As a Landscape Architect every so often a project comes along, that once completed; will forever hold a special place in your heart and soul. “Modern Tuscan Jewel” is that project for me! A project that took over five years from conception to completion, this eloquently appointed design raises the bar on “High End Luxury” design in Canada. Playing on the clients love for classic Italian design and modern flare, I created a uniquely timeless landscape that graces this home and elevates it to a new level of sophistication.
Playing off historical references to a classic Tuscan villa, four courtyard spaces were created throughout the property. These include: the grand entry courtyard, the serene central courtyard, the expansive rear yard private retreat and finally the activity sports court area. Every last detail on this project beyond the house walls, were carefully designed by ETD to ensure that it paid homage to classic Italian gardens adorned with a contemporary twist!
From pulling custom limestone details onto the ground surfaces that aligned with elements on the home, to sourcing a hardy olive tree for the central courtyard placed in a raised granite seating wall, to commissioning a one of a kind Carole Feuerman bronze sculpture set amidst a stone grotto with water wall; specifically designed around it. The grotto includes a sunken hot tub at one end of the reflection pool separated by floating granite stepping stones for an illusion of walking on water. No expense was spared in the quality and detailing of this design that will now transcend the years; as European masterpieces before it have done.
This expansive Muskoka property provided the perfect backdrop to our grandest cottage master plan design to date. Great care was taken in selecting materials that harmonized with the surrounding granite outcrops and native flora to ensure that the overall aesthetic was calming and serene. By contrast to the natural muted colours, a fresh crisp fabric pallet was chosen in white for furniture, drapery and cabinetry/counter tops to bring a chic flare to the various spaces.
From a full remodel of the boathouse exterior to a complete refresh of surrounding landscapes, this project brought this grand retreat of a cottage back to life with an updated contemporary vibe. By adding unique elements and unconventional choices for accents/plantings/furniture etc. this property becomes a “One of a Kind” jewel of the North. Every small detail was overseen by ETD including hand selection of rare hardy annual palms for the boathouse dock planters, a custom curved granite bench by the fire pit area, Corten pine cone sculptures and a custom Corten entry gate with laser cut designs to welcome your arrival to this incredible retreat!
This unique estate design shows that a cohesive balance can be achieved by combining a contemporary landscape with a transitional home. Our amazing clients for this project trusted in our vision for this unique design that utilizes the repeated circular and curved shaped elements amid linear lines; providing focal points and interest to otherwise ridged spaces. Walking into this rear yard truly transcends one beyond the expected; for a home in Ontario. The use of rich materials with simple modern layouts, speaks a language of sophistication and timelessness.
Midtown Chic is the best description to capture this elegantly appointed urban get away. Only minutes from the hectic down town core of the city, this tranquil oasis boasts some of the finest finishes and elements to grace our designs to date! No compromises where made in the design of this unique upscale back yard. A wish list that exceeds those used in much larger spaces, was achieved with a full sized spa and plunge pool, that was designed to appear as one body of water by incorporating dark mosaic tile for both and creating the illusion of a consistent water level between the two. Coupled with a zero edge and sheer decent water wall for the upmost in unique pool design to make this truly a “One of a Kind” experience. A custom pergola, complete with laser cut screens and frosted glass panels bring a level of sophistication to this space, uniquely its own. A floating Brazilian hardwood bench with custom marine grade leatherette cushions and luxurious fabric tosses; bring a level of interior finish to this outdoor space. The minimal pallet of white accents with dark elements, warm exotic wood, fabric and stone combine in this design to balance the overall aesthetic. An architecturally simulating fire feature provides not only beauty but warmth to the pool side lounge area. An original handcrafted sculpture, by Canadian artist Don Frost, provides the eye with a whimsical focal point, while helping to break up the strong linear lines of this design. Eclectic furniture was carefully chosen to further balance the space with organic shapes and compliment the sculpture and screens. Large format ceramic tile, in a marble finish, was used on both the cook centre and floating dining bench, which carries through the upper terraces steps for a seamless relief from wooden surfaces. We feel the end results of this design installation stimulates the senses in a tantalizing array of unique design and personalized flair, for our client’s own private get away only steps away from their back door!
Four stories above street level, this private rooftop terrace combines all the luxuries of a finely appointed backyard oasis, with stunning views to the city skyline beyond. A balance of warm materials and modern finishes, carried from within the home, provide an elegant exterior living space with all interior comforts. A custom pergola adapts to the exterior elements of rain/sun/temperature and wind, to extend seasonal enjoyment of the space. The integration of fully automated audio/visual provides entertainment opportunities for its users to enjoy. Visual and acoustic tranquility are captured in the minimalist design of the water feature, that becomes a focal point for the space. As in all well designed living spaces, the cooking and eating area become the “Heart” of the terrace. Dividing the two lounge areas, this linear cook centre and bar, provide ample gathering space for intimate grill side entertaining. Green walls flanking the water feature, integrate edible plantings on a vertical plane, while softening and dividing the roof top into fireside lounging and cooking/dining.
This contemporary design showcases clean lines and the use of warm materials and elements to achieve the clients full wish list.
