Luxury Brownstone Garden Design in New York City
In the vibrant urban landscape of New York, brownstone townhouses stand as timeless symbols of charm and elegance. To complement this distinctive architecture, we design outdoor spaces where you can create lasting memories, whether enjoying peaceful moments in solitude or sharing special times with loved ones. If your brownstone home has limited space, don’t worry—a beautiful garden is still within reach. We have the expertise to transform these spaces into beautiful, functional retreats.
At Todd Haiman Landscape Design, an award-winning firm specializing in brownstone garden design, we merge beauty and functionality to elevate your outdoor space. Our brownstone garden design services are tailored to bring out the full potential of even the most compact spaces, creating serene havens amidst the vibrant energy of the city.
Our Brownstone Garden Design Process
STEP 1
Meet with a prospect for an Initial Consultation
Visit the site/residence and listen to prospect requirements, needs, aspirations and key objectives in detail. We verbally review the range of costs for typical projects.
STEP 2
Present a design fee proposal brief for Concept Design through a Final Landscape Plan
This includes a full breakdown and explanation of how the design process will work, along with our fee structure for your project design. A fixed fee is provided for these works before detailed design works commence. The process begins with site visits and collection of data. The property is analyzed from an architectural, environmental, sustainable, horticultural and artistic lens.
STEP 3
Creation of Design Concept Leading To Masterplan
Our design concepts, precedent images,plans,renderings and sketches are delivered and discussed with you at length to ensure you have a clear overview of how your finished garden will look. This is a preliminary plan, a discussion document that will lead to your final agreed landscape plan. The final plan is your blueprint for the spatial arrangement of your garden – showing exactly where areas of hard landscaping, planting, pergolas, furniture, site amenities and other garden features will be.
STEP 4
Approvals and Permitting
Many of our projects require planning or building approvals. We regularly work with engineers, architects and expediters, assisting you in navigating this process. We work as your advocate through the approval process to ensure your design and application is compliant.
STEP 5
Design Development / Details
We will advise you on your final material selections and produce detailed construction drawings, sections, elevations, planting and lighting specifications and schedules for every element of the garden.
STEP 6
Construction Drawings / Estimates
Technical drawings and specifications are produced to ensure that the garden is built to the correct standards as outlined within your design proposal. This is the plan from which all contractors can estimate costs and build the garden. Based on final drawings and any associated details we are able to provide a line item cost guide for your project. We work with you to schedule, cost engineer and phase the project.
STEP 7
Construction Oversight and Installation of Design
We project manage, schedule, monitor and check construction details throughout the process. We collaborate with the very best subcontractors appropriate to your budget and needs. You are of course free to appoint your own contractors to do the work.
STEP 8
On-Going Maintenance and Long Term Care
Having created a landscape for you to enjoy, we ca provide a maintenance plan to assist in helping you to keep the landscape looking its best at all times. Each client has different levels of care and we are happy to provide customized maintenance as per your needs.
What makes us the best brownstone garden designers in NYC?
We manage every aspect of your project, from design and cost planning to administration, installation, and ongoing maintenance.
We make full use of every square inch, thoughtfully planning each area to ensure it serves a function while contributing to the overall beauty and flow of the space.
We work with multiple typologies of gardens and collaborate with specialized artisans.
We specialize in crafting cohesive shade gardens that bring tranquility and elegance, transforming even the smallest NYC brownstone backyards into serene outdoor escapes.
Our excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including 12 awards from Houzz between 2015 and 2024.
Customer Testimonials
Todd and his team created a roof garden for me that I didn't even dream possible. He took inspiration for the garden from a framed print he noticed hanging in my hall with the words of a Yeats poem, given to me as a child by my Irish grandmother. Todd researched the look and feel of Irish meadows to create the most stunning naturalistic green roof while utilizing native plants that would thrive in this environment and provide a happy space for pollinators and birds. I was particularly impressed at the thoughtfulness he and his team gave to selecting and interspersing plants that would flower throughout the seasons. I am so grateful to Todd and his team!
I wanted to design my own garden and I specifically wanted to use a roof top designer because my backyard is so small and narrow. In surfing the web, I found Todd's designs to standout and when I contacted him, he was willing to walk my property as a consultant for what I designed. He was extremely helpful getting me to consider more plantings natural to my environment. He gave me his time and even got there earlier so he could walk the property first. I am so grateful to have found Todd. My garden will have more birds and I will have less work because of him. He is outstanding on multiple levels. A true find!
