4 minute read
Transform Your Property with Thoughtful Landscape Design
Idealistic Outdoors
How lucky are we that Mother Nature grants us with beautiful raw materials that can be shaped, formed, formatted and fielded into custom-designed, breathtaking outdoor spaces?
While there may be a handful of similarities in each landscape design project – must-haves that include a pool, patio and lush greenery – each one is ultimately unique to the homeowner. From site analysis, conceptual design, design development and construction, a landscape firm will elevate your yard from simple sod to supremely splashy.
While aesthetics come naturally to professional landscape companies, the challenge is to create something that works seamlessly for the client. As a result of design and implementation, every moment is an opportunity to enjoy what lies beyond the confines of your home.
Cedar Springs Landscapes
Cedar Springs is known for awe-inspiring landscapes of resort-style calibre. Homeowners in communities across Southern Ontario have garnered Cedar Springs’ expertise to provide their property with an oasis that’s worthy of five stars. Just one example is Wonderful in White. Shown here, the project was a special recipient of the 2023 Casey Van Maris Award from Landscape Ontario, as well as the 2023 Circle of Excellence award from the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
The most rewarding aspect is the transformation. Our clients often know their spaces well but may not see their full potential. By bringing fresh design perspectives, we reveal new possibilities for beauty and functionality. It’s incredibly gratifying to unveil the first set of 3D renders or to see a client enjoying their new space for the first time. The final product is a harmonious blend of the client’s wish list, budget, architectural style, and construction details, all orchestrated into a successful project through time and expertise.
– Adrian Hordyk, Design Team Leader
McClelland Landscape Design
Since 1994, Ian McClelland’s boutique landscape design firm has specialized in crafting outdoor environments for residential spaces: every aspect that allows clients to enjoy life, and to enjoy their property. Custom kitchens, bars and sitting areas invite cocktail hour, backyard barbecues or intimate dinners. Lush gardens are created to cultivate and steward a client’s home’s integration into the natural landscape. When the sun sets, custom outdoor lighting brings people together to enjoy the camaraderie of family and friends well into the evening. Covered structures such as trellises, pergolas, cabanas and pavilions act as both shelter and a focal point on your property. Pristine pools and spas incite an atmosphere that can change at will, from serene to energetic.
Using material finishes that complement the home’s architecture (such as natural stone veneers) so that home and landscape are seamless is the most rewarding design aspect. When planning your ideal design, especially for pool use, consider your sun and shade – providing shade for dining/lounging and maximizing sunlight on the pool, especially the shallow end and lounging for sunbathers. Also, a properly balanced and scaled sitting area is key, as is a harmonious balance between water, hard surfaces and softscapes (lawn and garden beds).
– Ian McClelland, Founder
ProScape Land Design
ProScape Land Design believes in “Nature at its Finest” and it is the ultimate canvas waiting to be transformed into stunning outdoor masterpieces. Their journey began in 2002, and since then, they’ve been crafting extraordinary outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with the raw elements of stone, water, steel, plants and fire. ProScape received 12 Landscape Design and Construction Program Awards from Landscape Ontario’s 2024 Awards of Excellence. Exclusive to Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association members, the awards program recognizes the creativity and master craftsmanship in landscape construction, maintenance, design, lighting and irrigation projects created by landscape and horticulture professionals.
I love the ability to create visually appealing and functional outdoor spaces. Designers can unleash their creativity through the arrangement of plants, structures, and features to enhance natural beauty. Creating a space that meets or exceeds client expectations and seeing their joy and satisfaction with the final product is gratifying for landscape architects. By designing your outdoor space with your lifestyle in mind, you can create a retreat that enhances your daily life, whether you’re relaxing by the pool, hosting gatherings, or simply enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. This approach ensures that space is beautiful, functional, and tailored to meet your needs and desires.
– Jay Jackson, Lead Designer
