Portland Oregon Landscape Design

When you need help with your residential small city garden, Carol is there as your landscape designer. Whether it’s drought tolerant plants, low maintenance landscape, design for NW native plants, or more; her affordable landscaping has helped all of her Portland Oregon area clients. Call to learn more about her landscape design process.

I have a challenging sideyard to work with. It is narrow, and the sun is blocked by the neighbor’s wall most of the time. Because of its small size, I got turned down by many professional landscape companies over the years. Most plants don’t survive because of the uneven sunlight across the yard. As a result, I had an ugly view from my living room window for the last seven years. Carol made my dream of beautifying the view come true. She has a deep knowledge of plants. She came to my yard, assessed the sunlight angle, and, like a highly well-trained AI, knew what plants would survive and where in the yard. She also took care of every step in the process from finding contractors, overseeing them, and executing. To top it off, she accommodated my request to meet the backyard habitat certification requitements. Her experience, knowledge, expertise, and service are very hard to come by.
~ Kate S., NW Portland, OR

Thank you for your time and expertise Carol. You worked closely to suss out what I really wanted and then came up with a design I’m very happy with.
~ Nicolas J., Portland, OR

Collaboration – loved it! I really appreciated how well Carol listened to my preferences and ideas and came up with a design that embraced and enhanced what I wanted in my garden. I especially loved the result that came from my wacky Japanese-maple-in-a-pot idea for the front yard. Carol’s design for that is one of my favorite outcomes of her expertise in collaboration.
Phone interviews – great way to manage time at the beginning of the process. It helped me learn more about my existing garden and then understand more deeply how I wanted it to change. The process also helped me better articulate to Carol what was important to me in the design.
Final outcome A+++
I’m so impressed with Carol’s depth of knowledge about plants and how to care for them as well as her artistry in plant and materials selections and placement. She was wonderful about working with an existing patio design, changing it just enough to make it more interesting and to accommodate more plants, which was one of my goals. I wanted an interesting, artistic garden and Carol delivered on this and then some. I’m so grateful to her for designing a place of peace and inspiration.
~ Diane T., Tigard, OR

Our experience with Landscape Design in a Day was very friendly, efficient, and fun. Their approach was new to us as we had never done a landscape project before. I was a bit intimidated by having to hand draw our yard dimensions etc, but in the end, this process helped us to understand the scale and scope more intimately. We loved working with our designer Hilary who is a great listener. She not only heard what we wanted but was able to suggest solutions that worked better in the space. We highly recommend Landscape Design in a Day.
~ Brian J., Portland, OR

Working with Hilary was a really wonderful experience. She was able to take my very loose concepts, needs, and wants and synthesize it into a cohesive landscape design. I am very satisfied with the finished product, I believe it will elevate the space in a way that I could not have conceptualized alone. The process was collaborative, informative and fun. I feel I not only have the plan necessary to execute the end design but the knowledge imparted to care for the plantings as well. Can and will recommend to others.
~ Elijah H., NE Portland, OR

Alana was great!  She asked good questions and listened very carefully. My preferences and my husband’s differed and yet Alana was able to create a design solution for our side yard that pleased both of us.  The backyard was a difficult space; it’s small and mostly filled with a trampoline that we wanted to keep.  After listening to our thoughts and feelings about this dilemma Alana recommended leaving the trampoline in place.  She specified playground grade cedar chip mulch to go under and around the trampoline that is the perfect solution to the muddy sparse grass. No mowing and it looks attractive and finished. Last of all, the flagstone path to the back yard completed the transformation.  I am very happy with the design and my husband and I have exactly what we wanted.
~Tiffiney, Grant Park Neighborhood

The collaboration was excellent. The packet helped us probe our desires and constraints as well as to further familiarize ourselves with our space. Hilary was wonderful to work with! She helped brainstorm how to address our concerns and meet our goals of having a low-maintenance entertaining area that feels whimsical. The finished product is incredible! Our space is totally transformed from an unpleasant, bumpy, muddy terrain to an inviting space with dedicated garden beds separated from walking areas & leisure areas. We have plenty of lighting for entertaining (which includes the light from the built-in bench on the patio and icicle lights on the trees and arbor). We really benefited from her experience and insights – like knowing how much lighting would be just the right amount, how to create flow between the distinct parts of the yard (including adding a staircase on the deck and removing a gate), and how to enhance areas of the yard that we previously considered “dead space”. This was an excellent experience that was well worth the investment!
~Annie, Portland

Hilary was great. She took all our concerns and all the things we wanted and just magically made it all work into the design. I especially appreciated her incorporating some of the more interesting existing plants into the new design. She referred us to a contractor that we like and we will be installing our New design this spring 2024.
I liked using the kit to prepare for our design day. It was straightforward and I enjoyed drawing up our property.
Our experience with Hilary and Landscape Design In A Day was awesome.
~Nico & Charles, NE Portland

Condominium owner Katherine had a tiny disaster back yard. She called me from Angie’s List and said, “It all sucks. I want a beautiful low maintenance place to chill out with my friends.” After design and install by Carol and selected contractors, she said, “I got everything I wanted and then was stunned at how beautiful it all is. I now have the ultimate courtyard garden and I added a $20,000 value to my condominium.”
~Katherine, SW Portland

We started with a small yard with brown grass and awkward pavers that didn’t work with our space at all. Luckily Carol is very knowledgeable & was helpful in guiding us to what we wanted in a backyard. Carol was quick to follow up and answer any questions we had. Our new backyard exceeds our expectations and looks beautiful! We can’t wait for the plants and trees to fill in and really show off the space. We can sit outside in our yard and fully enjoy it. Thanks for all your help Carol. It truly looks incredible. We will enjoy our yard for years to come.
~Amy M., NE Portland

Here is our testimonial for Landscape Design in a Day. Our designer was Alana Chau. The summary is that we all LOVE the new space and have basically been living out there every time the weather is even a bit decent. We’ve been using the whole yard, too – before the redo the back part of the yard was (other than the veggie beds) kind of a dead zone, but now we find ourselves out there almost every afternoon, not just puttering in the veggies but sitting out on the little patio or kicking a ball around the lawn with our toddler. Thank you for all of your help!
~Emma, Portland.

