Wave Outdoors Landscape + Design

We found Wave Outdoors while searching online for a company that did it all.We made an appointment and Brian came to our house.We laid out our dreams of a 3 seasons room, attached porch, exterior lighting, lush landscapes and buried sump pump hoses.After a little time he came back with pricing.Our dreams were WAY too big for our budget, but it was such a helpful step in our education of yard renovations.Brian was great in helping us brainstorm ways to get the general functionality of what we wanted in a way that met our budget better.He provided plans that were very detailed and included all the information about our home and yard and what work was projected as well as the materials.He also was able to advise in financing.We decided on a plan that we would do over two phases, one in mid summer 2023 and the second spring 2024. Once ground broke we gleefully watched Lupe and his crew transform our yard every day.The crew is incredibly hardworking and kind.In the first phase they built a deck, a paver patio, and steppers, built our prefab gazebo, ran electricity to the gazebo, and buried our sump pump.Picking materials was a little frustrating but we got there.Thanks to all the home shows I was expecting samples to be pulled and a meeting where we saw everything laid out and mixed and matched until we had our perfect selection.Instead we went to locations Brian suggested to look at their walls of materials and also ordered our own samples.I can picture in my head how things will come together, but my husband has a harder time doing that, so this process was not ideal for us.However it did work out, and Brian was patient and great at answering our questions.Once phase 1 was done we did a walkthrough addressing anything we had questions about or issues with.Everything was either fixed or slated for phase 2. Communication during the winter was a little slow,but in fairness we were excited to pay our deposit to ensure we were first to break ground.Once the ball got rolling we found out that the grading of our yard was a bit more steep than we thought and the original patio plans were going to have to change.I was very unhappy about the needs but understood that it was what was necessary to create a safe and sturdy patio.Brian was great at listening to my concerns and being open to all our ideas on how to adjust the plan while still keeping it to code.He was able to rework some things to make it work.The cost also ballooned due to this change but again Brian was wonderful in working with us to make adjustments to get us back to our budget. This phase we got a second paver patio, exterior lighting that includes path lights, spotlights, and decorative lights. They also installed large posts around the patio, installed a new mailbox, and beautiful landscaping that started with some large shrub removal. Lupe and his crew got this done so quickly! Just as we’d hoped we are set up to enjoy the entire summer in our new yard.We recommend Wave Outdoors so fully.

Mary did a great job with our landscape design project. She made good suggestions on the type of plants that would or would not grow in areas where I had a hard time growing plants in previous years. She developed a design and used my input to make sure the design was what I wanted. The installers were on time and very courteous . The job was done in one day . I can't wait until Spring to enjoy all the new plants.

I recently worked with Wave Outdoors on a project which included a new hardscape patio, sidewalk, front and back stoop, and drainage work. They were also able to handle some sprinkler head rerouting that we needed. Wave provided us with 2D/3D designs and Brian gave us a lot of different options and suggestions on our design. Despite being on the more expensive side, the quality and satisfaction were well worth it and the end result exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend them.

I could not be more pleased with the excellent landscaping done by WAVE Outdoors. The project included paver walkways, decorative lighting, and a wide variety of shrubs and perennials. Mary DiCarlo did a phenomenal job planning, designing, and coordinating every aspect of the work. I was given options for materials and plantings at the start of each phase of the project. Mary’s creative ideas and attention to detail translated into a beautiful outcome. This is the second landscaping job that WAVE has done for me, and the results were outstanding both times. I very highly recommend WAVE for landscaping! Pam Keating

Our backyard was in dire need of a makeover and we were lucky enough to work with Brian at Wave Landscape to get this done. He handled the demo, design, installation, project management, and the time-consuming permit process. I sat back and waited for the project to be completed while every detail was handled by Brian and his team. Not only was the process easy, but he was able to work with my budget and remain patient as I came up with additional "wants" as the project progressed. Update: A year later the landscape is thriving with very little maintenance by me. I'm also impressed by the follow up from Brian to check in months later to make sure I'm still happy with the finished product. Customer Service is A++++. Contact Brian from Wave, you won't be disappointed.

We hired Brian from Wave Outdoors after a lengthy search for a landscape designer/contractor to reimagine our small backyard space. Brian met with us, took notes, asked questions and came back with an amazing design that eventually fit our (champagne taste, beer budget). He was patient, kind and professional even with all of our indecisiveness. Nothing is perfect especially when it comes to construction but Brian was so easy to talk to and eager to make everything right when something didn't meet our expectations. The trades men are skilled at their craft, clean, and detail oriented. We couldn't be more happier with the results and over all experience.

