--- title: "TLC Gardens — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/tlc-gardens-pfvwus-pf~1954612241 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1954612241.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "TLC Gardens" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/5103c91c00f87047_7368-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1067 S Hover Road, Unit E194, Longmont, Colorado 80501, United States" latitude: 40.1779 longitude: -105.101 phone: "(720) 323-4954" website: http:// rating: 3.8 review_count: 17 best_of_houzz_awards: 7 followers: 142 last_updated: 2026-09-24 --- # TLC Gardens Original Houzz profile: [TLC Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/tlc-gardens-pfvwus-pf~1954612241) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Longmont, CO - **Serves:** Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Erie, Louisville, Frederick, Superior, Gunbarrel, Berthoud, Mead, Niwot, Lyons, Boulder County, Hygiene, Prospect - **Houzz rating:** 3.8 out of 5 (17 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2019–2025), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - 25,000 Ideabook Saves - Award winning - High-end - Offers Custom Work Steeped in experience that somes from completion of over a hundred high end multiphase projects. I do my best work with clients that are looking to tranform their outdoor experiences to match the architectural style of there home and build a new connection with nature, friends or family through experiences. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Site Planning - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Custom Fire Pits - Pool Landscaping - Custom Water Features - Swimming Pool Design - Gazebo Design & Construction - Outdoor Lighting Design - Deck Design - 3D Rendering - Project Management - Shed Design & Construction - Edible Gardens - Custom Bocce Ball Courts - Custom Steel Elements - Custom Steel Work - Deck Design Build - Design Build - Gardens - Grading & Drainage - Hot Tub Design & Install - Hot Tub Spa Integration - Modern Design Build - Outdoor Design Build - Outdoor Dining Patios - Outdoor Grill Stations - Outdoor Kitchens - Outdoor Living Spaces - Outdoor Rooms - Patios - Pergola Construction - Steel Planters - Steel Sculpture ### Areas Served - Boulder - Longmont - Lafayette - Erie - Louisville - Frederick - Superior - Gunbarrel - Berthoud - Mead - Niwot - Lyons - Boulder County - Hygiene - Prospect ### Typical Job Cost $150,000 - 2 million Design Program Averages 10% of Construction Cost Construction Program Averages 20-30% of Residential Home Value ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | TLC Gardens | | Address | 1067 S Hover Road, Unit E194, Longmont, Colorado 80501, United States | | Phone | (720) 323-4954 | | Website | http:// | | Followers on Houzz | 142 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/gardensofchange.com - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/Gardensofchange.com - Blog — www.gardensofchange.com ## Offers $100 Donation to National Parks! _Donation to Nat. Park of Clients Choice._ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [TLC Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/tlc-gardens-pfvwus-pf~1954612241) - **Website:** http:// - **Phone:** (720) 323-4954 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Certified Landscape Designer, award winning firm: (11 ) APLD Awards, (2) NALP Awards, (2) ALCC Awards, (3) Best of HOUZZ, (1) Build Magazine, (2) Best in Service, (1) Vectorworks Landmark CAD, (2) Finalist in HGTV, (35) Publications - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2019–2025), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 3.8 out of 5 — 17 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — lauriesunderland, Dec. 2021** > Cheri and her team were both creative in their design and professional in their delivery. I'm very pleased with my back yard project and would highly recommend Solid Ground. **Comment from TLC Gardens:** > Thank you so much Laurie! It has been such a pleasure to work with you as our client to design and build your outdoor spaces! **★★ — lch59, June 2021** > If I had more words for this review, I could elaborate on the many outcomes I am both happy, but also unhappy with. I'll start with the positives. Cheri is a very talented designer, and she cares a lot about trying to keep her company together in a very competitive business and treating her crew as valued professionals. Her partners, workers, and subcontractors (mostly) are fantastic. Our landscape truly has been transformed, and eventually, with more time, effort, and money, it will look great. Here are the negatives. Our yard would have been awesome if we'd had half a million to spend (like the site posted on her website with 45 photos on it), but alas, we tried to stick to a budget of $100,000, which we actually thought was generous. Silly us. She asked for, and we provided, half up front, a big mistake, then, we kept paying, paying, and paying. The final price tag ended up at $144,000, not including the $8,000 Cheri charged us for her design, an especially irritating cost, since we thought that was included in the original $100,000 price tag. That final figure includes zero plants. We signed our