--- title: "Nilsen Landscape Design, LLC — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/nilsen-landscape-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~218151505 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~218151505.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Nilsen Landscape Design, LLC" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/44c3b05c0fcbd1ff_2696-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "PO Box 508, Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945, United States" latitude: 42.4984 longitude: -70.8653 phone: "(781) 588-4457" website: http://www.nilsenlandscape.com rating: 5 review_count: 42 best_of_houzz_awards: 14 followers: 383 last_updated: 2026-10-16 --- # Nilsen Landscape Design, LLC Original Houzz profile: [Nilsen Landscape Design, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/nilsen-landscape-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~218151505) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Marblehead, MA - **Serves:** Boston, Cambridge, Peabody, Salem, Beverly, Beverly Cove, Andover, Lexington, Gloucester, Belmont, Winchester, Marblehead, Concord, Swampscott, Ipswich, Hamilton, Wenham, Essex, Nahant, Manchester, Prides Crossing, South Hamilton - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (42 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 14 awards (2013–2021), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 25,000 Ideabook Saves At Nilsen Landscape Design, we are committed to encouraging outdoor living. We believe that access to nature can have a restorative impact on health and well being; and that a well designed landscape improves both the beauty and enjoyment of an outdoor space. Our design process is a collaborative one, where we’ll learn about your requirements, lifestyle, aesthetic style and the natural assets and challenges of your site. Based on a deep understanding of these components, we develop custom design solutions that are unique to each project. Our design aesthetic is classic with an edge and focuses on the details that make a space unique. We view design through a lens of sustainability and provide eduction on the spectrum of sustainable landscape choices; from integrating native plants into your garden, through to LEED certification. With Nilsen Landscape Design you can expect a creative, professional and educational process where we will develop an exciting new vision for your landscape. Please visit our website, or contact us to discuss your landscape project. ### 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 - Design Consultation - Outdoor Lighting Design - Deck Design - 3D Rendering - Project Management - Organic Gardens - Edible Gardens - Custom Bocce Ball Courts - Living Walls - Rooftop Deck Installation - Remote Design Plans ### Areas Served - Boston - Cambridge - Peabody - Salem - Beverly - Beverly Cove - Andover - Lexington - Gloucester - Belmont - Winchester - Marblehead - Concord - Swampscott - Ipswich - Hamilton - Wenham - Essex - Nahant - Manchester - Prides Crossing - South Hamilton ### Typical Job Cost $25,000 - 250,000 This is the typical construction budget for the projects I work on. Design and Project Management Services are separate and typically range from 5-15% of the cost of construction. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Nilsen Landscape Design, LLC | | Address | PO Box 508, Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945, United States | | Phone | (781) 588-4457 | | Website | http://www.nilsenlandscape.com | | Followers on Houzz | 383 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/pages/nilsen-landscape-design/174861809225633\# - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/nilsenlandscape - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/pub/andrea-nilsen/67/688/426 - Blog — http://blog.nilsenlandscape.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Nilsen Landscape Design, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/nilsen-landscape-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~218151505) - **Website:** http://www.nilsenlandscape.com - **Phone:** (781) 588-4457 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Certificate of Landscape Design, Boston Architectural College - Member of APLD - **Best of Houzz:** 14 awards (2013–2021), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [Association of Professional Landscape Designers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/association-of-professional-landscape-designers-pfvwus-pf~92795973) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 42 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 5.0 - Communication: 5.0 - Value: 5.