Alison Home Tour

Alison’s dream? A backyard with distinct spaces to host her whole crew in the open air. Join us as the owner takes us on a tour.

An inviting green space

A cramped patio, plastic-like swimming pool, uneven ground ... apart from the splendid, wooded grounds, there wasn’t much Alison liked about the outside of her home in north Toronto. So, she completely refurbished the space with the help of her friend, landscape architect Mark Hartley, and Jardin de Ville. Her two main goals? Simplicity and function.

At the water’s edge

Extending along the tree line, the long, rectangular swimming pool is easily admired through its transparent protective barrier.

Six lounge chairs can accommodate guests of all ages come swimming time. Alison opted for the Cadzand from Jardin de Ville: “I first saw these lounge chairs at my friends’ place. Lightweight and cushion-free, they are easy to move and maintain. Everything I love!”

discover Cadzand Lounger

Three clean-lined side tables accent the space, the perfect spots for sunglasses, a book or a glass of freshly squeezed juice. For those who want to relax poolside without suntanning, a large, square umbrella offers ample shade over a coffee table flanked by Gloster armchairs. The quick-drying canvas of the seats works well waterside. The umbrella is also thoughtfully positioned: With a simple 180-degree turn, it can provide shade for the lounge area beside it.

Cocktail hour

With an open-air living room consisting only of a modular sofa and an outdoor firepit, Alison proves that less is more outdoors. “I chose the sofa first—I liked its clean look. I then picked the rest of my outdoor furniture to match.”

Discover gloster Grid Sectional

Dining under the pergola

Alison wanted to distinguish the lounge area from the dining area to create two outdoor living spaces: one for sipping cocktails with friends and the other for eating. The pergola carves out the latter, while offering shelter in the event of rain. “In addition to the table and chairs—all stackable—I added a counter-height table and bar stools. They’re practical, take up next to no space, and serve as additional seats.”