Since 2000, Nature By Design, LLC has transformed Central Virginia landscapes into functional works of art. With 35 years of field experience and dual expertise as a Virginia-certified landscape designer and horticulturist, I don't just create beautiful spaces—I build outdoor environments that thrive.

I believe a great landscape is an investment. My mission is to combine meticulous attention to detail with a practical understanding of what works in our local climate to help you increase your property value and love where you live.

A practicing landscape designer in central Virginia.

Rooted in Experience

My Design Approach

A great landscape begins with a conversation, not a sketch. I prioritize getting to know you—listening closely and asking the questions that matter: How will your family move through the space? How much turf is truly functional for you? By understanding your lifestyle, I can create a design that feels intuitive.

My approach balances the art of horticulture with the architecture of your home. I provide comprehensive concept plans that integrate both living elements and hardscape features, including custom walkways, patios, decks, and pergolas. Whether you envision a poolside retreat, a functional outdoor kitchen, or the perfect fire pit for cool Virginia evenings, I design with a keen sense of proportion and scale.

I look for environmental clues in your soil and light, applying a deep knowledge of plant biology to ensure every choice is sustainable. The true measure of a landscape’s value isn’t how it looks on installation day, but how it thrives five to ten years later. My goal is to give you a living showpiece that grows more beautiful, and more valuable, with age.

My Design Style…

A close-up of a circular stone fire pit with a stone ledge, surrounded by gray cobblestone pavers.
Red dayliles growing among various green leaves and plants in a garden.
Stone pathway curving through a lush garden with green plants and large leafy shrubs.
Close-up of various pink and yellow flowers with green leaves in a garden setting.
Curved stone pathway in a landscaped garden with flowering plants, grass, and bushes.
A garden with pink coneflowers and purple asters among green foliage.
A small backyard patio with two gray Adirondack chairs, a round metal table, and brick retaining walls. Surrounding the patio are steps leading up a hill with landscaped bushes and flowers, with a green lawn and house in the background.
Green leafy plants with clusters of white flowers and orange-red flowers, some small dark cones on the leaves.
Lush green garden with pink dayliles and various green plants and shrubs.
A stone pathway with cracked and uneven concrete slabs, bordered by a low stacked stone wall on the left, and surrounded by dark soil and small plants, with trees and foliage in the background.
Close-up of various plants with dark green, light green, and white-veined leaves and clusters of small white flowers.
A garden path with blooming Azaleas on the left, next to trees with textured bark, and various green shrubs along the path in a lush, wooded setting.
A garden bed with various green plants and a small decorative tree in a brown pot, bordered by a stone wall and gray stone cap, adjacent to a paved walkway with shadows of tree leaves.
A garden scene with green and variegated leaves, a small turtle figurine among ground cover plants, and ornamental grass.
A stone pathway with fallen autumn leaves leading to a wooden fence in a backyard
A garden with tall Cannas and green foliage, including a plant with light pink clusters of tiny flowers.
A garden with pink coneflowers and purple phlox under a tree with green foliage.
A garden with tall purple flowers in the foreground, lush green trees in the background, a white garden lamp, and a cloudy sky.
Outdoor white staircase with brown steps leading to a second-floor porch, surrounded by greenery and pink flowers at the bottom.
Several red daylily flowers with yellow centers blooming among green foliage and tall grass in a garden.
A backyard with a swimming pool and a multi-colored flagstone patio surrounding it.
A brick outdoor fireplace with a chimney, set under a painted pergola in a wooded backyard.
A landscaped garden area with a stone paved patio, lush green grass, and various shrubs and bushes, surrounded by trees.
Lush garden with green leafy plants, trees, and flowering bushes, surrounded by dark mulch and a wooden fence in the background.
A wooden pathway leading to a small dock with several colorful kayaks on it, overlooking a calm lake surrounded by trees and open fields under a cloudy sky.
A garden with various green plants, including tall leafy plants with yellow edges, purple-leafed plants, and low, dense green foliage.
Outdoor brick kitchen with two built-in grills, one covered with a black grill cover and the other with a green cover, set on a concrete patio with a wooded background.
A lush garden with various green plants, pink and purple flowers, and tall leafy bushes. Grass in the foreground and trees in the background.
Blue hydrangeas blooming in a garden with green foliage and a tree trunk in the background.
A stone patio with a built-in fire pit surrounded by a low stone wall, with grass and a wooden fence in the background.
A garden with various green plants, including hostas with large, pleated leaves, variegated leaves, and a patch of ground cover plants.
Outdoor area showing a stone patio, stairs with black metal railings, new landscaping with soil and grass, and a brick house in the background.
A landscaped garden area with various shrubs and small trees, with a grassy lawn in the foreground and a pond in the background, surrounded by colorful autumn trees.