Home & Garden Design, Atlanta - Danna Cain, ASLA

It's not often that I have the opportunity to work on such a large multi-acre site. You certainly needed all that space to incorporate everything that you desired in a manner that wouldn't feel crowded. Thanks for entrusting this project to me. I look forward to seeing the next phases come together. I appreciate you taking the time to post this review.

I must admit your site was a challenge given the diversity of sun/shade exposure, the mature trees, steep hills and drainage problems! Your desire for multiple garden rooms with different themes, various vantage points of interest and fragrance scattered throughout made it easy to integrate a vast number of plant species especially those for birds and pollinators. Thank you for this opportunity to create something special for you!

Thanks for sending photos. You did a beautiful job on the installation! Glad you're enjoying all the color, texture, pollinators and butterflies. I remember one of your goals was to see hummingbirds from the front window. I love that you now have a "shift" of hummers to enjoy! Thanks for the lovely review. See you in the winter when we work on the back yard.

I was up for the challenge to create this in your front yard as the first one of it's type in your traditional suburban subdivision. Often native plants are considered weedy looking but I know it's the arrangement of the plants that makes it look well designed instead. After much thought, I knew I had created something that your HOA would agree to and I was so happy that you got approval so quickly. Looking forward to seeing everything grow into the paradise that you so desire!

It's going to be beautiful and solve a lot of problems! Can't wait to see in person what I've visualized for you. I'll stop by to take photos later so keep me posted on when the front is done. Thanks for taking the time to post this review. I really appreciate it. I enjoyed working with you!

It's been fun working with you to develop the design for all of your "Garden Rooms" where you can play with a diverse assortment of plants. I think it's the first time I've had a request for such varied themes over a site with mixed terrain. From your challenging very steep rear hillside to your flat space in the front yard, we found an appropriate space for each theme: Savannah courtyard, Italian, Edible and Pollinator gardens to name a few. Looking forward to consulting with you further! Thanks for the great review.

You had me at first mention of David Attenborough! I thought, "Wow, this client really wants what I love to design!". From the clover lawn to the plants for pollinators and the rain garden, your project was a pleasure to design and build. You were also a joy to work with!!! Thanks so much for this opportunity to create this special place for you. I, too, look forward to watching it grow.

Thanks for your kind words, Anthony. I really enjoyed working with you all! It's always challenging to find a solution that suits the clients desires, solves all problems and also works with the city's many rules. I'm pleased to know that you are so happy with the results.

Thanks for the opportunity to help you with that, John. Now that the deer won't be eating everything, I hope you really enjoy viewing the colorful garden off of the back patio. I've incorporated things that will be blooming in every season. Can't wait for you to see and smell the edgeworthia in late winter! I really appreciate that you took the time to write such a lovely review.

I couldn't have asked for a better review! Thanks so much for posting that. It was a delight working with you too and I'm so happy to have created a special place for your family. Your steep hillside became a drought tolerant butterfly garden! The flat space off of your deck is now your edible garden & patio with firepit. Plus we solved numerous drainage issues in interesting ways. Can't wait to see photos!

It was a rare opportunity in Atlanta to work on a historic home. I did that often when I worked and practiced in New Orleans long ago! Thanks for this opportunity to recreate the formal rear yard gardens and to re-imagine the bedroom gardens as informal, 4 season gardens of color and interest.

Thanks for the nice review! You were a pleasure to work with also and I'm so happy that you are pleased with the solutions. I will be passing by often to watch the progress.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with you also! I'm excited that you were so happy with the plants I suggested especially since you weren't happy with your previous designer. Thanks for talking extensively with me so that I could get inside your head to determine your preferred style. Hope you let me know when this is built. I'd love to visit and see you again.

So happy to have found a solution that worked for you! Your landscape looks SO much better and I'm sure you will enjoy all the flowering trees, shrubs and perennials as the seasons pass. Thanks for the review.

Thanks for the glowing review! It was such a pleasure to work with you and to watch your dreams for this new house manifest. Furthermore, I'm excited you called again and are ready to work on phase two. Looking forward to another great experience!

I love a challenge so finding adequate access and parking for your Air Stream trailer was fun! I look forward to seeing photos of the rest of the landscape as it grows especially your edible garden, play area, "rain garden" in the wet area and what was designed to soften all of the walls. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to write this review. I really appreciate it.

I was so excited to hear from you again. Congratulations on your new home! I must say that hill in your backyard is the steepest I've been asked to landscape. I loved your idea of bringing in lots of color and texture to make it interesting year-round. The added bonus was using plants with flowers & berries that would be habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. All of this will be great inspiration for your photography! The drought tolerant plant selection was fun to work with and the erosion control something easily handled with adequate detailing. Hope you enjoy this new beautiful hillside year-round! Can't wait to see more photos. Thanks for hiring us again. It's always a pleasure to see you.

