Natural Landscape Magazine - Fall 2012

CANADA'S OUTDOOR DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE

VOLUME 2

MAGAZINE

ISSUE 2 | FALL 2012 | $4.95

CANADA'S OUTDOOR DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE

MAGAZINE

Backyard Nuptials

Planning your perfect outdoor wedding

OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM

CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD

MAGAZINE

Big space, big dreams

nip tuck

Restoring the flow to an outdated restaurant patio

Paul lAfrance CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD

MAGAZINE

Taking Big Box Backyards out of the Box

8-PAGE FOLD-OUT

F/W 12

CAN/US $4.95 23

A Tall Order

Postage Size Lot with huge aspirations

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74470 99757

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Come & Experience Outdoor Living at its Finest

Indoor/Outdoor Veneer

Be sure to see ALL your options in our professionally built outdoor displays, helping make your dream landscape come true Landscape Supplies • Interactive Displays • Pavers • Wall Systems • Outdoor Kitchens • Water features & More!

Working with the region’s best Landscape Professionals

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Southern Ontario’s Largest Techo-Bloc Dealer

Legends offers

FREE Landscape

Coaching Services with Certified staff

905-336-3369 1150 Heritage Rd., Burlington BEST Landscape Supply Store

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Letter From the

Publisher

Well, here we are, presenting to you our fourth edition of NLMagazine. It’s been quite a ride so far, and I expect that this journey will only get more interesting and exciting!

I am particularily excited about some new growth our magazine has made this year. We reached out, to find some of the most talented and well suited writers that this great country of ours has to offer.

You will find their work throughout the pages of this issue.

We have a few new articles that will be recurring in each issue.

First, I’d like to introduce our Social Page. The “Double U Five” – the who, what, where, when, and why of some of the interesting events that occur in the industry. It ain’t a party unless NLM is there! Secondly, we are introducing some comic relief. I won’t spoil it for you. You’ll have to read that one for yourself. It should make you smile!!! Letters to the editor have proven to be interesting.

This is a new feature for us too, so if you feel like you need to get something off your chest, have-at-it! Your feedback is always welcomed and appreciated.

Old man winter is right around the corner, but we’d like to keep your mind and thoughts in the warmth and sunshine that is just around the corner again as well! A well executed plan, be it a wedding plan or a landscape plan needs time to develop. So while

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your out there shoveling the driveway and scraping the ice off the windshield, take heart and find comfort in the age old adage “time flies”. Before you know it, it’ll be time to break out the lawn furniture and start the pool dig!

Dave Maciulis, CLD

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Publisher Natural Landscape Magazine www.naturallandscapemagazine.com

Visit us online

NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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A d v e r t o r i A l

Building

inspiring

landscapes!

John BoS CreAting inCredible yArds And quAlity mAintenAnCe sinCe 2002

www.boslandscaping.com

With more than 25 years in the landscaping industry, John Bos offers expertise, knowledge and a personal touch to every project. He founded BOS Landscaping in 2002 and built the business based on the philosophy of quality workmanship, superior customer service and completing projects on time and on budget.

His dedicated approach has earned him a reputation for unique design/build projects and impeccable maintenance services.

His talented design team will create a landscape that will suit your property, your home and your lifestyle, ensuring value and pleasure will be added to your investment.

outdoor kitCheNs NaturaL stoNe Work Water features aNd PoNds

Night LightiNg PooLs & WaterfaLLs Custom arChiteCturaL WoodWork

Serving Halton Region & Golden Horseshoe

905-957-1330

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If excellence in landscaping is what you desire, give John a call and he will be happy to serve you.

John Bos 12-10-12 5:55 PM

NL

CONTENTS

FALL 2012 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2

8

Publisher/editOr in Chief

Dave Maciulis C.L.D.

we asked, you told us!

CANADA'S OUTDOOR DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE

Lori Sweezey Creative direCtOr

NATURAL TRENDS

Eric Pezik | Infinite Design House Inc.

Trendy ideas for outdoor living

stylist editOr

Brie Jarrett

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CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD

FASHIONISTA Staying stylish while knee deep in mulch!

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DOUbLE U FIvE Our industry “socialites” pulling together when it counts!

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23

Feat ures 18

TURNING UP THE HEAT How to keep the home fires burning through the cooler months

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bACKYARD NUPTIALS Inspirational pics & advice from real life wedding planners

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EL FRESCO NLM hits the East Coast for one of Halifax’s best patios!

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DAvES PICKS Dave shares his most favorite TREE picks

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COMIC RELIEF Bust a gut with Zack Fleming’s raccoon friends!

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NOT SO AvERAGE… JOSEPHINE featuring the real people who work hard to build your yard

MAGAZINE

editOr

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MAGAZINE

Promoting excellence in Landscape Design Build throughout Canada.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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CANADA'S OUTDOOR DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE

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26

SAFETY NET Covering your Ass-ets!

27 COOKING WITHOUT LIMITS Outfitting your outdoor space with the perfect “oven” and more!

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A DESIGNERS INSPIRATION

Taking the box out of “big box backyards”, HGTVs star shares his inspiration

One designers emotional pull to her work

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OUTDOOR LIvING

PAUL LAFRANCE

NIP TUCK

An outdated restaurant patio goes “under the knife”

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Who says you can’t cuddle on the sofa outside?!

MAGAZINE

COntributOrs

Ariane Anderson Zack Fleming Justyna Kondakow Vicki Morrison Mike Randle staff writers

CANADA’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD

MAGAZINE

Christine Bosanac Brie Jarrett Chantel Pintos Lori Sweezey PhOtOgraPhers

Roy Timm | Roy Timm Photography Jeff McNeill | McNeill Photography Daniel Weylie | DEW Imagery Heidi Ram | Heidi Ram Photography Marketing

Steve McNeill – McNeill Communications direCtOr Of sales

Paul Maich Published by natural landsCaPe inC. President Dave Maciulis C.L.D.

Phone: (905) 627-1466 FAX: (905) 627-9600 Email: info@naturallandscapemagazine.com Advertising: info@naturallandscapemagazine.com Natural Landscape is published two times a year (Spring and Fall) Single copy price is $4.95

Subscription rate: Canada - $8.95/year US - $16.95 USD/year International - $49.95/year Printed by Best Choice Print and Marketing Solutions

pg 31 FOLD-OUT A TALL ORDER

An average sized backyard with big intentions

Distributed by Globe & Mail Also available in Chapters and Indigos accross Canada. Delivered to bookstores by Disticor Magazine Distribution Services Mail payment to:

Natural Landsape Inc. 103 King Street East Dundas, ON L9H 1B9

Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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Cedar Mulch

Top Soil 905•336•7725 2273 Dundas St. Burlington, ON

Black Soil

River Rock

905•689•5527 682 5th Concession W. Millgrove, ON

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Looking for iDEAS? Visit us online today to start creating your dream project!

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Contributors

thank

We’d like to all of the writers who contributed to this issue of NLM. We hope that they enjoyed the experience and look forward to using more of their work in the future.

A shout out to our very talented photographers as well.

Their pictures speak a thousand words!

Zack Fleming is a sometime teacher, student and writer. he grew up in dundas, ontario and now lives in ottawa. Keep an eye opened for ZacKs unique humor in every issue of nlm! somebody’s gotta maKe us laugh!

Vicki l. morrison freelancer writer by day, novelist by night. vicKi contributes to a variety of newspapers, and national magaZines. currently writing commercial fiction, procedural arsoninvestigation mystery. given a choice between chocolate, and coffee she’d be hard pressed to choose, given that both are jet fuel for writers. learn more about vicKi, and her worK at http:// vicKilmorrison.wordpress.com or follow her on twitter at http://twitter.com/morrisonminutes

Justyna kondakow applies a 360 view of the fashion industry while passionately poKing fun at herself and trends. happily fulfilling the niche of the ‘philosophy of fashion’ through writing for various publications and writing to her hearts content on her lamodeoperandi.com blog, while seeKing inspiration through unconventional outlets to further explore her hobby of self-expression. www.lamodeoperandi.com

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born and raised in british columbia, ariane anderson is a freelance writer, who now calls nova scotia “home”. she is an award-winning event planner and professional photographer with over 11 years experience. her firm, designs by ariane, specialiZes in weddings, worKing with clients located all over canada.

mike randle lives in delightful dartmouth, nova scotia. he has 2 beautiful daughters and one on the way. he worKs as a plasma table operator by day, and loves to spend time with his family. in his free time, you will find him writing or fishing in one of the 25 laKes around dartmouth!

scott nichols lives in hamilton, ontario, with his wife and two sons. he is a creative force to be recKoned with!! his artworK is extensive and he shares his talents through murals, animation and drawing. he’s a bashful sort, and in this issue of nlm he shares his first-ever published piece of worK! welcome aboard scott!

Jacob sweeZey is a 15 year old, up and coming graffiti artist who lives in hamilton, ontario with his family. he loves spending time in the Kitchen, maKing sandwhiches! you can checK out some of his worK on facebooK @ snow one graffiti or on you tube with the same tag!

NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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Looking for landscape advice?

YOUR Landscape QUestiOns answeRed

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Letters to the editor Re: Live the DReam This article saved my wife and I hours of arguing and a lot of grief! It was so enlightening! We followed Lee Ann Knudsen’s advice when we were shopping for a landscaper and designer. It turned out to be a rather enjoyable experience for us, with very few glitches!

G.Thompson – oTTawa, onTario

ConfuseD The name of your magazine, “Natural Landscape” conjures up images of all that is eco friendly and natural. So then I was a bit confused to read the article “Eve of Faux”, in your Spring issue. Why would you even consider promoting something, grass in this case, that isn’t “of nature”? We are systematically destroying our earth with all that is manmade. Shouldn’t you be promoting everything natural? r. Boyd – halifax, ns

DReameR

No Job Is Too Big.

Although it was my husband who purchased your magazine, I was pleasantly surprised by it’s content and unable to put it down! It’s fun and informative, and there’s something in it for everyone!

We are still saving for our dream backyard, but in the meantime, I will get my inspiration and ideas through your beautiful photos. Keep up the great work! shari.d –VancouVer, Bc

•Custom Inground Pools •Replacement Liners & Coping •Openings & Closings •Underwater Leak Repair

For the most part, I did enjoy your new magazine. What I would like to see, is a bit more far-reaching information regarding landscaping for communities that are further away from the “hub” of Ontario; or the whole of Ontario for that matter! A landscape is going to look very different in Alberta, than it will in Toronto or Vancouver! By virtue of available resources, this is a given!

I look forward to the next issue, and might even consider a subscription! hannah T. – edmonTon, alBerTa

We aRe CanaDian I, for one, am pleased and proud to be Canadian! I salute you for you efforts in creating this magazine that is specific to our Canadian challenges in landscaping in various parts of the country. I found the Spring issue to be informative and enjoyable to read. It’s funny and entertaining too! Great job dude! Can’t wait for the next issue!

905•902•POOL alohadivers.ca

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NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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website: www.limestonetrail.com

HOUSES COACH By snail mail: natural Landscape magazine 103 King Street East Dundas, Ontario L9H 1B9 Or by email: Lori@naturallandscapemagazine.com Please make sure to include your name, address and telephone number. Letters and emails may be condensed for publication. Pictures will not be returned.