Services: Grading & resloping, Brick & block work, Landscaping design, Tree landscaping, Mulching, Landscape installations Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value Wow!!! We had a wonderful experience with Wave Outdoors. Wave Outdoors is located in Mount Prospect which was appealing to me to support local businesses. Brian worked with us from start of finish. He came and walked our property in the beginning and really listened to our ideas and also incorporated his own landscape design expertise. He walked us through his beautiful design and made recommendations for trees, shrubs, and plants that would be successful in our zone. Our curb appeal went up 1000%. While I have been out watering many people have stopped and commented on how beautiful everything looks. Some have even asked if they could snap a picture or two. The crews that came in and took all of the old landscaping out, were here each day on time and left the area neat and clean when they were finished for the day. THANK YOU Wave Outdoors and Brian Dreher for helping to guide us with this project. It truly has been a pleasure working with Wave Outdoors. I would highly recommend Wave Outdoors for any landscaping design, installations, or any other outdoor needs you may have. Sincerely, Colleen and Michael Moreno

My husband and I decided last year that we wanted to replace all the hedges around our property. They were 50 years old, quite overgrown and leggy. We wanted a brand new look with lots of color. We knew it would be a huge undertaking and would need the right landscaping company for the job. After discussing our plans unsuccessfully with several landscaping contractors, we came upon Brian at WAVE OUTDOOR LANDSCAPING DESIGN. He seemed truly interested in satisfying our needs. He was very knowledgeable and was a great help to me in choosing the right plants for our different landscape locations. My plans changed a lot in the months before we began but with Brians help, we came up with a workable design. Everything we choose was a perfect fit for our garden landscape. Our plants were ordered and work began in May 2023. Brians crew came and removed all the old hedge rows, digging them up by hand. It was a backbreaking job. They prepared the ground, planted everything, mulched all the beds and thoroughly watered.They did a magnificent job and we couldn’t be more pleased. When they were done, they cleaned up beautifully. Start to finish, it was a an amazing project. The dedication of Brian and his staff brought our landscape design to successful completion So thank you very much Brian to you and your crew. We love the results and look forward to lots off color and beautiful blooms. Thanks again to Wave Outdoor Landscaping Design for making this possible.

Our back yard garden bed (partly in sun, partly in shade), along the rear property line, was in need of some landscaping. Over the nearly 40+ years we have lived here, we had randomly planted several lilac bushes, a few hosta plants, several patches of narcissus, some pachysandra, and a small number of ferns, but there was no unifying design. Everything we had planted competed with weeds and unwanted brush that had sprouted up around them. We had always wanted to look out our kitchen window and see a beautifully planned display of perennials, shrubs, and trees and finally decided to do something about it. We found Wave Outdoors and started working with designer Mary DiCarlo last fall, after we cleared much of the bed of unwanted foliage and installed a backyard fence to allow our newly adopted rescue dog to run free. We were looking to get a design created and the landscaping installed early this spring. Over the fall and winter months, Mary worked with us via several on-site visits, email exchanges, and Zoom sessions to finalize a design. Mary was a careful listener and tried to incorporate our wishes from the start, while making several small adjustments to the design several times at our request. Just a few days before the installation, when a particular specimen tree she had planned for us was in short supply, Mary made several weekend visits to local garden centers to find us the perfect tree. This was above and beyond the call of duty! The installation work was planned for two days in late April, but was completed by the Wave Outdoors 3-man crew, led by Rob, in a single day. Good timing, because the next day it rained almost all day, giving the plantings a good drink. The crew worked hard all day, doing additional unplanned tasks, such as trimming overhanging branches to make room for newly-planted (but sure to grow tall eventually) spruce trees, and also repairing some lawn spots from our dog. They also cleaned up better than any crew who has ever worked on our property. We highly recommend Wave Outdoors and designer Mary DiCarlo for your landscaping needs (they do hardscaping also)! The entire process was well-documented with excellent communication from start to finish. Any small issues found after installation were taken care of very quickly. Initial and final payments were easy using Zelle, but Wave Outdoors also accepts personal checks and credit cards. Looking forward to warmer weather when we can enjoy the view from our patio!

We worked with Brian on landscaping and hardscaping for our Lincoln Park townhome, and they did such an amazing job that two of our neighbors asked for his contact information and at least one of them moved forward with Wave Outdoors too! Our 100% satisfaction started with consultation on design for a paver patio replacement that includes a small retaining wall and various shrubs/ground cover in several garden beds in the front and side of our home. Brian pointed us to a nearby distributor to choose among Unilock pavers then coordinated three complementary products for the patio itself, the wall, and the wall topper. We are busy professionals and wanted low maintenance landscaping, and Brian's knowledge of good plants for our climate and lifestyle was spot-on. After an informative design phase (with two in-person appointments that Brian kept reliably and that also included some hand-holding with our HOA to secure necessary approvals), the work crew arrived promptly on the appointed date and worked quickly to complete the entire job in only 3 or 4 days from demolition/removal of the old patio to installation of all hardscaping, plants, and ground cover. We immediately had the nicest patio of anyone in our complex of 48 units, and the high quality generated a lot of neighborhood "buzz" given how visible Brian and his crew's work is for everyone in the complex. Our only regret is that we didn't go with the sprinkler system that Brian proposed at a reasonable incremental cost that would have saved many, many hours of watering during summer months. We would wholeheartedly recommend Wave Outdoors for any job large or small!

Mary was a pleasure to work with from start to finish! We had an idea of what we wanted but no idea where to start! She tuned into our style, added her expertise, and really created something special. The install crew was kind and efficient, too! We are thrilled with the added curb appeal and can’t wait for the second phase of our project with Wave Outdoors.

