ABOUT

AFTER SPENDING several years working in advertising and sales for Fortune 500 companies, Kelly traded her briefcase for a trowel back in 2010 to pursue a life-long passion for working in and around gardens. She earned a Certificate in Landscape Design from the New York Botanical Garden and has been playing in the dirt ever since.

OUR MISSION is to create beautiful and highly functional outdoor living spaces by applying a human-centered design mindset to our work. By taking the time to get to know our clients and their properties, we uncover effective, personal, and sometimes hidden ways to enhance their outdoor living.

OUR PROCESS is a thoughtful and thorough journey. We work closely with our clients through our Discovery and Concept Planning phases, as well as on the Implementation of each project.

Discovery. We talk to our clients in great detail about how they interact with their outdoor spaces. Do they enjoy meals al fresco? What sports do the kids play? Does Grandma need a railing to make it up the stairs? We gather as much information as we can from anyone who will be using the site to help determine our scope of work.

Armed with the invaluable knowledge of our clients’ daily rituals and their wish lists, we then focus on the property. What is the architectural style of the home? Is there enough room for guest parking? Why is that corner of the yard always muddy? These questions help inform our design choices and suggest themes for our projects.

Then, we take a deep dive into the technical aspects of the site. What town regulations do we need to abide by? Where exactly is the property line? Where will the runoff surface water be stored? Understanding a site's restrictions helps us understand its potential.

Concept Planning. Once we have gathered this plethora of information, we head back to the studio, roll up our sleeves and get to work. Hand-drawn concept plans on trace paper are produced for each area of the site under consideration. 3D computer-generated models are developed to show scale and functionality. Elevations and mood boards are drawn to illustrate ideas. These plans, models, and drawings are then presented to our clients in a series of design meetings. Options are discussed and considered until the best solutions rise to the top. Once we are all satisfied with the results, plans are finalized and budgets are set.

Implementation. KMGD collaborates with a number of craftsmen and women, as well as a network of reputable architects, landscapers and tradespeople to bring our plans to life. We provide project management and creative direction throughout the implementation phase to make sure the spirit of the design is being honored and the numerous construction details are being considered.

WE HAVE AN AFFINITY for garden antiques, craft and reclaimed materials. We try to incorporate them into our projects to bring a sense of authenticity and personality to a garden. Many of these treasures will be available soon in our online Shop. Please check back with us for updates.

WE ARE BASED in Fairfield, Connecticut, and work primarily in the towns in the southwest part of the state, but we have also completed commissions in places as varied as Salt Lake City, Utah; West Chicago, Illinois and London, England. We would love to help you and your family create some wonderful memories in your own gardens. Please feel free to contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation.