Backyard designer
I own a 3-family home in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. I have a rough idea of what I want to do in my backyard & the manpower with which to do it. However, I would like to speak with someone who’s experienced with landscape design to give me some ideas about my project. My backyard is…
I own a 3-family home in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. I have a rough idea of what I want to do in my backyard & the manpower with which to do it. However, I would like to speak with someone who’s experienced with landscape design to give me some ideas about my project.
My backyard is your basic 20×50 lot. Essentially, I’m looking to slightly change the layout of my backyard (add a shed, relocate the grilling area, etc.), while making the space as low-maitenance as possible and yet maintain some degree of aesthetics.
After 6 years of living at my house, I’ve learned I’m rarely around my house on weekends to have any time for gardening maintenance. I want to do brunch, not yardwork. So before I go & simply cover the whole space with concrete, I was wondering if there is someone out there whom I could invite over for about an hour & talk about creative alternatives.
Can anyone recommend someone like that?
Many thanks in advance.
Joan McDonald is very talented and good to work with.
She really helped us to create a low-maintenance garden. I installed a timed, drip irrigation system and now I (basically) don’t have to do any yardwork or watering.
Joan McDonald is very talented and good to work with.
She really helped us to create a low-maintenance garden. I installed a timed, drip irrigation system and now I (basically) don’t have to do any yardwork or watering.
Thanks for the kind words, Denton.
I am Diana at Fun City Design. Just to clarify, I base my pricing on an hourly rate and do my proposals based on what the individual job requires. The <$500 that Denton quoted is a little bit misleading only because he uses the word ‘plans’. These were not fully articulated CAD plans with accurate measurements and dimensions indicated or full planting plans. What we worked on together was really just the very initial phase of a full project, just the rough, hand done concept sketches with verbal suggestions for materials, etc. to explore ideas because he is not ready to start his project in full. And pricing will always depend on what each client needs for their particular project so it’s really hard to ballpark without knowing the details. I am always happy to discuss anyone’s needs and answer any questions to that effect.
funcitydesign.com
You could try Joan McDonald at http://www.gardensbyjoan.com/. She is one of my favorite teachers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I haven’t used her as a designer, but I think she has a great sense of landscaping style, and a wonderful sense of how to combine plants. She offers an hourly consulting service, so that could be a good way to work with her.
wow, denton, there’s not a zero missing, is there? less than five hundred sounds ideal! i’ve been through enough remodeling disasters to know that a few hundred dollars’ on the front end of a project is the wisest investment you can make, & will spare you thousands of dollars in headaches during construction. (shout out to clare donohue at 121studio, my remodeling guardian angel: http://121studio.com/)
<$500 for a couple of visits and three plans with differing elevations. Well worth it imo.
denton, how much did the design work cost? (or can you give a ballpark if you don’t want to give the exact #?)
Try Diana at FunCity. She’s worked with a couple of people on Brownstoner. We retained her to do some plans for us, but we don’t have money to execute this year. We were happy with the plans.
diana@funcitydesign.com