The front garden, though quite small is a constantly changing garden through the years and the seasons. Datura is a favorite annual flower that reseeds and moves around but rewards us with beautiful flowers.

A frozen fountain changes all winter long. Our water features have been constantly evolving from the season's very first freeze.
Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Philadelphia.

Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Because the water stored in the Aquascape RainXchange™ System is constantly moving and being aerated, it naturally becomes a sanctuary for wildlife. www.deckandpatio.com

Pictured is a RainXchange™ system with AquaBlox® installed below to capture and store rain water. The fountain is constantly moving and aerating the stored water. Notice the hose in the back right of the picture is connected to a booster pump that is supplied by water stored below in the AquaBlox®. Aquascape Inc.

Step into a world where nature's beauty takes center stage, captivating your senses and welcoming you home to a symphony of serenity. Our Whidbey Island Oasis embraces your senses with a mesmerizing front yard pond, cascading waterfall, and an enchanting bridge that intertwine to create a picturesque retreat visible from both within and outside your abode. Nestled on the captivating landscape of Whidbey Island, this oasis transcends the ordinary, transporting you to a haven of tranquility. The front yard pond sparkles as the heart of this retreat, reflecting the ever-changing sky and inviting the surrounding greenery to dance upon its surface. A gentle waterfall completes this scene, where water gracefully descends, whispering tales of nature's elegance as it joins the pond below. The soothing sound of flowing water becomes the backdrop of your everyday life, a constant reminder of the beauty that surrounds you. Spanning the water, an enchanting bridge connects the realms of your front yard oasis. Designed not just for functionality, but also for aesthetics, the bridge offers an artistic touch that draws the eye and beckons you to cross into a space where time seems to slow down. Imagine arriving home to this natural sanctuary, greeted by the sight of water dancing, sunlight glinting off the pond, and the bridge inviting you to explore. From the inside, every glance out the window reveals a living tableau of serenity that evolves with the passing moments. Key Highlights: Front Yard Paradise: A captivating front yard pond becomes the centerpiece of your outdoor haven. Cascading Elegance: A gentle waterfall adds motion and grace to the landscape. Bridge to Tranquility: An enchanting bridge connects your senses to nature's beauty. Nature-Infused Living: The oasis is viewable from indoors, enhancing your daily life. Indulge in the embrace of nature's elegance as you cross the bridge between the everyday and the extraordinary. The Whidbey Island Oasis is more than just a landscape design; it's an invitation to rediscover the harmony between your home and the natural world. Experience Everyday Enchantment. Elevate Your Whidbey Island Lifestyle.

This project was an entry to the Water Wise Landscape Recognition Program in Brantford. Features include: Spillway from downspout directed to supply water to drip-line of young Red Maple. This replaced a lawn that was in constant battle with invasive weeds and crabgrass. The grade of the yard was changed to retain as much rain water as possible to significantly reduce run-off. All plants used require little to no water need outside of what Mother Nature provides.

DESIGN BUILD REMODEL | Laundry Room and Guest Bath Remodel | FOUR POINT DESIGN BUILD INC. This completely transformed 3500+ sf family dream home sits atop the gorgeous hills of Calabasas, CA and celebrates the strategic and eclectic merging of contemporary and mid-century modern styles with the earthy touches of a world traveler! Home to an active family, including three dogs, a cat, two kids, and a constant stream of friends and family, when considering the LAUNDRY ROOM AND GUEST BATH, our focus was on high function, durability, and organization! AS SEEN IN Better Homes and Gardens BEFORE & AFTER | 10 page feature and COVER | Spring 2016 Photography by Riley Jamison

Small urban vertical balcony garden photo in Melbourne with a roof extension

Step into a world where nature's beauty takes center stage, captivating your senses and welcoming you home to a symphony of serenity. Our Whidbey Island Oasis embraces your senses with a mesmerizing front yard pond, cascading waterfall, and an enchanting bridge that intertwine to create a picturesque retreat visible from both within and outside your abode. Nestled on the captivating landscape of Whidbey Island, this oasis transcends the ordinary, transporting you to a haven of tranquility. The front yard pond sparkles as the heart of this retreat, reflecting the ever-changing sky and inviting the surrounding greenery to dance upon its surface. A gentle waterfall completes this scene, where water gracefully descends, whispering tales of nature's elegance as it joins the pond below. The soothing sound of flowing water becomes the backdrop of your everyday life, a constant reminder of the beauty that surrounds you. Spanning the water, an enchanting bridge connects the realms of your front yard oasis. Designed not just for functionality, but also for aesthetics, the bridge offers an artistic touch that draws the eye and beckons you to cross into a space where time seems to slow down. Imagine arriving home to this natural sanctuary, greeted by the sight of water dancing, sunlight glinting off the pond, and the bridge inviting you to explore. From the inside, every glance out the window reveals a living tableau of serenity that evolves with the passing moments. Key Highlights: Front Yard Paradise: A captivating front yard pond becomes the centerpiece of your outdoor haven. Cascading Elegance: A gentle waterfall adds motion and grace to the landscape. Bridge to Tranquility: An enchanting bridge connects your senses to nature's beauty. Nature-Infused Living: The oasis is viewable from indoors, enhancing your daily life. Indulge in the embrace of nature's elegance as you cross the bridge between the everyday and the extraordinary. The Whidbey Island Oasis is more than just a landscape design; it's an invitation to rediscover the harmony between your home and the natural world. Experience Everyday Enchantment. Elevate Your Whidbey Island Lifestyle.

