--- title: "Heffernan Landscape Design — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/heffernan-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~1199666788 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1199666788.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Heffernan Landscape Design" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/e763488b0be8b290_0462-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "3737 W Agatite Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60625, United States" latitude: 41.9703 longitude: -87.7042 phone: "(773) 539-1946" website: https://heffernanlandscapedesign.com rating: 5 review_count: 53 years_in_business: 25 best_of_houzz_awards: 18 followers: 173 last_updated: 2026-08-25 --- # Heffernan Landscape Design > Chicago's Fully Integrated Landscape Design & Construction Firm Original Houzz profile: [Heffernan Landscape Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/heffernan-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~1199666788) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Serves:** Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Des Plaines, Oak Park, Glenview, Park Ridge, Wilmette, Lincolnwood, Winnetka, River Forest, River Grove, Northfield, Kenilworth - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (53 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 18 awards (2012–2026), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 25,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Woman owned - 25 years in business - Responds Quickly ### Business highlights - Best of Houzz winner - 25 years in business - Woman owned - Responds Quickly Heffernan Landscape Design is an award-winning, woman-owned landscape design and construction firm serving Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding suburbs for over 25 years. As a fully integrated design-build company, we serve as a single point of contact for homeowners, seamlessly managing every phase of outdoor projects from initial conceptual design through final meticulous construction. Our Core Services: We specialize in creating customized outdoor living spaces, offering comprehensive hardscaping and landscaping services, including: Hardscaping & Structures: Fine masonry, custom patios, walkways, composite and wood decks, pergolas, and rooftop deck installations. Outdoor Living: Custom fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, landscape lighting design, and integrated seating walls. Water & Garden Features: Ponds, fountains, custom water features, along with native, perennial, and edible garden installations. Why Choose Us: Recognized as an 18-time Best of Houzz winner, our professional crew is known for delivering meticulous craftsmanship, responsive communication, and designs tailored specifically to each client’s unique vision. Because we handle both the design and the installation, we ensure absolute quality control and a stress-free, collaborative experience. Service Area: Based in Chicago, we proudly serve the greater Chicagoland area, including Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Oak Park, Glenview, Park Ridge, and surrounding North Shore communities. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Custom Fire Pits - Custom Water Features - Design Consultation - Outdoor Lighting Design - Deck Design - Pond Construction - Edible Gardens - Rooftop Deck Installation ### Areas Served - Chicago - Evanston - Skokie - Des Plaines - Oak Park - Glenview - Park Ridge - Wilmette - Lincolnwood - Winnetka - River Forest - River Grove - Northfield - Kenilworth ### Typical Job Cost $20,000 - 100,000 $20,000 - 100,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Heffernan Landscape Design | | Address | 3737 W Agatite Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60625, United States | | Phone | (773) 539-1946 | | Website | https://heffernanlandscapedesign.com | | Years in business | 25 | | Followers on Houzz | 173 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Heffernan.Landscape.Design - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=37275267&trk=nav\_responsive\_tab\_profile ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Heffernan Landscape Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/heffernan-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~1199666788) - **Website:** https://heffernanlandscapedesign.com - **Phone:** (773) 539-1946 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Oak Park, IL Historic Preservation Commission: Award for Design - Best of Houzz, every year 2012-2021 - Profile Design segment; HouseSmarts TV 2017 - Luxe Magazine Gold List 2020 - **Best of Houzz:** 18 awards (2012–2026), for Service, Design. **Affiliations** - [Association of Professional Landscape Designers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/association-of-professional-landscape-designers-pfvwus-pf~92795973) - [Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/illinois-landscape-contractors-association-ilca-pfvwus-pf~975730918) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 53 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 48.0 - Value: 49.0 ### Featured Review **★★★★★ — Sarah B, Aug. 2019** > Carol understood our aesthetic immediately and created spot-on designs for us, and then worked with us to fit our budget and phase out some of the work for a future season. We had to wait a bit for her team to be ready to do our project due to all of the spring / early summer rain, but she was communicative and once they were on site they finished to job in a very reasonable time frame. The whole team was knowledgeable, professional, and invested in our project--and it looks great! We're so in love with our updated outdoor spaces! **Comment from Heffernan Landscape