ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Kathleen Ford is the owner and sole proprietor of the company and is a Landscape Architect, licensed and registered by the states of Maine and Massachusetts. She has been a horticulturist and garden designer since 1985 and a landscape architect since 1993. Kathleen Ford, L.A. began doing business in Bethel, Maine in 2001.

Prior to relocating to Maine, Kathleen worked at the landscape architectural firms of CLR Design in Philadelphia and The Halvorson Company in Boston, where she was project manager for many types of commercial, residential, and institutional landscape projects. Kathleen is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, New England Wildflower Society, American Horticultural Society and The Ecological Landscaping Association..

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

A home or building should harmonize with its surroundings. Often, much of the original terrain and vegetation is lost during construction and we are left to rebuild much of the landscape that made the site desirable in the first place. Careful selection and placement of materials is crucial in achieving a landscape that is natural and inviting from both inside the house and when viewed from the outside. The landscaping should not look forced or contrived.

Ecological Design involves the use of native plant groupings and natural ecological systems in a way that reflects and enhances the unique New England environment. Exposing beautiful rock outcroppings, using natural stone walls and paving, and a native plant palette such as ferns, birch, moss, blueberry, and wildflowers to create or enhance a shady woodland or alpines and dwarf evergreens for a dry, gravelly site. Choosing the right plant for the right site is important, and while non-natives can be also used, they should not be of an invasive nature.

Site-specific means recognizing and working with the natural features of your specific site. Every site is different. Creating a site-specific landscape is important if you want to discover and celebrate the uniqueness of your property. Extra care is taken to understand how the client's needs relate to the site, and how the outdoor space might be used to create a place that is beautiful, as well as functional.