The Ultimate Escape

BY LEA CURRIE | PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL ROBERTS

One couple’s dream comes to life in a beautifully designed outdoor paradise

While backyards are generally seen as an extension of the home, the one featured here is like an entirely new outdoor home. Outfitted with all the luxuries and comforts of a house, this dream backyard features a fully equipped kitchen with dining space and a multitude of areas for lounging, entertainment and joy, including a pool, hot tub, sunken natural gas fire pit, putting green and some good old fashioned green space. Like any home, it even has the necessary practical inclusions like an outdoor washroom / change room and shaded areas.

“This space really has it all. It's an outdoor oasis,” says Kyle Thibeault, owner/operator of Silver Stone Landscaping, the designer and developer behind this lush property in Headingley.

“The clients wanted a low maintenance yard. There is no such thing as NO maintenance, but all the beds are filled with shrubs and trees suited for our climate,” says Thibeault, who chose spruce, amur cherry, guardian aspen, spring snow flowering crab and gladiator flowering crab to provide different points of interest throughout the seasons.

“We used stone throughout the beds to minimize weeds. We have an area behind the slide that's artificial turf to give it some green, but also have no watering/cutting required. There is an irrigation system throughout the yard as well,” says Thibeault.

One area where a little bit of work will be required is cooking in that sizable outdoor kitchen!

“It really has it all, from all the kitchen components – barbeque, side burner, fridge, sink, kegerator with beer on tap, pizza oven, storage drawers – to a gorgeous roof over your head to get out of the sun, to a TV mounted on the back wall so you can watch a game,” says Thibeault. “Kitchens really are the heart of the home and I do think that this kitchen is the heart of this outdoor oasis.”

While function is key to any outdoor space, it’s the architectural details that make this yard stand out. Brilliant white concrete circles accent the space, while a graceful lighted, sheer descent waterfall feature runs off the roof of the pergola that houses the hot tub.

With such an expansive yard and so many components, it's no surprise that a fair share of planning and hard work went into its creation. From the seamless flow of all the spaces to the unseen components including engineered foundations and the installation of gas, electrical, water and drain lines.

“Projects of this scale require so much behind-the-scenes work from permits to engineering to planning. There are a lot of cogs in the wheel to make it turn,” says Thibeault. “You have to align with good sub trades that share the same level of detail and craftsmanship. Coordination between all the trades is key so that everything gets installed in the correct order. Knowing the sequence comes from years of experience.”

One of the contractors Silver Stone Landscaping enlisted was Samson Pools to install the 20x40 feet swimming pool.

“This modern pool has a unique butterfly effect pool liner that has no border and shimmers in the sun,” says Blair Irwin and Jonathan Kreviazuk, co-owners of Samson Pools. The familyrun company also installed the pool's vinyl-over-steel steps, slide and automatic cover, as well as the pergola's waterfall feature and plumbing.

Accurate Building was chosen to create the structures designed by Silver Stone Landscaping, including the hot tub deck and pergola with open circle skylight, and the visually striking kitchen structure.

“The steel pergola over the hot tub creates a luxurious and inviting space, while the steel beams offer durability and a sleek, modern aesthetic,” says Paul Aubin, owner of Accurate Building, who calls this yard a “boundary-pushing project.”

Silver Stone Landscaping has an unwavering commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and employs innovative techniques with top-quality materials to ensure longevity.

“Working with Silver Stone Landscaping on this project was an outstanding experience,” says Aubin. “Their professionalism, expertise and attention to detail made working with them truly great. Every aspect of working with them exceeded our expectations.” silverstonelandscaping.ca samsonpools.ca accuratebuilding.ca

Silver Stone Landscaping, Samson Pools and Accurate Building came together to create not just a backyard, but an outdoor home with impressive details that truly define this breathtaking space.