About Our Studio

I’ve spent my life drawn to the quiet intelligence of nature.

That curiosity became a career in ecological landscape design, where I help clients create outdoor spaces that feel beautiful, meaningful, and aligned with the land.

For more than 30 years, I have worked in the green industry, combining formal training in horticulture and landscape architecture with hands-on experience across residential, institutional, and ecological projects. I founded Earth Essence Designs in 2005 to bring that depth of experience into more personal and purposeful spaces.

Beyond professional design work, I have cultivated my own edible landscape and led an outdoor classroom focused on growing food and ecological literacy. These lived experiences inform my ability to integrate beauty, habitat, and nourishment into cohesive, lasting designs.

I’m especially drawn to projects that hold meaning, whether ecological, personal, or both. A landscape can be a place to gather, to grow food, to honor someone you love, or simply to feel restored.

Together, we can create a landscape that works beautifully for you and the living world around you.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Joe

I wanted to transform my front lawn into a butterfly garden and Laura delivered in spades! It now teems with pollinators and fragrant flowers. I asked for a tough combination of easy-care, deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly. She figured out how to do so and with a harmonious whole. Throughout she was cheerful, knowledgeable, and professional. I've had many neighbors stop by to express how much they liked it.

Bonnie

Laura is fantastic! I was looking for someone to develop a landscape plan for my recent Cape Cod Cottage purchase and Laura delivered exactly what I wanted even though I had difficulty describing it myself. She was so much fun to work with, incorporated plants from my wishlist, and delivered a colored design.

Amy

Laura completely transformed the kindergarten courtyard at our school. It went from a mess of concrete and weeds to a children's wonderland complete with a beautiful shade garden, fairy gardens with fairy furniture!, and a sand area. She did an excellent job of considering her clientele and the growing conditions. She also took the time to sit down with teachers and other school personnel to clearly present her plans and get feedback. The whole process was quick and smooth. We feel so lucky to have gotten to work with Laura!