TLC contract last August and the company finished in May, an overly long, drawn-out process that made it clear we were not their priority. Without my pestering, I'm doubtful we would have ever finished. (In fact, we're really not finished, but I've given up, and we're out of money.) We chose TLC because of their beautiful photos on Houzz at properties like ours, a relatively blank, semi-rural, .75 of an acre. However, with our budget, we simply couldn't do everything we hoped to do using TLC's design process, which begins with creating a "Houzz wishlist." From the beginning, our expectations were bigger than our budget could ever achieve. I knew we were in trouble when the first design meeting with actual budget numbers included a $20,000 BBQ grill, which represented 1/5 of our budget. Instead of beginning with a design process that feeds customers' fantasies, TLC should have enough expertise to know landscape costs and not create unrealistic expectations. It's better to underpromise and over perform than promising the moon and continuing to increase the budget, because that just creates hard feelings. If you contract with TLC, watch your money. Hold back funds until the work is completed. Be smarter than we were. TLC probably isn't the right company for you if you have to stick to a budget. We ended up raiding our retirement funds, which doesn't feel good. Even after spending all this time and money with them, we heard nothing when the job finally dribbled to an end, which seems like a bad way to do business. If you want your customers to feel good about the work, it would be a good idea to do an "exit interview," to learn how to improve. **Comment from TLC Gardens:** > We are sorry that you were unhappy with parts of our process, and our Team was truly happy to work with you on transforming your outdoor living space to meet your priorities and goals. Clients often struggle with understanding what things cost, and we do our best to address budget considerations in our first meeting and even as early as the first phone call so that we can proceed in alignment. We address the project minimum and budget early on in the process so that clients know what’s realistic and what’s not for their budget. Before the build phase begins, all costs are broken down for you in the build proposal for every sequence of the project with the intention to give you clear expectations. It is then our standard process to require a 50% materials deposit to commit to building your design. With that being said, we are constantly improving our processes to create the best possible experience for our clients from start to finish, and we sincerely appreciate your feedback. An exit interview is a great idea, and we will be working on adding this into our process for the future. **★ — Chris B, Feb. 2021** > Working with Cheri Stringer was the worst vendor experience of our thirty year marriage. We picked TLC Gardens because of their lovely photos on Houzz and other sites. Cheri promised an exquisite design, a seamless process, precise installation, and extraordinary service. We got the opposite at every turn. The design was flawed from the very beginning due to mismeasurements. Construction was an exhausting exercise in mistake after mistake on quite literally every element. We were willing to pay a premium for service, quality, and beauty, but instead we paid for inadequacies and misrepresentations. Throughout it all, Cheri Stringer offered not a hint of accountability. > > Cheri Stringer will likely respond to this review by saying that we (her clients) “stopped work” several times and that she tried to come up with solutions. She is somewhat correct. We “stopped work” because we had to bring constant errors to their attention -- errors which fundamentally impacted and delayed the project. Ultimately, the problems came down to: (1) Cheri’s original site measurements were completely off from the beginning, which caused the design to be out of scale for our backyard (and could never have accomplished our project goals); (2) her design was grossly over-engineered, using expensive systems and materials that were wrong for our site; (3) she over-ordered and overcharged us for materials that we did not choose in amounts that were never adjusted after she had to remeasure; and (4) her attempts to create fixes were so poorly executed that they have to be completely rebuilt by a new contractor. > > After months of issue after issue, rework after rework, tens of thousands of dollars spent, lost sleep and total frustration, we finally had enough and walked away. We are working with an honest, competent company and going through this process anew. **Comment from TLC Gardens:** > In the first phase of the design implementation, measurements on site were off by 6 inches between the house and the garage. Hardscape elements were not installed to our standards which were in the process of being revised. Throughout the project, our team created detailed communications on the corrections that would be made to bring our hardscape services up to standard. A detailed Project Book with construction plans for every phase of the project from start to finish was produced for all elements and provided to our clients prior to construction start. We updated these