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Toll Free 1-800-810-8223

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email: sales@limestonetrail.com

GLASS CABINS

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Tel.: (905) 563-8133

We are a young magazine, and are eager to meet your needs and interests. Your input is important to us! Please let us know how we’re doing! We aim to please!

HOUSES

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We welcome letters and emails from our readers. Our vision is to explore the needs and challenges of outdoor living and landscaping, specific to all Canadian regions, and to captivate your imagination. We are proud Canadians with spectacular landscapes to showcase!

t

J. paul – ToronTo, onTario

CABANAS

I just wanted to say, how disappointed I was with the cover of your Spring 2012 issue. Really? Did you think that it was appropriate to use a half naked woman in order to sell more magazines? With one photograph, you’ve set the women’s movement back into the dark ages!

t

a setbaCk

to the edito

GAZEBOS

cover under fire

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L IMESTONE T RAIL ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED GARDEN BUILDINGS AND GAZEBOS

NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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Natural Trends

NATUR AL

TRENDs gaRdenflame fire Pits

Patio Tiki Torch

Hand crafted in Canada from a special concrete recipe, these Fire Pits are not only lightweight, but also very strong and they take the extreme heat and cold.

It’s a beautiful architectural piece for your space and a great source of heat on those cool evenings.

It’s time to toss those dollar store fire torches. Instead burn citronella oil in this a sleek and sexy new stainless steel patio torch. Stake it into the ground or use it’s free-standing base.

Keeping the bugs away has never been so stylish!

~ www.mygaRdenflame.com ~

~ www.insideouTPaTio.ca ~

metal overhead awnings A metal awning? ... YES, that’s right, it’s metal and it’s fabulous! They not only provide shade and shelter but they also keep heat out. Hung by popular demand these awnings are making a “mighty” architectural statement. ~ www.innoTechmfg.com ~

Rimbou umbrella The Rimbou enables you to enjoy shade on your chaise, in a classy way, the entire day. The leaf shaped structure is inspired by nature. ~ www.jaRdindeville.com ~

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Telescopic floating flower stand Need a florist to decorate, but on a tight budget? Check out this new line of built-to-last plant stands. The sleek and discreet design of the stand shows off your impressive choice of flowers and not your ‘telescopic’ budget! ~ www.TelescoPicfloweRsTand.com ~

bellagio Patio heater Patio heaters are now a must have in our chilly Canadian climates. But this one rises high above the others…7 feet high to be exact! With up to a 4-foot natural flame and a 360º view, you can push the cold away with the touch of one simple battery operated button.

adjustable Patio covers

~ www.naPoleonhomecomfoRT.ca ~

With a louvered roof system you can open and close your pergola with the remote control in the palm of your hands. This system works on a solar panel and is water tight and weather resistant. You can still be king of the remote. Even on the patio! ~ www.adjusTablePaTiocoveRs.ca ~

designer gabions Manufactured with high quality welded wire mesh, Designer Gabions can be used in a variety of applications. The boxes can be used for planters, base supports and decorations, light supports, benches, garbage containers and more. The panels can be used for windbreaks, noise barriers, privacy panels, green walls for plants and vertical gardens as well as fences. Fill with any stone media for the look you want. Very versatile!!!! ~ www.designeRgabions.com ~

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Fashionista!

Hat

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Haute Couture

By Justyna Kondakow

F

eet firmly rooted below, I scope out the eden before me. Whether eden may be the vegetation in a garden or the foliage in my closet; both are entwined with personality and practicality. This balance enables style expression whilst getting down and dirty in the hedges. As I pick the proverbial Aphids from sartorial idealism, naturally, I start from the top. Its the kind of hat that separates the harvest from the crop, if you know what I mean. Much like a secret password, the name says it all: Montecrisi Superfino Panama hat, Luxurious and best of all, unisex. Montecristi, Ecuador is exclusive for the growth and production of the Toquilla palm which is what the Panama hat consists of. The hats are tightly woven from the native plant with

up to 60 rows of weave per square inch. It is said that the best Montecrisi Superfino’s can hold a hat full of water and not lose a drop. How’s that for extreme gardening? The Montecristi Superfino Panama, scrunched and abused, will give you a practicality pat on the back as it effortlessly pops into place -no wrinkles-. And heck, if you don’t have personality, the Panama will lend you its own. Never you mind the English-made hat, Fascinators, the Panama is hat houte couture. While gazing in my other closet (the internet), I came across a website that boasts not only a tantalizing selection of Panama styles but a support system for the artists who take 2-4 months to create one Panama.

Your silk-lined pockets may just end up $4,000-$25,000 lighter, but haven’t you ever heard of ‘you get what you pay for?’

Fashion/style blog: www.lamodeoperandi.com www.brentblack.com - montecristi superfino panama

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Double U five

Welcome to our

social page!

The folks, who work in the landscape industry, are more than just “landscapers�.

They are wonderful, giving human beings who understand connection; to the earth and to each other. When they are called upon for support, their sense of community takes the helm!

ConTinued on nexT page

Above: Mitch and his family Right: Russ Springer and Pat Szczucki of Legends Landscape the wonderful hosts of this splendid event.

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Above: Mitch Condren

On May 20, 2012 fifteen-year-old Mitchell Condren, his brother and his friend Sam were enjoying an afternoon of dirt biking near their home. That afternoon changed the lives of Mitch and his family forever. A dreadful accident left Mitch paralyzed from the neck down. All the protective gear Mitch wore that day could not protect him from this fate.

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The family would now have to adjust to this new life they had been dealt. Their home needed to be completely reestablished as a home that was wheelchair friendly. The costs are overwhelming; the stress almost unbearable.

Bev Johnson, a family friend, has been doing her best to help relieve the family of some of their worries. She has been spearheading fundraisers and has created a website for Mitch and his family. The result has been tremendous!

The folks, who work in the landscape industry, are more than just “landscapers”. They are wonderful, giving human beings who understand connection; to the earth and to each other.

When they are called upon for support, their sense of community takes the helm!

On June 27,2012, Russell Springer and Pat Szczucki, owners of Legends Landscape Supply in Burlington, Ontario, opened their warehouse to guests connected to the landscape industry. The space was transformed into a mini casino, for the purpose of raising monies for the Condrens.

Delicious food, refreshments, awesome prizes and laughter were the order of the night!

Fiona edmonds of visual Impact Landscaping with Kim and Andrew barz of Meadowbrook Landscaping

Russ Springer and Walter Hasselman of Dutchman’s Landscaping

Al visser of Down to earth Landscaping, Alexandre Cadieux of Techo block, Dave Maciulis of Natural Landscape Inc. and Jim edwards of visual Impact and Paul Maich of NLM Sales and poker dealer extrordinaire!

Please visit www.miraclesformitchellcondren.com to show your support and follow his story!

57 King St. West, Dundas, Ontario L9H 1T5

905-628-8808 www.bangkokspoon.com

Russ Springer and Mark brimley of Legends Supply

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Imagine the Possibilities

Friends of landscapers enjoying the night

Grounds Keeping

Residential

Custom Design

(866) 856-4569

Serving the Golden Horseshoe and GTA for 20 years.

www.oakridgelandscape.com

Chris orlesky and Colin Wade of eCo Landscaping

Beautiful

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Kim barz and Mark brimley

outdoor living made

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Specializing in: Custom Decks, Outdoor Kitchens, Pergolas & Arbors, Pool Cabana’s, Basements, Renovations Pat Szczucki and Fiona edmonds

3D PROjeCt imAging • CeRtifieD DesigneRs • OBtAins PROjeCt PeRmits

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a st

ometime during the month of April, depending on the weather, the patio furniture (like the bear) awakens from its deep winter slumber. Pretty much every lounge and/or restaurant in the Maritimes with available space, has a patio. There are four elements that seem to create a successful patio in these parts. Good friends, great food, a beautiful view, and of course, some cold “suds”.

So, what’s under “Your Fathers Moustache?” Well, there are no crumbs here! The food is as mouthwatering

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co

S

Fare

patio

as

“Your Father’s Moustache”

By Mike Randle – Halifax, NS

as the view. Located on the rooftop at 5686 Spring Garden Road (3 floors up!), this restaurant boasts one of the best patios in Halifax. It’s the place where suits mingle with sweats, and hi-heels with crocs. From open ‘til close, unwind with friends as you watch thousands of people, dressed in their summer best, meandering below.

Quench your thirst as you chow down on 1-1/4 lbs. of fresh Atlantic Lobster drenched in melted butter. (An east coast treat that is a must!!!) Served with French bread and potato salad for less than twenty dollars, all summer long.

Into the evening your smile will be illuminated by the dancing orange flames of the tabletop fire pits. The fresh salt air unites with the scent of the many, colorful flowers that surround you, and the sounds of amusement and great maritime music fill your heart and your ears, while the lobster infused butter still clings to your taste buds!

Your Father’s Moustache is truly like an explosion to all of your senses.

If you’re ever in the area, check out the “stache”, or go to the website @ www.yourfathersmoustache.ca NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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A d v e r t o r i A l

Now you see it!

NoW you

doN’t!

W Solar BlaNket MaNageMeNt

e would never dream of turning on our home furnace and then opening the windows before we leave for work every morning. Yet pool owners will think nothing of turning on the pool heater for their weekend party and

leaving their pool uncovered; and then wonder why, by Monday morning, their pool has lost two inches of water? An uncovered, heated swimming pool can drop ten degrees Fahrenheit by morning, if the outside temperature drops twenty degrees overnight. We, as an industry, need to educate pool owners before they purchase their pool. The question should always be front and foremost. “How are you going to cover your pool?”

Conventional “on-deck solar blanket reel systems” obstruct the view of the yard and can be difficult to operate, often requiring two people to move it. Second-time pool owners will always complain of the frustrations associated with the cumbersome operation and unsightly, cluttered look. A larger pool patio space must be considered in order to accommodate the “reel” system, and that is simply an unnecessary cost!! There is a solution for solar blanket management and the time to decide is during (or before) the swimming pool installation. Your solar blanket can be installed directly into the deck using the Cleardeck Inground roller.

The Cleardeck roller can be installed in any type of deck material and in any size or shape of swimming pool, new or existing! The blanket is invisible when not in use, eliminating any trip hazard and can be instantly stored in the self-draining unit all year round.

Blanket usage, energy conservation and environmental impact must be a part of the dialogue between pool dealers and their customers. As has been demonstrated, a consumer who regularly uses a solar blanket will keep their swimming pool at a comfortable swimming temperature, save money on water and chemicals and get the best return on their backyard investment. When it comes to your pool, a solar blanket is as essential as the water!

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Welcome Winter

It’s gettIng C

hot out here

ooler weather is on its way.

Time to store the bbq, and put away the patio furniture. Now, wait a minute – is that really necessary? We’re Canadians, we’re used to our temperate climate, and we embrace it. So, how do we get the most from our outdoor kitchens, patios, and living spaces when the temperature begins to drop? We heat things up of course – luckily there are many ways to add warmth to outdoor areas.

So, take off all your layers, and make yourself comfortable, eh

By Vicki L. Morrison - Osgoode, Ontario

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This is Canada. We like to play outside. Why not make your outdoor living space functional year-round?”

