Tell us about your outdoor project and how you enjoy it:
When spring arrives, its like a new room suddenly appears in my West End apartment! My back patio adds over 450 sq ft of living space and I use it every day, from sitting & reading to having friends over for a BBQ to getting elbow deep in the dirt. With all the trees & fences, the bustle & busyness of downtown Vancouver life fade away. I love my outdoor space.

How did you create it?:
The first year I was here, I zealously planted lilies, roses and vegetables to only have them wither & die for lack of light. Slowly, I learned what plants would grow in my shady city garden. I added a fountain, stepping stones, lovely rusty grates, some mirrors and a seating area & voila. The word "paradise" may be derived from "walled" and "garden" - I'm so happy to have my own little paradise in the centre of the city.

Recommended store, site, product or resource?
Ikea, Home Depot & Homesense. The city gardener's best friends!
The second picture is the "before" - how the garden looked when I first moved in...