plans during construction with changes the clients requested. Our designs are value-engineer driven incorporating construction sequence, process, and best practices to deliver exceptional value. Site conditions including multiple weather delays, freezing temperatures hindered our execution of the site elements on this project. All throughout, our communication and collaborative teamwork, including multiple meetings with clients, was set to provide clear goals and product quality standards. We appreciate your feedback, and we will continue to improve the accuracy, quality, and experience for our Design Build clients. **★★★★★ — daniel kinnier, Jan. 2020** > We had an excellent experience with TLC. From the start of the project to it's completion they were consummately professional and managed all of our expectations . They planned the project from the design phase through the actual implementation in a way that made it as stress free as possible. All members were polite and courteous and the quality of the work was first class. We would highly recommend this firm ! **Comment from TLC Gardens:** > Thank you for your feedback, Dan. It has been such a pleasure to design and build the outdoor environment for you and your family! **★★★★★ — Ryan Webb, Dec. 2018** > Cheri and the TLC team contributed more than we ever expected to our home. We've completed two large projects with them and have every confidence in recommending them to prospective clients. Cheri brought a great vision to our challenging projects and her team executed perfectly. Equally important was the follow-up service Cheri and her project manager offered post completion. They stayed engaged and interested in the performance of our landscaping years after completion. **★★★★ — Kraig Clark, Nov. 2018** > First things first. Our finished landscape is fantastic, in the way it was designed AND the quality of installation. We are quite happy with the results, but we had some bumps and bruises along the way. > > We started looking for landscapers in February of 2018, and focused on companies that had great reputations for design and quality. The yard in our new home was/is small, but we still wanted it to function incredibly well and look incredibly good. After meeting with many companies, we decided to go with Cheri and the TLC team because we felt they would bring our ideas to life. > > Our priorities were 1) Budget, 2) Function (serious water drainage issue), 3) Usability (we entertain a lot and wanted to be able to use all parts of our small yard), 4) Aesthetic (it had to look good), and 5) Installation timeframe. When we started working with TLC, we were fairly confident we would get the yard we wanted, quickly, and on budget. That didn't happen. > > Cheri and her team do a great job of guiding you through their very good design process, but the process took months. When we were finally presented our design, we fell in love with it. It was everything we hoped for and more. It was also 3 times our MAXIMUM budget. > > We asked Cheri and her team for ideas on how we could redesign key concepts to hit our budget goal, but it felt like a dead end. There were no major redesigns, just recommendations of small things to forego, or move into a future phase. We didn't want to do either and wished Cheri had presented us a concept (or a few) that were within our max budget. In the end, we nearly doubled our max budget, which still makes us uncomfortable to think about. > > After agreeing on the design scope and contract, we paid a hefty deposit to hold a spot in the TLC construction queue. Two months later construction finally started. We expected construction to take 6 weeks, but it took nearly three months. Cheri, Luke and the TLC teams do an EXCELLENT job on the installation. They never cut corners, rushed, or deviated from the right way to do things. > > We had an issue crop up during installation that lead to a fiery conversation tied back to our initial "design for costing" frustrations. We felt that we had spent way too much money on a feature (rock wall) that didn't provide enough value relative to other areas of the design that were important to us. > > To Cheri's credit, her team listened intently and came back within 24 hours with very good solutions to our concerns. We walked through every suggestion in detail, agreed on the changes in writing, and their team got back to work. Within a few weeks our yard was completed to perfection. > > In the end, I would recommend TLC Gardens to anyone willing to commit the time and money required to get great quality, and a great design. If budget and speed are your main priorities, I would recommend that you look elsewhere. **★★★★★ — Joseph Fryberger, Aug. 2017** > We chose TLC Gardens for our landscape project based on their reputation and creativity. The experience we had working with Cheri and her team was truly second to none. TLC Gardens did an incredible job from conceptual scheme, detail design, lighting, materials and color consultation, to planting selection and oversight of project execution. Everyone involved helped make it a pleasant, well-organized and collaborate venture. > > The team was patient, kind, and above all knowledgeable and open-minded to our likes and dislikes. Throughout the construction