The PalmHaus Origin Story: How Two Backyard Dreamers Brought the Tropics to Barrie, Ontario
It all started with a backyard, a dream, and a whole lot of dead palm trees. Kelly and her partner have always loved entertaining outdoors. Their backyard is their happy place—the scene of legendary summer BBQs, spontaneous dance parties, and more than a few questionable attempts at making tiki cocktails.
For several years, Kelly and her partner lived a life filled with passport stamps and unforgettable adventures. “I have had the immense privilege of travelling all around the world,” she says. From the sun-drenched shores of Costa Rica and Spain to the turquoise waters of the Maldives, their travels have taken her to some of the world’s most breathtaking and exotic places. They spent time living in Dubai, where they experienced the vibrant contrast between city life and desert serenity. Their journeys also led her to France, Greece, and Florida, each destination deepening her appreciation for laid-back, tropical luxury and the peaceful rhythm of life under the sun.
One of their most meaningful adventures was a visit to South Africa, where they had the rare opportunity to witness the big 5 and other wildlife in their natural habitat. “Being in nature has always been important to me,” Kelly reflects. “South Africa was a magical experience that really demonstrated the beauty of nature and how we are all connected. It really drove home for me the importance of taking care of our planet and what we have”.
Whether exploring lush landscapes abroad or enjoying the simple beauty of
her own backyard in Midhurst, Kelly's global experiences have shaped their values and inspired her love for all things natural, sustainable, and serene. That love of outdoor living, combined with their adventurous spirit and deep appreciation for sustainability, led them to a new venture: PalmHaus. When you think of Midhurst, palm trees probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind—but that’s exactly what makes PalmHaus such a delightful and unexpected addition to our community.
It’s no surprise that PalmHaus—with its tropical charm and eco-conscious heart—was born from this deep connection to the world and the natural beauty that surrounds us.
“You just can’t help but feel happy around palm trees,” shes. “I wanted to bring that feeling to my home—and make it easy and accessible for others to enjoy, too.”
What started as a simple desire to recreate the magic of our travels turned into a small-scale adventure. After tracking down a few palm trees at a local garden center, Kelly had to figure out how to load them into the back of the pickup truck and get them home. That’s when the real fun began.
Determined to bring that lush, luxury tropical vibe home, she scoured local garden centers in search of the perfect palm trees. Turns out, finding a palm tree in Barrie, Ontario is not impossible, but definitely not easy.
When she finally tracked some down, they didn’t hesitate—she paid, loaded them into the truck, and then came the real challenge… getting them home in one piece. Let’s just say that transporting 6-10-foot palms in an open truck bed is an extreme sport. There were a few “heated discussions” about the best way to secure them and definitely some creative bungee cord arrangements. But in the end, they got them home and basked in their tropical glory—until fall hit. Then came the dreaded palm tree dilemma:
Option A: Toss the poor things in the trash and pretend it never happened.
Option B: Attempt an indoor "rescue mission" involving grow lights, whispered pep talks, and, at one point, a space heater on a timer.
Spoiler alert: Neither option worked.
After three years of palm tree heartbreak, a jungle of crispy leaves, and one very weird basement experiment, Kelly knew there had to be a better way. And just like that, PalmHaus was born.
Now, instead of watching palm trees meet their tragic fate year after year, PalmHaus delivers the show-stopping, vacation-worthy palms straight to your door—ready to transform any backyard, patio, event, or business into a tropical paradise. We handle the care, the storage, and the heavy lifting so you don’t have to!
So, whether you're looking to impress the neighbours, throw the ultimate summer party, or just sip your morning coffee under the soft sway of palm fronds—we’ve got you covered. Because let’s be real, you can’t help but smile and feel good when you see palm trees. No green thumb, no plane ticket, and definitely no basement jungle experiments required.
