IN THE ZONE
Smart space planning delivers a combo of peaceful retreat and resort-like getaway in one family’s small city garden.
“They use the backyard three-and-a-half seasons of the year, day and night.” – Erin Feasby
Alittle oasis from the city. That, says designer Erin Feasby, and “simple, low-maintenance and somewhere they could have fun,” was what her long-time clients wanted from their 25-by-57-foot backyard in Toronto. The designer had revamped the interior of their home in stages over the previous years. Now it was time to take it outside.
She started by calling in landscape designer Samantha Kleinknecht and they, along with the homeowner, divided the yard into zones for cooking, dining, lounging and – mandatory for the family’s two young boys – fun. The pool, located to protect tree roots and follow by-laws, was a must-have. Although small, the “swim spa,” as Erin calls it, delivers big time on fun. The rest of the layout flows from it.
Next, Erin applied her trademark polish to the outdoor “rooms,” working with a palette of “griege” and wood against the new warm-toned black fencing that makes the modern furnishings pop. Landscaping is lush but low-maintenance, chosen following Samantha’s mantra of picking “the right plant for the right spot.” Lighting, pillows, outdoor kitchen cabinetry and a fire feature bring stylish indoor comfort to the backyard, where the sounds of two kids splashing through summer fills the days, and the nights are lantern-lit and serene.
“Try to pick plants that have different blooming times. You don’t want everything in the spring, and then there’s nothing le for the whole year.” – Samantha Kleinknecht
Building an outdoor palette is key for a designer look. Erin warns that materials can take on cool tones in bright sunlight. “I like them to go slightly warmer,” she says. She opted for warm-toned grey and black, teak furniture, and pops of yellow in the cushions and some planters, which Samantha and the owner filled with ferns and grasses, and herbs by the kitchen. Night lighting is a necessity. “We uplit those big beautiful trees, so there’s light coming from underneath to shine on the canopy,” says Samantha. Otherwise, she says, the back of the yard would feel like a black hole at night. “It gives dimension and height to the garden, too.” Path lights, sconces on the fence and lanterns complete the scene.