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Discover how you could be calling this home for just $2,500 down! IN THE PARK
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Create an oasis in your own backyard Opt for a deck instead of a dock LARA CERONI NATIONAL POST It’s true, Canadians do love their cottages, but there seems to be a shift taking place in the desire to spend hours getting to the lake to find only a few measly hours to relax there. It comes down to both time and price — that little cabin in the woods is damn expensive. A waterfront cottage in Muskoka will set you back at least $650,000 — but even double that amount no longer raises eyebrows. Coupling that with maintenance, rising property taxes and the always memorable highway commute, many cottagers have begun to rethink their summer escape plan. Some have decided to forgo the headaches and reinvent their backyards. But as with
interiors, a good design foundation should come before the decor: This means focusing on the yard’s infrastructure to create a base from which to build a lovely urban retreat. Carson Arthur, outdoor design and lifestyle expert and HGTV host, says this is fundamental. As a voice for environmentally friendly landscape design, he’s helped many homeowners create private oases right at their back door. “People walk into their own backyards and right into their own cottage,” he says. “It’s easier to switch from business shoes to flip flops when all you really have to do is step outside.” Here are his tips and tricks for building your own local sun-to-stars paradise:
Start with research A big space can be really intimidating, so take time to do your due diligence. Gather photos of projects you like in your neighbourhood, read magazines, visit websites like Pinterest and houzz.com. Find inspira-
tion in the pictures and, more important, if you like what you see, find out if the landscaper is in your area. If you find yourself pulling together a number of different styles, a good designer will be able to find their common elements and help you define your taste. Make notes. Don’t get frazzled: You don’t have to spend all your money in one day or even one season. Take your time, see what captures your eye and what’s trending (be flexible to a point, because your must-have list might change once you see the vast range of designs out there). Don’t even think about cushion colours at this point.
Define what your usable space is What does “usable” mean? Any area that is comfortable to walk on and to have furniture on. Ask yourself whether you actually need a lawn — or do you want a huge patio, a vegetable garden (a huge trend right now) and/or an outdoor kitchen? MICROPRO SIENNA NN NNA
Finding the right decor for the deck is the final stage in backyard planning.
See DECK, F2
TOP PRODUCERS JUNE 2015
Cindy Dreger 306-535-8488 Stacy Dreger 306-535-0005
Jen Welykholowa 306-527-2473 Karin Wees 306-591-5951
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Joel Trapp 306-596-4327
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