About Us
Lifestyle Landscapes delivers professionally designed, installed and maintained landscapes to
discerning homeowners. Our mission is to exceed client expectations, enhance their lifestyle and
increase their home's value. Lifestyle Landscapes is registered, bonded and insured. Washington
Contractor Number: LIFESLI981RF.
→ Meet the Team
→ Recognition
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Company Background
When homeowners Roger and Peggy Franklin decided to hire a professional landscaper they were
disenchanted with the level of service they received from prospective landscape design and
installation companies. "We were prepared to make a serious investment in our outdoor living space
and we couldn't even get landscaping companies to return our call," remembers Peggy. As experienced
entrepreneurs, Roger and Peggy quickly recognized the need for a landscape design and installation
firm that provided quality landscaping services to discerning homeowners throughout the Puget Sound.
They decided to establish a landscaping organization that exceeded the expectations of the client,
enhanced the client's lifestyle and increased the client's home value. They assembled a team of
highly skilled landscape and business professionals and created the Lifestyle Landscape's organization
based on proven business principles.
| Meet the Team |
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Arlene Wing
President and COO
Arlene holds a Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington and
has over ten years of landscape design experience. Prior to founding Lifestyle Landscapes, Arlene
held the position of Senior Designer at a local landscape design-build company. Arlene is a
Seattle native and enjoys the social aspects of golf and the relaxation benefits of yoga.
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Doug Zimmerman
VP, Operations
Doug has more than twenty years of experience in landscape design and installation project
management. Before joining Lifestyle Landscapes, he was responsible for sales, design and
installation projects for a large Puget Sound landscape design and installation company. At the
beginning of his career, Doug founded, managed and served as Chief Designer of Alpine Landscapes in
Wenatchee, Washington. Doug holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture and Landscape
Design from Washington State University. In his free time, Doug enjoys skiing, hiking and golf.
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| Email Arlene |
Email Doug |
Brian Horstmann
Executive Landscape Consultant, ASLA
Brian holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois. Experienced in
sales and landscape design/installation project maintenance, Brian has worked for large landscaping
firms in Chicago and Seattle. Brian, a native of Chicago, enjoys traveling, mountain biking and
snowboarding.
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Jim Vonderahe
Technical Advisor
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture from Washington State University and has
over seven years of experience in the landscape construction industry. Before joining Lifestyle
Landscapes, Jim was a Field Operations Manager for a large Puget Sound landscape design and
installation company. Jim is a licensed Certified Landscape Technician of Irrigation, a licensed
Backflow Assembly Tester and has his 06 Limited Energy Electrical license. Outside of work, Jim
spends his free time with his friend/wife and two dogs hiking, listening to music, or getting
together with family in Eastern Washington.
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| Email Brian |
Email Jim |
David Baxter
Landscape Consultant
David has over twenty years experience in the residential landscape
design/build industry. He holds a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Lincoln
University in New Zealand and has designed award-winning gardens in Seattle's
Flower and Garden Show. He enjoys working with his clients to design landscapes
that match their lifestyles, while using design to express a sense of place with
an ecologically sustainable aesthetic. |
Michal Lehmann
Lead Landscape Designer
Michal earned a Bachelor's Degree in Landscape
Architecture from the University of Oregon and has several years of design experience. His hobbies
include hiking, skiing, biking, traveling, listening to music and cooking.
|
| Email David |
Email Michal |
Stephanie Buman
Landscape Designer
Stephanie holds a Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington and
has several years experience in custom residential design. In her free time she is active in her
local Planning Commission, and enjoys hiking.
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Kristy Barnes
Landscape Designer
Kristy holds a Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture from Washington
State University. When she's not designing, Kristy enjoys playing tennis
with her husband, spending time outdoors and working in her own garden.
|
| Email Stephanie |
Email Kristy |
Louis Burwell
Landscape Architect
Louis is a Landscape Architect who earned his degree in Landscape Architecture from
Washington State University and is currently licensed by the state of Washington. He has
twenty-five years of experience in designing and installing residential landscapes in
the Seattle area. He has spent years living and traveling abroad which has influenced
his sense of design as well as a creative and sustainable response to the client's
needs. Louis is a bicycle enthusiast and also enjoys spending time at home entertaining
his friends and family.
