Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/687429
34 | J UNE 2016 Landscape Products frowned upon by some bureaucrats, including those at the City of Vancouver – which last summer issued a declaration that they had been banned for the sake of maintaining safety during the hot, dry months. That's why it's important for designers to consider the Solus Decor brand of fire pits, according to Jeremy Miller, principal of Houston Landscapes, which incor- porates Solus products into its projects. "Solus is one of the very few brands that has obtained CSA certifica- tion for the entire pit, not just the burner," he explains. "Fire pits have become the number one design feature sought by clients for outdoor living spaces, and the Solus models are made of high-performance concrete and available in natural gas, propane and biofuel." Options include protective glass for commercial appli- cations and different media such as fire stone, lava and even wood tops that convert the pits into functional coffee tables for times when fire is not required. New to Solus are its water features; 26-inch, 36-inch and 48-inch water bowls that impart a tranquil ambi- ance to any property and merely require the addition of water and connection to the nearest electrical out- let. "The demand for the bowls as well as the pits is huge this year, and hopefully we'll be able to repeat our 2015 performance, which was the best year ever for us," says Miller. Too often, furniture has been an afterthought in commercial and residential landscaping projects, but companies such as Landscape Forms has brought this component to the forefront with its commitment to high design in all of its products. Case in point: this year's introduction of outdoor furniture designed by award-winning landscape architect Andrea Cochran. "We chose to partner with Andrea Cochran because we like the architectural sensibility of her landscape work," says Richard Heriford, president, Landscape Forms. "The Cochran group has the Zen-like quality of her landscapes. We set out to design a modern classic and I think that's what we have." Cochran includes a lounge, side chair with arms, and low table that embodies the concept of casual elegance; Cochran is a natural for outdoor spaces where cache and comfort are prized. The furniture is also built to last, with strong continuous-loop cast frames support- ing a cast aluminum rail that stretches and holds the mesh seating fabric and is secured to the frame with discreet connections. Also new to Landscape Forms is the Lakeside planter, designed by award-w inning architect Margaret McCurry. Inspired by familiar themes in nature, architecture and history, Lakeside is suited to everything from small-town parks to waterfront developments. "Margaret McCurry's work is pure Americana," says Heriford. "It has truth in materials and function, and the colour liner is a real inspiration." Finally, although it's not furniture per se, the strik- ing sun shades from Shade Sails Canada are an archi- tectural element that can enhance any landscape and are an affordable alternative to structural canopies and other glazing-intensive coverings. Handmade in Canada with premium fabric that provides 90 per cent UV protection, the shades are supported by robust steel posts and marine-grade German-made stainless hard- ware for tensioning (no aluminum or inferior metals). Shade Sails' president James Brydon Roe points out that while fabric as a residential and commercial shad- ing solution is common in Australia, "It's largely unde- rused in North America. However, business is ramping up as designers begin to appreciate the beauty and durability of these systems, which come with a mini- mum 10-year guarantee." Indeed, the sails are being installed in two different high-profile facilities on either side of Canada: for Toronto Pearson International Airport and Kelowna International Airport, and pres- ently at two Parks Canada locations. A Tranquil water features from Solus Decor Inc.