This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Our designer has achieved a stylish look by combining dark cabinets and light-colored marbles.

Five sizes of stone were used to create a natural-looking creek bed. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in Charlotte.

A Chippendale teak bench provides a place to rest and reflect in the new front garden. When it weathers, it will blend into the sculptural trunk of the crepe myrtle. The formosa azaleas that ring the perimeter of this area will grow to provide a secure backdrop to this area. Photo by Jay Sifford.

The newly installed front garden grounds the home in the landscape. The in-ground stone plinths lead the eye to the front door, provide interesting negative space, and pull the lines of the horizontal siding into the garden. Photo by Jay Sifford.

This new home, like some in mid-town Toronto, occupies a half-width lot of 25’. The long narrow home had a tiny backyard, with only 32’ from the house to the property line. The owners were hoping to have a pool, so they asked Betz how they could get maximum enjoyment from the minimal space available.

Dozens of ferns, such as this Shaggy Shield fern, are planted along the perimeter of the new dry creek bed. Photo by Steve Knight.

To hide the pool equipment, Betz built a ledgerock feature wall with a 6’ sheer descent waterfall. It can be set at full strength or to a ‘wet wall’ trickle of water. Each end has a ledge with a dramatic gas fire torch. The pool features custom vinyl over steel walk-in steps, plus an underwater bench, complete with spa jets.

Japanese maples flank either end of the creek bed while dwarf hemlocks, aralias and groupings of ferns create rhythm and pull the eye through the space. Photo by Jay Sifford.

This cozy little nook has become a favourite outdoor gathering place. Partially because the outdoor gas fireplace makes it practical to use throughout three full seasons. When there’s an important game on, the four steps and surrounding ledges come in handy as extra seating for small groups.

The client wanted a slight Asian feel to this area so we installed a triptych of vertical stone plinths that both blend in, and juxtapose, the boulders alongside the creek bed. Photo by Steve Knight.

Five sizes of stone were used to create a natural looking creek bed. Photo by Jay Sifford.
Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in Charlotte.

A variety of foliage colors and textures provide interest and pull the eye through the new dry creek bed. Photo by Steve Knight.

Photo by Steve Knight.

The back portion of this backyard is now a garden full of interest while functioning as a water remediation area. Photo by Steve Knight.
Inspiration for a transitional landscaping in Charlotte.

Formosa azaleas ring the perimeter of this corner of the new garden. They will grow to provide a buffer and backdrop for the seating area. Additionally, the columnar 'Hicks' yew mimic the shape of the porch columns, further grounding the home into the landscape. Photo by Jay Sifford.

The elevated Ipe deck off the kitchen was specially designed with a waterproof membrane and hidden eavestrough drainage system that directs rainwater to downspouts. Glass panel railings ensure an unobstructed view of the pool and help to comply with Toronto’s four-sided fence requirement.

With backyard space taken by stairs down from the kitchen, there was only room for a custom 9.5’ x 17’ vinyl pool. It has a Gold Pebble liner and a 5 1/2’ deep end which allows the kids to jump in, splash around and tread water. The built-in Badu swim jet is used regularly for fitness and perfecting kayak paddling technique.