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.
interlock walkway
A big renovation… in my own backyard!
October 11th, 2010
Up in the Trees
October 26th, 2009A stunning transformation of form and function that finally allowed the house to fit in with its surroundings. The materials echo the surrounding environment and the mix of both native and ornamental plants provide beauty and interest while requiring less maintenance.
Project Type: front yard, swale
Design Style: informal, curvilinear, cottage
Landscape Elements: interlock walkway, precast steps, staircase, driveway banding , tiered gardens, armour stone boulder work, garden beds with perennials and shrubs, tree planting, landscape lighting, drainage systems.
Hardscape Materials: Silex Grey Paleo Paver from Permacon, Sheffield Beige & Black Celtik Wall from Permacon, Orillia buff armour stone, Scott Liter by Nightscaping, Magnaliter by Nightscaping, Hadco Bullet light
Plant selections: Corkscrew Hazel (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’), Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’), Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier Canadensis), Sunburst Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), Green Gem Boxwood (Boxus ‘Green Gem’, Moonlight Climbing Hydrangea (Schizophragma hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight’)
A Country Estate
October 26th, 2009From abandoned and outdated, to warm and alluring.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
Curb Appeal
October 20th, 2009An inviting front entrance captures your attention and helps ground the house to the land. This project brought the scale of the landscape up to the scale of the house. Inspiration was taken from the stone facade of the house to select appropriate materials in the landscape.
Project Type: front yard
Design Style: informal, curvilinear, asymmetrical
Landscape Elements: interlock walkway, interlock driveway insert, raised planter, faced porch, armour stone boulder work, garden beds with perennials and shrubs.
Hardscape Materials: Chatham beige Tafalgar Paver from Permacon, Sheffield Beige & Black Celtik Wall from Permacon, Orillia buff armour stone
Plant selections: Louisa Crabapple (Malus Louisa), Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata), Green Gem Boxwood (Boxus ‘Green Gem’), Bleeding Heart (Dicentra stectabilis ‘Alba’, Boston Ivy Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Veitchii’
