"Donna's calm, soothing personality is reflected in her design. You will enjoy working with her." Kay, Westlake Village

Hi. My name is Donna Lynn. I have been working as a landscape designer for over 20 years. I grew up in Mass. and many a childhood summer was spent at my grandparents' camp in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. My Gram was an avid horticulturist who would take me for walks in the woods and point out plants like Lady's Slipper and Trillium. She always planted an abundant veggie garden and could propagate just about anything.

After high school I spent a year as an apprentice to an artist/textile designer. I then went on to study 2D design, graphic design, color theory, drawing and sculpture at New England School of Art & Design, Mass College of Art, and Nantucket Island School of Design & the Arts, after which, I attended and graduated from NE School of Photography, majoring in editorial photography. My life relocated me to the Phoenix area where I worked as an editorial photographer, photographing CEOs and entrepreneurs for Forbes and Arizona Trend magazines. Later, friends who owned a landscape design/build firm invited me to apply my knowledge of design principles to landscape design. I became a partner in their company where I worked as a designer and project manager for 10 years.

Upon relocating to Santa Barbara in the mid-90's, I undertook an independent course of study of the particulars of landscaping in California, that led me from UCLA to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. I spent countless hours learning about the plants available in the landscape trade here and divided them into palettes based on area of origin. I also taught myself CAD drafting, landscape photo imaging and 3D rendering. My continuing education is ongoing - thru LEED certified courses, study of organic practices, discovering and experimenting with new software and technology and using and monitoring new plants in my projects.

I have worked with landscape architects, landscape contractors, architects, general contractors, interior designers, arborists and experienced trade persons and gardeners on a variety of projects, both large and small, in Santa Barbara, Ventura and L.A. counties.

As a designer, I draw from my art background to bring beauty to the landscapes I work on, practical focus from my years in design/build and improved visualizing tools as a result of my interest in computer rendering software. Like a blank canvas, each new job presents the opportunity to create something fresh and new. I delight in the challenge of deciphering the elements that will make each project unique to those who hire me.