Landscape Architects & Designers Near Chicago

“We recently worked with the team at Wave Outdoors to develop a comprehensive landscape master plan for our property, and the entire experience from design to execution has been outstanding. The Consultation & Onboarding Before landing on Wave, I interviewed a few different landscaping firms. The level of care, time, and attention Kevin paid upfront completely blew me away. Rather than running through a standard intake form, she took the time to genuinely listen, make me feel heard, and help me articulate a specific vision that incorporated my unique taste. She took meticulous notes and established a level of trust that none of the other firms even came close to matching. It made our decision an absolute no-brainer. Precision Site Assessment Once the project kicked off, Hannah conducted the initial site assessment. Her work was incredibly precise, thoroughly mapping out the existing site conditions, grading, and utility lines. This gave us a flawless, data-backed foundation before any actual design layouts were drawn, ensuring there would be no major structural surprises down the line. Collaborative Design & Plant Curation The true standout part of the project was collaborating with Mary, the lead designer, who has gone completely above and beyond. I came to the table with an extensive, highly specific wishlist of perennials and distinct plant roles. Instead of steering me toward a cookie-cutter template, Mary leaned into my preferences entirely. She tracked iterations seamlessly across detailed spreadsheets, cross-referenced regional nursery availability, and artfully layered the flora to guarantee continuous visual interest from spring through fall. Seamless Problem Solving Mary’s adaptability was on full display when we hit unexpected real-world site adjustments. We had to adapt to a property line shift with a neighbor and alter the placement of a prized Japanese Maple. Mary pivoted seamlessly, instantly reshaping the garden beds, re-routing the meandering gravel pathways, and introducing strong structural focal points without losing a single ounce of the original design intent. Final Verdict The final master plan successfully balances a complex, custom plant palette with a practical, three-phase installation plan that aligns perfectly with our timeline and budget. If you are looking for a deeply knowledgeable, highly collaborative, and detail-oriented team for a serious landscape project, this is absolutely the firm to work with.”

“Marilyn is extremely knowledgable and great to work with. She is continually working with us at our pace to maintain our current plants and intentionally expanding when needed. We especially appreciate her extra tips and tricks for keeping everything healthy and the animals away.”

“Last year after 40 years, we ripped out all our tired evergreen landscaping in front of our house. For the past year we searched and searched for someone to take on our relatively small project -- 50 feet of planting. The landscape designers we called would come out to see our area and then forget about us. We wondered if the landscape gods were laughing at us because we removed everything on Earth Day. Then we met Jill Davis, and we are beyond thrilled with our new front yard! Jill is a delight to work with. Our first meeting, she spent most of an afternoon getting to know us and what we liked. Our front landscaping is tailored to our preferences, including the seasonal color we prefer and how much time we want to spend tending to it. She designed beautiful lighting for us for security as well as showcasing our new tree. She also suggested a reasonably priced watering system that we could install ourselves. It has been several weeks since the plantings have gone in, and we have received several compliments from our neighbors. Along with us, they are pleased with the results. Thank you, Jill, for the five-star effort! You and your team did an exceptional job! Phil and Laura B.”