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Jun14

Our favourite Patio Décor!

Posted by in Design

Hello!

Picture this, you are sitting on your newly renovated patio, maybe looking out at your new pool, gardens, water feature, YOUR wonderful backyard oasis. What’s the next step? Well, we are guessing, giving your bank account a breather would be on the top of your list. However, you don’t necessarily need to break the bank to decorate your backyard just the way you like it. Accessorizing your backyard is the final touch in your landscape renovation and can bring your backyard from beautiful to perfection!

Being landscapers, we are always in search of gorgeous, yet affordable outdoor décor. For our clients and to stage our finished projects when done. We believe that your patio should be just as comfortable and inviting as your living room!

These are some of our favourite online items from this 2018 summer season and we are over the moon excited for all of them. Buy one, or everything! There is something for every budget.

Note – We have found some unique and affordable pieces at HomeSense & Winners. However, we didn’t include any of them in this list because its next to impossible to find items bought there online. We highly recommend heading into a store near you, trust us, you won’t regret it!

Furniture

Whether you fancy your existing furniture or are on the hunt for a new set, I think we can all agree, outdoor furniture (of some variety) is a must-have. These are two fantastic options!

LACHESIS Patio Sectional with Cushions $948.96

TURO Full Round Sectional $3,750.00

CATHY TEREPOCKI Ceramic Stool $148.00

These ceramic garden stools are too charming not to include on this list. Place a planter on it, use it as a stool or a fancy side table for your outdoor furniture set.

CELEYAN Umbrella $228.00

Perfect to protect you from the sun! This gorgeous boho design is perfect for your dining table and will be the talk of all your guests while entertaining.

Poolside Ottoman

SUREN-STRIPED CLIVE Ottoman $998.00

Perfect for lounging by the pool or on your deck all summer long.

Outdoor Carpet

ELMER BUNDORAN Grey/Silver Outdoor Rug 8′ x 10′ $309.99

An outdoor area rug ties your outdoor living room together. This particular carpet happens to be the exact one we put in our showroom, so you know we LOVE it!
Tip – When searching, make sure the rug is suitable for outdoor use! Additionally, lay out your patio furniture and determine where you want your carpet to be positioned before finalizing the size.

Outdoor Dining & Entertaining

Entertaining revolves around sips and bites! Therefore, upgrading your dining ware can make a vast difference for your outdoor decor style. Try setting your table with these items and watch how beautiful it all comes together.

BLUE BORDER ABACA Woven Placemat $30.00

CAPRICE BLUE MEDALLION Dinner Plate $11.16

CAPRICE MEDALLION MELAMINE Salad Plates (set of 4) $31.96

CLARITY BLUE Acrylic Wine Glasses $44.68

FLAMINGO WINE TOPPER $11.22

SHIBORI DOT NAPKINS Set of Four $37.00

ACRYLIC DRINK DISPENSER $50.96

Pillows!!!

SABRINA Pillow, starting at $68.00

TASSEL TRIM Pillow $31.68

JOHN ROBSHAW HILA Pillow $178.00

DUPRAS My Happy Place Pillow $67.99

DÉCOR

Scatter these items throughout your landscape to add your personal touch. They add brightness and style.

GILDED Lantern, starting at $20.00

 

WOVEN POPPIE Throw Blanket $98.00

SUN PORCH POT $26.00 to $42.00

TASSELED Basket $52.00

ANGUILLA Decorative Oar $300.00

 

FRINGED MACRAME Hammock $128

If you have the space, a hammock is a must-have for summer relaxation.

We would love to know what your favourite finds are?!

Let us know below!

Jun01

Five Full SUN & Five Full SHADE Perennials!

Posted by in Design, Gallery

Picking the right plants that will thrive in your environment can sometimes be hard and there are several factors that should be considered!

Your property’s Hardiness zone

The space you have available to plant

The heights and spreads of the flowers you love

Light exposure: are you in full sun, partial sun or full shade?

How much time do you want to spend maintaining your gardens?

And the list goes on…

Today we are going to expand on one of these factors, and it’s an important one! While you may think all plants need sun, that is not entirely true (which is fantastic for those of us living in shaded backyards.) Some plants need sun, partial sun, partial shade, even full shade (believe it or not!)

So, look outside, figure out if your garden beds are soaking up the sun or staying cool and cozy in the shade and continue reading for our Favourite 5 Full Sun & 5 Full Shade Perennials!!

