chopped them all down so all the neighbors can look into the backyard!

[MikeS]

Love this and am borrowing it. So effortless and easy. A great mix of modern with low maintenance plants. Perfect!

[islandgirl]

Love it. Low maintenance. Who cleans the leaves?

[dhypeng]

Adore this couple. You could tell they’re related just by how they finish each other’s sentence.

[leoprg]

I would never get rid of a "random fruit tree" but I love a backyard without a turf

[louise]

Mmm, I thought at first this was the ‘before’ garden!! All those fallen leaves looks messy on the gravel.It all looks rather unimpressive and bitty with items of furniture just dotted about in one big void. Definitely not a ‘wow’ garden, but as long as the owner loves it, that’s the most important.

[AnnMarieKing]

Fave designer ... not sure about the pea gravel and leaf fall but love it!

[julietphillips]

"Random fruit trees" is a good thing!

[okonamaroko]

Hmm I don't know. It's definitely calming and peaceful, but I find it boring in general and the placement of the big planters random.

[JijjysMaison]

How beautiful is this garden. Really adore the banana looking plant with the little white flowers. And those garden large plant holders are just beautiful. What are they made of?

[betelsanchez]

Pete I feel you, my neighbors also take ideas from my decor, so true... :P

[HR-remr]

This just seemed like they brought sets from big box stores and cut down trees removed grass. I didn’t see any “design” here. But if this is the owners vision oh well.