BACKYARD HACKS

Reclaim an awkward slope at the end of your garden by building a retaining wall and creating a raised bed. It’s also the perfect opportunity to install a water feature—simply hide the pump mechanism behind the new hardscaping.

PARADE YOUR

POTS “There’s this perception that containers are for the deck and the garden is for dirt beds,” says Brunton-Purkis. To shake things up, she’ll relocate a container from the patio to the garden. Not only do containers save the hassle of tending soil, but lightweight models also make it easy to take tropical foliage, like palms, indoors every winter.

TURF THE TURF

Grass is often a homeowner’s go-to ground cover, but it wouldn’t have thrived in this shady backyard. Besides, the natural flagstone that lines the space has its own perks. “I don’t own a lawn mower— only a broom,” she says. “And with three growing boys, a lawn isn’t as important as the basketball net in the driveway.”

DON’T SWEAT A TIGHT TIMELINE—OR BUDGET! THESE MINI MAKEOVERS ARE IDEAL FOR THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER.

BY BRETT WALTHER STYLING BY AURELIE BRYCE PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGUS FERGUSSON

hen it comes to designing a backyard, home stager Jenn Brunton-Purkis is a W firm believer in patience as a virtue. “You have to spend at least one summer in your backyard before making any permanent changes,” she says. “You might think you’re going to use the space in a certain way, but then you realize you need the lounge set in a certain spot that’s shaded during the day, or the dining table needs to be closer to the house.” Practicing what she preaches, BruntonPurkis waited until her second summer in her family’s Toronto home before putting a personal stamp on the space. The relaxing urban oasis that emerged is a testament to taking things nice and easy. Design, xandindesign.com.

CAMOUFLAGE WITH COLOUR

Not happy with the bones of your home? Grab a paintbrush! “I’ve never liked Tudor-style homes, so instead of highlighting the contrast between the brown wood and cream stucco, I painted them out.” The au courant greys play down the dated architecture for a fraction of the cost of an exterior reno. Intercoastal 30BB

16/031 paint (siding), Nobel Grey 30BB 10/019 paint (trim), Drum Beat 00YR 08/409 paint (doors), dulux.ca.

PLAY THE MARKET

Instead of fighting the crowds in the spring, Brunton-Purkis waited until the end of the season to buy outdoor furniture and scored a hefty discount on this handsome DEFINE A ROOM

Laid directly on top of the flagstones, a polypropylene rug serves as a subtle boundary that separates the lounge area from the rest of the garden.