Design Style Guide

Your design style is unique to you and the spirit of your yard is tied to your uniqueness. Defining your overall design style creates a backbone for all of your landscape decisions.

Aesthetic Styles

This is the “look and feel” of the landscape.

Modern

If you love clean lines, “less is more,” and high-contrast colors (like black, grey, and crisp green) or monotones (like all greys, blacks, or ivories), this is for you. It’s very organized and looks like an extension of a contemporary home, often using smooth textures, metal accents, and plants with bold, striking shapes.

Natural

This style feels like a slice of the local wilderness brought into your yard. We use plants that belong in our local climate and stones that look like they were found on-site. There are no harsh edges here; everything blends together to look like nature intended.

Rustic

This style is warm and “rugged.” Think of an old farmhouse or a mountain lodge. We use materials that have character, like weathered wood, chunky natural stone, and gravel. It’s meant to look sturdy, aged, and very comfortable.

Traditional

This is the classic “neighborhood” look that never goes out of style. It’s inspired by beautiful old estates, featuring brickwork, white fences, and lush flowering bushes. It feels established, elegant, and familiar.

Blended

Can’t decide? Many people love a “Modern-Natural” look (clean lines but with wilder plants) or “Rustic-Traditional.” We can take the specific elements you love from any of these and weave them together.

Mood Styles

This describes the “posture” of the garden—how structured or relaxed the layout is.

Formal

This is a very disciplined style. Everything has a specific place, usually in straight lines or perfect circles. If you stood in the center, the left side would be balanced with the right. It feels prestigious, neat, and very “put together.”

Semi-Formal

This is the best of both worlds. We create a clean, organized “bone” structure (like straight paths or rectangular patio shapes), but we let the plants grow a bit more loosely so the garden doesn’t feel too stiff or intimidating.

Informal

This style hates straight lines! Everything moves in soft, flowing curves. It’s designed to feel casual and “untamed,” where plants are allowed to spill over the edges of paths, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

Blended

We can vary the mood based on location. For example, we can make the area right next to your back door “Formal” so it looks neat from the kitchen window, but let it fade into an “Informal” style as you move toward the back of the property.

Energy Styles

This describes the “vibe” or the pace of life the space encourages.

Dynamic

This is a high-energy space meant for “doing.” It might have bright, exciting colors, a big patio for loud dinner parties, or a layout that makes you want to walk around and see what’s happening. It’s a “social” garden.

Calm

This is your “reset” button. We use soft textures (like fuzzy leaves or swaying grasses), quiet colors like blues and whites, and perhaps a bubbling water feature. It’s designed to lower your heart rate the moment you step outside.

Casual

This is the “barefoot and BBQ” style. It’s not meant to be a showpiece; it’s meant to be lived in. It’s low-pressure, easy to maintain, and perfect for kicking back with family without worrying about everything being “perfect.”

Blended

You might want a “Dynamic” area near your grill and outdoor dining table, but a “Calm” corner tucked away in the back for your morning coffee.

Intimacy Styles

This describes the openness or coziness of your yard.

Open

If you have a great view or just love a sense of big, blue sky, this is the choice. We keep the center of the yard clear and use low-growing plants so your eyes can wander far. It feels breezy, light, and massive.

Cozy

This is about feeling “hugged.” We use things like pergolas overhead, tall hedges or trees, privacy screens, or small “nooks” to make you feel enclosed and safe. It’s perfect for people who want their backyard to feel like a private outdoor room.

Secluded

This is for the explorers. We use “layers” of plants or winding paths so you can’t see the whole garden at once. You have to walk around a corner to discover a hidden bench or a statuesque tree. It creates a sense of mystery and total privacy.