Jamie started in the eternal city, Rome, and then travelled through Lazio and Umbria. Five ideas • Spillover plants • Water feature • Parterre patterns • Terra cotta • Pizza oven In Italy, outdoor living is part of every day life, after all, that's where we get the term 'al fresco' from and this is exactly what Jamie saw all over bella Italia!
Jamie visited London, Windsor and The Cotswolds. Five ideas • Arbour • The secret garden • Funky flower pots • Plants as screens • Knot garden The English are passionate about their gardening and enjoy making the most of their outdoor areas – with both the shared public parks as well as the private and secret gardens that are typically found in London's boroughs. Tucked away behind the hustle and bustle of Notting Hill is Stanley Crescent Garden, shared by a lucky group of residents who all have a key to this beautiful garden. The garden is enjoyed my all the locals and features some classic English garden traits including a traditional arbour.
Robyn and Joe Holland from Melbourne love safari style. Their backyard shed is packed with Joe's collection of African animal carvings and he's still on the hunt for a rhino. So it's off on an African safari for Jamie to bag ideas for this garden makeover. Stacked stones, water-wise plants and mud brick walls bring Africa home from the savannah and into this suburban backyard. Victoria's own African chef, Johnson Njuguna barbecues the perfect dish to go with a Friday night beer, Nyama Choma, meat with polenta and salsa.
Samelia and her young son Atlin live in a large inviting house with a not-so-welcoming backyard. Bugs, spiders and overgrown trees discourage guests from stepping foot outdoors and make the space feel downright scary. Samelia wants a place where her son can play worry-free while she relaxes ? a kid and adult friendly garden that reflects her funky, unique style. Jamie visits New Orleans for inspiration and falls in love with everything about the city. From the history to the architecture to a plethora of European-style secret gardens, the Big Easy is a designer's dream. He is invited to a down-home southern tea party at Miss Ruthie's house where he gets an up-close look at a French manor-styled private garden. As he walks the streets, Jamie is inspired by the lines and colors of the old shutters and the lush overflowing French urns that mark the entrance of so many of the spectacular historic homes. At the Soniat House, Jamie vibes on the way traditional things are used in a contemporary way to create a feeling of sanctuary. A mix of tropical and flowering shrubs and an abundance of white crepe myrtle all make their way into Samelia's garden from New Orleans to create a relaxing outdoor lounge room with a funky, soulful style.
John and Helene have a big family, and their back yard has been overtaken by playground equipment. They have been providing so much for their kids, that they have neglected to find a space for themselves. That is about to change. Jamie recalls a trip he had to England recently, and feels it is the perfect inspiration for the homeowners back yard. A visit to Sir Elton John's garden inspires screens of green fabric in the likeness of tall and tapered hedges. Birdcages in the marketplaces of London are turned into a unique way to showcase traditional English flowers. A white washed deck provides a space for the homeowners to enjoy a spot of tea, while a traditional English arbor provides shade for the new dining area. An enormous hedge maze at Hampton Court Palace becomes the template for a smaller version to create a sense of wonder for the entire family to enjoy over and over again in their newly designed Outdoor Room.
Maria and Blair have owned their home in Sherman Oaks, California for nearly seven years and they have completely neglected to garden or decorate the landscape of their backyard. They have very eclectic tastes, are well travelled across Asia and would like their backyard to reflect a specific style already established inside their home. In addition, they have recently adopted a two-year old boy named Nam who will also require enough space left to play. Jamie's recent trip to India provides the inspiration for what will deliver the perfect design for Maria, Blair and Nam's backyard. A raised, rectangular-shaped swimming pool surrounded by marble tiles and over 150 marigold plants are the first steps to establish a serene, sanctuary feel which Jamie believes the homeowners will appreciate. A series of wood carved Mughal arches surrounding another raised deck with a dining table and a floating daybed sits just beyond the pool to provide the homeowners with the perfect environment for entertaining guests or simply to relax in. And yet, the yard has just enough space leftover for Nam to play while being protected by a nearly invisible, childproof pool fence in this India inspired Outdoor Room.