Mary was just wonderful. I gave her my budget and she came up with a beautiful landscaping design. I wanted something blooming at different times and Mary’s design did just that. My home now looks complete. I can’t wait till next spring when she can design my back yard. Thank you again

If I could give 10 stars, I would. From start to finish, they are the best. Mary is a true landscape ARTIST! Her designs are well thought out and she always listens to your vision, while making sure to choose appropriate plants for the soil/zone/sun exposure. They source quality plants and create multiple seasons of blooming foliage for a gorgeous end result. I’ve used this company for multiple projects, and I plan to use them for any future gardening needs. They show up when they’re supposed to, and finish projects on time and within the budget. Their crew is hardworking, polite and very tidy. I highly recommend this company if you want a professional garden that only looks better with time and will surely increase your property value.

We had our patio done years ago by another company and we wanted to change things up a little bit. We used Wave Outdoors for re-designing our patio and landscaping into a larger space with more utility. Brian was professional, responsive and was able to help us put to paper exactly what we had in mind. He was able to design a fresh/modern look, while also staying within our budget; which was very important to us.

Wave never disappoints. They do a thorough job every time. Highly recommend Wave for all your landscaping needs.

Brian and his team were great to work with. They transformed our backyard into a magazine worthy space and exceeded our expectations. From design concept to follow through, they were utmost professionals. Highly recommend!

We keep coming back to Brian at Wave Outdoors for our landscape projects because _he delivers_! We tried other companies before Wave Outdoors, but have not found a more reasonable price for the _level of service_ and quality of work. We've had Wave Outdoors fix our grading/drainage issues, install curved paths with red flagstone, replace our front lawn with new sod, plant flower beds in our front and back yards, design and install an irrigation system to water our lawn and the beds, and design and install a multi-zone landscape lighting system throughout our property. Each project has dramatically changed our outdoor space for the better. We noticed right away that Brian excels at listening. We’ve gone to him at various times with different sized budgets, and he’s helped us prioritize work and maximize those dollars. He has always worked with us! He’s helpful in the design/visualization stage, and he makes sure to communicate throughout the process, from concept to completion. His crews have been responsible and respectful, without exception. Brian keeps his crews organized, makes sure expectations are clear, he checks in, and if there’s any issue whatsoever, he makes sure it’s fixed. We've recommended Brian to our friends and neighbors and have already put our name down to be first in line for Spring. Contact him now! Their schedule fills up quickly!!! Especially if you have a larger project in mind–all the top-quality landscape design companies tend to book up fast, and Wave Outdoors is no exception!

I worked directly with Brian to design and create a two tiered brick and stone patio with a seat bench. The end result was better than I had hoped and it has really enhanced the look and feel of my backyard. Thanks to Wave Outdoors Landscaping, when I have a future project, I know I can count on Brian.

Brian and his team at Wave transformed our blah cement slab small backyard to an amazing space that checked every box (decking, hardscape, lighting, landscaping, irrigation and more)! He and his team were dependable, knowledgeable, and so creative. We absolutely love our new space and use it almost year around (this is Chicago after all)!! We have worked with Wave Outdoors on additional projects since and would highly recommend them!!!

Brian was very helpful in creating an initial design and working with us to update items as more information became known. He and his team did a great job with construction of our new backyard, including an updated deck, patio, lighting, drainage, landscaping. I would work with them again!

Mary did an amazing job on our landscaping project. From the design to the installation and after care instructions. We felt like we had a partner the whole way. We have met with other companies before and could never get this project off the ground. We are so happy we found Mary. She is great to work with- very responsive- and her whole team is so professional. We wholeheartedly recommend In & Out Design. We will be using them in the spring for phase 2 of our project.

I knew I wanted Mary from In & Out Design to help with my new townhouse master bedroom when we had our first conversation on the phone. She helped me completely transform my bedroom into a comfortable, cozy space utilizing the burgundy colors that I love. We kept most of the original furniture. However, Mary came up with a different furniture layout which made the room feel completely different just by doing that. We even went shopping together at a few home stores to pick out accessories, lighting, wall hangings, pillows and window treatments. It was a fun day! Mary has such a vision for design and she helped me achieve the look I had in my head but didn't know how to explain it. I love my master bedroom!

We used In-and-Out Design to design landscaping for the front and sides of our home. Mary was wonderful to work with. She created a comprehensive design taking our desire for low maintenance in mind. She had an entire crew work on removing all of the old landscaping and installing the new. In addition to plants and bushes, the crew replaced sod and had to regrade parts of the lawn. We love the results. In addition to the installation, Mary has excellent communication and has continued to check in and see if we are having any issues with the plantings and give us tips and instructions on what is needed to do at the beginning and end of seasons. I highly recommend!

We selected In and Out Design based on reviews from prior customers. Mary and her team exceeded our expectations providing professional landscape design and installation services. Mary was very easy to work with. She listened to our ideas and delivered a design incorporating many of our suggestions while presenting new ideas and plants that we hadn't considered. We were extremely pleased with the final design. We decided to have the full design implemented in stages with the first stage installed this summer. Mary's knowledge of plant material that would flourish in our specific location providing privacy and color while incorporating additional plants to enhance our butterfly garden, was very helpful. Mary and her team were very professional and we would highly recommend them.