Utilizing the right plants can really spruce up the look of your property. But before you go and buy the first plant you see, it’s important to think about how dedicated you are to maintaining them and how much time you are willing to invest in them. All plants are alive and need love and attention. The amount of love and attention can vary depending on the plant. If you are a busy person who doesn’t have a lot of time to dedicate to the care of your plants, this doesn’t mean you can’t have plants and have them thrive. There are many low-maintenance plants that you can choose from. These will allow you to add to the aesthetic of your property, without consuming your time to care for them. We here at Five Star Tree Services have come up with a list of the best low-maintenance shrubs for you to consider. Flowering Shrubs Looking to add colour and beauty to your landscape? You might be thinking regular flowers can do this, but have you considered flowering shrubs? These are something simple and beautiful that you can add to your yard. Hibiscus These plants come in many colours. It is also known as Chinese Hibiscus, China Rose, and Tropical Hibiscus. This evergreen perennial is native to warm temperature, subtropical and tropical places around the world. The flowers it produces can be 3-8 inches in diameter. Some resemble trumpets. Every flower has 5 or more petals and can range in colours from red, orange, yellow, purple, pink, and white. Flowers are constantly produced by this plant but each blossom only lasts a day. Its growth can be 24 inches a year and has the potential to reach 15 feet fully grown. Forsythia This shrub is part of the olive family. It is mostly native to eastern Asia but one is native to southeastern Europe. This plant is also known as golden bells. This is a deciduous shrub that can grow to 3-9 feet but ones with rough grey-brown bark have been known to grow to 20 feet. With opposite positioned leaves, that can grow between 2 and 10 cm in length. They produce bright yellow flowers and will bloom in early spring before the leaves come out. Evergreen Shrubs It is beneficial to have more green plants around you. There was a study done that showed women can have improved mental health and a longer life expectancy if you live in or near green areas. If you have a busy life and don’t have space in your home, you are able to still benefit from and experience evergreen shrubs. They are perfect for small yards and large ones alike. Euonymus This plant is native to places like East Asia, North America, Madagascar, the Himalayas, and Europe. Depending on what country you are in will determine the species you encounter. These have many names and you might have heard them referred to as a spindle tree, burning-bush, euonymus, strawberry-bush, spindle, or wintercreeper. There are 130 species of deciduous small trees, evergreen shrubs, and lianas. The wintercreeper is a herbaceous perennial vine and it can grow to 70 feet. But it usually is left at 2-4 feet as a mounded shrub. It has egg-shaped leaves that measure to 1-2.5 inches long and 1-1.75 inches wide. They can vary in colour, such as dark green, green-gold, or green-white. Blue Star Juniper This is a needled shrub and is a member of the cypress family. It is native to the Himalayas, Afghanistan, and western China. You might also know it as flaky juniper, Himalayan juniper, or singleseed juniper. This is a dwarf shrub and when it gets to a mature size, it is a compact mound measuring from 1-3 feet high and 1.5-3 feet wide. It grows slow and has a tendency to grow out and not up. It has silvery-blue foliage and is densely packed with needles that are awl-shaped. Privacy Shrubs Everyone wants privacy while you are in your home or yard. Some people decide to install a fence in order to give themselves privacy. But there is a more creative way to acquire your privacy; with privacy shrubs! If you are looking for something that is different from a fence and low-maintenance, privacy shrubs are exactly what you are looking for. Not only do these plants provide you with the much-needed privacy you desire, they also add beauty to your landscaping. Some suggestions are as follows: Thuja Green Giant This is a genus of coniferous trees that belong to the cypress or Cupressaceae family. 3 out of 5 of these plants are native to Eastern Asia and the other 2 are from North America. This evergreen can also be known as Thuja green rocket or green giant arborvitae. They are fast growing and can grow to 3-5 feet in one season. Growing in a uniform shape, when mature, they can be 50-60 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide. They have tiny, glossy leaves that resemble scales. These overlap tightly together and create a fan of foliage. Boxwood hedges These evergreen shrubs and small trees are slow growing. You might also have heard them called boxes. They are native to numerous places that include Mexico, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, and southern and western Europe. These plants have been specifically grown for their foliage but they also produce a flower. They can grow from 1-20 feet tall and spread 2-8 feet wide. They have leathery feeling leaves that are lace-shaped or almost round. The colours can range from pale green to dark blue-green. They produce small yellow-green flowers in the spring. WARNIIG: this plant produces a toxic alkaloid that can hurt humans and animals. If a person or animal were to eat the leaves, it can trigger convulsions, dizziness, intestinal distress, and respiratory failure. If you come in contact with the sap, it could cause skin irritation. It is best to avoid this plant if you have small children or pets. Wax Myrtle Tree This large shrub or small tree is native to the Caribbean and North and Central America. There are many names for this plant that include bayberry tree, southern wax myrtle, southern bayberry, tallow shrub, and candleberry. It is very adaptable to various habitats but it naturally will grow near rivers and streams, wetlands, dunes, fields, pine barrens, hillsides, and in mixed-broadleaf and coniferous forests. This shrub can grow 20-25 feet tall with light olive-green leaves that have serrated edges. It also has smooth thin gray-brown bark. It can also produce bluish-white fruit which grows on short stalks in clusters. How Five Star Tree Service Can Help When looking for privacy for your home, utilizing low-maintenance plants is a great way to do this. It is also a great way to add something unique to your yard. Some of these shrubs will require some maintenance, which is where our team at Five Star Tree Services can help! We offer shrub trimming services in Toronto and if you require our assistance, make sure to give us a call at (416) 990-3355.

