I don’t know about you, but Springtime has me scheming and dreaming up ways to spend more time outdoors. Specifically, we are working on creating more of an outdoor living space in our garden so that our summer nights can be spent savouring the warm breeze and good company by the fire. There’s something so magical about an evening spent outdoors and the season is already far too brief, so we need to find ways to capitalize on it and make the most of the dreamy, temperate twilights ahead.

In the spirit of seeking out inspiration {for me and for you!}, I reached out to my friend Jenn Hembruch, a brilliant landscape designer on the West Coast. Jenn’s company, Paeonia Gardens, is a design + build company servicing the Sea To Sky Corridor {Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler BC} with a passion for sustainable, beautiful, creative outdoor spaces in Pacific Northwest gardens.

In addition to being a landscape design superstar, Jenn is also the mother of gorgeous twins, a loving wife, and a very active outdoorswoman. Truly inspiring in every sense!

Jenn has kindly shared one of her brilliant transformations with us today, that I think it will inspire many of you who have a love for clean, modern lines and gracious outdoor living.

THE BEFORE

Jenn’s “before” shots may feel a bit familiar – an outdoor space full of potential but totally lacking in design direction to start.

From the moment Jenn walked into the back yard, she had a clear vision of how the space should work. The clients were a young family with active kids who wanted an outdoor space to “be” in all year round. They needed space for kids {ie: lawn, trampoline, veggie patch} as well as an extension of entertaining space {outdoor dining, hot tub, fire bowl + lounge, etc}.

Jenn set to crafting a vision for this outdoor space. She says: “The client had already finished an update and remodel to the interior of the home, so it was time to revamp the back yard. Working with a modern garden theme, we chose grays and charcoal stone elements {concrete pavers, river rock} offset with the warmth of natural cedar wood in the decking, fence, and pergola.”

THE AFTER

“Keeping the garden low maintenance and user friendly, we worked with grasses and conifers. New Zealand Flax and Windmill Palms lend a lovely tropical feel to the finished space. The new fencing gives added privacy as does the new hedge of Black Stem Bamboo. I have always loved how Bamboo works in the garden: evergreen {year round interest}, a delicate texture, and the sound and movement of the leaves in the wind makes this a favourite plant to work with. The key is installing it properly in sturdy Bamboo Barrier so it stays healthy and contained.”

“Another key component to well done landscape design are the hardscape features. Wood and stone really serve gardens well, aiding in all year round interest, as well as complimenting the softness of the soft-scape. We added in various sized Basalt Boulders to ground the space and provide texture and height year round when the herbaceous plants go dormant. A finishing touch that always sets off a completed garden reno is landscape lighting, giving a lovely glow and ambience to the garden in the evening.”

I feel like I’m on vacation when I look through the “after” photos, Jenn! Truly inspiring – modern, but still soft, warm and inviting. Thanks for sharing your amazing gifts with us today!

Jenn has offered to share more of the projects she is working on in the weeks to come, so watch for more inspiration on how you can transform your outdoor space into an extension of your home!

xo
s.