2018 HGTV Ultimate Outdoor Awards Panel of Judges

From HGTV executives to award-winning landscape professionals, learn about this year's distinguished panel of judges that will select the Overall Winner of the 2018 HGTV Ultimate Outdoor Awards.

HGTV Host

Matt Blashaw

Licensed contractor Matt Blashaw is everything you want in a versatile handyman and then some. Matt hosts HGTV’s Professional Grade in addition to DIY Network’s Money Hunters, Deconstruction and Project Xtreme.

Matt takes a fearless approach to home remodeling and says he’s never afraid to make mistakes. When he’s not sharing his expertise with DIY Network viewers, Matt works as a Realtor and develops and builds homes in Orange County. Read More

Director, Digital Video & Editorial, Home + Travel

Mariel Clark

Mariel is the digital video and editorial director of the lifestyle brand websites for HGTV, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Great American Country.

Her favorite thing about her job is exploring and sharing the world’s most beautiful spaces and places. Mariel is a DIYer at heart and likes to tackle projects around her home. Read More

Managing Editor, Home + Travel, Digital

Beth Rucker

Beth is the managing editor for photography for the lifestyle brand websites for HGTV, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Great American Country. She enjoys curating beautiful home design and travel inspiration and telling the stories behind the photos you see.

In her free time, she enjoys puttering around her own home garden and landscaping and learning more about organic gardening practices. She is also working to restore her century-old bungalow home. Read More

Founders, Ward+Blake Architects

Tom Ward, AIA and Mitch Blake, AIA

Designing buildings that acknowledges stewardship with the land is second nature to Tom Ward, and the green building movement represents a continuing force in his practice of environmentally specific architecture.

Mitch Blake developed a love for nature growing up on the banks of the Snake River in Idaho. Working on the family farms instilled an intimate connection with the land and a reverence toward the bio-climatic environment.

The two partnered to create Ward+Blake Architects in 1996, setting the stage for a symbiotic architectural practice dedicated to ecological principals and designing buildings that harmonize with their environment. Read More

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2017 HGTV Ultimate Outdoor Awards Panel of Judges

From HGTV executives to award-winning landscape professionals, learn about this year's distinguished panel of judges that will select the Overall Winner of the 2017 HGTV Ultimate Outdoor Awards.

Judges

From HGTV executives to award-winning landscape professionals, learn about this year's distinguished panel of judges that will select the Overall Winner of the 2022 HGTV Ultimate Outdoor Awards.

Give an Outdoor Pouf an Easy Beachy Update

Easily give a plain-Jane outdoor ottoman a beachy upgrade with a nautically inspired stencil and exterior paint.

1950s Beach Bungalow Redesigned for Modern, Indoor-Outdoor Living

Wanting to update her ranch house while preserving its rich history, a Santa Barbara, Calif., homeowner turned to Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects to make her vision a reality. See how the architects opened the home to the outdoors without losing sight of its historic charm.

How to Make a Space-Saving Folding Outdoor Bar

This versatile outdoor bar folds away when not in use, making it perfect for small spaces. A clever paint trick adds a fun colorful pattern that’ll punch up your decor when the bar is folded up; folded down, the bar top provides just enough work surface to mix a cocktail or serve up brunch.

Upcycle Wood Pallets Into a Cozy Outdoor Dog Bed

Give your furry best friend a comfy outdoor nap spot using (free!) wood shipping pallets.

Add Outdoor Living Space With a DIY Paver Patio

If your backyard is more eyesore than lush landscape, adding a DIY paver patio could be just the ticket to transform a patch of weeds into a relaxing outdoor room.

Santa Barbara Coastal Beach Guest House

This new guest house mimics the look and feel of the existing primary residence on this small coastal California property.

Upcycle Old Pallets Into Colorful Planter Boxes

Old wood pallets are a great (and often free!) source of weathered lumber – perfect for upcycling into a rustic planter box. Paint the slats in watery shades of blue and green for a beachy update.

Easily Turn a Birdcage Into a Remote-Control Lantern

Brighten up your deck or patio with an inexpensive birdcage, painted in vibrant hues, then outfitted with convenient remote-control LED lights.

Outdoor More

Transform any outdoor space into an oasis.

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