--- title: "Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/matthew-cunningham-landscape-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~1132485886 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1132485886.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/d7e365e00f4454da_3332-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "411 Main Street, Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180, United States" latitude: 42.4828 longitude: -71.0978 phone: "(617) 905-2246" website: http://matthew-cunningham.com rating: 5 review_count: 15 best_of_houzz_awards: 7 followers: 1824 last_updated: 2026-08-24 --- # Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC Original Houzz profile: [Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/matthew-cunningham-landscape-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~1132485886) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Stoneham, MA - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (15 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2013–2020), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 500,000 Ideabook Saves Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC is a Boston-based design firm committed to creating lush, balanced landscapes for high-end residential clientele throughout the Northeast. We create and implement meaningful, authentic design solutions that embrace the complexities of each site and grasp the dynamic rhythms of everyday life. Each garden incorporates existing site features and strengthens the connections between interior and exterior spaces. Our environmentally distinctive approach results from a unique understanding of what it means to live in seasonal New England. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Swimming Pool Design ### Typical Job Cost $200,000 - $1,000,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC | | Address | 411 Main Street, Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180, United States | | Phone | (617) 905-2246 | | Website | http://matthew-cunningham.com | | License Number | ME \#LAR3299; MA \#4053 | | Followers on Houzz | 1824 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/pages/matthew-cunningham-landscape-design/146206908774337 - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/pub/matthew-cunningham/6/116/aa2/ - Blog — http://matthew-cunningham.com/blog/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/matthew-cunningham-landscape-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~1132485886) - **Website:** http://matthew-cunningham.com - **Phone:** (617) 905-2246 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - ASLA Honor Award (1) - BSLA Merit Award (5) - APLD 2017 Designer of the Year - APLD Gold Award (9) - APLD Merit Award (6) - Ocean Homes Top Landscape Architects (2) - Best of Houzz (6) - "5 Under 40" by NEH - Best of Boston Home (2) - Suburbia Transformed (2) - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2013–2020), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [Association of Professional Landscape Designers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/association-of-professional-landscape-designers-pfvwus-pf~92795973) - [American Society of Landscape Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-society-of-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~2014062207) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 15 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Debra, March 2016** > I am just thrilled that we had the opportunity to work with the Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design group. We were so impressed with their professionalism and design capabilities that we ended up hiring them to do a second project. Both of our properties reflect the unique and magnificent Matthew Cunningham esthetic. In addition to being an amazing design team, they were incredibly responsive to our needs and questions. I hope I have the opportunity to work with Matthew's team again. **★★★★★ — jessls77, Feb. 2016** > I hired Matthew Cunningham to integrate my landscape with a just completed house. From the start he was enthusiastic, had wonderful ideas, professional, and prompt. Great to work with, and I love the results. By the way, I found him because I saw his work on Houzz. :) **★★★★★ — jsw30, Feb. 2016** > Our project was a lakeside retreat in NH. Matthew's seductive photographic portfolio and warm working style, set him apart from the other landscape architects we evaluated. And now, three years after the project was delivered, his inspired designs continue to complement our residence in every season. We feel fortunate that we were able to collaborate with him and his very competent staff. He brought a wide palette of natural materials which, once stitched together, met our goals of tapering the home back to the organic forrest and lakeside surrounds in which it is situated. We are delighted clients. **★★★★★ — Mary McArdle, Feb. 2016** > Matthew was simply a delight to work with. He arrived at our first meeting with knowledge of our local plants, pictures, drawings and ideas. He has a wonderful collaborative style that helped transform our collective vision into a stunning reality. Even after the successful completion of our project, Matthew continues to monitor it and we consider him a great resource and new found friend. We are so pleased with Matthew Cunningham