New, Old Standbys

Most people have seen natural gas, or propane patio heaters that stand alone as pedestals.

They are tall, with a small umbrella-like top – looking something like a floor lamp. “There are considerations with this type of heat,” says Joe Whitfield, of Capital Appliance and BBQ in Ottawa. Although portable, if positioned in a windy location, the air will be cooled before it reaches you. “This causes people to turn the heat on full, using more fuel with little effect.

These types of heaters work best if located in a sheltered area.

Warm to the Bones

Infrared heaters offer a radiant heat. These heaters use an easy-to-install wall mount bracket. Looking something like a fifteen-inch long audio speaker, these heaters are installed on an angle, off an exterior wall, above the area you wish to heat. “Radiant heat soaks through your clothes, something like heat from a wood stove. It’s a deep heat, penetrating through the coldest winter weather. Radiant heaters function even when the wind is blowing,” says Whitfield. These heaters can be hard wired by an electrician, or plugged in – of course when hardwired they are no longer portable. Be sure you have no plans to redecorate, or reconfigure your deck, or outdoor space, if you choose to hardwire.

“Naturally, there are a variety of wattages to choose from. These wattages offer varying degrees of heat depending upon your needs.”

Warmth with Romance and Flare

Another fantastic and fun addition, adding form and function to your patio, is a fire pit. Advanced, remote controlled fire pits use a full flame. They are weather resistant, and have a very high 150,000 BTU. Offering both heat and beauty, they can extend your patio season, as they can be used year round. The fire pit insert, where the flame originates, is placed in a non-combustible material. The surround placed around the insert is called the media. The media you can choose from may include, beach stone, 15 colours of crushed glass, different styles of logs, lava rock, or rolled beach stone – form meets function. An example would be a fantastic 96-inch long fire pit trough – any reputable landscape designer, or contractor can build around an insert like this. There are inexpensive fire pits on the market, but they might possibly require frequent servicing; a unit built securely into a surround can be difficult to service, and parts may not be easy to find. Ask your landscape professional, or contractor to recommend reputable dealers.

To view Capitol Appliance and BBQ outdoor heater product line please visit bbqing.com

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Designer Inspiration

a

blank canvas A Kitchener, Ontario property brought to life through Inspiration and Vision.

By Lori Sweezey & Brie Jarrett - Dundas, ON

“A

s she lowered herself onto the chez lounge, she noticed how tense her neck and shoulders were.

Her client handed her a glass of merlot. Since she’d taken on this design job, everything in her life felt more intense. Creative genius followed by a nagging hope that the clients would love her design as much as she did!

Heidi was almost sure that every designer felt this way at some point in their career! Now, as she sat with her clients, in the space that they’d created together, she could finally feel herself exhale; really exhale. A sense of pride flowed over her. It was akin to stand ing in a waterfall and allowing yourself to get lost in the moment. As if you were the only one left on the face of the earth!

Her focus and hard work had finally come to fruition. The faces that sat across the patio from her could not have looked more contented if they’d tried. This exact moment was the very reason she’d chosen this career. She had an ability to understand her clients and give them even more than they’d hoped for. A connection to people, to nature and ultimately to herself was the gift her work gave back to her.”

Heidi Gorter, owner of Redwood Garden Design in Mount Pleasant, Ontario, draws inspiration from her clients; asking questions, listening and spending time with them to get a feel for “who they are.“ It is very 20 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012

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important to her that she builds a trusting relationship with them, after all, they are handing her a blank canvas on which she will create a landscape that will suit them to perfection.

Consequently, she does not adhere to a “signature style” as every client is unique.

Reflecting back on this two and a half year project, Heidi is grateful to have had the opportunity to take her ideas to new heights (with the help of her clients.) The result is a visual delicacy of never-ending surprises. Beginning with the front yard- a simple, uncluttered, clean look was favoured for the more formally designed architecture of the home and the neighbourhood. It contrasts the backyard with it’s large infinity pool, atypically edged by rich toned burgundy grasses, as well as the cabana, the pool, the fire pit and the standard NBA sized basketball key for the clients son; every turn of the head revealing a plethora of wonder.

Heidi is totally a “hands-on” designer. At any given time you will

Heidi Gorter, owner of Redwood Garden Design in Mount Pleasant, ON

find her with her can of contractor’s spray, cutting the projected shape of the gardens for clients that want to plant their garden beds themselves.

No job is too big or too small, she is happy to accommodate them all. Every design is worked back to front, a full vision of the client’s wishes. Whatever your budget she will find a way to make your dream a reality! It might take a few seasons, but Heidi is in for the long haul. Not only will your home benefit, but you may well end up with a friend for life!

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Pool built by Mike Schmidt of London Recreational contracting www.londonrecreational.com

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designed for living

L AN

ESIGN D E P A DSC

•

T CO N S U LTA

ION

•

MAIN T ENANCE

Planning your outdoor living space can be a daunting task. At Redwood Garden Design we strive to create a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, while utilizing the latest construction methods and techniques.

Communication is the key. We listen to you and together develop a plan that will work for you, whether you decide to integrate it immediately or in a phased time frame. We recommend you ask yourself several important questions before hiring a landscape professional.

681 Mt. Pleasant Rd. Mt. Pleasant, ON, N0E 1K0 Office: 226.654.0056 Email: office@redwoodgardendesign.com

redwoodgardendesign.com

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Nip Tuck

tuck

Nip

&

A fAcelift for An outdAted pAtio

By Lori Sweezey – Dundas, ON

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L

ocated at the corner of Cross and King Street in downtown Dundas, Ontario, sits an old red brick building that is in keeping with the many heritage

structures that surround it. Bernie Gerl established the Thirsty Cactus Cantina and Grill in 1995. He is committed to maintaining the restaurants “nostalgic feel”, while always keeping up with current trends. Recently, he revamped the menu, created a “lunch club” and decided to give the patio a much-needed facelift. The old patio has always been a popular place to meet friends, new and old, and a great place to have delicious food and a cold brew.

The challenge with the “old girl” was her functionality. The patio wasn’t staff friendly. There was no “flow” to the area.

It felt choppy. A dilapidated plywood bar served as an escape for a surprise rain shower, and when that downpour did happen, water wings were the order of the day. Poor design, grading and stone product made for a duck’s paradise! As our Canadian summers are so short, we’d like to spend as much time out of doors as possible. Bernie wanted to create a space that was inviting and comfortable for his patrons; a space that would generate conversation and turn heads.

The facelift began. Bernie wanted to bring the theme inside, out onto the patio.

Dave Maciulis, of Natural Landscape designed the entire space with this in mind. The existing patio was torn down and hauled away. A clean slate! Weeping tiles and a gravel sub base provided a pallet for the use of Techo-bloc’s permeable interlock stone. Voila!! No more puddles!

LED lights were installed around the perimeter of the patio in order to provide ambiance and of course light, as well as providing Bernie with a significant break in electric costs.

Maciulis used reclaimed steel cladding

24 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012

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for the fence, in keeping with Bernie’s request for low maintenance and sustainability. To add a little punch, Texan-style “punch-outs” were cut into the steel fence panels and illuminated from behind. The view from the street is outstanding!

A specific area was established to give the staff ample workspace, and a sit down bar now takes the place of the old plywood one. Very functional! With the entire face-lift now complete, the Cactus patio “flows”, (but never with water) and feels more inclusive. The wrinkles are gone.

Just like a proper facelift!

On the floor: ztecho-Bloc interlock-patio in 60ml blue paver with Vilagio paver on perimeter

rustic pines - Carpentry Walker Sheet Metal - roofing rM Signs & engraving - Metal fenCe panels natural landscape - Design & projeCt ManageMent Builders paradise - teCho BloC pavers anD wall proDuCts natural Stone - ontario stone supply Holland park Garden Gallery - plants NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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A SAfety Net... Just in case!

By Dave Maciulis – Dundas, On

I

’ve been in the landscaping business for 21 years. I love the challenges and the end results, almost every time! When you love what you do it does not feel like work. I get to be creative, interact with some amazing people, and learn, learn, learn. I am good at what I do, and very seldom do I run into a problem that I can’t rectify. Up until recently!!

It was a hard pill to swallow. A $50,000.00 pill. A new “eco-friendly” product that I used on one of my job sites caused damage to some stone I’d installed, and I had some very unhappy clients on my hands!

New products with “Eco Friendly” status require some education. Even a veteran, such as myself, must continuously educate and update.

Fortunately for all involved, I had insurance. In 21 years, I have never had to file a claim. I fought it for a day or two. I felt like filing a claim equaled some sort of defeat, or failue. My ego had been bruised, but that little jingle keep bouncing around in my head; “state farm is there”. I called on the “Wayne Nicol’s team”

It takes one to know one.

at Statefarm Insurance in Dundas, Ontario.

They talked me through the entire process.

Everything went smoothly, in a very timely fashion and all were happy in the end.

So, the moral of the story is; when hiring a contractor, make sure that they have quality, liability insurance. If you are a contractor, it is imperative that you have it!

This whole scenario could have had a completely different outcome; and not a very pretty one!

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No one knows the needs of a business owner better than another business owner. Trust State Farm® to manage and simplify your small business’ insurance needs. Get to a better State™. Get State Farm.

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Wayne Nichols Ins Agcy Ltd Wayne Nichols, Agent 160 King Street West Dundas 905-628-3656 www.waynenichols.com

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company 1201462CN Aurora, Ontario

www.toro.ca

Same-Day Delivery or Pick-Up Available

519.448.1449

WHEN YOU WANT RESULTS

USE A TORO DINGO. RENTALS • SALES • SERVICES WINDMILL POWER EQUIPMENT

www.dragonflylandscape.ca

905.628.3055 386 Mill St. Dundas, ON

117 Brant Road 24, St. George, ON

www.windmillpe.ca

(Corner of Highway 24 & German School Rd.)

26 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012

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without

La Dolce Vita

Cooking

limits

Old world inspirations for new world living

By Brie Jarrett – Dundas, On

F

irst came the voices. Not the kind you hear in your head, but the loud, jolly type spoken in a foreign tongue. Then some ‘clambering’ about, followed by the breathtaking aroma. So very distracting.

So impossible to ignore. I would peek out my window, and there were my neighbours, smiling and laughing without a care in the world. I would start to feel the pangs. “Why oh why, couldn’t they have invited me? I mean, could they not see how deprived I was? Didn’t I look like I needed a good meal?

The slow roasting on the charcoal bbq had begun! First the eggplants, then the zucchinis, and finally the peppers.

The glorious red peppers! Slowly charbroiled until the skin was blackened and falling off. On a second bbq, skewers of perfectly seasoned meat turned slowly. I could almost feel it melting in my mouth. Didn’t they know what torture this was? I mean really! I’d been raised on peanut butter, Kraft dinner, and Aunt Jemima. To have decades of Italian tradition, unfolding weekly in my own (shared) backyard was taunting. Oh, to have such talents and tradition! The smells would overtake me. I would feel weak in the knees.

I’d begin to conspire in my mind. Maybe I’d go for a walk; they’d see me, and take pity, and I’d get an invite!?

Maybe I would petition to be adopted!?