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Caroline Smyser
Landscape Designer
Caroline has a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture from the SUNY
College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, in New York. She enjoys
cooking, sewing, and site-seeing in her spare time. Caroline also loves to
travel and actually lived for a year in Osaka, Japan before recently settling in Seattle.
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| Email Louis |
Email Caroline |
Valerie Dixon-Nixon
Consulting Administrator
Valerie has extensive experience in many facets of business administration and has worked in the
high-tech, accounting and real estate fields. Her hobbies include working out and bargain shopping.
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Penny Armstrong
Accounting Manager
Penny has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Washington. She has over 20 years of
accounting experience in the advertising, wholesale, construction, and distribution trades. In her
spare time, Penny enjoys gardening, woodworking, home improvement projects and listening to music.
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| Email Valerie |
Email Penny |
Paula Lentz
Administrative Assistant
Paula has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and History from Washington State
University. She has experience in human resources, recruiting, and administrative work.
Paula enjoys shopping, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her friends and
family.
|
Jose L. Garcia
Field Supervisor
Jose has over ten years of experience in the landscaping industry. He is very
well-rounded in all areas of landscaping. During his free time, Jose plays basketball
with his friends, watches soccer, and spends time with his kids. When he has the time to
travel, he enjoys visiting his family in Mexico.
|
| Email Paula |
Email Jose |
| Our Valued Crew |
Eloy Valdez M.
Crew Foreman |
Juan Equihua C.
Flatwork Foreman |
Cesar Mendoza S.
Construction Specialist |
Heliodoro Equihua
Flatwork Specialist |
Abel Valdez M.
Construction Specialist |
Ricardo Ortega
Construction Specialist |
Mariano Valencia
Construction Specialist |
Jesus Vidrio
Irrigation Specialist |
Cervando Valdez
Construction Specialist |
Enrique Arias
Construction Specialist |
Enrique Gonzalez
Irrigation Specialist |
Hector Vallarde
Flatwork Specialist |
Manuel Padilla
Irrigation Specialist |
Miguel Leos
Carpentry Specialist |
Roberto Garcia
Carpentry Specialist |
Walter Valencia
Construction Specialist |
Agustin Casillas
Flatwork Specialist |
Members of our Executive and Design Teams have been recognized with numerous industry awards throughout
their careers. Examples of significant awards won by our team before forming Lifestyle Landscapes in
2002, either as individuals or as project leader include:
- WALP (Washington Association of Landscape Professionals) Awards
- Numerous Seattle Street of Dreams Awards
- Flower and Garden Show Awards
- M.A.M.E Awards
Lifestyle Landscapes is proud to be a member of the following organizations:
Press Releases
| June 15, 2008 |
Lifestyle Landscapes, Inc. Earns 2007 Angie's List Super Service Award |
| June 12, 2006 |
Lifestyle Landscapes Earns 4-Star Envirostars Certification |
| October 18, 2005 |
Lifestyle Landscapes Supports Homeless and At Risk Youth |
| March 14, 2005 |
Lifestyle Landscapes Selected to Design 2005 Street of Dreams Garden |
| November 8, 2004 |
Lifestyle Landscapes Donates Front Yard Makeover To Reality TV Show Pilot |
| May 6, 2003 |
Lifestyle Landscapes To Create Dream Landscape for the Seattle Street Of Dreams |
| May 2, 2003 |
Lifestyle Landscapes Expands Its Unique Design Team |
| January 17, 2003 |
Lifestyle Landscapes to Participate in Idea Street at the 2003 Seattle Home Show |
| January 2, 2003 |
Lifestyle Landscapes Appoints Executive Team |
| December 15, 2002 |
Lifestyle Landscapes Opens Its Door For Business |
Volunteer Work
Painting For A Better Tomorrow with the Master Builders CARE Foundation
In late October, members of the Lifestyle Landscapes Team volunteered their time at The Vision House
in Renton, a transitional facility for homeless women and their children. The Lifestyle Team
rejuvenated a kitchen herb garden for use by Vision House residents.
Marra Farms
Members of the Lifestyle Landscapes Crew donated their landscaping skills to Marra Farms, a growing
and giving farm operated by Lettuce Link. Marra Farms is a half acre Giving Garden that produces
over 3,500 pounds of produce and distributes it to local low-income families.
From left to right: Mariano-Crew Leader, Mario-Crew Leader and Jose-Maintenance Specialist
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