In the details, part 2…

This is a wall - a thing of beauty - this is real stone. Not a product from a mold... it creates character, it creates shadow, light, life, movement... The stone is dynamic.

Creating "rooms" within the landscape...

My early perceptions of gardens as rooms is a concept that I still feel is the essence of the landscape. I design gardens with defined spaces which mirror the rooms of a house. The floor is the base plan... lawn is carpet... hedges, shrubs, fences and stone walls create corridors and walls... changes of grade are stairs... framed views are windows... trees, trellises and umbrellas are the ceiling... Furniture, sculpture and lighting are all included as the elements that give the space an animated use.

Given the transient nature of light, a vignette lasts at the most 10 to 15 minutes, and then it is gone. It makes what I see and understand all the more precious. In my work I just borrow the pieces and try to rearrange them to form new compositions for the spirit. My goal is for my clients to have a spiritual gift each time they are aware of their surroundings.

In design, I am trying to create an environment with vignettes in series, so that as one moves through the space or views it from a specific vantage point, these vistas unfold and drawn one through space.

It's always nice to hear from a satisfied client -
"Kate's ability, foresight, and talent transformed our properties not only into picturesque landscapes, but they look as if they have been this way for generations. One of my favorite things to do with Kate early in a project before any drawings are made, is to simply walk the property with her as she gets inspired and begins to suggest ideas. She walks and talks while constantly creating, designing, and describing the most beautiful, incredible, and creative vision that are topped only by the finished project itself. She is not only a gifted landscape architect, but she is also a truly gifted artist."

Tools of the Trade

Bright yellow trace, Pentel Sign pens, back Sharpie extra fine, red, black and blue Flair pens, drafting dots and a black plastic scale - these are the tools of my trade.

Years ago, I stopped needing the parallel ruler, although I still have it attached to my drawing board. No more plastic triangles, occasional use of a circle template, the same one I had in school. I can freehand draw an almost perfect circle and parallel curving lines.

I have perfected the art of ripping a sheet of trace off the roll using my triangle scale without shifting the layers beneath. Each trace layer represents the sequence of my thinking - as I create, I rework what is beneath, a fluid and connected process. The trace layers represent the preservation of the process, saving the design as layers until a final plan has emerged.

In the details...

Everything is in the details... If we do a stone edge, the client is going to notice the beauty when they sit out on the patio, sipping their martini, that it has a quality to it that captures the light. It enables them to see that , yes, this is a hand carved piece of stone, there was detail put into this. Someone actually sculpted this piece and we laid it here on our property - it's not just something off the rack. It is custom to our property. The details are what make people feel good.