Locally run landscape design-build firm creating Arizona-friendly outdoor spaces that balance aesthetics, function, and water-wise practices.
Design-led approach tailored to the Sonoran climate, clear planning from concept through build, and a track record of cohesive projects that integrate planting, hardscape, and outdoor living features.
Based in Tempe and working across nearby Phoenix metro neighborhoods.
Services include custom landscape design, plant selection and installation, turf alternatives, drip irrigation and lighting, pavers and hardscape features, seating areas and shade structures, garden beds, and project management for phased yard transformations.
Reviews frequently highlight strong design ideas that stand out from other bids and translate well into finished yards. Homeowners note collaborative communication during planning and responsiveness to punch-list items. Comments also mention coordination with other contractors when projects involve multiple scopes, with projects described as timely and organized.
We met TJ at the Home Show. He was our last bid for doing our backyard and his plans were amazing! Very creative and so much better than the rest of the bids. TJ and his crew were exceptional to work with. It was truly a partnership. We were so happy with the backyard that a few months later we hired the team to rearrange and enhance our front yard. I highly recommend this company!
When it came time to finish the backyard of our newly constructed home, we began our search by attending multiple Home Shows. The choices we faced were many. Do we go with a one-stop shop pool company, a special general pool contractor that would coordinate all the work or look to hire a Landscaper and separate pool company? We decided to go with the latter choice.We met Sarah Alton from Desert Designers at one of the shows and kept her card until we were ready. Our initial conversation with Sarah convinced us she wanted to give us the yard we wanted because she listened to what we wanted. She got excited when hearing our plan and put her creativity to work putting together an initial design. The first rendering wasn’t quite what we were looking for but we knew we were working with the right person and company. Sarah’s second rendering came back with all the elements we were looking for (a non-rectangular pool shape that we love, a bocci court and an antique Los Angeles Gas Street lamp that had belonged to my father). Additionally, there were other elements we couldn’t dream of because we didn’t know what was possible given our tight budget. Sarah showed us her designs and listened to our feedback and came back with redesigns that showed she listened to what we wanted. The final price landed on our budget number and Desert Designers was more than fair with some of the changes we made during construction. There was never an attempt to upsell us or talk us into anything other than what we wanted, which we greatly appreciated.This was the first time we ever did a full backyard build. Our inexperience created some issues around some of the work that would need to be done by us. Working with two different companies basically made us the General Contractor on more matters than we assumed. There was miscommunication around some of the things we would be responsible for, like moving all the rock in the backyard for the pool company. Any time you hire someone to do work on your house there is bound to be some quality issues. But the things we wanted fixed were fixed and some tweaks we made were done. A couple of plants were replaced under the initial warranty period and we are watching others closely.We wish we had a better understanding about who was responsible for some of the additional costs we incurred, like moving the rock from the backyard. This coordination between the two companies was the most time-consuming and frustrating part of the process which we now know is the nature of the business. This is not a reflection on either company, but of the nature of the project, now that we are aware we’ll know what to do next time but in all likelihood this is our last new backyard project.We are now enjoying seeing our vision in living color and are looking forward to many years of enjoying Sarah's vision and the crew's hard work.Brian and Tina Porter
Design is right in the name and that's what sets Rob and his team apart. They came up with a significantly better design than we could have imagined and much better than the other companies we tried to work with. You have to be diligent to review work and ask for little fixes, but no more than with any other good contractor. They were responsive in fixing everything to my satisfaction with an exceptional final product.UPDATE: Had a small leak develop somehow... Rob and his team came out and fixed everything under warranty as promised at the onset. You can trust Rob from the beginning all the way past completion! And we're still loving the wonderful new backyard :)
This is the 3rd time I've hired Desert Designer to do a project for me (2 at previously owned homes). We completed a new build in May 2017 in Buckeye on bit of a hillside. I gave our designer, Cory, our inspirations for a zen backyard. It isn't a large yard and I wanted to create a calm relaxing space. Additionally, I wanted part of the yard to serve as a pollinator area for bees and butterflies. Cory came up with a fantastic solution. We went back and forth on a few of the details and he worked within our budget. The finished project is just as amazing as our prior projects. Thank you so much!!! Now, time to think about some work on the front yard.
When we purchased our home we had big plans to remodel our backyard. After speaking to several designers we decided to work with Rob Plowright from Desert Designers. He took all of our ideas and a bunch of his own to put a design together that turned out amazing. We needed someone who could work together with our pool company to ensure that everything was finished on time and on budget. Rob's team showed up on time and were there every day until the project was completed. I would recommend Rob and Desert Designers to anyone looking to transform their outdoor living space to something really special.
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