ABOUT VARIEGATED GREEN
“It was like you were able to read our minds. While my husband had a better idea of what our landscape should look like, I really only had concrete ideas of what it should feel like -- you were able to translate that into a design we LOVE!” - Vanessa and Mike Bell
At Variegated Green, I partner with clients who are invested in transforming their underutilized outdoor spaces into simple, inviting and modern places that extend their home outside.
I believe in a design style in which the simplest and fewest elements are used to create the maximum effect. A unifying theme in my landscape designs is the balance of hardscape, which provides the structure and organizing system for the garden and creates the functional spaces, with the softscape (plants, trees, shrubs and groundcover) which provides layers of texture and color. I thrive in a collaborative environment and encourage client feedback and communication.
I also work on interior projects that help to connect the indoors to the outdoors.
photo by Ryo Sode
ABOUT ERICA
I love what I do every day. I love that my work takes me outdoors (100 SPF sunscreen!). I love doing the hard work (both the brainy, creative work and the dirt-under-the-nails, aching-back kind). I love experimenting and trying new things. My own garden serves as a laboratory: tinkering with plant compositions, propagating succulents, testing out different materials and textures. I love a good sense of humor.
My eighteen years of experience in architecture designing modern interior spaces combined with my love of the outdoors developed into crafting places that draw people outside. My ultimate goal is to connect people with their outdoor space and design a place they will never want to leave.
“Erica expertly applied her years of architectural practice and love of plants to resurrecting unloved portions of our yard. Not only did she help us become more water-wise in the process, but in so doing added both beauty and usefulness to our home. Thank you!” - Leslie Witt and Ian Smith
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts, major in Architecture. Washington University in St. Louis.
Master of Architecture. Columbia University in New York City.
CA Architect License #34185