McDonald Residence

GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS

Front Yard Landscape (design/built)

	typical 'lawn-scape' transformed into vibrant and lush garden
	garden layout enhances formal and symmetrical features of the architecture
	reconstructed existing stone entrance steps, landing and main walkway
	replaced existing landing pillars and railing
	removed existing asphalt driveway surface and re-surfaced with unit paving & natural stone
	installed sprinkler and irrigation system / low voltage lighting
	reduced visual impact of front yard driveway

Back yard Landscape (design/built)

	preserved the mature trees
	removed driveway leading to back garage & converted into patio area - existing garage to be renovated into a living room in the future
	incorporated swimming pool (by others) into the design as a natural water feature
	introduced a waterfall feature adjacent to pool that one could sit in - noise from public tennis courts reduced
	new veranda extending width of house
	designed a sitting arbor for additional sitting area and to block the view of public tennis courts behind
	built a raised fire pit with a gas fed flame for night time ambience

A GARDEN TOUR

Front yard

The location of the central walkway was maintained, extending from the boulevard up to the entrance steps. This primary axis was remodeled into a generous width of 6 feet and re-laid with square cut Wireton flagstone, creating a grander approach to this home. Low evergreen hedges were added bordering both sides of the walkways, consistent with the symmetry and formality of this garden. The cool surface of the flagstone is contrasted by hot colors of annual displays. A secondary walkway branches off from the main walkway, providing direct access from the driveway to the front entrance.

The entrance porch railings, columns, landing and steps were structurally in disrepair and required replacement. Recognizing the quality of their classical detailing, the integrity of these architectural features was preserved.
The columns and railings were reconstructed to replicate the originals. The circular profile of the natural stone landing and steps was maintained as these cascading arcs create a subtle and elegant transition between the house and garden. This circular feature also adds another dimension to this otherwise rectilinear garden and further heightens the sense of threshold and arrival at the main entrance.

Natural stone planter walls extend like wings on either side of the circular landing, framing and emphasizing the central location of the main entrance.
The architectural features of the house are extended into the garden by offsetting the curves of the bay windows with the planter walls. These low walls carve graceful arcs out into the garden, extending the continuous curvilinear movement outwards from the circular landing.

The elevated foundation planting provides another level of color and texture in the garden. The use of evergreen hedges softens the stone facade, providing a backdrop for the colourful planting in front, and re-emphasizes the overall formality of this garden.

The original driveway, which had continued along the side of the house into a back garage, was reduced to front yard parking. The asphalt surface of the driveway was replaced with Mega-Bergerac mega-tumbled unit pavers inset with natural square-cut flagstone. The occasional flagstone piece, which visually functions as a stepping stone motif within the tumbled paving, softens and integrates the driveway with the natural stone walkways. This paving treatment continues along the side of the house, which now functions as a walkway to the back garden. A decorative gate feature intersects the side walk, separating the back and front gardens.

Natural stone banding borders the driveway surface and then continues along the sidewalk edge, establishing a transition between the hard and soft surfaces, framing the garden within.

Back Yard

The overall garden plan creates a sense of open space while incorporating smaller, intimate garden spaces within.

Many forms of natural stone in similar tones were used throughout this back garden. The rich gray tones of the flag, boulders & slab-steps unify the patio areas and create an expansive sense of space. The use of natural stone also ties in the existing natural stone foundations that wrap around the entire house.

The conscious use of square-cut flagstone for the upper patio and the oversize random-cut flagstone for the lower patio establishes a transition from formal to informal garden spaces. The formality of the architecturally defined patios adjacent to the house relaxes to the natural & meandering spaces surrounding the pool. The terracing down from the rectilinear upper patio into the curvilinear patio area surrounding the pool further defines an entrance into this natural setting. The waterfall, reflecting waters of the dark pool and the light shade of the mature trees above creates a natural serenity. The formality of the cedars that arc in a row on either side of the sitting arbour enclose and frame this natural setting.

The sitting arbour functions as a central feature to this garden. The combination of this arbour with the layering of planting on either side dissolves the presence of the tennis courts. The sound of the waterfall creates tranquility while the pyramidal cedars maintain a strong sense of form & enclosure all season long.

Elements such as the arbour and hammock bring an intimate touch to quiet corners of a somewhat grand garden space. The repetition of circular geometry suggests a casual flowing nature to this garden. The boulder stones form arcs which embrace the planting beds. The curvilinear walls of the pool, and clean circle outlines of the fire-pit & spa, repeat this motif.

The planting design reflected the clients' wishes for a formal & lush show of evergreen foliage and flower colour all year round. Seasonally, generous amounts of annuals are used to achieve this goal and over 300 bulbs are located throughout annual beds for a colourful, early spring display.