process, Cheri remained adroitly involved to ensure that her design in its reality was responsive to our expectations. As in any project, there arose issues that she made sure were addressed to our satisfaction. The attention to detail was impeccable, the scheduling was effortless and the craftsmanship was flawless. > > With TLC you truly get an “original work of art”, as there is nothing standard or cookie cutter about our landscape. We could not be happier. Cheri truly creates artistry in her designs. > > Thank you Cheri, Cindy, Luke, Scott (& crew). Your professionalism and dedication to your craft is truly appreciated and respected. > > We would recommend TLC Gardens to anyone without reservation or qualification. **★★★★★ — Anna Brooks, Oct. 2016** > I have known Cheri as a colleague for many years, and am consistently impressed by her creativity and professionalism. As a fellow landscape designer, I believe that she exemplifies fair business practices in a profession that is often loosely regulated and subject to personal interpretation. Cheri's design skills, attention to detail and commitment to her clients' satisfaction is more than deserving of a 5-star rating. **★★★★★ — jeannine\_knight, Sept. 2016** > In 2009, TLC Gardens designed and installed a brand new front and side landscape for our home including hardscape and a drainage ditch along the street which was a big problem area for us. The result was a stunning and useful space using native and xeriscape plantings to minimize water usage and manage microclimates around the property. > > Cheri involved us through many meetings throughout the design process making sure that her design and choices fit our aesthetic style, budget and lifestyle. She was very conscientious of helping us determine exactly how we wanted to use the space and what look we wanted it to have. She took us to visit other sites to show us firsthand some of the ideas she was thinking of incorporating into our design so we could see the effect of well-established plantings and different combinations. > > We were also involved in meetings with contractors who would handle the installation and Cheri helped us choose the right one. Then she was closely involved during the entire installation process, checking in at least once a day to may sure it was running according to her instructions and keeping us up to date on progress. > > TLC still checks in with us regularly on the health of the landscape, maintenance issues, and is readily available with any questions we may have or problems we encounter. TLC replaced several trees in 2014 (5 years post-installation) that were not performing to our satisfaction. > > I strongly recommend TLC Gardens and Cheri Stringer to anyone who has landscape and or hardscape needs and needs a comprehensive design considering space, lifestyle, and usage as well as drainage, microclimates and construction issues among other things that I am sure I am oblivious to! Cheri covers all the issues and has the breadth of knowledge and connections in the industry to be effective and efficient. **Comment from TLC Gardens:** > Thank you Jeannine! I very much enjoyed working with you and have enjoyed seeing the landscape mature over the years. It was so exciting when your property won an award in the 2016 APLD Landscape Design Awards. I'm looking forward to working on the upcoming phase 3 of your property! **★★★★★ — Karin Thompson, Sept. 2016** > We had a really horrible backyard and front yard prior to working with Cheri, Tom and the TLC Gardens Team. We needed a complete overhaul with new irrigation and a new sprinkler system. We basically needed to redo all of our landscape. Cheri was incredible in designing our yard and provided drawings. Cheri and her team came up with a unique and beautiful wall made up of boulders with quartz and granite. They actually sparkle in the sunshine and are absolutely gorgeous. The end result of these walls are more than we ever dreamed and fabulous. > > Around the front and the side of our yard is stunning landscaping with roses and shrubs. Cheri also created a very special place for me on the east side of my home that is a perennial garden. One section even has fruit trees. Cheri also installed an incredible, new age sprinkler system that I can turn off and on by using my cellphone. One day my husband called me when I was traveling in Utah and told me there was a storm at home and that it was raining. He then told me our sprinkler system was on and he didn't know how to turn it off. As soon as we hung up, I went on my phone and turned it off, simple as that! > > Our yard really and truly is amazing. Everyone that comes over compliments us on it! We absolutely love our landscaping and can't imagine it any other way. Please note that our project is ongoing and almost complete. Once our project is completed I fully intend on updating my review with a higher rating! We have really enjoyed working with Cheri and her team! **Comment from TLC Gardens:** > Your property was a wonderful challenge to design. I enjoyed working with you both on this project to develop unique solutions for a sloped site. It is a pleasure to see the spaces we developed - the rose garden, the orchard, perennial garden off the patio - filling in and providing beauty