backyard

A big renovation… in my own backyard!

October 11th, 2010
It was a project long overdue. My own backyard had been horribly neglected since we purchased the house 2 years earlier. The only existing features were a wood deck (slightly rotten) but only large enough for a BBQ and 4 chairs, but no table.  A small aluminium shed filled the side yard but was so low that water drains into it every time it rains.  A dead sour cherry tree is a horrible eyesore and detracts from the existing pear tree and large Serbian spruce.  The lawn was a mess, with more weeds than grass, likely due to the poor quality of the topsoil.  Although not as noticeable to the untrained eye, there are also major drainage problems in the yard causing water to pool near the foundation and the sump pump to run frequently.

A Backyard Oasis

October 26th, 2009

Why sit in traffic on the highway, when you could be relaxing under the waterfall in your own backyard. Try to keep your family and friends away when it’s time to entertain. It will be impossible, but you’ll love every minute of it. The possibilities are endless when you take a step back and let us help you bring your dreams into reality.

Project Type: Back yard, swimming pool

Design Style: Informal, curvilinear, asymmetrical

Landscape Elements: flagstone patio, flagstone walkway, pool coping, retaining wall, steps, wood deck, waterfall, pool grotto, armour stone boulder work, garden beds with perennials and shrubs, tree planting, grade and sod lawn, cedar custom privacy screen, stepping stones, jumping rock, landscape lighting.

Hardscape Materials: Credit Valley Sandstone from Stone-link, Orillia buff armour stone, Owen Sound jumbo flagstone stepping stones, Scott Liter by Nightscaping, Scout Liter by Nightscaping, Magnaliter by Nightscaping, Postliter by Nightscaping, Hadco Bullet light, Pop-up Emitter

Plant selections: Columnar Siberian Crabapple (Malus baccata ‘Columnaris’),Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba), Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’), Camperdown Elm (Ulmus glabra), Blue butterfly bush (Clerodendrum ugandense), Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’)

A Country Estate

October 26th, 2009

From abandoned and outdated, to warm and alluring. The natural beauty of the surrounding directed a design that creates many beautiful views. Outdoor spaces to relax, entertain and enjoy.

Project Type: front yard, backyard, island, swimming pool, driveway

Design Style: formal, courtyard, cottage

Landscape Elements: interlock patio, interlock walkway, seat wall, pillar, retaining wall, steps, wood deck, water feature, waterfall, armour stone boulder work, , gazebo, garden beds with perennials and shrubs, stepping stones, jumping rock, landscape lighting

Hardscape Materials: Fossil Beige Paleo Paver from Permacon, Cognac Brown Lineart Paver from Permacon, Sheffield Beige & Black Monaco Wall from Permacon, Sheffield Beige & Black Celtik Wall from Permacon, Chatham beige Tafalgar large square Paver from Permacon, Bourbon beige Tafalgar Paver from Permacon, Orillia buff armour stone, Owen Sound jumbo flagstone stepping stones, Scott Liter by Nightscaping, Scout Liter by Nightscaping, Lipinskiliter by Nightscaping, Magnaliter by Nightscaping, Postliter by Nightscaping, Christineliter by Nighscaping, Hadco Bullet light, Pop-up Emitter

Plant selections:  Emerald Cedar (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’), Green Velvet Boxwood (Buxus Green Velvet), Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’), Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus Porcupine), Purple coneflower (Echinacea), Maiden Grass (sinensis Gracilimus), Lavender

Beauty Out Back

September 24th, 2009

A patio can have a sense of privacy even in a wide open space. We created a courtyard inspired patio area with low walls that provide ample additional seating. The built-in BBQ, a mainstay in a modern backyard, is a hub of activity as dinner time approaches. The greenery in the planters as well as the gardens, softens the space and makes guests feel comfortable.

Project Type: backyard

Design Style: formal, courtyard

Landscape Elements: interlock patio, seat wall, pillar, wood privacy screen, built in BBQ, garden beds with perennials and shrubs, stepping stones.

Hardscape Materials: Ardennes Grey Mega-Bergerac Paver from Permacon, Oxford Charcoal Monaco Wall from Permacon, Owen Sound flagstone counter top & pillar caps, pressure treated custom pricy screen.

Plant selections:  Emerald Cedar (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’), Green Velvet Boxwood (Buxus Green Velvet), Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’), Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus Porcupine), Purple coneflower (Echinacea), Chicago Apache Daylily (Hemerocallis Chicago Apache), Maiden Grass (sinensis Gracilimus), Lavender