Covered spaces provide shelter from summer rain.

Landscape architect Ron Holbrook transformed this downtown Toronto backyard with an all-weather seating area, sectional sofas surrounding an outdoor fireplace and wood shutters to keep the elements out. Quality finishes like Brazilian ipe wood, smooth Corian and Algonquin limestone lend a contemporary and timeless style to the dining area (right).

Watch a tour this backyard in our Online TV segment.

See more of Holbrook’s landscaping projects in our photo gallery.

A symmetrical pool layout evokes resort style.

Landscape architect Ron Holbrook designed this Toronto backyard. Built on a slope, the tiered terrace steps down to an infinity-edge pool, drawing the eye to the water and trees.

Watch a tour of this backyard in our Online TV segment.

See more of Ron Holbrook’s landscaping projects in our photo gallery.

Add greenery to awkward structures.

In the same backyard, a mechanical building for the pool blends into the surrounding landscapes. The plantings were done in a checkerboard to complement the yard’s geometric lines.

Neat hedges lend an English feel.

This new home exquisitely embodies age-old principles of symmetry and proportion, and the yard is no exception. Landscape architect Ron Holbrook chose a pretty parterre made of boxwood and yew hedging, pea-gravel pathways and a limestone fountain to bring a formal look to the backyard.

See more of Ron Holbrook’s landscaping projects in our photo gallery.

A sunken area offers up a different look at every turn.

Formal paving and hedging balance a virtual forest of trees and drifts of euonymus and cedar in this leafy backyard. A painted bench blends into the greenery, offering a quiet spot to enjoy the outdoors.

A raised stone terrace makes for easy entertaining.

In this urban yard, Holbrook divided the space into three “rooms”: a deck for barbecuing (closest to the house, not shown), a terrace for dining and green space for gardening and playing.

Two large oak trees dictated the symmetrical design of this backyard.

Landscape architect Ron Holbrook wanted classic architectural details to define this Toronto yard. Two pavilions draw the eye outward from the house. A gravel area with bistro table is a casual spot to snack after a swim, with comfortable lounge chairs flanking each side of the pool. In the foreground, an upper terrace offers a more formal dining area for entertaining.

See more of Holbrook’s landscaping projects in our photo gallery.

See more sheds in our photo gallery.

Tidy landscaping complements classic lines.

European architectural and garden features — French doors with working shutters, cornice mouldings and a casual pea-gravel patio — are key to this home’s quintessential country manor style.

Large, old trees provide shade for new shrubs.

A pea-gravel terrace designed by Ron Holbrook is a charming addition to the backyard of the 2011 Princess Margaret showhome.

See more from the showhome in our photo gallery and watch Lynda Reeves tour the space.

See more of Ron Holbrook’s landscaping projects in our photo gallery.

Cosy wicker chairs invite guests to linger outdoors.

The spacious back deck of the 2010 Princess Margaret showhome is accessible from the great room and kitchen, through a pair of classic French doors. The large wood table from Crate & Barrel is expandable to accommodate numerous guests.

See more of the 2010 Princess Margaret Showhome in our photo gallery. Also, watch a tour of this backyard in this video.

See more of Ron Holbrook’s landscaping projects in our photo gallery.

Grey slate tiles make the pool water look deep blue.

The neoclassical façade of fashion designers Joe Mimran and Kimberley Newport-Mimran’s house — designed by architect Gordon Ridgely with landscaping by Ron Holbrook — is elegantly clad in Indiana limestone. The terrace uses the same material for a seamless look.

See more photos of the Joe Fresh Style and Pink Tartan designers’ house in our gallery and in the September 2008 issue.

See more of Ron Holbrook’s landscaping projects in our photo gallery.