Planning and Design

Our Landscape Designs Start with Collaborative and Creative Planning

The "secret" to good garden design? Planning.

All Vivid designs begin with a site review of your existing garden, rooftop space or terrace area. Our initial site review is followed by a one-on-one discussion, during which we discuss your preferences and goals for the garden space.

Our goal is to create a partnership between your dreams and our sustainable design, to create a garden vista that is everything you've envisioned as your personal oasis -- and more!

Whether you've imagined a formal garden filled with a palette of traditional colors, or a contemporary design that embraces the latest trends, your Vivid design will ensure taste, style and function will unite within your garden plan.

Plan, then plant

Modern living, especially in New York City, has accustomed us to relatively instant gratification. Occasionally, an eager client will ask, "Can we skip the planning stage and visit a nursery now!?!" But patience is a virtue that is well rewarded. Absent an effectively designed plan -- a plan which recognizes your property conditions, the specific assignment of materials, and our agreement that we're hit the mark aesthetically -- we cannot achieve the key elements of successful garden design: balance, repetition, scale, flow, harmony, line and color.

In addition to those proven elements of design, at the forefront of all Vivid plans, we also emphasize horticultural principles including:

• Multi-seasonal interest
• Foliage
• Bloom succession
• Growth habit
• Water requirements

Picture it before you see it

The art of rendering designs has come a long way since Vivid founder Jini Johnson first became a proficient draftsperson. But what hasn't changed is the paramount importance of good project planning. A visual representation is priceless in helping both client and designer create and share a clear vision for any design/build project … and a garden is no exception!

Your Vision, Our Focus

Vivid truly enjoys presenting our digital compilations to our Clients. In a photo rendering format, design elements such as balance, flow and scale are easily visualized. Contrasting materials, plant forms, pathways and maintenance dynamics can easily be reviewed, and you can "see" your garden long before it becomes reality.