--- title: "Big Picture Landscapes — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/big-picture-landscapes-pfvwus-pf~914717424 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~914717424.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Big Picture Landscapes" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/3aa3a00000d0de3e_2672-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Seattle, Washington 98103, United States" latitude: 47.6734 longitude: -122.3426 phone: "(206) 235-3157" website: http:// rating: 5 review_count: 10 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 62 last_updated: 2026-11-05 --- # Big Picture Landscapes Original Houzz profile: [Big Picture Landscapes](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/big-picture-landscapes-pfvwus-pf~914717424) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Seattle, WA - **Serves:** Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline, Bothell, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mercer Island, Mountlake Terrace, Mill Creek, Lake Forest Park, Woodinville, Ballard - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (10 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2020), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Sustainable landscapes for the art of living. Big Picture Landscapes offers landscape design for homeowners invested in living in concert with their environment while enjoying the bounty, beauty, playfulness and serenity that nature can provide. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Site Planning - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Design Consultation - Outdoor Lighting Design - Project Management - Drafting - Organic Gardens - Edible Gardens - Living Walls - Potted Plants ### Areas Served - Seattle - Bellevue - Kirkland - Redmond - Shoreline - Bothell - Edmonds - Lynnwood - Mercer Island - Mountlake Terrace - Mill Creek - Lake Forest Park - Woodinville - Ballard ### Typical Job Cost $20,000 - 100,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Big Picture Landscapes | | Address | Seattle, Washington 98103, United States | | Phone | (206) 235-3157 | | Website | http:// | | License Number | UBI 602 965 050 | | Followers on Houzz | 62 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Big Picture Landscapes](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/big-picture-landscapes-pfvwus-pf~914717424) - **Website:** http:// - **Phone:** (206) 235-3157 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - MSW, ATA in Horticulture and Landscape Design - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2015–2020), for 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 — 10 reviews** ### All 10 reviews **★★★★★ — Debora Goodman, Oct. 2019** > I discovered Kelly Carter Mortimer, of BigPictureLandscapes through a Karmic fluke, and from the moment I met her I knew she was the perfect person to design my new backyard haven. Another gardener I interviewed kept telling me what I “should” do-like build a high fence and get rid of my stepping stones. Kelly listened very carefully to what my needs and desires were; her plans incorporated everything I wished for. She really “got me”. After our initial walk-though, I gave her free reign and she filled every space with exciting, colorful, textured plantings. It was like watching an artist cover a blank canvas with joy. Kelly was easy to work with, clearly loves helping design spaces which bring people happiness. I would gladly let people come see what Kelly created for me. > > Debby **★★★★★ — HU-244722424, Oct. 2019** > Kelly was absolutely wonderful to work with. She could have easily provided us with a generic design that would like like every other yard. Instead she took the time to get to know us and where we are at in our lives, and designed a beautiful custom concept that she knew would bring us joy (and the right amount of upkeep since we are not gardeners.) she went above and beyond in making sure the plants made it through the first year, and even replanted a few poor echinaceas that did not survive the winter storms. I would recommend Big Picture Landscapes to anyone. **★★★★★ — Christina Huebner, March 2019** > We had Kelly with Big Picture Landscapes design and install our front garden - this included coordination with a hardscape company that tore down a concrete retaining wall and replaced it with a rock wall, some movement of existing plants and then install of new design. It turned out better than I could have ever imagined. She produced a beautiful, thoughtful space that enhances the beauty of our home. **★★★★★ — Renata Thronson, Oct. 2016** > I am updating my review, because the work Kelly did for my home just keeps getting better and better. Of course, Kelly had the vision and knowledge to see how things would grow and mature in my front and back yards. I now have the oasis I dreamed of, and I know it will only get even better with time. I've kept in touch with Kelly whenever I need a bit of advice--she is always there to advise me and boost my confidence. I really feel empowered to continue the labor of love that is gardening. If you are considering hiring Kelly Mortimer, stop thinking about it and just do