Backyard Goldmine

Ben Sargent calls his style unconventional, an apropos description considering he attended the French Culinary Institute, owned multiple seafood restaurants, hosted a Cooking Channel show, and now caters to homeowners who want to sweeten their backyard experiences. Set in Burlington, Vt. , and Charleston, S. C. , this DIY series follows the multifarious Sargent's mission to convert unused and uninhabitable sheds, barns and outbuildings into fabulous, functional sources for added income. He uses a mix of natural rustic charm and eclectic design to transform the spaces, which when finished can also be fun family retreat areas to use as art studios, home offices or a kids' playrooms. …