Before and After: Terry Crews Transforms a Worn-Down Backyard and Pool Into a Fitness-Forward Outdoor Oasis
When Terry Crews learned of his family driver and close friend Frank’s amazing health and wellness journey, he decided that it was the perfect time to give him a fitness-inspired backyard makeover. In the most recent episode of HGTV’s “Celebrity IOU,” Terry teamed up with Drew and Jonathan Scott to remodel the area behind Frank’s house in a way that would help his friend continue to achieve his goals.
For more content like this follow
The original backyard appearance was simple and worn down. The yard featured a shed, a fish pond, a makeshift barbecue spot, a fire pit, a hot tub, and a pool. Nearby, Frank kept weights on hand, but Terry thought that he needed some upgrades to truly create a “fitness sanctuary.” The grass was splotchy and brown, with several dead spots thanks to California’s weather and Frank’s dogs. Terry requested that the team keep the pool, tub, and pond at the forefront of the renovation and build the rest of the space around it. He also voiced his support for combining the barbecue and fire pit area to create an ample “fire pit kitchen area” where Frank could continue cooking healthy meals.
“What’s great is that we have a ton of space to work with back here,” Drew said. “But how we delineate the function and flow is crucial.”
With a four-week timeline, Terry and the Scott brothers kicked off the project. They began the renovation by tearing up the old, dead grass and extending the concrete slabs around the pool to increase the amount of available poolside seating. They put in new turf with a built-in irrigation system to help maintain its appearance in the hot California sun. They cut lines into the original pool deck to create some modern designs and later filled the spaces in with artificial turf, because real grass often dies when it’s wedged between concrete.
The team built upon the existing pergola and extended it into a shady workout space for Frank, complete with poolside gym equipment. They converted, rotated, and reinforced the shed so that it could store cardio machines and free weights. “Everything you could need for each of your muscle groups, you have the space for it,” Jonathan said.
Jonathan, Drew, and Terry created a large kitchen space for an optimal cooking and dining experience. They combined porcelain countertops, a breakfast bar seating area, sink, and a 42-inch grill into an L-shaped set-up. “Everything in this outdoor kitchen could go in an indoor kitchen,” Terry said. “It’s going to be just as good.” They also brought in an outdoor dining table, which they tucked under a louvered pergola so that Frank and his family could adjust how much sun exposure they wanted during mealtime. To finish off the resort look, they added pool furniture. They also opted for spa-like umbrellas and a lounge air surrounding an upgraded fire pit.
“To have this environment that he created for me, it’s motivational,” Frank said upon seeing the final reveal, “Because I’ve been climbing that hill for many years.”
“Celebrity IOU” airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV and discovery+.
This content was originally published here.
