Archive for Before and Afters

Spring Landscape Transformations 2 of 3

Hi everyone! I’m Carol Lindsay, Portland landscape designer since 1992.  In those years I have seen just about every front and back yard situation you can imagine.

I’m excited to share several landscape transformations right here in NE Portland. March brought us a rare run of sunny days, and it was the perfect time to visit clients and check in on a few newly installed front and back yards. If you’re curious about how outdoor spaces transform—and maybe dreaming about your own back or front yard makeover—read on for three stories of small changes with big impact.

Lawnless front yard south of Laurelhurst in Portland with simple and well integrated hardscape design. Plants are still being installed in april of 2025.

2. Famous Trees Meet Fresh Style: The Lawnless Revolution

Before front yard landscape design with old steps and picnic table by front door w black cat on porch
Before photo has no path from the driveway to the front door and has a lackluster front walk near Laurelhurst neighborhood in Portland.

Another recent project had me working with some seriously committed garden lovers. These clients have a  wide front yard parking strip that’s kind of a local legend thanks to its giant street trees and fascinating plant collections! When they decided to go with a lawnless landscape design—something that’s getting more popular in N.E. Portland—they called me to help make the transition stylish and sustainable.

Driveway to Front Door Walk

One challenge: they needed a new path from the driveway to the front door, but we didn’t want it to compete with the main entry path. Enter some beautiful, custom hardscape work (shoutout to Brian Woodruff of Mortar and Petal for the install!) with gorgeous boulders anchoring the path. Even with the new plants still tiny and filling in, the bones of this landscape design already feel right.

I always tell clients:  you have to wait for plants to grow to get the effect of the newly installed design, but a hardscape (paths) with good flow, structure and a little drama (natural stone boulders), well, it feels good from day one.

This new landscape design was born out of the desire to prevent the waste of water on lawn.  Going lawnless can have order and attractive front entry appeal with a good design.  I will share more photos as this garden matures.  They just got one of their anchor trees planted.

Front Yard Entry Hardscape Landscape Design uses large square concrete pavers for Path to front door of Portland bungalow south of Laurelhurst neighborhood in NE Portland
Interesting front entry walk with access path from driveway is great to use even without all the new plants installed.

Ready for Your Own Refresh?

I love helping people create outdoor spaces that work for their real lives, whether that means welcoming birds and pollinators, making room for pets, or just setting up a comfy spot for coffee in the sun. If you’re in NE Portland and dreaming of a change (simple or dramatic), let’s talk! I’ll be with you every step of the way, from fine-tuning the perfect design to cheering on your new plants as they grow.

Want more inspiration or a free phone chat about your yard? Drop me a message, or use my contact form and let’s make your outdoor space your new favorite place.

Happy spring, everyone!

— Carol Lindsay, specializing in city places and spaces…..Landscape Designer since 1992


P.S. If you love “before and after’s,” keep an eye out for updated photos next summer.

Spring Landscape Transformations 1 of 3

Hi everyone! I’m Carol Lindsay, Portland landscape designer since 1992.  In those years I have seen just about every front and back yard situation you can imagine.

I’m excited to share several landscape transformations right here in NE Portland. March brought us a rare run of sunny days, and it was the perfect time to visit clients and check in on a few newly installed front and back yards. If you’re curious about how outdoor spaces transform—and maybe dreaming about your own back or front yard makeover—read on for three stories of small changes with big impact.

Lawnless front yard south of Laurelhurst in Portland with simple and well integrated hardscape design. Plants are still being installed in april of 2025.

1. Back Yard Bliss: Down to Earth (Literally!)

Deck in tiny NE Portland back yard before re design
Before Photo Deck in tiny NE Portland (Irvington Neighborhood) back yard lacked privacy and useable space. It takes experience to make this into a back yard paradise.

First up, I want to talk about back yard transformations. Sometimes, the design solution is crystal clear—this Irvington neighborhood landscaping project was one of those cases. My clients had an old deck that perched high above their small yard, which made the space feel kind of awkward. They spent time on the back deck but wanted something different. They wanted to feel like they were in their yard, not hovering over it.  Then bad news struck – the supports for the deck were rotted and the deck had to go.

They contacted me looking for help with a small and tricky back yard transformation.

Creating Good Flow in Small City Back Yards

My extensive experience with small city back yards and understanding how to create good flow allowed me to quickly create a layout that would work well.  Re designing how the two sets of stairs came down into this garden was key to the success.  We (Rich & Angela, my clients) all worked together on the design and landed on a new ground-level patio that’s just the right size. Suddenly, this once-awkward back yard feels more spacious, balanced and comfortable—and the sitting area feels deliberate, not just squeezed in.

Landscape design for tiny NE Portland Irvington Neighborhood back yard includes steel planters, and stairs up to deck
New deck, dramatic steel planters and steps bring us down to the ground level in this tiny NE Portland back yard. Cascade Fence and Deck and Mortar and Petal were installers for this design.

Private Sitting Area and Garden Make a Beautiful View Inside and Out

Now we finally get to enjoy the plants and the dapples from the huge magnolia tree overhead in complete privacy.  I loved adding thoughtful details—like a cozy seating nook and a view-focused arrangement—that make a space feel special. The steel planters along the new steps into the garden add drama and another place for plantings.  The clients loved it so much, they moved all their furniture inside the house to face the new garden!

They’ve told me it’s completely changed the way they experience their home, inside and out. That’s a designer’s dream come true!  Stay tuned for photos showing the planters filled and our small plantings filling in.  PS  My client treated the steel planters to get the rich red rust color within a few weeks instead of waiting for a few years.

Testimonial

We had a super-nice, and personal experience with Carol as we went through the design process. She listened to our needs and quickly had a strong sense of what we were trying to achieve. The final delivered drawings and planting lists are exactly what we need to move our new garden design forward.

Rich and Angela NE Portland Irvington Neighborhood


Ready for Your Own Refresh?

I love helping people create outdoor spaces that work for their real lives, whether that means welcoming birds and pollinators, making room for pets, or just setting up a comfy spot for coffee in the sun. If you’re in NE Portland and dreaming of a change (simple or dramatic), let’s talk! I’ll be with you every step of the way, from fine-tuning the perfect design to cheering on your new plants as they grow.

Want more inspiration or a free phone chat about your yard? Drop me a message, or use my contact form and let’s make your outdoor space your new favorite place.

Happy spring, everyone!

— Carol Lindsay, specializing in city places and spaces…..Landscape Designer since 1992


P.S. If you love landscape design “before and afters,” keep an eye out for updated photos next summer.

Landscaping A Mixed-Use House & Office Property in Eliot Neighborhood: Part 3

Integrating Pacific Northwest Native Plants Into A Dream Garden Design

Pacific Northwest native plants, including Vine Maples, used in Eliot Neighborhood property for privacy.
Native plants (including Vine Maple trees ) accompany the pedestrian access path for the in fill homes behind Leslies home.

(Read parts one and two of this series.)

Part 3 of Leslie’s Dream Garden – Designing The Private Office Entry

While planning the lanscape design for the entrance of Leslie’s office, we put considerable thought into accessibility. Instead of adding a second path off the front walk, we used wide planting bed paver edging on both sides for symmetry. This subtle landscape design choice preserved the front yard’s elegance as a residence while providing a practical solution for access to her office.

We also retained two perfectly square boxwoods on either side of the front walk, beautifully pruned by Leslie, which added a structured element to the design and the old hydrangea.  All the other overgrown shrubs will be replaced with evergreen shrubs and multi season perennials and ground covers for a welcoming appearance year-round.

Creating a Rich Plant Palette for the Front Yard

A Winter Snowman Camellia is suitable for the pacific northwest dream garden in Eliot Neighborhood.
Winter Snowman Camellia flowers in the fall, and has a more compact shape than most.

Front yard foundation plant list: Camellia japonica ‘Winters Snowman’ is a variety that makes a perfect, small, vase-shaped shrub or small tree and it flowers in fall.

Fatsia ‘Spiders Web’ has attractive green and cream variegated leaves,  Sarcococca confusa is lovely evergreen with fragrance and  shiny dark green leaves. Hellebores, brunnera, heuchera (coral bells) specialty hens and chicks, Lithodora diffusa ‘White Star’ (sky blue flower with white eye) and other groundcovers make a tapestry of color at the front edge of the landscape.

Spiders Web plant suitable for Pacific Northwest dream garden in Eliot Neighborhood.
Fatsia japonica ‘Spiders Web’ in SE Portland clients backyard

Working with Portland Native Plants

Suitable Pacific Northwest plantings, such as Hellebore and Japanese Forest Grass were used in this Eliot Neighborhood dream garden.
Dark red flowers grace these Hellebore perennials planted with Japanese Forest grass in N.E. Portland landscape design.

The east side of the property features a pedestrian boulevard planted with native flora like vine maple, cascara tree, Oregon grape, and sword fern. We kept a lot of the existing native plants.  We wanted to add complementary species to ensure the boulevard garden looked like an extension of Leslie’s yard but the front yard was too small to add native shrubs.  Instead we added low water compatible perennials like the intense magenta flowered  hardy geranium ‘Tiny Monster,’ which blooms for two months and a blue flowering Amsonia which is fully drought tolerant.