Landscape Designs and highly recommend him. **★★★★★ — campbrown1, Feb. 2016** > We first contacted Matthew Cunningham on the basis of stellar reviews on Houzz.com, and as soon as we met Matthew and his associate, Jen Stephens, we knew we had found the perfect match for us and our vacation home project. Matthew and Jen were a dream to work with on a large and complex project involving complete landscape redesign, replacement of a 60+ year-old swimming pool, the creation of a beautiful new pool deck and garden, as well as an enchanting firepit. They came up with creative solutions for every quirk and challenge of the property. They were thoughtful about providing different cost options, and extremely sensitive to the ecology of the setting and the selection of appropriate native plants. They helped us engage a top-notch landscape construction company and pool subcontractor, and they provided excellent oversight of all aspects of the project, as well as excellent coordination with our builder who worked in tandem on an expansion of a screened porch. We had such a positive experience that we have hired them for a project at our primary residence! **★★★★★ — Wellen Construction, March 2014** > Landscaping is a key component of building a home. I have had the pleasure of working on several large projects with Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design as the landscape architect, and each one was a success. Matthew and his team are well versed in the construction details needed to complete a project along with having the eye of an artist. Matthew knows how to work on a team and deliver superior results for his clients. > > Charlie Gadbois > Wellen Construction **★★★★★ — Margaret, Sept. 2013** > Matthew was recommended to us by our architect (Will Ruhl at Ruhl Walker) as someone who was creative and interested in modern landscapes. Matthew designed the landscape for our new house, working around the aspects of the existing landscape that we were fond of. > > Matthew was great. He listens well and he is flexible, and the plans he produces are lovely to look at and easy to understand. We had the stone work and the major transplanting done be a professional, but all the smaller shrubs and ground covers we have been installing ourselves. We enjoy planting and gardening and selecting the plants and didn't want to give away the fun part. Matthew gave us a "cheat sheet" with photos of everything on the plan that we took to the nursery. > > Our landscape is everything we hoped it would be - it looks great, it complements the house, and it uses native New England plants. I suspect it would look even more spectacular if it was installed exactly to plan without the home owner susceptibility to attractive plants at the nursery, but what's the fun in that? That Matthew understood that and gave us a landscape the worked for us. **★★★★★ — Mitch Rock, July 2013** > Matthew starts with connecting with his clients and getting an understanding of how they live and how their outdoor space will be integrated in their lives. He gets a sense of their needs and wants and employs his vision and creativity to execute a plan. In our case, we built a contemporary house in an urban setting that needed a complete landscape overhaul. Matthew's design exceeded our expectations. Happy to provide detailed recommendations. **★★★★★ — ohharriet, June 2013** > I hired Matthew because he got it. Not only was he excited by the design concept but he also understood that I meant it when I said I wanted a no work garden. The garden was featured on the 2012 South End garden tour and in New England Home magazine. It's a stunner. We put the focus on the beautiful granite wall on one side of the garden, added daffodils that flood the space with yellow in the spring, and as soon as the daffodils start to fade, giant ferns take over and hide the wilted leaves. Small bamboos and a Buddha contribute to the zen garden feel. But in the middle of the garden is a large red deck made from recycled plastic milk containers set on the diagonal. Aluminum walkways join the deck to garden gate and to red steps that span the width of the space, providing not only access to the upper level but functioning as seating as needed. **★★★★★ — Jessica Tsymbal, Jan. 2013** > Working with Matthew is a fantastic experience. We knew we wanted to hire him when he walked past some existing mountain laurels that were slated for removal and said, "These specimens are beautiful and worth a fortune. Even if you don't keep them, make sure you sell them." Matthew was the only consultant we interviewed who was thinking ahead, not only about ways to spend funds wisely, but also about ways to creative re-purpose and reuse as much of the existing palette as possible. > > Matthew's excitement bubbles throughout the project and shines all the way through construction. With a camera in tow, he documents progress, gives frequent updates, and removes a lot of the associated construction worry from our minds. > > We requested a low-maintenance native plant palette; Matthew delivered. When we go to local state parks, we're able to identify plants that we see in our own front yard and we get a big kick out of that. Part of our enthusiasm comes from working with Matthew and seeing how the landscape has quickly grown to be an integral part of our home. > > At each step of the way, Matthew provided beautiful