design approach AND PROCESS
"Cathy has guided us through a very thoughtful process that truly enhanced our yard.
She listened and helped develop a vision of what could be, then helped us understand how to make it happen.
She gave us new ideas and possibilities that we could not have envisioned ourselves!
We love the woodland garden that was planted and get compliments from the neighbors."
Ann, Concord, NH
Your landscape is any extension of your home, so you should feel confident and excited about the process of making changes to it! For that to happen, it's important to know going into the project that you and your designer are a great fit. To help determine that, here are some details about how I work.
APPROACH
personalized & collaborative: My design process is interactive as
well as iterative. I will introduce new possibilities
for your property, but still keep your unique style and needs in mind. The result is a bespoke design - something you may not have imagined, but that suits you completely.
creative & practical: Designing gorgeous and livable outdoor spaces takes both creativity with practicality. My job is to balance big ideas with basic horticulture (and usually busy lifestyles!) Doing so will ensure that your new landscape can remain beautiful and functional over time.
eco-friendly : my work is guided by a commitment to sustainable design and gardening that prioritizes protecting the environment. This might mean incorporating native plants, enriching soil, conserving water, and providing crucial habitat for wildlife. I see eco-friendly landscape improvements as opportunities to protect and connect to nature. I love helping clients become stewards, not just owners, of their land.
PROCESS
Like any home improvement project, making changes to a landscape is a
multi-step process. A lot has to happen between initial inspiration and final specifications. My work with clients is an
iterative process. This means putting time and thought into the development of ideas.
The steps of a typical project, and the kinds of drawings I provide for each phase, are outlined below. The type and number of drawings are determined by the scope of design work and I work closely with clients to determine what their project calls for.
conceptual drawings: This is the ideas phase. These drawings present you with options so you can envision possibilities. Things like: What size and shape patio is right for how we want to use it? Which garden design style do I absolutely love? How much time are we willing to put into maintenance? Conceptual drawings also serve as a jumping off point for considering things like priorities and cost.
design development drawings: This is when ideas are fleshed out and synthesized through revisions. Based which concepts appealed to you, this is where ideas start to take shape with get more specific: patio size, privacy screen trees, the shape of flower beds. Design development can be an iterative process, where some choices are revisited and tweaked and improved. Maybe you come to realize you want bigger trees for shade, or brick instead of bluestone pavers. The revised plan(s) incorporate these choices.
planting plans: This is the map for what plants will go where.
Based on a client-approved list, a planting plan indicates the
placement, type and quantities of plants to be installed. Depending on
what the project installation calls for, the level of detail may vary.
The landscape installation company will use the planting plan to inform
their planting process.
Once a design is complete, it goes to the landscape installation company you have hired to build and plant. The final design plans guide the construction and planting process. If more technical construction information is needed, the contractor will add to the drawings. I am also available to consult throughout the process to answer questions or be on site as needed.