Vaccineum ovatum, Pacific Northwest native Huckleberry in NE Portland foundation planting before Eliot neighborhood landscape design.
Before the design.  We are keeping the NW Native Huckleberry shrubs that edge the public walkway.
Pacific Northwest native, Creeping Oregon Grape was used in this Eliot Neighborhood dream garden design.
Native plants – Creeping Oregon Grape (Mahonia repens from eastern Oregon) thrives in this morning sun area without summer water in this N.E. Portland side yard.

Leslie is thrilled with the design and eagerly awaits implementation. I’m excited for her to enjoy her garden entrance to her office and to be energized by her interesting and colorful plantings.

Do You Have A Dream Garden?

Creating a dream garden takes time conversing and understanding a client’s vision so that the space available can reflect that dream. This process includes, design choices that compliment the property using hardscaping and a planting plan that delights the eye (and suits your garden care skills). This is my passion—creating custom landscape designs for small city properties.

Contact me to bring your dream garden to life.

Preparing Your Landscape for Selling Your Portland Home

Spruce Up Your Yard for Curb Appeal: Expert Tips from a Landscape Designer

Are you planning to downsize in the next few years?  You might be ready for a simpler life, but before you sell your house, giving your yard a touch-up—or a full redesign!—could make a considerable difference in attracting potential buyers and getting the best offers.

Before photo shows our clients in N. Portland started a re-design with newly poured concrete but got stuck, stopped and called us.
Attractive front entry with steel riser steps, big pavers and balanced hardscapes
This front yard landscape in Kenton neighborhood in St. Johns gets an A for curb appeal and feels welcoming.  Nice work by the clients and our designer Alana Chau.

However, the good news is that you may not need to spend a fortune on a total yard makeover! As a landscape designer with extensive experience designing front landscapes to look and feel inviting, I have some friendly tips to share with you.

1. Consult Early with Professionals

Usually, I suggest my clients consult with a realtor (yes, even two or three years early) or a landscape designer like me with experience in preparing home landscapes for resale. Why? A professional will help you determine where to invest your money effectively. We are impartial to all the personal details of your landscape.  There’s no need to fix every little thing; you just want to address what’s truly necessary. Realtors and seasoned landscape designers like myself have the insights needed to pinpoint and address potential buyer’s priority concerns.

2. Curb Appeal: First Impressions Matter

A bad curb appeal photo can be a deal-breaker these days. Plan now to ensure your entry photo is a wow factor or at the very least, has no unattractive views. Take a few photos from different angles and ask a friend for their opinion. Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes can spot things you might overlook.

No front walk to the front door is a curb appeal problem!
No front walk is a curb appeal problem.
After photo shows how the front landscape adds curb appeal.
After design and installation by D and J Landscape Contractors this front landscape feels and looks inviting.

3. Screen Unattractive Views

Looking into a neighbor’s yard or window from key areas of the home can be off-putting for potential buyers. People feel strongly about privacy. I often design for homeowners within one or two years of their moving into a new home, and I’ve noticed that a lot of the initial discomfort due to lack of privacy tends to fade over time.  However, to appeal to a buyer’s initial concerns, providing more privacy or screening than you have needed maybe crucial. Starting now means you can plant something that shows promise of future screening, even if it hasn’t reached its full height by the time you move.

4. Enhance Key Views

Privacy fence for ADU in north Portland, Oregon

Views from picture windows and master bedrooms are key selling points. Block unattractive views, such as a shed, with a well-placed small tree or large shrub. Remember a plant is not always the solution.  Enhancing these views can transform the space into a tranquil retreat that buyers will love.

5. Keep It Simple

Synthetic lawn and colorful plantings give this NE Portland front landscape landscape design welcoming appeal.

An overly manicured landscape or one with lots and lots of cottage garden style plantings can scare off potential buyers. A simple yard with a neatly shaped lawn and well-maintained planting beds is more appealing. If you have a native plant area that looks very natural, consider getting a backyard bird certification sign. The certification sign can give the impression your natural styled outdoor space is deliberate and cared for.

6. Avoid the Appearance of Ongoing Projects

Ensure that nothing in your yard looks like a project for the potential buyer. Buyers want to envision themselves moving in without additional hassles. A clean, well-maintained yard says “move-in ready.”

Wrapping up

Following these tips can spruce up your yard without the expense of a total makeover.

