If the warmer spring weather has you itching to get your trowel into the garden, you aren’t alone. Beautifying our outdoor spaces is a rite of spring passage. While it may seem like there’s nothing more natural than digging around in the dirt in the springtime, creating a sustainable garden goes further by considering factors such as resource conservation (using water, soil and energy efficiently), biodiversity, natural pest control and minimizing the use of disposable products. 

Sustainable gardening focuses on creating and maintaining a garden that minimizes negative environmental impacts and promotes long-term ecological balance.  

“In nature, a landscape would sustain its existence by adapting to the available resources and the climatic conditions it is exposed to,” says Thomas Classen, Propagation Manager of Hortico Nurseries in Waterdown. For a garden to be considered sustainable, it would not rely on constant human intervention to flourish. 

HOW TO GROW A SUSTAINABLE GARDEN

Plant Native Species

Native plant species have evolved with local pollinators and have genetically adapted to local growing conditions. They’re often easy to care for. Compared to non-native species they require less watering and are more resilient, relying less on humans to protect them and help them thrive. Native plants are better able to endure the stress factors of climate. 

Since sourcing native plants can be difficult, especially for inexperienced gardeners, Oakvillegreen holds a Native Plant Sale every year. They offer a selection of native trees and shrubs and ready-to-plant pollinator kits for sunny and shady gardens.

“Since 2015, our sale has added thousands of native trees, shrubs and plants to Oakville gardens,” says Anelia Tichkova, Programs Manager, Oakvillegreen Conservation Association. This year, the sale includes a Monarch Kit featuring plants supporting the endangered Monarch Butterfly species. 

Some of the species that are native to Halton region include:  

White Oak, an adaptable tree with deep roots and a purple-red leaf.

Northern Spicebush, a bright, cheerful and fast-growing shrub for shady areas that features dense clusters of tiny, pale yellow flowers loved by swallowtail butterflies.

Black Elderberry, a shrub with large, creamy-white flowers that produce dark purple berries loved by birds. 

Grow Pollinator-Friendly Plants 

A sustainable garden attracts and provides food and habitats for various pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds. “Planting a pollinator garden not only beautifies yards and urban parks, it also fights climate change and increases biodiversity,” says Tichkova. 

Pollinator-friendly plants often require fewer pesticides and fertilizers, promoting a more environmentally friendly gardening approach. Consider planting Black Eyed Susan, bee balm, butterfly milkweed, foxglove beardtongue, spotted bee balm, and pale purple coneflower.

Delay Spring Cleanup 

Fallen leaves and other so-called garden “waste” serve an important function, lowering the soil’s temperature, retaining moisture and providing shelter for native pollinators and insects. “Many conventional gardens are kept ‘tidy’,” says Classen, referring to the practice of removing debris as soon as temperatures hover in the double digits. “Ironically we then often replace this protective layer of leaf litter and other debris with store bought manufactured mulches.”

Participate in “No-Mow May” 

The No Mow May movement encourages people to refrain from mowing lawns at this critical time for hungry bees emerging from hibernation. Nature doesn’t offer them much food in May, so instead of cutting your grass, allow it to grow longer and let the flowers bloom to provide nectar and pollen. 

Besides hindering biodiversity, mowing contributes to air and noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from lawn mowers and gas powered machinery such as leaf blowers. Delaying mowing until June can help decrease these environmental impacts and really make a difference. 

There are few things more welcoming in spring than waking up to sunny skies after a long, dark Canadian winter. But as the sun peeks through your window ever earlier, you’d be forgiven for wishing you had darker shades to catch a few extra ZZZZZs. It’s one of many reasons you may consider updating the window coverings in your home. Snooze strategies aside, the right window covering can refresh a room’s decor, offer privacy and help manage a home’s temperature. 

“Window coverings are instantly noticeable in a room,” says Sarah Love of PM Wyre in Burlington. “Older curtains and blinds can make homes look dated and old-fashioned. New window coverings can modernize a more traditional home or soften the look of a modern home.” 

If you’re in the market to replace those circa 1980s vertical blinds, there are plenty of styles and automation options to match your personal taste. When selecting the right window covering, Love suggests that several factors

should be taken into account, including light control, privacy, room function, desired aesthetic and energy efficiency.

“In rooms with beautiful views and expansive windows, select window coverings that maximize the view while controlling the natural light,” says Love. If it’s for a bathroom, privacy takes precedence and blinds should be made of materials that can handle the room’s extra moisture and heat, advises Love.  

Today’s trends lean toward automated roller shades in lieu of those dated vertical blinds – once the go-to solution for condominiums and patio doors. While there are hundreds of fabrics to choose from, materials made with natural fibres and organic textures, as well as neutral colours are most popular, according to Love. 