We had interviewed several sources for help with a patio. All the sources offered bland and boring ideas. Then we met with In & Out Design. Mary understood immediately my wife's vision for a patio. Mary patiently worked with my wife, submitting ideas, revising and revising again the plans. She came with with a beautiful design that was within our budget. The construction went smoothly, we were kept informed every step of the way. We could not be happier with the design of the patio. One neighbor gave my wife the highest compliment by saying that "our patio was the best patio in the neighborhood."

I contacted Mary DiCarlo of In & Out Design to help refresh my old and out-dated planting beds. Mary came to my home, listened to my needs and came up with a beautiful design that delivered on all the items I was looking for, and more. Mary was responsive, professional and courteous through the entire process. She has an enthusiasm and passion that shines through in all that she does. I will definitely use In & Out Design again, and I highly recommend Mary to anyone. You will not be disappointed.

As an interior designer we are always looking for quality and trustworthy contractors to bring our designs to life. We met with a few exterior/landscape contractors however Brian from Wave Outdoors outshined them all. From initial design concepts to material selections to construction and implementation.... we were blown away by the experienced crew, problem solving abilities and overall construction and project management of this team. Our client is extremely satisfied with their new backyard oasis and have been enjoying their newly completed outdoor space all summer long. We highly recommend Wave Outdoors and have continued to use them on all of our exterior landscaping projects.

We had work done to help with drainage in our yard, and had a patio put in. Brian was great to work with. He was very organized and knowledgeable, offered us several options for our project, and always showed up when he said he would. He team was fantastic! They were very hard workers...meticulous in the job they did, friendly, courteous, and they cleaned up the job site at the end of each work day. They were a pleasure to work with!

My wife and I built a new house in 2019 and worked with Brian and the Wave Landscape crew to manage our landscape design for the summer of 2020. The construction project was bigger and more complicated than we originally planned. This was because we were also putting in a pool and adjusting some grading on the property. The pool company installed the pool while Wave installed the pool deck, paver patio, retaining wall, grading and garden. The complexity of the project became evident as we tried to manage the pool install, pool patio and other landscaping. We also had some challenges from the village with regard to permits, drainage and changes we wanted to make. Throughout the whole process Brian was accessible and communicated what was going on. He responded to phone calls quickly and we had numerous on-site meetings to review plans and discuss any issues. Brian would call or text back on the weekend and be available to answer our numerous questions. Brian also had resources for unexpected aspects of the project including plumbing and pool coping. Brian was flexible in making several last minute changes that enhanced the quality of the project. In summary, I feel that all projects will have challenges, but if you receive good communication and trust the people you are working with, it will be a good experience. I would happily work with Brian again and highly recommend him to people looking to complete a landscape project, large or small.

Mary and her team were great to work with. She is so prompt in providing designs and flexible to rework plans as ideas evolve.

I highly recommend In and Out Design. I didn't realize how bad my yard was when I moved last year into a 50 year old house. Mary erased all those years of neglect and gave me a front yard that gets compliments from everyone walking by, a beautiful backyard for me and my dog to enjoy and a path to reach the front door which my neighbors say hasn't existed in over 20 years. There was a lot to do to make the outside of my house look good again and Mary took care of everything. After an initial consultation, she presented a very professional plan of what the finished product would look like, listened to my feedback and revised the plan accordingly. She coordinated the removal of the overgrown shrubs and dying pine trees, had a retaining wall rebuilt and fence installed in the backyard. The pavers Mary chose for the patio and walkway coordinate with the existing colors of the siding and brick and really pulled everything together. All the contractors Mary brought in were professional and left things as neat as possible every night. Mary was onsite nearly everyday checking on the progress. She kept me informed through emails, texts and phone calls and answered any of my questions or concerns promptly. Over 170 beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers were planted in the spring and Mary has checked in with me several times over the summer to make sure everything is doing ok. I'm giving Mary and In and Out Design two thumbs up!

It was great! Mary has great vision she made the perfect choice and had the planting done. Very happy with her abilities and professionalism.

Mary DiCarlo came to our rescue when we hosted our daughter’s wedding in our backyard. We had three weeks to plan the wedding and I am forever grateful Mary answered my email requesting help. After our first phone call, I knew Mary understood our hopes for the yard and our short timeline. She excitedly took on the challenge of designing a backyard wedding venue and quickly developed a plan to enhance our yard, front, back and sides. Mary’s passion for outdoor design yielded a colorful collection of plants, shrubs, grasses, and tree species through a combination of annuals and perennials. The result was a stunning setting for an intimate wedding and a reincarnated yard we can enjoy year-round. Mary proved to be the perfect blend of professionalism, compassion, enthusiasm, and efficiency and oversaw the project to completion—all in time for an unforgettable wedding! Bride Approved!

Mary, from In & Out Design, is the ultimate professional. We had our front beds redesigned, and they turned out very pretty. We had all of our old evergreen yews and a miserable looking birch tree removed, and all new flowering plants and bushes planted. It really was a very welcome refresh that added a lot of curb appeal. Mary and her crew were on time and very professional with their work. It was a pleasure doing business with In & Out Design.