Design:** > Thanks Sarah & Kelly, > It was a pleasure working for you! ### All 53 reviews **★★★★★ — Liza McElroy, Nov. 2025** > Heffernan Landscape Design was terrific to work with. I had planned a complete renovation of my backyard and met with Carol to discuss a plan. She generated a fantastic plan, which included a new patio with seating wall, new plantings and lighting. She was very easy to work with throughout the planning and execution phases. We made some changes, her crew encountered a few unseen problems, but working through all was so easy. > > I am so pleased with the finished project and cannot wait til next spring, to put into full use! **★★★★★ — Kate T, Sept. 2025** > Carol and her team did an amazing job updating the front and back yards of our home in Lincoln Park, Chicago. We truly enjoyed working with Carol because she was always honest, open-minded and collaborative. Her pricing was fair and her team was very professional. They were timely, efficient, and communicative. And we really appreciated their attention to detail. The hardscaping is meticulous and the plants are beautiful and thriving. Thank you! **★★★★★ — Katiun Attarpour, Aug. 2025** > We had Carol and her team create a patio off of our existing deck in the back yard. We are very happy with the result which took 5 days to complete M-F. Carol was great to work with and listened to both our budget, wants/desires, as well as our lifestyle and how we would utilize the space to create a plan we were enthusiastic about. She is responsive and came to our house to go over the details before the project/install started. When getting two other quotes, some places wanted to do a lot of planning via phone/email but we appreciated her coming in person to see our space and take measurements and see existing plantings etc. > We would definitely recommend them to anyone and who knows- maybe another future project! :) **★★★★★ — Grant Adelman, July 2025** > What a great experience! I owned and ran Century Lumber Co. for 30+ years. Customer service is easy to say but takes effort. > Carol was fantastic to deal with, and her employees are very talented. They know their stuff and communicate very well. They did a neighbors patio, and when we saw the quality of the work at a very fair price, another neighbor and myself immediately called Carol to do our patios! I would hire Heffernan Landscape Design for any future needs without question. **★★★★★ — Caryn Suder, Nov. 2024** > Carol was great! She landscaped my front and back yards. She listened to what I wanted and was very clear in her explanations. Her pricing was reasonable, and her crew was quick and professional. I've received multiple compliments from the neighbors on her work. **★★★★★ — erinkelly2300, Oct. 2023** > Carol and her crew were super professional. She designed a beautiful design for my back year (landscaping, patio and fire pit) and it turned out exactly as I wanted. > > They also were great about cleaning up after each day of work. **★★★★★ — Susan Poulos, July 2023** > Beautiful Patio and Landscape design! > We recently hired Heffernan Landscape Design to build a stone patio and landscape our backyard and couldn't be more pleased. From the initial consultation, design work, demo of existing deck to installing a new stone patio, garden beds and landscaping, everything was completed with perfection! > Carol and her Team were professional, courteous and worked really hard to design and build an amazing space for our family. > > We love the design elements and are enjoying our new outdoor living space. All of the new plantings are thriving and blooming and have been attracting pollinators and butterflies to our backyard for us to enjoy. We had two new raised garden beds installed as well as lighting for our new stone patio- everything is absolutely gorgeous. > We are enjoying our new space everyday and can't wait to entertain! > > We would highly recommend Heffernan Landscape Design to build a new outdoor space and landscape your home- every home needs a refresh and it not only adds beauty and value to your home, but a space for you and your family to enjoy daily. **★★★★★ — Aaron, May 2023** > Carol & the HLD team were a pleasure to work with throughout the course of our project. They were timely, responsive, creative, and the quality of their work was top notch. We love our new backyard space (especially the Zen garden) and would not hesitate to work with HLD again. **★★★★★ — pamhay, April 2023** > We've used Heffernan for years. Carol has a great eye for design and works with you to bring your ideas to life. Recently Carol and her crew worked with us to help us choose just the right materials for hardscaping; they patiently worked with us to show how the final product would look and to make sure that the job was done right. The effort (and patience) they put in with everything was above and beyond. **★★★★★ — Maarket Views, Dec. 2022** > Carol Heffernan designed my backyard and I love it. It was a difficult project with many large trees and roots, and shade. But I love it and am looking forward to this coming spring when all the plants will awaken with leaves and flowers. Also, kudos to her crew. They are wonderful. **★★★★★ — HU-436580230, Nov. 2022** > Working with this company was a great experience. Carol and her crew were ALWAYS on time, polite, professional, and above all, ever concerned that they were providing exactly what we wanted. We made a few small changes along the way and they were accommodated quickly and graciously. Not only was our plan completed within in the time frame specified, Carol was quick to point out deer damage on an existing plant and advised us on how to prevent further damage. We couldn't be more pleased with the outcome! **★★★★★ — LA C, Oct. 