The Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie Season 1 Episode 1 Tranquil Waters

Jamie Durie, Australian designer and television personality, brings us The Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie, a show focused on creating outdoor living spaces that are both beautiful and functional. In season 1 episode 1, titled "Tranquil Waters," Jamie and his team have the challenge of transforming a small backyard space into a peaceful oasis for a busy family.

The episode begins with Jamie meeting with the homeowners, a couple with 2 young children who feel cramped in their small backyard space. Jamie immediately notices the lack of privacy and the blandness of the space, but is drawn to the sound of a nearby stream which they will be incorporating into their design. To get started, Jamie has his team remove the chain-link fence and the tall hedges blocking the view of the stream.

With a blank slate, Jamie gets to work designing the new backyard space. His plans include a water feature, patio space with a custom-built pergola, seating area, and a designated area for a sandbox for the kids. But first, Jamie must tackle the issue of privacy. To add a natural border between the neighbors’ yard and this backyard, and provide some nice aesthetics as well, Jamie goes with a willow hedge that will grow quickly to create a boundary that is both attractive and functional.

With the hedge in place, the team begins to construct the water feature. This design will incorporate the existing stream and will involve a bridge leading to a small island in the center of the water feature. This serene area will give the family a peaceful place to relax and enjoy the soothing sound of the flowing water around them. The team also adds lighting to the water feature, creating a beautiful and peaceful oasis once the sun goes down. After the water feature is complete, the team installs a custom-built, wooden pergola covering a portion of the patio area.

Next, Jamie turns his attention to the seating area. Prior to the installation of the willow hedge, neighbors had a direct line of sight into the yard leaving the homeowners' feeling exposed. To combat this, Jamie adds vertical garden panels to the pergola creating a natural wall and intimate space. He then adds comfortable outdoor furniture pieces, including a curved sectional sofa, coffee table, and a fire pit so the family can continue to use the space throughout the year.

Finally, Jamie turns his attention to the kid’s area. He creates a space for a large sandbox that can easily be sealed up when not in use, and then adds in a custom-built rock feature that will hide the area from view while also creating an interesting visual element.

Throughout the episode, we see how Jamie and his team work together to bring their vision to life for this family's outdoor area. Despite the limited space, they create a stunning outdoor space that is truly a tranquil oasis. This episode presents a great example of how a small backyard can be transformed into a beautiful and functional outdoor room.