This past August I had a full property landscaping project completed by Mary DiCarlo from In & Out Design. I had over 200 plants installed on my property along with a river bed along the one side of by property to handle a water drainage issue that I had. My project started with an onsite visit. Mary then had me tell her about my likes and dislikes as to the type of plants I wanted to have installed. She created a layout for my review. She also sent me a "plant list" and a picture of each of the plants she was recommending. During the project Mary and Rob, along with his crew were there on schedule and on time time. The plants that were delivered were beautiful, very healthy. The installation went smoothly. Mary was there every day, moving plants into position. If there were any questions or concerns Mary made sure that everything was addressed to my satisfaction. Mary even to took extra time to consult with a ComEd representative to make sure my plantings would not be in their way. Mary is always available by phone text or email to answer any of my questions. She even came back to my property to explain how to care for my plants. "Checking back in" with a client after the project meant a lot to me. I am now enjoying my property's "fall show". I highly recommend In & Out Design for your landscaping project.

Great planning, work was better than we expected when a snag in the plans became an obstacle. A change of course and we are so happy with the results.

We had a wonderful experience working with Brian and the Wave crew for our backyard renovation. We wanted a complete gut out of our existing yard so we could start from scratch. Brian started by providing us with a design and worked with us to make sure the yard would be functional, fit our budget and looked beautiful. The end result turned out better than we imagined and we have a completely transformed space. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for someone honest, creative, and does the job right!

We completed our landscape project with Wave this summer and we couldn't be happier. Brian is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with and he actually met with us virtually (thanks Covid) to review all the designs. The work was completed professionally, on time, and clean.

Brian and his team did an amazing job with my mulch installation this spring. The went above and beyond helping me with some of my last-minute spring clean up and left me a little bit of mulch for touch-ups that I might have to do this spring and summer. I look forward to using thier services again in the future and will recommend them to family and friends!

Brian and his team were a dream come true! I gave my mom, whose yard and gutters were buried in leaves, the gift of Wave’s cleaning services this holiday season and I can’t say enough great things about the experience. Brian worked within my budget, was so responsive and accommodating, and his team was able to perform the service the same day I called for it! My mom couldn’t be more relieved, happier or more grateful. She sent updates on how hard the team worked as well as before and after photos to emphasize what an incredible job they did. Thanks for saving the holidays, Wave!

Work perform included, design, paver replacement / clean up and new bush privacy wall. Working with Brian was a pleasure. We had some unique requirements that he was able to accommodate with ease. Even though our job wasn't probably very large for him, he made us feel as though we were his biggest client. I would definitely recommend working with Wave for your landscape needs.

Brian and his team did a excellent job renovating my yard. They kept within my budget and met my timeline. My friends and family were star struck with the beauty. My son stated it looked like a ''day spa". The perennials planted all did very well and still look beautiful in entering the fall season. Brian paid close attention to my wants and designed the yard to my vision.

My husband and I hired Mary to design and install our landscaping. The whole process from our initial meeting to design ideas to revisions to final execution was seamless. The transformation to our outdoor space was amazing! I highly recommend hiring Mary, she is a true professional!

We hired In & Out Design to help us clean up/refresh our landscaped planting areas and overall make our landscaping lower maintenance for us while still looking beautiful. Mary came up with a beautiful design plan that certainly delivered what we were looking for and more. Mary and her team did a wonderful job helping us get rid of overgrown, older plants/shrubs, areas that were overgrown with weeds, a hedge row that was becoming too high maintenance to upkeep along with the rest of the property and replaced it with sod. Her plan included beautiful touches and additions that we didn't expect and just loved. She has been so professional, helpful and wonderful to work with. She genuinely cares about helping the client and meeting their needs. She has continued to follow up to make sure everything is going well. We will absolutely use In & Out Design for any future projects and would highly recommend them.

My husband and and I love a beautiful garden but we are not gardening enthusiasts. When it came time this year to redo the garden beds in the front of our home, we contacted Mary DiCarlo of In&Out Designs. We could not be more please with Mary and the quality of her services. She came to our home, listened to our needs, and developed a plan that satisfied our desire for beauty without high maintenance requirements. The time from first visit to garden installation was timely. Mary is very personable and knowledgeable and helped to make a project that was originally quite intimidating for us very enjoyable. We are looking forward to enjoying her design and our garden for years to come.

We love our patio, fireplace and landscaping that In and Out Design did for us this summer. Mary is awesome. She takes so much time to understand what is needed and designs everything. You can see the project come to life in her interactive designs and she will revise over and over again to make sure everything is perfect. Once we hired In and Out computer designs were initiated that included every flower, stub, and detail. It was so nice to see everything in the design before work started. Mary helped pick out the pavers and made a process that was daunting so easy. Once the work started the installers were so fast yet meticulous. The work is excellent. We are outside almost every night now in our beautiful space.

This is our second experience working with Mary. She is a true professional and we look forward to working with her in the future.

We hired In & Out design's to help us with some landscaping after a storm last year. During the entire process they listened to what we wanted and provided professional recommendations. The work was done professionally and exceeded our expectations. We would highly recommend again.