They never did adopt me, but after many years of yearning, I have finally found salvation in one Nick DiCarlo of Lakeshore Living in Stoney Creek. It all began with a cup of espresso. I was somewhat dubious; having had my share of bitter strong espressos before, but to my surprise it was creamy and smooth. Must have been a fluke, so I made Nick put his Saeco Espresso machine to the test one more time. Oh what the heck,

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one more time again! Without a doubt, it was simply the best espresso I’d ever had. The best perk? I was officially wide-awake!! Nick explains to me that he picks only the best of the best. “You see I am not a business man, or a salesman”, he says. “I’m a friend”. That statement says a lot about this passionate Italian man, with a particular love of all things fine; great friends, great food, great décor, great living!”

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Invest in qualit y now, reap the benefit s for a lifetime!

28 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012

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He recounts memories of growing up in Italy and how his family would save and save, sometimes for years to be able to afford a quality bbq or cooking oven. Different foods require different cooking methods. “Low and Slow” is the way. If you love food, an “average” bbq is not an option. This philosophy, Nick brought with him to Canada at the tender age of seventeen. He worked for over thirty years as an auto mechanic. In his spare time he indulged in his love and passion for food. He searched high and low for the quality barbeques and ovens he desired, to no avail! He began scouring trade shows, researching on the Internet, and travelling all over North America and Italy. When it came time to hang up his mechanic cap and enjoy the fruits of his labours, Nick instead chose to turn his past time into a serious business, and to share his accumulated wealth of knowledge and experience.

He opened Lakeshore Living almost five years ago as a family business with his wife Anna, daughter Paola, and son-in-law Rocco. Together they share the vision of bringing back the old world charm, putting romance and intimacy back into food and the complete savouring of that experience.

Cooking without limits!

Lakeshore Living is uniquely placed in the market, which becomes evident as you walk through Nick’s store. This is not just any showroom; no shelf-filler here. Nick has handpicked everything for its quality, beauty, and functionality. He imports the products himself, directly from Italy! The results are higher quality products that are very reasonably priced.

At the center of Lakeshore Living’s business, are

the fabulous outdoor ovens and BBQs; the Lynx Professional BBQ line, the Spiedini automatic BBQs, the outdoor Brazilian style ovens and pizza ovens, the Fontana Forni wood burning ovens, as well as every conceivable size of the Big Green Egg. No one has a more comprehensive collection of Big Green Egg accessories and products! People come from as far away as Toronto, or beyond, to satisfy their cooking needs. A trip for anything “Big Green Eggish”, would be redundant if you didn’t invest a small amount of cold, hard cash in some Cluck and Squeal BBQ Rub! It is, without a doubt, the BEST seasoning you will ever use! The inventor, Mark Cardinali, has allowed his passion and talent for cooking, to overflow into this product. You can pronounce every ingredient listed. Look elsewhere if you’re looking for MSG or Gluten! You will find Mark and Nick working closely together at the Niagara Egg-fest held yearly in August, at Hernder Estate Wines in St. Catharines. Its popularity is growing rapidly and is something you don’t want to miss!

Nick is grateful to all the cooks and volunteers for the Niagara Egg-Fest who were once customers and know have become best of friends!

In keeping with the outdoor lifestyle theme, Nick also carries beautiful Courtistan outdoor rugs, California Outdoor Concept fire pits, as well as benches, statues, and unique fountains to suit a variety of tastes. He brandishes a collection of One Touch Umbrellas and the Giardini Veneti Umbrella (which is like a work of art in itself). In fact, Nick had opportunity to use his mechanical mind to collaborate for the design, which allows

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12-10-15 6:30 AM

“I have a passion for work, as well as food and when I walk through the front door of my store the umbrella to swivel, without moving the base. To satisfy your lounging needs there is an assortment of hammocks and hanging Outback chairs to choose from, as well as Beachcomber Hot Tubs and outdoor heaters and fireplaces allowing you to extend your time out of doors!

There is much to see, and everything is a treasure to be discovered.

Beautiful cast aluminum patio furniture from Gensun Casual Living and the FSC-certified Bolivian IPE wood furniture from Jensen Leisure are highlighted throughout the showroom, as well as, the gorgeous hand painted Ceramicarte tabletops, which boast a 100-year warranty. The Roman Travertine Marble tables from Borgo DeMastri are a sight to behold! If you are looking for a truly unique product, I would be remiss not to mention the spectacular forged iron work furniture from Gaia (Italy), which also has a breathtaking pergola and awning collection; perfect for commercial or personal use.

Service is number one for Nick and his familyrun business. He’ll go ‘above and beyond’ to help create what you might have imagined for your outdoor living space, always keeping in mind beauty, style, functionality and budget. In the near future, Lakeshore Living will be extending their portfolio by adding a “by appointment only” indoor/outdoor showroom, to showcase their remarkable products, in a real life setting!

Designers, landscapers, and the public will be able to take advantage of this unique opportunity. It will be nestled in the vineyards of wine country

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overlooking the waters of Lake Ontario. Nick says he’s happy to be here at this point in his life.

“I have a passion for work, as well as food and when I walk through the front door of my store, I feel good.” I guarantee, you will too! Just try the espresso!

Visit Nick and Lakeshore Living at 1100 South Service Road in Stoney Creek, Ont (QEW and fifty road), and visit his website www.lakeshorelivinglife.com

I feel good. ”

1100 South Service Road, Unit 113 Stoney Creek, On L8E 0C5 Tel: 905.643.6888 Fax: 905.643.0088 www.lakeshorelivinglife.com

fall 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 29

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S.S.I. is a family owned business that takes the utmost pride in our work. Our name has grown rapidly as a result of our prompt service and unbeatable workmanship.

Our areas of service include Dundas, Ancaster, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Grimsby, Niagara, and surrounding areas.

As a locally respected company, we are committed to continuous education, water conservation, and total customer care. We are a fully Certified Irrigation Contractor with membership in both the Irrigation Association and Landscape Ontario. Neither of these qualifications are a requirement for any sprinkler company in Ontario, however being certified has helped us provide our clients with the most professional workmanship in the industry. In addition to excellent service and know-how, our company uses top quality Rain Bird product that is highly recommended amongst irrigation professionals. From design to install, we do it all. We offer free estimates and flexible pricing for your convenience.

PLAN GREEN H Your Green Home Experts Hamilton: 905-309-1618 oakville: 905-842-7167

ME

Grimsby: 905-309-9762 www.springshowers.ca

spring showers 1/4 fall12.indd 1

PLAN GREEN H Your Green Home Experts

12-10-12 8:33 AM

ME

ME H N E E LAN GR me Experts Why go GREEN?

Pour Green Ho Y

Reduce Heating/Cooling Costs.

Reduce Sound Pollution.

Increase AirM Quality and Temperature, E H N E while Reducing Green House Gases.

E GR perts

PoLuAr GNreen Home Ex Y

COMMITTED TO DELIVERING EXCELLENCE

Collect and Save Rain Water.

LIVING ROOFS | LIVING WALLS Greening the World One Surface at a Time™

DEsIGN. BuILD. MaINTaIN

905-648-2161

289-339-9600

gustinlandscape.com

www.PlanGreenHome.com

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info@plangreenhome.com

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+ FEATURES

The only real maintenance that this yard requires, (aside from

The ArT OF OuTdOOr LivinG

picking up after the kids), is a quick sweep of the faux grass,

A Tall Order

throwing the vacuum into the pool, and tending to the very minor garden areas that lend a splash of color throughout the yard!

A tall order it was, efficient and well put together... It is!

In order to keep electric costs low, high efficiency solar lights from FREE LIGHT were placed strategically throughout the yard

for maximum lighting effect.

gAzebo gazebo

entertAining entertaining

night lighting

ez-grASS ez-grass

T

fire pit

lAgoon Pool pool lagoon

A Tall Order

he beauty of landscaping enriches the

quality of your life and enhances the value of your property. Whether you choose to

entertain, exercise or simply escape, Beaudry will help you achieve your outdoor sanctuary.

A SmAll SpAce with big intentionS Written by Lori Sweezey | Photography by Roy Timm

cuStom stone Stone custom Landscape. Design. Build.

hot tub

Anyone who is a parent will tell you that, for the most part, your children’s needs tend to outweigh your own.

(Insert halo over mom and dad’s head here). To be able to find perfect balance in your backyard, while accommodating everyone’s needs is quite a feat!

905.639.6502

4031 Fairview Street, Suite 215, Burlington, Ontario L7L 2A4 www.BeaudryGroup.com

D e D i c at e D t o t h e p u r s u i t o f e x c e l l e n c e s i n c e 1 9 7 6 32 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE Fall 2012

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Gilles Beaudry of “the Beaudry Group” in Burlington, Ont., headed

BUILT IN FIRE PIT AREA

Gilles saw the benefit s of bringing a professional design team on board to deal with this tall order. the team worked with the family to consider what up the construction for this project.

HOUSEHOUSE

OVERSIZED NATURAL STONE SLAB

Elements Feature

A/C

Elements Feature

VENT

GATE

their options were in regards to functionality and budget!

P P

(6) PARDON ME DAYLILY 100"

74"

(3) IVORY SILK LILAC

97"

78.5"

90"

(1) JAPANESE MAPLE 'BLOODGOOD'

WATER

This Burlington, Ontario couple, had two young boys to consider when they planned their yard, however, they themselves are still young and very social, and love to entertain friends and family. Gilles Beaudry of “The Beaudry Group” in Burlington, Ont., headed up the construction for this project. Gilles saw the benefits of bringing a professional design team on board to deal with this tall order. The team worked with the family to consider what their options were in regards to functionality and budget!

The space was not overly large, (50’ x 50’), so it was essential that they use every inch to its fullest potential – and that they did! They also wanted something to suit their extremely demanding, active lifestyle. The time they have together is precious to them, and they did not want to spend that time doing yard work. Low maintenance was a must! This in mind, they opted for faux grass (no lawnmower required!), and a fencing product made of recycled plastic in order to eliminate any need for staining, slivers, or upkeep!

DS

“The yard has an inviting, fun feel to it. the style and design that the family chose to use, reflect their attitudes,

personalities and lifestyle perfectly!

P

83"

P

83"

BUILT IN BBQ UNIT

1

cabana & bar area

A bar and TV were included in the cabana design and pool area in order to create an entertainment “hub”, close to the hot tub and pool stairs… easy access to a cold one!

TUMBLED PAVER PATIO

4

ARMOUR STONE BUILT INTO STEPS

FIRE

FLAGSTONE STEPPING STONES

3

81"

HOT TUB BENCH

HOT TUB 90"x90"x35.5" 425 gal 81"

P 60" 60"

(5) JAPANESE BLOOD GRASS

P

SOLAR GARDEN LIGHTS

1

CURVED INSIDE POOL STEPS

3

fire pit

A fire pit was designed within the transition of the upper patio and lower pool patio and was placed to break the continuos steps and allow a center point within the yard.

The yard has an inviting, fun feel to it. The style and design that the family chose to use, reflect their attitudes, personalities and lifestyle perfectly!

The lagoon shaped pool is the center feature of the yard. It is set on an angle for maximum use of the surrounding space. All of the pool equipment has a discrete area, nicely tucked in behind the post and beam cedar sports bar.

