We were hired to evaluate the landscape drainage issues at this Westchester County property, which proved to be complicated due to some peculiar construction from previous homeowners. Analyzing the Stormwater Problem The previous owners put an addition on the house and reconstructed the driveway to a grade that required an anti-gravity sump pump to re-route the stormwater. This complicated system …

This farmhouse-style home in Westchester County, NY did not have a landscape to match the stunning architecture. When GJLD first visited the property for a professional consultation, the backyard was a boring expanse of lawn. Jay observed the existing features—mature trees encircling the backyard—and was struck by inspiration to design a native courtyard garden for the backyard. He named the …

Newly terraced slope stabilizes hillside. Natural stone steps make it accessible. Our first landscape design project in Bergen County, New Jersey was a complex storm restoration project on a steep slope overlooking a river. During Hurricane Ida, historic rainfall collapsed the side yard slope just feet from the house.  Existing retaining walls began to collapse, and the once navigable slope …

First year garden terraces in September. Native perennials for pollinators bloom for weeks. Newly planted garden terraces with a mixture of native perennials and annual vegetables. Buying a home comes with the remnants of the previous owners’ personality – the good, the bad, and the different. In this case, an above ground pool was put in by the previous owner …

This Westchester County landscape was formerly dominated by overgrown, non-native ornamental grasses. They completely covered the network of natural stone walkways and steps. We removed most of the existing vegetation and replaced it with a contemporary meadow-style planting. The clients love their new native pool landscaping that accentuates the masonry rather than disguising it. Liatris Daisies and Coneflower are a …