Solow Design Group

I highly recommend Ric Solow as a landscape architect based on my recent experience with a backyard design. We have a deep but narrow space with some beautiful old trees and perennials, but it was in need of a professional eye after almost 20 years of trying to scape it myself. Ric more than impressed with his design, incorporating native and bird-and-butterfly attracting plants, natural privacy, and interest all year round, while also working around the desire to leave existing plants that have done well over the years. The yard has been transformed into our heaven on earth (to which our friends agree), with lighting, stone patios and pebble pathways, but nothing overdone. Also important to mention is the responsiveness, candor and professionalism he demonstrated, as was the case with the contractors with whom he connected us.

Ric Solow of the Solow Design Group transformed our house and we highly recommend him for any challenging project. He was referred to us by an architect as we anticipated challenging drainage issues as we were building a large porch, redesigning the backyard, and removing part of the driveway. He listened to our goals and concerns and then designed and delivered results that were beyond our expectations. His vision took our goals to a new level with gorgeous tiered gardens and landscaping, a unique serpentine stone stairway as a focal point, a custom-designed water feature, stone walkways, and lighting. We are so pleased that we now have a backyard that sets our house apart and our backyard is as beautiful at night as it is during the day.

We found Ric Solow after a word-of-mouth endorsement from close friends. They reported that comparatively the project might take a really long time and seem quite expensive next to other bids, but in the end it would be envisioned beautifully and exquisitely executed. This proved precisely predictive. We hired Ric to do a comprehensive design in our backyard, incorporating existing features of some decking and stone fire pit while somehow placing a pool on our rocky hillside property. This was all subjected to a constant fusillade of leaves and debris, challenging screening issues, drainage and infrastructure obstacles between the main house and a coach house, and the (probably insufferable) homeowner who was ordering some of the materials and completing a sizable outdoor kitchen project immediately adjacent himself. It could have been a mess. He began by actually listening then asking (and remembering the answers) to thoughtful questions. His eventual designs were artistry. His detail and thought in every plant, light, sight line, boulder, and paver were great. Ric's trades were excellent and he conducted the process with the calm of a truly seasoned professional. He saw the process through to the end and exhibited genuineness and realistic communication throughout. If you need it done fast, or you want it cheap, maybe look elsewhere. But if you are willing to pay for a luminary vision that in the end will be exactingly realized, and are willing to commit to a long process, there can't be (m)any in Ric's league. Lastly, it was done with integrity and honesty, which can be tragically rare in these enterprises. We would hire him again without reservation.

My wife and I wanted to renovate our dated 1980’s courtyard. We shared our ideas for improvements with a professional gardener. She recommended we speak with Ric Solow of the Solow Design Group. What a fortuitous recommendation! We met Ric on site and he listened to what Patti and I envisioned. Ric then created a courtyard design that captured and greatly enhanced exactly what we intended to accomplish: an underground drainage system, raised masonry planting beds, and a patterned poolside patio with a bar-counter cooking station. Ric has an expert eye for landscape detail, he is a solid communicator, and his subs are friendly and professional. Our experience with Ric was outstanding! Andy Anderson

Ric and his team did a terrific job at our lake house. His vision was great and he really listened to my wife and me. He was able to incorporate our vision into his design and made adjustments tailoring the project to our desires. He also served as our contractor and did a fantastic job keeping the different subs (all high quality) on task. The outcome is amazing. We love it. We get lots of complements from everyone who has seen the before and after.

We live on a one acre, heavily wooded lot, which needed a plan for incorporating pathways and usable spaces, while leaving much of the space in its natural state. Solow Design Group was the PERFECT fit for this project! Ric created areas of interest throughout the lot, incorporating plants, shrubs and trees that were mostly native to the area, as well as lovely walkways and an amazing firepit area. He planned for year-round visual interest, and we are enjoying seeing the different foliage and blooms as the seasons change. Ric's attention to detail was remarkable. He listened to every concern or suggestion we had, and no detail was forgotten or set aside. Ric also acted as our general contractor for the project, which was an equally rewarding experience. The landscape and masonry companies that Ric used were professional, timely, and extraordinarily hard working. We were amazed at the level of detail these gentlemen went to to make sure everything was perfect. We are beyond pleased with the results. It feels like we have added several new rooms to the house, and we have enjoyed being outdoors more and have entertained much more frequently (which, of course, is an added bonus during a pandemic). Rarely do companies exceed expectations, but Solow Design Group did just that. We give them the highest marks!