2022** > Carol and her team recently redid our backyard, designing and installing a new walkway and seating area at the back of the yard with wonderful smart-phone controlled lighting and beautiful decorative panels on our back fence. They rearranged and added new plantings to our garden areas, and even replaced the fence on one side. We loved Carol's aesthetic and her ability to understand what we were looking for. Her team was amazing - friendly, competent and cleaned up every day! The entire installation took just under two weeks. I've only included one photo - will try to remember to update - because the yard will be so much more beautiful in the Spring and with new furniture. My family highly recommends Heffernan Landscape Design! **★★★★★ — HU-457521797, Aug. 2022** > Carol and her team did an amazing job on my rooftop! They listened to my ideas while offering practical options for which plants and trees to use in the harsh rooftop environment. As I am part of a condo association, Carol was creative in coming up with a plan to abide by the restrictions while still allowing my vision to come to life. Her foreman Tacho was reliable, flexible and easy to work with. The whole team was respectful and hardworking. They cleaned everything up after each day and communicated well with me throughout the progress. Despite many days of rain in the spring, they were still able to complete the job in a timely manner. I'd highly recommend Carol's company! **★★★★★ — HU-851892929, July 2022** > I'm so glad I found Carol & her company. She had excellent reviews & all were accurate. She transformed my typical Chicago backyard with a dog run into an awesome patio with a retainer/seating wall. It definitely opened up my yard & makes me want to stay out there all day. It was great working with her & I highly recommend her. Her crew were skilled, courteous & cleaned up my property each day they worked. I only wish my project was larger for her so I could show off more of her design talents. **★★★★★ — Karen Brennan, June 2022** > Our backyard feels like heaven on earth! Carol really listened to how we like to enjoy our space and transformed our backyard. The new plants, native to the area, are thriving. We installed a Trex deck where we grill and added a patio. > Unsure how to coordinate our new look with a tired side of a shared fence, Carol recommended a low priced DIY solution that we love. > We highly recommend Carol and her team! **★★★★★ — karenlawrenceshaw, June 2022** > We are incredibly happy with our backyard landscaping project! Carol and her team were great to work with, highly skilled, creative, thoughtful, and always kept the work site clean and tidy. The end result is beautiful and just what we hoped for! We highly recommend Heffernan Landscaping! **★★★★★ — HU-708497332, Jan. 2022** > We hired Carol based on photos of her work and her solid reputation. It turned out to be a great decision because she was excellent to work with and her vision went well beyond the run-of-the-mill landscaping approach. Her art background comes through in her designs. She came up with a unique, tasteful, and beautiful design that has really enhanced the curb appeal and value of our property. Throughout the process, from design to implementation, she was professional, friendly, responsive, knowledgable, and a very timely communicator. Her crew was equally fantastic. We saw quickly that they were skilled, and that we could count on them to do the project right. We will be soon utilizing Carol to landscape and enhance our backyard. **★★★★★ — HU-712170111907, Aug. 2021** > Carol and her team were wonderful! We began working the project, an initial design, with Carol in April. By early May we had a finalized plan and knew the timeline and schedule for construction. The team arrived promptly every day around 8:30am, and stayed until after 5 some days...they worked so hard even during the hottest days. Once construction started, it took a week to complete. > We could not love it more, our vision of desert in Chicago happened! We love it! **★★★★★ — Jane Hirt, June 2021** > Carol completely transformed our boring old Chicago back yard into a gorgeous extension of our house. It's like we have a whole new huge room to enjoy when the weather is nice. I cannot recommend her highly enough. > She is very experienced and came highly recommended by her past clients. They raved about her work and they were spot on. Carol came to the project with great ideas, remembered every detail of our wish list and was flexible when we asked to change the plans a bit. > We needed a stone patio, new fence, sidewalk, back stairs and porch, raised garden beds and all new plants, plus we added some plumbing, lighting and new electric to our garage. She arranged for all of this to be taken care of by her expert team. She's a one-stop shop. > And her crew! They're an amazing, friendly, hard-working, knowledgeable group of people. They started on time every day, cleaned up after themselves, and the foreman was always available to answer my questions. They seemed to really enjoy their work. My neighbors were like: "Where did you find them!? They were amazing!" > It's no wonder that Carol is highly sought-after and very busy. We were lucky to get her. We started planning and made decisions in the fall, so that by early the next spring, we were ready to roll. **★★★★★ — akarq, June 2021** > Carol has redone both our front and back yard. Each each presented their own challenges ...from many mature trees and shade to a lot of overgrown, unkempt plantings. > > Carol listened to our ideas/goals and was able to transform them into detailed plans and great spaces. We wanted simple, low-maintenance plantings for our backyard as well as a large fire pit area. She was able to