it. The cost will be much more than fair for the reward you will undoubtedly get. My sense of peace and pride at home is priceless. Thank you, Kelly. > > My original review from 2016: > > I can't believe my luck, literally running into Kelly while out on a jog with my dog one day. From there began a special relationship benefitting my home and family in ways I couldn't yet envision. I knew next to nothing about plants and gardens, and I had vague but deep-seated ideas about how I wanted my home and garden to feel. Kelly worked with me to build the specifics of my vision and then to bring it to reality. The design was just the beginning. We spent hours together looking for plants; all the time she was teaching and I was learning. She found and coordinated with local businesses for the hardscaping (and empowered me to get what I needed from them). She did the plant installations herself for a more than fair price; I would have paid much more given the care she put into the project. She coached me through the first year of caring for my new front yard. And then we did it all again a year or so later for the back yard. I am a more confident and loving gardener now, thanks to Kelly's mentorship. I'll still text or email her for advice once in a while, and she never hesitates to help. From the big things (design, installation) to the small (being friendly with my big mutt of a big dog who wanted to keep her company at work), my experience with Kelly was delightful and stress-free. My front and back yards are transformed. It has been well worth the investment for my own quality of life--but additionally, when we got our property appraisal this year, although the land value was even, the property value has gone up tens of thousands of dollars since our horticultural makeover. But we'll never sell now! **★★★★★ — louisaclayton, Oct. 2015** > Kelly is such a talented landscaper. She redesigned our sidebed and I'm just loving the plants she chose--the colors and textures are lovely. Her creativity and sense of beauty are so innate and she was very fun to work with. I highly recommend her! **★★★★★ — anniekurz8, Sept. 2014** > Kelly is professional, creative and very willing to work within your budget. My garden matured well and I love the variety of perennials, shrubs and trees she incorporated into my new garden space not to mention using my favorite color purple! **★★★★★ — mindy1165, Jan. 2014** > Kelly transformed our back yard into a little oasis. She had even brought cuttings from her own garden. Not only is she talented she is one of the most honest and kind people you will find. > You are lucky to have found her, > Melinda Morrison > Queen Anne **★★★★★ — Karin Reahard, March 2013** > I hired Kelly after seeing what an amazing job she was doing on my sisters garden. I have a small, oddly shapped outdoor area that was thrown together with plants that the builders had used to make it appear "landscapped". I had no idea what to do with it to give it some personality. > > Kelly was able to create a vision and execute it amazingly! At all times of the year I get comments from neighbors and passerby's on how pretty my garden is. I recommend her to anyone who is looking to create a garden that is truly theirs. **★★★★★ — woodmont, Feb. 2013** > Working with Kelly Carter Mortimer and her Big Picture Landscapes has been a joy. Kelly's knowledge, expertise, artistic vision, and guidance have helped to make my garden dream a reality. > > Kelly really listens and works with you to create a garden that truly reflects the gardener's individual expression. > > I could not be happier with the result and highly recommend Big Picture Landscapes as an exceptional service. **★★★★★ — Root Design & Landscape, Feb. 2013** > Kelly and have collaborated a few times and in each instance, I have walked away learning something new and looking forward to our next project together. > > I have listened to Kelly interacted with clients, discretely and skillfully share her vast knowledge of plants and problem solving. > > I am assured with each interaction that she is a stellar designer and individual. > > I wholeheartedly recommend Kelly and Big Picture Landscapes. ## Selected projects - [Woodland stroll](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/woodland-stroll-pj-vj~5613975) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: This garden charmed me before we even began the transformation. Mature maples, rhododendrons, and moss covered rocks created a sense of peace that I knew we had to preserve. So we created soft pathways and pops of color to draw one through the garden and invite closer inspection and lingering. Choosing woodland plants meant that they could withstand the filtered shade and leaf litter which is allowed to remain in place as mulch. Plants bloom throughout the year including winter when the witch ha… - [A garden for all seasons](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-garden-for-all-seasons-pj-vj~2739991) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 15 - Description: The challenge for this garden was the side entrance to the house. We needed to make it clear which way to go and make the journey to the front door interesting