Lounge, dine, or just catch up with friends. This spacious room is made cozy by layering a variety of plants. Ones that work include sandankwa viburnum, macho fern, bougainvillea, and hibiscus.

Picture this: A vibrant orange sunset spills across the sky like a cracked egg. There’s a gentle breeze rustling fragrant vines overhead. Plush chairs are nestled between banana plants and a bubbling fountain that trickles water over a pile of stones. No, this is not your dream vacation destination. Not all getaways require plane tickets and passports. It’s what you get when you create a backyard oasis that bumps comfort up to first class. Be a stickler for great design, and your escape won’t be miles away, but a few steps from your door.

From Beast to Beauty
When Greg and Linda Austin moved to Georgetown, Texas, they bought a 1916 bungalow in major need of repair. The property also included a run-down garage that had almost nothing going for it. The Austins restored the house with help from architect Bryant Boyd, interior designer Linda McCalla, and contractor John Kyser, while landscape architect David Bost, landscape designer Beebe Gray, and landscape contractor John Gibson designed the lawn and created a plan to turn the garage into a deluxe patio. It was a lofty goal. The structure was full of metal scraps and rusted-out cars, and the tin roof was caving in above the dirt floor. Once the debris was cleared, however, three near-perfect stacked-stone walls were discovered.