"On the other hand, if you want to dream big, and you
have the budget for it, maybe you can have a full outdoor
kitchen."
Ontong recommends that anyone who is hardscaping for
the first time start small. Rome wasn't built in a day and
your yard doesn't have to be either.
"You don't have to start big. You can maybe start with a
firepit or a walkway connecting one area of your yard with
another," she says. "Firepits are a good place to start if
you're not familiar with hardscapes and you want to try it
out and see how it works."
One recent trend in hardscaping incorporates clean, linear
lines in multiple residential applications. Ontong says
Barkman's Broadway dry-cast pavers are a popular choice
for driveways and patios. They come in a variety of colours —
including charcoal, ash, sandstone, quartz and amber — and
sizes that can be combined to create a wide range of patterns.
Another popular paving stone is the Roman, which can be
used for patios, walkways and driveways. It has a "rocky,
tumbled" look that Ontong says ensures it "doesn't ever go
out of style."
For those looking for something a little more rustic, Ontong
recommends Arborwood. These dry-cast slabs have a wood
texture that makes them look like rough wooden planks. They
come in two colours, brown and grey, and are ideal for pool
decks, paths and patios. Unlike wood decks or surfaces, you
don't have to worry about these slabs warping or rotting and
you never have to paint or stain them. They also come with a
lifetime warranty.
BRICKS & STONES
— Cont'd from page 41
44 Parade of Homes SPRING 2022