DESIGN BUILD REMODEL | Laundry Room and Guest Bath Remodel | FOUR POINT DESIGN BUILD INC. This completely transformed 3500+ sf family dream home sits atop the gorgeous hills of Calabasas, CA and celebrates the strategic and eclectic merging of contemporary and mid-century modern styles with the earthy touches of a world traveler! Home to an active family, including three dogs, a cat, two kids, and a constant stream of friends and family, when considering the LAUNDRY ROOM AND GUEST BATH, our focus was on high function, durability, and organization! AS SEEN IN Better Homes and Gardens BEFORE & AFTER | 10 page feature and COVER | Spring 2016 Photography by Riley Jamison

Example of a trendy bathroom design in Vancouver

Set in the rolling hills of Asheville, NC, the Avant-Garde Manor is a masterpiece of custom home design. Honored with the NC Stars Award for Best Single Family Custom Home (4501–5500 square feet), this stunning collaboration with Buchanan Construction LLC reflects a balance of natural elements, modern sophistication, and warm, welcoming design. Every detail of this 5,296-square-foot home was thoughtfully crafted by our interior design team to create a luxurious modern farmhouse that feels at home in its scenic surroundings. A Blend of Warmth and Sophistication Step into the living room, where light wood beams stretch across the vaulted ceilings and natural light streams in through the unique, expansive windows. The interplay of textures—light wood flooring, warm-toned cabinetry, and natural stone countertops—sets the tone for a home that is both refined and inviting. Touches like elegant accent lighting and carefully chosen fixtures elevate the space, creating an atmosphere of understated luxury. These details, paired with the white walls and warm wood tones, make every room feel cohesive and timeless. Designed for Everyday Functionality The Avant-Garde Manor balances elegance with practicality, especially in its thoughtfully designed mudroom and laundry spaces. The mudroom features a built-in bench with hidden storage and plenty of hooks for coats and bags, leading into a laundry room outfitted with cabinetry, shelving, and hanging racks. It’s a setup that keeps your home organized, no matter how hectic the day gets. These spaces were designed with busy lives in mind, proving that function and beauty can coexist effortlessly. A Wine Cellar That Steals the Show One of the home’s standout features is the wine cellar, a space that combines functionality with artistry. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors reveal warm wood shelving, while a custom bar area with natural stone countertops, a beverage fridge, and glass-front cabinets adds sophistication. Built-in lighting completes the ambiance, making it a perfect spot for hosting guests or unwinding after a long day. Located just outside the wine cellar, a cozy bar area ties the space into the rest of the home, providing a seamless transition between entertaining and relaxation. Natural Light and Scenic Views Large windows throughout the home ensure that natural light is a constant presence, brightening every room while framing the breathtaking views of Asheville’s landscape. This thoughtful use of light not only enhances the interiors but also creates a sense of harmony between the home and its surroundings. From the living areas to the bedrooms, this connection to nature helps define the Avant-Garde Manor’s unique charm—a luxurious retreat that feels effortlessly connected to the outdoors. A Patio That Blends Luxury and Nature Just outside the living room, the large patio deck extends the living space into the outdoors, offering a seamless connection to nature. Perfectly framed by large glass panels that showcase the lush greenery surrounding the property, the patio’s open-concept design creates a serene, retreat-like atmosphere. The deck features a striking geometric wood-look pattern in rich natural tones, adding a unique and elegant touch. We chose this contemporary, cream-colored seating to brighten up the space and bring some modern luxury to the deck. The grand, stacked stone fireplace, with earthy hues brings texture and rustic charm to the space. Built for Every Moment The Avant-Garde Manor was designed to adapt to every kind of moment, from quiet evenings by the double-sided fireplace to lively gatherings in the open-concept kitchen. Custom details like accent walls, built-in desks, and elegant light fixtures make this home as functional as it is beautiful. Whether entertaining guests or enjoying the peace and quiet of Asheville’s natural beauty, this award-winning modern farmhouse is a true reflection of comfortable luxury.

Cocalico Builders. Ltd.; The rear of the Bear Mill was deteriorating from the constant flow of water from the underground stream. all retaining walls were meticulously reconstructed utilizing the existing materials from centuries ago.