"Make it award wining" was the clients request and Eden Tree Design delivered just that in all categories; from lighting, pool design, construction and overall design aesthetics. This project has won many awards for both the trades and our firm throughout the landscape industry. The finished project is a true testimonial that if a client provides us with realistic goals and wish lists and allows our design team full freedom to explore unique and truly "one of a kind" solutions, their designs will be unparalleled and uniquely theirs for use and enjoyment.
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This urban oasis, atop a modest downtown condominium, showcases what potential can be unlocked to expand the usable space, in sometimes confined areas. Such was not the case with this spacious penthouse suite that our client purchased from the original designer who decorated and modeled the condo development. From a landscape design perspective, we wanted to make sure we complimented the beautiful interior finishes and brought the same luxurious, yet simple elegance from inside out. As part of the clients wish list he wanted a sufficient sized pool, a built in cook centre, a professional putting green, dining, fire side lounge and much more. The use of warm exotic hardwood was selected to continue the use of American walnut cladding from the suites interior. The finished product is a well laid out space which allows for entertaining large groups easily but maintaining an intimacy for smaller numbers without feeling overwhelming. Views to the city's spectacular skyline are appreciated from every element we incorporated in this design with the "money view" of our city's iconic CN Tower being appreciated during a relaxing dip in the pool.
This classic design was achieved by using very traditional lines with timeless elements and materials. The clean surfaces of the home are off-set and balanced by the intricate use of small cobble stone in the driveway and rough cut limestone on the curved decorative seating walls. Boxwood edged beds help to further delineate the formal planting beds and soften the space with texture and elegance.
This iconic home to Toronto's Lawrence Park neighborhood was the perfect backdrop to incorporate an asymmetrical landscape design like this. Using rich and warm materials of exotic Brazilian hardwood, local Eramosa and Wiarton stone and a simple planting pallet of hardy evergreens, ornamental grasses and perennial ground covers, this design becomes an extension of the interior of the home. The crown jewel of the design is located off the second story master suite, where a private terrace includes a custom spa, outdoor shower, TV lounge and green rooftop.
A blank pallet on a long bowling alley shaped lot with nothing but sod was the starting point for this back yard oasis. The clients extensive wish list for their family, was comprised of features for their enjoyment to make this space their own backyard getaway. Attention to every detail was carefully coordinated - whether it be cabana finishes of wood floor-tile, cabinetry, cook centre appliances, stone or stone urns - in our designs for this traditional landscape to ensure its success. Matching cabanas where designed taking architectural precedence from the homes exterior to ensure continuity. The linear pool was placed symmetrical to the homes principal rooms for a grand view from within the home, ending in a sunken sculpture courtyard for a classic vista.
This existing mature North York garden was lacking interest and usable outdoor space for the clients family to gather pool side in a covered structure. By designing a suitable structure to accommodate all of their needs, we where able to achieve an elegant formal feature that looks like it was always a part of this beautiful space. Design features of this structure include a barrel vaulted ceiling, hidden storage and refrigerator, custom outdoor fabric curtains, an integrated sound system and ambient lighting. Other items added to this rear-yard include, a decorative lattice privacy screen on a dining deck and a bbq/cook centre on a secondary mid-level deck of exotic hardwood.
This transitional estate design includes: large open terraces for lounging in both shade and sun, a formal fireplace lounge, covered pool side lounge, a pool with, not one, but two shallow ends on either side with the deep end in the middle, three sheer descent water features, a large cabana with full outdoor kitchen, dining and changeroom/washroom facilities and a private hidden bocci ball court. The extensive flower gardens that accent this design have been strategically orchistrated to provide endless blooming interest from early spring to late fall.
This small rear-yard design focused on maximizing the usable space for various lounge and entertaining areas for the family. The design includes a custom limestone fireplace, raised dining terrace, built-in pool-side planters, a curved spa that overflows into the pool and custom wrought iron fencing to meet the City of Toronto's pool bylaw. This division of space can often create an unsightly element between your home and the pool, however, by staggering the levels of the outdoor space and creating movement in the barrier, this problem is eliminated and works beautifully for this traditional design.
This backyard ravine lot was transformed from a 'builder basic' pressure treated deck, off the main living space, to include a custom dining and lounging terrace with a waterproof seating area below. A rustic fire-side lounge accented with a unique fire pit provides the clients a cottage-like getaway in the heart of the city.
This classic Forest Hill home design showcases how a budget can be stretched to provide a beautiful design that looks like nothing was spared. Formal design elements and lines where used to compliment this grand limestone home. By mixing cost effective materials in classic finishes with high end furnishings, iron and limestone, the landscape design accents this home in a sophisticated manner.
This beautiful Rosedale red brick home sits at the end of a street and was an incredible backdrop to design for. Our extensive landscape designs for this home included a custom limestone fire place, lounge area and limestone bbq cook centre with intricate lattice screens throughout the property to help add privacy and interest. Roof top plantings of clipped hedges helped to provide additional interest to the homes rear facade. Cobble stone borders were added to the driveway to help accent the feature and tie into the elegance of the homes level of finishes. A large lawn space was important to the family for open play as well as keeping a classic gesture of historic homes from this era. Formal perennial gardens flank the lawn with orchestrated garden displays providing seasonal interest all year round. The designs even involved a formal hidden courtyard for the family pooch, using pea gravel, stepping stones, clipped hedging, iron gates and a bench to disguise the space as a seating courtyard.
