Jamie Durie Garden Design App

By Debra Prinzing Jamie Durie, host of HGTV's "The Outdoor Room," races against the clock to turn dreary backyards into dreamy retreats in just 48 hours. When the Australian designer moved to L.A., he set out to make over his own backyard. Here, Durie hangs out in one of two egg-shaped wicker nests.

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Jamie Durie's outdoor room: HGTV star's own L.A. backyard retreat

By Debra Prinzing Jamie Durie, host of HGTV's "The Outdoor Room," races against the clock to turn dreary backyards into dreamy retreats in just 48 hours. When the Australian designer moved to L.A., he set out to make over his own backyard. Here, Durie hangs out in one of two egg-shaped wicker nests.

The custom stone-lined gabion planters serve as botanical accents amid the new hardscape. This planter contains Plumeria rubra, a tropical flowering tree native to Central America that was just starting to leaf out when it was photographed earlier this spring.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The view from one of the gabion planters, looking toward the barbecue and dining pavilion off in the distance.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

To make room for the dining pavilion at the base of the steep hillside, a crew excavated soil and built a 10-inch-thick steel and concrete retaining wall. The chaises are classic midcentury cording design by Walter Lamb, reproduced by manufacturer Brown Jordan.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The new timber-framed dining structure is open on three sides. It provides enough space for a generous table and U-shaped banquette. Note the barbecue to the right and rooftop deck above, which we'll come back to later ...(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The back wall of the dining pavilion has an Escea outdoor gas fireplace. The pair of George Nelson bubble lamps were flea market scores; Durie bought them for $60 each at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The view from the grill, which is next to the dining pavilion and across the pool from the twin cabanas and fire pit.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The indoor bathroom vanity's backsplash is mirrored on top, reflecting the interior of the house, and glass on the bottom, providing a glimpse of the verdant garden beyond.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Around the side of the dining pavilion, a nearby staircase ascends the hillside to a rooftop garden. A small deck has two Walter Lamp reproduction brass-and-cording chairs.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Just outside the master bathroom, an outdoor shower, vanity and raised soaking tub wrapped in cedar are tucked into the private side garden.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)