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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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!

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...

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.

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! ...

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!