“Your home has been a beautiful feast for our eyes all year long. We nominate and vote you in as the owners of the best landscaped home in town!!” -- Your Neighbors. Mary took my random ideas and made them into a stunning reality that we and the neighbors thoroughly enjoyed all summer. Her background palette of shrubs and bushes provide year-round interest and act as a canvas that she filled with seasonal color – from pink accents in the summer to yellow pops of color with the fall, and now we’re happily anticipating our winter wonderland. She even managed to reuse existing plants by relocating them to more suitable locations. But wait, her involvement didn’t just end with the installation, she continues to follow up to make sure the plantings are being properly maintained, sharing ideas and tips, and working to improve my gardening skills (although that might be hopeless). This was my second time hiring a landscaping company, but Mary’s knowledge, patience, great eye for landscaping and use of a software program that allows you to visual the final look before the yard is planted, made this go around so very successful. Mary was also instrumental in some interior design work, she has an eye for color and quickly helped select exterior and interior colors for our house, which look very natural and accentuate the architecture.

We hired Mary to layout and design the landscaping at our new house in Mount Prospect. Mary did an EXCELLENT job! We are far from green thumbs and Mary took that into consideration, combining flowers, shrubs and plants that were low maintenance yet full of color, as well as a flagstone walkway, that altogether added an entirely new element to our house. Mary and her team were very professional, efficient, and cost sensitive to our budget. She provided 3-D color renderings so we knew exactly how it would look upon completion and even replaced 3 shrubs that died shortly after the job was completed at no cost. We will definitely use Mary for any future jobs that may arise – thank you!

Mary is a true professional, when it comes to assessing your needs. My new patio garden is beautiful! Her knowledge of plants, their planting, the environment in which they will grow, assisting her workers, and observing and addressing my concerns were excellent........especially the fact that I admitted to having a "brown thumb" ! She re-enforced the need for watering every day; and a good thing, too!........five days of dry, 90 degree weather followed.

Mary's crew did a great job and so fast. She listen to what we wanted and put in just what we wanted. She put in 5 small replacement shrubs and reset our paver brick front steps. Great job and the price was right!

After removing our backyard deck, we needed someone to execute our replacement plan which included a small brick patio, a brick walkway around our fountain, new steps from the house to the backyard and most importantly a low stone wall along the length of the back of the house to serve as planter boxes. This was a unique project due to the need to blend these four elements together seamlessly as well as physically fit everything into an oddly shaped location with lots of angles. Mary and her crew did an excellent job and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Very easy to work with, able to make some changes on the fly and we jointly came up with great solutions to the little hick-ups that inevitably came up. Mary was onsite frequently. Her crew was very meticulous, neat and very careful around our numerous existing plantings. We will be hiring Mary for Phase 2 of our backyard makeover next year.

Mary DiCarlo provided a skillfully-prepared design suitable for the space, professionally managed implementation and vital follow-through. I highly recommend In & Out Design.

Mary & her team completed a full remodel of our .5 acre lot and patio. We moved into a lot with a current layout that required high maintenance; years later and as busy parents we knew we needed to make the space look nice but simplify. Mary created a simplified yet beautiful plan for us which included a N, S, E & W yard as well as a new patio. The plan smartly redistributed the majority of our existing plants, which saved us quite a bit of money. It cut back complicated areas and filled other areas with lower maintenance material. We were clueless, and she educated us quite a bit and was patient and complete with the several back and forth pieces we considered. The patio remodel consisted of removing 2.5 feet of existing concrete, and was the hardest I've ever seen anyone work. Finally, her follow up has been very appreciated; she's stopped by a few times to check on everything, give us some advice and make sure everything was growing properly. Her team was hard working and kind. We are very happy with the product and the price.

I had a patio designed and installed with pavers in my back yard, along with some water drainage work and leveling. In and Out Design did a great job of both the design and the work. Mary and the hardscape specialist met with us, and recommended several options, including type of pavers to use, several options for stairs to the kitchen door, where to start and end the patio, colors, and type and color of sand to use. They requested the appropriate permits and inspections. The information we were given as far as the timing of the work, and the amount of time it would take was accurate, and communication was good throughout the project. The technicians who installed the patio did a great job of the work, then cleaned up everything, removed all the debris, and even fixed places in the yard where they had to bring equipment over the grass. We are so pleased with the results; the patio looks great. I HIGHLY recommend this company.

We're moving to a 1980 house as soon as we finish remodeling the gutted kitchen, family room, living room and more. Mary DiCarlo has been a valuable member of this project team since its beginning, providing design guidance and helping to source materials and finishes. . She is everything you could want in a designer. She's creative with a great eye for color, style and proportion. Among other tasks, she helped us choose beautiful colors and finishes. For example, she identified two different, but equally striking stone wall treatments for our two fireplace walls. She helped us make good, informed decisions within our budget. And she didn't pressure us to follow her personal taste preferences. On top of everything, Mary is a pleasure to work with. Her calm, good nature has been a big help during a stressful transition. We would definitely enjoy having Mary a part of any future decorating project.

