DESIGNER BIOS

Annie Bamberger

For almost two decades, Annie has designed and built eco-conscious, dynamic, interactive landscapes.   Her approach displays an ongoing passion for achieving the highest level of integrity, functionality and tranquility in her designs.   Committing to educating herself on cutting-edge, sustainable and economical processes and products in the industry allows her to supply diverse and creative strategies to any scenario. Annie has a degree in Horticulture and Landscape Design, has her own Landscape Contractor's license and is certified in Rainwater Catchment Systems.

Darla McGary

I have been a landscape designer my entire life.  My first attempt at landscape design and installation was when I was 9 years old on my family’s farm in Eastern Oregon.  Outside my parents' dining room window were these two smelly, over-grown junipers.  I persuaded my Dad to remove the junipers and allow me to install a small rock garden with plants.  It was my first success!  I continued to dabble in design while attending high school but ultimately chose a career path chasing the ‘big bucks’. I received my degree in finance and economics from the University of Oregon, which led me to a career in finance and accounting in Hi-tech.  Having international aspects to my job enabled me to travel to Europe and Asia.  This experience exposed me to cultural and environmental diversity and enabled me to visit both public and private gardens.  The travel was enriching but also fueled my desire for a change from the cubicle/corporate life style.  Consequently, I took the plunge, stopped chasing the ‘big bucks’, and went back to college and obtained both an associate's degree in Landscape Technology and a degree in Landscape Design.  Throughout this incredible journey, I have had the unwavering support of my husband, family, and friends.  I am truly grateful to be able to do what I love: Landscape Design.

Drew Snodgrass

Even after 30 years, I still love the challenge of creating Portland area landscapes that thrill my customers.  I truly enjoy working together to create beautiful landscaping that treats the senses and presents an overall cohesive and appropriate improvement to complement their site. Creative design, imaginative problem solving, patios, water features and proper plant selection are some of my specialties.

I’m Landscape Industry Certified through PLANET (The Professional Landcare Network) and my landscape design/build projects have been featured in many magazines, including Better Homes and Gardens, Portrait of Portland, Oregon Home and Luxe Magazine.  Through the years, I’ve won numerous awards including 6 national, presented by PLANET, and 9 state presented by OLCA, (the Oregon Landscape Contractors Association). Most recently, I received the highest level national award for 2009 through PLANET, the ‘Grand Award’, for an estate project in southwest Portland.

John Curtis

My background began in the mid west.  After completing degrees in Fine Arts (photography) and Business Administration at Ohio University I moved to the western United States. The first eleven years of my career were spent building my own business as a commercial advertising photographer.  My clientele included such varied companies as Danner Boots, Red Lion Hotels and Speedo swimsuits.  The more I lived in my adopted Pacific Northwest, the more I became fascinated by the plants and trees that make up this beautiful part of the country.  I became an avid home gardener.  So avid, in fact, that I decided upon a career change.  Instead of designing photographs, I turned my artistic skills and vision toward designing landscapes.  Joining Dennis' 7 Dees in 1987, I was willing to begin at the production level and spent two years in the field as a maintenance and landscape foreman.  I learned the business literally from the ground up while attending night courses to increase my plant knowledge, design skills and expertise in all phases of the industry.  I think of it as a 'total immersion' landscape education.  Moving into the design and sales office in 1989, I have been involved in helping people create and enjoy their outdoor landscapes for well over twenty years.  My specialties include landscape renovations, low voltage lighting systems and irrigation design.  I have attained a variety of landscape industry certifications: (CLP) Certified Landscape Professional, (ICPI) Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute and (NCMA) National Concrete Masonry Association for retaining wall design and installation.  During the fall and winter months I also design and supervise our fast growing Holiday Decor and Lighting department.  With my diverse background and long experience in the industry, I am looking forward to working with you to design and install an enjoyable and functional landscape.  

Jonah Bishop

With fresh, innovative ideas, Jonah can help create a landscape that is truly unique and tailored to fit you. He believes that every landscape has the potential to be not simply a landscape but a wonderful outdoor living space. It can become something that draws you outdoors not simply to see it, but to experience it. By using cohesive design principles to create a landscape that works in harmony with your existing living space, Jonah is truly able to bring a new vision, and new use, to your outdoor space. With a strong commitment to sustainable construction and innovative design and construction techniques, the landscape Jonah will create for you will truly be a unique, comfortable and relaxing space to enjoy. With over 13 years combined construction and design experience, Jonah is well prepared to help you tackle even the most challenging projects.

Lars Nielsen

My design philosophy is simple. It revolves around my clients and their needs and wants. I add touches from my experience they may have not thought of or thought possible and temper them both with details to make their new garden as functional as it is beautiful. I achieve this end through open conversation and listening to the needs of my clients all the while offering suggestions from my experience. I feel designers often get too wrapped up in making their own creation. I never try. Instead my goal is to make my client's creation using the tools I bring to them to achieve the result they have always been looking for. I do not find any particular type of garden the best, only different. I take joy in all types of design from ultra-modern to traditional Japanese. My clients are as diverse as the styles you see, and it is my job to look beyond boundaries and find what matches their needs and wants best, and I enjoy it tremendously.

Spencer Anderson

Spencer’s expertise is in creating custom exterior spaces for those who enjoy being in the great outdoors as well as for those who are happy with a view from their picture window.  Spencer understands that it’s not always possible to go to your favorite place in the great northwest or beyond, so why not bring your favorite scenery to you? Growing up hiking, camping, and fishing in the beautiful outdoors has inspired Spencer to create landscapes with natural beauty and wonder.  In addition, his experience as a landscape foreman has taught him how to combine the natural beauty with form, function and superior customer service.  Spencer has a degree in landscape design and horticulture and is eager to help you transform your outdoor space today!