Pittsburgh Landscape Design Q&A with Shawn McDonough – Part 2

Understanding Your Vision and Seeing It Come to Life

At Dream Greener Lawn & Landscape, our design philosophy begins with you. In this second installment of our Q&A with Landscape Designer and Project Manager Shawn McDonough, we explore the creative and collaborative process that transforms your ideas into a living, thriving outdoor space. If you missed it, you can check out Designing Outdoor Spaces in the Pittsburgh Area That Work and Wow here.

With years of experience in construction, drafting, and plant selection, Shawn brings both technical skill and a keen sense of style to every project. Whether you’re dreaming of a peaceful retreat or a polished, formal garden, Shawn’s approach ensures your goals, tastes, and lifestyle are reflected in the final design.

Let’s dive in.

Q: What steps do you take to understand a client’s vision and needs for their outdoor space?

A: It all starts with style—and substance.

At Dream Greener, our first goal is to listen. Every landscape design project in the Pittsburgh area begins with a conversation—one where we get to know your lifestyle, your preferences, and how you want to use your outdoor space.

Do you envision a serene retreat with calming features? A space for entertaining? A safe, playful lawn for kids or pets? Or all of the above?

We take the time to understand what colors you gravitate toward, whether you prefer symmetry or a more natural flow, and which elements inspire you—whether it’s the clean lines of modernist design or the charm of a rustic, wooded garden.

From there, we shape a design style that suits both your taste and your property. For example:

• Japanese Garden Design creates a tranquil atmosphere through water features, Japanese Maples, Red Blood Grass, and thoughtfully placed stone. The balance of simplicity and symbolism invites reflection and peace.
• French Château Design leans into order and formality, using geometric plantings, gravel pathways, and symmetrical topiary work for a timeless, elegant appeal rooted in European tradition
• Modernist Design breaks the rules with asymmetry, bold geometry, and contemporary materials. We may incorporate block-style planting arrangements, sleek hardscapes, or sculptural elements that create drama and distinction.

Of course, many landscapes are a fusion of influences. A backyard may combine naturalized borders with clean-lined patios or blend traditional garden beds with minimalist outdoor living zones.

What matters most is that your landscape feels like you. Our design process is built to discover those nuances and translate them into something tangible, lasting, and uniquely yours.

Q: What technology or tools do you use to help clients visualize their landscape before construction begins?

A: We bring your ideas to life—before a single shovel hits the ground.

One of the most exciting aspects of working with Dream Greener is the ability to see your future landscape in stunning detail before construction begins. We use a suite of visualization tools to make the design process collaborative and crystal clear.

3D Models

Our 3D modeling software builds immersive, lifelike renderings of your future landscape. You’ll see how plantings flow around a patio, how elevation changes are managed, and how materials interact with lighting and layout. This tool is perfect for understanding scale, space, and function.

2D Photo Overlays

Sometimes the simplest visual is the most powerful. With 2D overlays, we take a photo of your actual property and digitally layer the proposed design on top of it. This gives you a clear “before and after” view—and allows you to tweak elements like colors, shapes, or plant sizes with confidence.

Plan Views & Documentation

We also provide architectural plan views: detailed, top-down schematics showing everything from bed shapes to planting zones to hardscaping dimensions. These plans are ideal for ensuring spatial clarity and for collaborating with other contractors, if needed.

Hardscaping Details

For patios, walkways, walls, and other structural elements, we include detailed materials breakdowns and elevations. Whether it’s the texture of pavers or the slope of a retaining wall, we help you see every piece before construction begins.

By combining visual storytelling with technical precision, we empower our clients to make confident decisions—and avoid surprises. These tools allow us to align on expectations and ensure that what we build matches what you envisioned from the start.

Our Process: Creativity Meets Clarity

When it comes to designing outdoor spaces, inspiration is only the beginning. Our process is grounded in clear communication, thorough planning, and attention to every detail—from the first pencil sketch to the final plant installation.

Whether you’re starting with a blank slate or looking to refresh an existing space, our design team will walk you through every phase:

1. Initial Consultation & Site Visit
2. Style Discovery & Functional Needs Assessment
3. Preliminary Concept & Feedback
4. 3D and 2D Visualization
5. Final Design Approval
6. Construction & Installation

Our clients often tell us how exciting it is to see their ideas come to life on screen before anything is built—and how rewarding it is when the finished product exceeds expectations.

Ready to Reimagine Your Landscape?

Dream Greener Lawn & Landscape offers professional landscape design services tailored to your vision, your property, and your lifestyle. Whether you’re drawn to formal elegance, modern minimalism, or a naturalistic retreat, our team can help you bring it to life—with beauty and function in perfect balance. Learn more about our landscape design in the Pittsburgh area here.

Contact us today to schedule your design consultation, or fill out our easy online form to get started.

Your dream landscape is closer than you think.