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" WITH A GARDEN....THERE IS HOPE " |
Garden Aesthetics |
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" WITH A GARDEN....THERE IS HOPE " |
Garden Aesthetics |
GARDEN AESTHETICS is a landscape design business located near Portland, Oregon in the Pacific Northwest. We emphasize regionalism....creating gardens with a 'sense of place', and a philosophy that every landscape in our vast country is unique. It is important when we create gardens to first 'read the landscape' and learn from what we see. Our gardens should reflect both the region we live in and our own individual personalities, with the realization that the gardens themselves can be both theraputic and healing in nature. Gardens, above all, can teach us to see what is really important, and can help us slow our lives down!After designing on my own for over 25 years, in 2000 I started a mentoring program with graduates of the Landscape Technology program at Portland Community College where I teach. Barb Simon was my first mentoree, and working with her inspired me to seek out other students. I continue to work with some of these designers in a mentoring capacity, with the aim of providing well thought out and personal designs that will be an enriching experience for everyone involved! This is a collaborative effort which can always be valuable in the design process. STARTING IN 2007, I will be cutting back on full planting plans and will instead refer clients to these select few designers who I feel embody the skills and philosophy long associated with Garden Aesthetics. I will still be available for basic consultations and smaller projects.
I INVITE YOU TO GET TO KNOW.... DEB ROSSI, ADRIANA BERRY, IZZY BAPTISTA, and TESS ANDERSON
MY BACKGROUND- GOING DOWN THE GARDEN PATH....
I grew up on the East coast where I earned a design degree from CORNELL UNIVERSITYand worked eight years as a room designer for Armstrong World Industries. In 1973 I moved to OREGON with my husband and two sons and received a degree in Landscape Design. In 1984 we established CLOUDREST VINEYARDS on 12 acres of hillside property outside of Portland. Since 1984 I have traveled and photographed gardens in England, France, Japan, Italy, Germany, and even Siberia! I have studied under the English landscape designer, John Brookes(my mentor!), and the late landscape architect, Barbara Fealy. I am a certified member of the ASSOCIATION of PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS, and have served on their Board of Directors as both webmaster and President( 2003).I am also a member of the OREGON CHAPTER OF APLD , and enjoy networking with local designers. In addition to offering designs and consultations, I also teach in the Landscape Technology Program at PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE, and offer workshops in landscape illustration. In 1995 I collaborated with Al Rogers on a book, PEONIES, published by TIMBER PRESS.
My fees:
CONSULTATION ONLY...$100 First hr, $80 after (average 1-2 hrs) CONCEPTUAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN...$1200-$1500( for average-sized lot) to $2500 and up (for acreage) This is the best option if you live within site-visit distance of Portland, Oregon. Includes concept plan (drafted to scale), conceptual details and perspective sketches, suggested plant types, and plant reports/landscape notes. PARTIAL PLANS/ CONCEPTS AT HOURLY RATE. Facilitation of the design with the contractor, and maintenance schedules are extra, and are charged at my hourly rate. SNAIL-MAIL CONCEPTUAL... $800.00 (minimum) As a Portland Landscape Designer I generally travel to sites within a 100 mile radius, and am obviously more familiar with plants of the Pacific Northwest, but you can send photos and information concerning your site and receive a conceptual plan sketch, and suggestions for plants and execution. More work for you, but less expensive! I also consider front or backyard garden designs that might deal with only a section of your entire landscape. FULL PLANTING PLAN....Refer to Deb, Adriana , Izzy, or Tess (above) PER HOUR RATE....$80.00 GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE! SLIDE-LECTURES ..negotiable plus travel expenses. I am available to groups for 1-2 hour lectures on a variety of topics: French Gardens, English Gardens, Japanese Gardens, Italian Gardens, Gardens of Siberia!, Design Process, Plant Composition, Art in the Garden....and more. WATCH FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS HERE ON WORKSHOPS IN DESIGN AND SKETCHING TO BE HELD AT MY CLOUDREST STUDIO!
Leaves and sedums glow in late season compositions
WHAT IS A GARDEN ?
