We are a modern landscape and garden design studio located in Portland, OR. Our landscapes integrate with NW Regional, Mid-Century Modern, Contemporary and Traditional homes.
We often work in collaboration with larger design teams and many of our landscapes are installed as part of extensive home restorations—we also work solo, with homeowners. We are passionate about architecture and creating connections between the home and landscape while also creating spaces that are meaningful and engaging.
As Principal Designer, Lauren Hall-Behrens leads all design projects. She is joined by Landscape Designer and Project Lead, Sheryl Eckrich, and Landscape Designer, Suzy Knutson. We have formed relationships with other design professionals with whom we contract as needed on a project-by-project basis.
Design Process
The best gardens are thoughtfully designed, well crafted, diligently maintained and regularly edited.
We work with you through the entire process of creating your garden. We develop a customized garden plan, introduce you to Landscape Contractors who builds your garden. Additionally, we oversee the project during installation, procure and place plants prior to planting.
As your garden matures, we can assist you with garden editing and share garden resources with you. We want your garden to bring you closer to nature, inspire and relax you for many, many years.
The design development phase
We analyze and measure the site, sketch and draft possible garden concepts and finally create a garden plan.
The design concept (idea which drives the design), physical site conditions, your goals for your outdoor environment and the project budget are assimilated into the design development phase. The concept can be thought of as a picture frame that holds all of the garden elements inside; the hardscape design and material selection, plant selection, garden elements such as water, fire, furniture and art. Each element affects and effects the next.
You can expect us to show you different schematic or conceptual sketches which present you with new ways of experiencing your outdoor space. You’ll see hardscape, planting beds, view corridors, the placement of garden elements-fire, water, built structures, structural plantings, (such as trees and hedges), included on the sketches.
We’ll ask for your feedback and revise our sketches. We’ll finalize material selection for hardscape and other built elements and draft a garden plan. You can expect the design development phase to take 6 weeks or more of interaction back and forth.
Estimating and Bidding the installation of your garden
We’ll invite Landscape Contractors to meet with us, review the project and prepare an estimate for you. Once you and your contractor have chosen to work together, we’ll communicate with the contractor through the installation process and make site visits to answer questions and solve issues as they arise.
Planting Plan Development
We create a detailed planting plan which includes each and every plant to be planted in your garden. Depending on the level of detail, the development of the planting plan can take 2 weeks or more.
Plant Procurement
We order and arrange delivery for your garden plants.
Plant Placement
On planting day/s we’ll place each plant prior to planting. We do our very best to get each plant in the best position. However, some editing is necessary as gardens mature. It is important to understand that garden design is an art form that takes time and patience for the intended impact and effect to occur.
Garden Maintenance
Your garden needs regular maintenance. We can refer you to local gardeners to help you or maintain your garden for you. Garden evolution is continual and to be expected. Your garden will need weeding, mulching, watering, pruning at the appropriate time per plant, mowing, etc.