landscape plans, thumbnail images of proposed plants and emailed us links to articles which might be of interest to us. > > We also worked with Matthew to present our design for approval to our neighbors and to the local conservation commission because we were making changes within 100 ft of a lake. He prepped us for the meeting, gave helpful hints, and eased the process for us. > > Matthew assembled an initial cost estimate so that we would have an alternate basis from which to make design decisions, if we wanted to. He also identified three possible landscape contractors, leveled the bids and then reviewed the pros and cons of each bid with us, He also helped to coordinate the initial meetings between our general contractor and the landscape contractor. > > Without hesitation, I highly recommend working with Matthew. He worked with us to find budget friendly ways to achieve our design goals. > > I don't think my husband and I were as aware of the changing seasons as we are now. Each season there's something new to appreciate around our home and in our garden. We look for the ferns to pop up. We point out when the witch hazel is blooming. We get excited when the raspberries, currants and gooseberries are close to harvest. > > The best part of the project? Every time I come home I get to experience a dynamic and ever-evolving work of art: the landscape he created with us. > > (Note about the photos... we took these on our own very quickly to share with out-of-state family. Please speak with Matthew if you would like to see more images of our home.) **★★★★★ — scarlettbartlett, Dec. 2012** > As a landscape architect, Matthew's unique gift is understanding the project, the nature of the land, and creating a master plan of natural beauty in a collaborative way with you, as a client, and with the land itself. His knowledge of botany and trees and how to integrate native plants makes his work a signature style of elegant restraint that is perfectly crafted for New England. My husband and I commissioned him in 2007 for a difficult project to restore a mid-century home, and his master plan formed the foundation to return our house to architect's original intent to blend the inside living with the nature outdoors. His careful selection of trees and design of stonework seamlessly blends with our unique home, and we continue to consult with Matthew every year to foster a living, growing canvas for our lives. > > Matthew is not only a landscape architect, he a curator, an artist, a one-of-a-kind professional with a down to earth and completely genuine approach with clients. **★★★★★ — bellyshmooze, Dec. 2012** > We built a net zero, LEED Platinum home. Matthew Cunningham was the best part of the whole building process. Such a pleasure to work with! He really cares and loves his work. He really understood our needs and created an amazing landscape design for our family. We feel very fortunate to have found him. We have referred him to friends and they have also enjoyed with working with him. ## Selected projects - [Berkshire Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/berkshire-residence-pj-vj~2535173) - Location: Great Barrington, MA - Photos: 77 - Description: A spectacular dream home nestles thoughtfully into an east-facing slope of the Berkshires, blending into its mountain context. The retreat provides year-round opportunities for an active family to absorb mesmerizing multi-seasonal views. Two contemporary buildings—a main home and a guest cabin conceived of in two separate phases—are carefully positioned to preserve existing mature hardwood trees and to adhere to strict watershed protection guidelines established by the Berkshire Scenic Mountains… - [Waban Hillside](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/waban-hillside-pj-vj~1511006) - Location: Newton, MA - Photos: 107 - Description: A buildable, double lot in an established Boston neighborhood is rare, especially one that offers nearly unlimited potential to prioritize outdoor-focused living. This south-sloping property was carpeted with mown turf, and presented a twenty-foot grade change from front to back. The original structure, an unremarkable, dated colonial, was sited awkwardly to preserve two, separately developable lots. The existing home uncomfortably hugged the eastern property boundary and contradicted the establ… - [Brewster Pool Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brewster-pool-garden-pj-vj~1541059) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 37 - Description: A cozy new pool and entry garden provide soothing opportunities to relax and enjoy all of summer's splendor at this beautiful Cape Cod vacation home. - [Cambridge House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cambridge-house-pj-vj~481100) - Location: Cambridge, MA - Photos: 47 - Description: This remarkable contemporary Cambridge home and woodland landscape near Harvard Square reinvents a decaying, overgrown property with a perched water table. Meaningful and enjoyable year-round garden living becomes a central theme for an accomplished and enlightened couple with children and pets living in an otherwise busy urban neighborhood. The house’s striking windows frame trees and garden spaces from the interior. The vibrant new moisture-loving woodland vegetation colonies below fully root… - [Le Petit