and welcoming. This meant there had to be something happening in the garden year round. Foliage plays a big role in this garden! The pathways were designed to provide a gracious entrance and be wide enough in some spaces to allow for neighbors to gather outside the home office balcony. The backyard needed to accommodate the trampoline, fo… - [Ballard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ballard-pj-vj~139949) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 14 - Description: This front yard garden is meant to pay tribute to the heather meadows you might encounter on a mountain hike, but punch it up a notch with vibrant color combinations and textures. - [Borders and Containers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/borders-and-containers-pj-vj~168375) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 20 - Description: This is a sampling of some of the plant borders and containers I've created for clients over the past few years. These pictures feature some of my favorite go-to plants that perform beautifully but aren't 'divas' who require all kinds of special care. - [Rain Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rain-garden-pj-vj~1391882) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 13 - Description: This family is dedicated to a sustainable lifestyle and wanted a garden to match. They didn't want to sacrifice beauty for function so we came up with a rain garden to capture and filter their stormwater while also supporting loads of colorful grasses, shrubs and perennials (not to mention all the birds and beneficial bugs who visit the garden). The lawn was removed to make way for a gathering space with boulders for sitting, a few edibles, and lots of color and texture for year round interest.… - [Good Vibes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/good-vibes-pj-vj~369630) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 9 - Description: Even though this homeowner rents his home he has no intention of leaving any time soon because of the good vibes of the space and the neighborhood. A couple of new patios, fire pit, a collection of new containers and a couple of cool shade sails made the garden a place full of great energy for outdoor living. Portability was kept in mind just in case the family does move one day. Meanwhile, everyone is enjoying the color and welcoming spaces to hang out. Hardscaping installed by Altered Earth LL… - [Midcentury Remix](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/midcentury-remix-pj-vj~1391214) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 8 - Description: This high impact but low maintenance garden was designed to honor the home's architecture and the busy homeowner's lifestyle. While there are not a lot of flowers in the garden there is no shortage of color. A dynamic mix of evergreen and deciduous plants means there is always something happening in this small garden. Every plant had to earn it's spot with beautiful foliage, interesting texture or eye catching movement. And, the beach pebble mulch is so pretty when wet that the homeowner actuall… - [Crafted for a Bungalow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/crafted-for-a-bungalow-pj-vj~370724) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 8 - Description: The house has great style and is well loved but the backyard didn't have the personality to match. Add some gorgeous pots, a beautiful curving dry stack wall for informal seating, raised beds for vegetables (even a bench for reflecting on those beautiful tomatoes), and plants chosen for year round interest, color and movement and you have a perfectly crafted backyard retreat. Raised beds, deck railing and dry stack wall installation by Altered Earth LLC. - [Garden for a Pisces](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garden-for-a-pisces-pj-vj~255020) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 17 - Description: This garden has two personalities. The front yard is full of exuberant color and meant to pay tribute to a childhood beach home. The backyard is meant to be more contemplative and provide abundant choices for seating and entertaining. Even the small vegetable garden in the back of the yard has a bench! Two personalities divide the backyard too as one side is dedicated to lush plantings and the other to easy access and work zones for composting and vegetable gardening. The metal arbors and paver… - [Staycation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/staycation-pj-vj~369644) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 5 - Description: A small garden with dreams of travel to exotic locations. This young family needed a place for stay-cations where everyone including the dog had space to play and relax. The only plants requested by the homeowner were palm trees and then just lots of color. The palms set the tone for bringing in plants that thrive in the Pacific Northwest but still have a tropical feel. Hot plants combine with a water feature, the cool tones of basalt and blue stone for a retreat where everyone feels at home. Ha… - [Worldly family](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/worldly-family-pj-vj~157159) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 