PS: Remember, while Realtors are experts in market trends, don’t underestimate the value a skilled landscape designer can bring to the table. We’re here to help make your yard look its absolute best, ensuring a smooth and successful sale!

Contact Us

Contact us for a landscape design that takes into account the future of your property whether you plan to live there 20 years or three.  We love to draw up our designs inspired by ideas from your dreams but you can count on us to lay the foundation for future resale. 

Landscaping A Mixed-Use House & Office Property in Eliot Neighborhood: Part 2

Including Existing Trees & Plants In Eliot Neighborhood Front Yard Landscaping

Before landscaping picture of eliot neighborhood Portland home. Includes 2 existing boxwoods that will be kept.

Existing overgrown front yard in N.E. Portland’s Eliot Neighborhood . Our new planting plan will showcase this bungalows’ best features.

When revamping a landscape I like to start with the existing trees.  The tiny front yard of the Eliot Neighborhood property features two prominent trees: a young Dogwood, approximately 12 feet tall and wide, in the lawn area, and a young Serviceberry, about 10 feet tall and wide, situated in the parking strip.

Plan for the mature size of your trees

When evaluating trees in a landscape, I can realistically envision what size they will be in 10 or 20 years; most homeowners have a disconnect from what the tree tag says about growth rate and size when they buy the tree.  So, happily in this case, the trees my client planted 5 years ago can stay with a bit of professional help.

An example of mature Dogwood trees shaped in the form used at the Eliot Neighborhood Portland landscaping project.

This is  a similar form of tree now as mature Dogwood trees in N. Portland. These very mature trees  +30 years, were slowly limbed up a long time ago.  Look at the nice big trunks that developed.  Never remove lower branches from a young tree without knowing what you are doing.  You can stunt their growth forever.

Dogwood tree at Eliot Neighborhood Portland landscaping project.

This fairly young lovely dogwood tree will grow into the parked car area in the near future. It’s beautiful with all its lower limbs isn’t it?  N.E. Portland parking strip.

Professional Tree Pruning

Leslie already has an arborist who comes every year and he is pruning our Dogwood with minimal cuts due to its young age.  But now that we are putting a path between the dogwood and the house, he will come in and prune some additional low branches out so we can walk through this area to the office. Eventually this tree will be crown raised also called limbed up.    My photos give you a better idea of how big these trees get.

Practical Tip for DIYers: Avoid pruning young trees too early. I generally advise against any pruning for the first two years after planting and then only very minimal cuts if at all. This ensures the trunk develops adequately.  Too much pruning can stunt your trees growth and cause harm to its structure. If your tree is tiny, wait until it has developed a much larger caliper trunk before limbing up. This process, is typically known as “lifting” or Crown Raise .  It involves the removal of some lower limbs by a certified arborist.

Plants

The backdrop features a trio of  golden Italian cypress, while the garden itself includes a peach-toned rose and perennials in Leslie’s favorite colors; sky blue, apricot, lavender, and strong pinks.   Leslie knew exactly where she wanted her apple tree Belgian Fence  (this is a pruning technique similar to espalier) and it will be part of the barrier for the west side of the backyard.  I selected compatible plants, such as Echinacea ‘White Swan,’ and several fun self seeding annuals (Love in a Mist also call Nigella the sky blue flowering form will be seeded into this bed.)   California poppy and honey scented alyssum are some of the self seeding plants on our list.  Self seeding annuals and bi-annuals like Forget Me Not seamlessly integrate the garden.

 

Example of Lady of Shallot Rose that was planted at the Eliot Neighborhood landscaping project.

Lady of Shallot Rose David Austen in her apricot stage in a NE Portland garden design.

Selecting a rose is tricky.  While trial and error might be fun for some, most of my clients want me to pick for them.  Leslie wanted a fragrant peach apricot toned rose that is disease resistant.  For some reason there are very few disease resistant roses that are in this color range and that are also fragrant.

The rose I recommended is called Lady of Shallot and the flower changes color as it matures showing yellow, apricot, orange and warm pink.  It is fragrant, disease resistant and can be 5′ tall. I have several clients who now feel this is the best rose ever for its beauty and fragrance.

Leslie was delighted with the backyard garden design, appreciating the magical customized garden we created.

Continue reading about Leslie’s dream garden in our upcoming Part 3 blog.

Do You Have A Dream Garden?

A dream garden comes from careful crafting with the client, in the form of practical design. This includes, making use of existing trees and flowers, paired with a planting plan that delights the eye (and suits your garden care skills). This is my passion—creating custom landscape designs for small city properties.

Contact me to bring your dream garden to life.