Creating Stunning Outdoor Spaces: Expert Planting & Hardscape Designs and Installations Tailored for You
When you work with Rooted Outdoor Living, you’re working directly with me, Dawn, and a crew of people who genuinely love being outside. We’re plant people, stone people, dirt-under-our-fingernails people—and we care a lot about doing things well. I’ve been designing and building landscapes for more than 18 years, and I started Rooted because I wanted to create outdoor spaces that feel personal, natural, and connected to the homes and the people who live in them. I love combining plants, stone, water, and the natural landscape to create spaces that feel like they belong there—not like they were dropped into a yard. Sometimes that means a simple garden filled with drought tolerant plants and pollinators or a garden filled with lush blossomy Hydrangeas. Sometimes it’s a stone patio where you’ll drink your coffee every morning, a dry streambed that makes a problem area beautiful, a vegetable garden that actually gets used, or a fire pit that somehow becomes the place everyone ends up gathering.
I believe a good landscape should be beautiful, but it should also work. It should fit the way you live, complement your home, and make you want to spend more time outside. My job is to take all the ideas, possibilities, and sometimes even the “I have no idea what to do with this yard” moments and turn them into a plan that makes sense. From the first conversation through design and installation, I’ll guide you through the process and work with you to create something that feels like yours.
Rooted is a woman-owned landscape design and construction company serving homeowners throughout Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield, Batavia, Geneva, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, Lisle, and the western suburbs of Chicago. We build landscapes with a little less cookie-cutter and a lot more character. And hopefully, when we're finished, you'll have a place you never want to leave.
I’m Dawn, the owner of Rooted Outdoor Living, and creating beautiful, functional outdoor spaces is more than just my career—it’s my passion. With 18 years of experience in landscape design and installation, I’ve built a company that reflects my deep love for nature, craftsmanship, and the simple joys of outdoor living. Based in the western suburbs of Chicago, Rooted Outdoor Living specializes in designing and building landscapes that feel natural, inviting, and completely tailored to how you want to live outside.
I believe that a well-designed outdoor space should feel like an extension of your home—whether that means a cozy firepit where your family gathers on crisp fall nights, a lush garden buzzing with pollinators, or a stone patio perfect for quiet morning coffee and meditation (which happens to be my favorite way to start the day). I love using high-quality, locally sourced materials—like natural stone, clay brick, and locally grown plants to create landscapes that thrive in the Midwest climate and blend seamlessly with their surroundings. We design and build everything from vibrant plantings to outdoor kitchens, outcropping stone features, driveways, ponds, retaining walls, vegetable gardens, and more.
As a small, hands-on firm, we take pride in working closely with homeowners through every step of the process. I’m personally involved in every project, making sure each space is thoughtfully designed and built with care. I personally design every project. All designs are unique and tailored to you—your landscape should reflect you, your home, your lifestyle, and the way you love to spend time outdoors. I am also your contact person on site. I will be there with our fabulous crew—marking out beds and patios, placing plant material, and communicating with you about the project.
Sustainability and craftsmanship are at the heart of everything we do. I live on a five-acre farm, so I understand the importance of working with the land rather than against it. I believe in using natural materials, smart design, and eco-friendly practices to create spaces that not only look beautiful but also stand the test of time.
At the end of the day, my goal is to design landscapes where you can create memories—whether that’s hosting summer dinners on your patio, watching your kids chase fireflies, or simply soaking in the beauty of your own backyard. If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space into something truly special, let’s make it happen!
Let’s Work Together
Choosing us for your landscape design and build project means partnering with a team that genuinely cares about bringing your vision to life. We take the time to understand your needs and desires, crafting outdoor spaces that feel calm, inviting, beautiful, and truly yours. With a deep passion for nature and an unwavering commitment to quality, our team pours our hearts into every project, ensuring the end result is not just beautiful but a perfect reflection of you, your family, and your home.