It was a pleasure to work with Hilary Hutler and Carol Lindsay to redesign my backyard landscape. Hilary was an incredibly clear communicator, and gave me all the instructions I needed to make my ideas come to life. I’m super happy with my new backyard.
~Tim H., North Portland

What a fun project! Hilary was great to work with, we genuinely had a lot of fun, and I am very excited to see her vision come to life.
~Darcy, Portland, OR

Carol is a pro! She anticipates what you don’t know to ask, has tons of experience and resources to share, and is both kind and fun to work with. We were looking for help creating a privacy planting and walked away with a whole new vision for what our yard could look like and how it could grow with us over the years. Can’t say enough good things about Design in a Day!
~ Jessica, Portland, OR

Our HOA landscaper gave us a referral to Carol, and we are so pleased to have found her. She listened to our thoughts, asked good questions, and was a pleasure to work with. She did a preliminary telephone interview and then came out to look at our current landscape issues. Then she did a couple of preliminary drafts of design ideas and listened carefully to our comments. She provided pictures of various plant alternatives and was thoughtful in giving her recommendations. Her final product included detailed drawings of the new design and a complete list of plants. Carol is friendly and does high quality work. We highly recommend her.
~Phil, NW Portland, OR

Carol did a fantastic job designing our very difficult backyard space and worked in just about all our asks. She was easy to work with, and I greatly enjoyed the format and how she got to know my preferences for this or that. I’ll be asking her to do a plan for my front yard once the back is done!
~ Stacy L., Portland, OR

The collaboration was nothing short of spectacular. We enjoyed very much working with you, and the final product came out wonderful. We are very happy with it.
~ Lucas & Crystal, Portland, OR

Carol’s pre-design questionnaire and interviews were key to the success of her draft design during the design-in-a-day site visit. Her initial design was 95% perfect and needed only small tweeks to reach my 100% approval. Installation is ongoing: the front yard is done and the back yard is prepped for next spring. I’m pleased with Carol’s design process and totally satisfied with the results.
~ Mike B., Portland, Oregon

The communication was very easy and simple. The collaboration process was very helpful in figuring out what we really needed and wanted in our yard. Alana was so great, she came up with a beautiful design for our back yard. She really listened to us and also added in her wonderful ideas. We still have a few things to complete with our design but it’s very relaxing to know that the hard part is done. I’m enjoying my design in a day yard as I write this review!
~Scott & Teresa J., Portland, OR

Carol and Landscape Design in a Day rescued us as we stressed about trying to put together a cohesive experience from a blank template yard that desperately needed more privacy, places to sit, and safe plants + play areas for our very active dog.

From day one we knew Carol was the right call compared to online virtual services based on her familiarity with PNW plants/seasons and excitement to come spend time at the house feeling out the flow of paths, the sight lines from windows, and iterate through a dozen quick sketches and concepts.

Not only did Carol bring our garden dreams into a cohesive design, but she introduced us to an exceptional contractor and then was there with us to make tweaks based on budget and material availability.

If you are looking for a personalized and iterative landscape design partner, we fully recommend calling Carol.
~Sam W., Portland, OR

It was a terrific experience and the results are way beyond anything we could have ever designed ourselves.
~Val & Holi, B., Milwaukie, OR

Excellent all around. You all were so patient with all of our ideas and questions, providing creative options that took into account our budget, short and long term needs, unforeseen bumps on our end, and you were very responsive throughout the entire project. Great communication and you are fun to work with. Thank you – we love our new outdoor spaces.
~Kristen K., Portland, OR

We absolutely loved working with Carol! She was really great at asking careful questions and listening carefully, so she truly understood our desires. Her expertise with native plants was invaluable and we ended up with the perfect landscape plan. We also appreciated her efficiency and good prices. It was a great experience start to finish.
~Betsy N., Beaverton, OR

We could not be more pleased with the beautiful design created by Alana. She is very talented, passionate about design, very knowledgeable about how to best use our space, as well as plant and material selection. The design process was very enjoyable as we quickly developed a very good working relationship with her. She always listened to us and found creative ways to incorporate what we wanted into the design. She is very cost conscience and designed to our budget. We got a lot for our money. She is very prompt at responding to our questions and is an excellent communicator. She is very timely in producing the design and always delivered when she said she would or earlier. We are convinced that hiring her produced a far superior design compared to hiring a landscape contractor to do the design and by having a design, our construction cost was reduced by far more then the design fee. In the end our total project cost was less because we hired LDIAD. Our project was somewhat complex – 28′ of grade difference across our property, odd shaped lot (not a rectangle) and an active, involved HOA that must approve improvements prior to starting construction. Thank you Alana.
~Philip C., Beaverton, OR

I worked with Carol Lindsay and Design-in-a-Day two times while in my last house. It was a large yard and used a variety of low maintenance and native plants. Carol worked with me last week to plan the landscaping for my new house with an emphasis on providing food and habitat for the birds, bees, and beneficial bugs. I look forward to purchasing and installing the plants. I love it!
~Peggy H., Vancouver, WA