utilize a lot of already existing materials (flagstone, some plants, etc) which was great. We didn't feel as if we were wasting anything and it helped save on costs. She also fixed a lot of of paver patio which was uneven and dangerous. > > She just completed our front yard and it exceeded our expectations. She sourced a very specific evergreen tree that I had seen online. She bought it weeks ago and took care of it at her house until it was time to plant here. She was able to fit into the design as well as a specific tree my husband wanted. She really pays attention to details, from the stone she uses, to the variety of plants she suggests to the pavers she recommends. > > Her crew is great. They are really professional and go above and beyond what we would expect. We had stone delivered to put under our deck, unrelated to anything Carol was doing for us. We just dumped the stone under the deck and didn't hadn't had time to spread it out. It was certainly not on their to do list and they spread out the stone for us. Little things matter. > > I found Carol easy to work with and she is going to be doing our side yard hopefully in the near future. Highly recommend! (I wish my pictures were better...hard to see the details.) **★★★★★ — Kathleen Ziegler, June 2021** > From start to finish, a fantastic project. Front, side, and back yards, hardscaping and landscaping were needed following a renovation. Carol met with us and listened to what we wanted and needed and developed a project plan that her team brought to life. Work was done professionally and efficiently with attention to detail and we genuinely enjoyed every part of the process. Highly recommend. **★★★★★ — HU-970369614, Jan. 2021** > We came across Carol's work while searching for someone to reimagine the overgrown garden bordering our side lot, and her designs stood out immediately. After a thorough site visit, Carol took our loose ideas for the space and created an absolutely incredible and inventive design that far exceeded our expectations. Carol also suggested additional landscaping to replace the lackluster planting in front of our house, and her addition freshened up our home beautifully! She knew we were planning a backyard wedding in a few months and rearranged her team's schedule to make sure our planting could in before the winter, which was generous and much appreciated. During the installation days, her team was has fast, professional, and extremely neat. > > She'll be back in the spring to add two custom-built arbors, and we cant wait to sit under them and admire our new landscaping as it grows in. Our family is very excited to enjoy the lovely space that she has created for us for years to come! **★★★★★ — Glendyn Sakey, Dec. 2020** > We tapped Carol and her very talented and professional crew to turn our tiny urban backyard, which was sad and overgrown, into a lovely and modern space that we can use to stay sane through the pandemic. We loved her plan from the start -- and we aren't the easiest people to please. They put in tiered decking, new fencing, and plantings, removed some weed trees, and built in a space for our soon-to-be-delivered hot tub. We are thrilled with the result! Soup to nuts, they did it all and were among the best contractors we've every hired. **★★★★ — Nancy Griffin, Oct. 2020** > We used Heffernan Landscape Design to help create a privacy screen at the back of our yard, to build a new fence and to create and plan a low maintenance garden. Carol’s design was pretty and will be low maintenance as requested. Carol has her own crew who built a very large planter of pavers, installed a cedar fence, prepared the soil and planted the flowers and shrubs. Carol is easy to work with and we were able to go back and forth with her to make a few design changes. Pricing was reasonable, and the crew came back to fix a leaning bush within ten days of my request. > > This was the first time I used a professional landscaper and initially I was surprised at how small the plants were once installed. However, I am now really pleased at how quickly the plants are growing and filling in. I would recommend working with Carol over the winter so you can get to the front of the line and have the work done early in the summer if possible. **★★★★★ — apitaro, Sept. 2020** > The front yard of my bungalow was looking very sad. As I searched for landscape designers, I worried no one would be willing to take on such a small project within my budget restrictions. Carol, like a true professional, made me feel like a valued client. After surveying the area, she sent me a plan . . . and another plan . . . and another, until my particular tastes were met. The result is a thing of great beauty (within budget) that draws oohs and aahs from all who pass. I feel very fortunate to have found Carol and to be the recipient of her eye for design and knowledge of horticulture. **★★★★★ — Fansler Sally, May 2020** > Heffernan Landscape Design turned our boring city back yard into an amazing space. Carol listened to our thoughts, shared her recommendations, and come up with the perfect concept and design. She drew up a detailed plan and her professional team implemented it perfectly. We couldn't be happier with the results! **★★★★★ — HU-957424866, Jan. 2020** > Carol Heffernan is a genius! Her designs are a work of art. She is able to transform the design plans from paper to life. There is no job too small or too big for Carol and her staff. I originally used her services in 2004 with my first home purchase. The work was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. When I purchased my second home in 2019 I knew it would not be “home” unless it had Carols touch. I highly recommend. Carols work is the gift that keeps giving. **★★★★★ — bobbi zabel, Jan. 