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Kellie, Dec. 2020** > We can not say enough about Andrea. She is simply amazing. Her talent and attention to detail is reflected in her work. Andrea took our pathetically dull back yard and transformed it into a tranquil, peaceful, and majestically colorful piece of artwork. > Andrea respectfully listened to our wants and thoughtfully presented us with an incredible design. > We highly recommend Andrea and look forward to working with her in the spring and seeing the canvas transformed into a colorful work of art. **★★★★★ — Robert Goodwin, Dec. 2020** > Working with Andrea was great. We have a property that has a 40 foot elevation change on a 1/3 acre lot. Nilsen Landscape developed a landscaping plan that transformed our exterior. Portions of the yard that were unusable are now exterior living space which was much needed in 2020! Thanks for your help Andrea. We are so happy with the final product! **★★★★★ — Margarita C-a, Oct. 2020** > Andrea came highly recommended and she did not disappoint. She was very friendly, not pushy but came with good ideas. She listened to us and what we wanted out of space and helped us map it all out. She was a great help to our construction team as well...she laid out the design to scale and gave them what they needed to order and how to lay out. Finally, she has great attention to detail (considered environment/lighting) and even helped us catch an issue with a falling retaining wall (much appreciated). We love our space now and are so happy to have worked with Andrea. **★★★★★ — BRACOL PAINTING AND DECOR, INC., Dec. 2019** > I was referred to Andrea Nielsen by a general contractor (S+H) who had worked with her in the past, and she came to me highly recommended. My experience was positive since the first interaction. Andrea was very attentive to my needs and listened to the concept we had for our landscaping. After our initial meetings, she came out with a beautiful design that exceeded our original expectations. > > Andrea worked with us every step of the way and was always aware of our budget when providing options for our selection of materials. She was very responsive to each one of our inquiries and even got answers back to us during her vacation. > > The process was easy to handle from beginning to end, and we felt that we were being accompanied in every step of this complex process. Andrea spent time with us explaining different options and brought samples that allow us to understand better the different selections. She was also very resourceful to find information about options and questions we have thought for our property and provided useful advice to help guide our decisions. > > Andrea was very involved in our project, she helped us in selecting furniture and appliances, recommended subcontractors to do other work, and even took the time to upon delivery to personally position every plant according to her layout, and then she personally supervised the planting. > > Finally, I can say without a doubt that working with Andrea has been one of the most pleasant experiences I had. She is very knowledgeable, has a great ability to explain the technical details behind each decision, and listens to the customer to make sure the space she designs fulfills every need and expectation. I highly recommend Andrea for your landscaping work, I am sure she will be the first person I call for any future project. > > To finalize, the best way to summarize Andrea's work is to say that after completion of the design Andrea put together, our home feels now complete. Also, all of our neighbors have highly complemented our landscaping work. **★★★★★ — Tish Bachmann, Dec. 2019** > We have enjoyed working with Andrea. She is knowledgeable of all aspects of our job. We have a sloped yard, an old wall, and water issues near the house, and an upper patio needing to flow into the new outdoor living space. Andrea provided guidance and great ideas to make our vision of the space a reality. She listens, takes notes, is responsive, and provided options when we were up against our budget. She keeps the job moving, brought in qualified contractors for us to choose from, and is overall easy to work along side. Her fees have always been reasonable and fair. I would hire her again and recommend her without reservation. **★★★★★ — Ed Sullivan, Nov. 2019** > I have worked with Nilsen Landscape Design multiple in times in the past most recently this fall. Andrea is very knowledgeable and easy to work with. All of our combined projects have finished with great success and happy clients. I will continue to recommend Andrea to future clients and will look forward to working with her again soon. **★★★★★ — Rebecca Scott, Oct. 2019** > I reached out to Andrea not knowing anything about landscape design. My backyard was completely covered by a garage and we knew we wanted to take down the garage and have a proper backyard instead, but I had no idea where to start. Andrea listened to both my husband's and my opinions and found ways to make both of our ideas work. She also made sure our yard was extremely functional, beautiful, and well constructed. In the design phase, she spotted problems I hadn't thought of and now we have a nice path to walk on from the driveway to the front steps. She also measured the sunlight and picked flowers based on my preferences but also which would thrive in the different spots around the house. She gave advice when we asked but also graciously let us muddle through decisions we wanted to make on our own. Now that it is done, I