We understand the value of listening to a client’s ideas; the seed of a really good garden is in one of those ideas. Our job is to translate the idea into a plan that has clarity of vision. 

We set three primary goals at the beginning of the design process: 

  1. To create a strong relationship between the house and garden.
  2. To achieve the most desirable quality of light and shadow. 
  3. To ensure that the individual compositions and details hold their own, support the design concept and are lively micro spaces of the whole. 

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 A typical sequence of the design process goes something like this...

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ONE: INITIAL CONSULTATION

During our initial consultation we’d like to learn as much as we can about the site and your needs and preferences. We do this by taking a site walk with you, looking at photographs from magazines and books that reflect your vision and, if available, examining existing survey/architectural drawings of the site.

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TWO: DESIGN PROPOSAL

This information allows us to craft a detailed design proposal for your perusal. It outlines the nature of the work to come and is the perfect opportunity to clarify the design scope and vision.

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THREE: SITE

We will prepare a site analysis and take site measurements and photographs to complete the technical information.​


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FOUR: CREATIVE

Combining the information gathered from you during the initial consultation and the site analysis, we weave  practical considerations and physical limitations together with creative ideas and solutions aimed at designing spaces you will love to be in. We prepare a conceptual plan and a three dimensional drawing that allows you to easily visualize your future garden.

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FIVE: REFINEMENT

The drawings are presented to you for discussion, and refinement of plant material and hard landscape materials. From this discussion the working drawings described in the Design proposal are generated. This almost always includes a Landscape Concept Plan showing layouts and grades and a Planting Plan with plant varieties, placement, quantities and sizes. Additional drawings may apply to your project: Lighting Plan, Detail drawings, Sections, Elevations, Irrigation Plan.

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SITE SUPERVISION: We are available to you throughout the garden making process to ensure that installation and site changes are met with high standards.

ANNUAL CONSULTATION: Many of our clients request an annual walk through of the garden. We discuss the changing nature of the garden and how best to maintain balance, beauty and function.

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