It’s time to start thinking about the sunny days ahead

With spring having sprung, this is the time of year when we start to think about what to grow, where to grow it and in what volume. It’s the time of year that we start to really think about what nagged at us last season, and how we’ll change it this time around. Plus, given our current state of isolation, we’re really, really thinking ahead to balmy summer days. So below, we’ve rounded up a clutch of our favourite garden and landscape designs, because we could all use a moment to think about fairer days ahead.

Photo by Mark Burstyn.

Ancient(ish) History

Rather than demolish the concrete foundation of an old pool, landscape designer Joel Loblaw channeled the look and feel of ancient overgrown ruins. Over top, a semi-enclosed cedar patio with a frosted glass prism makes for the perfect place to take in the romantic setting. See the full story here.

Photo by Jeff McNeill.

Less is More

Penthouse garden landscaping comes with strings attached, like high altitude winds and condo bylaws, so Janet Rosenberg & Studio kept this rooftop reno simple. The deck was kept and re-stained a muted grey, while low maintenance decor and plant life, like matte grey planters and hardy beds of sedum, make the terrace a place to relax, not work on. See the full rooftop garden here.

Photo by Ben Rahn/A-Frame.

Inside Out

Tasked with delineating spaces for entertaining and relaxing, Paul Raff Studio Architects built descending tiers, each from different materials – Douglas fir for the upper, and limestone below. With only a wall of glass separating inside and out, the new deck is less distinct outdoor space than an extension of the home. See the full build here.

Photo by Virginia Macdonald.

Steeling the Show

It comes down to the judicious use of materials, natural and not. Two lawns – one sloping, the other level – are boxed in by neat wedges of Corten, between which an ipe boardwalk descends toward a seating area. To reinforce the sense of privacy, beech hedging runs along the edges of the lawn, while honey locust trees provide some much-needed shade. Check out the details of the build here.