I was very happy with the entire process from start to finish, especially taking into consideration it took place during the pandemic. Carol was an incredibly responsive, communicative and diligent person to work with. Would recommend her without hesitation.
~Heather M., Portland

Alana was wonderful to work with! She was skillful and very attentive to our desires and questions. We very highly recommend working with her and this company in the future.
~Kim C., Beaverton

We are implementing our design plans in April so I can’t comment on the finished product yet. With that said I have been very pleased with the Design in a Day process, more specifically working with Alana Chau. She listened to our landscape “wants and needs” and then developed a design that we could never have dreamed of ourselves. And she was always (and still is) on the other end of the phone to answer any and all of my questions as we move toward design implementation. I am very excited to see our finished product, I know it is going to be exactly what we asked for.
~Colleen S., Beaverton

We loved the collaboration we did with Carol and could not be happier about the result! She helped us integrate the items important to us (sauna, hot tub, outdoor shower, cold plunge, fencing, and dog run area) to create a wonderful oasis in our backyard. Her process is streamlined and really made us feel like we were partners with her in getting the desired results!
~Carolyn G., Portland

Carol was everything we could ask for. She listened to our needs and prepared a rough draft in a day that she was here (and it was COVID time, so she had to huddle in our cold little garage space). she went above and beyond to search for the plants and ornaments that are just right. Now, almost a year after the completion, she is still available for questions – we feel valued as a life-long customer and that she truly loves what she does. A last but very important bonus: every contractor she recommended was excellent!
~Shelley Z., Portland

We had a great experience working with Carol to redesign our backyard. When we called Carol, we had two major issues we were trying to fix. First, we had just lost two big old trees in the backyard due to disease; they had been the focal point of the yard and without them the backyard was just a big muddy hole. Second, there is a tall apartment builidng immediately behind us which, without the trees, was very imposing and we felt like we had lost our privacy and personal space in the backyard. What could we do to mitigate the feeling of being under the watchful eye of a dozen apartment windows?

Carol came up with clever, attractive, affordable solutions for us. We knew that getting a tree as tall as the ones we lost would take a lot of time, so she designed a bermed central planting island that both breaks up the space nicely and creates a screen between us and the apartments, even with a young tree. Also, she integrated native plants and drought tolerant plants to make the whole yard low maintenance. And she worked in my obsession with edible plants, adding blueberry and huckleberry bushes, plus tons of culinary herbs throughout the garden.

Carol referred us to D and J Landscape Contracting and Donna Burdick was a gift. Working with a contractor who already knew and had a good working relationship with Carol made everything easy and smooth. The contractor was on board to help us save money without being cheap. There are a lot of little touches in the landscape from Donna Burdick which were not on the drawing but had been discussed with Carol so they were a great team – we even have a small rain garden.

It’s a wonderful space and we love spending time in our backyard. The apartment building disappears behind our eye-catching plants and flowers. I love watching the garden change and grow through the seasons – we love it more and more every day!
~Chris and Veronica, Kenton Neighborhood of Portland Oregon

Between the kit and Carol’s specific requests for particular photos, we were able to work through the design together and I am very happy with the result. A surprising side benefit is that, because I needed to do more of the work, I was prompted to become a lot more familiar with my garden and everything that has been planted in it. I have a much greater appreciation for the garden itself because of all the learning along the way. It is much more hands on for me, which makes me love my garden even more! I’m sure that I will strive to take even better care of it as well.
~Wendy B., SW Portland

Carol’s process worked really well for me. I appreciated the thorough definition of and thoughtful review of requirements before the final drawings were produced. I also appreciated Carol’s engagement when the project was in flight, her visit mid-way produced beneficial adjustments. And, her referrals for people to work with (contractor, gardener) were outstanding. Thanks Carol! I never would have created this backyard oasis on my own.
~Jay R., Portland

Carol is very conscientious about gathering information about: Identifying site needs in terms of sun, shade, and soil. Responding to our wishes regarding plants, color, hardscapes, etc. Working with HOA restrictions. We appreciate the work she continues to do for us.
~Earlene H

We have been so thrilled with the process and outcome from this experience. Alana created a design for our front and backyard that was beyond what we could have ever come up with. She made our yard cohesive and beautiful and we are so grateful. The joy it brings us each time we finish a project and sit back to enjoy the progress is so special. We highly recommend Landscape Design in a Day. They are incredibly talented and wonderful to work with.
~McKenna S. Portland

We certainly enjoyed the collaboration with Alana and learned so much from having her knowledgeable help with the plant list for our garden. We’re all about DIY and are happily working on the plan she outlined. It’s great!
~Jennifer S., Portland

The whole experience with Landscape Design in a Day was fabulous. Great people, great service. I would highly recommend to anyone.
~ Kristen B., Portland

Working with Carol was easy and confidence inspiring. She listened to my concerns and objectives during our phone interviews and came on our design day with a firm grasp of the help I needed. I was looking for a “start over” design and she dug right in. I am excited about moving the process forward with the coming of Spring to the actual preparation and planting. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
~Katie, NE Portland

Alana was amazing! She produced a beautiful design that fit all our needs. A tall order considering we have 3 separate areas that are all different in scope but she made a very cohesive design that fits our lifestyle and budget. We especially appreciate the time she took to help direct our vision and incorporated everything we said as she developed the final plan.
~Monica, Portland