Both husband and wife are big sports fans, and will never have to miss a minute of their favorite game. Rest assured that the flat screen TV will always be a part of the entertainment!

Golfing, hockey and long hard days at work scream “hot tub!!” A six person Marquis hot tub was installed to help sooth aching muscles. A privacy screen was added along the fence line in order to create a private area where the family can relax buy candle light and listen to their favorite tunes.

To the right of the hot tub sits a natural gas fire pit surrounded by Adirondack or “muskoka” chairs; a nice fit when you are trying to create that “cottage feel”.

This fire feature will allow the family to extend the time they spend outdoors, as it generates enough heat to keep you warm on those cooler fall and spring evenings.

If all this fresh air doesn’t make you hungry, the smell of steaks grilling on the bbq might! The family had a full Lynx outdoor kitchen installed to make entertaining effortless. Everything from the grill, to the fridge, right on down to the warming oven and the countertop garbage disposal, leave you with no excuse to ever have to leave your guests! Conveniently located right next to the Lynx kitchen, the dinning area allows the cook to interact with friends while keeping an eye on the kids in the pool! Talk about multi-tasking!! A tall order it was, efficient and well put together…. It is!

61"

POOL LOUNGE AREA

2

54.5"

61"

60.5"

P

LA G

(6) STELLA D'ORO DAYLILY

SERVING BAR

O 17 ON ' LA X 2 LE G 9' FT O 17 ON 'X L 29 EF ' T

1' WIDE NATTURAL STONE COPING

The challenge, in so far as the design was concerned, was the significant drop in elevation. That challenge was addressed by creating a smooth flowing, two-tiered design that was functional and allowed guests to feel inclusive, no matter which part of the yard they were in!

In order to maintain two level elevations the upper patio was designed to have continuos steps from one side of the yard to the other side and the lower pool patio was leveled by designing a retaining wall across the back. The stage was set!

61"

61"

POOL EQUIPMENT

60"

>> Solar Lights - Light up your back yard with Solar lights. these high end Canadian Made lights will last our extreme cold. Supplied by Free-Lite - www.free-light.ca

P

Pool & lounging

Space was tight, so the pool was placed on an angle in order to maximize on the lounge area around the pool. Interior radius pool steps free up patio space.

>> Fire Table - a Fire table as shown in this picture was custom designed with auto ignition and limestone top, just one on the many finishing touches by the Beaudry Group www.beaudrygroup.com

POOL CABANA

ARMMOUR STONE RETAINING WALL

2

60"

4

58"

DIVING ROCK 61"

P

FINAL PLAN

ROCCA STEPS NATURAL COLOUR REQUIRE CORNER UNITS

P

P

P 60"

35"

38"

T.W 60" B.W 40"

T.W 60" B.W 40"

hot tub & privacy

Placement of the hot tub allows for clear and easy access, whether you’re heading to the back door, the bar, or the pool!

33"

>> LynxBBQ - every out door kitchen needs >> Fence - Good fences make great neighbours! all the amenities of an indoor kitchen. For top everyone “wood” love a maintenance free fence! quality appliances make sure its Lynx BBQ - Need to know more? - www.certainteed.com www.lynxgrills.com

T.W 57" B.W 33"

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Letting a professionaL aLLeviate your stress!

By Carol Rame – Hamilton, ON

S

tanding outside the tent with my clipboard in hand, I was going over my notes for the day, when two young women approached me and said, “You’re the Wedding Planner right?”

I nodded yes.

What the other girl said next, always makes me cringe.

“Oh I loved that movie The Wedding Planner with J-Lo in it!”

As much as I love J-Lo and the movie, it didn’t quite hit the essence of what a true wedding planner does. Little did these two girls know what had transpired earlier in the day.

Don’t get me wrong; I love outdoor weddings! The excitement and energy is much different than it is in a banquet hall, and much more challenging. I tend to look at outdoor weddings as a painter would a blank canvas.

This particular outdoor wedding was beautiful, taking place on the family owned farm. The couple had approached me exactly 6 days prior to their wedding.

Within 6 days, I had all their details down pat. My Assistant and I worked round the clock under some pretty intense heat and humidity, getting things set up and underway.

The ceremony was beautiful. It took place right in front of the family home and boasted colorful bunting, and mason jars filled with fresh wildflowers. The plan was to have the guests enjoy wine tasting, games of horseshoes, croquet and other activities after the ceremony, while the lovely couple went by horse and carriage NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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to have their wedding pictures done.

Yes, that was the plan. However, what was NOT in the plan, was the freak thunderstorm we had right after the vows were exchanged.

As if on queue, the Bride and Groom loaded into the horse drawn carriage and were out of sight when the heavens opened the floodgates, which sent all 300 guests stampeding towards the reception tent! To add insult to injury, the portable restroom facility had shorted out. Meaning if we did not get it up and running, 300

Backyard Weddings

The wedding planner

people would have to find alternate ways of going to the loo.

Could you imagine the Bride and Groom having to deal with this situation on their wedding day? Could you see J-Lo in her Louis Vuitton pumps, running through the rain, looking for the short in the washroom facilities with the aid of her stylish assistant, the caterer and the DJ? All in a days work for a real Wedding Planner!

300 people rushing into a tent, no working washrooms and finding alternative indoor places for photos; no problem!

Got it covered.

By the time the dinner was served, everyone was comfortable and having fun, with a cocktail in-hand. No one, (with the exception of the people who needed to know), knew there was anything wrong behind the scenes. The best part was the knowledge that the couple had absolutely no idea what had taken place. They were calm, stress-free, and simply enjoying their special day.

Standing on the top of the hill, looking at the soft glow of the yellow and blue lights inside the tent, I watched intently as everyone on the dance floor, surrounded the bride and groom as they “cut the rug”.

Relief and satisfaction flowed over me. I knew that, regardless of the rain and the other “glitches”, their day was nothing less than perfect!

Carol Rame Weddings & Special Events Founder & Owner / Lead Planner and Designer 289.895.8787 info@carolrame.ca www.carolrame.ca

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Photos courtesy of www.heidiramphotography.com

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A D v E R t O R i A L

W

hen Tom de Jonge bought Flamborough Hills Golf and Country Club in the summer of 2007, he set his sites on turning it into one of the top courses in Southern Ontario. He added a head professional, carved out ponds, adorned them with spouting fountains, added bunkers and redesigned a few holes. The 27-hole club quickly became a destination for discriminating golfers but Tom wanted to widen the welcome mat to attract more weddings, tournaments and corporate events.

HigHway 52, COPetOwN, ON L0R 1J0

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FLAmbOROughhiLLS.COm (905) 627-1743

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A D v E R t O R i A L

“We had a 10,000-square-foot building that was sitting empty 80 per cent of the time,” he recalled. “We wanted to make more use of the facility.”

His first step was to spice up the food and beverage service and he did that by bringing in Michele Kindos who arrived with a degree in the culinary arts and an impressive background in business and marketing along with a proven track record in the catering and restaurant business.

It wasn’t long before the food and service was winning accolades. But the clubhouse wasn’t exactly turning heads when wedding planners toured the area.

Tom decided it was time to give the building a makeover and he didn’t have to look far to find the right person for the job. He’d heard good things about Neven Custom Homes Ltd., a local company that was earning praise for its craftsmanship and service while producing high-end, custom homes.

Gary Neven is designer/builder of the Dundas company that got its start 60 years ago when his grandfather built a home about a kilometre from the golf course. While the company built its reputation on home construction, at least half their projects now involve major renovations and additions to existing homes.

Gary, who followed his father into the business, was invited to tour the Flamborough clubhouse and it was not love at first sight.

“The setting is gorgeous but I thought the building was cold and uninviting. With the choice of colours and its steel roof, it reminded me of a hockey arena.”

Tom invited Gary to give the entrance a fresh look and the result was impressive enough to earn him an offer to provide the entire building with a complete makeover.

“I guess our work on the entrance was a bit of an audition,” recalls Gary, with a laugh.

Interior designer Connie Stephens, a member of Neven’s design team, worked closely with Lisa de Jonge to create and coordinate the new interior decor. Tom was impressed and Neven Custom Homes was able to respond by having their team ready for the fall of 2011.

“We were excited by the challenge,” says Gary. “It’s the biggest project we’ve taken on.”

Although the clubhouse is large, he was determined to give it the same cozy look they strive for when building homes.

With a mix of stone and wood, a canopycovered patio and floor-to-ceiling windows, NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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the exterior was smashing success. And the interior was equally impressive with high-end locker rooms, a pro shop and an eye-popping lounge. The same detail for quality and style went into the banquet hall where 250 people can comfortably, dine, drink and dance.

And the parking lot was resurfaced with space for 220 cars along with an over-flow lot for more. The landscaping is both picturesque and practical with space for tents along with ample room for outdoor, marque weddings.

Michele says visitors have been blown away by the hall and its surroundings.

“We’re hearing words like ‘eloquent, bright, classical and private’. And they talk of the breath-taking views across the golf course. Many have told us they haven’t seen anything quite like it.” continued...

60 29 MiddLetOwN Rd HaMiLtON, ON L9H 5e3 (905) 628-6688 WWW.nEvEnCuStOmhOmES.COm fall 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 43

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A D v E R t O R i A L They’ve also been impressed with the services being offered including turn-key wedding packages that can include everything from the hall, dinner, linen, flowers, limousines and disc jockey. Even the ceremony can be included and performed on a rise, over-looking the golf course with trees, ponds and rolling terrain providing the backdrop.

“There’s definitely a ‘wow’ factor,” says Michele. “We’ve been getting tremendous response regarding the facility, the food and the friendly service. People have told us it was one of their best wedding experiences and they’re spreading that message to family and friends.

“You can’t hope for better than that.”

“We’ve been getting tremendous response regarding the facility, the food and the friendly service. People have told us it was one of their best wedding experiences and they’re spreading that message to family and friends.”

Let us make your neighbours green with envy We offer complete design & build landscape construction services including:

- Interlock & natural stone walkways, retaining walls, patios & driveways.

- Custom decks, pergolas, sheds & fencing.

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www.scottslandscaping.ca

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“i do”

In the backyard PHOtOS By daNieL weyLie & Hedi RaM

Preparing for your big day, in the place you feel most at home. AT HOME!!!

W

ith popular wedding trends incorporating DIY and vintage elements, more brides are now getting married and/or hosting their wedding receptions in their own backyards. When it comes to weddings there isn’t anything quite like home. When making the decision to hold your wedding ceremony and reception on your property, there are quite a few things to consider. It sounds simple to host a wedding in your backyard, however many times this is not the case. If you are planning a spring/summer wedding, start the fall before. It is also recommended to get a fresh perspective from a wedding coordinator and a landscape designer to make sure the space will work for your special event.

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By ariane anderson – Meteghan River, NS

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Where to “Say I Do�

When preparing your property for your ceremony, take an inventory of what is already present in your outdoor space. Does your property back onto a lake or ocean? Is it a simple green-space with a few mature trees? Decide what type of elements you would like to use for your alter. Will you construct a gazebo, chuppah, arbour or hang lanterns at various heights from a tree? Also keep in mind where you will make your grand entrance and where you want the chairs to be setup. Soft ground is not chair-friendly; therefore the ground needs to be stable. If you opt for adding a water feature to your space, such as a pond with a waterfall, make sure these features are turned off during the ceremony as the sound can drown out your vows.

