In an otherwise normal suburban neighbourhood in Cumberland lies a bright blue home surrounded by an enticing garden oasis.
The homeowner, Mary Lynn, bought the property in order to build a custom home from scratch. In 2019, she brought together Linzie Rowan of LH Interiors, Arianne Huene Landscape Design, and Candor Developments—an exceptional team of design professionals—to help her navigate a seemingly endless list of selections and choices. Having this team in place helped Mary Lynn to make wise and timeless decisions. The result is a beautiful home and impressive gardens, with thoughtful design at the heart of the project.
Mary Lynn had spent considerable time envisioning how her home would look before she embarked on the journey of building it. She wanted to capture the superb mountain views from the rear of her property and dreamed of being able to enjoy the landscape from both inside and outside. She got her wish, and it’s picture perfect: large windows open up to the backyard, framing the panoramic view. The home’s location on the lot not only maximizes the views but also gives a huge amount of privacy—often difficult to achieve in a standard suburban setting.
A light-filled interior
Daylight plays a massive role in the light-filled, open-concept interior. Painted in a light tone that evokes a canvas, the interior walls serve as a gallery that allows striking art from local artists such as Corre Alice and Lucy Schappy to take centre stage.
This use of contrast—so crucial in any design, and a hallmark of Linzie Rowan’s work—carries through to the rest of the home. With warm and colourful tones and tactile textures, the furniture throughout this space exudes a delicate sensuousness. Wallpaper gives each room its own unique warmth and distinct look. Natural materials such as wood and stone engage with nature from the garden outside and beyond. Lighting was carefully selected and placed to create the atmosphere Mary Lynn desired: an effortlessly cozy and inviting living space.
In any great design, the outside and inside should speak to each other, and they certainly do in this project
During the design process, Mary Lynn and the team kept aging in place top of mind. The home and gardens were crafted to allow her to continue to live there and enjoy them for years to come.
The garden design
In any great design, the outside and inside should speak to each other, and they certainly do in this project. You can admire the spectacular mountain views from the kitchen and living room, then easily step outside for a closer look. You’ll find yourself in the stunning garden sanctuary curated by Mary Lynn and Arianne Huene. “With landscape design, starting with the bones of the garden is critical. Look at the hard surfaces and outdoor living spaces: access, infrastructure, utilities, privacy, and functionality are all key factors,” says Huene.
Once those bones were solidified in Mary Lynn’s project—she’s proud that the home is net zero thanks to the solar panels strategically placed on her roof—the garden planning could begin. Decisions were made based on the site conditions, seasonality, maintenance requirements, and colour palette. What they’ve created is an impeccable garden space.
The home’s unique alignment gave the opportunity to add interest and more functionality to the outdoor spaces. The naturalistic water feature that runs through the heart of the backyard “is a haven for birds and invertebrates alike in what would normally be a suburban desert,” notes Huene. Even the side yard, an often forgotten area, is fully utilized, with dense garden beds holding a variety of species.
Today, the garden continues to mature, grow, and evolve through the seasons, giving a strong sense of calm and harmony to what is an otherwise bustling Cumberland neighbourhood.
