J. Home

The Beaches, Toronto

This Beaches home was ready for a fresh update, starting with the front walkway. The old concrete path was cracked and worn, and the homeowner wanted something traditional but still modern enough to complement the house. They chose Unilock Copthorne in Basalt laid in a herringbone pattern, paired with Bestway’s Icon Step in Ultra Black. The combination created a clean, classic entrance with a contemporary edge.

The backyard needed attention too. The grass was patchy and uneven, and the space didn’t feel usable. We rebuilt the layout with a new Double Holland patio off the back door, added two smaller seating pads, and replaced the entire lawn with fresh sod. The result is a backyard that feels organized, clean, and ready for everyday use.

Before and Goals

Before we started, the front walkway was old cracked concrete that didn’t match the home’s character. The backyard was mostly uneven, patchy grass with no defined areas for seating or relaxing.

The homeowner wanted:

• A traditional walkway with a cobblestone feel

• A modern, clean entrance

• A more functional backyard layout

• Defined seating areas

• A fresh, healthy lawn

What We Built

This project included:

• New front walkway using Unilock Copthorne in Basalt

• Entrance steps using Bestway Icon Step in Ultra Black

• Double Holland patio off the back door

• Two additional Double Holland seating pads

• Full sod replacement using a Kentucky Bluegrass mix

• Garden bed edge cleanup

• Grading correction and removal of old grass

• Proper base preparation with geotextile 270R, crush run, and limestone screening

Materials Used

We used a mix of high‑quality materials to create a clean, long‑lasting finish.

Front Yard

• Unilock Copthorne in Basalt

• Herringbone pattern installation

• Bestway Icon Step in Ultra Black

• Geotextile 270R

• Crush run and limestone screenings

Backyard

• Unilock Double Holland in Natural

• Kentucky Bluegrass sod

• Metal edging for garden beds

• Mulch

• Geotextile 270R

• Crush run and limestone screenings

How We Built It

We began by removing the old concrete walkway and preparing a proper base using geotextile 270R, crush run, and limestone screenings, compacted every 2 inches for strength. The Copthorne pavers were installed in a herringbone pattern to give the walkway a traditional cobblestone look, and the Ultra Black steps created a bold, modern entrance.

In the backyard, we removed the uneven grass and corrected the grading. We installed a Double Holland patio off the back door, then added two smaller seating pads as requested by the homeowner. Fresh sod was laid throughout the yard, and the garden beds were cleaned up and re‑edged to give the space a crisp, finished look.

The tight spacing typical of Toronto homes made access a bit challenging, but the project was completed smoothly over the course of a week.

Final Result

Both the front and backyard now feel intentional and welcoming. The new walkway gives the home a clean, classic entrance, while the backyard has become a functional and comfortable space with room for seating, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors. It’s a complete transformation that brought new life to both sides of the property.

Start Your Project. If you are planning a similar front walkway or backyard upgrade, we would be happy to help bring your ideas to life.