It's a touch of paradise: a tropical beach in the middle of a Chicago yard. It may not be big, but with a hammock, chair and umbrella, plus lots of sand, what more do you need? The owner says it even holds up under winter snow with no adverse effects.Design tip: The owner simply rakes the area once a week to keep out debris such as fallen leaves, but you may want to cover the area or install chicken wire just beneath the sand to keep out both debris and the neighborhood cats.