Garden-making concerns the relationship of the human being to his natural surroundings and an awareness of the interplay between objects occupying outdoor space. When we 'landscape' we attempt to make the best use of the space available by shaping the land to reflect the natural qualities of the site and selecting plant material that is a reflection of the region. A landscape becomes a garden when it becomes an extension of the owner, both functionally, aesthetically,and emotionally.
A landscape designer can provide a wide range of services - ranging from a one hour consultation on the site to a design package of five or more plans and sketches. A complete design can take a month, or several, depending on the scope of the project and the specific location. The DESIGN PROCESS is done in several stages, taking into consideration input from the client , the regional characteristics of the site / climate, and the principles of good design. After the initial site analysis diagram is drawn up, the first stage will be the CONCEPTUAL LAYOUT of the property, showing traffic patterns, family activities, weather patterns, orientation of the house to the site, and roughed out shapes of the planting elements...basically a study of relationships. The FINAL PLANTING PLAN will show locations of specific plants, hardscaping elements such as decks and patios, and a complete plant listing and spec sheet. Perspective sketches and an additional laminated color plan help you visualize the garden
Please feel free to read the CLIENT-SITE ANALYSIS a questionnaire that I ask my clients to fill out. If you are interested in a conceptual or planting design please fill this out and send it to me. I will then send a Proposal / Contract to you for your consideration, or arrange for a first meeting.
Want to start a library of excellent garden books?- Check out .... GARDEN AESTHETICS STORE for some of my favorite books.
Tour our 'special place' in Oregon - the GENIUS LOCI that helped create, and continually inspires, my garden style.
I will periodically include segments of lectures that I give to my students. DESIGN PRINCIPLES IN GARDEN-MAKING is a topic covered in my Plant Composition class, and illustrates the close ties that exist between artist and gardener.
I was honored in the Spring of 2007 to accept the APLD's Harry Schuster Service Award. Information on APLD's Award Programs.
You might want to visit a few of my FAVORITE GARDEN-RELATED SITES:
If you are interested in unusual plants go to Heronswood. ,or try ForestFarm. Have a peak at Lakewold, a once private NW estate that is now a public garden! Another creative website developed by Scott Anderson is Seiwa-en, the Japanese Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Water can be a magical element in the garden....Check out Garden-Fountains for a distinctive water feature. If you are interested in learning more about NATIVE PLANT communities visit the Berry Botanic Garden , or check out A Sense of Place.If you'd like more inspiration for building an outdoor garden of your own try Passion for Gardens. If you'd like to explore GENERAL GARDEN INFO go to GardenNet, or Gardening Launch Pad, and Garden Guides. For the academic types try the OSU Plant Materials Course , or to participate in some great forum DISCUSSION GROUPS, try The GardenWeb. And finally, travel to England and explore Garden Designer, UK and The Garden Directory.And finally, to see just what is involved in becoming a landscape designer, and who the rest of us are, visit APLD. Have fun, but don't forget to come back here often!
If you are interested in having a more dynamic garden space that truly reflects your personality please feel free to contact me by Email, snail-mail or phone!
Look for the article 'A Slope Transformed' in the Sept.-Oct., 2003 issue of Fine Gardening. Pgs 36-38
Look for the article 'Fertile Ground' in the March, 2003 issue of Smart Money. Pgs 79-86
Look for pictures of my home garden in the July, 2002 issue of Better Homes & Gardens. Pgs 116-117
Look for 'Shady Arrangements' in the Early Spring 1999 issue of Garden Shed magazine, pgs 102-107
DESIGN ISSUES FORUM:
If you've made it down to the bottom of this page you probably have (1) an interest in design (2) an inquisitive nature. There are always new questions to explore when it comes to design issues:
IS APPRECIATION OF THE GARDEN DWINDLING? DO OUR CHILDREN EVEN CARE (OR SEE NATURE) ANYMORE? HAS TECHNOLOGY HELPED OR HINDERED THE ART OF GARDENING?
E-mail me and we'll start a new forum ! My previous questions had many RESPONSES!
This website first created Dec.1996 and last updated on March 10, 2008©Copyright 1996-2008 Garden Aesthetics© website and photos by Linda Engstrom
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