The winner of the $100,000 Outdoor Makeover isNora Ghillany

As the winner of the Frontgate/Coastal Living $100,000 Outdoor Makeover Sweepstakes, Nora Ghillany is happy to be faced with the task of choosing Frontgate items to enhance her backyard retreat in Lexington, Massachusetts. "It's a little overwhelming at first, but we're getting used the idea, and beginning to make some choices," she says. Nora will receive $50,000 in Frontgate outdoor furnishings and décor, plus a $50,000 certificate from Master Pools Guild toward a custom-designed water feature, pool, or estate-quality landscaping.

Nora is excited to be able to start crossing some items off her "wish list" and actually start adding them to her outdoor décor. Already an avid gardener, Nora wants to make her back yard more appealing, as well as more functional. A raised deck, a stone patio, and a number of micro gardens grace the 1/3-acre behind her quaint Victorian-style cottage. An artistic soul with self-professed little drawing ability, Nora describes her garden as her "outdoor canvas."

"I can't draw or paint, but I like painting with plants," she adds. And now Nora can put the finishing touches on her masterpiece that can't be created with a green thumb. First on the list of Frontgate furnishings she wants to request is a stone table top to replace a wooden piece that currently sits atop a treasured wrought iron base. "We really wanted a striking stone top for a very simple base made from a local iron worker," she says. "I've seen some beautiful marble tops in Frontgate."

Already a Frontgate customer, Nora previously purchased a mosquito catcher and a variety of home décor items. An environmentally-conscious organic gardener, Nora is partial to natural products, such as teak furniture. "I can see two teak benches accenting one of the garden areas," says Nora. "I'd also like a rectangular umbrella."

The gift certificate from Master Pools Guild enables her to add a major decorative element that's been on her mind for quite some time. "I'm thrilled about the prospect of adding a water feature as a relaxing focal point back there," she says. With a relatively small backyard, Nora is delighted at the prospect of selecting items that will make her outdoor room more suitable for entertaining.

"I plan on choosing some Gloster teak furniture. They have a really great extending table which would be perfect for my husband's large family. We now use folding chairs. It will be terrific to replace those with some nice outdoor furniture with comfortable cushions. And a chaise. A comfortable chaise would be real nice."

Nora's versatile selections from Frontgate will enable her to temporarily transform her garden into a splendid entertainment area when called for, but still keep a cozy, contemplative atmosphere for her alone time. "The children always comment, 'there goes mom into her garden. We won't see her for hours'."

Now with the addition of the soothing sound of water and comfortable chaise shaded from the sun by a large umbrella, they may be seeing even less of her.