FEATURED PROJECTS

From Inspiration to Transformation

Key Features
  • Curved sitting wall entrance and mirrored sitting wall with columns encasing the patio
  • Curved lines throughout project 
  • Multiple sweeping staircases leading to lower level yard 
  • Large rock wall surrounding natural stone stairs 
  • Cut flagstone fire-pit sitting area
  • Stunning custom crafted pergola 
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​Challenges
  • Trying to create a seamless transition with such drastic elevation change from back porch to lower existing doors
  • Creating multiple seating areas to make large space feel intimate and bring cohesion to the entire project 
  • Multiple curves crafted in order to soften the hardscapes and add dimension
The Everyday Oasis

This beautiful custom Clancy built home, backs onto a stunning forest with ravine in the foregrounds. From the moment of entry into this backyard you are instantly swept into a beautiful oasis. A delicately curved pathway lined with lush gardens leads from the driveway to the backyard haven. An intricately crafted curved stone wall flows in line with the pathway providing a wow-factor backyard entrance. The custom designed and crafted pergola greets guests creating an inviting and perfectly-shaded dining experience. Working with a large canvas and 9-foot elevation off the back of the home, a large rock retaining wall was required allowing for the creativity to flow. With such a large area it was important to create an outdoor space that was free flowing with curved pathways, staircases, and walls in order to soften the size of the space. The large raised patio immediately off the kitchen allows for easy meal prep with separated barbecue area and multiple seating areas for entertaining family and friends. The patio is encased with a large stone sitting wall and columns to not only provide extra seating when required, but also allows for a more intimate atmosphere creating added privacy from neighbours. Leading off the raised dining and barbecue patios, a sweeping staircase flows through to the lower yard creating multiple levels along with multiple intimate seating areas along the way – including a tucked away hot tub area for those chillier summer evenings. After enjoying a nice glass of wine in the hot tub, continue down the sweeping staircase along the curved pathway leading to a cut flagstone fire-pit area to roast some marshmallows while being surrounding by beautiful forestry. A perfect end to any, and every, day! 
Stairway to Heaven

This impressive custom home, located in Southampton, backs onto the Rail Trail and is steps away from the main beach.  Working with the 5 foot elevation change, a large two-course armour stone wall was built to create a seamless flow from the house to the road. Using this elevation change to our advantage, an impressive staircase of cut stone steps, with interlocking platforms, and armour stone encasing, was designed to provide a jaw-dropping entrance. The armour stone walls, serving also as raised flower beds, flow effortlessly from the staircase to surround the entrance. Large interlocking pavers with a distinguished border were selected in perfect complement to the home while enhancing its subtle grandeur. All together, this blue bungalow truly has a stop-in-your-tracks kind of curb appeal. A flagstone pathway along the side of the home leads to a beautiful interlocking patio and perfectly manicured lawn. This ground-level patio was built with clean lines to coincide nicely with the existing covered porch, and allow for some relaxation in the sun. Flagstones were placed at the edge of the back property to allow for easy access to the Rail Trail, while tall grasses and trees were planted to provide privacy while still maintaining elegance. Finally, as a unique touch, flagstone leads from the back patio around the home to an outdoor shower to freshen up from the beach or from a jog on the Rail Trail before entering the home.
Key Features
  • Large cut stone steps angled to produce a gradual curve
  • Two-course armour stone wall, doubling as flower beds
  • Interlocking driveway with border matching siding of house, and inlay matching brick of house
  • Large jumbo flagstone used for pathway along the side of the house, access to Rail Trail, access to outdoor shower
  • Placing large armour stones and incorporating existing large beach rocks as aesthetic features
  • Incorporating low-maintenance plants, tall grasses and river rock to encompass a beachy-feel
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​Challenges
  • Planning a low-maintenance design for entire property
  • Working with a substantial elevation change from front porch to driveway. It was important to add landings and curved stairs to account for this, while adhering to proper building code to ensure no railing system was needed.
  • Blending the two course armour stone retaining walls with the front staircase
Key Features
  • Jumbo flagstone placed throughout property
  • Entire property encased and defined by 2- to 3-course armour stone retaining walls
  • Incorporating panoramic lake views while maintaining privacy
  • Completely low-maintenance design for entire property
  • Fire pit set back and angled perfectly to allow for privacy while maintaining lake views
 
