The Backyard Collective

Two units, front and back, bought together and empty. Fourteen guests across both, on a budget that meant every decision had to earn its place.

The kitchen was the interior priority. It was opened up and an island added, which sorted seating and storage in one move and made the house work for a group rather than for four people taking turns. In the bedrooms the walls stayed mostly bare by choice, so accent paint and wall art did the work instead.

But the house is called the Backyard Collective, and the backyard is why.

An above-ground pool with a deck built around it, a pergola over a dining table big enough for everyone, bartop seating, turf, games, a grill, and a television outside. The house is built around it.