I look forward to seeing what you've done so far. It was fun working with an interior designer on a project scheduled for a magazine photo shoot! Keep me posted. Thanks for the lovely review.

Sorry you've lost a few trees recently. I'm looking forward to working with you again to modify the planting plan to the change in light. The good news is that with more sunlight there will be more opportunities for flowers and even more pollinators. See you soon! Thanks for writing the review during the busy holiday season.

It's always a pleasure to work with you, your family, friends and clients! Thanks for the many referrals over the years.

It was wonderful to see you and work with you again! We appreciate your trust and the great review.

It's always fun working with you, Tami! Your garden is a bright spot along an otherwise dreary road. I especially smile when I pass by in the spring and see all your bulbs in their glory. Thanks for always calling me for updates and taking the time to write a review.

It was a pleasure working with you and Martha! I can't wait to stop by to see how plants are growing and to chat about native plants. Thanks for this opportunity.

Thanks for the review, Stan! Your project was challenging due to the size and need for deer resistant plants. Glad you're happy with the results. Looking forward to working with you further in the future.

Thanks for your review on Houzz. We certainly enjoyed working with you too and have really appreciated the continued feedback. I have some great photos to share with you as soon as I have a chance to match before and afters. I know you're thrilled by how quick things have filled in and by the color thru the seasons. The special garden soil that we use is a major reason for such a dramatic display. Also, I know your wife's diligent care and watering made a big difference. So pleased to hear you are both happy with the design.

Thanks for your great review! It's been a year since I submitted your plans and I bet you've been very busy implementing them. Can't wait to see some photos if you have a chance to send. I'm rarely in Cartersville but would love to stop by if I ever am. One thing I've been meaning to tell you ...... Tellus Science Museum has a display of local rocks outside of the main building. They have all of the "weird" rocks that I saw in your yard. It was wonderful to learn more about them.

I remember on our Initial Consultation you said even though your house is small, that you only "hire the best" for whatever you need done because you want it all done right. So happy that you chose us to transform your landscape into the colorful sanctuary that you have always envisioned! It's been such a pleasure getting to know you as we worked thru the design and phase one of installation. We look forward to a life long friendship and the next phases!

You and Eugene were such a pleasure to work with! I’m so happy that you picked me to frame and showcase your house and lovely lakeside property. It’s not often that I have the opportunity to design acres so this was such a wonderful opportunity to really create something special. I loved framing the first view of the house while approaching up the long driveway with lots of shade loving and colorful plants then opening up the design to the expanse of the large lawn near your house’s entrance. Continuing the play of intimate to expansive, I changed the barren and boring approach to the front door to become interesting and cozy. Glad you liked adding the large bed with lots of perennials and texture protruding into the lawn. This time I needed to use plants for that very hot and sunny location. Sure got to use a lot of different plants around your site due to all the different sun/shade and wet/dry micro climates especially as we ventured around the sides of the house, to the pool and lakeside. Please continue to send me photographs and updates! Thanks for the great recommendation!!

Hi, Anna and Reggie. We loved working with you too! Your understanding and flexibility made dealing with all the issues bearable (and sometimes humorous!!!). We were excited to be able to eventually get approval for you for the project and to build it! We want to thank you for taking the time to post this review. We know you've been extremely busy with work and family therefore this post means more to us than usual. We also so appreciated your recent email about how well most plants have performed thru the past several months of crazy weather conditions. We will soon check on the few plants that aren't flourishing and the one wobbly stepping stone. It was also such a thrill to get Reggie's recent comment ... "We've been so pleased with the approach you took to the planting plus the quality and expertise you added to the process. We'd love to repeat that in the front!" THANK YOU! We so look forward to working with you again, too, for the next phase of your project.

Michael, I can’t explain how overjoyed I was to hear from you after 40 years! I closed my practice in metro New Orleans in the late 80’s when I moved to Atlanta with my new husband so my last name change makes it even more special that you found me! I really appreciate that you posted this review because it’s proof that my designs can stand the test of time!

Thanks for all the photos and subsequent emails. A number of the things that you mentioned have really touched my heart. I hope you don’t mind that I mention some of that below. I especially love the part about Disney World!

“You probably think that few people remember what you did especially after 40 years, but I can assure you that Andrea and I always remember that it was you who took a blank slate and made it into our personal paradise. “
“ We have now lived through 40 years of hurricanes, freezes, kids and even a little neglect. But after (hurricane) Katrina we decided that it was time to restore the yard to the original glory plus some”
“The basics of your original flowing gardens and curves remain the centerpiece, but we have turned it into a hobby and passion. We even have friends bringing people over just to see what we have in our yard.”
“Our next-door neighbors have to lift their grandchildren to see over the fence into our yard when they come visit. They think it's Disney World.”

