Tenant of a ground floor apartment in Magog, Carol Audet has created breathtaking landscaping in her backyard. An investment worth gold to fully enjoy your retirement in a corner of paradise.
Posted at 12:00 p.m.
“When I came here eight years ago, all there was on my land was a big rock with weeds and a tree,” recalls Carol Audet. Two years later, he installed a shed to have more storage, then he had the idea of planting grasses to separate his yard from neighboring parking lots.
For this decorator, there was no question of installing ordinary fences with a rather rigid look to create the privacy he wanted. “The grasses were six inches tall when I bought them, and when mature they are eight feet tall. When winter comes I tie them up, I cut off their heads, which gives the effect of a big palm tree; it prevents the snow from passing and you can’t see the cars. »
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PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
The presence of small rocks accentuates the Japanese style, while the soft green foliage of the fern crowning the fountain and the suspensions of red begonias give a boost to the terrace.
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PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
Carol Audet will only have to change the accessories, such as the cushions, to echo Denis M. Leclerc’s painting representing the mouth of Lake Memphremagog when he wants to create a waterfront look.
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PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
The lemon tone of the chairs in the bistro area brightens up the terrace. Most of the flowers Carol Audet chose are bright yellow.
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PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
The structure of the pergola is in hemlock and the floor in treated wood. “I did all this with a contractor who owed me some time and my friend Denis; it was really nice, recalls Carol Audet. Also, I chose to put very small steps of five inches between the terraces to go down smoothly. When my 93-year-old mother comes here, she has no effort to make. »
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PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
Stained glass windows with alternating patterns and opaque glass isolate the tenant from neighbors without obstructing natural light. Their colors vary depending on the sunshine.
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PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
Carol Audet composes bucolic bouquets with flowers from her garden.
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A matter of harmony
Mr. Audet specialized in Christmas decorations, and the artistic fiber has always been rooted in him. This is not his first garden layout, and when he decided to shape this one, it was to stay there for a long time. “I chose for my retirement to have an apartment where I would be comfortable, on the ground floor, easy to live with in case I could no longer travel. So investing money to make it enjoyable was important to me,” he says.
He started planting maple trees around the existing rock, then he slowly shaped his space, buying a few plants, but also trading with friends and his mother, who is very fond of horticulture.
I knew that I would make a development with curves, because the ground lent itself well to it, but also because it is important for me that there are no points so that it is fluid. I took some basic feng shui classes, so I wanted it to be seamless.
Carol Audet
From the start of the project, he had a specific idea: take a small path to exit to the side and, to the right of the patio, create a very refined Asian-style garden with Japanese ferns, a pagoda and a fountain. “I put my hammock in front, between the two beams, to rest near the fountain, it’s wonderful. »
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PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
Pretty, two large symmetrical flower pots mark the entrance to the shed, and clematis adorn its facades.
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PHOTO PHILIPPE BOIVIN, THE PRESS
Grasses grow very quickly and become beautiful natural screens with a light and lush look.
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A removable pergola
Two years ago, Mr. Audet decided to build a wooden deck and add a pergola. “I spoke to my landlord about my project and told him that I wanted to invest some money as he was keeping me in the apartment for a long time. He offered to give me $2,000 to do the patio and said, “If you want something else, you invest.” What I have done. » The space includes a coffee corner with a bistro table and a relaxation area with lounge chairs.
The decorator completed his project by adding a pergola on stakes, where meals are organized. “It cost me about $5,000 plus decorations and flowers, but if I leave, I can take my shed and my pergola, which is on stakes, unless the owner or the new tenant wants them. redeem. »
Almost all of the plants are perennials, which Carol took care to plant, alternating heights and colors to enliven the terrain.
“I have made modifications over the years. It’s important to take your time and figure out what you like. Three years ago I bought some paving stones to mark off the rockery and I just have to cut four inches in front two or three times a year so that the lawn doesn’t come in; that way, it’s easy to maintain. I also installed an automatic watering system to be quiet when I’m not there. »
Carol Audet takes great advantage of the blooming hydrangeas and sedums in the fall, because in the summer he spends most of his time on his sailboat. He incorporates some seasonal flowers and makes cuttings with annuals. The result is amazing when you see the size that the begonias and coleus have reached in its pots and suspensions!
To take advantage of his yard in the dark and provide a magical atmosphere to his garden, the decorator installed a lighting system. “Here, it’s a bit like the culmination of what I dreamed of doing. I managed to get a place for my hammock, a fountain that lights up, a small shed, a pergola protected from mosquitoes by curtains and decorated with stained glass windows that act as a screen. It’s my little piece of paradise. »