About naturalized design

Creating outdoor spaces that feel like home for your family and for nature

If you are here, you have probably felt it already: the traditional suburban lawn is not working for you anymore.

Maybe you are tired of spending weekends maintaining something that never quite looks the way you want.
Maybe you want a yard that attracts birds, butterflies, and fireflies instead of demanding fertilizer and constant watering.
Or maybe you are dreaming of an outdoor space where your family can slow down, reconnect, and enjoy being outside without adding one more chore to your life.

You are not looking for a landscaper to fill the space.
You are looking for a thoughtful design that makes your yard beautiful and easy to live with.
That is where I come in.

A different approach to suburban landscapes

I design native plant gardens and ecological outdoor spaces for busy families who want their yards to work with nature instead of against it.

My role is not to make your yard look like everyone else's.
It is to understand what you want your everyday life to feel like and create a landscape that supports that.

Some families want a quiet place to sit with morning coffee.
Some want a low-maintenance yard that still feels lush and alive.
Some want a backyard where their kids can watch tadpoles grow or butterflies land on flowers they helped plant.

Whatever that picture looks like for you, I design every project with:

Beauty and calm you will notice the moment you step outside
Native plants chosen for your site and lifestyle
Low maintenance layouts that reduce chores, not add them
Ecological function that supports wildlife, pollinators, and stormwater health
A clear, guided process that makes transforming your yard feel simple, not overwhelming

Designs that change how you experience home

Every yard tells a story. Here are a few recent stories I have helped create.

The Wildlife Pond

A wildlife pond that turned an unused corner of a backyard into a quiet retreat filled with birdsong, frogs, and fireflies while staying safe and family friendly

The Tranquil Garden

A tranquil garden created for homeowners who wanted a place to unwind after work without increasing their maintenance load

The Dining & Firepit Patios

A dining and firepit patio designed to feel natural and connected to the landscape, turning a flat lawn into a space for slow evenings and real conversation

Your yard has a story waiting too. My job is to help you uncover it, design it, and bring it to life.

Why people choose a designer instead of a landscaper

Most people will only go through a major garden renovation once in their lifetime. That unfamiliarity creates a lot of worry.
Am I making the right decisions?
Is this price fair?
Are the changes happening during construction truly unavoidable, or should someone have caught them earlier?

This is exactly where I support you.

I act as your trusted advisor throughout the entire process. My role is to guide you through the decisions, budgets, and unexpected moments that come with transforming a landscape into the garden you envision. I help you understand your options, refine your ideas into a buildable plan, and communicate clearly with your contractor so you always know what is happening and why.

When construction begins, I am the steady presence you can turn to. I can explain cost changes in a way that makes sense, challenge increases that are not reasonable, and help you stay grounded in the vision even when budget realities start to feel stressful. My job is to give you clarity and confidence so there are no moments where you feel alone or uncertain.

Because I am a designer, not a contractor, I have no incentive to upsell you on anything you do not want or cannot afford. My fees are set up front, and I work hard to maintain scope and budget. That means you get honest guidance, thoughtful advocacy, and a landscape designed for your goals instead of someone else’s bottom line.

This is what makes the experience different. You are not just getting a design. You are getting a partner who is on your side from the first idea to the final planting.

How My Process Works

Every project begins with a paid consultation. This allows us to focus on your goals without any pressure to commit to a full design. During this meeting, we walk through what you hope to achieve, discuss budget, and talk through ideas, possibilities, and any concerns you may have. You receive clear, honest guidance right from the start.

If you choose to move forward with a full design, we enter the design phase. My role here is to translate your ideas into drawings and renderings that ensure what gets built matches the vision in your mind. While the exact steps vary depending on the scope of the project, most designs move through three stages.

Concept Phase
Early sketches that help confirm I fully understand your goals, style, and priorities before moving into detailed work.

Design Development Phase
More refined drawings that explore options, address potential site challenges, and begin shaping the final layout and plant palette.

Construction Document Phase
A set of clear, buildable drawings that your landscaper can use to accurately install the design.

Once the design is complete, I help you through the contractor selection process. This includes reaching out to contractors, reviewing quotes with you, and making sure the proposals reflect the quality and approach your project deserves.

Finally, I stay with you throughout construction. I am available to answer questions, clarify details, and help ensure the design is carried out the way you envisioned. You will never need to navigate the process alone.

What to Expect for Maintenance

Every garden requires some level of care, but thoughtful design can reduce that work significantly. I focus on creating clean, intentional lines that are simple to maintain, choosing plants that need attention only once or twice a year, and arranging beds in ways that make upkeep quick and straightforward.

If you would prefer to simply enjoy your garden without maintaining it yourself, that is completely possible. I can work with the landscapers who install your project to set up a maintenance package, so you have reliable professionals caring for your garden season after season. Your landscape will stay healthy and beautiful without adding anything to your already full schedule.

Hi, I am Jacob

I am a landscape designer who believes that suburban yards can be beautiful, practical, and ecologically meaningful, not just something to mow.

Homeowners come to me when they are ready for:

Less lawn and more life
A yard that looks cared for without constant work
A design that considers their family, lifestyle, and values
A partner who listens, explains, and brings clarity to a process that often feels overwhelming

I design from my own experience transforming a suburban yard into a native plant haven with a food forest, water smart strategies, and family friendly spaces, and I bring that same level of care to every project I take on.

As a husband and a father, I know what it feels like to come home after a long day wanting to spend time with my family but seeing a yard that needs attention before the city leaves another notice on the door. I want something different for my own home, and I want that for you as well. Outdoor spaces should give back to you. They should create time, not take it away.

Naturalized Design

About naturalized design

Creating outdoor spaces that feel like home for your family and for nature

A different approach to suburban landscapes