so this review should have been written long ago, but I am slow..... I am not sure exactly when we finished. This was a large job of over 1 acre of landscaping we had tried to plan a wildflower meadow and after many years realized it was not working. We hired Ric to design the look we wanted but with more structure. Our end result is amazing. Every season the landscaping looks different and I love each season's look. Currently it is in the cut back stage and looks so clean. next will come blooms etc. fall and winter have their own look. it is full of grasses, shrubs, flowers, trees etc. Ric took our vision and made it amazing. He has pictures posted, Look at "how to build a meadow" Those are from our house. Truly amazing and beautiful. Thank you Ric!!

My husband and I have worked with Ric on 3 different gardens, starting in the 1980's. Each time he has taken our wishlist of plants, and our general ideas, and created a beautiful and functional yard and garden. Ric is exceptional in his ability to integrate the use of rock and stone with interesting plants of varying texture. We were very impressed with the stone masons he found to build our rock walls. I appreciate the fact that he hand picked our boulders, and was onsite for placement of the rock detail. His designs have always included a well-thought-out and very appealing flow between various parts of the yard. He coordinated well with the installer and is an excellent communicator. Ric's design work is inspired and he is a true pleasure to work with. Ginny and Jeff Runge

Ric and Julia were a pleasure to work with from design to implementation. When we tasked them to change our backyard into our wedding venue we thought we were asking for the impossible, but they created a unique design that we will be able to cherish for many years to come. While working with Julia you would have thought she was designing her own backyard with the amount of time and energy that was spent on perfecting every aspect of the design. I would highly recommend the Solow Design Group for anyone that is looking to create a piece of paradise in their own backyard.

We contacted Ric with an idea of a sitting area and a request for some drainage solutions for our backyard. Ric and Julia helped us envision something we never could have envisioned on our own - a beautiful backyard redesign that hit all of our marks and then some. They were able to take high level bullet pointed concepts and bring them into reality with their highly professional work ethic and clear and concise design deliverables and communications. They hold their subcontractors to the same high standards We couldn't have been happier with the outcome and we look forward to future projects with them.

We hired Solow Design Group to design our site after renovating and adding on to our house. The updates required a complete overhaul due to the path of travel adjustments and building modifications. We were looking for someone that would be able to create an exterior that would coalesce with the house architecture and provide a variety of urban gardens that could be enjoyed not only while outside, but indoors as well. Additionally, we wanted a modern timeless site that was unique to our style. We had searched for six months and were fortunate to find Solow Design Group. Upon our initial meeting, we felt Ric had the talent to transform our site. From inception, Ric was focused on understanding our goals and creating an environment that would deliver on what we wanted. We were so pleased with the results and process at the design phase, we engaged Ric to do the project management and implementation to make sure the vision was carried to completion. At every phase Ric exceeded our expectations. We now have the benefit of enjoying what Solow Design Group created for seasons and years to come as our outdoors continue to grow and mature. Through Ric’s incredible work, we have re-connected to outdoor space. I cannot reiterate the wonderful experience we had working with Ric, and will continue to have. We highly recommend SDG and we do, as often as possible. Ric is the intersection of talent, integrity, and professionalism; we are fans for life.

We hired Solow Design Group to design and supervise the building of a major yard / hardscape project. They transformed our yard / driveway / landscape from what had been there for 70+ years into a beautiful patio-like driveway, with spectacular landscaping and which completely fixed our long-term drainage issues. Ric and Julia were super easy to work with. They were on-site daily. They understood from what we told them we needed just what we really did need, then made it happen in a way that disguises our needs as beauty, with stellar and tasteful design. The contractors were top notch - hard-working, respectful and extremely detail-oriented. We could not be happier with the process and results of this project. We certainly welcome anyone considering hiring Solow Design Group to contact us directly, and we'll even show you in person! (I'd post more photos, but this was all the site would accept. The movie file is before.