Bluestar Landscape Designers

Our experience using Cathie and Bluestar for our major front yard landscape project was nothing short of amazing. At the start of the project, she surveyed our property and asked us many questions, enough so that we were confident we had chosen the right person to draw up plans for our new landscaping. We also signed on to have her manage the actual landscaping project and landscaping team. She took our input and asked lots of valuable questions about plant types we liked, colors, etc and developed a beautiful plan. Next she managed the landscape teams that put it all together, including landscapers, electricians for lighting, carpenters, concrete- you name it. We found Cathie easy to communicate with, prompt to respond to questions, and overall very professional. We felt like she was always looking out for us, and had our back every step of the way. The end result is a beautiful front yard, that we absolutely love, and that has increased the curb appeal and value of our home. We could not recommend her more highly!

When my wife and I decided to landscape the front yard of our home, we knew, that if we wanted the project to meet our expectations, it would require us to seek counsel from an experienced landscape design professional. My wife and I did our due diligence by researching and then interviewing landscape designers. Cathie from Bluestar Landscape Designers impressed us head and shoulders above competitors in the field. Cathie impressed us on multiple levels. One, she listened to what we wanted. Two, she offered ideas we hadn't yet considered that would comply with our overall wishes. Three, she demonstrated strong attention to detail, color, plant selections favorable to the climate and environment, architectural balance, material, and aesthetics that are in alignment with the property and home's facade. And four, Cathie is responsive. She returns calls, texts, and emails so any question and/or concern is addressed promptly. Immediately, we knew Cathie's counsel was exactly what we needed and expected from a landscape designer. Cathie is an artist in her own right, and this necessary talent was on display throughout her management of our project. Cathie also provided her services in selecting a reputable licensed landscape contractor to perform the hardscape and softscape portions of the project. Cathie's oversight of the project gave us confidence that it would conform with the landscape design plans agreed upon so all interested parties knew precisely what was occurring and what was to occur in terms of the project's progress. Needless to say, Cathie is a meticulous professional. She takes pride in achieving excellence in herself as well as the workers under her purview, which is an important factor when selecting a landscape designer tasked with building your dream. Thank you, Cathie.

After months of research and discussion with several designers, we chose Cathie at Bluestar. She was quick to respond to our initial phone inquiry and came out to our home within a couple of weeks. We appreciated her thorough and thoughtful interview process that launched an exciting collaboration of ideas and suggestions we wouldn’t have considered had they not come from a designer’s perspective. Cathie’s process included a zoom call where she presented her design in detail with pictures of each tree and plant selection, ideas for a patio cover as well as lighting options. She explained her choices and worked with us to nail down and capture our vision. Cathie’s knowledge, artistry, passion, attention to detail, and genuine care for her client is evident in her design. Because her costs were so reasonable, we hired Cathie for post-design work. She helped locate, acquire, coordinate delivery and layout each landscape item, including stunning sierra boulders she picked out individually from various locations. She worked directly with our contractor to ensure proper and timely installation, and WOW, the final product is really something special. Two of our neighbors have since hired Cathie, and we will continue to highly recommend her services to others. She is a gem, one of a kind, a truly gifted talent. We had a great time working with Cathie; so happy we found her.

Our experience with Cathie was extremely pleasant and her design gave us the yard we were looking. She is very timely and is exacting with the contractors who performed the work. We have an HOA which is very demanding and she handled their questions and requests with professionalism and courtesy. I would recommend her to anyone in need of expert landscape expertise.

I had waited more than a decade to landscape my very large backyard, and when I connected with Cathie Tritel at Bluestar Landscape Designers, I was glad I had waited. Cathie talked with me at some length about what I wanted and made two site visits, taking numerous photos and making notes. I requested a drought-tolerant design, one that expressed a sense of peacefulness and would provide elements of color and a raised veggie garden, but also a sense of progression from domestication near the house to a bit of "wildness" in the outer areas of the yard. The latter was a concept Cathie introduced to me and which she realized beautifully in her design. She listened closely to me; showed me examples in photos; offered various options; collaborated with me to select materials, plants, and trees; and provided a design in complete harmony with what I had requested. Because I found her rates reasonable, I then asked her to manage the project. She brought a landscaping contractor, Rescue Concrete, and a patio cover outfit, Creative Patio Works, on board. Both contractors did an excellent, efficient, caring job, just as Cathie had done and continued to do as she closely monitored and directed the work but also reviewed the contractors' invoices for accuracy and reasonableness. Cathie is expert in her knowledge, creative, and really invests herself in your project. I highly recommend Cathie and Bluestar Landscape Designers -- without qualification!

