Watch Backyard Envy

Backyard Envy is a reality TV show that premiered on Bravo in 2019. The show follows three best friends and business partners: James DeSantis, Garrett Magee, and Melissa Brasier, who are all landscape designers. The focus of the show is the creative and innovative projects they pursue for their clients and the challenges they face while doing it.

James DeSantis is the CEO of the Manscapers, a design and landscaping firm based in New York City that he founded along with Garrett Magee and Melissa Brasier. As an expert in garden design, James handles the most complex projects and coordinates the team. James is also not afraid to be the one who gets his hands dirty, leading from the front and encouraging his team with his contagious energy.

Garrett Magee is the creative director of the Manscapers and also one of the founders. A trained interior designer, Garrett brings a unique perspective to outdoor spaces and designs with a strong focus on practicality and beauty. With a keen eye for detail, he brings an element of surprise to every project, combining the latest trends with classic design principles, and yet sticking to the client's budget.

Melissa Brasier is the operations director of the Manscapers, managing logistics, budgeting, procurement, and ensuring the smooth running of the business. She has a passion for wellness and sustainability, which translates into the firm's eco-conscious design practices. Melissa also serves as a creative consultant, contributing to the final design. And she's not just a managerial figure; Melissa can also be seen working with the team, planting and weaving aesthetic magic into every design.

The show takes an episodic approach where each episode features a specific project, the client's needs, and the design challenges that the Manscapers face. From lush balconies to rooftops, Backyard Envy pulls back the curtain on creating beautiful outdoor spaces in the city's concrete jungle.

The creative process shines through the show as the Manscapers sketch out and execute their landscaping plans. The trio takes a collaborative approach to each project, bouncing off ideas and incorporating each other's insights into the final design. The show beautifully captures the passion that the Manscapers bring to their work, and how they put their hearts and expertise into every project to exceed their clients' expectations.

The Manscapers have a unique talent of taking mundane outdoor spaces, often neglected or unused, and transforming them into beautiful, practical, and functional extensions of the home. In one episode, the team designed a multi-level terrace with a cozy sitting area, outdoor grill, and beautiful planters with vibrant flowers, taking the client's summer hosting game to another level. In another episode, the Manscapers created a beautiful garden oasis with a bubbling fountain and a cozy fire pit table, transporting the clients away from the city's hustle and bustle into a relaxing space.

Beyond the beautiful designs, Backyard Envy also delves into the interpersonal dynamics and struggles of running a landscaping business. The show highlights the highs and lows that come with working with close friends, from disagreements over design decisions to the stress of meeting tight deadlines, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional relationships.

Overall, Backyard Envy is an engaging TV show that offers viewers an insight into the exciting world of landscape design. With stunningly beautiful outdoor spaces, interesting clients, and a unique trio of designers who work exceptionally well together, the show is bound to keep you glued to your screen.

Backyard Envy is a series that ran for 2 seasons (16 episodes) between January 17, 2019 and on Bravo (US)