couldn't be happier. I smile every time I look at the yard from inside and outside the house. It is better than we could have imagined, or figured out how to do on our own. **★★★★★ — Bonnie Daly, Dec. 2018** > Andrea's design for our back yard provided us with the PERFECT solution -- replace a crummy deck with a larger stone patio with wide steps that allowed for much more comfortable movement in and out of the house, and create a more intimate garden space and fire pit that blends with the conservation land beyond our property. Every step of the way, she listened carefully, was timely and professional in her communication with us, offered wisdom about many things we wouldn't have thought of ourselves, and collaborated with the landscaping company to make sure everything was done to specification. I can't say enough positive things about Andrea and Nilsen Landscape Design. We are thrilled with the outcome. I would use her again without reservation. **★★★★★ — Kyle Brooks, Oct. 2018** > Andrea and her contractors did an amazing job turning our small, dark, underused, outdoor patio space in the city into a bright open beautiful space that we love. Andrea puts great ideas on paper and also has excellent connections to make sure your job is completed the way it was intended. Additionally, small touches like Andrea's vertical wall garden that she affixed to the house is the type of outside the box thinking that will make you glad you chose Nilsen Landscape Design to create and manage your landscaping project. We've dealt with our share of fly by night contractors, but Nilsen Landscape is the real deal and we are very glad to have trusted her with our project. Highly recommended! **★★★★★ — tracy\_orloff, Oct. 2018** > We hired Andrea to come up with design concepts for our “blank canvas” of a back yard. She did an outstanding job of coming up with a beautiful design (which included stone retaining walls, second deck, patio, fire pit, restoring original deck and plantings to compliment the space) collaborated with us on our wants and needs and did a great job of listening. The final product is beyond what we could have hoped fo. Thank you Andrea! **★★★★★ — JADW, Aug. 2018** > It was my good fortune to be introduced to Andrea 4 years ago. We initially collaborated on a custom home with a very challenging site. Her process was efficient and uncomplicated and the resulting design was transformative; I have asked for and looked forward to her help on all of our subsequent projects including my own home. > Mindful of our project and client budgets and schedules, she issues planting plans and hardscape designs that are both beautiful and functional. Projects are managed to completion ensuring that quality materials, lighting and healthy plantings are chosen and installed correctly. After 20 years of custom home building and development, Andrea is amongst a small group of truly professional persons in our industry that I can unreservedly recommend. > I am very happy to be working with her and my wife and I are grateful everyday for the beautiful landscape she designed for us. **★★★★★ — agurjal2, Dec. 2017** > We hired Andrea to fully redesign our landscape, a large project that included converting two miniature backyards into one, putting in a driveway, and redoing the front landscaping. Andrea was wonderful to work with. She began by coming to house to walk around the property with us and listen to our ideas. We then had a series of meetings with her in person and by phone, during which she shared initial plans, asked for our feedback, and developed revised plans. Ultimately, she came up with a beautiful design for a space that is both tranquil and functional (kids can play, we can garden and entertain, unsightly trashcans are stored out of sight, etc.). Once we concluded the design stage, Andrea helped us to find a landscape contractor and oversaw the entire landscape construction project, taking care of details such as coordinating with the contractor, selecting plants at the nursery, and laying out the plants in the beds. We highly recommend Andrea. ## Selected projects - [Belmont Master Plan](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/belmont-master-plan-pj-vj~5859663) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Cambridge Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cambridge-residence-pj-vj~2080337) - Location: Cambridge, MA - Photos: 24 - Description: The owners of this home in Cambridge wanted a no lawn landscape that combined the look of an English garden with some fun and whimsical notes. They wanted the garden to be dog friendly (and have at least one path that could be cleared of snow in the winter for the dogs to run), and to include lots of edibles. The design includes a new walkway, iron fence and plantings in the front yard. In the back are generous raised vegetable beds, a main pathway that connects the side entrances to a large pat… - [Charlestown Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/charlestown-residence-pj-vj~2069447) - Location: Boston, MA - Photos: 12 - Description: The owners of this home in Charlestown's historic neighborhood