My experience with Cathie from Bluestar Landscape Designers has been nothing short of spectacular. When it comes to marrying creative vision, expert craftsmanship, and personal attention, Cathie is in a league of her own. From our initial consultation, Cathie demonstrated a deep understanding and respect for our preferences. She carefully listened to our ideas and went to great lengths to incorporate specific elements that were dear to us, such as our existing trees, beloved boulders, and cherished planters, into the design. The level of thoughtfulness and personalized detail that went into this project truly blew us away. Cathie's attention to detail is second to none. Her precision and meticulousness not only in design, but also in implementation, were noteworthy. Each plant selection was chosen with purpose, taking into account the specific microclimate of our space, our aesthetic preference, and the overall harmony of the design. The result is a stunning outdoor living space that honors the unique features and identity of our property while injecting it with new life. Her design not only complements the natural environment but also enhances it. Furthermore, Cathie’s dedication, professionalism, and easy communication made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. She kept us informed at every stage of the project, patiently answering all our questions and ensuring that we were comfortable with each decision along the way. It is a testament to Cathie’s skills and expertise that we have received countless compliments on our transformed landscape. Our neighbors, friends, and family are all in awe of the beauty and serenity that now graces our property. It's a genuine pleasure to recommend Cathie and Bluestar Landscape Designers to anyone seeking a high-quality, personalized landscape design service. We will without a doubt engage Cathie for all our future landscaping needs. Her work has surpassed our expectations, creating a garden haven that we will cherish for years to come.

We know now that we absolutely made the right choice going with Bluestar Landscape Design. Cathy has transformed our home into a showplace. We get endless compliments on the design from neighbors and friends. Working with Cathy has been such a joy and we are in awe of her ability to create a personalized design that blends quality materials, water features, lighting, irrigation, drainage, and well-thought-out plantings that integrate with our home and surroundings. The final result demonstrates Cathy's passion for design and commitment to excellence. Our home was built in the 1940s; our front and backyard were very dated and in desperate need of updating. This was a major project! Cathy met with us several times to learn our style and preferences, she developed a very detailed plan for the entire landscape which included: Removing all preexisting materials and starting with a blank slate. She completely redesigned the front entry from a closed cinder block front porch to a warm and welcoming flagstone entry and patio in the front. Likewise, the backyard has a new flagstone rear entry, new concrete, a large patio cover, and spa. Throughout the entire project, great care was taken to select appropriate plantings for the site. The plants she selected were drought tolerant and provide interest at different times of the year. The plantings were also chosen to attract bees, hummingbirds, and birds. Cathy was careful not to disrupt the existing mature trees and blended them seamlessly into the new design. In addition to design, the project management offered by Cathy proved invaluable. Having someone who understands the business, keeps things on track, and represents our interests was such a relief. There was also an existing pool (which was re-plastered) and Cathie coordinated with the pool replastering company to ensure that the different phases of the project were timed properly. After helping us choose the contractors, she developed a working relationship with them so her design was brought to life. She was on-site and monitoring progress step by step and was able to identify problems quickly so they were corrected. For example, she identified and resolved an error with the concrete forms before the cement was poured. In addition, she reviewed invoices for accuracy and when errors were found, quickly corrected them with the contractor. Cathy was in contact with us continuously for months. She was either on-site, calling, or emailing us to stay in touch. All said and done, we could not be more pleased. Thanks, Cathy!

I have a large backyard that has mostly been untouched with the exception of a giant lawn and some shrubs. I wanted to give it a complete rehabilitation so that we could spend more time enjoying it during the entire year, including the triple digit summers. I had no more detailed ideas other than a request for a pool, some shade, a fire pit, and plants. Cathie took that vague direction, came to the house to discuss what activities I would like to do in the yard, colors and styles that I tended to gravitate towards, whether I had allergies, whether I wanted lighting, and if I wanted to attract any bees or hummingbirds. She then took time to show me examples of plant species and pool styles to further narrow down what I might like. With that she drew up plans and easily explained everything I was seeing. The whole process was easy, stress free, and very enjoyable. Now I’m securing bids for various companies to complete these services using the plans she provided. Very excited to start getting this transformation moving.

We hired Cathie to design a complete redo of both front and back yards of our newly purchased home in SunCity Lincoln Hills and have been very pleased with the results. Cathie was meticulous about following all of the HOA’s rules and restrictions and developing drawings and descriptions to meet the Architectural Committee’s requirements, making our application process a lot easier. She turned our front yard from sad and embarrassing to pretty and cheerful and our back yard is now a welcoming oasis with a flagstone patio, retaining walls, and a beautiful waterfall. Her fees are very reasonable and Cathie was reliable, conscientious, and sought our feedback through every step of the process. We highly recommend Blue Star Landscape Designers.

