Check Out Carolyn McDermott’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn McDermott.

Hi Carolyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was a fashion designer in NYC. I moved here thirty years ago after starting a family. I knew nothing about a yard. I worked with two gardening friends and learned about their design style and plant choice. Both of them have completely different styles. Once I had the basic knowledge of what will allow plants to thrive (sun/shade/water availability/soil type…etc.) I took my design background and moved it into plants, landscape, and planter design. I look for movement in the plants (as I do with fabric), color, the background (is there a fence, a house a wall, existing plants that will be kept). I have a pool and started with designing planters around the pool, very large planters. People started admiring them at my home and asked me to design theirs. From there, I was asked to design landscapes. I learned CAD and took extensive landscape design courses providing clients with a CAD-generated 360 view of their new landscape design, which can include a walk-through. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was swamped 2020-2021. People were staying home due to Covid. I started my company in 2019. I wasn’t prepared for the additional work. I didn’t have enough installers to complete the work. I made a few mistakes taking on more jobs than I could handle. I learned. I now have a much larger team. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
There are a few things that set me apart from others. I am independent of any garden nursery. One landscape installation may have plants from 5 different nurseries. I work specifically for the client. Most clients, but not all, want a landscape that is self-maintained. I design with plants that keep their form and need minimal to no trimming, grow to the size that fits in the space so there isn’t an 8′ shrub in a 3′ space that the homeowner needs to trim to keep the shrub from being overgrown. I ask how long they plan to live there. Plants may take up to 5 years to really see their full potential. If the client is leaving in 3 years, that is a different landscape than a client has found their forever home. My design background in clothing affords me a different way to look at the landscape. I like structure and movement, working with color and texture. These relate to fabric as well as plants. I also consider what the landscape will look like in the winter; I call it winter interest. Considering animals that will use the plants for food or shelter. If I design a garden to attract hummingbirds, I need to supply a safe spot for them to perch and recharge. 

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Sun Works Landscape Design provides a unique experience for the property owner. We can work with them many different ways. For example, if someone wants to do their own plant installation, I can provide the design. If someone wants to be hands-off with a turnkey project, Sun Works can provide that also. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @sunworkslandscape
• Facebook: Sun Works Landscape Design, Inc.