This was a project for a family of five who wanted to be barefoot all summer long on a well-appointed patio.  In this yard, though we had to start underground, as the septic system was where the patio wanted to be.  Moving and replacing the system was a good choice for two reasons:  It was old and undersized, and it was sitting on valuable real estate - right outside of the kitchen and living room.  Once that was done, we chose a sunny spot for the pool, a shady spot for the hottub, and opted for a smooth troweled finish underfoot.  It was a lot of concrete, so breaking it up with plantings and changing surface strategically with 18"x18" precast pavers went a long way, adding dimension, flow and colour to the composition.  For chilly nights and outdoor cooking, propane outlets were included at specific locations with quick releases, making patio heaters and barbecues easy to use and move.  High voltage and low voltage lighting, hardwired outdoor speakers and an outdoor fireplace completed the look and feel of a perfect family summer hideaway. 

I met these clients as they were coming to the end of the main-floor renovation of the cottage that they had recently bought.  They were tired, but so was the exterior of the house, as they had not yet addressed it.  There were a few trouble spots, namely that the front door was not at the front of the house, but rather on the side, dirt had been piled up against the front of the house for some years, there was not garage to speak of, and the back patio had no cover or real definition.  As well, the siding needed some attention to unify the look and prevent further inundation by the elements.  We were able to create some unique and intimate outdoor spaces simply by moving the front door from the side to the front of the house.  In addition, we added 3 pergola structures to the house, repaired and unified the siding with paint and trim, and built a fence and gate.  This created a private courtyard, as well as an inviting entrance.  In the end, we helped our clients achieve their goal of creating a peaceful retreat in the centre of the Town of Qualicum.  

This layout is typical of the area, offering a master suite and den on the main floor, and extra bedrooms and common areas built into the attic.  The question with this project was how to set it apart.  Custom touches like white wainscoting, tumbled marble backsplash and a cast concrete mantle certainly helped.  Being involved at the design stage was also critical, as we were able to set up the living space to let south and west light in freely and have a cosy but well-appointed feel.

Here we were faced with a narrow waterfront lot and a forgotten lawn that struggled to thrive.  The setting, however, was breathtaking, wild and natural.  The material of choice was a slate cobble from K2 Stone, with accents of precast concrete, cedar and round gravel to complete the look.  The effect is a seamless transition from cultivated space to untamed oceanfront.

These homeowners had lived in their house for a while, were long time community residents, and lived an active busy lifestyle.  The one thing they had never really put their stamp on was the garden.  They knew that they wanted a space for their hottub, not a lot of grass, and they wanted the landscape to blend well into the established neighbourhood.  Key plants were saved, moved or bought at full size to give the landscape the feel that it had been there for a a long time, and grass was only planted where it could be enjoyed underfoot (ie not in the small front yard).  The result was one of function and beauty.

We called it a refresh because when our client bought the property, it was only 10 years old, but it was not wearing it's age well.  It had a great layout, though, so really the work was just cosmetic.  Cabinets were lacquered white, all of the surfaces replaced, the furnace changed out, and the landscape tweaked to add privacy, functionality and some automatic watering.  The facelift worked, and a 10 year old house now looks and feels brand new.

This project really showcased what's possible in 250 sq ft.  The client had  the space under their existing deck, and wanted an area to put guests that was self-contained.  We managed to design a space with a wet-room and kitchenette, with ample room for living and sleeping.  Window size and good lighting made sure that the space still felt generous and well appointed, and a simple polished concrete floor gave it a modern edge.

My clients were really inspired by the farmhouse-style house they had just bought, their past experiences with community gardening, and the possibilities that a flat, sunny south-facing backyard offered.  They wanted to eat off of their land, but have something that was easy to care for and looked great.  We set up a vegetable garden in steel watering troughs that allowed space for a generous patio and hot-tub, a small greenhouse, composting area, 2 chickens 7 fruit trees and a micro-clover lawn.  This was a unique treatment for a unique house, and really shows what's possible in relatively small backyard.

The clients here had been very frustrated with the existing grass in the backyard since they moved to their house in Fairwinds. It was a real water hog, and the lack of fertile soil made it virtually impossible to look great. There was also a broken hot tub adjacent to the patio that they had only used once since they moved in. They decided to go for it enlarge the existing paver patio to take in the space where the hot tub had been, and create wide pathways and informal sitting areas with large scale, split-face local flagstone. As the yard was set on a slope, we used local granite to create series of terraces and steps, allowing ease of access and great flow that had not really been there before. We built cedar screens, fences and gates in strategic spots as a windbreak, and to create privacy without obstructing views. The plantings were pared down and set in drifts for a natural yet high impact feel. The result is a beautiful, easy-to-care for space that allows unimpeded ocean views and a real sense of place, at one with the natural surroundings.

This front garden really felt big and open the first time I saw it. We really wanted to create a park-like feeling, yet retain a sense of enclosure. We started big, with selecting trees that would size up nice and large, yet keep an attractive vase-like habit. From there, we created settings all around the yard for the eye to land that felt composed and well-thought-out. We were able to achieve this with a combination of granite, split rail cedar and shrubs and perennials that would complement, not compete. Good access to the grass areas and flow were very important considerations as well. The final effect is one that really invites us to take time and enjoy moving through this large yet intimate space.

This home was our take on a modern farmhouse. The clients wanted to stay on trend, while at the same time keeping the feel warm and inviting, so we created a home with bold roof lines, natural materials and bright, family-oriented spaces, all of which were very much inspired by the modern farm house wave that the building industry is currently riding. We also focused on smart storage, creating a generous pantry, large laundry room and well thought out closet placements. We took advantage of the sunken corner lot to create a south facing, intimate garden that felt a world away from the street just beyond. The key access point from the dining room made the space work as an extension of the living space and a natural gathering spot.