Alana was amazing to work with. She was flexible, articulate, quick and collaborative. She immediately tapped into our needs and aesthetic and produced a design that was, in a word, beautiful. As we started to make the design a reality, she stayed engaged with us, and preserved the integrity of the design while navigating a couple of issues. I loved working with Alana!
~Natalie, Portland

We are very happy to have found Design in a Day. We had been struggling for years to “do something” with our front yard and entry. Finally, the experts came in and saved the day. Alana presented three draft designs. Her vision of extending our front porch and making a more dramatic entry and walkway to the house is brilliant. Her expertise provided a list of plants to choose from, based on our preferences, and then filled in the plan with our choices. We highly recommend Design in a Day.
~Pamela, Portland

We enjoyed our visit with Carol outlining our concerns for our garden. We feel excited that she is a knowledgeable plantswoman and knows the vernacular of Portland gardens. We’re looking forward to learning a lot and having a good time while we garden.
~Jennifer, Portland

We loved working with Carol. She created a beautiful design and final product. She is a great collaborator and listener. She drafted a number a versions of the landscaping design based on many conversations. We were not very experienced with landscaping and gardening but she spent the time to educate us and listen to our perspective and style. She also understood our budget and provided a design that was beautiful and worked for our family. She continued to provide continued input during construction, which we very much appreciated. We now spend time every day enjoying the beautiful spaces Carol designed.
~David, Portland

We loved working with Carol. Going into the project, we had some general ideas of what we wanted. After the interviews and the on-site visit, Carol was able to take-in the ideas we had, and execute fantastic ideas that we are very excited about. The finished design looks amazing, and we are exited to get started on this project.
When trying to rate an experience, I try to answer “Would I do this all over again knowing all I know now?” And the answer is a resounding YES. I think the only thing I would have changed is that I would have come to Carol earlier so we could have started on our project months earlier! I highly recommend working with Carol.
~Marc, Portland

We loved our experience and would recommended you to all our friends! We are very excited to see our finished project, and will surely enjoy it for years to come.
~Ryan N. of Portland

We couldn’t be happier with the collaborative design process Carol facilitated. We have 43 Oregon white oak trees on almost an acre. We wanted to transform much of our English garden with lots of lawn to a more natural habitat with more native species to benefit our native oaks, mammals, birds, butterflies and other insects. We now have a great plan to work from and are enjoying the process of slowly transforming our yard to a beautiful more native environment that will greatly reduce our use of irrigation water and chemicals and our need to constantly be mowing, edging and removing leaves. Thanks Carol!
~Keith & Jean, Oak Grove Oregon

“Carol has developed a very good system for achieving landscape goals, especially for us DIY people! She’s easy to speak with, organized in her approach and has a wonderful gallery of past work. Definitely check her out to see if working with her is a fit!”
~Linda

“Carol is always a breath of fresh air. Professional but friendly. I have worked with Carol on and off for at least 10 years. She’s realistic and actually listens to what you want , and comes up with a plan that actually will work in your space. Love Design in a Day. Thank you Carol.”
~Jackie

“We enjoyed the consultation with Alana. We got some new ideas and our questions answered. We are looking forward to putting some of those ideas into action. Thanks again.”
~Cindy & Rick

“We had a very challenging project and we were at a loss on where to start. Carol came in and saved the day! She had creative solutions for our unusual property. We are super happy with the results and excited to implement the plan.”
~Kyle, Portland

“I do want to thank you again for your incredible design sense and plant recommendations. We are so happy with our south and front yard- we walk around it every evening, we sit on the new front porch and just find so much solace and peace in it.  Our neighbors also love it and frequently comment.  The world needs more beauty and joy right now!”
~ Laurie and Jon, NE Portland

“Josh and I feel so lucky to have found Alana to design our dream garden oasis. It would have taken us years to plan what she masterfully designed in a day! We were not ready to do everything at once, but with a professional design plan customized to our liking, we were able to move forward with a plan. (Even though it has been implemented in stages and mostly diy!) She offered support through the entire process, from the very beginning design stage to follow up after our phased installation. We would highly recommend her services to anyone who is interested in quality and creative landscape design.”
~Gina, NE Portland

“Carol was great to work with! She was so knowledgeable about anything garden-related and was able to make suggestions that specifically met my situation. During the phone interview, prior to the design day, Carol was able to glean more specific information from me than what I’d originally put on the initial questionnaire. This was then helpful for her when she came to create the design later in the week. It was very helpful to me that she had recommendations on where plants could be purchased, as well as who could be helpful in creating the design, if I didn’t want to do it myself. Overall, a great experience! I would definitely recommend Carol to others interested in transforming their yard, whether small (like mine) or large.”
~Tami, Portland OR

“Carol is great – listens to what you want while providing good feedback and input.”
~Nicole

“Carol and I had a Facetime consultation about my garden which Carol designed two years ago. Even though the appointment was done on the phone at my request, I felt like Carol was right there with me as we discussed every plant. Carol is a wonder, and really knows her plants! She has transformed our property into a place that gives my husband and I great joy. Thank you, Carol!”
~Jan

“Just had our initial phone consult and Carol was organized and discussed all the details of what Landscape Design in a Day provides. My husband and I are so excited to get the expert help we need to transform our backyard!”
~ Kathleen

