Outdoor
June 21, 2018
How To Create A Luxurious Escape In Your Own Backyard
Luxurious amenities, tailored plantings and a generous footprint give one family the benefits of a five-star hotel in their city backyard. Between the pavilion, eating area, hot tub and pool, one thing is for certain: this yard rivals a five-star resort — no plane tickets or luggage necessary.
“Given the size of the property, we wanted to strike a good balance between hardscape and softscape,” landscape architect Wendy Berger explains. To achieve this, she included a grassed area punctuated by native tulip trees and sculptural seating that resembles oversized pebbles on the left-hand side of the backyard.
Weather-resistant furniture was key in this patio space because, aside from a series of black umbrellas, this area is open to the elements. “Waterproof fabrics and stainless steel framing are really low-maintenance,” says Wendy. High-gloss planters sprinkled throughout the backyard house a medley of cascading white impatiens and purple Scaevola. “The planters are made of frost-resistant fiberglass and are changed up seasonally.”
Wiarton flagstone surrounds the nearly 700-square-foot pool, a main design element for this family that loves to swim. “Pool fencing is required by the City of Toronto by law, so we chose a simple wrought-iron design that allows maximum visibility of the pool from the house,” says Wendy.
With a property this large, adding an entertaining space at the rear of the yard made perfect sense. Complete with a gas fireplace, television, kitchenette, bathroom and outdoor shower, this pavilion has everything the homeowners could ever need. “It’s an escape from the sun and allows another viewpoint of this extraordinary garden,” says Wendy. Glass walls at the back provide further protection from the elements, without impeding the view.
Deep armchairs and a generous sectional are the epitome of comfort in this covered seating area. On cool summer nights, the gas fire feature provides warmth and ambience, and doubles as a coffee table when not in use.
This built-in barbecue area, easily accessible from the home’s kitchen, is surrounded by the same flagstone used throughout the backyard. Leathered granite extends across the countertop and backsplash, while a pair of lantern sconces illuminate nighttime feasts. “The herringbone pattern on the back wall is part of a continuous design theme utilized both inside and outside the home,” says Wendy. A small sink to the right of the barbecue makes cleanup a breeze.
Donna Griffith
House & Home May 2018
Wendy Berger