10 - Description: This small urban garden was designed to be welcoming to kids and dogs without making the grown-ups feel like they were at the playground. There are 'rooms' for dining, relaxing, growing food, playing catch and even playing house. - [Backyard retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-retreat-pj-vj~162654) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 9 - Description: This backyard started out with an awkward slope that made using it difficult for this active family. Improvements needed to accommodate room for a slip-n-slide and ball play; eventually screen out unwanted views and invite the whole family into the yard with beautiful gardens and gathering spaces. - [New perspective](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-perspective-pj-vj~369557) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 7 - Description: This garden came about under distress when a neighbor's renovation left the homeowners feeling on one hand dwarfed by a new monstrous retaining wall and over exposed on the other hand due to the size of the neighbor's new home. Thus began a true collaboration between designer and homeowners with the goal of restoring the peace and privacy that the homeowners craved in their garden. The resulting garden reflects the design savvy of the homeowners when combined with just the right horticultural an… - [Contemporary condo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-condo-pj-vj~161414) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 8 - Description: This garden surrounds a corner unit condominium. The owner wanted a contemporary feel but with a touch of romance and vibrant colors. The result is a combination of ornamental grasses and evergreen plants with exuberant perennials and flowering shrubs. [See all 14 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/big-picture-landscapes-pfvwus-pf~914717424) ## Ideabooks - [screens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/113348255/list/screens) — 3 ideas - [window boxes](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/112275031/list/window-boxes) — 12 ideas - [kellycm's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/7318513/list/kellycm-s-ideas) — 37 ideas [See all 3 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/kellycm) ## Community Q&A **Q: mounding low light green plant** *(in Photo Questions)* The rounded light green plant is gorgeous (as is the design). What is it? It looks almost like a sedum or a small euphorbia. Thanks! A: Hi, thanks for the nice comments on this garden. You are correct that the plant is a sedum. It is Sedum Autumn Joy. The flowers turn pinkish as the season progresses and the seed heads provide bird forage and great winter interest if left until February. **Q: Great color contrast!** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me what the yellow plant is in the middle of this pic? A: Hi Andrea, The yellow plant is Erica cinerea 'Golden Sport'. Happy gardening. Kelly **Q: Love use of plants shrubs for color texture diff forms what are they?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi, glad you like the plants! The closest bed includes Autumn Joy Sedum, Blue Forest juniper, Firefly heather, assorted lewisia and sedums, Quick Silver Hebe and a couple of little cushion cryptomeria that I can't recall the name of. The spirea is Magic Carpet and the blue is actually a catmint although there is also a Russian Sage in that bed. The plants on the wall include kinnikinnick draping over, Hot Flash Hellebore in the corner, Howard McMinn manzanita, and caryopteris. I think there is also a rock rose and lavender cotton. The small tree in the back is a Witch Hazel. Hope this helps. Good luck with your project. **Q: Need curb appeal help** *(in Design Dilemma)* Hi everyone, this is the front view of my house (corner lot). We have some long-term plans to spruce it up, including replacing the front steps and retaining wall, and probably residing the entire house. Those are not in the budget this year, so I'm looking for some inexpensive (under $100 if possible) ideas to spruce up the front view. Maybe a window box? Arbor over the stairs? There are some hostas planted next to the steps, and lily of the valley under the tree. There are ferns in spring along the side with the water meter. We do not want to remove the tree, so it is quite dark in front (something to keep in mind with plantings.) (Also, there are house numbers under the light I blurred out.) Thanks for your advice! A: Because you have remodeling plans in the future you might want to think about 2 or 3 nice containers. I would place a couple up by your front door with a small evergreen shrub and something fragrant. Then maybe create a sweet little seating area under the tree with a bench and one of the pots. Containers provide year round interest, allow you to experiment with plants while you get used to your landscape and then you can move them around as things change. When purchasing containers try to get them as big as you can afford and transport. If you go for ceramic be sure to get frost proof if necessary. Have fun! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-11-05.*