Oh, what joy and that’s what I weave into every design I do, even today!

Connie, I’m the one who is grateful to have been chosen to design your “Healing Space”. Thanks for opening up to me about what your heart needs for healing. It was a pure joy working with you as an individual plus fulfilling every aspect of this project. You gave me the opportunity to express everything that I’m passionate about…. listening to a client’s deepest desires then creating a space to fulfill everything from mood to function plus aesthetics. I’m looking forward to working with you further!

Thanks, Steve, for taking the time to review us. We really enjoyed working with you to create your special outdoor living space! Especially enjoyed finding a solution that solved drainage problems while integrating your new patio with a butterfly/hummingbird garden plus edible gardens. Special that you did this for your daughter and can’t wait to hear stories about what she learns as she discovers the wonders of nature & gardening. Thanks for being so patient while we searched for the perfect stone for your patio then figured out how to detail your raised planter boxes to tie everything together. Loved the challenge of adding a contemporary/modern flair so the new hardscape carried your interior theme to the exterior of your Craftsman style house. We really appreciated this opportunity to work with you! The only sad part is that we installed the entire project as one phase so I won’t get to work with you again …. However, I will be stopping by to check on things and take photos. I look forward to seeing you then.

We count our blessings when we think of you! We are grateful to have you as one of the most kind, pleasant and considerate folks we’ve ever worked for! Thank you for trusting us and calling on us over and over again for SO many years.

Iris, thanks for posting such a thorough review. It was fun to work with your idea of having a dramatic display of purple, red and black plants contrasted to lots of white. We're excited about the results and can't wait to install the rest of the plants during phase 2 and then the new retaining wall and planter for phase 3. We really look forward to working with you again.

Thank you for that rave review. It was such a pleasure working with you on your landscaping project! We’re looking forward to installing Phase 2 this Spring!!! btw, I really appreciated getting your email just after completion when you said "I'm looking at my yard and watering it AND I'M IN LOVE!" I put a lot of thought, heart and soul into my designs and it's very nice to hear when it's observed and appreciated. Danna

Thank you Marella for your wonderful review.

It was an honor to work on such a project that allowed us to utilize our creative abilities in fashioning a garden that includes bird and butterfly friendly plant choices as well providing four seasons of color.

We appreciate the opportunity to create a design that addressed the specific issues you mentioned as well as providing a new landscape that you and your family will enjoy for many years!

Warm Regards,
Danna Cain, ASLA

Thank you so much for your glowing review. It was such a pleasure working with you on your Prayer Garden. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to make your dream a reality.

I felt so blessed to be asked to design something for you! Thanks for sharing your vision with me so thoroughly as that enabled me to do MY best. Hope to work with you on some of the details as this progresses!

Hi, Susan! Sorry that I didn’t reply sooner to your post but I’ve been crazy busy keeping things rolling and checking on progress of all projects. I’ve stopped by your place often and happy that things are progressing as planned! I know you are crazy busy too so I really appreciate that you took to time to post a review for us.

Welcome to Atlanta!
Since you relocated here from another state and weren’t familiar with plants or styles typically found here, we’re so glad that you found HOUZZ a valuable resource to you.

Thank you for trusting and placing confidence in us to design and install your project and making it appropriate for your site.

Even though “unexpected hurdles” sometimes present themselves, our expertise and experience in handling a wide array of issues enabled us to tackle your project successfully! We’re so happy we were able to resolves those issues.

We really hope you enjoy living here and that your back yard makes you smile and brings years of enjoyment. It was a pleasure working with you!

Thank you for such a glowing review. It was a pleasure working on your project. We appreciate your entrusting us to create a plan for your family’s homestead. It was an honor. Since yours is a pie-shaped lot, it was a lot of fun to be able to utilize design techniques that draw the eye away from the new neighbor’s obtrusive fence and to soften your view of the backyard. The 4 seasons of color that we’ve added via flowering trees, colorful shrubs and perennials are sure to provide you with enjoyment for many years to come.

Thank you, Melanie! We also appreciate that you have recommended us to your neighbor. We really enjoyed working with you and look forward to the next phase!

Thanks for taking the time to write this, Louise! I know you're so very busy at the moment so we are especially grateful. As the seasons pass, I'm sure you will enjoy the variety of color and textures that will be presented. We're looking forward to taking awesome before/after photos that will illustrate the vision.