Challenges
  • Due to environmental regulations, the cottage was substantially built up to a high elevation. This, along with lot restrictions, required 150 tonnes of armour stone to retain the property and allow for functionality.
  • Abiding by, and encompassing, atypical town restrictions on the front of the property
  • Working with jumbo slabs of natural flagstone, some up to 8 by 10 feet in size, and placing symmetrically in line to create pathways and patios
  • Working off a one-lane road, in a confined space with large amounts of materials, access was difficult and project coordination had to be precisely executed to allow for smooth operations
Breathtaking Beachfront

This stunning re-built cottage located directly on the Southampton beach has a breathtaking panoramic view of Lake Huron and Chantry Island. Encompassing this feel, all natural products were used throughout the property to seamless blend beach to cottage. Big and bold materials were selected to create an all around wow-factor. Due to substantial elevation change, 150 tonnes of armour stone were required to retain the property and allow for functionality. This dramatic three-course armour stone wall, lining the driveway and lot, truly showcases the beauty of this property. Large jumbo flagstones, some up to 8 by 10 feet in size per stone, were used to create a front patio and flow perfectly down the side of the cottage to a large back patio with panoramic lake views. Again requiring high build-up from ground-level, the back flagstone patio blends perfectly with the beach surroundings while maximizing the stunning water view from every angle. A natural stone fire pit was designed on one end of the patio to allow for privacy while still maintaining lake views on those beautiful summer evenings. The entire patio is surrounded by a two-course armour stone wall, serving as perfect retention as well as additional seating around the fire pit for guests.  Natural stone steps lead from the patio down to the beach side – the view looking back on the home with this incredible multi-dimensional landscape design might be just as stunning as the lake view itself. The natural stone steps were used throughout the property to encompass the elevation change while maintaining dimension. River rock, tall grasses and plantings tie in the beautiful beach feel on this property while still being low-maintenance. Finally, 14 large rocks from the cottage were salvaged before the re-build and encompassed into the design as a unique feature statement.
Key Features
  • Large interlocking driveway, fitting 4 vehicles
  • Armour stone retaining wall along front and side of house
  • Flagstone front patio for lake views
  • Flagstone pathways connecting driveway to backyard and back patio to fire pit area
  • Flagstone back patio with natural stone fire pit
  • Interlocking back patio for dining
  • Large beach rocks as design accents
  • Grass, plantings, mulch and river rock to incorporate the beach feel

​​Challenges
  • Planning a design to encompass modern and natural elements
  • Planning a low maintenance design for the size of property
  • Building up the landscape to create a more gradual slope
  • Handling and working with larger sized natural materials​
Coastal Meets Contemporary

This beautifully crafted custom home is a nature lover’s paradise. Tucked away in the forest, surround by trees, combined  with stunning lake views, this amazing property required the perfect landscaping to best utilize these unique features. This project required weeks of planning with the homeowner to incorporate their wants, needs and lifestyle. This contemporary new build surrounded by nature, required both natural and modern landscape products. The driveway and interlocking patio off the back were made with clean lines and larger paving stones to create a sleek modern look. While the flagstone, natural stone fire pit, armour stone and beach rock provided for the feel of a beach retreat. Built to suit a retired lifestyle, the project was constructed to ensure low-maintenance while still providing ample seating. The front flagstone patio was situated on the property in perfect view of the lake to watch the sunrise with a warm cup of coffee in the morning, as well as enjoying the infamous Southampton sunsets in the evening. The seamlessly blended flagstone pathway off the interlocking driveway connects to the backyard oasis. The backyard encompassed all of the homeowners desires – a functional interlock patio for dining and entertainment, a flagstone patio with natural stone fire pit, and small area of grass for the family dog and grand kids to play. As a final touch, requested by the homeowners, a 5 tonne beach rock uncovered during excavation of the house was incorporated into the design to create a unique statement piece.
The Weekend Getaway