Chalet](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/le-petit-chalet-pj-vj~36282) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 56 - Description: A context-driven, durable design heals a devastated historic property within Acadia National Park along the west edge of Somes Sound on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. Comprehensive stormwater management strategies shape new landforms, resulting in elegant grading and thoughtful drainage solutions. Native, sustainable plant colonies stabilize soils, regenerate habitat, and reveal wildlife patterns. Exquisitely crafted, dry-laid masonry built from locally reclaimed granite gives the garden a unified… - [Strong Place](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/strong-place-pj-vj~2601920) - Location: Boston, MA - Photos: 34 - Description: At the end of one of the smallest streets in Beacon Hill stands a handsome 1890’s brick row house with a tiny courtyard that packs a big punch. The home’s once-dangerous original brick-lined drinking well is carefully preserved and capped with glass, and becomes the centerpiece of the garden. The antique feature is gently illuminated at night, and presents a wonderful window into the City’s past. Linear bands of bluestone and reclaimed brick carpet the space, and lush shade-loving perennials wit… - [Brattle Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brattle-street-pj-vj~2601928) - Location: Cambridge, MA - Photos: 54 - Description: The careful juxtapostion of traditional and contemporary elements become the overriding theme in this amazing new garden on historic Brattle Street just outside of Harvard Square. Graphic stone terraces composed of artfully fabricated bands of antique Rockport granite are subtly integrated beneath the canopies of established birch, maple and variegated dogwood trees. New spaces provide areas to enjoy dappled sun and shade patterns all day long. Wonderful collections of modern site furnishings ar… - [Hillcrest](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillcrest-pj-vj~2601940) - Location: Belmont, MA - Photos: 54 - Description: The restoration and expansion of this beautiful brick colonial in Belmont allowed amazing opportunities to create a fantastic new yard for an active, athletic family. Severe drainage problems are swiftly resolved, and previously awkward circulation routes are completely redesigned to provide elegant and thoughtful solutions to usher large numbers of guests to summer (and winter) soirees. Dynamic granite and brick terraces positioned just footsteps from the home’s interior living areas are surrou… - [Clamshell Alley](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/clamshell-alley-pj-vj~828734) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 85 - Description: A new family retreat on a stunning coastal property in Lamoine, Maine overlooks Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. Rustic granite paths, dazzling perennial gardens, and rich native plantings blend perfectly with the verdant and rocky Downeast atmosphere. - [Lawrence Road](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lawrence-road-pj-vj~480931) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 86 - Description: The spirited renovation of a turn-of-the-century home in Chestnut Hill presents wonderful opportunities to develop a new landscape that seamlessly blends old and new. - [Valentine Park](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/valentine-park-pj-vj~57786) - Location: West Newton, MA - Photos: 97 - Description: A new LEED-Gold-rated, shingle-style gambrel home in one of Boston’s most desirable neighborhoods is thoughtfully oriented on a gently sloping three-quarter-acre corner lot to maximize outdoor possibilities. The innovative landscape is structured and contemporary, nestled into its context. Water conservation guides the landscape design, and sustainable low-maintenance vegetation communities shape a vibrant garden. Sophisticated, yet kid-friendly, outdoor spaces merge together—a stage for a busy… - [Beacon Hill Courtyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beacon-hill-courtyard-pj-vj~481113) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 30 - [Reservoir Estate](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/reservoir-estate-pj-vj~2601948) - Location: Brookline, MA - Photos: 77 - Description: An 1882 shingle-style mansion in Brookline receives a dramatic facelift. Expansive outdoor spaces supportive to myriad family-focused activities merge sensitively to surrounding landforms and preserved canopy and understory specimen trees. New stone retaining walls elevate program-rich spaces that feel as though they have always been a part of the property. A wonderful kitchen garden provides incredible opportunities for daytime fun, and a rustic granite fire put draws the family outdoors at nig… - [Pine Road Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pine-road-residence-pj-vj~845680) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 70 - Description: An elegantly restored Colonial surrounded by mature oaks, pines, and hickories is washed by dappled shade all day long. The renovations provided excellent opportunities to update and embellish the surrounding landscape with a number of family-oriented amenities that can be enjoyed throughout the seasons. A simple, durable palette of materials merge, creating a relaxed atmosphere for formal entertaining or