and color the first year. We look forward to our continued connection as your landscape matures! **★★★★★ — simon\_n\_robinson, Sept. 2016** > We found TLC Gardens via another contractor who suggested TLC were well regarded and would be a great fit given the size and scope of our landscaping project. I couldn't be happier with the choice. The TLC staff take their jobs seriously and presented solid / engineering based plans, not just pretty pictures. We had a good understanding of the work, time and costs from the beginning and other than some scope creep on our side - they hit all marks. Options were provided for each major decision in a "good, better, best" type format, which was extremely helpful. The onsite team were courteous and respectful (e.g. cleaning up after each day's work) and kept us in the loop regarding progress etc. They worked extremely hard to overcome the inevitable obstacles that turn up and keep the work as close to plan as possible. Overall it was a great experience, we are loving our new backyard and I would use TLC again. **Comment from TLC Gardens:** > Thank you Simon! It was a pleasure to work on your project and we're so glad you are loving your new backyard! I thoroughly enjoyed working with you to create this space for you and your family. I especially enjoyed the integration challenge of the yard shape , connection to the existing home and defining a unique area for the fire pit and outdoor play. We look forward to our future work together. **★ — Joanna Dresen, Aug. 2016** > We hired TLC Gardens in the fall of 2015 to redesign and landscape our back and front yards. During the initial design period we gave them a specific budget which was then broken down into estimates for the phases of work. After each bout of work, all of which was very very poorly managed, Cheri came back to us with exorbitant costs that far exceeded her bids as well as our budget. After coming to us for more money time and time again, in the manner that she did, we had to come to the conclusion that she was taking us for a ride and immediately cut ties with her company. This was a very frustrating, disappointing and expensive process. And by posting this I hope to prevent others from going through a similar ordeal with TLC Gardens. **Comment from TLC Gardens:** > We tried very hard to make this situation better, but we failed to come to a good resolution. In the end we returned some of the clients money still outstanding on our contracts and paid out of pocket for the carpentry work we felt was below our standard of construction. We created a design for the site that incorporated the goals and priorities they wanted for a long range plan. Some of the plan options were to be installed by the clients in their own time and available budget. We produced renderings of the site, complete conceptual plans and budget studies that provided options on proposed phasing and costs. From the final plans we created a contract for installation. . When we started on the steps leading to the patio which were to be redesigned from an existing structure we discovered that the existing structure was not square with the house and we ended up having to rebuild most of the landing to get things squared up. Additionally, one of our partners did not perform to our level of standard. We signed (3) addendum's with them, one for the landing rebuild, one for the irrigation, one for the grass areas around the large play structure on site. We hope to improve our process with every customer this feedback will go to making our process better. ## Selected projects - [Contra Verde - APLD Silver Award & NALP Bronze Award](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contra-verde-apld-silver-award-and-nalp-bronze-award-pj-vj~5335342) - Location: Longmont, CO - Photos: 17 - Description: A modern minimalist design with matching architectural and landscape aesthetics. The focus of the project was to create modern integration of simple modern outdoor living areas that enhanced the home’s architecture while providing meaningful active areas for the clients in a low maintenance environment. Contra Verde, meaning “contrasting energy,” represented the personalities of the clients along with their stylistic and architectural ideas. - [Western Exposure - APLD Bronze Award](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/western-exposure-apld-bronze-award-pj-vj~798983) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 18 - Description: A Bronze Award winner from the International Landscape Design Awards 2016, Western Exposure was a captivating and challenging project in South Boulder. The clients desired a modern plan where the indoor and outdoor space was seamless. We worked to develop a landscape plan that integrated the homes modern architecture with an existing pool and sloped site. A fixed size and position courtyard (as the garage and original home foundation were to remain) was coordinated with other professionals to ac… - [Gallagher Farm](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gallagher-farm-pj-vj~6513844) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 47 - Description: Gallagher Farm is a property with unique topography, a rich family history, breathtaking views of the Front Range, and now an updated outdoor