“My design experience with Alana and Landscape Design in a day was outstanding and worth Every. Single. Penny! Here are some highlights that I think will be helpful for you to know about working with Alana:
• She was organized and professional, at each meeting.
• She took my opinions seriously and incorporated them into the design.
• She is also very thoughtful about being a good steward of the earth/wildlife and provided tips on how to be better stewards as well. She also suggested noninvasive plants –some of which are drought tolerant for the areas of our yard that get full sun during the summer months.
• Took our budget into mind—I need something that is affordable, but beautiful. We cannot afford to drop $50,000 on a front yard. To get the final look you want, you may have to be done in stages if you are on a budget—if you can embrace that, she can help you.
• She considered our timeline/budget, so that we could design/plant our yard in sections. She considered the seasons when plants would be blooming and not, so that there is never a time with the garden is completely bare of leaves and flowers. She also considered our gardening skill—not incorporating plants that require detailed, meticulous care.
• She was also considerate enough to respond to my emails within a day or so. So often I feel like I am left hanging for a week before someone responds, so it was refreshing to have someone respond within a reasonable amount of time.”
~Priscilla, Aloha OR

“Our newly remodeled front porch and entrance looked wonderful but didn’t fit with our old front yard. We hired Carol Lindsay of Landscape Design in a Day.
She and her assistant Alana came out on a Saturday to create the design with us.  Carol and Alana showed us several proposals.  They were all good, but we liked different parts of each one, and they were able to combine ideas to make a great final plan.  They were able to keep our old favorite trees and shrubs and incorporate them into the new design, including some that were special to my wife.  They also specified some interesting native plants which we liked.
Then at the end, Carol referred her favorite landscape installer so we did not have to find someone on our own.   Donna Burdick of D and J Landscape Contractors managed the construction of the new front yard and steps.  She was thoughtful, well organized and the work of her crew was excellent.  She worked with Carol to enhance the design even further based on some challenges and opportunities she saw from her construction perspective.  The new front yard enhances the remodeled entry and we have received many compliments from the neighbors.”  
~Steve, Vancouver, WA.

“We only had a rough idea of what we wanted at first, and knew little about plants and trees.  After we finished the Landscape Design in a Day kit, Carol and her assistant Alana came to our house and went to work.  We went back and forth as she created her plan, sharing our likes and dislikes.  It was a pretty easy process.
One of our goals was to build out a new area for our dogs, so they could have their own comfortable place while keeping the main backyard clean and poop-free.  Carol worked all of our ideas in, and we’re delighted with the new dog area.  Not only that, but our new modern patio makes our backyard much more welcoming and usable.
Landscape Design in a Day was a good fit for us because we only had to set up one on-site visit and a few conference calls to participate in the collaborative design process.
The contractor she referred us to, Donna Burdick of D & J Landscape Contractors, was excellent. We would recommend Landscape Design in a Day and D & J Contractors to anyone wanting a thoughtful, worry-free experience that results in a quality landscape.  We love our new backyard!”
~Steven

“We loved our experience with Carol Lindsay of Landscape Design in a Day.  She understood us and our house and exceeded our expectations. The difference in the welcoming appeal of the house and the usability of the landscape is night and day. Her unique collaborative design process worked well for us. She suggested Donna Burdick of D and J Landscape Contractors to install and our experience with Donna was also over the top excellent. ”
~Jan of Woodstock, Portland OR.

“From the concept and design through implementation, I really appreciated Carol’s understanding of my needs and desires, and her ability to think outside the box on my behalf for a solution for a small tight space that suited me. The design kit, survey and phone interviews gave me a sense of ownership of the project. Carol’s expectations and availability were clear. My advice is to spend some time on the kit and bring your ideas to vet with Carol. Seeing the outcome, my only regret is that I didn’t commit to this project years earlier.”
~Ben L. of Outer Buckman, Portland, OR.

“Carol and her assistant, Alana, have been such a pleasure to work with. Both women are incredibly knowledgeable about all types of plants. That, coupled with their creative eyes led us to a design plan for our new house that we cannot wait to install. The process was collaborative and we enjoyed the experience very much so. Carol is always prompt and courteous in her communications as well. I highly recommend using this company for your landscaping needs.”
~Sophia L.

“We are grateful that our painstaking research of local landscape designers led us to Carol and Alana. Ashley and I felt we had a number of design ideas and an overall ‘feel’ we wanted to incorporate into our landscaping, but no idea how to cohesively integrate and implement them. After a preliminary questionnaire to elicit our preferences, Carol and Alana spent significant quality time walking and assessing our space and then sitting down with us at the dining table to begin their detailed and highly-tailored design process. Ultimately, they were able to put together a meticulously-considered, comprehensive, and exciting landscape design that was perfect for our wants and needs and far better than anything we could have dreamed up ourselves. We look forward to seeing our plants and gardens grow over the coming years and thoroughly trust that Carol and Alana have set us down the path of greatest success.”
~Tula and Ashley

“I think Carol’s collaborative design process worked well for us.  It was a true collaboration.  The first design she presented to us showed she was listening carefully to what we wanted and had applied her creativity to our desires.  We made changes here and there and if our changes were not going to work, she said so and tried to take the reason behind the idea and make that work in a practical fashion.  Our new design integrates the different garden rooms and now has a very strong naturalistic style with a lot of color and amazing flow.”
~Stacey and Chris of Grant Park Neighborhood

“Mary and I are thrilled with our front yard…it turned out just incredibly beautiful.  There’s so much more dimension to the front now and it is so creatively laid out.  We just really want to thank you for your fine work.  I hope you’ll have the chance soon to stop by and see the final product.  From the bottom of our hearts…thank you.”
~Mark and Mary

“Carol was recommended to us by friends and we’re so happy with the results she planned for us. We had downsized from a 1/2 acre property that we had taken decades to design, plant and replant over time. But trying to design a small city lot in a short time was overwhelming to us. Carol was able to take our likes and dislikes and perform landscape magic to come up with a design and plants that will work in our new site. We are still in the “labor” process, but at least we know her/our plan is underway. Looking forward to making it all come together next year.”
~Kathy K. of Portland

“I’m excited about the design drawings and the outcome of our day together.  Thank you so much.  This has been a good experience.”
~Ben of  Buckman Neighborhood in SE Portland

“Carol made my yard exactly what I wanted it to me. She picked the perfect native plants and flowers against the backdrop of cedars I’m blessed with. I still get compliments five years later. My neighbors even liked my yard so much they hired her too!”
~Debbie C.

