1
Initial Site Visit + Design Proposal
The design process begins with an initial site visit, where we will walk the property together so I can gain a thorough understanding of your space, goals, and vision. This meeting allows me to gather the information needed to prepare a realistic and detailed design proposal tailored to your project.
During our walkthrough, we will discuss the scope of the design, explore ideas and inspiration, review budget expectations for construction, and outline the overall design process. This collaborative conversation helps ensure that the final design reflects both your lifestyle and your investment goals. Once the proposal is approved, I will begin the planning and design phase, transforming our ideas into a thoughtful, personalized landscape plan for your outdoor space.
2
Design Discovery
To begin the design process, I will ask you to complete a design questionnaire. This helps me gather valuable information about your lifestyle, how you plan to use the space, desired features, and your preferences regarding design styles, materials, colors, and plants. Understanding these details from the start allows me to create a landscape that is thoughtfully tailored to your needs and vision. In addition, I will create a collaborative Pinterest or Houzz board that we can both contribute to throughout the design process. Sharing inspiration photos helps me better understand your aesthetic preferences and identify the elements that resonate most with you. It also provides an opportunity for me to share ideas and concepts, giving you a clear sense of the design direction and ensuring we remain aligned every step of the way. This collaborative approach helps transform ideas into a landscape that feels uniquely yours.
3
Conceptual Design + Meeting
This is where the fun begins! Before our first design presentation, I will develop a conceptual landscape plan that illustrates the overall layout and vision for your outdoor space. The design will incorporate the ideas, goals, and inspiration we've discussed, along with preliminary recommendations for key landscape and planting areas.
During our meeting, we will review the concept together and discuss how the space functions, feels, and flows. We will explore hardscape material options, evaluate different design elements, and begin narrowing selections to reflect your style and budget. This is also an opportunity to refine the layout, discuss potential adjustments, and ensure the design is evolving in a direction that aligns with your vision.
The conceptual design phase is highly collaborative and serves as the foundation for creating a landscape that is both beautiful and uniquely tailored to you.
4
Plan Revisions
Following our conceptual design meeting, I will revise the plan based on our discussion and any feedback you provide. The updated design will then be sent to you electronically for review, giving you time to carefully evaluate the layout and proposed elements. At that point, we can determine whether an additional meeting is needed to discuss any final adjustments or answer questions. The goal of this revision phase is to finalize the overall layout and ensure every aspect of the design aligns with your vision before moving forward with the detailed planting plan and final design development.
This step helps ensure that the foundation of the project is fully refined and approved before we begin selecting the finishing details that will bring the landscape to life.
5
Planting Plan
By this stage of the process, I will have a clear understanding of the overall design direction and can begin developing a plant palette tailored to your project. I will present a curated selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses that complement the design, site conditions, and your personal preferences. Together, we will review the proposed plant palette and discuss any additions, substitutions, or removals based on your likes, dislikes, maintenance expectations, and aesthetic goals. Your feedback is an important part of creating a landscape that feels both beautiful and personal. Once the plant palette is approved, I will use it to develop the detailed planting plan. The completed planting plan will then be emailed to you for review and final approval before we move on to the next phase of the design process.
6
Final Plan Set
At this stage, the major design decisions have been finalized and all project details have been carefully refined. I will then prepare the final plan set, which serves as the roadmap for installation and can be used by you or your contractor to bring the design to life. The final plan set typically includes the following documents, although specific plans may vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project:
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Landscape Plan
Provides an overall view of the design, illustrating the layout and relationship between landscape features, planting areas, and outdoor living spaces. Concept images may also be included to help visualize the intended aesthetic and character of the landscape.
Hardscape Plan
A detailed plan showing the layout of patios, walkways, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and other hardscape elements. This plan includes key dimensions, notes, and material recommendations to guide installation.
Planting Plan
Identifies the location, quantity, and species of all proposed trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials. Plants are illustrated at their anticipated mature size (typically 5–10 years of growth) to ensure proper spacing and long-term success. A complete plant schedule is included for reference.
Irrigation Zone Plan
A conceptual irrigation layout that groups plants according to their water needs, sun exposure, and site-specific microclimates. This plan is intended to guide irrigation design but does not include exact sprinkler or drip emitter placement.
Lighting Plan
A low-voltage landscape lighting plan that recommends fixture types and placement locations to enhance safety, functionality, ambiance, and nighttime enjoyment of the outdoor space.
The completed plan set provides the information needed to confidently move into the construction phase while ensuring the design vision is carried through to installation.
7
Design Add-ons
Below is a list of common add-ons that can be included with the Final Plan Set. If these services are not part of the original proposal, they may be added à la carte after the Final Plan Set is complete or recommended during the design process if they become necessary for the scope of the project.
Detail Drawings
Custom features such as outdoor kitchens, decorative screens, pergolas, built-in seating, or custom fire pits often benefit from additional detail drawings. These drawings help communicate the specific design intent, layout, materials, and important construction details to the contractor responsible for building them. Clients also appreciate the opportunity to review these custom elements more closely before installation begins.
Client Liaison
Construction projects can feel overwhelming at times, and this service provides additional support throughout the installation process. As a client liaison, I remain available to help answer design-related questions, review details as they come up, and provide guidance to ensure the finished landscape stays aligned with the original design vision. Many clients value having my design eye involved during construction for added confidence and continuity.