living space to match their modern family farmhouse. - [Hilltop Courtyard- APLD Silver Award Winner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hilltop-courtyard-apld-silver-award-winner-pj-vj~6436212) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 21 - Description: Hilltop Courtyard is a modern design build renovation that transformed the family's outdoor living spaces. The TLC Gardens team designed and installed a cozy courtyard covered by a custom steel pergola, accented with a gas fire pit. The modern fence and gate were installed to add privacy to the outdoor rooms. A natural boulder water feature in the garden adds soundscaping to the newly planted areas surrounding the patio, and intentionally placed landscape lighting gives ambiance to the space aft… - [Mesa Fire-Silver Award Winner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mesa-fire-silver-award-winner-pj-vj~3972410) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 22 - Description: Modern project created an outdoor living space where the family could entertain. A custom fire pit was integrated to tie into key views from the home. Platings, integrated water management allow for a defined space that is playfull and expansive. Playfull steppers and repurposed barn wood screens add to the unique qualities of this site which match the interior kitchen remodel colors and style. - [Urban Courtyard - Bronze Award Winner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-courtyard-bronze-award-winner-pj-vj~830250) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 16 - Description: A contemporary style courtyard was created in a transition space between the house and garage. linear drains were integrated into the patio designed to expand the living space outside the clients kitchen and master bedroom. The courtyard created three distinct spaces utilized for different functions while providing planting areas with custom seat walls integrated into the space. A custom water feature was created to break up garage wall and be in align with the views from within the home. A narr… - [Willow Sanctuary -ALCC Finalist Design Build](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/willow-sanctuary-alcc-finalist-design-build-pj-vj~4178851) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 17 - Description: A contemporary renovation created outdoor living with enduring environments that matched the Frank Loyd Wright interior style of the home, with its contemporary layout and architecture. The outdoor spaces involved construction of hardwood deck areas mirroring the internal flow patterns of the home and connecting key view corridors with focal points and elements to bring the client value while in the space. The mature willow tree was protected during construction to allow the spaces to connect to… - [Red Renaissance - Silver Award Winner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/red-renaissance-silver-award-winner-pj-vj~830167) - Location: Lafayette, CO - Photos: 15 - Description: A Silver Award winner from the International Landscape Design Awards 2016, Red Renaissance's Modern Farmhouse Renovation incorporated an entrance boardwalk with integrated water feature. The plan design was to incorporate an entrance to the home where previously there was only a driveway, create a transition flow pattern to a deck on the north side of the home. The clients desired a bird friendly habitat both the water feature and plant palette were designed to encourage nested birds to make a h… - [Song Ranch - APLD Silver Award Winner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/song-ranch-apld-silver-award-winner-pj-vj~6147283) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 34 - Description: Song Ranch is a unique design build named after the relaxed, highly alert state referred to as ‘söng’ in Tai Chi practice. The site consists of a private ranch home and a public Tai Chi studio on a sprawling 34,000sqft stretch of landscape. The TLC Team transformed this site to be a purposeful, unified journey through the native Colorado environment with beautifully crafted features for a one-of-a-kind, therapeutic experience. We used the building blocks of the Tai Chi practice such as flow, bal… - [Polaris Escape - Bronze Award Winner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/polaris-escape-bronze-award-winner-pj-vj~3972474) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 7 - Description: In the fall of 2017, TLC Gardens began working on an exciting residential project in Boulder, Polaris Escape. The aim was to give the clients just that: an escape outside. The shape and position of the outdoor spaces were designed to create a connection to the native areas in the landscape. The primary goal for the client in Polaris Escape was to get outside in comfortable and captivating spaces. These clients are avid stargazers, and thus, the design-build incorporated spaces of stellar meaning… - [Tiga Sanctuary - Silver Award Winner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tiga-sanctuary-silver-award-winner-pj-vj~830540) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 17 - Description: Our Tiga Sanctuary project won a Silver Award in the 2017 International Landscape Design Awards from the Association for Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). Sanctuary which stand for three (tri) in Chinese dialect spoken in Singapore was created on the high mountain plains has activities for the whole family with a pool, spa, fire pit, putting green, outdoor kitchen and water elements fully integrated with audio visual entertainment. The site posed numerous challenges starting with the loca… - [Rock Canyon - Silver Award Winner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rock-canyon-silver-award-winner-pj-vj~830386) - Location: Longmont, CO - Photos: 9 - Description: A Silver Award winner from the International Landscape Design Awards 2016, Rock Canyon focused on a landscape renovation to the front yard. A courtyard entrance with seat walls and outdoor lighting was integrated into the entrance of the home. A rock ditch in front of the home was transformed into a dry creek bed with large granite boulders and water-wise plantings for year round interest. Landscape lighting was added to accent wall, plant and path textures. - [Country Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/country-cottage-pj-vj~1984510) - Location: Longmont, CO - Photos: 7 - Description: Our Country Cottage project, completed in 2015, is a residence that makes full use of the natural space surrounding the home. The focus of the project was to integrate a flowing landscape to the existing traditional home on a sloped site. The original site had existing landscaping including trees, grass segments, a deck, and an entry staircase. The design intent was to frame the entrance, create outdoor rooms, integrate view corridors, and develop flowing landscape around the home. The client’s… - [Verde Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/verde-garden-pj-vj~3972478) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 5 - Description: Our Verde Garden project was a contemporary California casual design created for a young family. The clients desired a yard that would contain multiple entertainment areas for their child and for their family altogether. The dining terrace built into the land created a level space for the family to play and entertain, surrounded by plantings with bloom progression through the season. This elevated deck was built around an existing tree. A seating area behind the deck area allows the family to sp… - [Celestial View](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/celestial-view-pj-vj~5722354) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 18 - Description: Our Celestial View project is a condominium community that was in need of a master landscape renovation. The main focus of the design was to create a multi-phase design to modernize the community’s plantings, increase home values, and integrate a new irrigation system. The original site consisted of overgrown, limited pallet shrubs that required high maintenance, blocked light from entering the lower units, and resulted in high yearly maintenance costs. The irrigation system was failing, and sys… - [Sussex Trio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sussex-trio-pj-vj~5722656) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 18 - Description: Our Sussex Trio project was a commercial office building desiring to upscale the building’s front for the attraction of high profile clientele, to lower maintenance for the building long term and increase the value of the property. The main focus of the design targeted three areas, the main entrance, the north expanse of the building and the Main building sign. The original site consisted of an office building with small nonfunctional landscape areas, utility boxes that marred the entrance, and… - [Getaway](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/getaway-pj-vj~5722327) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 11 - Description: Our Country Getaway project is a highly creative design build that took a sloped, bare backyard and transformed it into connected, functional outdoor space. The focus of the project intended to meet the client needs overall in areas with separate function. The fire pit addition to the patio, as well as the retaining walls, pathways, plant material, finish materials, and irrigation system were all tied together to create a framing of the spaces and provide year-round enjoyment with low maintenanc… - [On the Brink](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/on-the-brink-pj-vj~3972455) - Location: Longmont, CO - Photos: 6 - Description: Our On The Brink project is a modern contemporary design to mirror the home’s internal architecture and style, including the color palette and large stone accent wall in the living room. The original site was situated on a steep hill with grass surrounding the home. There were no plantings other than the preexisting trees surrounding the property. The design goal was to extend the living space outside with connections to flow patterns, sight lines, and outdoor rooms. A dining terrace with a kitc… - [Flatirons Terrace](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/flatirons-terrace-pj-vj~830525) - Location: Boulder, CO - Photos: 4 - Description: Our Flatirons Terrace Project, completed in 2008, was successful in providing all season color and interest to a deer intensive area. This project’s