SHADE

T-REX Hosta

Height: 90cm

Zone: 3

This MASSIVE beauty has leaves that reach 45 cm long and 35cm wide! It will become a show stopper that blooms white flowers in the summer. You can’t go wrong with any variety of Hosta if your property is mainly shade based.

PERRINE’S PINK Spiderwort

Height: 45cm

Zone: 3

These gorgeous shell pink flowers cluster amid green grass foliage from early to late summer. They tend to grow upright and are most striking when planted in groups. Best part, they attract butterflies!

PARIS Coral Bells

Height: 30cm

Zone: 5

A great performer in your shade garden! It has green foliage that blooms gorgeous rose-pink flowers on tall stems from summer until frost. These are considered very low maintenance perennial. They look great bordering walkways and garden beds.

PEPPERMINT ICE Hellebore

Height: 30cm

Zone: 4a

Beautifully delicate, double blooms that are pale pink with deep fuchsia overtones. Just exquisite! PPA Perennial Plant of the year in 2005. They should be cut back in late fall to prepare for the winter. Fairly low maintenance!

JACK FROST Siberian Bugloss

Height: 30cm

Zone: 4

Frosted silver, heart-shaped leaves that bloom stunning sky-blue flowers in spring. PPA Perennial Plant of the Year in 2012! Its relatively coarse texture can add some dimension when placed next to plants with finer foliage.

                                      

SUN

VIRGIN Coneflower

Height: 50cm

Zone: 4

These are lovely with a double row of fragrant petals that don’t droop and surround a large central cone of mossy green. These long-lasting pure white flowers have an attractive upright growth pattern and are very low maintenance!

PINK ELEPHANT Hibiscus

Height: 180cm

Zone: 4

This gigantic hybrid produces the largest flowers we have seen on a healthful Hibiscus. It blooms to a whopping 1 foot across. I don’t think we could love this anymore! The medium pink colour is beautiful and blooms longer than older hibiscus varieties.

ANABELLE Hydrangea

Height: 1.2m

Zone: 2

We have a mild obsession with these flowering shrubs (it’s our FAV!) You can’t go wrong with any variation of Hydrangea. However, we chose this one for the sole purpose that it thrives in both full sun and full shade. The solid spheres of white flowers bloom mid-summer until frost and grow reasonably fast. This shrub can last up to 20 years! Basically, all around a fantastic choice. It requires pruning every spring.

KARL ROSENFIELD Garden Peony

Height: 95cm

Zone: 2

A stunning bright magenta-red catches everyone’s eye, with tiny yellow centers. These double flowers top sturdy stems with lush dark green, divided foliage. A very low maintenance perennial! The best time to plant these blooms is in early fall, so they have time to get grounded. We want to note, you typically won’t see flowers the first year and may take two before they reach full maturity, but don’t worry, these perennials can last up to 50 years!

BANANA CREAM Shasta Daisy

Height: 40cm

Zone: 5

Beautiful large flowers bloom a lemon yellow then slowly lighten to white as they age. With two rows of petals, these flowers look full. They bloom all summer long and have excellent disease resistance. A beautiful addition to any garden!

Note: Your Hardiness Zone can be beneficial when picking out your plants. This is a geographically defined area where a specific category of plant life will be able to grow. Places are zoned according to temperature lows, weather conditions, and location.  For example, if you obtain a plant that is zone 5, you can look on the map (we have attached a link below,) find your location, the colour it is zoned in and then review the coordinating zone number. There you have it, did it match up? Is it zone 5? If not, you may want to reconsider your option. Now, this isn’t an exact science as temperatures are unpredictable and the climate is continuously changing, so, use your discretion and if you are unsure, give us a call! We would love to help!

Canada’s Plant Hardiness Zones

Happy gardening!!

 

May16

SIX sure ways to INCREASE your PROPERTY VALUE with Landscaping!

Posted by in Design, Standard

When deciding to sell your home, ONE of the first things you’re advised to do is stage it! Clean it up to show just how much beauty your home has to offer a potential buyer. With doing this, you can also add value to your newly listed residence, and it doesn’t have to break the bank! Keep reading to find out ‘Six Sure Ways to Increase Your Property Value With Landscaping!’

Stepping Stones 

This easy option will instantly give off a polished & trimmed appearance to any home. This option is more cost-effective than opting for a full side walkway!

Decorative Pebbles, Mulch & Sod 

Creating a landscape that is clean, edged, and put together, shows that you have maintained your home. This is a straightforward way to increase the value in the eyes of potential buyers.