This impressive cottage is situated on the beautiful Pegasus Trails in Port Elgin. Surrounded by large mature trees with a stunning water view, the style and layout of this project was especially important to incorporate a low maintenance, yet natural, feel. This stately bungalow was built with large windows to admire the beautiful sunsets known on Lake Huron. Along with the grand windows and entrance, it was essential that the project have a combination of larger materials to match the style of the house, along with natural themes to tie in the beach. The large cut stone steps provide a sleek clean look, while the river rock, large armour stones, mulch and grasses incorporate the beach feel. This project was unique in incorporating a large patio to connect the two entrance ways, along with a large sitting area for that morning cup coffee while enjoying the calm soothing Lake Huron

Key Features
  • Large 6ft cut stone steps
  • Two separate patios with swooping curves to add dimension to co-exist with the house
  • Large armour stone wall along the front of the patio
  • Large jumbo flagstone pathway/stairs to allow easy access to the beach
  • Large armour stone two course retaining wall to encase the  driveway
  • Tall grasses and river rock to incorporate the beach feel
Challenges
  • Planning and working out a design that wouldn't be lost amongst the large home, while keeping it low maintenance and natural
  • Unloading and handling over 165 tonnes of armour stone throughout the property
  • Building a 350 linear foot two-course wall at to retain a concrete driveway
  • Front yard patios are not very common, however essential in this project. It was important to incorporate these patios while ensuring cohesion within the project
  • Creating a low-maintenace yard on a property of this great of size and magnitude
  • Matching the colours and size of the house with the materials to ensure architectural cohesion
Brussels-Block Bungalow

This grand bungalow was built as a retirement haven on the corner of beautiful Acton Drive in Port Elgin. Built with red tones, a large front porch and a variety of colours in the house brick it was essential to pick materials that would perfectly compliment this custom build. As a raised bungalow, larger materials were essential to raise portions of the yard along the front of the house while keeping it natural and seamless.

Key Features
  • Tumbled stone driveway with red accent boarder
  • Swooping front walkway off the driveway with steps and landing areas
  • Natural cut stone steps for front entrance
  • Raised two-course garden bed with  armour stone
  • Armour stone along back side of house to retain yard
  • Pathway along the side of house leading to back patio

Challenges
  • Constructing the project in order to cover the existing foundation
  • Building the driveway to obey town regulations
  • Curved front entrance way off the driveway with cut stone steps
  • Constructing the stairs to obey proper building code with large raised front porch
Neighbourhood Envy

This charming two-story is situated on Sandy Acres Road in Port Elgin. With little elevation change and, in keeping with the style of the home, tumbled pavers were used with natural steps and a dark boarder. The subtle curves, natural stone steps and dark boarder allow the driveway to not only co-exist with the house, but make it stand out amongst it’s neighbours. The charming landscape style continues into the backyard with multiple features that make this truly an intimate landscape space. From the built in BBQ area, the built in bench seating that surrounds a gas fireplace, and the feature, custom-built, wood burning fireplace, this backyard truly maximizes its space to it’s oasis potential. The pergola, lighting, and thoughtful plantings has made this space the true envy of the neighbourhood!

Key features
  • Clean lines with brick pattern
  • Dark boarder to add pop of colour
  • Subtle curves to break up lines and soften the project
  • Natural stone steps and armour stones to add dimension to the front entrance
  • Built in BBQ area on raised patio that includes built in fridge, garbage can, and drawers for storage
  • Pergola for shade and dimension
  • Built in seating around a built in gas fireplace
  • Custom wood burning fireplace with wood boxes for storage
  • Excellent use of softscapes providing perennial blooms in every season throughout the spring, summer, fall

Challenges
  • Small yard and working within the town regulations
  • Finding the appropriate size for the driveway to accommodate two cars comfortably without taking up too much of the front yard
  • Working around sewer shut-off and water shut off valves in the middle of the driveway
  • Creating multiple seating areas in a limited space
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