How Harries Created a Backyard Oasis with Amber

You know him as the lifeguard legend from Bondi Rescue, keeping this famous Aussie beach safe. But when Harries says goodbye to the sandy shores of Bondi for the day and heads home, he wants to be welcomed by a backyard oasis he can enjoy with his family.


Just as lifeguarding is a team effort, so is creating the ultimate outdoor space. Harries made the smart choice of teaming up with Amber and Exotic Living to bring his vision to life—a white Hampton-inspired haven with an unmistakable Aussie coastal vibe. 


Using Amber’s Veneer Stone cladding, Harries now has a backyard that’s more than just beautiful—it’s a functional, family-friendly escape, perfect for relaxing and entertaining. Stay tuned to see how it all came together!

 

Before

 

The Vision Behind the “Harries” Project

Harries explains his vision for his family’s backyard makeover this way: 


“What I’m creating in my backyard is an oasis for my two beautiful boys and my gorgeous wife. So when I leave the beach, I find the relaxation I need just in my backyard. I wanted that white Hampton look, which also associates me very closely to the beach and the Icebergs.”


Just as the iconic Bondi Icebergs’ pool reflects the beauty of the ocean, Harries wanted to capture that same coastal charm and connection to the sea in his backyard.


Choosing local products to achieve this was important to Harries. Like many Aussie homeowners, he’s all for supporting Australian businesses and using the high-quality materials we have available here. 


“The Veneer Stone cladding that we put in down the side of the house and a lot of the products in the backyard are from Australia. There's nothing better than homegrown!”

 

 

Product Selection

What was Harries’ experience when visiting Amber Kellyville to choose the products for his backyard project?


“When I walked into Amber Kellyville, I was walking down through the yard and I've just gone, "Oh!" I've seen it (the display wall), and I've just fallen in love with it.


The selection process for me was seamless. It was so easy. I went to Amber Kellyville, and their display walls pretty much spoke for themselves.” 


As Harries discovered, the display walls at our Kellyville showroom make it easy to choose products for your home.


Our display walls help you

  • See the real thing. View cladding, tiles, and pavers in their true form to imagine how they’ll look in your space.
  • Get inspiration at a glance. Showcased design ideas and combinations let you find styles that match your vision.
  • Feel the quality. Touch and see textures up close to confidently choose the right products.

What product did Harries choose from the display wall? 


“When I was looking at the cladding, the Veneer Stone Arctic grabbed my eyes straight away.”


This stunning, state-of-the-art stone structure complements any application style, from house facades and paving to poolside water features and living room feature walls.

 

 

Seamless Collaboration

Harries says about working with Amber, “The service is amazing from these guys. It was more than a company to me—it was like being part of the family.”


Such seamless, helpful collaboration is vital for a successful and stress-free reno project.


Owen, the owner of Amber Kellyville, agrees.


“Amber's been around for over 50 years now. At Amber Kellyville, we've got a fairly large team of people. We’re a family-owned business, and I think it shows. When people walk through the door, we're here to help them.


This job at Harries’ house, where we put up an amazing feature wall and increased the value of his home, reinforces what we already knew. When we get expertise, good products, good installers, and good people, we can add value to people's homes.”

 

Before

 

Other Amber Cladding we think you'll love!

 

Partnering with Exotic Living 

When it comes to installation, Owen explains that Amber works with “trusted people we know are going to get the job done.”


People like Mitch and Josh from Exotic Living, a landscape design and construction company “where design meets craftsmanship”.


How do they feel about working with Amber?


“We've been using Amber since we started our business. We went into the Amber Kellyville store and introduced ourselves to Owen; he was extremely friendly and welcoming. We're suckers for loyalty, so we keep coming back. This project came about purely from our relationship with Owen and Megan at Amber Kellyville.”


And how was working with Amber’s Veneer Stone as part of the “Harries” Project?


“One of our favourite products to use is the Amber Veneer Stone cladding. It's very easy to work with and to cut. It comes up nice and neat with tidy grout lines. 


All the products were here, ready to go, so we didn't have to wait for them to get delivered. There weren't any delays. Working with Amber on this project just made it so simple and seamless.”

 

After

 

The Finished Backyard Oasis

Josh and Mitch installed Amber Veneer Stone cladding along the side entryway of Harries’ backyard.


“It's a great feature and ties in with the back garden. It gave a once boring space a bit of personality and texture. It was just a white, clean brick wall when we came. Now, it's something that your eyes are instantly drawn to. And the sheer size and scale of it definitely have a great impact on the space.” 


But it all comes down to the customer! What did Harries think of the finished product?


He sums it up like this: “Wow! Wow! Wow!”


“Wow” is right! Thanks to the white, natural tones and textures of Veneer Stone Arctic cladding, the plain external walls of Harries’ house were transformed into a beautiful coastal backdrop, setting the tone for the entire outdoor space.

 

After

 

Ready to Create Your Own Backyard Oasis?

At Amber, we’re all about providing the best quality, on-trend products and matching customers with the right installer. 


Harries found this out firsthand from his collaboration on the “Harries” project with us and Exotic Living. Of his backyard makeover experience, Harries says, “This journey has just been exceptional. Doing it with Amber has been amazing. What I love about Amber is that they're like a family. They've helped me with everything to create that oasis.”


If you’re planning your own backyard oasis, Amber has the answer!


A free one-on-one design consultation with an Amber expert is the ideal starting point for your project. Just hit the “Book an Appointment” tab at the top of this page and fill in your details.


While you’re on our site, browse our range of premium outdoor home improvement products. Then, visit a showroom near you to see the range in person, or fill out this online form with any queries.


Start your journey towards the perfect backyard retreat today!