It was a pleasure to work with you again! In over 20 years we've worked together on at least 4 major projects and many smaller projects too. Nothing means more to me than knowing that you are happy and want to work with us again and again. I've been keeping an eye on our latest project on the corner, especially when I know you're traveling. The summer can be so brutal on that hot hillside and this selection of plants has held up really well during the establishment period. I'm so happy that you choose to upgrade to our premium soil mix because that has helped a lot with drought tolerance and getting this landscape to fill in so quickly. Every time I'm there, at least one neighbor stops by to exclaim how pretty the perennials, shrubs and the walls look. This has certainly given you the curb appeal you've been desiring. I will be over often this year to check on progress and take photos!

Thanks for posting such a heartfelt response on Houzz. This site as well as other social media platforms give clients a way to express both the negative and positive aspects of working on a construction project. We’re pleased to know that you are happy with your completed sidewalk and garden. It certainly has improved your curb appeal! We worked hard to provide you with the softer, more welcoming Southern style entrance that you desired. Thanks for expressing that you enjoyed working with us and would choose us again. We look forward to working with you again in the future.

Since future clients will be reading this post while investigating our company, I feel it’s only fair that I clarify a few things.

You expressed that you’d been looking for nearly two years for a company who could handle your project and that you were excited to have finally found someone. When you contacted us in early March, you wrote that you would “like as much of the installation as possible by mid-May”. We expressed then and many times later that this wasn’t sufficient time to complete the entire project but we would do our best to provide you with something better than what you had at the moment. We also explained that we already had several other projects under contract and that they needed to be completed first. Unfortunately, it was an extremely rainy spring including a flash flood that prevented us from working every day and thus we fell behind schedule despite working on weekends in an attempt to keep everyone happy.

There were many complications and change-of-direction regarding the paving.
We began addressing these as soon our other obligations were met.
There were many site visits, meetings, emails and conversations with allied professionals as we worked thru the following in the most timely manner possible.

• We discovered that your existing porch patterned concrete infill could NOT be removed without extreme expense due to the unorthodox manner in which it was originally built.

• As the porch couldn’t be replaced we started research on how to clean your stains, touch up color where missing and refinish it. It was very difficult to locate anyone willing to perform this service on such a small project.

• We discovered that your porch was built using a tooled pattern that is obsolete. We worked to identify the tool which led to communication with the manufacturer who just happened to know someone who bought that tool 15 years ago and still is in business. Fortunately he found the obsolete tool in his warehouse so we were on the road, finally, to getting a contract signed for your work.

• The new concrete was poured. Unfortunately due to a dye lot mislabeling issue from that manufacturer, the new concrete was not the right color.

• We tore out all the new paving and re-poured it as soon as the color/dye problem was resolved with the manufacturer and the replacement color could be shipped.

You received the highest quality colored/patterned concrete walkway and landing installed so that it will have a very long life, edge integrity and drain properly around your landscaped beds. It also received coatings to fix the color as well as make it slip resistant. We were even successful in refinishing the existing concrete on the porch so that all paving, old and new, match in pattern, style and color.

Our layout/design for the paving was certainly more simple than the design you showed to me from a previous company. I did not see a written proposal from that company so I can only respond by saying that I welcome you to forward that design and proposal to me for review and further comments. I seriously doubt that the lesser price you mentioned included everything that we provided: raised beds of our premium organic soil mix / technical pruning and reclamation of mature shrubs / demolition of others / new tree and shrubs including specimen sized shrubs / layered plantings of shrubs, perennials and annuals / amazing pots and also irrigation upgrades installed for not only the front along the new sidewalk but also around left side of house and left side of driveway.

By the day of the party, we had installed a new sidewalk and landing to your front door which replaced the inadequate and unsightly stepping stones that you previously had. We removed all the dead & overgrown shrubs then neatly pruned what was remaining. We then did all bed preparation necessary and planted new shrubs along the house and walk. Everything was mulched, cleaned and though not complete, it certainly all looked far nicer than what you had before. We returned after the party to finish the installation of perennials, annuals, and other plants on left side of driveway.

It’s a beautiful design with lovely contrasting colors and textures for interest year round. It’s extremely drought tolerant as needed for this south facing landscape. Shrubs were designed to grow together as masses so that there will be minimal pruning and eventually no weeding needed. The shrubs are as low maintenance as a landscape can be especially since only varieties that are extremely insect and disease resistant were used. The perennials that were requested to give you the old-fashioned Southern look do require some maintenance, however, varieties were also chosen to be the most drought tolerant, insect & disease resistant. All of the above provides you with a thriving, lively landscape that is fragrant and lively with birds and butterflies. ENJOY !!!