Having begun more than 25 years ago as a lawn maintenance company, Country Gardens Lawn & Landscaping has evolved into a premier landscape design-and-build firm.
While Country Gardens no longer does lawn maintenance, that previous experience lays the groundwork for the company's complete services from initial ideas to final installation.
President and Lead Designer Steve Tillman calls on his background studying horticulture at both Florida Atlantic and Purdue universities as well as his design experience to lend elevated style to outdoor expanses. Country Gardens specializes in patios, pools, fire features, pergolas and pavilions, retaining walls, outdoor lighting, landscaping and more.
“Our clients are hiring us to create that complete look,” Tillman says. "It could be a modern space or traditional space that gives the customer a unique look and stamp on their own outdoor living space."
Photos: Country Gardens designed a gated outdoor area at a lake house in Monticello. Pavers bordered by grass create a large patio with a fire feature in the center and an outdoor kitchen to the side. A gas fire pit, a wooden play structure and landscaping extend beyond the patio. Exterior lighting, including string lights, assures that gatherings don't have to end at sunset. The setting is perfect to turn an ordinary evening into something magical.
"Consumers really know what they want," Tillman says. "The chef in the family may want to bring their cooking skills to the outdoor space."
Outdoor kitchens are more popular than ever, according to Tillman, especially incorporated into a covered pavilion-type area with a bar and fireplace that provides for all-weather entertainment. Pizza ovens and all-in-one grills with smokers and griddles are gaining in popularity as they allow people to cook just about anything. Mini-fridges keep cold drinks on hand.
“The decorator of the family may chime in on a certain look they are going for," Tillman continues.
Country Gardens employs only the best tools and materials to ensure installations are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing, for example using concrete, brick or flagstone pavers to create beautiful patios. The company also utilizes ecological plant management in landscaping. The latest technology provides clients with visuals of what their outdoor projects will look like upon completion.
“Everyone wants to have that outdoor hang-out space,” Tillman says, "but every space is unique, and every family uses the spaces in different ways. Some families enjoy more of a weekend entertainment area. Some families are smaller or they are empty nesters who want a secluded weekend and weekday getaway. Our job is to listen to people and to be able to implement what they want into our designs."
Photos: A local homeowner wanted an update to the rather plain concrete patio surrounding the pool in his backyard. Country Gardens built a covered outdoor kitchen with gorgeous carved wood accents to match an existing structure. Plans utilized landscaping to delineate areas as well as to provide privacy. Separate seating invites guests to make themselves comfortable, and the matching fire features ensure that cooler temperatures won't put a damper on entertaining this fall.