Garden & Terrace
A hillside retreat shaped by a love of gardening
High up on Sumas Mountain in Abbotsford BC, this suburban property offered spectacular views but little usability. The steep slope behind the house made access difficult and left the yard underwhelming and largely unused. For these retirees, though, it had untapped potential. She, a former horticulture instructor with a deep passion for gardening, longed for a space to plant, tend, and wander daily. He wanted a functional, beautiful backdrop for relaxing evenings, grilling dinner, and enjoying the outdoors without the frustration of upkeep. The design needed to transform a difficult slope into their personal sanctuary, balancing structure while creating a garden-centered retreat they could call their own.
Carving usability out of the slope
The hillside conditions meant the yard couldn’t simply be leveled into one patio. Instead, the design leaned into the slope, layering it with natural basalt retaining walls, boulders, and stone treads that immediately created order and access. The first thing you see when stepping out the back door is a stone staircase leading up through the garden. This visual emphasis draws the eye forward and makes the yard feel larger. It’s an open invitation to wander upward instead of searching for a way through. Three distinct paths lead from the patio to the upper level, adding discovery and variety to every journey. At the top, a garden shed styled to match the home’s architecture is softened by an arbor designed for climbing vines. Beside it, a terrace with a small bistro set captures the property’s one framed view of the Fraser Valley.
The garden as centerpiece
Unlike many projects where low-maintenance is the goal, this design intentionally celebrated planting, and the trending to it. With most of the yard dedicated to either stone or garden, the effect is simple yet powerful. Instead of cluttering the space with too many elements, the design provides structure, retaining walls, steps, and defined garden beds, while the homeowner curated the planting palette herself using her horticulture background and wish list of dream plants. Moss and groundcovers grow between the stone steps, giving the whole garden an old-world charm reminiscent of a European cottage. The result is a layered space that feels much larger than it is, because views are revealed gradually rather than all at once.
Comfort and charm under cover
At the heart of the yard, a covered patio directly off the back door provides the functional anchor. An opaque pergola roof filters light without trapping heat, making the space comfortable even in the height of summer and reducing maintenance needs. It’s where the couple often sit together, grilling dinner or simply admiring the garden as it evolves with the seasons. This shaded retreat balances the effort of gardening with the ease of relaxation, creating a place to pause and recharge before wandering back into the beds.
Subtle details, lasting impact
The stonework was laid with just enough irregularity to let the moss and groundcovers weave between the steps and walls, softening the hardscape with natural character. At the upper terrace, the arbor against the shed frames a charming bistro set, turning the spot into a secret garden destination. While the homeowners selected and nurtured the plants themselves, the layout of beds and retaining structures maximized their love of gardening, creating a stage for seasonal displays of color and texture.
A garden to call their own
Today, the homeowners spend countless hours outside. She has filled the planting beds with a variety of perennials, specimen trees, and specialty plants, proudly tending to her collection and sharing her knowledge with visitors. He enjoys the shaded comfort of the patio, content in the balance of beauty and ease. Together, they use the garden daily. As designer, it’s nice to know that the project did so much more than just solve the slope, and created a place that feels unmistakably theirs.