“We hired Carol to help us figure out what we could do to complete our landscape and had a list of needs including plants that weren’t thriving, areas needing more terracing, and privacy needs. She came to the house on a rainy day in early March and was still able to see the yard as if it were in full vigor. She left us with a drawing of what to put where, a list of plants, and names for both a contractor for the terracing and an arborist to help with pruning. We have been following her list explicitly and hired both the contractor and the arborist with great results. Little by little we have been adding the plants off the list and Carol has been available by text/ email to help us make choices even when we are at the nursery! Thanks Carol! We look forward to working with you again as needed once the current changes are made.”
~Debbie E.

“I have been absolutely delighted working with Carol and the amazing designs she did for us for our front and back yards. The process was really cool and very interactive. She really got to know us and our aesthetic and put it together in a design I never could have come up with and absolutely love. I had ideas about things I wanted, but no idea how to implement them, like a path from the street to our front door, an herb spiral, and a fence in our front yard. We moved into our house a year ago and our front yard was just a big field of weeds and because we are on a cul de sac, slightly odd shaped. Our back yard had so many problems from river rock paths that had not been up-kept to a rotting deck. She worked some magic! Everything is thoughtful and well placed and she incorporated beautiful plants that are low maintenance and attract birds and pollinators, which is important to us. Every window has a gorgeous view and all my friends are jealous. I can’t wait for spring so I can finish planting and start throwing garden parties! She also recommended a really fantastic contractor to implement the design.”
~Erin

“Carol and the Landscape Design in A Day team did a great job with our landscape design. She is extremely knowledgeable on all things plant and landscape related, and worked to fulfill our desires for a NW natural look, with cottage style accents. She is very customer focused and spent time reviewing different options to see what appealed to us the most. Her communication and organizational skills are very strong as well. We are very happy we chose Landscape Design in a Day! For plantings, we used Living Elements Landscape, who seamlessly took the project hand-off to get plants in the ground. Overall it was great teamwork and a super experience!”
~James, Portland

“We loved working with Carol for our modern front yard design in SW PDX. Her passion for her job is evident and it was inspiring to watch her work in our home for the day. She is well organized, fair and very professional.”
~NHCIRINO, SW Portland

“I loved working with Carol on planning our design for our backyard. I loved the process from start to finish. She was great at leading the actual day of planning, making sure we got to everything we needed and didn’t get off track. Surprisingly, she helped me get to make decisions based upon my preferences and goals that would have taken me forever to get to myself. I’m really excited about the design, and can’t wait to implement!”
~Lisa B. Portland

“Listens to what you want (bird habitat, hosting, kids play area, privacy, interior views, etc.) and then draws up plans to fit your needs. Happy to refine the plans until it fits just right. Great knowledge of plants. Chooses ones to accentuate your favorite season and colors. Easy to work with. Had great references for contractors and where to source materials for a self completed project.”
~Bruce SE Portland

“Carol is amazing! Her process is very collaborative and I feel that the final product reflects my vision guided and shaped with her expertise. So excited to see it develop and grow! Highly recommend – especially if you are interested in gardening and want something truly personal.”
~Victoria

“As a Landscape Contractor installing Carol Linday’s projects I appreciated not only her knowledge but her passion for each project. Carol engages her clients in the design process and listens to their ideas. Carol provides her clients with a collaborative Landscape Design often including my opinions to make sure her ideas are feasible. A Landscape Design by Carol represents her years of design work combined with her desire to create what you as the Homeowner want for your Landscape.”
~Donna

“Carol understood us and got our style for a NW Natural Landscape Design for our North Portland backyard. The design process–Landscape Design in a Day–is very collaborative and were very happy that she surpassed our expectations for low maintenance, no lawn, great textured plantings, back yard landscape design. She used a combination of native plants and low water plants that added to the year round beauty and she understood that we wanted to do some of the work ourselves and helped us make a beautiful-yard-on-a-budget a reality. Our yard was a sanctuary thanks to Carol. We have recently moved to a new home and would love to work with her again. While she was very professional in sharing her expertise, she made us feel like her friends. Highly recommend.”
~ Jennifer, N Portland

“Working with Carol was great! We have a complete landscape we love and can execute on our own timeline. Her deep knowledge of plants and versatility in design styles makes her a perfect fit for any yard.”
~ Andrew & Ezequiel

“We live in NE PDX and were in desperate need of help of re-imagining both our front & back yards this spring.

The simultaneous addition of a puppy to our family and removal of 2 diseased 20″diameter maples in front yard & an apple tree in back yard (causing GI-issues for puppy) sent us searching the internet for help. Carol’s unique ‘design-in-a-day’ immediately caught our eye.

