---
title: "Svendsen & Keller — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/svendsen-and-keller-pfvwus-pf~1638989315
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1638989315.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Svendsen & Keller"
category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/40d3e0cf0b62043b_0409-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "3 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, United States"
latitude: 41.2977
longitude: -73.4973
phone: "(203) 431-9914"
website: http://SvendsenandKeller.com
rating: 5
review_count: 6
best_of_houzz_awards: 2
followers: 20
last_updated: 2026-08-22
---

# Svendsen & Keller

Original Houzz profile: [Svendsen & Keller](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/svendsen-and-keller-pfvwus-pf~1638989315)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers
- **Location:** Ridgefield, CT
- **Serves:** Danbury, Westport, Ridgefield, New Canaan, Wilton, Redding, Georgetown, Weston, Cannondale, Redding Center, Bedford, Brewster, Cross River, Croton Falls, Goldens Bridge, Katonah, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Poundridge, Purdys, Scotts Corners, South Salem, Waccabuc
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (6 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2019–2020), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 250 Ideabook Saves

We are a landscape design firm dedicated to creating beautiful gardens fully integrated with homes and properties of all styles and sizes. From the modern to the antique, from large estates to in-town backyards, we keep a clear eye on merging the natural with the man-made.
 
We design, build, maintain, and advise.

### Services Provided

- Landscape Design
- Garden Design
- Landscape Plans
- Patio Design
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping
- Site Planning
- Pool Landscaping
- Swimming Pool Design
- Project Management
- Drafting
- Organic Gardens
- Pond Construction
- Edible Gardens
- Greenhouse Design & Construction

### Areas Served

- Danbury
- Westport
- Ridgefield
- New Canaan
- Wilton
- Redding
- Georgetown
- Weston
- Cannondale
- Redding Center
- Bedford
- Brewster
- Cross River
- Croton Falls
- Goldens Bridge
- Katonah
- North Salem
- Pound Ridge
- Poundridge
- Purdys
- Scotts Corners
- South Salem
- Waccabuc

### Typical Job Cost

$5,000 - 200,000

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Svendsen & Keller |
| Address | 3 Danbury Road, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, United States |
| Phone | (203) 431-9914 |
| Website | http://SvendsenandKeller.com |
| License Number | CT HIC 0652833 |
| Followers on Houzz | 20 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/SvendsenandKeller/
- Blog — www.SvendsenandKeller.com

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Svendsen & Keller](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/svendsen-and-keller-pfvwus-pf~1638989315)
- **Website:** http://SvendsenandKeller.com
- **Phone:** (203) 431-9914

## Credentials

- **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2019–2020), for Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 6 reviews**

### All 6 reviews

**★★★★★ — Terry & Alan Schultheis, Oct. 2019**

> This past summer Ilsa and Joe did a complete redesign of our backyard which was wild and overgrown.  The result was beautiful, they created a reality that we could only imagine.  They moved giant boulders to create a rock garden and planted beautiful, sustainable plants everywhere.  The attached photo only shows a portion of the garden immediately after planting which has grown in substantially in just a few months.  To say we highly recommend them is an understatement.  They also return to maintain and keep it beautiful!

**★★★★★ — Janet Bruehlman, Oct. 2019**

> People frequently use the words "transformative, innovative and visionary" to describe the landscape designs of Svendsen & Keller.  The descriptions are frequent because it's true.  Svendsen & Keller designs stand out from the designs of other landscapers because of their uninhibited creativity, exceptional plant knowledge and the know how to perfectly choose and combine plants for a truly unique look.
> My experience was two-fold.  I worked with Ilsa Svendsen during the renovation of Ballard Garden, a public perennial garden in Ridgefield, CT.  Ilsa's design preserved the garden's historic long parterre layout, but she balanced and properly scaled the garden with woody plants that, as she says, "provide the bones of the garden in all seasons."  The addition of many new perennials and grasses combined with existing perennials created an overall look that is now visually stronger, more interesting and unique.  As important, Ilsa is easy to work with.  Her presence and manner of style is pleasant, comfortable and always professional.  I was so impressed with the new look of Ballard Garden that I wanted an extension of Ilsa's work in my own gardens.  Though the setting changed from public to private, my experience with Ilsa was the same - high quality service with innovative solutions.  I couldn't be happier!
> Janet Bruehlman
> Ridgefield, CT

**★★★★★ — Krissy Deutermann, Feb. 2019**

> I highly recommend Svendsen & Keller landscape design! I enjoy working with Ilsa on various landscapes and not only does Svendsen & Keller create beautiful garden designs, but they are extremely knowledgeable and professional to work with.  I can't recommend them enough!