2020** > I have worked with Carol multiple times over the past ten years, and it's wonderful to feel that whenever my yard needs refreshing, I can call her and she understands exactly what I need and why I need it. Carol takes time to understand her clients and how they use their outdoor space. Her suggestions always offer plants, surface materials intriguing layouts that expand your vision for what your yard can become, yet she's cognizant of budgetary limitations. Her crew is solid and I've never worried about needing to be home when they're here. **★★★★★ — Terry Bowden, Oct. 2019** > Would highly recommend Carol Heffernan for any landscape project. We needed an easy to maintain landscape for our building and she delivered a plan that was perfect. Carol provided great plan options and worked with our budget. She and her crew were professional and the installation was done in the time promised. The quality of the plants and materials used were exceptional as well. **★★★★★ — Carol Rugg, Aug. 2019** > Carol was great to work with, and she turned our nonfunctional, unattractive back yard into a serene and beautiful, one-of-a-kind space! Carol really listened to my ideas, and her design was very creative and far exceeded our expectations of what our yard could be, and she was also willing to work within our budget and gave us options. Her team was great, too---their work is excellent, and they are very professional. We would definitely use this company again for future projects. **★★★★★ — ZBuilders, Jan. 2019** > We have worked with Carol on many projects, her team is certainly one of the top in the industry. We can always depend on quality and professionalism at every turn. Very glad we have met Carol and her team few years ago and continue to work together. We always recommend them to all of our clients and friends. **★★★★★ — Sarah Pang, Oct. 2018** > We live in the historic Old Town area of Chicago in a modernized bungalow where Carol and the Heffernan team have transformed both our yard and our rooftop deck. Their ability to understand our architecture and design preferences is unmatched. As importantly, Heffernan is lovely to work with from design to communications, and throughout execution. The team is trusted in our home, welcomed by the family and our dogs. They are not only expert professionals, they are lovely people who always keep their word. > > We are very experienced with building new homes and home renovations, and Heffernan positively distinguishes themselves from the competition. We give Heffernan my highest recommendation. **★★★★★ — Natalie Weiss, Dec. 2017** > Our experience with Heffernan Landscape Design was fantastic! Carol was a delight to work with from minute one, and she really helped our vision come to life. She is a wealth of knowledge and ideas, and her crew was hard working and extremely professional. We would recommend Carol to anyone who is looking to improve the beauty of their home. **★★★★★ — Eric Warshaw, Nov. 2017** > We have had the benefit of Carol and her crew's work on other projects at different locations during the past many years. The job this time was, once again, one of perfect work and perfect communication. We had our driveway pavers reset with a new drainage system; and it not only looks great, but drains better than I even expected. The work was completed on time, and her crew was both professional and extremely clean. If I could give her six stars I would. **★★★★★ — jheidelo, Nov. 2017** > My entire experience with Heffernan Landscape Design was excellent. From the introductory meeting, to the design phase, to the final installation/construction, everything was professional and executed beautifully. I️ still can’t believe how Carol was able transform what was once a very ordinary yard to a meticulously designed, beautiful and inviting front and backyard. I️ would recommend Carol’s services to anyone! Amazing! **★★★★★ — Eric Mazur, Jan. 2017** > We had Carol replace our existing concrete patio with a much larger bluestone patio (with water feature) and add some complementary landscaping to our back yard. She came highly recommended and we knew right after our first meeting that she was the right fit for us. Her responsiveness and execution was fantastic during every phase of the project. The design was exactly what we envisioned and fit the space perfectly. The finished product turned out amazing and you could tell that there was a high attention to detail. The only downside is that we decided to do this project very late in the year and now we need to look at our beatiful patio all winter without being able to use it! **★★★★★ — Ellen Levine, Nov. 2016** > Carole has amazing vision and her design skills are top notch. We couldn't believe the transformation of our backyard. It went from an unusable space covered with mud, moss and lichen to 100% usable space with easy maintenance. She retained the elements that were important to us; such as shade trees and our log play set, while beautifying and cleaning up undesirable areas. It's actually better than we could have imagined. Her crew was excellent. They were very skilled with execution and trouble shooting as things came up. The job was completed on schedule and just as promised. They cleaned up and left things tidy. Thank you, Carole. Job well done!! **★★★★★ — Matthew Petersen, July 2016** > I thought Carol and her team were fantastic. They were extremely responsive. I could always reach them. The quality of the work was excellent. They landscaped our front and back yards, which both were complete tear-downs and rebuilds. The difference is night and day. We are delighted with the end result. All deadlines were reasonable and (most importantly) were met. There were very few bumps in the road, but