An artful combo of smart landscaping and statement-making black and white turn an urban backyard into a chic retreat.

The yard was a mud pit," says designer Megan Baker. "There was no landscaping, no grass – there weren't even stairs up to the house!" The heritage home in New Westminster, B.C., had gone through many renovations before the current owners bought it. "Original details had been stripped away inside," says Megan, "but I saw this as the jumping-off point to do something more modern outside for the young couple who lives here." A black and white palette, dedicated lounging spots, a dining zone demarcated by a custom pergola, and plenty of grasses, shrubs and trees transformed the space into a cool, modern oasis.

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