Having never hired any type of landscape professional, Carol made us quickly feel at ease with her straight-forward & collaborative process. After a 30-minute phone interview, we received Carol’s initial design package in the mail. The package included: a detailed questionnaire about our land/hard-scape likes and dislikes, cost-saving instructions for completing our own scaled plan of our property, and photo log instructions. Upon our submittal of the initial design package, we scheduled a 6-hour in-home design day with Carol. After walking our property & clarifying any questions she had about our survey responses, Carol diligently prepared multiple layout options for us to consider/discuss as a group. She then took the elements we liked from each of the layout options to create one unifying design that flows beautifully.

Carol has provided recommendations for contractors, but we have not yet implemented the design due to summer travel/commitments. However, we look forward bringing our collaborative design to life over the next year!

In hindsight, we’d recommend future clients create a Pinterest or Houzz page of their personal land/hard-scape preferences. We did not do this, but it would have likely made the design portion a little easier for Carol ;-)”
~Kasey, NE Portland

“We hired Carol for her design service. We were very pleased with how hard working and throrough she was. Carol came at 10:30 am on a Saturday and worked until 6:30 pm. She asked a lot of questions to make sure she designed exactly what we wanted. She studies how the sun and shade falls on the property. During our conversation she would give us tips on planting and watering. We are very happy with the results and would highly recommend her.”
~Cindy

“My wife and I worked with Carol Lindsay from Landscape Design in A Day to update the 20 year old landscaping in our back yard and around our back deck. She met with us and listened to our needs and concerns and collaborated with us to develop a design we are very happy with. We were impressed with her knowledge of the plants that work well in the Pacific NW and with her ability to translate our input into a beautiful design that worked for us. I highly recommend you call her to explore how she can help you.”
~ Rick

“Our Beautiful Yards. We looked for a long time for the right fit to redesign the landscapes in the front and back yards of the home we purchased a few years ago. The yards were such a mess it was really difficult for us to picture the future state on our own. Carol applied her years of experience and took the time to understand what we were looking for. The changes were all made last summer. Removed a nuisance maple tree pushing on the house, complete some hardscape items and then plant the plan Carol developed. Those plants are now embracing spring and our yard is looking lovely. Carol was awesome throughout the process and with our follow up questions and substitutions after the fact. We would highly recommend Landscape Design In a Day for your next outdoor project.”
~ Richard Portland

“I worked with Carol on a design for my front yard. She did a great job translating my wants to a design and provided lots of advice on how to make it reality on my own. She was also available after the original design day to answer my questions and provide additional advice. I would recommend her to anyone.”
~ Roseanne, Lake Oswego

“We’ve used Carol’s Landscape Design in a Day process for both our front and back yards. We have been thrilled with the outcome!
Our first experience with Carol was when she helped design our front yard. She really listened to our goals- we wanted to take out the lawn and fill the area with plants that are low water or drought tolerant. She created a landscape that accomplished this- we have plantings that provide year-round presence but still offer great summer color. It blends nicely with our craftsman style house and even allows some edibles in the front yard. She was very helpful in connecting us with a landscape contractor and someone to help deliver additional plants to our door. Even after the design process, she’s been available to help trouble-shoot issues that have come up.
We repeated the process a few years later for the backyard. She helped take a small space and transformed it into a combination patio/garden/play area. She helped us think outside of the box to make the best use of the area.
We even added on a Garden Consultation afterwards to help further educate us on care of the plants and trouble shoot some areas that I wanted to improve.
We love our design and get frequent compliments on it! We would definitely recommend working with Carol!”
~ Lori, Portland

“Carol was a pioneer in design-in-a-day garden consulting. As a result, people who couldn’t afford a full-on design were able to have a beautiful, useful space to enjoy. Carol’s designs reflect her talent for communicating with clients to bring out what they want, often before they know what they want. Her designs are innovative, insightful and sometimes spiritual.”

~ Kym Pokorny, former garden writer for Oregonian

“Carol’s process is very collaborative. She asks lots of questions, requests photos of your outside space, and has a scheduled in-depth phone conversation with you — and that’s all before she ever sets foot in your yard for her Design in a Day. This allows her to learn your preferences, the challenges of the property, and gets her creative juices flowing, all before she ever meets you and creates the design for your outside space. We are thrilled with the designs she created for both our front and back yards, which were executed and installed by D and J Landscape Contractors (another highly recommended company). The yards have been transformed into welcoming, beautiful spaces that we appreciate every day, whether we’re looking at our new views out the windows, or enjoying dinner outside.”

~ Patricia Maddox,  N.E. Portland

“I’ve worked with landscape architects and designers in the past and have had mediocre experiences. Carol’s “Design-in-a-Day” process is brilliant. She is so efficient making the process accessible both from a time commitment and a financial perspective. Her process drives the results and for me that looked like a very smart design using a super small space and the resources that we had. And, Carol herself is lovely. What I enjoyed the most in working with her is that she did not push her design style or preferences at all – she listened, respected and worked with my esthetic. I think this trait is rare for designers. I would highly recommend Carol.”

~ Jen Martin,  N.E. Portland

“My garden adventures with Carol, Design In A Day, begin in 2010. Carol took my “mismatched” garden and pulled it together by incorporating a variety of plants which added interesting leaf shapes, texture, and color. The addition of stone paths and walls, art pieces, and a deck with planter boxes created a garden that blends continuity, interest, and beauty. Since a garden is an ever-changing palate, I have continued to work with Carol as my garden coach so my garden space will continue to thrive.
“Carol is professional, knowledgeable, and talented. She’s a good listener and will collaborate with a team of experienced and creative contractors as well as resources for plants. With Carol’s style of landscape design one can select from a wide menu of options- from a garden design only where the client does the work, to a design and consultation, up to supervision of the project.”

