Business Details
Award-Winning Landscape Design in Santa Barbara
Grace Design Associates is a premier landscape design-build firm with over three decades of experience creating exceptional outdoor environments. Founded in Santa Barbara, our team integrates design and construction to deliver cohesive, award-winning gardens tailored to each client's lifestyle and property. Our process begins with deep client collaboration, ensuring every project reflects the unique character of its inhabitants and the natural beauty of its surroundings. We specialize in environmentally sensitive landscapes, prioritizing sustainability through soil conservation, water efficiency, and biodiversity. Our work has earned international recognition, including multiple Landscape Designer of the Year awards from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers.With a team of skilled designers and craftsmen, we hand-select materials from top local and global suppliers to create one-of-a-kind spaces that harmonize with their environment. Our expertise extends to diverse settings, from historic estates to coastal retreats, always emphasizing artistry and functionality. As industry leaders, we've been featured in prestigious publications like Garden Design, Sunset, and The Wall Street Journal. Our commitment to excellence is evident in every project, from concept through completion, ensuring client satisfaction and lasting beauty.
Services
Landscape Design
Garden Construction
Sustainable Landscaping
Outdoor Living Spaces
Plant Selection
Hardscape Installation
Eco-Friendly Gardens
Property Enhancement
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of expertise in global landscape design and construction.
- Our integrated design-build process ensures cohesive, high-quality results.
- We prioritize sustainable practices with water-efficient, eco-conscious solutions.
- Our team includes internationally recognized award-winning designers.
- We hand-select premium materials from trusted local and global suppliers.
What people say
Beautiful landscape
Exceeded expectations
Masterful work
Creative vision
Flawless results
Services
Landscape Design
Our landscape design service creates custom outdoor environments tailored to your property's unique characteristics and your lifestyle needs. We combine artistic vision with functional planning to develop spaces that enhance your home's aesthetics and usability. With over 350 completed projects worldwide, our award-winning designers ensure every garden reflects its owner's personality while harmonizing with natural surroundings.
Garden Construction
From concept to completion, our garden construction service delivers precise execution of designed landscapes with meticulous attention to detail. Our experienced craftsmen implement complex designs using premium materials selected for durability and aesthetic appeal. This comprehensive service includes terrain sculpting, hardscape installation, and specialized plantings to create cohesive, long-lasting outdoor environments that match the original vision.
Sustainable Landscaping
We specialize in environmentally conscious landscaping solutions that conserve resources while maintaining visual appeal and functionality. Our approach incorporates native plants, efficient irrigation systems, and organic materials to create self-sustaining ecosystems. This service helps clients reduce maintenance costs and environmental impact while enhancing biodiversity and fire resistance in California's unique climate conditions.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Transform your property with custom outdoor living areas that extend your home's usable space and enhance lifestyle enjoyment. We design and build integrated spaces featuring dining areas, fire pits, water features, and entertainment zones that seamlessly connect with indoor environments. Our expertise ensures these spaces balance aesthetic appeal with practical functionality for year-round use.
Plant Selection
Our expert plant selection service curates the perfect vegetation for your landscape, combining local and exotic species to achieve desired aesthetics and environmental benefits. We choose plants based on climate suitability, maintenance requirements, and visual impact to create dynamic, seasonally interesting gardens. This service ensures optimal growth conditions and long-term landscape vitality through careful species pairing and placement.
People
Margie Grace
Lead Designer
Internationally recognized landscape designer with over 30 years' experience creating award-winning gardens worldwide. Author of 'Private Gardens of Santa Barbara' and two-time Landscape Designer of the Year recipient.
Dawn Close
Principal
Co-founding partner and Chief of Operations with expertise in business management and strategic planning. Former leadership program instructor and women's entrepreneurship advocate with diverse business experience.
John Oberholtzer
Superintendent
Construction expert with over 25 years' experience overseeing landscape implementation. Combines technical skill with client relationship management to deliver award-winning projects on schedule and budget.
Cesar Sanchez
Construction Team Lead
Skilled craftsman with 15+ years' experience in landscape construction. Brings creative problem-solving and traditional techniques to complex projects, ensuring high-quality execution of design visions.
Eric Oberholtzer
Crew Leader
Experienced construction specialist with 5 years' tenure, known for attention to detail and equipment operation expertise. Contributes from initial grading to final finishing touches in garden installations.
Questions
What types of landscape projects do you specialize in?
We handle diverse projects including estate gardens, coastal retreats, residential landscapes, and commercial properties throughout Santa Barbara and surrounding areas.
How does your design-build process work?
Our integrated approach combines design and construction under one team, ensuring seamless execution from concept sketches through final installation while maintaining budget and schedule.
Do you offer sustainable landscaping solutions?
Yes, we specialize in eco-friendly designs incorporating water-efficient irrigation, native plants, and environmentally responsible materials to create self-sustaining landscapes.
Can you work with existing landscape features?
Absolutely. We assess your property's existing elements and incorporate valuable features into new designs to preserve investment and enhance natural beauty.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Santa Barbara County including Montecito, Ojai, and Hidden Valley, with select projects in neighboring regions based on project scope.
How do I start a project with your firm?
Contact us for an initial consultation where we'll discuss your vision, property specifics, and budget to determine the best approach for your landscape transformation.