Use What You Have Incorporating natural elements is the basis of a backyard wedding.

When in the early planning stages, some brides choose to grow their own flowers for bouquets and centrepieces. Planning for your flowers early is vital if you choose to grow them yourself.

Speaking to a landscape designer will help you choose flowers and plants that will enhance the look of the overall space. They will also educate you in regards to which flowers will be in season for use in your bouquets and other floral design elements. Some flowers and plants need to be planted the year before, to allow them time to fill out properly and provide you enough of a yield.

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A Place to Party When you speak to a wedding coordinator, they will walk you through what every wedding reception needs and help you determine if the space you chose, will meet your needs. From setup, to space for caterers and servers, to portable bathrooms, to parking cars to cleaning up; a wedding coordinator will help you tackle all these challenges and give helpful solutions.

One of the most popular elements to the outdoor wedding is the tent. This provides shade from the sun in the summer months and shelter from the rain (just in case!).

However, when deciding where the tent should be situated, there are a few things to keep in mind. Tent sizes depend on the number of guests attending your wedding. Tents need to be constructed on level ground; even a slight slope may make the structure unsafe. If you have an underground sprinkler system, make sure

to provide a map of waterlines to the tent company in order to avoid damaging the lines with the tent spikes. If you do not use a tent, you can still create an intimate reception space by setting the tables up in the open air space. You may consider suspending string lights or lanterns over the reception space for lighting. You can attach these to surrounding trees or posts.

Band or DJ placement is also a key element of the reception. Some prefer to have them setup in the tent, while others have used their deck to “display” them.

This can help to carry the sound above and across the crowd. And speaking of loud music, you should also look into any local ordinances to make sure there are no noise restrictions. Don’t want to anger the neighbours! Parking permits and a fire inspection may be required, so you should also check that out!

After the Big Day It is great to plan your space specifically for your wedding, however it is also good to keep in mind that this is one day only!

Will the space make sense for your use afterwards and for years to come? Having a landscape designer involved will help you

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achieve balance between your wedding day needs and life in your outdoor space afterwards. Hosting your backyard wedding will be a lot of hard work, but the results can be spectacular and well worth it.

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A d v e r t o r i A l

Go Where the

grass is always

Cleaner all preConCeived ideas abouT arTifiCial grass have To be Thrown away

By vicki l. Morrison - osgoode, oN

T

his summer, how many times have you been asked to take your kids to your small community playground? Their romantic dreams of swing sets, slides, and climbing structures so different than your vision of dusty, hard packed dirt, patchy grass, and standing for hours, because there are never enough benches for all the parents.

Then again, perhaps your memories of the park your kids love so much are something different. In your area of the country the rain fell incessantly all summer. The park is a boggy mud hole, full of puddles, and muck.

Yet the kids insist, the rain has stopped, and they want to play outside. Parents know kids need fresh air, and exercise, so they roll their eyes, pack their backpacks with baby wipes, great for wiping up dust, or muck, and head to the playground.

Imagine being a daycare worker in the same situation. Day in, and day out dealing with either dusty kids, with hands and knees scraped on pea gravel, or muddy kids, soaked from jumping in playground puddles.

Either way, there is always some type of clean-up involved.

There is one solution to all of these problems, and it’s called EZ-Grass – an artificial turf

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perfect for yards, playgrounds, and daycares.

Stop right there. All preconceived ideas about artificial grass have to be thrown away.

This isn’t your grandparent’s Astroturf – a useful product, and predecessor of the remarkably realistic grass system called EZGrass. “The technology has changed a lot in 30 years,” says Todd Croden, owner and President of EZ-Grass. Artificial turf used to be made of a form of plastic. It was shiny, and quite abrasive. “The turf was made of fibrillated, split film yarn. Basically a long piece of plastic that was cut equally into blades of grass. That’s why the ‘grass’ was all one height, and lacked the look of real grass.” EZ-Grass is soft enough for toddlers

to play on, and inviting enough for parents to sit on. The colour is accurate and somewhat dull – no shiny blades. The height of the blades is varied, just as real grass is never all one height. The piece de resistance? Amongst the ‘healthy’ green blades you will find blades of artificial dead grass – accurate to the smallest detail, the light brown, ‘dead’ blades are slightly curly as if they shrunk, as they dried. But these ‘dead’ pieces don’t cling to wet bare feet, and float on the top of your pristine swimming pool.

There are no grass clippings clinging to running shoes, and boot treads to be distributed across your hardwood floors either.

Another issue Croden and his team took into consideration is the variance in the colour of grass from one area of North America to another. In the southern United States artificial grass has been used in residential, and commercial projects for years, but the colour of their product is different than the grass found in Canada, so when designing EZ-Grass adjustments were made. “We were installers for about five years, then we started making our own grass. We really wanted a product that spoke to Canadians and their needs. After all we have snow here. What we’ve discovered is snow acts as a layer of protection over EZ-Grass; extending the life of the product,” says Croden.

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A d v e r t o r i A l

‘‘

+40ºC

-30ºC

10yr warranty

pet safe

‘‘

The process of installing EZ-Grass is relatively simple; however 90 per cent of customers have it installed by professionals. “We prepare the area by taking out sod, an aggregate base is laid and compacted, and a light weed barrier is placed on top,” says Croden. Community playgrounds, and daycares may choose to have a padding placed down. The padding is CSA approved. “A rubber infill can be used to give the area a bit of bounce and more softness under foot. Then the EZ-Grass is rolled over top, and secured. Annual maintenance includes brushing it with a stiff broom, and using a hose to spray it down.” Still a sceptic? Croden regularly attends trade shows. Naturally, for demonstration purposes he rolls out his product for people to examine up close.

“During one trade show a follow walked by with his Saint Bernard. A gigantic, beautiful dog. The dog took one look at the gorgeous lawn in front of him, walked over, smelled it, turned around a couple of times and promptly went to sleep in the middle of the chaos of the trade show,” says Croden. That wasn’t what you thought the dog was going to do on the grass? “Of course the same thing happened with another dog, at a different trade show. A dog urinated on the product. We pulled out a hose, and washed the spot. No problem. Of course with EZ-Grass pet urine and feces are no big deal. No dead grass to deal with, no patchy spots. No kids running through it. Just hose it down. A big patch of grass in the middle of all those trade show booths; that was one happy dog,” laughs Croden.

A dog urinated on the product. We pulled out a

hose, and washed the spot.

So EZ-Grass is visually appealing, and feels like real grass under bare feet. It doesn’t need to be mowed, and it doesn’t die during droughts.

There is no worry about tracking grass through the house or in the pool. It can be padded for playground safety, and the comfort of parents who sit and watch their kids. There is no mud involved on rainy days, and pet urine and feces do not damage it, and are easily cleaned away. “Our product is a busy parent, or daycare owner’s dream. Our sales are up 400 percent this year, and that proves it,”says Croden. Finally, playground, and landscape designers, day care owners, moms and dads take note – you get 990,000 hits if you query, kids and grass stains using Google Search. You know it’s time for EZ-Grass.

Please visit: ez-grass.com for detailed information on the eZ-Grass line of products.

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A d v e r t o r i A l

FREE LIGHT THEy’RE supER LIGHTs! THEy InsTaLL In MInuTEs, bRIGHTEn FoR HouRs, and LasT FoR yEaRs!

M

a inst rea m sola r lights are not built to withstand our vicious Canadian winters, nor do they illuminate large areas. Not to mention their short lifespan!

In order to address these shortcomings, every element of these lights needed to be redesigned.

Solar panels were fitted with custom electronics to charge the enormous battery, allowing Free-Lights to illuminate far longer and brighter than all others. As many as 36 LEDs are used compared to the typical 1-5. They boast the highest solar light output for consumer use in North America, and charge 4x faster!

“I’ve seen a dozen little solar lights used to illuminate a garden and the focus is no longer the flora.

David Aggerholm, owner of FreeLight says, “Two of our lights can discreetly accomplish what an army of typical solar lights do”.

Think that solar lights are just for summer? Think again! Engineered with rugged cast aluminum bodies, Free-Lights are rated to work as low as -25C and as high as +40C. Regardless of how solidly built or powerful, no solar light will work if the panel is snow covered!

“I fitted certain models with a dome shaped panel protector,” says David. “The light generates enough heat to melt the snowflake, and the dome allows the snow to cascade off the protector! No accumulation!”

Being ecologically friendly is actually cost efficient; no wires to run, no electrician to pay. Adds David, “If you can unpack it, you can install it. It’s really is just that easy.”

FREE-LIGHT is distributed through direct and e-sales. Contact david Aggerholm at (905) 319-3511 or e-mail info@free-light.ca 50 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012

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Innovation

Paul

Thinking OuTside Of The BOx wiTh

Lafr ance

Cutting Edge Construction and Design’s

edgy owner shares his years of experience to help homeowners take their big-box backyards to new levels

By Christine Bosanac

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When the name of your company suggests that you are an innovative pioneer, you’d better be sure to deliver designs that are inspired, contain state-of-the-art construction practices, and have outcomes that are just plain cool. Paul Lafrance has built his business and reputation on exceeding these high standards, all while crafting interesting geometrical designs for practical purposes – he truly thinks outside of the box.

Drawing on his musician’s background for personal inspiration, Paul sees a correlation between music and design. Music connects with people on an emotional and personal level and so too should design. Designing should be like composing a song that is unique. “I have a strong stubborn streak in me that won’t allow me to do the same thing twice,” says Paul. He credits this as the reason his designs stay fresh. “I don’t want to get into a rut. I want to push the envelope because that’s what creativity is all about.”

So how do you create a unique, private, and useful oasis that sets your cookie-cutter property apart from that of your neighbour’s? You add Paul’s non-negotiable, must-have elements into every design. Each of Paul’s distinct projects must incorporate proper traffic flow, good use of space, superior lighting, and all the natural elements; especially fire and water. The area must function for day-to-day life and for evenings, in order to

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It’s a must Paul’s nOn-negOTiaBle, musT-have elemenTs fOr any design: z Proper traffic flow – Strategically

built tiered areas, stairways, and even bridges help to move people through the space. z efficient use of space – Proper

placement of structures can make a small yard look larger. Utilize hidden storage under benches or bars built into unused space under raised decks. z interesting geometric shapes –

Add triangle shade sails overhead, curve your deck, use materials in unexpected ways to create new shapes. z Creative lighting – With the new

“Even the most extravagant homes are based on a box,”

says Paul; “The rooms in the house are based on four walls and a ceiling and

typically the backyard is a box, too.”

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LED products on the market, you can add environmentally friendly lighting in almost any place, to meet function as well as fashion. z natural elements – Air and earth

are naturally present in all backyards, but adding fire and water features complete the circle, resulting in spaces that are more inviting.

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“.. What I’d like to see happen, is that people find their outdoor space so interesting, that they begin to realize how boring

the inside of their home has become!”

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maximize the space to the fullest. He loves to integrate interesting geometric shapes.

Outside, you’re not limited by typical “boxy” indoor elements of a house..

“Even the most extravagant homes are based on a box,” says Paul; “the rooms in the house are based on four walls and a ceiling and typically the backyard is a box, too.” The eye expects to see squares and rectangles in the home, but outdoors the walls and ceilings can be represented in new ways.

Aerial structures and screens are more interesting to the eye, as is using curves in unexpected ways. When you create outdoor rooms, you spark conversation.

Paul acknowledges that outdoor rooms and backyard staycation retreats are continuing trends, but what does he believe will be the next great trend to “break out of the box”? he sees something interesting; on the cutting edge – taking the outdoors indoors. “For years my focus was to take

the indoor elements of a house, to the outdoors. What I’d like to see happen, is that people find their outdoor space so interesting, that they begin to realize how boring the inside of their home has become! ” says Paul. He’d like to see living green walls, rooms built around trees, outside textures, materials and stone, used inside of the home. What he wants to see most of all is, “taking cool shapes and using them to break out of the box.”

To view more awesome projects watch Paul and his team “raise a little deck,” building his incredible designs on HGTV’s show, Decked Out. You’ll find them having fun but never sacrificing professionalism or quality of workmanship.

“In a way too serious world, you should have fun doing what you’re doing and not take yourself too seriously,” says Paul. “Play with your space, and have fun. Remember life is a circle not a square.”

NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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A couple’s

Wedding Gift to

t

themselves

Today’s couples are bucking the old-fashioned beliefs that they should meet, marry, and then buy a home. Instead they’re opting for purchasing their dream home and establishing themselves before taking that walk down the aisle. And since home is where the heart is, why not break with tradition a little further by saying yes to their ‘forever love’ right in their own backyard. On the popular “Wedding Deck” episode of HGTV’s Decked Out one couple did just that, with the creative guidance of the shows dynamic host, Paul Lafrance. They transformed their neglected suburban box-shaped backyard into the bride and groom’s dream-reception location and an artistically crafted retreat they can enjoy for years to come.

Paul answers a few questions for homeowners thinking of taking this “Out of the box” approach to their backyard wedding.

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NLm Any tips for couples planning a backyard project to create a place for their wedding venue?

PL The space has to work for the wedding and the reception, as well as the other 364 days of the year. Any design has to work for the 95% usage first, so it functions when you’re not having that party. The fun part of designing is making something that is new, unusual, and cool; but it must still work for everyday family life.

NLm What key features could be included in the plan that work specifically for weddings, but also work for day-today living?

PL Look out from your home and find the place your eye naturally goes; build a strong focal point there, and be sure to light it. Think of using an aerial structure, a hanging screen or even a bridge over water, just something to draw and surprise the eye. Shade sails created in dramatic shapes can enhance the focal area and add a beautiful accent for a ceremony location.

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What’s your passion?

Is it an outdoor space that lifts your spirit and elevates your lifestyle? Is it time with family and friends relaxing in the great outdoors? Power napping instead of power washing? Sealing relationships instead of deck boards?

Entertaining instead of color staining? With TimberTech low-maintenance decking, railing, lighting, fastening and fencing, you can create your own personal escape from the daily grind. timbertech® offers a complete line of low maintenance outdoor living building products that are durable and made with high quality materials. We listen to our customers and create products that offer a wide variety of color choices and styles, designed to fit your life and design preferences. From traditional wood-plastic composite planks to PVC decking material; from railing and lighting to under deck drainage systems and fastener-free installation options, TimberTech is your one-stop for outdoor living building products.

TimberTech maintains its color and beauty for years without the work of painting, staining or sealing. And, because it resists mildew, warping and insects, there’s no need to replace rotting, uneven or termite-damaged boards. This saves time and money over the life of your deck. Caring for TimberTech is easier than wood and will allow you to focus on maximum enjoyment instead of maximum maintenance.

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12-10-12 5:19 PM

timbertech.com

GO GREEN

TimberTech decking, railing, lighting, fencing and accessories are all crafted with strict attention to striking a sustainable harmony between quality, design, processes and the environment. Unlike traditional wood decking, TimberTech products dramatically reduce the wasteful cycle of repair and replacement. Our commitment to a healthier planet is evident in the following sustainability achievements: • 14,000 gallons of water saved each day in our manufacturing process using our closed-loop water system – equivalent to providing a day’s water for 2,021 average households.

• 332 tons of material is recycled annually – the equivalent of 161 average household’s annual trash.

• 2,300,000 KWH reduction, per year, of electrical consumption since 2009 – enough to power 164 households for an entire year.

• 107,000,000 pounds of recycled post-industrial wood flour and post-consumer plastic used annually to make products.

• 99% waste material created during the manufacturing process is reclaimed.

www.timbERtEch.cOm

The design of your home can dictate the look, color, and materials of your deck planks and accessories. At TimberTech.com, you’ll find support and ideas within our free deck design tool that will help you to plan the deck of your dreams. Learn what decking materials are best for you with our quick quiz, mix and match decking and railing colors with the Color Visualizer and see other deck designs in the deck photo gallery. Create a free deck design with the online deck designer or visit Decks.com to download a variety of deck plans!

High Performance Decking. Low Maintenance Living. It’s Our Passion.

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12-10-12 5:21 PM

Outdoor Living

Dream Midsummer’s

Turn your backyard fanTasy inTo a realiTy

By Vicki Morrison - Osgoode, Ontario

f

or the average Canadian family outdoor furniture was frighteningly unimaginative forty-years ago – the splintery wooden table covered with a checkered table cloth, meant to create the quintessential dining oasis.

Eventually, more innovative outdoor furniture pieces, designed with the best of intentions, became available. Fortunately, for all of us, gone are the days of that avocado green webbed, collapsable, aluminum lawn furniture – chairs and loungers that invariably, swallowed at least one relative at every family gathering. Today, the world of exterior design has been turned inside out, as innovative ways to replicate interior household comfort, in exterior living rooms has become the standard.

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Visit www.jardindeville.com to see product lines and create your dream outdoor living room.

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With access to travel and the internet, modern consumers have a world view. When it comes to creating their personal outdoor living space, they’ve been exposed to a many styles, and designs. Their goal? To reproduce that look to the best of their budget, and ability. North Americans traditionally own large properties, and enjoy space.

Home owners recognize they are paying for that exterior square footage, and it makes sense to utilize it. So, they are making an effort to creatively expand their living space. The average family also wants to spend more leisure time at home – particularly outdoors. Creating a versatile outdoor living room is more economical than building an addition on a home. They want their space comfortable and functional. Customization is the key to creating a functional outdoor living room.

Before making any design decisions or purchases, be sure to book an 60 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012

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appointment with an exterior design specialist. Céline Godin has been Creative Director with Jardin De Ville, Mirabel, in Quebec since 1995. Hers is an incredibly extensive portfolio. When customizing an outdoor living room Godin looks closely at the space her customer has to work with, their taste, and their budget. She is an expert in space planning: arranging furnishings and accessories within a given space, taking into account traffic flow, furniture scale, use of occupants, and electrical requirements. She also keeps in mind her client’s personal style, utilizing existing water features, decks, outdoor kitchens, pools, gazebos, fences, and garden houses. Nothing about your outdoor living room should be generic or cookie cutter – a good designer will create a universal design that suits all ages, and functions in all circumstances.

Why not develop several outdoor dream spaces, not just a dining area

and a living area, in your yard? Be innovative, creative, and slightly more adventurous than indoors. There are no walls to contend with, so moving furniture to define a living room where a dining area once was, will cost you only a few hours of your time; and possibly a few cocktails, depending on how many friends you have help you. Your designer should be able to create conversation areas that cross-function as lounging areas, where guests can relax and dine, without the formality of a dining table. “Consider taking a very large dining table and having the legs cut to the height of a standard coffee table. Just think of the functional possibilities,” says Godin. “Surround it with a gorgeous modular piece adjacent to the table on two sides. Casual, yet elegant.

Mixing a traditional recycled teak wood with a modern rectilinear piece is very trendy.” Consider locating your living room space in a garden pavilion, adding NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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square footage without an exceptionally high price point. These pavilions may have walls of mesh, netting, or plastic. Translucent fabric walls add a sense of space, while opaque fabric adds privacy.

High end furniture will last many seasons, if cared for properly. For that reason, Godin suggests purchasing furniture that compliments your personality, and style, not something you consider trendy. “There are so many sectionals, settees, sofas, and chairs in hundreds of styles. You can see them in our showrooms, on-line, or in catalogues,” says Godin. “Modern outdoor living room furniture is versatile, and one modular piece can create many compositions.” If you must be haute mode then consider using accessories to create a contemporary feel. Easily and inexpensively replaced if your tastes change by the next season. To get the most bang for your decorating dollar choose a solid colour, or a diminutive pattern for your largest furniture pieces, and punch them up with patterned toss cushions. Modern cushions have zippered covers, that can be freshened in the washing machine, and dried in the sun. “You might consider keeping two sets of cushions; one set patterned in a quiet geometric for a more formal occasions, and one set patterned in a summer-bright print for kid friendly, family styled events and parties,” says Godin. “Fabrics that used to be found only indoors have been reengineered to withstand weather, including sun and rain. They are mildew resistant, easy to clean, and quick to dry. People are busy, and they don’t want to take the time to clean off their furniture. They want convenience.” There are hundreds of customized cushions, and fabrics available. Work with your designer to discover a colour palette that suits your tastes. Geometric prints are very popular right now in outdoor living rooms NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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‘‘

Consider taking a very large dining table and having

‘‘

the legs cut to the height of a standard coffee table. Just think of the functional possibilities – very linear and graphic. Gone are the days when outdoor weather resistant fabric felt synthetic and uninviting.

Waterproof nylon feels supple to the touch, and leather type fabrics are available in many colours for customized chairs, sofas, and sectionals.

Because of the number of products available, there is no limit to what you can do to enhance and accessorize your dream outdoor living room.

Faux greenery, including cedars and vines, synthetic grass, and flowers are paired with artwork and sculptures to create an opulent and inspiring oasis in your own backyard. “In North America we do have the luxury of large backyards. Why not create the outdoor living room you’ve always imagined?” asks Godin. Electronics take backyard spaces beyond what our imagination can fathom. Weather proof flat-screen televisions rise out of consoles, laptoplounge areas offer chaise lounge chairs under parasols and shades. Replete with wifi and complimentary laptop desks, awaiting guests who enjoy being plugged-in. The entire living space can be wired for theatre sound and experience. Adding occasional tables, rugs, lighting, and storage equipment adds to the impression you’ve brought the atmosphere and comfort of the interior of your home outside. Step beyond your comfort zone and try something new, with different patinas on your outdoor living room furniture similar to what you may find inside your home. Rustic metals, glossy as opposed to matte finishes, don’t be afraid to switch things up. Your designer will tell you if you are off base. The sky is literally the limit. If you can dream it, it can be a part of your outdoor living room.

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Tree Picks

GinGko Tree ~ GiNGko BiLoBa:

Referred to as a “living fossil,” the Ginkgo Biloba tree has been on earth for around 300 million years, making it one of the oldest trees in the world! A splendid tree for the urban landscape, with its open architectural branching and unique bi-lobed green leaf that turns bright yellow in the fall. Plant the tree in an area of full to partial sun for best growth. Ginkgo adapts well to a range of soil types, including compacted and poorly fertile ground but prefers moist and deep sand. The tree is highly tolerant of urban conditions such as air pollution, salt spray and drought. However, do make sure it is well drained; it will not tolerate over-watering. Pests or diseases do not usually affect Ginkgo Biloba. I love these guys so much that I planted three in my own yard!

Dave’ s FavoUrite

trees

Take a stroll down the garden path and check out some of the popular trees that can turn any landscape into a real stunner. Dave Maciulis of Natural Landscape highlights some of his favourite picks.

river iver Birch ~ BetuLa La a Ni NiG NiGra: Gra: Gra:

The river birch is a beautiful choice for almost any landscape.

The cinnamon brown peeling bark and multiple trunks will serve as a focal point in the garden through all the seasons. An excellent choice as a specimen lawn tree, used in numbers to create a “grove” look. Plant in a location where the soil is shady, moist and has good drainage. The soil should have a pH between 5.0-6.5 for best results. As with most birches, the river birch may be susceptible to the birch leaf miner, however this tree is more resistant to the bronze birch borer.

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colorado Blue Spruce ~ Picea PuNGeNs ‘GLauca’:

The Colorado blue spruce has blue needles in a range of shades.

The ‘Glauca’ variety is a light blue. It is a slow-growing, longliving tree of medium size. Because of its symmetry and color, it is used extensively as an ornamental. I tend to use these grouped together on berms in high wind exposed areas. As they age they do not get sparse, so they make great privacy barriers.

Although blue spruce grows best with abundant moisture in welldrained soils, this species can withstand drought, and extreme cold weather far better than any other spruce.

hemlock Tree

~ tsuGa caNadeNsis: The Canada hemlock or hemlock spruce is a slow growing, long living tree which, (unlike many conifers), is great for privacy plantings when yards are heavily shaded by hardwoods. Hemlock trees are impressive in the landscape, with their soft green needles attached to gently arching branches, which often reach to the ground. Hemlocks best performance occurs in an evenly moist, but very well drained soil. Make sure that your soil is rich in organic matter, and that the pH is acidic to neutral.

Lightly mulch in order to maintain a cool root zone, and site it in partial sun to partial shade conditions. I like to use this tree as a specimen, a screen, or a group planting in wind-protected areas.

ShademaSTer honey locuST ~ GLeditsia triacaNthos: Shademaster Honey Locust is a deciduous tree with a non-symmetrical, open architectural habit of growth. The small, pinnately compound leaf structure makes for a fine and delicate texture to the landscape, which makes it a great accent feature on this basis alone. Its opened branching allows light to dapple through to encourage grass growth below it or perennial gardens to flourish around it. The tree needs full sun but has no particular soil preferences and is useful in dry or alkaline areas. It tolerates flooding in its native habitat along stream banks. It also does well in compacted, poorly aerated and confined soil spaces.

Honeylocust adapts well as a “city street” tree as it thrives in small concrete planting pits. Our salted roads and sidewalks don’t scare this baby! I love to use this tree in my designs, as it is extremely versatile. No need to worry about planting them too close to the patio, as they are less likely to cause any damage! It’s an excellent choice for the urban or city landscape. There are many varieties, some with hints of spring leaf colours such as yellow, green and burgundy. It all depends on the cultivar.

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Comic relief

And so it was,

AT THE END OF THE SIXTH DAY, MOTHER EARTH WAS TIRED, FOR SHE HAD CREATED ALL THE ANIMALS OF THE EARTH, SAW THAT THEY WERE GOOD, AND WAS DONE FOR THE DAY, BUT SHE BUMPED HER HEAD COMING UP THE BASEMENT STAIRS AND SHE BECAME CRANKY AND AGGITATED, SO SHE FASHIONED FROM CLAY, A BEAST WITH A STRIPED TAIL, A BANDIT’S MASK AND AN APPETITE FOR TOMFOOLERY AND KFC LEFTOVERS. SHE NAMED THIS CREATION RACCOON, FROM THE GREEK ROCONOS, MEANING IDIOT!!! - – InDIan folklore

comic D

relief

By Z. Fleming - Kanata, Ontario

eforestation, melting ice, over pollution, the Cardashians and all manner of other ills have made the Earth an inhospitable place to many of our animal friends and animal acquaintances. An inadequate bit of research reveals that 35-150 species go extinct each day.

Take heart though, because not everybody is facing extinction. The raccoon, for one, is thriving. This despite the relentless destruction of green space and the surging popularity of coonskin

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caps. Resilient and adaptable, the raccoon has carved himself a comfortable niche in our urbs and suburbs.

The key to the species’ success is a matter of some debate amongst scientists. Many believe the raccoon possesses roughly the intelligence of a 13 year-old boy.

Coonologists from this camp contend that raccoons could be productive members of society, perhaps working as department store greeters, if not for their affection for bedlam. Others claim that the raccoon owes his success to his incredible adaptability.

The raccoon doesn’t need rainforests or even regular forests. He’s content to live in a tree above your shed and eat tinfoil with traces of PAM on it.

While this debate rages on, all involved agree that the raccoon’s character is one of arrogance. He has been a thorn in the side of homeowners since the dawn of

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home ownership. We’d pay the raccoon little mind if only he went about his business as the Tooth Fairy does – that is, steal in quietly, snatch the loot, leave money and exit the scene. Instead, the raccoon rips apart your garbage, somehow finds a few of those old Oscar the Grouch-style steel cans to smash together, then leaves a nicely coiled “gift”, makes loud passionate muskrat-love on your patio for good measure and of course, doesn’t leave money.

a

s the raccoon is unlikely to change his hedonistic ways anytime soon, here are some useful and entirely serious tips for dealing with these jerks:

Dos

Don’Ts

z Prevent raccoons from moving into your shed, crawlspace, garage, or attic by plugging any holes with a hardy material like steel mesh or pressure-treated plywood.

z Don’t employ a coonhound.

Though her enthusiasm for the job is beyond question, the dog lacks cunning and intelligence. If you put her out on night patrol, in the morning you’ll find her bound and gagged with a snide note pinned to her collar. Instead of a dog, consider a lynx or a great horned owl.

z If possible, prune any tree limbs that hang over or near your roof. z Old meat is your enemy. Wrap up meat scraps in newspaper and store them in the freezer until garbage day. Keeping meat out of your garbage will go a long way towards keeping animals and insects at bay. z If your city has blue, black and green bins you probably don’t generate much traditional garbage anymore. Consider storing garbage in the house.

Keep it well sealed and foodless and you won’t notice any odours. z Invest in a quality locking garbage bin. z Rinse off food packaging before throwing it into you recycle bin, especially if it has a sugary or meaty residue.

z Don’t plant anti-personnel mines in the yard. Defusing explosives is child’s play for raccoons. To up the ante in this way would only invite retribution. z Don’t ever attempt to mollify or befriend your local raccoon with offerings of food. Such gestures will be interpreted as signs of weakness and before you know it, he’ll be living in the house and you’ll be in the tree above the shed. Then he’ll let the front yard go all to hell just to make the neighbours mad at you. z Don’t attempt to hunt or trap raccoons yourself. Even the most accomplished hunters would be foolish to engage raccoons in this way. They are ruthless combatants and brilliant tacticians. You can be sure that at least one raccoon in the neighbourhood has read The Art of War, and equally certain that none have signed the UN Convention against Torture.

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Not So Average Joe

Josephine nOt sO aVerage

Featuring the real PeoPle who work behind the scenes to create those dream landscapes

By Lori Sweezey - Dundas, Ontario

Pamela DuDych, landscape laborer, DMJ LanDscaping

N

EVER, judge a book by its cover!

Otherwise you might miss the wonder that is Pamela Dudych.

Pam is the epitome of all that is fresh and wholesome. A ray of sunshine! A surprising contradiction!

At the ripe old age of 20, Pam has been employed as a landscape laborer for her brothers’ business, DMJ Landscaping, since 2007, when they first opened their doors.

Born and raised in Caledonia, Ontario, to Chris (a nurse) and Myron (a truck driver), this tall blonde beauty is deceivingly rugged and talented. She has many passions and interests, but her top two are horses, and children. Pam had a hard time choosing between the two for a career, so she decided to have the best of both worlds. In September of 2012, Pam will attend Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. Hopefully, she’ll have plenty of time to hang out with her horse. Chancey is a 25-yearold retired racehorse that she rescued from a sure trip to the slaughterhouse. Pam is building her four-legged friend a paddock, by herself, with nothing but direction from her father.

Pretty sure not very many 20-year-old women hold the bragging rights to that!!!!

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them. Anything a man can do, so can she!

And many times, even better. She credits her parents for her incredible work ethic. “Mom and Dad didn’t just hand things to us on a silver platter. We had to work for them by doing extra chores around the house or the yard. We always had what we needed, but if it was something that we “wanted”, we worked for it”.

Pam’s favorite part of working in landscaping is operating the skid loader. That brings a big smile to her face! Her least favorite part of the job…gardening! Hardscape all the way for this girl!

When asked “which brother is her favorite”, she declined to answer. “I’d like to keep my job!” again with that engaging smile.

Pamela also enjoys travelling. She has travelled from the east to the west coast of Canada and in July she spent 2 months in New Zealand.

Natural Landscape Magazine would like to wish Pamela all the best in her future endeavors, and we will still look for her on one of DMJ Landscaping’s crew’s…..driving the skid loader! favourite fooD: Homemade mac and cheese favourite SPort: cheerleading (yes, it’s a sport)

favourite tv Show: Big Bang theory favourite muSic artiSt: Zak Brown Band

Pam’s

favourite reciPe

Orange FuDge z 125g of butter (melted) z ¾ cup of coconut z 200g sweetened condensed milk z 1-pkg Arrowroot biscuits (crushed) DirectiOns: z Mix all ingredients together and spread in a 12x8 pan. z Ice with a mixture of icing sugar, water and orange juice (to your desired consistency. z For something a little different, try a variety of juices!

favourite DriNk: Malibu Mango rum&sprite favourite Brother: Declined to comment!

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concePt Contemporary Las Vegas Style Loves to entertain Pool Hot Tub Low maintenace!!

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iMagination

Natural Landscape Design is a trusted local business with over 20 years of experience in landscape architecture, virtual 3D presentations, project management for landscape construction, eco-landscaping, custom pool backyards, outdoor kitchens, carpentry, and much more.

Professional landscaPe design services | landscaPe coaching | Project ManageMent to see our potfolio visit

www.naturallandscapedesign.com DunDas / ancaster 905-627-1466 Oakville / Mississauga 905-949-9122

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Inspired by Nature

Natural Landscape Design is a trusted local business with over 20 years of experience in landscape architecture, virtual 3D presentations, project management for landscape construction, eco-landscaping, custom pool backyards, outdoor kitchens, carpentry, and much more.

Professional landscaPe design services | landscaPe coaching | Project ManageMent We specialize in full service design and build landscape services to see our potfolio visit www.naturallandscapedesign.com 103 King st e. dundas, ontario l9H 1b9 pHone: (905) 627-1466

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