casual lounging. - [Oyster Harbor House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oyster-harbor-house-pj-vj~2601964) - Location: Barnstable, MA - Photos: 11 - Description: Complex alterations to surrounding properties inspire a complete front-yard redesign at this Cape Cod classic compound, designed by prominent architect, Patrick Ahearn. An inviting new gravel driveway and three small parking courts cleverly weave through existing oaks and newly planted cedars underplanted with swaths of bayberry, itea, hydrangea,and fern. Stone walls are preserved and expanded to better define new zones of circulation, and the changes give the property an expansive feel while ma… - [Craigie Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craigie-street-pj-vj~2601980) - Location: Cambridge, MA - Photos: 50 - Description: The careful restoration of an historic 1872 Victorian in one of Cambridge’s most celebrated historic districts successfully navigates preservation requirements of one of the most powerful historic commissions in New England. The project provided incredible opportunities to develop a lush new garden for this home that will likely remain for many decades to come. A new walkway crafted from reclaimed brick and granite extends graciously from the house like a red carpet, reconnecting the home to the… - [Beech Ledge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beech-ledge-pj-vj~134314) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 72 - [A Writer's Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-writer-s-retreat-pj-vj~1558763) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 100 - Description: A celebrated writer's rejuvenating Berkshire retreat stands at the highpoint of a spectacular west-facing slope. The house, designed by a prominent NYC architecture firm, absorbs sweeping views of the Hudson Valley. Paths carved through vibrant acres of managed meadow and mature, mixed woodland, lead to structured spaces built from slabs of Massachusetts Goshen stone. Durable swaths of deer resistant native plants absolutely erupt with color throughout the season. Simple, yet thoughtful detailin… - [Dog Cove](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dog-cove-pj-vj~1541077) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 24 - Description: An urban family's secluded get-a-way nestles beneath the canopies of massive, mature pines on the edge of New Hampshire's pristine Squam Lake. Locally reclaimed slabs of granite are used to create a terrace and fire pit that overlook the carefully preserved waterfront buffer zone. Deer-resistant native plants smother newly-graded landforms, and a family heirloom is born. - [The Winslow Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-winslow-gardens-pj-vj~805599) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 47 - Description: A pair of private courtyards within a unique condo development, "Kat’s Garden," and “The Bloem Garden,” nestle into a densely populated neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The intimate and private spaces also feel inviting and lively. In Kat’s Garden, a sentimental family drawing from the homeowner's personal collection inspires a focal point in the form of a sculptural sliding gate crafted from raw aluminum—a threshold visible throughout the property. Horizontal wood fencing built from we… [See all 46 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/matthew-cunningham-landscape-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~1132485886) ## Community Q&A **Q: Pool Color** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the color of the pool pebble/finish? Thank you! A: I think it’s either Prism Blue or Ocean Blue Pebble Sheen **Q: What material is used for the driveway?** *(in Photo Questions)* It looks like gravel? If so, what kind and color and can you get that locally in Massachusetts? A: We've specified many gravel driveways on our projects, but on an urban property this is a little less effective--the chip and seal holds up better to snow plowing/removal, etc., and it also prevents any weed growth, so it looks tidy year round. Each project (and client) is different, especially regarding how much maintenance they can put into taking care of a driveway, so this is just one of many surfacing alternatives. Unfortunately, chip and seal surfaces are not porous.... **Q: Latin Name of fern and purple flowered plant?** *(in Photo Questions)* Wondering if that is a fern that travels and the purple flowers look like a geranium but which one? A: The fern is Dennstaedtia punctilobula (hayscented fern), and the purple plant is Geranium 'Rozanne' **Q: What are the small, ornamental trees within the terraced walls please?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Aren't those trees great!? Those are Amelanchiers, otherwise known as shadblow serviceberry. **Q: How do you go about cutting the grass?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The spacing between each stone was designed to accommodate the width of a standard single-deck lawn mower. Because it is granite, a simple weed-whacker can be used to clean up edges every few weeks. **Q: What's the ground cover?** *(in Photo Questions)* What's the ground cover? Is it native? A: Correct--this is wooly thyme. It is not native, but it is a great drought-resistant "steppable" --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-24.*