Outdoor Lighting Reveals Hardscaping’s Nightime Beauty

Drone video by Al Hamberg

Goals

Pool area: Our client wanted to create a private oasis for their own pleasure and for entertainment purposes. Since the lot is very deep it allowed them to use half of the back yard for pool/patio areas and still have enough lawn area left for the kids and dog to play. They wanted enough hard surface area around the pool to have a dining area and a lounge area. The areas are separated by rectangular raised flowerbeds which can also be used as bench seating.

The gazebo was built by Eric Van Nynatten carpentry. Un upper landing was created for the BBQ so it can easily be used in summer and winter and also serves as an entry point for the hot tub. The look they were going for was a symmetrical layout.

Outdoor Lighting: Kichler landscape lighting was used to light up the steps and accent lights under the coping of the planters to create some evening ambiance.

Materials Used

Kawartha armour stone to anchor the area
Permacon Kensington paver
Permacon Celtic wall for all raised planters

Driveway: The client share a driveway with their neighbours and the entire asphalt surface needed to be replaced. Rather than each having their own separate choice of pavers or materials, they decided to make it look as one driveway without a separation.

The object of the driveway hardscaping project was to create enough space for four vehicles to park and create a pleasant front walk and steps and add some plantings.

Materials used

Permacon Esbelto Paver in Silverstone
Laffitt curbing, Newport grey

Level Outdoor Living with Retaining Walls and Firepit

Budget Range: $60,000+
Location: Stratford, Ontario

This property was steeply graded toward a natural area beyond the fenceline, making it difficult to enjoy the yard and beautiful surroundings. The homeowners wanted to level off the entire area, just steps down from a pool that had been added previously.

We raised the back edge of the yard to eliminate the slope, containing the substantial amounts of soil with an armour stone retaining wall. Much of the new flat yard was sodded, but we did add a stone firepit and surrounded it with armour stone seating.

Trees were planted in select peripheral areas to add visual interest and privacy, and also to blend into the adjacent natural area. Finally, low-maintenance river rock was added at the base of the rear retaining wall to eliminate the need for grass cutting, which would have proven difficult in the confined space.

This project included the following elements:

• Terraced Backyard
• Fire Pit
• Privacy Planting
• Retaining Wall
• Low-Maintenance Hardscaping
• Armour Stone
• River Rock
• Beech Trees
• Permacon Products

• Beech Trees
• Retaining Wall
• Permacon Products

Backyard Oasis and Enhanced Curb Appeal

Budget Range: $10,000-$15,000
Location: Stratford, Ontario

The owners of this lovely home wanted to improve curb appeal with natural stone to contrast the concrete walk.

We added lots of colourful, low-growing perennials that add loads of visual appeal without obscuring the view from windows. A small flowerbed close to the sidewalk disguises unsightful utility boxes.

Pool gardens blend in with natural area beyond fence. Dry riverbed beside shed to carries surface water through garden without use of drain tile.

This project included the following elements:

• Natural stone retainers
• Low-maintenance gardens
• Ornamental grassess
• Low-profile shrubs
• Armour stone
• Raised planters
• Natural privacy

• Raised planters
• Natural privacy