Remember those strings and chains to adjust your blinds? Today’s automation does away with them, making today’s window covering easier to use, safer for kids and in tune with your home’s lighting and climate needs. Just about any window covering can be automated, says Love. “We can set them on a schedule based on the sun’s position, and then forget about them. They’re just always in the right position!”

Window coverings are an important investment in your home that can last many years, so relying on a professional for guidance is key. Love finds it best to visit the client’s space in order to determine their needs and the technical aspects of the installation. 

With the return of warm sunny days, now may be an ideal time to revisit your blinds and curtains. The right window coverings are an easy way to refresh your space and help optimize the comfort in your home.  

Originating in the post-World War II era, spanning from around the 1940s to the 1960s, the mid-century modern design movement embraced simplicity, clean lines and functional elegance. This timeless aesthetic continues to influence modern interior design today.

Mid-century modern design is defined by clear straight lines and gentle curves. This style embraces minimalism, avoiding excessive ornamentation or clutter and blends a variety of materials including wood, metal, glass and plastic to create visual interest and add texture. 

“One of my favourite things that defines mid-century design is its integration with nature,” says Shawnna Truelove, Principal Designer/Owner of Truelove Designs. “Large windows and open floor plans are common in mid-century architecture, allowing for a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.”

Mid-century modern is a design that can complement many other styles, making it an aesthetic that continues to be popular today. “The simple details and organic shapes appeal to a lot of people,” says Ashley Bonello, who co-owns Rume Design Inc. with Michelène Segodnia. She says many modern furniture companies have incorporated mid-century modern in their designs.   

“It’s one of those that can complement so many other styles,” says Truelove. “If you like modern, Art Deco, even traditional, you can  seamlessly mix some mid-century in there, resulting in a space that will appeal to a wide range of tastes and preferences,” she says.

While mid-century modern maintains its core principles, it has evolved to reflect changing tastes, lifestyles and advancements in design and technology, such as using reclaimed wood, recycled metals and eco-friendly upholstery fabrics in response to the trend in sustainability. While traditional mid-century furniture was known for incorporating bold, vibrant hues such as mustard yellow, burnt orange and avocado green, Truelove says the style has adapted to incorporate more muted hues, pastels and neutral tones, to match the latest trends in home design.

Incorporate Mid-century Modern into Your Home

To bring the timeless elegance of mid-century modern design into your home, consider these tips:

Furniture Selection: Look for pieces with clean lines, such as a statement lounge chair or minimalist dining table. The one staple mid-century piece of furniture Truelove and Segodnia agree can make or break a space is an accent chair. Iconic mid-century modern chairs such as the Eames Lounge Chair or Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair are great options. “Look for chairs with organic shapes, tapered legs, and upholstery in bold colours or textured fabrics like tweed or leather,” says Truelove. “No matter what style you’re trying to accomplish in your home, a good mid-century chair can bring lots of character and might just be the wow piece your design is looking for,” she says.

Layer Textures: Layering materials and textures can add contrast, depth and visual interest. “Layering of fabrics, jutes, linens and faux leathers all sustainably sourced are great ways to incorporate (mid-century modern design),” says Segodnia. 

Natural Elements: Incorporate natural materials such as wood, leather and stone to add warmth and texture to your space. Plants are another great way to bring nature indoors. “Add indoor plants in sleek, minimalist planters made of materials like ceramic, fibreglass or metal,” suggests Truelove.  

Minimalist Decor: Keep decor minimal and purposeful, showcasing a few statement art pieces, geometric rugs and iconic lighting fixtures. “Don’t be afraid of colour, especially in art,” says Bonello. “Bold, dramatic art is classic when we design mid-century style.” When adding decor pieces, Truelove advises being selective to stick with the minimalist appeal of the design style, choosing decor pieces with clean lines. “Sculptural figurines featuring abstract or geometric forms are reminiscent of mid-century design aesthetics,” she says. 

Lighting: “I call it the jewelry of the home,” says Truelove, when talking about lighting. Look for pendant lights or floor lamps with clean lines and geometric shapes, such as globe or cone shapes. “Sputnik chandeliers are also a classic mid-century modern lighting option, featuring a burst of metal rods reminiscent of a satellite,” says Truelove.

By infusing your home with mid-century modern design elements, you can create a space that celebrates the timeless elegance and functionality of this iconic design era. 

WHERE TO SHOP

Filter
271 Ottawa St North, Hamilton
filter.design

Joshua Creek Furniture
1029 Speers Road, Oakville
joshuacreekfurniture.com

Anderson’s Interiors
686 Guelph Line, Burlington
andersonsinteriors.ca

Elizabeth Interiors
3225 Fairview Street, Burlington
elizabethinteriors.com

Bungalo Beach
297 Dundas St East, Waterdown
bungalobeach.ca