Create Your Own “Gucci” Landscapes

Create Your Own “Gucci” Landscapes

Charge more and create more demand for your designs when you take your landscapes up a notch! It starts with your own ‘signature’ design …

This “Gucci” look gives a signature touch through the use of materials that are connected to the house. This space stays impeccably clean and visually interesting with the artfully designed, custom-cut limestone, yet the material is extremely durable to anything the weather can put out. The patio surface has heated coils to keep it warm in cooler months, and is sized to accommodate both small and large groups.

We think landscape designers often serve as “order-takers,” rather than true designers leading the way. How many landscape designs do you see that you can describe as “jaw-dropping?” How many designers take the time and effort to create a unique, design “signature” that sets them apart from the competition?

Years ago, Gary designed a simple patio for a friend, and it had a very classic, architectural look and feel. When it was finished, his friend said, “I never imagined I’d have a ‘Gucci’ patio!” That “Gucci” look was achieved by just a little extra effort, using a mixture of materials and a new twist on a classic design. This effort took an ordinary patio design and stepped it up to a new level.

It doesn’t take much more money, time or effort to make something truly outstanding. Once you challenge yourself to do better, you will. And once your designs are unique and outstanding, you’ll get more business and make more money at it.

Traditions + Lack of Effort
We see too many landscape designers who have talent but offer designs that aren’t as good as they can be. They’re mediocre. Boring. Ho-hum.

Why is this? One reason is that designers in our industry have gotten in the habit of using only the limited materials available from their suppliers. Sometimes, they get in a rut and use just one color. Or maybe it’s easy just to use what’s available, rather than work out something special.


This vanishing lap pool is one of several in this project, designed for both the exercise enthusiast and the entertainer. The stone and brick around these are a blend of “kiln fired” limestone as edgers and bull-nosed copings to bring out the ore in the limestone and match more closely the house brick. The playful sculpture (right) adds a decorative and fun touch.

But why settle for weak vanilla designs when those luscious, richer butter pecan designs are more interesting to do, and your client will be happier? Many times, it isn’t even more money to add value and skill and design expertise to a design, with outstanding results.

Another example is to contrast an everyday shirt from a mid-level department store with an Italian designer shirt. You’ll notice the difference in styling, materials, and quality workmanship immediately. It’s the “real thing.” Wouldn’t you buy the “wonderful,” high-quality shirt if you could afford it, over the run-of-the-mill item?

Your clients will recognize high-quality landscape design and construction work too, and they’ll pay more money for it.

As a professional designer, you want people to recognize your skill and expertise, and pay you for it. By creating a signature look or level of quality, you do just that. This is especially important in today’s economy, where so many companies are competing on price alone. It shows you bring special value to the table, and these days, clients want that.


Extra detail and a unique look is evident in this area of the landscape project. Scale, vehicle and pedestrian accessibility, durability and looks all combine for a unique experience.

Unless you want to compete on volume, you’ll have to offer something of special value. The “volume” contractor too easily gets caught up in a spiral of chasing more jobs, hiring too many people, buying too much equipment and materials, and trying to keep quality up. “Value” contractors, in contrast, get higher-profit work based on their talents, abilities, and extra effort they bring to the work. This will make you stand out as a real professional to clients and prospects, and you’ll stand out from your design/build competitors just as well.

Clients want the best they can get for their money, and they’re willing to pay for it if they can find that unique, rare, specialist who gives them “wonderful” design and the “real thing” in landscape.


Detail of a limestone brick inset with red carriage brick inlay to create a pseudo-basket weave on diagonal. Almost looks like stitching on those designer shirts!	Herringbone pattern with bricks laid on the thin side to give it a more delicate look. This uses more brick but also gives a truly unique look!

Learn how to develop your own signature, extra-value landscapes by attending the next Kinman Seminar. To find out more about these classes, contact us by email: cynthia@kinmaninstitute.com, phone: 614-764-8733, or website: www.kinmaninstitute.com.