Kevin and Danielle first wrote to me with wishes for a garden of “Curiosity + Wonderment.” They wanted family-friendly spaces with Mediterranean and Scandinavian influence: “Puglia surrounded by coastal Denmark” (which may take the cake as one of my favorite client wish list descriptions, ever!). We completely removed the front lawn , shifting from turf to a gorgeous garden with seasonal grasses, evergreen shrubs, and pollinator-friendy perennials and we renovated the back yard to make space for outdoor dining, children’s play, and a super veggie garden for dedicated home chefs.

I’ve loved each new visit as the garden’s grown in. Always something new to spy: An insect hotel. A smokeless fire pit. The cutest little cold frame you ever did see. The best gardens continue to shift and grow under the watchful eye of caring owners, and this space is an ever-evolving gem.

Jill reached out to me with hopes for transforming her new property into a French/English country garden perched on the hills just outside Portland. We replaced her small front yard exposed aggregate pathway with beautiful new acid washed concrete steps and piers and planters and removed the back yard woodchip play yard and children’s play structure and to make space for a lush new formal lawn, Giannini fountain, espaliered pears, mixed rose and perennial gardens, and side yard space for the beagles.

Together we pulled off the bandaids—removed the overgrown front shrubs and cracked walkway, the old brick back patio and scrappy odds and ends—and gave a new healthy glow to to this sweet corner lot.

Over one season, we built a new retaining wall and entry steps, regraded a level lawn and surrounded the space with updated plantings, installed mature screening trees to provide shade for afternoon and evening lounging on the new side yard deck and lower level flagstone patio, and in the back, we made a new firepit gathering space, tucked in a hot tub complete with jasmine trellis, and situated a meditative fountain to bubble and fill the backyard with the sounds of nature.

Bethany frequently works in collaboration with Gavin Younie of Outdoor Scenery Design. The two friends trained together at the University of Oregon and enjoy bringing clients tastefully modern gardens with classical twists.

Bethany traveled outside of La Paz, Bolivia to aid in master planning the region's first tent and yurt camping facility: an eco-friendly development on private property spearheaded by the wonderful local Mendoza-Donlan family.

[Translation from Spanish] "From the point of view of environmental management is important because it shows the responsibility of both owners and visitors. When visiting such hotels guests learn concepts of recycling, waste management, efficient use of electricity and water resources. It is important not only for prompt being a green hotel, but the multiplier effect it has on society.
"There are three key areas where hotels like Colibri Camping can maximize impact: solid waste management, efficient use of electricity and the efficient use of water resources.
"The use of simple technologies are important; for example, solar thermal heating and photovoltaic electricity use. This shows us that technology can not be disassociated from the environmental issue.
"It is essential to find a balance between economic, social and environmental. The responsibility to society is of great importance for the environment because it helps reduce the carbon footprint while increasing biocapacity for creating sustainability. "

-Article on Colibri Camping.

[Four photos of built conditions credited to Amanda Kessaris]

An ongoing estate garden, master planned in 2004 and installed in phases over recent years.

Scope of Work: master planning, construction drawings, bidding, construction observation, plant sourcing and layout, and ongoing consultation.

Bethany was commissioned to explore preliminary concepts for hedge mazes, trails, and shelters as part of the early expansions of the Lorane, Oregon winery in the early 2000s.

Bethany's travels in 35+ countries and territories continue to spark her imagination and fuel her creativity, complementing her academic studies and professional practice.

You can explore more of her photos and stories from around the world at twoOregonians.com.