--- title: "UpCountry Inc — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/upcountry-inc-pfvwus-pf~1737042428 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1737042428.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "UpCountry Inc" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/b683ec0d01f6c601_3206-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Sugar Land, Texas 77478, United States" phone: "(281) 903-5054" website: http://linktr.ee/blair_michener.asla rating: 4.9 review_count: 10 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 135 last_updated: 2026-08-15 --- # UpCountry Inc Original Houzz profile: [UpCountry Inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/upcountry-inc-pfvwus-pf~1737042428) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Sugar Land, TX - **Serves:** Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Spring, Fresno, Katy, Pecan Grove, Cinco Ranch, Bellaire, Fulshear, Sienna Plantation, Richmond, River Oaks, Hunters Creek Village, Bunker Hill Village, Spring Valley, Arcola, Hedwig Village, Southside Place - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (10 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2014–2016), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 5 Ideabook Saves Private Garden Design. It starts in the soil and finishes under the stars. LAND + WATER + CREATE What began more than three decades ago with a dream to create individual and highly personal outdoor spaces has grown into an entire world, redefining exterior spaces as spacial art. UpCountry has always stood for providing innovative and inspired design and creating worlds that invite people to take part in our dream. Luxury defined. We were the innovators of outdoor lifestyle as a complete vision that tells a story and among the first to create exterior spaces that encourage our patrons to participate in that lifestyle. Back when we started, it seemed there were no boundaries for UpCountry. That's even truer today. Understated, proportioned and exquisitely detailed finishes garnering 35 international and regional design awards. The Artist and Your Story Teller. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Patio Design - Site Planning - Swimming Pool Design - Custom Water Features - Consulting - design ### Areas Served - Houston - Sugar Land - Missouri City - Spring - Fresno - Katy - Pecan Grove - Cinco Ranch - Bellaire - Fulshear - Sienna Plantation - Richmond - River Oaks - Hunters Creek Village - Bunker Hill Village - Spring Valley - Arcola - Hedwig Village - Southside Place ### Typical Job Cost $50,000 - 3 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | UpCountry Inc | | Address | Sugar Land, Texas 77478, United States | | Phone | (281) 903-5054 | | Website | http://linktr.ee/blair\_michener.asla | | Followers on Houzz | 135 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Blair-Michener-1094428613902683/ - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=53262884&trk=nav\_responsive\_tab\_profile - Blog — http://www.Up-Country.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [UpCountry Inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/upcountry-inc-pfvwus-pf~1737042428) - **Website:** http://linktr.ee/blair_michener.asla - **Phone:** (281) 903-5054 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Members of; The American Society of Landscape Architects Texas Nursery & Landscape Association The Nature Conservancy The Royal Botanical Gardens - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2014–2016), for Service, Design. **Affiliations** - [American Society of Landscape Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-society-of-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~2014062207) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 10 reviews** ### All 10 reviews **★★★★★ — Bel Nas, Dec. 2015** > We ordered pool furniture from UpCountry and we are very pleased. Blair walked us through the entire process and was very patient with us while we decided on our selections. He always responded to our questions promptly and kept us up to date on the delivery. I will definately recommend UpCountry in the future! **★★★★★ — beautiful155, Dec. 2015** > "Awesome", "Outstanding", "Resort-style", "Gorgeous", and "Breath-taking" are just a few of the many compliments we have received from friends, family, and mere acquaintances of our property, thanks to UpCountry. Every time we have contacted Blair for his vision, expertise, and advice on our various level projects, he has come through with more we could have ever imagined. Blair acutely listens to what his customer wants, needs, and desires, and then he presents a vivid plan with all requests included to which you can add or subtract as you so wish. His easy-going nature, customer partnership and camaraderie, and frequent and timely communication allow for the best possible outcomes. With many years of experience in the Houston area, Blair's passion for the artistic landscape shines. He does not over-commit to projects, have too many going at once to be distracting, nor has he over-promised and under-delivered. Expectations are set appropriately and timely, and we have not run into any unwanted surprises. Blair turned our lifeless backyard and typical "builder" front yard into an oasis that we will enjoy for many years as our family grows. We will definitely contact Blair for our future projects. **Comment from UpCountry Inc:** > Thank you so much. Your thoughtful words mean a great deal and are much appreciated. Had a blast creating and building your dream and look forward to future collaborations ! **★★★★★ — briand6069, Dec. 2015** > I have a stunning pool and backyard kitchen. That is what everyone tells me when they see it. My architect and designer friends are uniformly impressed with what UpCountry was able to accomplish in a small space. > I wanted a pool that was both unusual but that fit with this Victorian style of my Heights home. I paid for three designs, two from well-known Houston companies and the third from UpCountry. One ended up a standard rectangle with some fluff. Another was a typical free-form. UpCountry gave me a totally custom design, very unexpected, highly unusual in shape and style but it both fit the space and the house. It was also the only one sited outside of the house's shadow! They paid attention to the site as well as my wish list. Easy to work with, and the job was not done until I was totally satisfied. Could not be happier with my new outside space. **★★★★★ — hitoshi555, Oct. 2014** > After five horrible experiences with pool companies "designing" pool plans/backyard redo's and never calling me back, I searched for true professionals who were educated, experienced landscape/pool architects in the true sense. after interviewing 3 individuals, we chose Blair