Gardens

Pool and Deck: An existing swimming pool was surrounded by concrete, giving the garden a cold institutional feeling. The transformation includes an angled deck overhanging one corner of the pool like a dock, balanced by a pergola on the other corner, with planting right up to the edge of the pool, and a curved flagstone walkway.

Elegant Dining: A shaped pergola, soon to be covered with wisteria vine, creates an elegant dining spot, with horizontal board fencing for privacy.

Ellsworth Alliums: At the edge of a deck, a planting bed creates a lively foreground for views into the garden. Purple allium and reddish Japanese Maple leaves combine with white phlox and Annabelle Hydrangeas to contrast with the varied textures of green foliage throughout the garden.

Urban River: The owners of this urban house wanted to come home from their hectic downtown days to a soothing natural garden. This rugged northern river water feature is integrated into the garden, and the garden into the house, by the use of square cut flagstone that matches the color of the rough boulders.

Pool from above: A large suburban lawn became a curvilinear pool, with varied fencing, a cabana, and a totem pole with jig-sawed animal profiles selected by each of the children.

Front Planting: The front of an elegant house is enriched with the colour of Japanese maples and globe blue spruce.

Alcina Mid View: Existing structures can be modified to contribute character and function to the garden. Here, an under-used garage was opened up to the garden to create a covered sitting area, accessed by a curved bridge. Mirrored panels in the back reflect light and greenery into the space.

Alcina Distant View: A meandering bark chip path is ideal for a natural, woodland garden. Here, shade tolerant planting of varied textures and colors, border the route to the sitting area described in the previous slide.

Entry Walk: A formal entry path of square cut flagstone bordered by geometric planting beds leads to an entry canopy reflected in the shape of the garden gate.

Courtyard Garden: The simple, functional shape of this patio in a tiny courtyard garden is made more complex and interesting with inset planting areas. The ‘borrowed landscape’ of trees and shrubs across the fence are integrated with varied textures and colors of foliage in the foreground.

Patio and Lawn: Curved planting beds, emphasized by stacked flagstone walls, counteract the rectilinear fence lines, and harmonize with the circular patio. Planting beds are cut out around the patio to further integrate it into the garden.

Garage/Lawn Makeover: A typical downtown yard is given a facelift with simple means: new facing on the formerly white vinyl garage wall, a water feature, a flagstone path, and planting of several trees that will eventually provide shade and privacy.

Garden design involves creating a structure that accommodates human needs, both functional and spiritual, within a context of the natural world. In an urban situation, nature is tamed and organized and constrained to a great extent, but still boldly asserts itself in many ways, and still forms the essential fabric that defines a garden. Gardens can be designed so that they are highly structured, geometric, primarily functional; or they can be loosely suggested, less structural, more organic and free flowing. They can be rich and abundant in colour and texture and shape, or they can be spare and simple, even minimalist. Either way, garden design depends on the selection of paving, fencing, wall and decking materials, the design of structures such as arbors, pergolas, sheds, gates, trellises and water features, and the selection of plant materials in terms of their color, form and texture and behaviour through the seasons. All of these form the palette from which the garden is drawn on the multi-dimensional, living backdrop of sky, and sun and earth; the borrowed landscape beyond the fence, the context of place. The quality of space that results from a harmonious selection of forms and materials determines how you and your garden will evolve together. Will you be drawn into the garden to enjoy the twilight? Will your home become a glorious gallery of windows framing changing views of light and life through all of the seasons? Here are some photos of a few of our gardens, and of some of the details that compose them.

Gardens

Balconies to Estates, City and Country