wanted walk out access from their basement to their pocket yard, and a deck off of their new kitchen that connected to this outdoor space. The design included a small deck with iron railings and steps down to a bluestone patio. From new sliding doors, there is now walk up access to the patio. The space is surrounded by a new fence that includes built in storage. - [Brookline Modern Front Yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brookline-modern-front-yard-pj-vj~1362489) - Location: Brookline, MA - Photos: 28 - Description: The owners of this home wanted a place to sit and garden in their front yard, the only sunny part of their property. With a modern aesthetic in mind, we created a large bluestone landing off of the front door with steps down to grade through two large raised planters. The planters are veneered with linear bluestone and include lighting. The landing steps down to a patio area, large enough for a table and a few chairs. On the side of the yard we created 3 cedar vegetable beds with trellises that… - [Lexington Master Plan](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lexington-master-plan-pj-vj~2774693) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 21 - [Medford Patio and Steps to Porch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/medford-patio-and-steps-to-porch-pj-vj~2825397) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: The owners of this home designed and built a covered porch off of their kitchen. I collaborated with them and their architect to create a patio with surrounding seat wall that leads up to the new porch. An entry landing and granite steps also access a side entrance and under porch storage area - [Westport Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/westport-retreat-pj-vj~697528) - Location: Westport, MA - Photos: 35 - Description: This beautiful, updated, cedar shingle home in Westport was situated in an open space surrounded by woodlands. A long gravel driveway leads up to the home, which is perched on a hill. The landscape program was to enhance the pastoral feeling of the property by creating a meadow garden between the lawn and woodland, and by creating a fruit orchard at the opposite end of the property. Around the house, grasses and perennials in tones of white and purple lend a calm, seaside feeling to the space. B… - [Milton Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/milton-residence-pj-vj~2762538) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Brookline Outdoor Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brookline-outdoor-kitchen-pj-vj~1371181) - Location: Brookline, MA - Photos: 8 - Description: This outdoor entertaining space includes a large bluestone patio and built in kitchen with grill, refrigerator and Cesarstone countertop. The space is broken into a dining/cooking area and a lounge area. A low wall functions as retention and extra seating and separates the dining patio from the yard. Lighting is integrated throughout to make this a true extension of the home's living space. - [Wellesley Landscape Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wellesley-landscape-renovation-pj-vj~2762615) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Cambridge Custom Pergola and Swing](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cambridge-custom-pergola-and-swing-pj-vj~2762582) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: A custom pergola and swing bed was designed as the focal point of this owner's back yard. An existing brick and bluestone patio was expanded with pea gravel to provide space for the pergola and a series of raised bluestone beds for vegetable and annual gardening. Custom trellises and a pergola over a bluestone walkway connect the backyard to the property's side yard. - [Concord Colonial](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/concord-colonial-pj-vj~1212438) - Location: Concord, MA - Photos: 11 - Description: This Colonial style home was built from the ground up on a piece of property abutting town wetlands. The design plan required a permeable driveway which is achieved through a beautiful concrete paver system. A fieldstone retaining wall runs the length of the driveway and fieldstone steps access the side entry. The front entry is classic and restrained, with block granite front steps and a predominately green, pink and white foundation planting scheme. Two upright London Plane trees frame the fro… - [Watertown Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/watertown-garden-pj-vj~764474) - Location: Watertown, MA - Photos: 25 - Description: This brick Tudor style home was situated on a steeply sloped lot that rendered the back yard unusable. The new design includes two long, curved, NE fieldstone retaining walls that manage the grade, and create a level lawn terrace in the middle of the yard. Ornamental grasses and plantings provide color and seasonal interest. A side pathway from the back patio to the front yard provides access around the house. A natural millstone fountain is a feature located just outside of the dining room wind… - [Wellesley Master