A story with a happy ending.
Every story has a beginning and this one started two winters ago. My clients had just moved into their new home directly across from the Blue Mountain ski slopes—and they reached out to Mr. Fussy Guy to help them fuss-up the inside/outside spaces of their brand new home.
It’s always a pleasure working with clients who are “all in” and committed to a process of implementing the design. It was great to partner with Carol and Brian as we realized together their dreams for the property. For this post I’m focused on the landscape design, as it came to completion this summer and they’re now enjoying the outcome.
Initially we met on site, discussed their priorities for the outside space, walked the property, took photos and notes which helped define a direction. I came back to measure out the property and then set to work on some drawings to help bring to life the ideas we had discussed. I find getting things down on paper always helps clarify direction. After showing them some elevation sketches and a couple of overall layout options to consider, I came back with a tighter plan reflecting responses they provided to me.
Once the design has been established, my services include the careful selection of plant specimens as well as providing connections with good trades who can execute the plan—including large tree suppliers and landscape construction companies for hardscaping and other related finishes to take the planning stage to completion.
I introduced Carol and Brian to Matt Van Andel of Outdoor Reflections https://outdoorreflections.ca/. Matt and his team did an excellent job of providing quality workmanship and interpretation of the design concepts. My clients put in their own fair share of sweat equity into this effort doing much of the soft scape, planting and digging of beds.
From rough excavation to beautifully finished outdoor spaces, this lovely property has been transformed. The gardens are very new but growth and maturity are off to a great start!
Ric Riordon, the Fussy Gardener | Dream it. Plan it. Create it.
“It's been an absolute joy working with you Ric. Your landscape design has taken our home to a level we could not have possibly achieved without your wonderful vision. Thank you so much—we are just thrilled.”
Carol and Brian
While ideas look good on paper, it takes a skilled team to bring design and vision into reality. My role is to help a client "Dream it. Plan it. Create it."
Working with the Duggan's, we defined a clear plan. To execute that plan, Matt van Andel from Outdoor Reflections was selected because of their professional acumen. They listened to the client, provided clear communication throughout the process, they showed up when they said they would and they delivered on a 'Fussy' design.
Congrats to Matt and his team at Outdoor Reflections for delivering a winning acclaim from Landscape Ontario for an admirable execution on this Fussy Gardener design.