Alex and Gloria love hosting parties and cooking outdoors, but are too busy with their hectic work schedules to even think about working on their tiny backyard. They want a space where they can cook and invite people over, without their backyard feeling too cramped. Jamie has recently taken a trip to Egypt, which has inspired him to create a tropical oasis for Alex and Gloria's backyard. A water feature runs through the middle of their new backyard, replicating the water channels that run through the city of Cairo. Earthy toned fabric adorns a trellis, to replicate the neutral color palate of the desert. Egyptian papyrus and palm trees surround the yard give the yard with shade, while the back wall of concrete blocks creates the sense of repetition seen in Egypt. A dining area and barbeque complete the look of their newly designed Outdoor Room.
Nick, Anna and their son Miles, of Eagle Rock, California; have a rotting, wooden deck with no organic connection to the rest of their dirt-covered back yard. They are an artistic family who love to garden and practice eco-friendly habits. Jamie takes it upon himself to visit the city of San Francisco to draw inspiration for a new design in Nick, Anna & Miles' backyard to better reflect their personalities and tastes. Seven grass-covered dirt mounds are planted randomly throughout the yard to reflect the seven surrounding hills of San Francisco. The hills are accompanied by gabion, rock pathways to help prevent erosion. Bright, vivid colors are randomly painted on several posts, windowsills, a new play shed and the spiral staircase to help mirror the diverse colored homes in the streets of San Francisco. In addition to these elements, Jamie and his design team each contribute their own personal art sculpture to top off this San Francisco inspired Outdoor Room.
Rob and Rosie want to make their outdoor courtyard more livable for themselves and their 3 year old daughter Raina. But with Rob recently losing his job, and then his sister and Uncle to cancer, the backyard has been an afterthought. They would like a space where their daughter can ride her bike around and play, and room for them to entertain without their space feeling like it is just a pile of dirt. Jamie feels that their courtyard style backyard is something similar to what is popular in Puerto Rico, so he decides to go to San Juan to get some inspiration. The vibrant colors and plants that adorn the walls of the homes in Puerto Rico surround the walls of the family's new courtyard. Traditional turned wooden spindles that adorned the windows of the homes in Puerto Rico now break up the bright colors of the walls. A wooden shade covers the family's new dining table, and there is a new bike path for the 3 year old Raina to ride around. A deck built around their hot tub creates the newly renovated look of the family's urban oasis.
Kevin, Gina and their son Gunnar, of Van Nuys, California; are afflicted with severe privacy issues in their backyard. Initially, they bought the home based on a beautiful tree located in the center of it all. Jamie discovers a common theme between the tree, some cobblestone and a plastic moose head; which in turn, sends him off to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to find inspiration for this new outdoor room. An intricate, wood-carved pavilion with massive stone pillars embrace the winter lodge motif discovered in Jackson Hole. Conversational benches are strategically placed in front of the pavilion, while forest-themed plants and cobblestones are incorporated into the woodwork. A state of the art hot tub is installed into a pre-existing spa / bar area. And even little Gunnar is thrilled to find a mini-fort tucked inside this Jackson Hole inspired Outdoor Room.
Three single ladies, Allison, Lillyan, and Robin are workaholics that want to enjoy and relax in their backyard, but do not know what to do with it. They want a space that suits all of their needs and extracurricular activities, and something that they feel proud to entertain in. Jamie feels that because the girls like having people over and their laid back attitude that Miami is the perfect place for inspiration, so he makes his way to South Beach for inspiration. The art deco area inspires a pink chrysanthemum wallpaper, and cool colored fabrics that surround the yard. The white sandy beaches of Florida are brought to the girls backyard with a mini beach. Bungalows and recliners in South Beach create a relaxed vibe in a new lounge area. The tropical plants and triangle palms seen all over Miami make up the garden, while a dining room encompassed by water completes the look of their new tropical backyard.
