Selected Projects

Concept Design

An evening photo of a newly installed landscape design. The house and landscape are illuminated and a crowd of people socialize under a new tiered pergola, around an outdoor kitchen, in front of a stone fireplace, and on a low deck.
Space to Gather in Kensington, MD

These clients in Kensington,  Montgomery County, Maryland, wanted space to host large events and parties, and their existing patio wasn't cutting it. The tiered aluminum pergola has a 24' x 24' central gathering space and two 12' x 12' wings, one with an outdoor kitchen. The pergola also has motorized louvers that can be closed in the rain, and fans to ensure the space is enjoyable even when mosquitoes are present....

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Before and after photos of a landscape design, looking down from the top of a slope. After shows the slope regraded with monolithic bluestone steps and a gravel walkway of 3/8" river stone. A new wooden deer fence with vertical slats defines the yard, native shade-tolerant perennials frame the walkway in green, and a new retaining wall ensures that stormwater does not drain onto the new bluestone patio.
Midcentury Stormwater Management in Arlington, VA

This homeowner was concerned about an eroding slope, a muddy back patio, and stormwater entering through the lower door of the house. To complicate matters, an easement limited options in the side yard...

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An after photo of a Craftsman bungalow and the renovated garage, which has transformed into a pleasant space that opens onto the patio and garden and could be used as a home office, "she shed", or entertainment space. A new irregular flagstone patio and new deck with tiered or wedding cake steps open up the space for entertaining, and new native plantings provide food and habitat for butterflies and other pollinators.
Craftsman Rustic and Native Plants in Hyattsvile, MD

These clients had a dilapidated old deck and garage that constricted access to the back yard and a desire to spend more time outside and create habitat. We designed a new deck with tiered steps that opened up the yard, an irregular flagstone patio, a rain garden to infiltrate roof runoff, and a pollinator garden featuring straight-species native plants...

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Steel modern deck with pergola on rowhouse. Image of vertical stainless steel cables with vines growing up to shade the second storey deck.
Modern Rowhouse in Eckington, DC

The owners of this rowhouse in the Eckington neighborhood of Washington, DC had to descend dilapidated stairs to reach their small backyard. I maximized the vertical space in this small rowhouse lot by adding a second story deck with stairs and a pergola. This deck added 85 s.f. to the 500 s.f. back yard and created two gathering spaces where there had been none. Climbing vines will grow up to add shade and privacy to the south-facing pergola...

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A rowhouse with permeable driveway that doubles as a patio and gathering area
Rowhouse Gathering in Brookland, DC

These clients in Brookland, Washington DC wanted to maintain vehicle access to the garage underneath their house and also host large family gatherings. By expanding and re-grading a portion of the driveway, we provided a dedicated patio area alongside permeable parking, which transforms into a level gathering space when the cars are moved to the street...

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Plan sketch of a parking area, driveway, and front walks to a new porch on a midcentury home
Thinking Outside the Box in Bethesda, MD

This client lived in a wonderful midcentury house on a quiet cul-de-sac in Bethesda. What was not quiet, however, were her downhill neighbors to the rear. Noise bounced off the neighbor's pool and house and directly into her yard. The transformation of the existing carport to a den and changes to the entry sequence gave us an opportunity she hadn't considered...

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A dilapidated mansion
Dilapidated Mansion in Boyds, MD

I had the incredible honor of  designing the landscape for this dilapidated mansion in Boyds. It was fun to work on a really BIG scale for a change after doing so many small lots. Restoring the house from the brink of collapse has taken years, but the clients are almost at the point where they can focus on the landscape!

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Planting Design

Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria) and Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) in a planting for dry sun
Dry, Sandy Pool Planting in Calvert County

An artistic and musical couple in Owings, MD wanted to plant the area around their pool, expanding to a wildflower meadow in the second phase. The only problem: years of intense cultivation had resulted in dry, sandy, infertile soil where turfgrass struggled to grow. I selected native drought-tolerant plants, species from drier, sandier parts of the US, and non-invasive plants from abroad...

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A foundation planting for part shade in front of a low porch
Front Yard Shade Garden in Kensington, MD

These clients in Kensington, MD wanted to increase the beauty and ecological value of their partially shaded front yard. I designed planting beds that grounded the front porch, wrapped around large trees, and absorbed stormwater in the drainage area between the house and the neighbor's yard. Due to the garden's prominent location in the front yard and the low height of the porch, I chose shorter, tidier species and cultivars with year-round interest.

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Master Planning

Yellow honeycomb-shaped metal fence around a children's educational garden
Washington Youth Garden (WYG) Master Plan

The Washington Youth Garden is an educational children's garden in the National Arboretum. WYG reached out because their existing garden layout was causing a number of issues: trees were shading the garden, it did not feel inviting, and there were maintenance  challenges. As part of my work with Groundsmith Collective, I did a deep dive into the history of the site, which led to a new master plan, a fundraising campaign, and an amazing transformation! ...

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Design for Do-it-Yourself

A terraced vegetable garden on a steep slope made from DIY wall blocks
Garden Terrace DIY in Hyattsville, MD

Sometimes, clients want the guidance of a design but they can't afford to have contractors install or prefer to do it themselves.. This couple wanted a large vegetable garden but their house was located on a very steep lot. I identified the sunniest area, measured the slope, calculated the height and spacing of each retaining wall, provided drawings, and answered questions. The credit goes to them- they're the ones who hauled all of the blocks!

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