The project on which Evergreen was seeking help was the development of Evergreen Brick Works, the adaptive reuse of Toronto's former Don Valley Brick Works brickyard. In the 1960s and 70s, the factory produced more than 43 million bricks each year, however, business slowed in the 1980s and the brickyard closed its doors that decade. In 1996, the city of Toronto opened the 12-acre, 16-building site as a park and Evergreen became involved by helping plant wildflowers. Today, the nonprofit runs the site, working to get all 16 buildings back into usable condition to host a farmers' market, the Evergreen administration building, rental space for businesses and other nonprofits, a skating rink, workshop spaces, and more. Photo by Ben Rahn, A-Frame Studio.

In Case by Materious. A briefcase that conceals a paper shredder for the corrupt businessman.

Set at an elevation of nearly 4,000 feet, La Dacha is lifted into an evergreen canopy.

Surrounded by an apple orchard, an evergreen grove, and gardens originally tended by the owners’ parents, Sheffield Residence keeps family memories alive.

The 12-acre site features 16 buildings that Evergreen is working to restore as well as space for farmers' markets and open areas for taking winter walks. Check back soon for a full slideshow featuring Evergreen Brick Works.

Briefcase envy

Trudeau briefcase in Navy

The exterior was sealed through shou sugi ban, an environmentally friendly fireproofing practice common in Japanese architecture. The black exterior seems to disappear into the evergreens from one angle, and pops against the white snow from another.

The open desk then unmasks a work-environment with ring binders, briefcases, post-its and computer screen.

The open desk then unmasks a work-environment with ring binders, briefcases, post-its and computer screen.

The pool deck is paved with Ipe wood and punctuated with black pine evergreens and honey locust trees. The concrete-topped communal table was made in Italy. Surrounding it are aluminum chairs inspired by the classic Victorian garden chair—a nod to Asbury’s Victorian-era beginnings.

A compact and vertical guest tower is sited at the western corner of the lot amongst tall evergreens, allowing for a more private guest experience, more compact floor plan, and the ability to effectively shut off (socially and energy-wise) the guest spaces zone by zone during typical daily use.

Mr. Porter 'Working Bags' Shoot.Everything other than the brown leather briefcase gets the color blue treatment.

Italian leather briefcases on floating shelves in the master bedroom flanked by marble bookends adorn either side of the walnut fireplace

Evergreen hedges can be an interesting element in landscape design, such as creating an edge—yet, the question of "Why is this here?" should always be asked and answered.Benjamin Rondel / CORBIS

My last stop before flying back to San Francisco was at the new Evergreen Brick Works. The former Don Valley Brick Works brickyard (which in the 1960s and 70s produced more than 43 million bricks each year) closed in the 1980s and slowly fell apart over the next decade. Today, Canadian nonprofit Evergreen runs the site as a center for sustainable learning and green design. Shown here is the .

The Slim Work Bag (shown in Navy) offers a classic slim briefcase design. bellroy.com/pro...

His wife, landscape designer Kathleen Ferguson, planted evergreen shrubs out front, lending the property additional privacy. Located on the new upper floor, the master bedroom features sliding glass doors that open to a spacious outdoor terrace. The bed frame and side table are from Diva Furniture; the felt pendant is from YLighting.

Luxe evergreen nooks in Paris.

The home’s exterior is clad in a rich material palette of locally sourced salvaged barn wood, three types of Richlite cement board, milled cedar, and steel. Ian and Deb specified most of the plantings throughout, adding a variety of grasses, evergreen vines, and mature trees from Emery’s Garden, including a Japanese black pine that sits alongside the entrance on the west facade.

The cabin is surrounded by evergreens and poplars that help to give a treehouse experience.

“The warmth of the plants and trees is felt in the home,” the homeowners share. The garden includes a tall Iroha maple tree (left), an evergreen Horutonoki tree (right), along with moss and ferns at the base.

264 Oxford Ave. Evergreen Park, Palo Alto

The living area's views of evergreens and the lake helped to inspire the Colemans to purchase the cabin.

Black-stained and clear cedar siding offset the pitched roof, which alludes to the shape of evergreens.

Snow rests gently on evergreen needles on a cold, winter day.

264 Oxford Ave. Evergreen Park, Palo Alto Entry Door

Larger, evergreen shrub branches from the Garden. Celebrating garden elements inside!

Garden Courtyard with soft architectural evergreens and collection of unique new and antique planters.

An elegant lobby welcomes guests with evergreen paneled walls and a geometric hex-tiled floor from Nemo Tile + Stone.

Stunning Basil-colored custom cabinetry compliments the Pacific Northwest Evergreens surrounding the home.

A 90-foot-deep private garden is landscaped with roses, hydrangeas, honeysuckle, rhododendron, azaleas, lilies, evergreen shrubs, and cypress trees.

Bordered by evergreens, the spacious backyard—which includes two decking areas—offers a private, blissful corner to escape the city bustle.

Courtyard lounge surrounded by architectural evergreen and selection of containers provide levels and soften views from inside and outside of the home.

The forest feeling continues in the evergreens surrounding the house. Adding to the outdoor area are Artemide Dioscuri sconces and Loll Designs outdoor dining furniture from Design Within Reach.

Mini Unikko Smartbag The Mini Unikko and the Pieni-Unikko Smartbags feature Maija Isola’s bold, mod flower prints that made Marimekko a household name. Made from durable and resilient polyester, the Smartbag folds down to a portable square— perfect for stashing in purses and briefcases— then expands to a generous tote for when a little extra storage is needed.