Michener, of UpCountry, Inc. I felt that I knew he was the one when we finished the interview (he was the first interview). He was on time for the meeting; he was prepared with photos and suggested that he might need to make multiple visits to the site to insure a perfectly laid out plan ; he had all the answers to all our questions; and he had priceless suggestions to help us make decisions for the future plan. We were not in a rush and he did not rush us. the resulting plan was exactly what we had envisioned and was hand drawn in color. It is a work of art and the plan is so intuitive that I can say we are truly delighted. Looking forward to a brand new start with what will be a gorgeous paradise that fits us to a T. **★★★★★ — User, Oct. 2014** > Blair Michener of UpCountry is world-class. The design he proposed after our initial consultation showed us that he listened closely to our intended use of the space, and even incorporated elements into the design which showcased our hobbies interests. His first drawing was our first choice. > > The drawing was clear, so there was no confusion about the scope of work. > > The project finished ahead of schedule, with no un-planned breaks or interruptions. Blair was very present in managing the project and progress. > > The result was breathtaking! Our guests constantly remark on how beautiful our landscaping is. **★★★★★ — deensarge, March 2014** > The time finally arrived and we were able to build our dream home on two acres with 150 year old oak trees. We decided on UpCountry for his creative thoughts, his knowledge of the vendors in our area, his down to earth attitude, and his ability to understand and develop a landscaping design that was overwhelmingly stunning without being over the top. Believe me, he has the creativeness to go to the extremes but he understood our dream, kept in mind the style of our home, developed a unique pool and spa design to compliment our home, plus, personally picked our plant material. His landscaping ideas included inviting walkways with beautiful retaining walls, sloping walkways while giving you views from all angles of your yard. Even our driveway is a work of art. We gave him a budget and he has performed well within it. > > He takes pride in his work and it definitely shows because he has walked our two acres over and over. He works very well with our builder and other contractors on our property. > > We would highly recommend UpCountry to be anyone's choice for exceptional landscaping, property beautification, pool design that includes specialty features, such as, out of the ordinary foundations and fire elements. **★★★★★ — John Mitton, Oct. 2013** > Blair Michener of UpCountry is an exceptionally gifted and talented designer, possessing the highest professional integrity. Blair’s comprehension of architecture and its relevance to our project was stunning. His ability as a pool designer proved to be a godsend as we struggled with the myriad of pool companies stuck on plan A, B or C as their solution. His comprehensive approach is long-term and with a skillful hand that seeks to enhance rather than impress and overpower. As a result, when his plans were followed the result far exceeded our expectations. > > I would not hesitate for one moment to recommend Blair and his firm UpCountry!! **Comment from UpCountry Inc:** > John - it was a pleasure working with you. Thank you for the kind words. I look forward to the new home next year ! **★★★★ — boydaway, Oct. 2013** > My wife and I had Blair design our backyard remodel. We are more than pleased with what he came up with. His attention to detail and unique ideas has made our backyard a pleasure to be in. > Thanks again Blair. **★★★★★ — Keith Crappell, Sept. 2013** > Blair has done an amazing project at our home in the Heights!. He designed both our outdoor kitchen and in 2015 installed our new pool. He is very detailed with his work and process was easy. I would use his company again! > > We are very happy with the final project and love showing our new pool and kitchen off! > > Keith Crappell & Brian Driskill **★★★★★ — Elima Designs, Aug. 2013** > Blair is a very creative landscape architect. His designs and ideas are innovative and unique. He goes above and beyond to make sure his clients are taken care of. It is a pleasure working with him . He works within budget and meets deadlines. > > Saima Seyar, RID, ASID ## Selected projects - [The Cotswald Manor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-cotswald-manor-pj-vj~7312869) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Heritage Lands](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/heritage-lands-pj-vj~7312904) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Paper Whites](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/paper-whites-pj-vj~7312878) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [On The Boards](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/on-the-boards-pj-vj~7312927) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [On The Boards II](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/on-the-boards-ii-pj-vj~7312919) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 [See all 5 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/upcountry-inc-pfvwus-pf~1737042428) ## Community Q&A **Q: Could you tell me where i can pur hase the plant pot (Copper) that is** *(in Photo Questions)* A: CMaude - sure thing. If you can find a distributor of Anamese Pottery in your home town (Ottawa) they should be able to help you. Here is a link to the product -www.anamese.com/product/elephant-large/ **Q: What are the columns made of?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The columns are a Mexican Cantera. Thank you **Q: Love the hanging bench! Where did you find that?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: APF - The client supplied the bench. Yours is subtly different and nice but perhaps you sell something with that extra bit of weave detail and airy feel you could "suggest". Thanks for asking, sorry I couldn't be of more assistance. **Q: POLL: Toilet Paper - Over or Under** *(in Polls)* Let's settle this one once and for all. Does the end of the paper belong underneath or over the top? VOTE and tell us how it works in your house in the comments. (Photos encouraged!) A: Didn't have time to sc(roll) through but......patent 1891. Case closed........ **Q: What is planted between the flagstones?** *(in Photo Questions)* What is planted between the flagstones? A: judgebes - thanks for your question. It is the predominant local turf grass here called Palmetto St. Augustine. Another and better choice for this type of application is Emerald Zoysia as it does not put out runners and has a finer, softer blade texture. Hope that helps. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-15.*