When it comes to fabulous living spaces, the outdoors is one of the most powerful for creating a range of moods. Whether it’s a space to relax, host parties with friends, display art or spend quality time with family, Megan Van Linda and her team at Megan Van Linda Designs have an abundance of amazing ideas. You’re sure to be inspired by my Q&A with Megan below. Enjoy!
Robin: How did you get into landscape architecture and design?
Megan Van Linda: The interest in all facets of design has been there since I was a kid. And the act of gardening was a reliable presence in my childhood as my mom always tended a fierce cutting garden at her Connecticut house—until a snake sighting inevitably spooked her away for the rest of the season. As well, an understanding of the value and the power of spaces to create a sense of well being seemed to be embraced, albeit unconsciously, early on. I majored in Urban Studies at Columbia University. A new major at the time, it offered interdisciplinary courses drawing from history, political science, sociology, anthropology & architecture.
R: Do you remember your first project?
MVL: I would probably consider my first project to be the garden I designed in the sunset for a fabulous woman I met through the San Francisco music scene. Back in 2005, she had recently relocated from LA and was gutting a lovely arts and crafts home in The Avenues. We designed a full-scale plan for the front, side and back gardens, as well as a large deck off the den. As I was managing the project between my day job working with my mentor Davis Dalbok of illustrious Living Green Design, I realized it was time to formally launch my own business.
R: Which of your projects are most memorable to you?
MVL: We updated an unforgettable Georgetown garden in Washington, D.C. It was a grand residence built in 1815, once the estate of General Sherman. It had many pre-existing assets including surrounding brick walls and a spectacular 100-year-old Magnolia. Amongst a general garden update, we installed a series of antique life-sized carved stone statues of goddesses representing the four seasons, which took the already exceptional classical garden to the next level.
R: What’s your typical creative process when starting a new project?
MVL: Every project typically begins with a site visit to provide a sense of the specific project location. Then, we gather an understanding of the purpose of the space, how the clients live, the goals for the functionality of the space, an awareness of project budget and of course an understanding of the client’s personal aesthetic. Then it’s time to ideate visually through inspiration objects or images. After clearly establishing the concept and scope of the project, next comes additional design development and formal plans.
R: How would you describe your design style?
MVL: E c l e c t i c. A melange of contemporary and old-world treasures, custom furniture, unusual focal points, and a dramatic form and texture centered plant palette.
R: How is landscape design in the Bay Area different from other parts of the country?
MVL: Our seasons are so mild that we can utilize a vast palette of plant material. Personally, I most prefer the Mediterranean and Australian plant palettes, which are exceptionally well suited to the Bay Area.
R: What’s your dream project?
MVL: I love to travel to the farthest-flung locations. So, the idea of a garden in Lamu, a rooftop in Paris or a ranch in Montana all sound equally exceedingly enticing.
R: What and/or who inspires you?
MVL: L I F E and the intersection of T R A V E L, N A T U R E, F A S H I O N, A R T, M U S IC, P E O P L E and H I S T O R Y.
R: What are some of your favorite design magazines?
MVL: Elle Decor, The World of Interiors and Surface Design. I tend to favor more world-based publication brands, though I also enjoy our many California-based magazines including CA Home and Design, Spaces, and Luxe.
R: What advice do you have for other female business owners just starting out?
MVL: Passion combined with a strong work ethic can get you far. Additionally, the importance of treating every relationship like it matters, because it does. Ultimately any design-based business requires a real-life Rolodex of talented trusted tradespeople in a variety of crafts to turn a design plan into a fully realized project. Creating a thriving network of vendors that provide high quality and timely deliverables can be more challenging than one would surmise. And, of course, the intersection of tenacity and grace is required to overcome the inevitable bumps and bruises of running a small business, particularly in the challenging state of California.
Megan Van Linda has been running a San Francisco based landscape design business since 2005. Originally solely exterior focused, the firm has also forayed into interior design and furniture design over the past handful of years~ Pictured, Megan on one of the brass and hide benches she designed for a recent gallery event. Please check out more of her work @mvldmystique or www.mvld.com.
