Marie A. McKinsey CPH

"We need outdoor life in this country; we need it inherently, because it is the normal thing for all people, and we need it as a nation, because we are an overwrought people, too eager about everything except peace and contentment."

When Gustav Stickley, famous architect of the Craftsman era, wrote these words in 1912, he could not have imagined the frantic pace of life today. But his remarks are just as fitting now as they were nearly 100 years ago.

Marie's work as a landscape designer involves helping people create an outdoor space that gives them a sense of "peace and contentment", whether it is in a small urban yard, a commercial space or on an acre lot. Although the styles of the gardens vary, Marie's gardens feature year around color and textural interest with low maintenance requirements. Her interest in the therapeutic value of gardens is reflected in her choices of plant material, color scheme and ornamentation.

Marie's Bio

Susan Rafanelli - Botanica Designs

Loathing gardening chores yet growing up in a family of gardeners, Susan chose to ignore her destiny, until, like many of us, until she bought her first home. The mystery and beauty of the garden took hold. She studied gardening with a passion.

In 1995, she graduated from horticultural study at SSCC completing an Associates Degree in Landscape Design/Construction. Susan also holds an Art Education degree from the University of Washington. The combination of these studies brings a rich aesthetic to her vision. She looks at gardening as a way to design living sculpture. Her experience includes creating outdoor spaces with plants, arbors, fences, patios, decks and rock-work. Susan established Botanica Designs in 1994. The majority of her work has been designing residential landscapes. Previous work experiences include management, sales, display and retail nursery experience.
New endeavors bring her back to her education "roots". She is a landscape design instructor at South Seattle Community College. She enjoys her involvement in community efforts revolving around the environment, education and gardening.

Susan calls a scant half-acre of land in Seattle her home and test garden. She lives there with her husband. Their two older children come and go; not the best garden helpers, they have learned the botanical names of most of the plants in their garden.

Susan's Bio