KATE WILSON DESIGN

BY ALANA SETTLE

AN INSPIRATIONAL VISIT TO FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY in Columbus, Ohio helped Kate Wilson define the direction of her career. With a degree in Fine Art already under her belt, Kate enrolled in the Landscape Design and Management program at Columbus State Community College to learn how to combine her love of art and plants. She worked for both Oakland Nursery and Blue Oak Patio & Landscape before founding her own design firm in 2022.

OGIA: Can you talk about your early experiences in the field and what led you to where you are today?

KATE: My journey began at Columbus State Community College (CSCC), where I gained a solid foundation in plant knowledge, landscape design principles, and horticultural practices. The program helped to emphasize the importance of selecting the right plants for specific site conditions, which has become a cornerstone of my design philosophy.

During my studies, I had the opportunity to intern at Franklin Park Conservatory and the Biltmore Estate. At the Conservatory, I was fortunate to work with knowledgeable horticulturists who were generous in sharing their expertise, helping me develop a keen eye for plant selection and arrangement.

Working at the Biltmore allowed me to witness firsthand the power of thoughtful design to create an immersive and unforgettable outdoor experience. The internship broadened my perspective and pushed me to think beyond the ordinary, inspiring me to create outdoor spaces that evoke emotions and tell stories.

Working at Oakland Nursery was a wonderful experience. I still love visiting, wandering around and seeing the latest varieties of plants. My favorite part of working at Oakland was the relationships that were built with my co-workers. Landscape maintenance can be physically draining, but retail, when it is busy, is absolutely nutty. But there was always a sense that we were in it together, helping each other. It’s also where I gained a ton of experience working with all kinds of customers, which has translated into a great skill for working with landscape design clients.

It was hard for me to leave Oakland Nursery, but Pete Marsh, mentioned earlier, was starting his own landscaping business and I really wanted the opportunity to see him build it from the ground up. At Blue Oak Patio & Landscape, not only did I gain more experience doing sales, design and estimating work, but also gained practical knowledge in installation and maintenance, which provided me with a wellrounded understanding of the entire process.

While I had many mentors along the way who guided and supported me, Pete Marsh is a dear friend whose dedication to quality work, strong work ethic, and unwavering honesty left a lasting impression on me, shaping not just my professional approach but also my values as a person.

I’ve also had the pleasure of recently working with Molly John, from M. J. Design Associates, and I can’t help but admire her deep dedication to her clients, team members, and work. I’m genuinely excited to continue learning more from her and fostering our women-supportingother-women professional relationship.

OGIA: Why did you start Kate Wilson Design?

KATE: I wanted to create a design firm that would allow me to work directly with a host of different types of clients and provide them with personalized attention and tailored outdoor spaces. My past experiences at various landscape companies had given me the confidence to design customized landscapes and provide referrals for reliable installation and maintenance services, ensuring that my clients’ vision would be executed with excellence and that their landscapes would be properly cared for in the long run.

I wanted to bring together my passion for plants, my commitment to creating functional and beautiful outdoor spaces, and my desire to provide exceptional client experiences, no matter their budget. By establishing my own design firm, I have been able to pursue these goals and continue to strive to make a positive impact on the landscapes of my clients in and around Columbus (and hopefully beyond!).

OGIA: What brings you joy in your career? What do you dislike, or find challenging, about your career?

OGIA: What brings you joy in your career? What do you dislike, or find challenging, about your career?

KATE: One of the most fulfilling aspects of my career as a landscape designer is the joy I derive from creating outdoor spaces that bring happiness and delight to my clients. Witnessing the transformation of a barren or uninspiring landscape into a vibrant and inviting oasis makes me so happy. Seeing the joy on my clients’ faces as they experience their new outdoor environments and witnessing how it positively impacts their lives is really rewarding.

I also find a lot of joy in the creative process itself. Designing allows me to combine my love for plants and art together with problem-solving. It’s a constant exploration of possibilities, experimenting with different elements, materials, and plant combinations to create something unique and beautiful.

One of the challenges is managing client expectations and balancing their desires with practical considerations. Each client has their own preferences, and it can sometimes be challenging to align those preferences with the constraints of the site, budget, and other factors. It requires effective communication, negotiation, and the ability to guide clients towards choices that will result in successful and sustainable designs.

Lastly, the constant push and pull of time management. The administrative and business aspects of running a freelance design firm can be demanding. Balancing design work with client management, marketing, financial responsibilities, and administrative tasks requires effective time management and organizational skills. It’s important to find a balance between the creative aspects of the job and the business responsibilities, additionally it’s equally important to strike a healthy balance between work and life. I have the freedom to make my own schedule, for better and worse!

