Romancing the Stone

Introduction

Perched on top of the Escarpment, a vacant building site was transformed into a nature lover’s retreat, allowing for maximum views to the Bay. Multiple environments and outdoor living spaces were designed to enable the owners’ to embrace nature’s serenity.

Fieldstones handpicked from the original farm property were transformed into crafted, nostalgic walls, softened by country-like plant material – weaving a motif throughout the entire design. The walls from the natural surroundings bring back the property’s heritage feel and seem to tell stories of their own - offering the juxtaposition of spatial intimacy and vast, open canopies.

Key Features:

• Back yard was raised over 9 feet, supported with massive weathered limestone boulders creating 500 ton of natural stone retaining walls. This, combined with jumbo flag and armour stone amassed to nearly 1100 ton of natural stone that was softened with tiered gardens overlooking the stunning vista to the Bay and its striking skyline
• Sheer Descent Waterfall with natural stone bridge: a stream runs through the patio’s centre, flowing down a tiered waterfall over river rock and boulders and cascading to the meadow below
• A built in rustic fire pit blends the flagstone and granite patio edge where the homeowners and their guests stay warm while being soothed by the waterfall’s soothing chorus.
• All backyard gardens have native plant material blending into the untouched forest embankment
• Huge, natural stone steps flow down to a patio constructed of jumbo flagstone cut into pavers, surrounded by low-maintenance perennial gardens, (low-impact Sedum mats)
• Fully preserved the natural habitat and ecosystem, including the lengthy driveway through natural forest
• Features comprehensive, programmable and self-adjusting irrigation and lighting

Challenges:

• Severe weather conditions: Constant wind and heavy, harsh winters that limit plant material and challenge plant health and growth
• Snow load and snow areas
• Incorporating deer resistant plants and native species while adhering to all Conservation Authority requirements
• Vistas to the Bay were vital, therefore not allowing too many trees into the design
• Design work covers nearly 3 acres of space