Darren has a broad portfolio, having studied fine art & graphic design, originally working in advertising and owning his own graphic design company. After succumbing to his true passion, Darren now operates his own interior design studio and has been a judge on numerous seasons of The Block.
Describe the outdoor space prior to the revamp?
The best way to describe the backyard before the revamp was an embarrassing, desolate wasteland. Unfortunately, the rear retaining wall was not lovely to look at and the grass couldn’t grow because of low light for majority of the year; and when it did grow in summer, our dog’s urine scorched parts of what did grow. So, we had in effect, a dim dust bowl instead of a useable backyard.
What were your design considerations?
First, I wanted to lay the LuxTurf – prepping the area with the PetFresh Underlay and Granules that neutralises odours – for practicality. Immediately it would fix the urine smell and allow usability of the backyard for the dogs. It also provided a lush green base to the backyard.
Next was to rebuild and modernise the tired retaining walls, refresh the exterior of the house with a lick of white paint, install an awning, as well build a cantilevered bench, so we could use the space as an entertaining area. To finish off the look, we then added some chairs, an outdoor dining table and some decorative cushions.
We achieved this result in three-and-a-half-days - Carpet Court’s LuxTurf took half a day to install, rebuilding the retainer walls took a day and a half, and the painting took approximately a day.
Did you have to undertake any preparation before the LuxTurf install?
As the LuxTurf was a installed by one of Carpet Court’s qualified installers, they managed the whole process – they levelled the ground with a sandy compound, laid the underlay, cut the turf to fit and then applied the Pet Fresh Granules to the surface.
Describe the backyard now?
It’s a fresh, green, light and bright urban oasis fit for use to play in, have a meal or a drink whilst you’re watching your children play. I love it. I would like to do a little more - adding some screening and festoon lighting, but for a three-and-a-half-day upgrade, I am thrilled with the results.
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Our collaborators take you through their renovation journey.
Darren Palmer has a broad portfolio, having studied fine art & graphic design, originally working in advertising and owning his own graphic design company. After succumbing to his true passion, Darren now operates his own interior design studio and has been a judge on numerous seasons of The Block.
Describe the outdoor space prior to the revamp?
The best way to describe the backyard before the revamp was an embarrassing, desolate wasteland. Unfortunately, the rear retaining wall was not lovely to look at and the grass couldn’t grow because of low light for majority of the year; and when it did grow in summer, our dog’s urine scorched parts of what did grow. So, we had in effect, a dim dust bowl instead of a useable backyard.
What were your design considerations?
First, I wanted to lay the LuxTurf – prepping the area with the Play Safe Pad and Pet Fresh Granules that neutralise odours – for practicality. It would allow us to control the urine smell and allow usability of the backyard for the dogs. It also provided a lush green base to the backyard.
Next was to rebuild and modernise the tired retaining walls, refresh the exterior of the house with a lick of white paint, install an awning, as well build a cantilevered bench, so we could use the space as an entertaining area. To finish off the look, we then added some chairs, an outdoor dining table and some decorative cushions.
We achieved this result in three-and-a-half-days - Carpet Court’s LuxTurf took half a day to install, rebuilding the retainer walls took a day and a half, and the painting took approximately a day.
Did you have to undertake any preparation before the LuxTurf install?
As the LuxTurf was a installed by one of Carpet Court’s qualified installers, they managed the whole process – they levelled the ground with a sandy compound, laid the Play Safe Foam Pad Underlay, cut the turf to fit and then applied the Pet Fresh Granules to the surface.
Describe the backyard now?
It’s a fresh, green, light and bright urban oasis fit for use to play in, have a meal or a drink whilst you’re watching your children play. I love it. I would like to do a little more - adding some screening and festoon lighting, but for a threeand- a-half-day upgrade, I am thrilled with the results.
Get the Carpet Court Look
1. Play Safe Pad
2. Granules
3. Synthetic Grass Flooring LuxTurf