Plan](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wellesley-master-plan-pj-vj~323412) - Location: Wellesley, MA - Photos: 9 - Description: The landscape design for this new construction home in Wellesley aimed to soften the formality and balance the scale of the house. The mixed plant beds in the front yard are generous in size and shaped in sweeping curves to soften the facade. Plant beds flank the front walkway at the sidewalk to create a sense of entrance to the yard. The back yard features two distinct patios; one functioning as an extension of the living room, and the other as a dining area. Plantings surround the patio to pro… - [Belmont Terraced Backyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/belmont-terraced-backyard-pj-vj~695405) - Location: Belmont, MA - Photos: 13 - Description: This backyard design had a number of challenges, including a steep slope and complex architectural angles. The homeowners wanted to create a large patio space for entertaining while retaining much of the lawn area for play. The solution was to set the patio into the slope, where a seat wall around the patio functions as both a retaining wall and extra seating area. Built in lighting and lots of plantings soften the space and offer year round interest. - [Jamaica Plain No Lawn Backyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/jamaica-plain-no-lawn-backyard-pj-vj~695364) - Location: Boston, MA - Photos: 7 - Description: This small backyard garden is in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. The house, an energy efficient design, is oriented so the backyard is in direct southern sun. The landscape plan was to create a drought tolerant, dog tolerant, no lawn retreat. We used gravel and stone instead of lawn, evergreen plants for screening and texture, and lots of shrubs and perennials for seasonal color. - [Little Compton Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/little-compton-retreat-pj-vj~59254) - Location: Little Compton, RI - Photos: 11 - [Jamaica Plain Entertaining Space and Built in Spa](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/jamaica-plain-entertaining-space-and-built-in-spa-pj-vj~289087) - Location: Boston, MA - Photos: 11 - Description: The owners of this gorgeous Victorian home in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood wanted to create a yard for entertaining. The design incorporates a hot tub, built in to a gorgeous new mahogany deck. French doors open from the kitchen to create a seamless flow to the dining patio. A pergola on the corner of the deck creates a living room area, complete with comfortable seating and overhead lighting. A curved stacked stone seat wall creates a soft edge to the yard, and provides additional seatin… - [Lexington Woodland Garden and Patio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lexington-woodland-garden-and-patio-pj-vj~269614) - Location: Lexington, MA - Photos: 6 - Description: The owners of this property wanted to create a side entrance to their existing deck, and create an entertaining space off of the deck with a fire pit and seating. The deck was refinished, and concrete pavers in a neutral palette were chosen for the patio to complement the deck color and natural setting. Trees, shrubs and perennials surround the space providing a variety of interesting views. - [Lexington Historic Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lexington-historic-home-pj-vj~60080) - Location: Lexington, MA - Photos: 13 [See all 23 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/nilsen-landscape-design-llc-pfvwus-pf~218151505) ## Community Q&A **Q: Stone type for retaining wall?** *(in Photo Questions)* Hello - do you mind sharing the manufacture/style/color of the stone for the walls? A: It is thermal bluestone, custom cut **Q: what are the purple flowers?** *(in Photo Questions)* Would love to know what the purple flowers are! A: The tall spiky ones are Salvia, the round ones are Allium! Thanks for asking! **Q: How is the blue stone planter boxes made? Is the stone stacked ?** *(in Photo Questions)* Can't tell if this is stack of blue stone or a glued facade front to another box using Blue stone? A: Thank you for your question, the core construction is concrete block. The blue stone is 2 inch deep strips custom cut in varying widths, veneered on the concrete core. **Q: What is the base paint color of this house?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you for your question. My scope was the landscape design, I do not know the color of the house paint. **Q: love the planters with attached trellis. Can you share design?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi Joy, The planters are from Naturalyards. Their website is great in terms of picking a planter option. These are rectangular with top rail and trellis included. **Q: I love the lighting on the low wall.** *(in Photo Questions)* Could you please tell me the make of the light fixtures on the low wall. Perfect amount of illumination to create an intimate space! A: Thank you for the nice comment. These are the Engineered Wall Lights from Cast Lighting. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-10-16.*