**★★★★★ — Tina Pugliese, Sept. 2018**

> Ilsa and Joe are wonderful people who envision creative, functional and beautiful designs. We had the pleasure of working with them on a large project that took place over several months time. They are efficient, courteous and professional. We would highly recommend them to anyone in need whether it be a customer or a fellow contractor and we look forward to possibly working with them in the future.

**★★★★★ — Molly McGeehin, Sept. 2018**

> Svendsen & Keller's landscape design totally transformed the front of my house! Ilsa's knowledge of native plants is amazing and she was especially challenged with my very shady(!) property. To keep this beautiful curb appeal, Ilsa and her hard-working, personable team do an annual spring maintenance visit so even now, 3 years later, I still love the "new" look!

**★★★★★ — Mike Mignano, Sept. 2018**

> Ilsa and Joe are the ultimate professionals in regard to landscape and gardening.  If you want to hire the highest level of service and knowledge there is no other place to go.

## Selected projects

- [Magazzino Italian Art](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/magazzino-italian-art-pj-vj~4129779)
  - Location: Cold Spring, NY
  - Photos: 16
  - Description: Joseph Keller of the landscape design firm Svendsen & Keller designed the gardens at Magazzino Italian Art. Working closely with co-founder Giorgio Spanu, Joseph drew inspiration from the existing natural Hudson Valley landscape and from the vision of Magazzino architect Miguel Quismondo. The hillside meadow surrounding the parking area recreates the feel of the existing meadows in the distance while introducing colorful exotic and native flowering perennials and grasses. The loose and wild plan…
- [Garden of Ideas, Ridgefield, CT](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garden-of-ideas-ridgefield-ct-pj-vj~4147653)
  - Location: Ridgefield, CT
  - Photos: 14
  - Description: The Garden of Ideas (www.GardenofIdeas.com) is a private stroll garden open to the public. There are many different garden habitats -- shady woodland, sunny meadow, marsh, lily pond, vegetable plots. There is a wooden walkway over the marsh, a labyrinth, and many garden sculptures/follies. All gardens were conceived by Joseph Keller, and are now under the management of the Friends of Garden of Ideas, a not-for-profit organization. Open daily from 8am to dusk.
- [North Salem, NY Estate](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-salem-ny-estate-pj-vj~5600731)
  - Location: North Salem, NY
  - Photos: 21
  - Description: This large estate and horse farm features many unique garden spaces/elements -- water features, allees, pergolas, pool, cutting garden, outdoor sculpture, annual displays, fine stonework. and specimen trees.
- [Luxe Estate](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/luxe-estate-pj-vj~5600877)
  - Location: North Salem, NY
  - Photos: 17
  - Description: The strong architecture and open lawn on this property set the stage for simple supportive plantings -- massed groupings of strongly architectural plants. In spring, the fruiting apples put on a magnificent display in combination with old-fashioned Poeticus daffodils. Then, a large Peony garden takes center stage. As summer arrives, the ornamental grasses push forth alongside catmint, russian sage, black-eyed susans, and hydrangeas. These will all provide seasonal interest until November, the gr…
- [Container Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/container-inspiration-pj-vj~5511312)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 19
  - Description: Container plantings are a perfect accent point in spaces that need structure and transition, color, or texture.
- [Horse Farm-North Salem, NY](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/horse-farm-north-salem-ny-pj-vj~5600862)
  - Location: North Salem, NY
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: This working horse farm features an antique home surrounded by period-inspired perennial gardens and boxwood plantings. Modern accents create an interesting juxtaposition, while aged bricks and New England stone walls combine to nice effect around the residence. We've repurposed galvanized water troughs for planters by the barns. As the ancient sugar maples fail, we are replanting replacements for the future. The farm also features a productive orchard, and vegetable garden.
- [Weekend House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/weekend-house-pj-vj~5608280)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: We simplified the plantings around this residence. Lilacs, Hydranges, and Viburnums were utilized around back deck and fence, and softened with a simple palette of perennials and spring flowering bulbs. Cherries screen views of driveway from the large back deck. The deck is softened with planting boxes. The existing pond was previously surrounded by fussy plantings; our re-design features massed groupings of native wetland edge plants for a more natural appearance and environmentally friendly fo…

[See all 7 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/svendsen-and-keller-pfvwus-pf~1638989315)

## Ideabooks

- [CT Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/119281497/list/ct-farmhouse) — 4 ideas

[See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/svendsenandkeller)

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*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-22.*