when the inevitable ones came along, Carol and her team dealt with them fairly and proactively. I would use them again and would recommend them enthusiastically and without reservation. **★★★★★ — brian3709, Dec. 2015** > My wife and I contacted Heffernan Landscape design for a quote on refurbishing our front porch, fence, and yard. Carol was very responsive and had some great suggestions and ideas. The design was exactly what we wanted. She took into consideration our budget and limited gardening experience. We got a beautiful. practical and expertly built front porch and stairway, entry walk and fence. The front garden compliments and enhances the front of the house and gives us lots of curb appeal for a minimal amount of work. The crew was punctual, fast, thorough, courteous and left the work areas spotless. They even came back to paint the fence after the wood had time to cure. **★★★★★ — Scott Caudell, Dec. 2015** > We first met Heffernan Landscape Design through our general contractor after we remodeled our home. The back yard was a complete mess and Carol and team came up with a design we really liked, were very helpful in tailoring it to exactly what we wanted, then installed that plan excellently. We especially enjoyed the hardscaping as it added a lot to the overall yard and the rectilinear design that Carol created. Years later, we contracted to update our front and side yards (to eliminate some poison ivy) and to better match the design elements of the backyard. Carol and her team again delivered an excellent design, were flexible to meet our changing needs and delivered expertly again. Lastly, I had started a brick oven project for wood fired bread & pizza in the backyard. There are many kids for this that could be used, but I had a very specific design / plan that I had hoped to install, but after years of slow/no progress I elected to have Carol and her team finish it instead. The Heffernan team did a great job, they asked good questions and really helped finalize the design through the build process with an end result that I couldn't be happier with. I would recommend Carol and her team for any home landscape design/build project based on our experiences. **★★★★★ — tbwall4, Sept. 2015** > I hired Carol to "fix" what another landscaper had done (and not done) to my yard a year ago. She came up with a beautiful design that used my existing features (pond and patio) and plants and resulted in the "natural, casual" feeling I had originally envisioned with the project. Her crew are very hard-working and professional. All work was done according to her original specs, timing, and estimate. I only wish I had hired her from the start and will definitely call on her for any future landscaping projects. **★★★★★ — bpasulka, Aug. 2015** > I can't recommend Heffernan Landscape Design enough. We had extensive renovations done to our house and were left with dirt in our yard and not much else. Heffernan's did the sod, large trees, bushes, flowerbeds, patio and other hardscaping, and overall design. > > When we met and e-mailed, Carol really paid attention to our wish list, our budget, our lifestyle and our request that everything be low-maintenance. The design was amazing, the use of space and the overall look better than we ever imagined. > > When it came to installation, Carol, Tacho and the rest of the crew were efficient, knowledgeable, professional, and really nice to boot. Since the landscaping has been put in, I've contacted Carol with questions, and she's been very responsive. And we love our yard! All of the hardscaping is very solid and meticulously constructed. All the plants, trees and bushes are thriving. Our grass is thick and lush after less than a year. Clearly they only use quality plants, not the cheap stuff. > > Love them, and will use them again as the years pass. **★★★★★ — Sop Kaul, Aug. 2015** > We removed an small brick patio and replaced it with a large bluestone patio complete with fire pit, lighting, and new landscaping. From the design process through completion, Carol and her team listened to our needs, presented a beautiful design, and built an amazing addition to our home. We are absolutely delighted with the result. **★★★★★ — lucretiajane, Jan. 2015** > We hired Heffernan Landscape Design for a backyard patio and landscape. We were very happy with the end result. Carol supervised a hardworking crew and the project was completed on time exactly as we hoped. This design team has many years of experience ,very necessary in landscape design. We believe the plantings chosen were carefully selected for our backyard. We will begin our second phase next spring and look forward to seeing the yard in full bloom.. We certainly recommend this company and happily invite anyone to our home to see their work. **★★★★★ — Gwen H, Dec. 2014** > Carol and her team were true professionals. They started the job a bit later in the season than I would have liked but now I understand why. Carol was busy with other jobs after a long winter in Chicago. I got a few bids for my project and I decided to go with Heffernan Landscape Design for many reasons. First of all, Carol provided options for the scope of the project. She didn't recommend the most expensive, but gave me choices in what would work at different price points. She allowed me to make the final decision. Carol finished the project on time and on budget. I highly recommend Heffernan Landscape Design. **★★★★★ — lynneavril, Dec. 2014** > I have worked with Heffernan Landscape Design on many projects over the past 10 years. In every case, the plans and their execution have been top notch. This year, I had to work with the principal, Carol, on an "emergency" basis very late in the season when a neighbor removed a 75 year old tree which altered