We have a second home in the Catskills and had just renovated our interior and were anxious to conquer the outdoor space. Through a recommendation we found our way to Todd’s firm THLD. We requested a design that evoked a sense of place, endemic to the Catskills. We entertain frequently, wanted a firepit, native landscape, privacy, seasonal interest, multiple areas to congregate, an inviting entrance to our property and functional paths. Todd’s firm created a low maintenance, fun landscape that complemented the design or our home. We are ecstatic with what THLD accomplished for us. Highly recommend them! 5 stars!!!
Meet the best brownstone garden designer in NYC
Todd Haiman is a renowned landscape and garden designer across the US, with his work featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Crain’s Business, Better Homes and Gardens, Forbes, Business Insider, and LivingETC. Todd has also contributed to public space improvements through grants focused on enhancing areas in Chinatown and Upper Manhattan. Todd’s work has earned several prestigious awards, including the Best of Houzz Design Awards, accolades for sustainable garden design from the James Rose Center, and recognition for his vertical landscape design in international competitions.
As a leading brownstone garden design contractor in NY, Todd believes every landscape and garden design is unique, with each site offering distinctive characteristics. His design process is deeply personal and collaborative, ensuring that the client’s vision is fully realized in every project. Whether designing a small brownstone garden or a large-scale landscape, Todd’s work focuses on creating thoughtful, lasting designs that enhance the beauty and functionality of each space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes brownstone garden design different from other landscape projects?
Brownstone gardens often present unique challenges, including limited space, shade conditions, and historic architectural context. Our designs carefully balance functionality, beauty, and the character of the home to create cohesive outdoor environments.
Can you design a beautiful garden for a small brownstone backyard?
Yes. Even the most compact spaces can be transformed into inviting outdoor retreats through thoughtful planning, layered planting, and carefully selected design features.
How do you maximize space in a brownstone garden?
We make full use of every square foot through strategic layouts, multifunctional features, custom seating, vertical elements, and planting designs that create a sense of depth and openness.
Can a brownstone garden be designed for entertaining?
Absolutely. We frequently incorporate dining areas, seating spaces, lighting, pergolas, and other amenities that allow homeowners to enjoy gatherings with family and friends in a comfortable outdoor setting.
How do you create privacy in a brownstone garden?
Privacy can be achieved through a combination of layered plantings, fencing, screens, pergolas, and carefully positioned garden structures that create a more intimate outdoor experience.
What plants work best in New York brownstone gardens?
Plant selections depend on site conditions, light levels, and maintenance preferences. We often use a mix of native species, shade-tolerant plants, flowering perennials, and seasonal interest plantings.
Can you design gardens that thrive in shaded brownstone backyards?
Yes. Many NYC brownstone gardens receive limited sunlight. We specialize in creating lush shade gardens using carefully selected plants that flourish in these conditions.
Do you incorporate sustainable design practices into your projects?
Sustainability is an important part of our design philosophy. We regularly incorporate native plantings, environmentally responsible materials, pollinator-friendly species, and water-conscious landscape solutions.
Can you renovate an existing brownstone garden?
Yes. Whether your garden requires a complete transformation or targeted improvements, we can reimagine the space to better suit your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals.
Do you provide construction oversight during installation?
Yes. Our team can oversee the construction process, coordinate with contractors, and ensure the finished landscape reflects the approved design vision and quality standards.
How long does a brownstone garden project typically take?
Timelines vary depending on project scope, site conditions, permitting requirements, and construction complexity. We provide clear guidance throughout every phase of the process.
Can a professionally designed brownstone garden increase property value?
A thoughtfully designed outdoor space can enhance curb appeal, improve functionality, and create a more enjoyable living environment, making it a valuable long-term investment.
Do you assist with permits and approvals when required?
Yes. When necessary, we work alongside architects, engineers, and expediters to help clients navigate approvals and permitting requirements.
Can you preserve existing trees or mature plantings during a renovation?
Whenever possible, we evaluate existing landscape elements and incorporate valuable trees and plantings into the new design, helping preserve the character and ecological value of the garden.
Why choose Todd Haiman Landscape Design for a brownstone garden project?
Our collaborative approach, award-winning expertise, and commitment to customized design allow us to create distinctive outdoor spaces that reflect both the architecture of the home and the lifestyle of the client.