Cathie helped us with a redesign plan of our front yard. She is the perfect combination of an artist and a botanist. Her knowledge of plants is extensive, and she had great suggestion for color schemes, and is good at making the project timeless rather than simply going with the current trends. Though, if trendy is what you want, she knows how to do that too. I appreciated that she was very forthright in giving us her opinion on ideas. In addition, she was always reliable and the end result was a gorgeous, detailed blueprint of the design. We highly recommend Bluestar Landscape Designers!

Cathie did an amazing job with the design for our backyard and went above and beyond to meet the deadline to submit it to HOA. I highly recommend Bluestar Landscape Designers to anyone before starting on a landscape project.

I had Cathie do a “front yard makeover” and I couldn’t be happier! Her vision was perfect for what I wanted done! The colors, sizes and kind of plants she picked out were perfect for my 1/2 acre front yard. Her attention to detail, caring and high standards was beyond my expectations. I completely trusted her judgement and decisions, she knows what she is doing. No need to look further, Bluestar Landscape Designers can do your project. It was a pleasure working with Cathie and her assistant. Oh...she also comes witt a great sense of humor!

I highly recommend Bluestar Landscape Designers! They did an amazing job on my backyard, and kept me informed throughout the process. Great work!

Cathie from Bluestar Landscape Designers took my back yard desert and turned into a beautiful, refreshing oasis and she also enhanced our front yard. Cathie was a delight and joy to work with. She was dedicated to our project and listened to our ideas and concerns. She is also very knowledgeable regarding the regional plants/trees vs our sometimes harsh weather conditions. I couldn't be happier with how our landscaping turned out. I am so glad we selected Bluestar Landscape Designers for our landscaping needs.

Cathie at Bluestar Landscape did a fantastic job with my landscaping plans. Highly recommended. She took her tome to listen, incorporate my needs and added her expertise to make everything come together better than imagined. I would not hesitate to call Bluestar Landscape again. Thank you.

We contacted Cathie because our driveway and walkways to the house needed to be replaced and we wanted a cohesive landscape plan for the entire area. As we have two doors in the front of our home, we wanted to make to make the entrance to the formal front door more inviting and accessible. Cathie designed the landscape to ensure that the front door was the focal point of the landscape design. The walkway to our home is now much more inviting! Cathie’s plant landscape design is beautiful! The variety and types of plants she chose for the landscape design complement the existing trees, the new walkway, and the house. While the plants are just starting to grow, we can see that the colors, textures, and sizes will all blend together. Cathie also worked with us to fit the project into our budget. We had Cathie be our project manager on the project. Cathie’s attention to every detail ensured that everything was installed according to the plans and that the plants were place correctly and planted right. We enjoyed working with Cathie and recommend her highly!

After interviewing three other Landscape Designers, we feel very fortunate to have decided to work with Bluestar Landscape Designers. Initially, Cathie Tritel interviewed us to determine our tastes and goals for the project. She listens well, but is not afraid to guide the homeowner in directions she knows to be more appropriate. I am continually impressed with her knowledge of plant species, as well as local conditions that would have an impact on the completed project. In the planning stage Cathie produced the most professional and completed plans possible -- ready for submission to any HOA or County for approval. It is important to note that Cathie follows through on the selection of the specific plants to be used, as well as the actual installation of same. But, her expertise is not limited to the plant side of landscape design. Her most impressive work has proven to be the design and integration of hard scape in order to create a perfectly balanced blend of colors, plants and hardscape materials. Her design at our home included different stone and hardscape materials surrounded by the perfect variety of plants, resulting in a complete, harmonious display that exceeded all of our expectations. Without reservation I can give Cathie and the Bluestar team my highest recommendation.

We found Cathie to not only be professional, but an excellent designer. We could not have been more pleased with her creative design for our back yard.

We recently completed our 2nd major residential project with Cathie where she designed major changes to our front and backyards and performed project management of others' work on our behalf. She listens to her client's vision and then delivers a top shelf design, on time, accepting only high quality landscape materials, and she maintains excellent communication on cost and handles change orders very smoothly. She's punctual, respectful of property concerns and neighbors, and successfully works with the HOAs.

I can't say enough good things about Cathie. She is a very talented designer who created the perfect backyard space for me. What sets her apart, though, is her build team which made the dream a reality. She handled the project from design to contract negotiation and project management. She scaled the project to my budget while keeping the overall design intact. My friends' comments are "Wow" and "Looks awesome". Thanks, Cathie.

