“It was such an honour to receive the provincial Award of Excellence and Neil Vanderkruk Award of Excellence in Landscape Design in 2023. To then have Urban Spa nominated this year for the CNLA Circle of Excellence at the National Awards of Landscape Excellence, was such an amazing achievement in itself. To actually win is an incredible dream come true. I am beyond proud of our team at JHDG.” – Jennifer Hayman
When first stepping into this Toronto backyard, it was easy to see why this family felt uninspired. The space was sloped and underutilized. A lawn that was once home to a children’s playset had become an unused patch of grass. However, what Jennifer and her design team saw when walking into this historic Lawrence Park backyard, was the potential for something magical while still being functional. A majestic oak tree, protected by Toronto Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) by-laws, shaded the property and gave it an air of privacy and serenity, which became a focal point of what was to become a 2024 national award-winning design.
Our internationally-trained design team at JHDG love taking on challenges like these. We specialize in custom backyard designs throughout Toronto, the GTA, Simcoe County, and Muskoka. With this project, we saw an opportunity to turn an unused corner of an urban backyard into a place of respite and retreat; a private space for relaxation, a personalized spa and space for entertaining friends and family. This couple was excited to invest and make the most of outdoor living in the heart of the city.
The Magic of Collaboration: Turning Ideas Into Reality
One of the most rewarding parts of this project was working with Lake Ridge Landscaping, a contractor we’ve partnered with on several projects for over twenty years. Jennifer shares, “There is truly something special about seeing a design come to life exactly the way you envisioned it, and that’s exactly what happened here. Kyle of Lake Ridge commits to ensuring the integrity of the design is not lost through the construction process.”
The moment the homeowners saw the finished plunge pool, lounge, and dining area, they were amazed at how closely it mirrored the 3D renderings we created.
Jennifer continues, “working with a contractor who not merely understands, but respects the design is so important. A strong design-build team understands that collaboration is not just about executing a plan, it’s about preserving the integrity of the vision.” From choosing where to place the stone pavers, to carefully planting the expertly sourced foliage framing the pathways — every design detail was acknowledged and handled with care. This level of teamwork ensured that our award-winning design was realized without jeopardizing the client’s vision.
If you’re considering your own backyard transformation, choosing the right team you can trust can be difficult. JHDG is here to guide you through every step, from the initial ideas to guaranteeing the highest quality execution with our trusted team of contractors.
From Concept to Completion : A Perfect Match
One of the things that excited us most about this project was the ability to visualize the results long before breaking ground. When working on 3D landscape designs, it isn’t solely about creating something visually appealing, it’s about giving our clients a clear sense of how their outdoor space will not only look, but feel like, once it has been completed.
For this urban backyard retreat, these 3D renderings were especially important. With the property’s slope and the need to protect the mature oak tree, every element had to be precisely planned. Seeing the final product, which includes a plunge pool with falling water to drown out city noise, a lounge for relaxing, and a dining area for entertaining, our 3D designs remain a reminder of how essential early visualizations are for bringing our client’s dreams to life.
If you’re curious about how your dream outdoor space could look, reach out to us at JHDG. Our team can create custom 3D renderings, helping you see exactly how your backyard retreat will take shape before we begin.
Finding Balance Between Old And New
As with many Toronto properties, the home itself added another integral layer to the design. This family loved the classic look of their Old Toronto red brick home but wanted the backyard to have a modern, spa-like feel. It was important to find a way to incorporate the new, while respecting the genus-loci (honouring the home’s sense of place) in creating a space that is connected to the house, as well as distinct enough to feel like a private getaway.
By choosing transitional elements and finishes that harmonize with both the traditional architecture and the sleek, modern lines of the pool lounge, this destination spa feels perfectly curated for rest and relaxation. The pool area features a plunge pool, installed by Leisure Pools of Toronto, a Paloform fire pit, a pergola to anchor the space with a fully equipped beverage bar below manufactured and installed by Garden Living. With this incredible collaboration, our talented designers were able to achieve that delicate balance with thoughtful, yet functional, design choices. The result was a space that feels timeless yet fresh, a backyard that honors the history of the home, while embracing the modern lifestyle of the family.
If you’re wondering how you can merge your home’s style with your dream outdoor living room, we can help. At JHDG, we specialize in outdoor designs that blend tradition and modernity, using strong geometric design to create a seamless flow between the home’s architecture and its natural surroundings while catering to your personal tastes.
The Importance Of Trusting The Right Team
At the end of the day, the success of a project like this comes down to trust. Trust between the client and the design team, followed by the long established relationships that JHDG have developed with suppliers and contractors. We are so fortunate to have a longstanding relationship with all of our trusted collaborators, who share our commitment to quality, functionality and creative vision. Our clients can rest assured that choosing to work with our collaborators means that every detail, from stonework to planting, will be handled with the same care and attention that our team has poured into the design itself. We sweat the details so that our clients feel supported throughout the construction process, and our contractors can focus on quality craftsmanship.
When you’re investing in a custom backyard design, we understand that it is essential to choose a contractor who will respect and uphold the vision of the design. Whether you are dreaming of a backyard transformation in Toronto, Muskoka, or anywhere in the GTA, we are here to help you achieve your design goals from start to finish. We are dedicated to ensuring your dream space comes to life exactly as you imagine it.
Are you ready to start planning your own backyard retreat? Contact us at JHDG today to schedule a consultation or discovery call. We look forward to working together to create a space that reflects your lifestyle and elevates your outdoor living experience.
Photography: Stuart Service, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
