In the studio

pool landscape master plan

We loved working on this landscape plan for a back yard pool in Adel. The homeowners had great ideas for a fun space for their family to enjoy. The pool, pergola, fire pit, trampoline, and plantings all fit together to create a wonderful outdoor space. More and more clients are looking for their outdoor spaces […]

In the studio | Adel Back Yard Pool Landscape

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Shady west des moines front garden planting plan

This great project covers what SO MANY clients are looking for: great curb appeal that isn’t high maintenance, but is unique and special. We invest so much into our homes, and it matters: how they appear from the street, what you see when you get out of the car, how the house is frame and […]

In the Studio | West Des Moines Shady Front Garden

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Plan overview

Good design solves problems. This project from a few years ago remains one of my favorite ways to solve problems. We took a lawn-heavy, pretty boring yard and designed a lush, established landscape that looks like it is SUPPOSED to be there.  Landscape Design blends the outside and inside together, so that a home is […]

In the Studio | Problem-solving in a large back yard

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master plan

Want to see a lovely transformation? This project took an absolutely stunning home with tired landscaping and created a beautiful, functional design without a lot of money, materials, or time. Quite the magic act! THE BACKGROUND Some dear friends in Adel hired Red Fern to put together a plan for their 1910 home. They were […]

In the Studio | Historic Charmer Gets a Makeover

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landscape design plan for downtown Des Moines Tudor home

Anyone who has owned an old home will tell you the maintenance is never done.  Our clients in this beautiful historic Tudor in downtown Des Moines would agree. Their lovely home needed work on its large back terrace, front entry area, and front walkway.  We wanted to honor our clients’ beautiful home with an English garden-inspired […]

In the Studio | Landscape Re-design for an Historic Tudor

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We worked on a master plan for the landscape around a new construction home for clients out in the country. This property has something for everyone! We’ll start with our inspiration board and plant palette. For plants, were looking for grasses and other plants that have lovely movement and fit in the prairie-inspired surroundings. Of […]

In the Studio | Master plan for a complete landscape design

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country haven master plan

Oh I’m excited to show you this landscape design project! We worked with amazing homeowners that seriously own a secluded country haven outside of Adel, complete with gorgeous views, lots of timber, and Panther Creek running way back in their yard. Without any improvements, it was already a special site. The homeowners brought wonderful ideas […]

In the Studio | Country Haven Landscape Design

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Our friends were looking for a landscape update for their gorgeous Tudor home in West Des Moines. This project was a treat because our clients are completely capable DIY-ers, so we were able to talk through the design plan knowing exactly who was doing the installation work.  A landscape update is less of a big […]

In the Studio | Tudor Landscape Update

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master plan sheet project landscape design

Let’s start with the front yard on this fun project.  This is really a case of “business in the front, party in the back”!!  The front yard plantings are lovely, but the real fun happens when we get to the back yard. Here in the front we have a great mix of colors and textures […]

In the Studio | Front yard, back yard: new construction landscaping

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If you’ve spent any time on our website, you surely recognize this beautiful home. This landscape project was one of Red Fern’s first design jobs in New Hampshire many years ago, and it has never made it to the blog until now! We love the gracious front porch, the green on green on green peaceful […]

In the Studio | Landscape for New Construction

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