focus was to create an integrated landscape plan for the front entrance of the home while integrating a deer resistant plant palette. The final result produced a welcoming entrance with multiple colors and textures, which is the pride and joy of the owners. The original site consisted of a ranch home situated on a parcel that sloped from the front e… - [Tennis Portico](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tennis-portico-pj-vj~5722462) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: Our Tennis Portico project integrated the client's tennis court into the expansive backyard by creating integrative patterns and expansive views to the home’s space. The portico-inspired entryway's grandness was amplified by plant material and a multi-level patio, giving it a pop of color with an architectural fence. The original site featured a tennis court, a moveable hot tub, and an outdated backyard patio set to invite guests to the backyard. There was no sense of arrival or privacy to the h… [See all 24 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/tlc-gardens-pfvwus-pf~1954612241) ## Ideabooks - [Cozy Cove](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/185783337/list/cozy-cove) — 33 ideas - [Spiderweb Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/185476983/list/spiderweb-retreat) — 54 ideas - [Sonoran Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/185476130/list/sonoran-oasis) — 9 ideas - [Lotus Gathering](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/185467284/list/lotus-gathering) — 35 ideas - [Family Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/185437220/list/family-retreat) — 16 ideas - [Modern Tenacity](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/185381783/list/modern-tenacity) — 18 ideas - [Mediterrian Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/185366585/list/mediterrian-oasis) — 12 ideas - [Mediterian Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/185155046/list/mediterian-retreat) — 3 ideas - [Kristy House](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/185101230/list/kristy-house) — 20 ideas - [tiga sanctuary 2](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/184820019/list/tiga-sanctuary-2) — 12 ideas - [Loft Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/183901615/list/loft-stairs) — 20 ideas - [Midcentury Modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/183853153/list/midcentury-modern) — 12 ideas - [Modern Minimal Feng Shui Bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/181058988/list/modern-minimal-feng-shui-bathrooms) — 2 ideas - [custom built in cubby ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/179160505/list/custom-built-in-cubby-ideas) — 10 ideas - [Magical Grace](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/167341734/list/magical-grace) — 2 ideas - [Our Home](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/161636758/list/our-home) — 7 ideas - [Neon Forest](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/114104897/list/neon-forest) — 53 ideas - [trends](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/114833714/list/trends) — 4 ideas - [Contemporary window](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/54075338/list/contemporary-window) — 46 ideas - [APLD Design Meetings](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45176373/list/apld-design-meetings) — 44 ideas [See all 82 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/gardensofchange) ## Community Q&A **Q: Beautiful project! May I ask what design software was used? Thanks!** *(in Photo Questions)* Also, are the planters powder-coated metal? A: Vectorworks Landmark . Yes the planters were powder coated! **Q: What is the short, wide evergreen?** *(in Photo Questions)* Not the one by the large rock. A: Hi. That is a Blue Spruce Sester, specifically Picea pungens 'Sester's Dwarf' **Q: A beautiful serene patio! What stone material was used on the patio?** *(in Photo Questions)* I am interested in knowing the stone material used in the patio? A: Thank you! The stone used for the patio at TLC Garden's Gallagher Farm project is natural stone in pearl grey from Stone Universe. **Q: Slash Fire Pit 5' -6' Diameter** *(in Photo Questions)* We need a fire pit that is more utilitarian as a slash pit. Requires maintance to dig out ash so rim would be slightly raised. Maybe roast a pig. A: Got it! **Q: I love this** *(in Photo Questions)* I love this A: Thankyou. It was a fun project to design and a challenging site to get the right feel. We recreated an entry for a sophisticated equine ranch. Redeisigning the entry with new materials, sight lines and flow patterns that allowed for public and private space seperation. The goal was to create an elegant entry that was also functional as a horse ranch. **Q: Love the large rock** *(in Photo Questions)* Where did you purchase large stone on left side of pic.? A: Thanks! This boulder is Colorado Mountain Granite that we source here in Colorado through our local wholesale providers. We hand select boulders for each site, setting the angle and face to optimize the finished results. If you're interested in a design by TLC Gardens incorporating boulders, check us out at tlcgardens.com! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-24.*