~ Lois Waldron,  East Moreland

“Carol from Landscape Design in a Day helped us build the foundation of our new home landscaping project. Even though I’m an avid gardener, I had never been faced with a totally blank canvas on a very public corner property with heavy foot traffic. I knew I needed some help to make my yard a showcase for incorporating food crops and garden rooms into the design. On a wet afternoon, we huddled under the small covered patio while she listened to my needs and starting drawing out options. She thoughtfully created paths that flowed through the property, developed a private work area by properly locating the garden shed, and found places within the landscape to highlight my garden benches and a spoke fence that has been in the family for generations. I was and am very pleased with the help Carol provided in making my new house a home.”

~ Sherry Uctyil

“Carol is not only fun to work with, but she is a creative out of the box thinker who is thoughtful, and has a deep knowledge of her subject. She is incredibly talented and helpful. She helped me put together a plan for my front patio area and my back covered porch. Now both areas feel like Shangri-La. I don’t have a green thumb and Carol was able to break things down in a way that really made it easy for me to achieve my exterior planting goals. I really look forward to working with Carol again in the future.”

~ Kris Jones, NW Portland

“The Thomas St. back yard is looking so great. I have been thrilled watching all our little plants come back to life. We put it on the market about 10 days ago and had an offer within a few days.”

~ Pat

“I’m currently working on my second landscape project with Carol. It is fabulous! Together we have transformed a non-usable backyard into my new favorite spot to relax. The plants are thriving and it will soon be a lovely grotto for dinners, firepit and entertaining. The way the colors and leaf shapes blend and complement each other is delightful. Carol has a sixth sense about each clients style and needs. I wouldn’t consider using anybody else!

~ Pat

“Working with Carol Lindsay was a delight. She is not only professional and extremely creative but an especially nice person. As I acted as my own contractor, there were a number of unforeseen complications, and Carol was always available with advice and solutions. Communication was always predictable as she responds to phone calls and emails in a timely manner. But the best part is the result – a beautiful and unusual front yard landscaping project that is so obviously professionally designed, it’s an asset to the entire neighborhood. I can’t wait till spring when the picture will undoubtedly be more interesting. Please don’t hesitate to drive by or call me for a reference. I’d recommend Carol in a heartbeat.”

~ Annette,  East Moreland

“We had a great time doing the yard and we definitely enjoyed it. We sold the house about a month and a half ago. The yard was a huge selling point as we had great curb appeal. Selling after only 7 days on the market for over asking price. So we definitely did something right! Thanks so much for your help in making it beautiful. We will keep you in mind with our new house and definitely as a referral.”

~ Lila

“I first engaged Carol to create the design. I think I was a typical client in that I had specific likes and dislikes, had favorite plants, and knew how much of gardening I would enjoy doing, but did not know how to put it together so that the whole looked good and was not just of collection of unrelated, individual plants.

I found Carol’s design process effective, and I may say, very enjoyable. Doing my own survey of the property prepared me for the detailed discussions during the design. I particularly appreciated her standing her ground in defending some design features which at first I could not visualize, but which, when completed, turned out to be – I think – some of the most attractive features of the new yard. When requested, Carol recommended contractors and sources of plant materials – all turned out to be excellent choices.

One of the best decisions I made was to engage Carol to supervise during implementation. We hired the contractor, but she made sure that the design was followed; she helped decide on the contractor’s recommendations, and made sure that the contractor’s detailed questions were answered within the context of the design.

Carol was a pleasure to work with, knew her subject, communicated well, and was patient in working with me. We are very happy with the results – they speak for themselves – and I am more than happy to serve as reference and answer questions of her prospective new clients.”

~ Lynda

“I have been working with Carol for about 20 years now and absolutely love doing so!  She designed my garden for my previous home in meticulous detail and was there to answer all of my questions and I worked the wonders that she had recommended.  During the design process, one particular step that I appreciated was that she listened carefully to what I cared about in the way of design, plants and their future needs.

When I moved into a new home recently, Landscape Design in a Day was my need and there she was working her magic again!  Currently, this project is partially installed due to the season. Do give her a try.  You will not be disappointed.”

~ Hallie Hackenberger, Wilsonville

“I first met with Carol 2 years ago. I desperately needed help transforming my backyard. I found Landscape Design in a Day  on the web and I was drawn to her concept.  The way she organized the design process allowed me to know exactly what I was spending on design services. Not knowing what a design company would charge had in the past held me back from moving forward.

Carol also recommended a contractor that worked out wonderfully. It is important to note that Carol’s service is design only but she has contractors she works with that are familiar with her designs and execute them very well.

I met with Carol and the result was exactly what I had in mind with all of the mistakes I would have made weeded out. Carol was fun to work with. She asks lots of questions, is thoughtful about the space and its function, l flow and energy and just plain has a good eye. She can take what the client wants fundamentally and make it work beautifully. She is knowledgeable about all aspects of landscape design including the hardscape.

My back yard paver patio, paths, gas fire pit and the first phase of plants was installed last fall.  The 2^nd phase of plants will go in come spring.
I have enjoyed very much working with Carol and look forward to designing the front yard with her next summer.”

~ Lisa Pettit, N.E. Portland

“Design a back yard. On a new home, the landscaping is minimalist and boring. We needed something we could enjoy year round.

The design went incredible. Over the course of several hours, and working with Carol, she laid out the plans for an oasis, right down to what plant went where. We followed that design and we now enjoy one of the finest backyard escapes in my entire neighborhood. It is beautiful to the eye, and very relaxing.”

~ Kathryn, Ridgefield, WA