OGIA: Where do you find inspiration?

KATE: I can think of a few avenues:

Nature: Natural environments, such as gardens, parks, forests, and landscapes, to observe the beauty, patterns, and interactions of plants, textures, colors, and forms. Seasonal changes provide endless inspiration for designs.

Art and Design: I draw inspiration from various art forms and design disciplines. Visiting museums and botanical gardens, and observing other forms of creative expression allow me to expand my artistic vocabulary and bring fresh ideas into my designs. I find inspiration in the

principles of composition, color theory, and spatial arrangement.

Travel and Cultural Experiences: This is a big one! Traveling to different regions and experiencing diverse cultures broadens my perspective and stimulates my creativity. I seek out local landscapes, gardens, and public spaces during my family travels to gain insights into regional design aesthetics, unique plant palettes, and cultural influences. These experiences inform my design choices and help me create landscapes that reflect a sense of place and resonate with clients from various backgrounds.

OGIA: Where do you see the industry heading? Any trends you’re watching?

KATE: Here are a few notable trends that I am watching:

Sustainable and Eco-friendly Practices: There is an increasing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Clients are seeking designs that reduce water consumption, promote biodiversity, and minimize environmental impact. This includes incorporating native plants, utilizing efficient irrigation systems, implementing rainwater harvesting, and integrating green infrastructure elements like bioswales and permeable paving.

Outdoor Living Spaces: The demand for welldesigned outdoor living spaces continues to rise. People are recognizing the importance of extending their living areas outdoors, creating functional and inviting spaces for relaxation, entertainment, and recreation. This includes features such as outdoor kitchens, fire pits, seating areas, and outdoor lighting.

Native and Climate-Adaptive Plants: There is a growing interest in using native and climateadaptive plants. These plants are well-suited to local climates, require less maintenance once established, and are often more resilient to pests and diseases.

Low-Maintenance Landscapes: Everyone wants a low-maintenance landscape, and the trick is making it work while still providing beauty and functionality. Drought-tolerant plants and native plants can help a lot with this.

Wellness Gardens and Biophilic Design: These designs aim to improve mental and physical health by incorporating elements that engage the senses, foster relaxation, and promote a connection with nature. Features such as sensory gardens, therapeutic spaces, and natural materials are being integrated into designs to create calming and restorative outdoor environments.

Technology Integration: Automated irrigation systems with weather-based controllers, energyefficient LED lighting, and smartphonecontrolled outdoor amenities are becoming more prevalent.

OGIA: Any advice you’d like to share for designers just getting started?

KATE: Certainly!

Gain Knowledge and Experience: Always be investing in yourself, through education and work experience. Invest in your education and gain a strong foundation in landscape design principles, plant knowledge, and horticultural practices. Consider pursuing formal education in horticulture, landscape architecture, or a related field. Additionally, seek hands-on experience through internships, volunteering, or working with landscape companies to learn practical aspects of the profession. Over the years, I have come to greatly appreciate and value who I work with. Purposely seek out people and companies where you have a lot of overlap in values and work ethic.

Cultivate Your Design Skills: Develop your artistic and design skills by practice sketching, drawing, and using design software to effectively communicate your ideas. Look for inspiration to cultivate your unique design style and don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of plants and then find ways to try out your ideas. Because sometimes your ideas can look great on paper, but turn out very differently on the jobsite! One affordable way to do this is using your own containers. I have found that experimenting with color and texture combinations in seasonal planters can also transfer well to the scale of residential landscape designs. Having a VERY understanding partner

that lets me treat our yard as an experimental playground, constantly transplanting and moving plants around, has enabled me to test out ideas without risk to my clients.

Network and Collaborate: Connect with professionals in the industry, join design associations, and attend industry events and conferences. Networking allows you to learn from experienced designers, find mentors, and create collaborative opportunities. Engaging with others in the field will expand your knowledge, open doors for referrals, and foster professional growth.

Embrace Continuous Learning: Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and new plant introductions. Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences, and engage in professional development opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.

Prioritize Client Relationships: Building strong relationships with your clients is crucial. Listen carefully to their needs, communicate effectively, and manage expectations. Establish trust, be responsive, and involve them in the design process. Good client relationships lead to positive referrals and long-term success. Social media is a great way to market yourself, but word of mouth is still the most effective way to find good clients.

For more information, visit katewilsondesign.com