Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/331457
receptacles are all rust proof and made from heavy- gauge steel. "Think of your site as a whole and what impression it is making on a first time visitor," recom- mends Biggar. "A site should be cohesive, practical and interesting to look at." In the public sector, customization is king now, says Sanderson Concrete's Arntorp. "Rectilinear blocks instead of the standard bus-stop style bench offer durability and low maintenance, which allows archi- tects to design school and institutional landscapes with minimal maintenance, something that is a neces- sity for today's budget conscious stakeholders." ACCESSORIES As the largest manufacturer of precast concrete plant- ers in Western Canada, Sanderson Concrete knows a thing or two about landscape accessories. Though they have over 50 stock shapes, Arntorp says custom shapes are becoming increasingly popular. "It's something we really enjoy," he says. "We have made extremely large rooftop planters in lightweight concrete, curved sec- tional planters for public areas and tall thin pots for building entrances. 'Custom' is our favourite word." For those looking to light up their life, or at least their backyard, the new line of glowing planters from Kate Holland Landscape Accessories Ltd. ( KHLA) is a sure winner. "The double-walled planters feature LED lighting inside," explains Nic Pook of KHLA. "They're a perfect fit for a contemporary style, which is popular for most projects lately." OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING "The outdoor room concept is nothing new," says Brad Carpenter of Solus Decor. "This year's big push is to make that outdoor room home friendly." Solus' specialty is the fire pit, so that means products that are wired into an overall home management system; to ignite at the press of a few buttons on a wall switch, or with a swipe of a smart phone. Consumers are also looking for fire pits that are functional – the addition of a wood top, for example, that will trans- form a pit into a table. "Fire features rank number two in the list of things people would like to see in their yard," says Car- penter, "but people are also asking for fireplaces in places we wouldn't have thought of in the past." Ethanol biofuel makes that possible – with no off-gassing, it can be used inside or in an enclosed space. Solus' new patio- sized Fire Cube from Solus is the perfect fit for a deck or small home, which means condo dwellers are in luck. Introducing a totally new concept to the landscape and hardscape supply industry is Gemstone Masonry & Landscape Supply Ltd. Gemstone has teamed up with some of the biggest names in North America and introduced numerous new and unique products to the Vancouver, B.C. market. One of their recent projects was the design and installation of a 4,000-square-foot outdoor living space inside B.C. Place, home to the CFL team the B.C. Lions. This undertaking was the first of its kind in a stadium space and required close collaboration with the stadiums engineers. Jim Paquette, president of Gemstone, and his team created four incredible and unique outdoor living areas; a peaceful Japanese gar- den; a homey restful place featuring a stone fireplace; a complete bar and outdoor kitchen utilizing the B.C. Lions colours and logos; and a beautiful waterfall garden with a D.J on the patio to keep the party going on the Gemstone Grid Iron Deck. What Gemstone was able to build in 11 days has not only excited B.C. Place and the B.C. Lions, but also the fans that are able to enjoy this one-of-a-kind outdoor living space, indoors! Keystone Retaining Wall Systems has developed a portfolio of outdoor living element designs using its Country Manor wall system. "People are looking for low-maintenance designs suited for entertaining and relaxing," says marketing manager, Kathy Granger. Keystone Country Manor element designs currently include: outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, walls with water features, benches, fire pits, and columns. Each design includes a materials estimate and step-by- step installation instructions. "A lot more people are building complete entertain- ment areas in their outdoor space," notes Expocrete's Moroz. It's important when you're starting to plan a landscape project, to consider the purpose of the space: "Will it be a retreat, a place for entertaining or simply an extension of your home? Expocrete products make it easy while our customers make it their own." n Photo: StoneTerra retaining wall system from Sanderson Concrete Inc. June 2014 /17 Landscape products Kate Holland.indd 1 5/18/12 10:03:46 AM p.12-17Landscape.indd 17 14-06-03 9:36 AM