Decorating & Design
See A Sleek City Yard In Midtown Toronto
Updated on November 28, 2023
Handsome and lush, yet totally fuss-free, this midtown Toronto yard is the stuff of any urban gardener’s dreams. Designer Kate Zeidler and landscape architect Inese Bite joined forces to bring the spacious plot to life. Their vision? A tranquil, multifunctional retreat: “A place where the owner, a young bachelor, could entertain friends, barbecue and just savor a garden in the heart of the city,” says Kate.
Another goal was having the yard speak the same language as his home, its interiors designed by Kate herself. “Serene, modern lines are Kate’s trademark,” explains Inese. This meant designing a crisp, squared-off layout. Kate, meanwhile, focused on sourcing functional and beautiful furniture, and carrying the home’s high-contrast palette outdoors. The result is a garden that’s a breeze to maintain — and enjoy.
Keep scrolling for expert tips on how to get this look in your own backyard!
Break It Into Zones
Designing areas for specific functions — cooking, eating, lounging — makes the yard easy to use, whether the homeowner is in the mood for entertaining a crowd or relaxing solo. A neat inlaid ipê-wood path leads guests to the dining zone, where a mod table and sturdy aluminum chairs make room for everyone. The wood path was left unstained, so it’ll develop a soft grey patina.
Opt For Minimalist Hardscaping
“More hard surfaces means less maintenance,” says landscape architect Inese Bite. A simple flagstone patio and sculptural firepit anchor this intimate conversation area. The building in the background will eventually become a music studio.
Install A Subtle Drainage System
Narrow drain grates are a practical addition to the yard, catching water that naturally runs off the patio. A pair of sleek chaise lounges, placed in front of the graphite-stained shed, offers a tranquil spot for the homeowner and his friends to kick back
Embrace Trellises And Pergolas
Outdoor walls offer the privacy of hedges without all the pruning. Beside the home’s back door, clean-lined trellises define a cosy patio for two. Designer Kate Zeidler outfitted it with weather-resistant metal chairs: “The owner didn’t want to have to haul huge cushions in and out with the changing elements.”
Looking to get gardening? Keep scrolling for easy-care plantings!
Nepeta
Purple blooms make this hardy, low-maintenance plant a pretty addition to any flower bed.
Hakone Grass
These feathery lime-green blades add lively colour and interesting movement to a garden.
Littleleaf Boxwood
This tough, winter-resistant shrub is ideal for creating tidy borders around loose grasses and perennials.
Donna Griffith
House & Home September 2017