The Backyard Transformation That Changed My Life
I’ll never forget the day I met Jamie Durie. It was a brisk morning in Los Angeles, and I had the privilege of sitting down with the renowned landscape designer for a one-on-one interview. As I sipped my coffee at Joanie’s on Third, I braced myself for the typical celebrity spiel. But from the moment Jamie arrived on his Kawasaki 600 (his preferred mode of transportation in the city, he told me), I knew this was going to be anything but ordinary.
You see, Jamie Durie is no ordinary landscape designer. He’s a multitalented force of nature – a former gymnast, all-male review performer, and now a household name on HGTV. And as I discovered over the course of our conversation, his passion for creating beautiful, sustainable outdoor spaces is truly infectious.
Discovering the Power of Native Plants
Jamie’s design philosophy is rooted in his deep appreciation for the natural world, particularly the breathtaking native flora of his native Australia. “Australia has some of the most amazing native plants in the world,” he told me, his eyes lighting up. “They’re architectural, robust, and utterly unique.”
Growing up in the harsh Australian outback, Jamie was surrounded by majestic species like Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea spp.) and Cycads (Macrozamia spp.). These sculptural, dramatic plants, he explained, have profoundly influenced his design style. “I can’t get enough of them,” he gushed. “They add so much drama and dimension to a space, and they serve as living works of art.”
But Jamie’s appreciation for native plants extends far beyond their aesthetic appeal. “You have to look at what grows naturally in your own area or neighborhood as an influence,” he told me. “Native plants wherever you are take less water and require fewer nutrients. And that allows us to build something that is truly sustainable.”
Bringing Sustainable Design to Southern California
As Jamie and I discussed his work on HGTV’s “The Outdoor Room,” I was struck by his ability to seamlessly blend global and sustainable influences into his Southern California backyard transformations. “I can work with any plant,” he assured me, “but I think we all need to be more intelligent about the plants we’re putting into the ground.”
One of the projects he shared with me was a complete overhaul of a barren, parched yard belonging to a young family in Los Angeles. Inspired by his travels to places like Sydney, Australia, Jamie incorporated a rich tapestry of drought-tolerant native plants, from cactus and tree ferns to kangaroo paws and xantheria. “These species thrive in the California climate, and they require minimal care,” he explained.
But Jamie’s sustainable design approach went beyond just the plant palette. He also incorporated rammed earth walls, drawing inspiration from the stunning botanic gardens of his homeland. “Not only are the walls sustainable, but when I added natural red oxide to the California dirt, it created an authentic outback feel while adding a functional, dog-proof element to the backyard,” he said with a grin.
Transforming Backyards into Outdoor Oases
As our conversation continued, Jamie shared his holistic approach to outdoor design – one that goes far beyond simply “landscaping” a yard. “The important thing is to design with shapes first and then choose your plants,” he told me. “I try to get clients to convert every room of their house into an outdoor space.”
This philosophy was beautifully illustrated in another project Jamie undertook in Los Angeles. For a young couple, Lauren and James, Jamie drew inspiration from the lush, tropical landscapes of Key West, Florida. He created two distinct outdoor rooms – a lounge area and a dining room – complete with whitewashed timbers, bright aqua hues, and a cozy hammock.
“An orchid expert gave me ideas for colorful, fragrant flowers,” Jamie explained, “and the pastel-colored storm-guard shutters, sunken eco-fire pit, and tropical palms set right into the deck really captured that island vibe.” The result was a backyard oasis that invited visitors to “kick off their shoes, grab a margarita, and watch the sun go down.”
Bringing the Outdoor Room Trend to America
As our interview drew to a close, I couldn’t help but ask Jamie about his plans to bring his sustainable design expertise to the United States. After all, his HGTV show, “The Outdoor Room,” has already captivated audiences across the country.
“As the show grows in popularity, we’ll start to come to other states,” he assured me. “HGTV has never spent this much on a gardening show, and I’ve never spent this little. I realize that this show has to be accessible to a wide range of people.”
Indeed, Jamie’s mission is to reach beyond the traditional “gardening” crowd and inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts. “I want to encourage people interested in travel, architecture, design, food, or even fashion,” he told me. “The show encompasses all of that, with gardens as the icing on the cake.”
Redefining the Backyard Experience
As I left our interview, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by Jamie’s infectious passion for sustainable, eco-friendly landscaping. He had shown me that the humble backyard can be so much more than just a patch of grass – it can be a true oasis, a space for living, entertaining, and connecting with nature.
And for those of us looking to create our own sustainable outdoor havens, Jamie had a simple piece of advice: “Design with shapes first, and then choose your plants.” By focusing on creating functional, visually stunning outdoor rooms, we can transform our backyards into the kind of lush, low-maintenance spaces that Jamie Durie has mastered.
So why not take the first step towards your own eco-friendly outdoor oasis? Head over to Plug ‘n Save Energy Products to explore a wide range of sustainable landscaping solutions and get inspired. After all, as Jamie Durie would say, “Everyone wants a $100,000 idea that they can achieve at a $1,000 price.”