the landscape of his yard and mine quite dramatically. Carol responded quickly and sensitively. The result is that my yard now has a beautiful new patio area, complete with pergola and looks even better than it did when the tree was there. > I enthusiastically recommend HLD because the plans are creative and reflect the owner's needs, the crew's work is superior on both hard and soft scape and the plantings are always appropriate in size and function. **★★★★★ — Heather Quinn, Nov. 2014** > We hired Carol and her team to redo our deck space and extend it into the yard with pavers surrounded by a seat wall, add a gas fire pit and landscape the area to give us some privacy. Their attention to detail is excellent and the finished area is exactly what she described/drew it up to be. The end result is beautiful. They ran into several issues with the slope of our property and the drainage system that was in place and worked around all of those seamlessly, correcting some issues along the way that we didn't anticipate coming across. I would highly recommend Heffernan Landscape Design for any outdoor living space work or landscaping needs…we will definitely go back to them for round two of landscaping in other areas of our property. **★★★★★ — aboonstra, Dec. 2013** > Carol and her crew are superb. We have hired her for 6 properties over 20 years and in all of them her work has exceeded expectations and stood the test of time. Her creative designs, timeliness, professionalism, and follow through are excellent. She navigates both the soft and hardscape extremely well and her ability to envision what is appropriate in each setting, based on style of home, surroundings, lifestyle of owner, and sensitivity to varied growth cycles, is dependable and innovative. In all cases her plantings look great day one and only get more beautiful over time. I highly highly recommend her. Her capabilities, along with the workmanship of her team, provide an outcome which will satisfy for years to come. **★★★★★ — 4jacobs, May 2013** > This company is the best! We hired them a number of years ago to design and install a backyard garden and stone patio, including stone steps to our kitchen's back door and custom lattices for privacy. The design was beautiful, the workmanship professional, fast and of high quality. The space was totally transformed and we receive tons of compliments when we entertain, which we now do often during the summer months. > We recently rehired them to do some repairs (some of the patio stones had settled) and to build another lattice to take the place of a tree we removed. Again the crew was professional, fast, and the workmanship exacting. Carol, the owner, is easy to work with and her prices are very fair. I highly recommend her and her crew. **★★★★★ — placebo, May 2013** > Excellent design skills with a true ethic of customer service. The work was begun on time and the crew stayed with my project until completion. The crew was competent and neat. The site was cleaned every day and all workers were courteous. I love the completed project and would hire this firm again in the future. **★★★★★ — ginger8820, Dec. 2012** > Excellent service from designing through completion of project! We hired them to redesign both front and back yard landscapes including installation of stone patios and steps. They listened to our requests and were extremely flexible in working around our schedule. We are more than pleased with our experience and the beautiful results! **★★★★★ — abbe8852, Oct. 2012** > Heffernan Landscape Design designed and installed a garden and patio after gut-rehab and addition built to my home. > > The architecture of my home, my needs, wish list and my abilitiy as a gardner were taken into account when the garden was designed. A large patio with seating, greenspace, herb garden, and shade trees was installed. > > Excellent work with beautiful results. > > Courteous crew left the area spotless. ## Selected projects - [Contemporary craftsman: our office display yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-craftsman-our-office-display-yard-pj-vj~100242) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 11 - [City side yard annex](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/city-side-yard-annex-pj-vj~31159) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 4 - Description: City Side Yard Annex in Chicago, IL This landscape design project transformed an acquired neighboring lot into a multi-functional family yard in Chicago. The goal was to create a seamless space that accommodates both a kid-friendly environment and an elegant outdoor living space for adults. Key Project Features: Adult Entertainment Zone: Features a custom wooden pergola providing shade for a large outdoor dining area. Lounge Seating: Comfortable outdoor furniture arranged on geometric pavers wit… - [Contemporary city patio and garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-city-patio-and-garden-pj-vj~100132) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - [Contemporary family-focused back yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-family-focused-back-yard-pj-vj~31162) - Location: Kenilworth, IL - Photos: 4 - [Large suburban back yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/large-suburban-back-yard-pj-vj~31175) - Location: Winnetka, IL - Photos: 5 - [City bungalow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/city-bungalow-pj-vj~31171) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 8 - [Tiny yard with koi pond](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tiny-yard-with-koi-pond-pj-vj~100163) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 2 - [Mid-Century Modern Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mid-century-modern-makeover-pj-vj~6768854) - Location: Niles, IL - Photos: 3 - [Large suburban front yard berm](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/large-suburban-front-yard-berm-pj-vj~5210212) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 6 - [Multi-level cityscape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/multi-level-cityscape-pj-vj~6714313) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Hyde Park pocket yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hyde-park-pocket-yard-pj-vj~355305) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 3 - [Urban Rooftop](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-rooftop-pj-vj~3343215) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 1 - [Petite city back yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/petite-city-back-yard-pj-vj~1956399) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 3 [See all 13 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/heffernan-landscape-design-pfvwus-pf~1199666788) ## Frequently Asked Questions **What types of landscape design projects do you specialize in?** We specialize in creating customized outdoor living spaces, encompassing a wide range of projects. This includes comprehensive hardscaping like custom patios, walkways, decks, and pergolas, as well as outdoor living features such as custom fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, and landscape lighting. We also design and install water features, ponds, and various garden types, including native, perennial, and edible gardens. **Do you offer design-only services or full project coordination?** We are a fully integrated design-build company, meaning we handle every phase of your outdoor project from initial conceptual design through final meticulous construction. We serve as your single point of contact, ensuring seamless coordination and absolute quality control because we manage both the design and the installation ourselves. **Do you create detailed planting and layout plans?** Absolutely! As part of our comprehensive landscape design services, we create detailed planting and layout plans tailored to your specific vision and property. We focus on integrating native, perennial, and edible garden installations, ensuring every element is thoughtfully placed for beauty and functionality, from initial concept to final design. **Do you design outdoor living spaces such as patios and outdoor kitchens?** Yes, designing exceptional outdoor living spaces is a core part of what we do. We specialize in creating custom patios, decks, pergolas, and integrated seating walls. We also design custom fire pits and outdoor fireplaces to enhance your outdoor enjoyment. While outdoor kitchens aren't explicitly listed, our comprehensive hardscaping and design capabilities often include such elements. **Do you design drought-tolerant or sustainable landscapes?** We certainly incorporate sustainable practices into our designs, particularly through the use of native and perennial plant installations. Native plants are excellent for creating landscapes that are naturally more resilient and often require less water once established. We can discuss specific drought-tolerant solutions to align with your environmental goals and local climate. *FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.* ## Ideabooks - [Misc.](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23266933/list/misc) — 12 ideas [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/carolh) ## Community Q&A **Q: How do you keep the pea gravel feel coming out from between the pavers** *(in Photo Questions)* A: You don't! If you are a fairly neat gardener, then there won't be much gravel migration, and an occasional sweep will maintain. But if kids and big dogs in the mix, then it will get a bit messed up. That being said, there are some stabilizers on the market now, but be careful, and do research, as many are not so easy to apply. Its not a topical solution, but a gooey, epoxy-like substance that has to be mixed into the gravel before you trowel down the whole mixture in between the stone, and it hardens when it cures. And you have to be careful not to spill on the stones, as its a devil to remove. I would recommend a pro. **Q: Planter?p** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi there Love the planter. Where did you buy it? Thanks so much A: I didn't buy, the client already had it. But I believe it is the Orb Planter (muy expensive). Here is a link: https://www.uniquegardendecor.com/orb-planter/ **Q: Pavers** *(in Photo Questions)* I love the pavers. Can you tell me what style of pavers these are? Thank you A: They are 24"x24" bluestone **Q: Did you use any stabilizer or sealant to keep the stones in place?** *(in Photo Questions)* We have a very similar design in our patio and are constantly sweeping the crushed stone back into place off of the pavers. We are considering using a hardscaping sealant by NanoPave to keep it in place. Would you recommend this? A: Sorry for the late reply, just saw your question. Here we didn't use anything. Just be careful with the sealant, not so easy to work with, and if you get it on any of the stone work, its hard to remove. Many of the binders are gooey like epoxy, and they have to be mixed with the stone, not applied on top. **Q: What is the height of the fence?** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the material of the fence? A: It's an old fence that was there when we started. It's 6 ft high, and the style is a stockade fence. **Q: How did you create the "shine/glaze" on the thermal bluestone?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: There is no glaze/sealer on the bluestone, just hosed down before the photo was taken. Thanks --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-25.*