Shingirai, Erlinda and their daughter Rihighna have recently moved into their new home of Windsor Hills, California; and have a pile of garbage in their backyard left behind by the moving contractors. It is also a narrow space with elevated levels, leaving very little room for Rihighna to play in. But it is Shingirai and Erlinda that desperately need a tranquil space to spend together due to conflicting work schedules constantly keeping them apart. Jamie takes it upon himself to use a recent trip to France as inspiration for this romantically themed outdoor room. A vertical garden is installed in the back of an exquisite dining area with black and white marble tile applied to the floor beneath. A beautiful, lattice pavilion with hand carved trelliswork is used to match a pre-existing glass house; which in turn, receives a treatment of custom-made stain glass designs. And even little Rihighna is ecstatic to find a playhouse fit only for a princess in this France inspired Outdoor Room.
Joe and Vinny own and manage an apartment complex, and want to make the courtyard more livable for their tenants. Currently, it consists of a collection of potted plants, old file cabinets, broken chairs and no space to really enjoy and entertain. They are ready to have a space that can accommodate the tenants with storage, and a common area to enjoy. Since Vinny is from New York, Jamie decides to visit the Big Apple for inspiration. An outdoor movie screen inspires a cinema area for the entire complex to enjoy. Lounges and benches he sees at the High Line Garden become pop up recliners in their new deck so they can sit back and watch movies. The High Line also inspires a stained glass art instillation in the courtyard, to help give them more privacy. While an original painting done by Vinny covers up the opposite side of their courtyard to complete the New York themed Outdoor Room.
Marlon and Christine of Los Angeles, California; have a horrendous backyard mixed with tons of shade, dry patches and jungle-like ivy. It is so bad that Marlon has his living room arrangement turned in the opposite direction, because he cannot bare the sight of it. Meanwhile, Christine wants a relaxing space for entertaining her relatives, whom often visit from Sweden. Jamie takes it upon himself to travel to Seattle and find inspiration for this forest themed, Outdoor Room. 1950s style rock-fireplace and hardwood flooring from the living room are extended all the way into the yard. In addition, a floating roof is suspended between two giant trees, based on engineering discovered by a tree house workshop. The only line dividing the inside from the out, are an impressive, new set of folding glass doors, which enables the homeowners to face their backyard with pride for the first time. A sunken deck for dining, shade-loving plants and all new grass turf complete this Seattle inspired, Outdoor Room
Lea is a laid back single mom with three teenagers, Geordan, Naomi, and Neah, who have all grown tired of their plain backyard. They want a space that is relaxing and low maintenance, but also a place that is fun for the kids to enjoy as they grow older. Lea's love for nature made Jamie think that Ojai would be the perfect spot to visit for inspiration. A garden surrounded by columns with floating benches motivates amphitheater seating around their new garden. The Gaudi style columns and natural curves inspire rounded off columns to support their new floating benches. The brown stone used in many of the gardens in Ojai are used to make stone sculptures to catch the eye. Drought tolerant plants complete the look of the Ojai inspired Outdoor Room.
Charles and Jennifer of Northridge, California; have a dilapidated backyard, which they attempt to use for multiple family functions. In addition, the yard is heavily exposed to sunlight in the dry weather months, thus hindering the homeowners from the desire of having a low-maintenance garden. Jamie takes it upon himself to use a recent trip to South Africa as inspiration to build Charles and Jennifer a new Outdoor Room. Red colored rock is applied to a level-changing wall with beautiful, drought tolerant plants. Tall, savannah-like grass fills in several opened spaces throughout the yard. And most importantly, a screened-in bathtub, kitchen and lounge are all adhered to this South African inspired Outdoor Room.
Josh and Naleah have just purchased their home, and have been focusing all of their energy on remodeling the inside of their house, that they have spent no time fixing their backyard. They want a space that feels inviting, yet secluded so they feel like they are in their own private space. The couples' vintage modern tastes provoke Jamie to get inspiration from San Antonio, Texas. The combination of Mexican American architecture seen at the Riverwalk, lead to a new feature wall that surrounds a breakfast nook. Archways, limestone and cedar planks of wood in a 300 year old Mission become a Spanish style stone archway with a wooden pergola attached. A water feature with fire coming out of the middle finish off the San Antonio inspired outdoor room.