"Donna is professional, knowledgeable, and artistic. Her creative input was helpful and inspiring. I am excited and looking forward to implementing this new design for my garden" Joanne, Santa Barbara

"Take the time to design" During my 25 years as a landscape designer, I have seen the benefits of taking the time to create a scale drawing-master plan for projects both large and small. I find my experience allows me to make suggestions that often save my clients money during the installation process. Attention to detail, as well as consideration of how the various elements of the completed landscape will work together can be given when the design is thought through rather than hastily installed. Both plant and hardscape choices vary according to each area, particular city and neighborhood, so what works for Santa Barbara might not necessarily be appropriate for Thousand Oaks or Santa Ynez.

The use of technology has enabled me to offer my customers a better quality product, more interactive and informative conceptualization experience as well as affordable cost. From start to finish, I rely on all that modern technology affords. 

During the design process, photo imaging or 3D software are available as design sketch tools to aid in visualizing the proposed finished product. Unique plant palettes are created for each client based on personal taste and unique site conditions. We make plant choices from a plant photo library of over 1500 images of commercially available plants from various growers. Clients are invited to view my computer desktop, via web conferencing, where I am able to display plant palette photos, site photos, the CAD plan, imaging photos or 3D renderings. In addition, we are able to visit websites pertinent to the plants or materials used in the design.

The final product is scale drawings of hardscape features (patios, paths, walls, pergolas, etc), plantings and lighting, using professional CAD software, resulting in precise, easy to read plans.

Before and after using landscape photo imaging software.

Maximized living space in a small area. Below is a before photo and 3D rendering of a landscape design for a property with an extreme slope drop-off in the back. Proposed changes to the residence were depicted as well.

Mediterranean Plants

A low water use plant palette was used for the front yard for this central coast property. The plant palette consists primarily of plants from Mediterranean climates and the lawn suggestion is Buffalo Grass. Below, the before photo is followed by the first draft "photo sketch" and then the final version image.

Garden, Orchard, Outdoor Entertaining

Here a challenge was presented to combine an enclosed, fenced-in vegetable garden with a greenhouse, orchard and entertaining area in combination with a native plant palette at the edge of the property.

California Natives

The plant choices in this Santa Barbara back yard are California natives with other low-water-use trees. A native grass lawn is proposed on the upper level toward the back and a wooden pergola functions as cover for a children's play area in the unused back corner of the yard. The existing lawn area is replaced with gravel.