Cathie designed our unique outdoor space and we couldn't be happier. Loved working with her and highly recommend Cathie for any outdoor landscape job.

We just finished our back yard landscaping project with Cathie and I am so happy with the result. The pictures attached don't do it justice. Cathie understood the vision I had and helped develop my loose ideas into a cohesive design. We still have a few arbors to install including a large 4-post one with swing where my little porch swing is currently, but I'm so excited to have the plants in the ground and ready for spring. The waterfall was Cathie's idea and really adds to the overall look. Loved the whole experience!

Cathie did a landscape design for us at the same address in 2012. We were very pleased with her work at the end of the project, and since. However, some hardscape we installed in our front year in the late '70s needed a total redo because of tree-root incursion. Naturally, we turned to Cathie for the design and implementation of the project. Her design sense, attention to detail, project oversight, and knowledge of plants (e.g., sun exposure, water requirements, and color and texture compatibility) were just perfect for us. At the same time, her attention to what we like made the design our own.

Bluestar Landscape Designers did such a good job on our front yard that I had them do the backyard, too. Both of the designs featured drought-tolerant native plants, striking arrangements in pots, beautiful hardscape work, and water features. Passers-by regularly stop and admire our yard, and several have asked who the designer was. I have referred Bluestar Landscape Designs to several friends and neighbors. They are wonderful to work with, responsive to your needs, highly professional, and reasonably priced. I am happy to recommend them.

My husband and I were very satisfied with Cathie. We were at a total loss as how to landscape our yard. She asked lots of questions about what we liked showing us photos of plants and trees that would do well in our area and then presented us with a blueprint of her design. She even helped us select large pots and had them delivered. Cathie went above and beyond what we expected. The budget was within the parameters that we agreed upon and the job completed on time. The yard is beautiful and everyone that sees it is very impressed. We would definitely recommend Bluestar Landscape Designers.

I hired Bluestar to design a front yard landscaping plan based on a neighbor's recommendation and Cathie exceeded my expectations. The design she came up with was exactly what I was hoping for. Cathie is very easy to work with, very knowledgeable, and professional. She listened to my input and helped me flesh out my own ideas when I wasn't quite sure how to describe them. The drawings are very detailed and easy to follow and I look forward to making our vision become reality.

For a while I have been meaning to write you and thank you for my beautiful yard. I can’t begin to tell you how much we love the space. We have had numerous people stop and compliment the whole area. And right now the roses are blooming and are just striking! So, so grateful for your talent!

We used Bluestar for landscape design, we were extremely satisfied with Bluestar Landscape services. Would definitely recommend their services to friends and family.

My wife and I were looking for a landscape designer to assist us in coming up with a design scheme for our front yard. We also live in a HOA community that has guidelines to follow for landscape projects and needed to have plans submitted for approval. We met with a few landscape designers and decided to go with Cathie from Bluestar Landscape Designers. Out of all the designers we met, she was the one that stood out from the crowd. Her professionalism, experience, design portfolios, and willingness to incorporate elements of our ideas into her own landscape designs certainly made her the right choice to go with. Our front yard landscape design was approved by our HOA without issue. Cathie did such a fantastic job with the design plans and was very wonderful to work with that we decided to hire her to manage the project and to work in conjunction with our contractor. The project has since been completed and the landscape not only looks beautiful, but it has also changed the entire look of the whole house for the better! I am always getting compliments from family, friends, and neighbors. We couldn't be anymore happier. Thank you Cathie! We will be definitely using Bluestar Landscape Designers for our future projects.

Bluestar Landscape Designer's did an amazing job on our front yard design. They worked with us to find out how we would use our yard, the plants and trees we liked, and other aspects such as lighting and concrete walkways/patio, and then incorporated it all into an awesome design! The attention to detail put into the design and project management during construction was top notch. We will definitely use them on future projects and always recommend them to people looking for Landscape Designers.

Owner Cathie Tritel is very knowledgeable of plant, flower and tree placement in relation to sunrise/sunset orientation of homeowner's yard. Her project drawings are extremely detailed, leaving no room for speculation by the landscape contractor she selects. She also is exceptionally good at balancing design and color of all hardscape elements like Roman stamped concrete, seatwall, raised garden, flower pots, lighting, etc. with shrub, trees and flower placements. Result for us was a well-balanced and aesthetically pleasing yard. She also is good at keeping the landscape contractor on schedule and ensuring all work meets her high quality standards. She even took the time to teach us yard care basics like pruning and proper watering. We are extremely glad we selected Bluestar to do our backyard makeover! Even though it's winter, flowers are blooming now!