Outdoor Living Part 2, Water Features

I think I am Jamie Durhie's biggest fan...this morning I woke up to watch the Outdoor Room that was recorded yesterday on my DVR.  This one was inspired by Miami.  Since we live in Miami, naturally I was intrigued.  Low and behold, one of the features of the design was the outdoor daybed.  I like this version a little better because the bed is higher off the ground.  Initially I thought I wanted it lower, but now I think its better to have it at a sitting height so its easier to get in and out of.  I haven't made the final decision, but I'm leaning towards higher, unless I put them on a platform and then they'd definitely be lower to the ground.

It's funny because I woke up with a notebook in hand trying to draw a design for the new backyard outdoor living area.  I think I want to extend the pool deck all the way to the Koi Pond right in front of the tennis courts.  I am a frustrated Architect and Interior Designer.  Those are the careers I would have chosen innately however I was convinced otherwise because Math was not my strong-suit and I am the world's worst artist.  I can't draw a picture if my life depended on it.  Although I have to explain my drawings to others, I get them and I can "see" what the end-product will look like. They are not to scale, because I have no idea how to do that and I don't want to waste time figuring it out.  I just want to put my ideas down on paper so I don't forget them.

I was thinking of including one of my drawings on this post for your enjoyment, but I have to work on them a little.  I will try to add one some time this week.  Meanwhile I'll let you enjoy the Outdoor Room Miami-inspired episode.  I love the water feature that includes the lounging/dining area.

Photo from HGTV website

Although I like the idea of this water feature with the lounge chairs and dining table in the water, I would like a slightly different look for it for the new casa.  I would do it in more "earthy" tones and not as contemporary.  I'd also like the back wall to be a little shorter and possible have gardenia or jazmin shrubs on the other side of the wall  peeking over for fragrance and a softer backdrop.

Gardnia hedge 

 Gardenia flower

 Jasmin hedge

Jasmin flower

 I searched for a photo of a wall with the creeping flowers hanging over the front, but was not able to find exactly what I wanted.  You get the idea...

Outdoor Living

I posted photos of the Outdoor Living  area of the new casa in a previous entry.  I am very excited about our new backyard. I have many ideas of what I'd like to do there.  I have collected hundreds of photographs and television shows with features I'd like to include in the new yard. 

I love watching the Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie on HGTV.  He did a great job on his backyard.   Here's a link to his own backyard makeover.   He always has innovative ideas for outdoor retreats. 



Jamie Durie's Backyard Makeover



 I want our backyard to be an extension of our house.  I want a lot of "living" to take place out there.  In my house now we spend a lot of time outside.  My children use the yard every day.  We use the yard together on weekends and sometimes weekdays.  I hope to use the new yard even more!

Some of the ideas I hope to incorporate from Jamie's own backyard are:  the daybeds, the outdoor bathroom, the dining area under a "pergola" and the entire concept of bringing the outdoors in, and having everything indoors and outdoors mesh together.

I found other daybeds in photographs online:



Beautiful-outdoor-gazebo-Jinday-by-Senses-1



Romantic-Outdoor-Canopy-Bed-Eden-by-Ego-Paris-2

I plan to build two day beds like in Jamie's house.  However, I like the addition of the curtains like in the photographs above.  I like incorporating curtains outside, as you can see in photos of my current backyard.

I will not add a table like in the first photo, I will probably just have a mattress in each to encourage relaxation and "hanging out".

I can't wait to see this in the new house...

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear comments, suggestions, ideas, etc.