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Natural Elements Accentuate Nature’s Beauty |
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Ray Johannes Landscape Design
32 High Park Blvd. Suite 2
Toronto, Ontario M6R 1M7 Canada 416.252.5999
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Testimonials Ray Johannes came as a referral from one of our neighbours on the street so we knew that we were hiring someone good. However, Ray surpassed our expectations by getting our landscaping job done on time and he was always available to handle any questions or changes we had. Ray was dependable and got our job done within budget. His job has been admired by all our neighbours and we are very happy with our landscaped front yard. Ray Johannes undertook a major landscaping of our rear yard some 6 years ago. The result is a well-established garden with which we are very satisfied and that constantly receives compliments from neighbours and visitors. We had previously removed a 70 year old garage, which required replacement with new soil, but also allowed us to construct a retaining wall and a patio with a water feature. Ray and his staff completed that construction. In planning the project we were seeking a low maintenance solution and had a numerous plants, shrubs etc. that we wanted in the garden. The process with Ray was very co-operative; he respected our requirements but, at the same time, contributed useful suggestions that enhanced the final product. We were impressed by his approach and the results that Ray produced so that, a couple of years later, we did not hesitate to have Ray redesign/reconstruct our front garden! I am an individual who travels a lot due to the nature of my business, and when I return to my home I like to relax. My wife and I hired Ray Johannes to completely redo the outside of our city home in Toronto, both front and back. The only instruction from us was that it be an Oriental Theme without grass, and that it be completed within the mutually agreed upon time schedule of three weeks. I left on another business trip and was gone for 9 days. When I returned my front yard was completely re-done. All of the problematical grass was removed and Alabama Gold pebbles with medium sized boulders and water rocks were installed in place, and one side of my property was completely shielded with a beautiful 6’ high 15’ long natural Bamboo fence which really enhanced the oriental Japanese theme. I was and am immensely pleased. My wife told me that Ray and his crew worked every day including weekends in order to complete the front of my home ahead of time so that there would be more time devoted to the backyard. The oriental theme was continued in the backyard with the Alabama Gold pebbles, boulders and water rocks, but Ray also moved in about ½ ton of large and medium sized boulders to create a beautiful waterfall in our backyard with a rectangular shaped flagstone basin as well. It gives us so much pleasure every day. The entire job was finished 4 days ahead of time; the landscaping is beautiful and has increased the value of our property a great deal. Ray Johannes is not only a man to do good business with, he is also an accomplished, and hardworking artist with a truly fine aesthetic sense which he brings to his work. He rescued us from our decades-old monotonous view of our workaday front space that we had no right to call a garden... and so we now call him....Monet Ray.
There is true painterly romance, flow and botanic health in the way Johannes' passionate vision is laid-out.
Ray took all of our feedback and exceeded our expectations. His approach is immediate and focussed and it impressed us that he himself needed to be extremely happy with his landscape design. And that ladies and gentleman is INTEGRITY.
Ray, along with his super cool team were lovely, responsible and relentless in their creation.
I wish this cinderella garden transformation was documented in time-lapse photography.
Ray designates his colour palate and plot with how the plants tell a story to one another, creating a visual dialogue so sublime, so rich.
Now, we all sit out front with a cup of tea just enjoying the positive energy of our new garden space.. our neighbors who walk by thank us for making their everyday walk home more delightful...what an artist what an angel! We have an extremely shady backyard which until recently held a large child's play structure. When it was removed it was clear that we needed help! We heard about Ray from a couple friends who recommended him based on work he did for them. Ray completely cleaned out and redid the backyard by constructing a beautiful flagstone patio surrounded by a perennial shade garden. He completed the work very quickly and we are delighted with the results. We recommend him without reservation. |
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Ray Johannes-Smitt was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. Ray developed an early love for nature, inherited in part from his father; a Dutch immigrant and owner of the successful 45 year old company, Peter Smit and Sons Landscaping and Maintenance in Ottawa. In 1980, Ray founded ‘Dutch Landscaping’ - his first company- in Calgary, Alberta. An early apprentice, Ray studied under some of landscape design and stone masonry’s luminary masters. Johannes has studied Japanese, contemporary, traditional, European and other styles from this group of experienced artisans. Travelling throughout Europe and other exotic destinations was a well-source for Ray’s eclectic designs. He studied the art of photography, successfully showing his work at home and abroad. Ray has always been fascinated by the fine arts and aesthetics. A garden should be designed with the home owner, accommodating the architectural style of the home, lifestyle and interests incorporated with the natural surroundings. These points must be taken into account in order to achieve the perfect blend of all. A landscape design should capture your attention. Texture, colour, water and stone, all elements pulled together to captivate you. Gardens should compel you to enjoy their beauty with all of your senses. Ray Johannes-Smitt |
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