Highland Park, IL Residential Landscape Architects & Contractors

Your Local Landscape Design, Installation, & Maintenance Pros

Landscape Design | Landscape Installation | Landscape Maintenance

Are you ready to transform your Highland Park landscape into something that you’re really proud of? Get in touch with the professional full service landscape architects at Van Zelst. For almost four decades, we’ve had the privilege of working with clients here in Highland Park and across the North Shore to turn mediocre landscapes into magnificent ones. We help homeowners just like you to create outdoor spaces of the highest quality that you’ve only imagined.

Our certified landscaping designers and landscape contractors know just what needs to happen at every step of the process and can help guide you through it. As the North Shore’s premier landscape firm, we’ll help curate your vision for your landscape. We will ask questions to discover the nuances of your preferences, style, tastes and lifestyle. After consulting with you to gather info, we’ll develop a customized landscape plan for your Highland Park IL landscape. Then our design build team will work to put the plan into action, working with you to implement any changes and address any concerns along the way.

Different Seating Areas Offer Different Vibes

Some families are all about entertaining, all of the time. Other families prefer a quieter, slower pace of life. And some families want a mix of both.

In one project recently completed for a Highland Park homeowner, Van Zelst was able to create two different seating areas within the same yard; one “open” space with room for the soiree to grow and the other much more intimate, intended for homeowners to enjoy their morning coffee or an evening digestif.

The generous patio area features beautiful yet practical bluestone pavers as its foundation; a rugged, slip-proof material, bluestone will weather the Chicago-area’s cold winters and warm summers. The classically-styled dining table and chairs create a great area for a meal or a conversation, and thoughtfully placed container and in-ground plants add lush greenery and welcome pops of color to the area.
Off of the patio, a path of crushed red granite and broken flagstone meander toward another, more private seating area. Midway down the path you’ll find a gently bubbling granite millstone fountain surrounded by smooth river rock—the sound of the water attracting birds to this area of the garden. Along the edges of the path are a variety of bushes, flowers and trees, including a magnificent purple Japanese maple—each chosen by the homeowner and Van Zelst’s landscape designers specifically for their texture, height, color and ability to thrive in the area.
The private seating area feels even more private with the addition of a row of spruce trees that effectively create a living wall. Van Zelst’s designers used the crushed red granite from the pathway and the bluestone from the patio to create a sense of consistency throughout the entire design. Container and in-ground plants that do especially well in shady areas are a perfect fit for this intimate nook.

A Firepit Extends the Season

The Van Zelst landscape design team is always up for a good challenge. So when some entertainment-loving Highland Park homeowners came to us and asked us to create a comprehensive landscape plan for their new home—which at that point, only had a small deck in the backyard—we were excited to get started.

The centerpiece of the backyard is the built-in Lannon stone firepit, set upon a floor of carefully cut bluestone slabs. Van Zelst’s architects chose Lannon stone not only for its looks but also for its ability to withstand extreme conditions, including cold weather, without cracking or breaking.
Wicker-backed chairs that offer all the comforts of indoor seating outside beckon guests to sit and enjoy the warmth of the fire, and comfy throws complete the “make yourself at home” experience. The lush grass and mature trees in the area give the feeling of a park-like setting, and bluestone pavers that lead back to the house make it easy for the homeowner or guests to run back into the house to quickly grab a snack or another glass of wine.
Spring, summer and fall evenings feel almost magical in the backyard next to the firepit. VanZelst’s designers suggested uplighting several trees in the backyard to both extend the amount of time the space could practically and safely be used and create a sense of drama, as the trees cast shadows on the house. Add friends, fresh flowers and your favorite beverage and you have all of the makings for a perfect evening.

Award Winning Landscape Services and Lawn Services You Can Trust

We know that there are many Highland Park landscaping companies to choose from. Van Zelst is family owned and operated and prides itself on outstanding customer service and customer satisfaction. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation.