Natural Landscape Magazine - Fall 2012 Preview

VOLUME 2

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Restoring the flow to an outdated restaurant patio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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Working with the region’s best Landscape Professionals

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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

2 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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

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

John Bos

NL

CONTENTS

FALL 2012 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2

8

CANADA'S OUTDOOR DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE

MAGAZINE

Promoting excellence in Landscape Design Build throughout Canada.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Publisher/EditOR in Chief

Dave Maciulis C.L.D.

we asked, you told us!

10

10

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!

13

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

16

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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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

23

OUTDOOR LIVING

PAUL LAFRANCE

NIP TUCK

An outdated restaurant patio goes “under the knife”

58

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

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.

4 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

MAGAZINE

Cedar Mulch

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

Black Soil

River Rock

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12-02-26 2:57 PM

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

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!

6 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

Looking for landscape advice?

YOUR Landscape QUestiOns answeRed

JAD_1-4_v2.indd 1

12-10-12 4:31 PM

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 last 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

905•902•POOL alohadivers.ca

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 last issue to be informative and enjoyable to read. It’s funny and entertaining too! Great job dude! Can’t wait for the next issue!

8 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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!

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J. Paul – Toronto, Ontario

CABANAS

I just wanted to say, how disappointed I was with the cover of your last 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!

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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

fall 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 9

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 ~

10 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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 ~

NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

fall 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 11

Fashionista!

Hat

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.

NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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.

fall 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 13

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

905-692-9299

Serving the Golden Horseshoe and GTA for 20 years.

www.oakridgelandscape.com

Chris Orlesky and Colin Wade of ECO Landscaping

Kim Barz and Mark Brimley

Beautiful

outdoor living made

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

(905) 521-9988 www.rusticpines.ca NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

fall 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 15

t

as

e a st co

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e

t c oa s

Alfresco

eas

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

16 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

Nip Tuck

tuck

Nip

&

A facelift for an outdated patio

By Lori Sweezey – Dundas, ON

NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

fall 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 23

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 restaurant’s “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 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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

fall 2012 NATURAL LANDSCAPE | 25

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

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

66 | NATURAL LANDSCAPE fall 2012 NATURALLANDSCAPEMAGAZINE.COM

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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CANADA’S OUTDOOR DESIGN & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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

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GLASS RAILING EXAMPLE KANDLA GREY FLAGTONE STONE

UPPER STONE KITCHEN DECK WITH UNDER LOUNGE AREA

STAINLESS STEEL RAILING WITH GLASS PANELS .73) (226

UNDER DECK ELEVATION 225.70

HOUSE

IVORY SILK LILAC FLOWER

STONE TREADS TO MATCH PATIO (3) IVORY SILK LILAC

MAIN FLOOR ELEVATION 228.30

C.B. IN SUNKEN PATIO

TOP C.B 228.19

RIVER ROCK BORDER UNDER LAY 240R GEO FABRIC

226.79

UPPER DECK 228.22

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TOP OF C.B 226.25

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226.77

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UP

STAIRS TO LOWER OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM BAR COUNTER

EDGE LAWN WITH ALUMINUM EDGING

MAIN FLOOR ELEVATION 228.30

(3) IVORY SILK LILAC

KOTA BLACK FLAGSTONE

P

STONE TREADS

1"-3" RIVER ROCK BORDER UNDER LAY 240R GEO FABRIC

226.75

226.65

226.50

(8) EMERALD CEDAR

UP

POOL STORAGE FLOOR 225.46

PLAY AREA

225.46

IVORY SILK LILAC 226.40

226.45

CUSTOM INGROUND POOL

HOT TUB

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226.55 226.35

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GARDEN WATER JETS SHEER WATERFALL BENCH

T/W=226.83 B/E=226.43

STAINLESS STEEL RAILING WITH GLASS PANELS

(16) EMERALD CEDAR

T/W=226.83 B/E=226.10

WATER JETS

POOL BUNKER UNDER PATIO (7) KARPICK MAPLE

KARPICK MAPLE

EXAMPLE OF CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE

EXAMPLE OF WATER FALL HOT TUB EXAMPLE

SHEER WATERFALL EXAMPLE

WATER JET EXAMPLE

imagination

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