Sheila’s Yard Makeover: Transforming a Busy Street Property into a Cozy, Green Escape

LOCATION: Victoria BC  |  TYPE: Landscaping | COMPLETED: 2006 | CLIENT: Private Residence | Budget: $10,000

A sunlit garden path leads to the front steps of a light gray house with a porch, offering the perfect Green Escape. Colorful flowers, green shrubs, and trees border the walkway. An umbrella and patio furniture are visible on the porch.

Introduction

Sheila, a recent transplant from Vancouver, bought a home on a busy street in Victoria. She wanted a garden that felt established right away—somewhere to relax without constant traffic noise and to welcome friends with a more inviting look than just plain lawn.

A small, light-gray house with red stairs and porch railings sits behind a green lawn, offering a perfect green escape. Bordered by a white fence and trees, this street property features a concrete walkway leading from the sidewalk to the porch.

What She Wanted

Sheila’s goals were clear:

  • Less lawn to maintain.
  • More mature plants for instant impact.
  • A calm spot in the backyard to escape street noise.
A narrow backyard retreat with a lush green lawn, raised garden beds, and a concrete path—this green escape is bordered by a white lattice fence and a light blue house, perfect for your next yard makeover.

Challenges:

The yard lacked character, and the front deck—though offering an ocean view—faced the bustling street. A dull vine along the side yard and fence didn’t do much to help with noise or curb appeal.

A suburban backyard garden is the perfect green escape, featuring a concrete path, raised garden beds, a large tree, lush grass, and a wooden fence along the back. A white house and potted plants complete this peaceful retreat.

What She Tried:

Sheila recognized from the start that this project would be a big undertaking. She looked into quick DIY fixes like trimming vines or adding a few shrubs but quickly realized these small changes wouldn’t create the lush, private retreat she envisioned. She decided to seek professional help to ensure the yard got the transformation it deserved.

A sunny backyard patio with white metal chairs and a table under a blue-and-white striped umbrella, surrounded by greenery, flowers, and a wooden lattice fence creates a green escape. A shaded structure sits in the foreground.

The Solution:

We worked with Sheila to develop a plan that would turn her busy street property into a welcoming sanctuary:

  • Mature Plantings: We added larger shrubs and trees along the fence line to provide an immediate sense of fullness and help reduce street noise.
  • Reduced Lawn: By cutting back turf in favor of ornamental plantings and groundcover, we achieved lower maintenance while still keeping a patch of green.
  • Backyard Paver Patio: Tucked away from the road, this new patio gave Sheila a peaceful spot for relaxing or entertaining.
  • Vine Refresh: Rather than relying on a single vine, we introduced a variety of shrubs and flowering perennials for more color, texture, and visual interest.

(A few years later, Sheila requested a custom timber arbour to complete the look—learn more about that project here.)

A sunny backyard offers a green escape with lush bushes on the left, a grass lawn, and a blue garden hose by the paved walkway beside a light green house. A white fence and another street property are visible in the background.

The Results:

The yard now feels like a private retreat, despite its bustling location:

  • Instant Curb Appeal: The mature plantings made a noticeable difference from day one.
  • Inviting Side Yard: The fence line is no longer dull; lush greenery creates a softer, more pleasant walkway.
  • Quiet Backyard Lounge: With street noise softened, Sheila can unwind on the paver patio without feeling exposed to traffic.
  • Low-Maintenance Design: Strategic plant choices mean less mowing and more time to enjoy the outdoors.

This project shows how thoughtful design, carefully chosen plants, and a simple patio can turn a busy street property into a cozy, green escape.

Ready to Create Your Own Private Retreat?

If you’re facing a challenging lot or want to turn your backyard into a peaceful escape, we can help. Whether it’s designing a custom landscape design or transforming your outdoor space, our expertise in creating beautiful, functional landscapes will make your vision a reality.

Contact Us

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