A complete landscaping of our backyard. It went beautifully. Mary and her crew were on time and were very professional. Mary stayed all day to oversee the entire project. Her attention to detail was amazing and she was in constant contact with us and her crew. There were no issues and they cleaned up when they were done. Mary gave us instructions on watering the plants and trees before she left. The next day she emailed us before and after pictures, which we really appreciated. From start to finish she was actively involved in the project and worked with us closely to keep our costs down, while still giving us an amazing finished product.

Mary did a Cubs themed room for our infant son. She did a beautiful job! We and everyone we show it to loves it!! By the time the project was over, Mary felt like a member of the family. I think it was because she got to know us so well that she did such an amazing job.

In-And-Out Design helped my husband and I redesign our kitchen and family room. The remodel required a redesign of the island, refacing of the cabinets and fireplace mantel, selection of a new back splash and the overall furnishing and decor of the two spaces. Overall, we are very happy with the results of our engagement. We love the outcome and find the result beautiful.

Mary was very helpful during the process of remodeling our kitchen and changing the color scheme in our house. The number of decisions one has to make during such a remodel is overwhelming, and Mary was very helpful in providing advice and helping us narrow down our choices. She was alert to our tastes, and was able to assist us in finding just the right things. She was also very flexible about accommodating to our schedule in terms of meeting at the house or at vendors. She did a lot of the leg work in finding a back splash (which everyone has complimented us on, by the way.) She was extremely patient with us, even though we would often get busy and not get back to her in a timely fashion. I'm not sure we would have had the momentum to get the project done without her. In addition, the kitchen contractor she recommended was outstanding, as was the painter. Both were able to be in our house without us home with no worries. Even the dogs felt comfortable. I would highly recommend Mary to anyone considering using a decorator.

My project was unusual since I had to make the front and back yards beautiful not for myself but in order to sell this property. The building is located in the city of Chicago and the property doesn't have a garage but it has a very large back yard and a properly designed landscape can recover the cost and increase the marketability but also potentially add value. I wasn't sure what it was needed to be done but Mary was there all along the way. The first design was great but it reduced the size of the yard, or at least that was my opinion. A few days later Mary submitted two more designs, and one of those is simply amazing. The designs are full rendering and not sketches, so you can actually see the plants in all their glory. In & Out did a very good job with this design and Mary definitely knows what she's doing!

The provider "In-and-out design" rebuilt the pond with waterfall in my backyard. They also landscaped the area surrounding this new pond. They transformed a run-down pond in poor condition into a thing of beauty. I'm delighted with my new pond area - I get to hear the sound of running water while admiring the beauty of the hydrangea plants, tall grasses, and shrubs. In addition to the high quality of workmanship, the staff was very professional & accommodating. I would highly recommend this company to any one in need of landscape work.

I hired the firm to design the remodel of my home and to act as the general contractor. They were well worth the money! While the project was over budget (no surprise) the work was very good. The design, color scheme, design elements look great and I am pleased with the result. They recommended contractors, oversaw the work, were available for deliveries, handled problems, shopped, arranged for a cleaning lady, etc. I would hire them again.

We worked with Mary DiCarlo from In & Out design on a redesign of our front and side yard, and are thrilled with the results! I was looking for a designer who would do a comprehensive plan for our yard for a flat fee, and Mary delivered for a reasonable cost. She provided drawings and images of the landscape as well as photos of all the plants she recommended. We were so pleased that we hired her to go ahead and do the landscaping. Her contractors were professional, fast, and thorough, taking away all our old shrubs and plantings, retilling the soil, and planting all the new materials complete with compost and mulch in just one day! Mary was on site the whole time overseeing the work and making sure that we were involved in any decisions that needed to be made. Mary is professional, easy to work with, and has great design ideas. I'd highly recommend her for any landscape design project!

This project went great!! Mary took responsibility of this project from Start to finish. She did the initial consulting and worked with us on design and plant selection. Hand-picked all the planting materials. Arranged the landscapers to come in two phases so we could complete other infrastructure work throughout the project. Was on site and supervising all project implementation, sign off and final reviews at each step. She was always making sure we were on course and satisfied with the work and the project. I would definitely recommend Mary to others.

Our front yard had been torn up for sewer replacement late last fall. In & Out Design designed new landscaping at that time for the entire front yard and front entrance. As soon as the weather allowed this spring they quoted the job, secured the permits, and started work as general contractor. They removed all the 25 year old bushes and trees. They removed an existing narrow concrete sidewalk and protruding tree roots. They then installed a new curved 4 foot wide paver walk and front entrance landing. They removed clay from the sewer work and prepared the landscape beds. They planted new bushes and plants. They installed new low voltage lighting. They installed sod where some trees had been removed. Everything went very well. The project was started as scheduled and was finished on time and on buget with no additional costs. Mary, the designer, communicated well and kept us up to date. She was on site as needed and actually did the plant layout and planting. Mary did the design last fall but we had to wait for the excuvated sewer ground to settle over the winter and the weather to warm up before starting work. The total project took just over two weeks after we gave the go ahead this spring.

