Back Yard Design & Build in Newmarket
Londry Crt. Newmarket
Londry Court Walkout Backyard Project | Horvath Landscapes
This backyard landscape renovation in Newmarket, Ontario transformed an older walkout backyard into a clean, modern, and low-maintenance outdoor space. The homeowners wanted a backyard that felt private and visually interesting, without requiring constant upkeep or frequent use.
Horvath Landscapes completed this project using porcelain walkways and borders, a stacked-stone water feature, a custom privacy screen, cedar hedging, an artificial turf lawn, and structured planting designed to work across both shaded and sunny zones on the property.
Project Overview
The goal of this Newmarket backyard project was to replace an aging outdoor area with a modern landscape that delivers three things:
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Privacy from surrounding homes
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A strong focal feature that makes the yard feel finished and intentional
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Low maintenance materials and planting for long-term simplicity
Because the homeowners didn’t expect to spend a lot of time in the backyard, the design prioritized impact and ease, not complexity.
Site Conditions and Constraints
This site had real constraints that influenced both design and construction:
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Walkout backyard with limited access
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Entry required going down a gravel slope into the yard
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The gate had to be removed to make access possible
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The original yard included aging stepping stones, worn turf, and planting that had lost structure
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The grade dipped significantly at the back, limiting usable space
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The light conditions varied: mostly shade near the house, with full sun on both sides
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A mature tree beyond the screen influenced the rear-yard feel and light balance
A few existing plants were worth keeping, and those were retained where they could be integrated cleanly into the new plan.
Before Pictures
Design Approach
The design strategy was to simplify the space and make it feel intentional:
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Create a clean central yard zone that stays green without ongoing lawn maintenance
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Build privacy using cedar hedging along the sides and rear
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Anchor the space around a strong focal element: a stacked-stone water feature backed by a bold privacy screen
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Use planting that performs well across the site’s mixed exposure—shade near the home and full sun along the sides
This approach delivered a backyard that feels calm, modern, and “designed,” while still being practical and easy to maintain.
Materials and Detailing
This landscape was built with modern materials selected for clean aesthetics and durable performance.
Porcelain Walkways and Borders
Porcelain paving was installed for the walkways and borders, giving the project crisp lines and a contemporary finish while keeping the layout organized and easy to maintain.
Stacked-Stone Water Feature
A stacked-stone style water feature was installed as the primary focal point—adding sound, movement, and a premium finish to the yard.
Architectural Privacy Screen
A large privacy screen was built behind the water feature to increase privacy and create a strong visual backdrop that makes the water feature read as a true centerpiece.
Cedar Hedge Privacy
Cedar hedges were installed on both sides and the back of the yard to create enclosure and long-term privacy as the hedges mature.
Artificial Turf Lawn
An artificial grass area was installed in the central portion of the yard to provide a soft green surface without ongoing lawn maintenance.
Planting and Feature Trees
Additional planting was added to bring structure and seasonal interest while softening the architecture of the hardscape and screening elements. Feature plantings included:
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Japanese Maple (for refined structure and seasonal color)
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Blue Juniper column (upright evergreen form and year-round contrast)
(Some existing plants were retained where appropriate.)
Final Outcome
The finished backyard is now a modern, low-maintenance space that feels private, clean, and visually interesting.
The combination of porcelain walkways and borders, architectural screening, a stacked-stone water feature, cedar hedging, artificial turf, and structured planting created a backyard that looks high-end without demanding constant maintenance—ideal for homeowners who want the yard to feel complete and attractive, even if they’re not outside every day.
Services Featured in This Project
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Backyard landscape design
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Landscape construction
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Porcelain walkway and border installation
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Water feature installation
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Privacy screen construction
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Cedar hedge planting for privacy
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Artificial turf installation
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Garden planting and softscape improvements
Project Location
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Newmarket, Ontario (York Region / North GTA)
Discussing a Similar Project
Many properties in Newmarket, Aurora, and the North GTA have walkout backyards, grading challenges, or limited side-yard access. If your backyard is older, uneven, or difficult to use, the right design can simplify the layout and create a finished space that stays low-maintenance.
Horvath Landscapes designs and builds landscape projects across Newmarket, Aurora, Richmond Hill, King, North York, and Toronto, with a focus on modern materials and disciplined construction.
FAQ
Why use porcelain for walkways and landscape borders in the GTA?
Porcelain creates a clean, modern look and helps keep lines crisp and organized throughout the landscape. It’s also a strong choice for homeowners who want a refined finish with minimal maintenance.
How do you design a backyard with both shade and sun zones?
We select planting and layout strategies that respect the exposure differences—shade-tolerant planting near the house, sun-tolerant planting along the sides, and focal features placed where they remain visually strong in changing light conditions.
What’s the benefit of combining a privacy screen with cedar hedging?
The screen provides immediate structure and privacy, while the cedars mature into long-term enclosure. Together they create a layered, high-end look and stronger separation from neighbouring views.