Stepping Outside: The Power of Exterior Design
The Kawarthas are finally teeming with growth and greenness! As we usher in summer, gardeners everywhere rush to see the results of their transplanted efforts from last year. A key consideration in any garden is the ability to creatively decorate and embellish your garden zones, while embracing the simple yet wild ways of nature. There are many ideas to lend that personal touch to our exterior landscaping. Whether your style is naturally landscaped or purposely formal, exterior design presents the same opportunity as our interiors.
Planning entries and other hardscaping can be done during the build or renovation phase to take into account the bigger picture for a cohesive exterior design goal.
The element of surprise is paramount in designing your exterior spaces. Each space potential is unique when it comes to deciding on features like meandering paths, seating zones under shade trees, space to grow things, steps and patios, water features and adding detail like sculptures and containers.
Layout and Configuration
In much the same way an interior space is designed and planned, we apply the same principles when tasked with exterior landscaping. If a build has taken place, we need to work with the architect and builder ahead of time to understand slope, grade and other topographical factors to design with and around. Both hard and soft landscaping is taken into consideration for a cohesive design approach. Designing in the Kawarthas can often involve hardscaping challenges when working in areas with Canadian Shield granite and other natural rock occurrences. We enjoy building these natural formations into our designs for a seamless landscaped approach. Other features like retaining walls and patios can create additional boundaries and structure.
A bird’s eye view provides an idea of how we can map various zones to work together for how your exterior lifestyle needs to function.
By creating a landscape plan, we can help depict what your exterior potential can be whether it’s before or after a build.
Realistic renderings offer clients an accurate depiction of what their landscape design will encompass including a planting selection overview.
Our Sturgeon Lake exterior design with planting plan and outdoor furniture.
Detailed planning to walk our clients through grade with full hardscape and softscape recommendations.
During construction you can begin to see how your outdoor landscape will relate to your overall home or cottage lifestyle. It’s never hard to design around a view!
On Sturgeon Lake we created a practical garden space for our clients but at the same time extended the look to be structured and formal next to the lake setting.
Raised planter beds finished off this garden scape design, and can act as delineation for creating zones and separate planting areas. The advantage of hiring a designer for exterior design, is having access to resources to build and bring your design plan to life.
This patio featured a SunLouvre pergola to define the entertaining zone and provide a covered shade area.
Varying zones allow for casual dining and a larger entertaining space to take in an outdoor fireplace experience.
Outdoor fireplaces create living rooms within nature and make for unique home or cottage features.
Dock Appeal
When building or renovating in the Kawarthas, there is a high chance we are working with a waterfront property. Taking into consideration the view from the dock and areas along the waterfront, we learn how the dock area relates to the on-shore zones. A great deal of activity happens at the dock and campfire area in particular. We help clients figure out how they use their outdoor space and the best way to configure their property. Your dock becomes an extension of your home or cottage so we look for ways to optimize the design potential using outdoor furniture and accessories.
This “before” image shows work being done to create a lakeside zone for a campfire option with seating.
The “after” view demonstrates how a campfire feature was added. Seating that we built for the client adds a decorative touch in keeping with the aesthetic of the cottage.
In this example at our client’s cottage, we connected the hardscape path to the dock for easy access to the covered patio.
This dock on Sturgeon Lake allows for sunset seating and has a dining option as well.
Finding your Exterior Style
Working in cottage country, already predefines to a certain extent, the style and approach we take. The Kawarthas nod to woodsy, summer like feels and designing for the spirit of what that brings to a home or cottage is something we really enjoy working on with clients. Taking hints from surrounding homes and a community in general is another way to help you find you personal style. Your home or cottage style will likely help direct the exterior plan and with accessories after the fact, you can layer in personality and garden charm!
Creating Visual Interest
Accessories. You’ve heard it in fashion, you’ve heard it here many times pertaining to interior design and the same holds true for how we accessorize outdoor spaces. Versatile accessories can be painted or left to age and patina over time. Garden centres, retail outlets and designers offer options for adding texture and interest to your landscape design.
Sculptural pieces can be mounted or displayed creatively within your garden scape. Sculptures provide height which can add variety and layers to your landscaping zones. Even better, if sourced and made locally, is the idea of featuring a local artist. It’s another way to bring local influence and interest to your external environment.
This sculptural painted piece was erected against lilac bushes to add contrast and to act as a colourful conversation piece.
Gardens follow the entertaining space adding interest and natural structure.
There is something to surprise and delight in every well thought out landscape design. Your garden is personal and the containers you select and style will be an expression of your build or renovation story.
Have fun this summer adorning and dressing up your exterior spaces as you would your interior! Artful placements and interesting finds can convey your sense of style and character both inside and out!
A beautiful cottage patio makes room for a special entertaining moment on Sturgeon Lake!