During the period of 11/1/14 through 3/24/15 Mary provided interior design consultations for remodeling of family room, kitchen and entry, with updated fireplace stone, kitchen backsplash tiles and undercabinet lighting, and new flooring. Services included onsite and phone/email consultations, and offsite shopping to select products. Recommended stone, tile colors and paint colors. Coordinated design schemes for family room, kitchen and entry, and into living and dining rooms, upstairs hall, downstairs hall and bath. Arranged and/or referred contractors for flooring, tile, lighting and painting. Mary is extremely personable and easy to work with. We had a complex, multiple stage interior redesign/remodel project that for us was overwhelming to organize. We signed up for an Angie's List Interior Decorating Deal, and had such a comfort level with her expertise, that we added further hourly consultation services. We worked with Mary from 11/1/14 through 3/24/15 which covered the multiple stages of the project. She very effectively coordinated our preferences with her recommendations to arrive at a joint direction for the project. She gave practical advice when making design selections. She was very accommodating in scheduling and responsive throughout the project for any questions. She is very knowledgeable on sourcing materials as well as having a network of contractors that she either uses with clients or can recommend based on client experience. She worked diligently for us and her services were very fairly priced. We are extremely pleased with the overall results in updating our home, and Mary contributed to the project success.

Mary helped me , guided me in many projects and which color scheme i need to go with. Also helped me narrow decisions about staging of projects.

We wanted a house in the burbs to take all advantages of living in a peaceful neighborhood and good school district. Generally, in an old establishment, it comes with finding older homes built with traditional taste. Being our first home, we wanted the benefits of living in the burbs yet remodel the interior to our taste (contemporary). We found In & Out Design on Houzz and contacted Mary. She has been awesome and very forth coming with ideas. She helped us pick the paint (various tones of gray) to fit the contemporary taste while she also helped us pick the right stain to re-do our hardwood flooring. We wanted to open up our kitchen to family room which required expanding the footprint. She brought with her a few times one of the very qualified and nice to work with contractors, Paul, to give us a couple of re-design options. We have put off the kitchen extension project until next year due to finances but as soon as we are ready, we will be contacting Mary and her contractor to work with us! I highly recommend Mary and her services. There are a few other designers in the area who we contacted but no one took as much interest in our various projects as Mary did. Very responsive and a wonderful person to work with! Kunal and Kish

I found In and Out Designs on the HOUZZ website. Mary responded quickly to my inquiry and brought a clear conception to my project. She was able to transform my dated front yard into something I can be proud of. She was attentive to my tastes and budget. Her suggestions about the concrete work that was also being done were very helpful. Mary and her crew were a joy to work with!

My kitchen had wallpaper that needed removal and then I wanted it to be painted; also wanted my pantry to be painted as well. I called Mary DiCarlo of In-And-Out Design; we made an appointment for her to come over to see what needed doing and to give me an estimate. She brought Walter with her who would be doing the actual work. I was very impressed with the suggestions they both made and upon receipt of the estimate I decided to have them do the work. Great decision! Mary helped me pick out just the right shade of yellow for the walls. Walter arrived very promptly at 8:00 AM on the first day of the reno. Before I knew what happened, he had the wall-paper removed and was proceeding to make repairs to the walls. He did a really great job and I just love my "new" kitchen. It is just beautiful. Thank you, Mary and Walter!

It was great working with Mary! We took advantage of her summer special- 2 hour consultation for our new home in Arlington Heights. She was very professional and offered great advice on paint colors and furniture placement. Also, she has many contacts and resources in the community that she was happy to share with us. Very helpful!

Mary helped us decorate our family room from scratch. She helped us select paint color, designed the room layout, helped with furniture selection and finally with all the accessories. She listened, took her time to choose the right pieces for the room that fit our personal style. Mary is a positive person which makes her easy to work with. She is always punctual. We will definately use Mary again!

This was an amazing experience from beginning to end. Mary listened to all my needs and implemented them seamlessly into our new landscape design. She has an amazing talent and knowledge base when it comes to plants and design. She was very good with communication and email response time. She never made me feel rushed, and was very willing to make changes as needed. The day of the installation went perfectly. Mary handled everything and had a very professional crew of landscapers. Mary always showed up when we had appointments and was punctual. She gave me a time and cost estimate, and stuck to it. The plants were in good condition and were of a decent size. She even added some extra plants at no extra charge when she saw some blank spots in the landscaping. Mary and her crew turned my empty, weed filled, muddy landscaping into a beautiful oasis of flowers, trees and ornamental grasses. The investment I made with Mary in our landscaping will surely increase the value of our home in years to come. I just can't wait until spring to see the first blooms!!!

What a difference a day made! In & Out Design beautifully transformed our front entry way and terrace in one day. After meeting with Mary for a consultation, I immediately knew she was the perfect manager for our job. She was always kind, professional, and punctual and her suggestions were honest and reasonable. She worked hard to meet our needs while considering our budget and lifestyle. We won't hesitate to call her again! Happy in Lake Barrington

Excellent job with may front yard landscaping. Great value and everything was on time and very professional. May landscaping looks up to date, clean and easy to maintain. Just what I wanted. Mary listened to our needs and gave excellent advice and delivery. Also did some work in the back yard by our shed and fixed a problem with new landscape timbers. Highly recommended.

Mary came out and we discussed what I was wanting in my landscaping. She created a design plan for my front and back yards and hired the needed help to make it happen. It turned out beautiful and I've gotten lots of compliments on my yard!