About The Designer
Growing up in the historical and beautiful city of Hangzhou, China, Elaine completed her college education in Europe before moving to the US to pursue an MBA. High tech career brought her to the Bay Area. During her 11 years at Apple, she closely worked with world class architects, designers and construction professionals who created stunning Apple stores worldwide.
Inspired by many Silicon Valley career women who followed their passion and with the help of design and construction knowledge and training, Elaine fulfilled her dream of becoming a landscape designer. She has designed and led the installation of beautiful gardens and delivered transformative results each time. Her experience of working in several leading corporations cultivated her professionalism and uncompromising high standards in every aspect of her work as a landscape professional.
Having lived in a wide range of geographic locations in Asia, Europe and the US, especially a number of years in the Los Gatos mountains, Elaine is inspired by the beauty and richness of nature. She believes in nature's amazing effect on people’s minds and souls. Her love for nature is rooted in her work. Her greatest satisfaction is to see her clients’ excitement and delight upon a project completion, and to envision the gardens enrich their lives for years to come.
How We Work:
Since 2020, due to high level of demand, we have been dedicating full time to design work. What sets us apart is that years in managing installation enable us foresee installation issues and unnecessary costs and we mitigate them at design stage. Installers have great ease to carry out our designs as our documentation not only caters to Client but also is highly comprehensible by the crew.
Our partnership with local installers ensures that our clients have access to reputable, highly qualified contractors who are capable to carry out the design wherever the project will be. We stand by our work with continued support throughout the process until the installation is complete. Many clients stay in touch over the years as we generously offers advice for plants care.
Project Process:
Step 1. A project engagement starts with on site consultation. Designer and Client meet to discuss landscape requirements and address site conditions. We pay close attention to Client’s life style and what is important to his/her family. Upon completion of first appointment, a design concept is formed.
Step 2. Drafting an initial design. Designer creates a detailed design as well as options for styles, materials, trees and major plants. Each element is provided with visual reference.
Step 3. On site design review. Designer meets Client to review the design, answer questions, and collect feedback. We place importance on explaining “why” as landscape is not only geographically specific but also is site unique. Our approach is greatly appreciated by our clients who enjoy lasting effect of a landscape where plants thrive under local climate and site conditions and other landscape features are well placed.
Step 4. Designer finalizes the design with measurements, installation notes, placement of plants, outdoor lighting map, and, upon request, outdoor furnishing layout. A pdf copy is provided to Client.
The completion of design process takes place when Designer connects Client and potential installer. Designer provides detailed notes for any factor outside the documentation which could affect price quote and installation preparation.
Whenever possible we visit a completed job site to ensure our clients are happy for the entire experience and the outcome.
