Known around town for his turnkey service, elegant garden compositions, and unmatched creativity, Dan Houchard’s landscape design projects personify timeless style, from classic to contemporary settings. He and his team at From the Ground Up skillfully enhance both a home’s architecture and a property’s overall setting with eye-catching gardens and courtyards that instantly transport you with their undeniable beauty.
If you visited the 2021 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas last fall, you saw his work first: Dan’s impeccable designs graced the front courtyard and gardens and set the stage for the rest of the home with show-stopping, classic vignettes.
We sat down with Dan, owner and lead designer, to learn more about his work, background, and ways he collaborates with his clients to create the ideal gardens for the place they call home.
What is your design trademark?
My projects are designed to achieve a beautiful, cohesive transition between indoor and outdoor spaces; each area should feel like a natural extension of both the home’s unique architecture and the interiors the homeowners have worked to create. The “passing of the baton,” so to speak, should be seamless to and from an outdoor garden or courtyard to the inside of a home — both spaces should enhance the other!
I begin by studying the design style of a home and work from there to create gardens, courtyards, and outdoor living spaces. While similar plants might be used from one project to another, the design and layout are different entirely — from the material selection, layout of pathways and drives, and planters — resulting in a design and look completely customized to each property.
How do you advise your clients, especially new homeowners?
I first encourage my clients to determine what elements of the current outdoor spaces they’ll keep and which areas need to be redesigned. Next, we discuss how they want to use their home and what kind of gardens and outdoor areas are most important to them, based on their habits and lifestyles. Are they too busy to spend a lot of time in a garden, but they love to entertain? Let’s work on the front garden areas that accent the spaces near the front door! Or, maybe they love to entertain and have growing children — a pool might be a good place to start.
We work to achieve the best combination of style, wants, and needs that will truly enhance both their property and their lifestyle.
How did you get your start in landscape design?
Growing up, my parents were constantly sketching and planning our home’s outdoor areas and landscaping, no matter where we lived. When I was in high school, I took over the undeveloped areas of the yard and proposed ideas — and then loaded up my Mustang with a variety of plants and got to work! I spent my summers in college either redesigning family friends’ outdoor spaces and installing the projects myself or interning with various landscape design companies.
It was a natural fit when I picked a major in landscape design at Texas A&M. I founded my company in 2005 — and I haven’t looked back!
Favorite aspect to incorporate into landscape design and why?
A water feature really stands out in a unique, one-of-a-kind way (especially in the Texas heat!). From pools to antique French limestone fountains, the options are endless and serve as an incredible centerpiece in a garden.
The sound of water is calming and really draws people outside, leading them on a path of discovery. I love when a garden doesn’t reveal its whole self at first glance — a water feature is a great way to create that unexpected moment!
Most important area of a property to work on first?
Always start with the area you are going to use the most. And — I love to tell my clients — don’t stretch your budget all at once. Pick a space that’s the most important to you and go all in, from start to finish. You’ll be happier with one, completely finished area that you’re proud to use and is as beautiful as it is functional, rather than several partially done spaces.
Biggest highlight for you this past year?
Participating in the 2021 Kips Bay Decorator Show House here in Dallas — without a doubt! The entire experience was not only rewarding professionally, it was deeply meaningful on a personal level, too.
Photo courtesy of Costa Christ