Outdoor Fire Pits

This is one way to create luxury, and not spend an arm or a leg. Unlike a pool, hot tub or large outdoor kitchen, this option is cheaper to build, less expensive to maintain and creates a warm and gorgeous social space outside.

Pops of Colour! 

It has been shown that adding pops of colour to your landscape increases the value of it. It can be as simple as a red shrub, or even the colours you use to stage it (i.e. pillows!) We have also read, even a red door!

Trees, Trees, and More Trees

Unlike extensive, lush gardens, that can sometimes be overwhelming to future buyers, and in return, turn certain buyers away, trees require almost no work! They provide shade in summer and block gusty winds in the winter. If large trees aren’t your style, try picking columnar tree varieties, that can also ensure privacy from your neighbours.

Landscape Lighting 

There isn’t much elaboration required for this one! Adding landscape lighting creates a luxurious look that allows you to enjoy your backyard hours after the sun sets. Not to mention, it adds functionality and aesthetic value, which is a HUGE bonus when selling your home.

Add one of these options or all six, and let us know what you think!!

Happy renovating!

Apr20

Five Landscape Trends for Summer 2018

Posted by in Design, Pools

 Hello everyone!

Planning your dream property is exciting! With summer finally right around the corner, we have compiled a list of some of this year’s most popular and noteworthy trends. I am sure some will make it on your wish list!

Modern/Rustic – Cottage Vibes

Image By: Techo-Bloc https://www.techo-bloc.com/project-category/patios/

This style is a take on transitional designs. It focuses on incorporating modern elements into timeless, rustic designs. The mix of these two styles creates a truly unique and stunning landscape that will never go out of style.

Outdoor Living

Image By: Outdoor Lifestyles https://www.outdoorlifestyles.ca/

With outdoor entertaining being the primary focus for this 2018 season, you can expect to see a lot of natural stone outdoor kitchens, comfy outdoor living areas and custom cedar pavilions. They will be accessorized with landscape lighting and lush plants to complete a beautiful room, outside! Perfect for any party and occasion!

Going Green!

Image By: My Landscapes https://www.mylandscapes.co.uk/town-gardens/london-garden/

It’s all about a variety of green grasses and shrubs, moving away from colourful perennials and annuals. While adding pops of colourful flowers will always be classic, implementing different shades of green seems to be on everyone’s wish list.

Vegetable Gardens!!

Image By: Rob Kyne http://wooditsreal.com/2018/03/20/5-amazing-raised-garden-beds/

Growing vegetable gardens at home has always been popular in more rural areas. One main benefit of this is knowing exactly what you are putting into your body! It is the purest form of ‘Organic’ (one you can trust), no harsh pesticides, chemicals, growth hormones and it eliminates the cycling of harmful, unnatural resources back into the environment. These reasons and more is why growing fresh veggies in ANY size backyard, is something you should consider. For smaller properties, consider a potted vegetable garden or a small raised garden bed.

Corten Steel – A very modern twist

Image By: Paloform https://paloform.com/fire-pits/bol/

Be prepared to see a lot more of this contemporary steel. It is used to accent just about anything! Garden beds, steps, it can be used for fencing, fire pits, ponds or merely a sculpture to add a creative modern twist to your dream backyard oasis!

Outdoor Sports courts!

Image By: Home & Design https://www.homeanddesign.com/2018/02/20/backyard-bonanza-2

This is trending for families with a more extensive backyard space! Adding this addition to your property provides hours of fun as one court can be equipped for multiple sports!

We are hoping for warmth very soon, in the meantime, we are diving headfirst into creating more blog posts. Stay tuned, we will be exploring everything from pools to gardening, construction to decor and everything in between.

What are your thoughts on the TRENDS for this summer season?

– Outdoor Lifestyles

Apr25

Add Colour to Your Cookout

Posted by in Design, Standard

With summer coming, we all have the dreaded yard work to get completed before we even think about entertaining. We, unfortunately, can’t help you get that part done. What we can do is give you some great tips on how to liven up your yard for the kick off of summer. So here is our Outdoor Lifestyles list of some great ways to Add Colour to your Cookout. Continue Reading

Sep03

Cottaging in the City

Posted by in Design, Pools

For years, a common past times for Ontarians in the summer has been heading “up north” to what is lovingly referred to as Cottage Country. For a lot of families this tradition dates back for generations. Many of us can only hope to someday own a Northern oasis. But the process of obtaining one has become much more difficult in recent years.

Continue Reading