Mini & Modern

A Louisiana Designer Uses Minimal Tools to Transform a Backyard Garden 

The most defining feature of an outdoor project is arguably space. Each project is uniquely sized and shaped differently, and designs aim to make the most out of the space given. Megan Montgomery runs a landscape design firm in Lafayette, Louisiana. She has worked on projects worth $3,000 and ones worth $30,000, balancing her clients ideas with what the space needs to function well. She says contemporary living looks are in demand in Lafayette, and one contemporary space gave her a significant challenge. Megan redesigned a patio that was only about 10 or 11 feet wide by roughly 60 feet long. 

The owner was inspired by Austin, Texas’ relaxed but edgy style, and wanted to feel transported to the city when she left her backdoor. Despite the limited space, Megan created just that. 

"I have to feel the space, I have to feel
the client & I have to feel the architecture.
I want to really understand what is already
there, that has to speak to me first."

I want to use that to tell a cohesive story. I'm not trying to go in any direction other than what fits with what they have already. What is the energy and what are they trying to get out of this? Because in all actuality it's them having to experience it, not me.” 

Megan based her design around a concrete pad coming off the back door. The pad was cemented into the home's foundation and needed to stay in place, so Megan scattered similarly sized concrete pads symmetrically around the first. She filled the rest of the area with astroturf and Texas basalt limestone. 

“I thought, how am I going to incorporate everything she wants and make them balance. How do I lay it out? How do I get everything to fit,” said Megan. “I needed to get all my principles in line, then the materials were really an afterthought.” 

The limestone comes from the Texas Hill Country, helping create the Austin feel. The rock had to be shipped from Texas, and the homeowners themselves hauled the material to Lafayette. The homeowners also helped Megan find and fill potted planters to bring some vegetation into the space. They shopped for furniture online, turned water troughs into a creative pot, and visited a local nursery to pick the plant material. The mix of turf and pots were perfect for the homeowner who wanted a low maintenance garden. The entire project only took about 4 days and cost less than $6000.

Megan likes when homeowners get involved, seeking to understand the character and design of the garden. While she does offer maintenance services, and has even considered hiring more maintenance staff to expand her reach. She sees many clients choose to manage their new gardens on their own though. It gives them more time in the Louisiana outdoors. Clients ask for specific details on what plants will need what kind of care, and the timing of that care. Megan will write down instructions and tips to those interested in gardening, and even encourages independent gardening to all of her clients..

“It's almost a broken record with everybody right now, that they just can't connect with their yard. I started connecting people back to their property. It is such a good feeling because you know it's not just a job well done, it makes an impact and it helps make memories.”

The memories helped launch Megan into the landscaping field. She calls herself an outdoors girl who connects to nature and people who engage with it. Megan says engaging with the outdoors brings her biggest inspirations.

Get In Touch

Megan Montgomery

Phone: (337) 280–6657
meganmontgomerydesign.com