NSW couple Josh and Caylie were planning on creating a backyard space their growing family could enjoy when a string of bad luck left them low on time and funds. Together with the team at Network 10’s The Living Room, Australian Outdoor Living stepped in to take on the project, resulting in one of our most incredible transformations to date.
Featured on a recent episode, find out how we took a seemingly unusable backyard space to a functional, stylish backyard sanctuary.
Meet the Bush family
High school sweethearts Josh and Caylie got married in 2019 and decided to settle down and start a family—however their baby boy was born premature at only 25 weeks. Their little one has recovered well but they’ve been in and out of hospital ever since, leaving them unable to start their dream backyard project.
That’s where we came in.
Unlimited possibilities
This was their backyard space before the renovation. Situated between their main house and their granny flat, it was a relatively small area. Many would think the space was unusable, but we saw unlimited possibilities and immense potential. The goal was to turn the space into a sanctuary for the family to enjoy, whilst protecting them from the elements. An outdoor living room—a way to extend the home without really extending and bring the creature comforts of being indoors, outdoors.
This was the final result.
The key elements
So, which Australian Outdoor Living Room products were used to transform the space—and why?
Decking
Composite Decking looks just like the real thing, but its superior hard-shell construction requires no maintenance of any kind. This is a great option for families with small children; the combination of plastic and recycled wood means no splinters! Life can get busy—so this is an effective solution for flooring as it requires no maintenance of any kind and does not corrode or rot. The family won’t have to sand or oil it – they can just spend their time enjoying the space. It’s also made up of up to 90% recycled materials, so it’s a good choice for the environment too.
Pergola
A must to protect yourself from the elements and create an outdoor living space, the ribbed roof steel pergola that was installed is insulated. So, not only does it look great—it will also keep the area cooler in summer and warmer in winter. We also added fans and downlights to the space to make it useable and breathable all year round.
SmartTrack Blinds
These are the ultimate smart addition to any outdoor living area, as they are compatible with smart home devices and can be activated with voice commands. They also provide protection from the elements—which is especially important if you have a young child you want to protect from the sun. The Bella Vista Stone is the fabric we have opted for, which helps keep some visibility, so the parents can watch their child play from the comfort of their deck. The special 2×2 weave leaves less gaps in the fabric for wind and water to get through, too. As an added plus, these blinds are Australian made!
Artificial Grass
Artificial Grass is great for those wanting to spend more time as a family. Rather than mowing the lawn on weekends, the family will be able to enjoy quality time together. For this transformation, the Savannah Broadleaf Range was installed. Realistic and soft underfoot, it’s the ideal option for those looking for the real thing – and perfect for baby’s tummy time! It is also UV and fade resistant, so will be bright and vibrant for years to come.
The Design
As the couple live in sunny New South Wales and already had a visible colour scheme on the exterior of their home, the additions to the outdoor area needed to feel like an extension of the existing theme.
The completed look can be described as Modern Coastal, as all the components are inspired by the coastal palette.
Achieve the look
The Deck chosen is in the shade ‘Antique.’ Like its name, it naturally has an aged look, and its grey tone set the base for the Modern Coastal theme. It boasts warmth and serenity and feels effortless and rustic. This was chosen so that the family will feel relaxed as soon as they step out onto their back deck.
White accents were added to the space along the posts and ceiling, as well as the blind frame. We also added white detailing on the steps of the deck. This makes the space feel sleek and adds a touch of luxury. It also helps to keep the area feeling more open, ensuring the space doesn’t feel industrial or too modern contemporary.
Darker blinds, in the shade ‘Stone’, were chosen to break up the area and ensure it didn’t feel clinical and stark. They add much needed contrast to the zone and complement the existing gutters on the family’s home.
A final touch of greenery was added with the planter area, which features a large Birds of Paradise. This focal point breaks up the area, bringing in a pop of nature and fitting in seamlessly with the existing theme and climate. It’s almost as if the space has been transformed into a tropical resort.
If you love the look we created for Josh and Caylie, here is the list of the products we used for their ultimate outdoor living room:
- Composite Decking | Shade – ‘Antique’
- Ribbed Roof Pergola
- SmartTrack Blinds | Bella Vista fabric in ‘Stone’ | Blind Frame Shade – ‘Bianco’
- Cladding | Shade – ‘Pipe Clay’
- Posts & Ceiling | Shade – ‘Freycinet’
Australian Outdoor Living is passionate about helping people love their life outdoors. We offer a range of products, including:
Have you been thinking about renovating your home? Start the journey to your dream backyard by filling out the free measure and quote form at the top of this article. A member of our dedicated sales team will be in touch.
