
23/06/2025
đż Love Where You Live
Nora Saintz started Gardenette to help homeowners design their dream yardsâand then show them how to make it happen themselves. Whether you want a cozy garden retreat or a family-friendly backyard, she creates a personalized roadmap so you can install it at your own pace without breaking the bank.
It all began when a friend stood in her bare backyard, totally overwhelmed. âSheâd gotten quotes from landscaping companies that made her jaw dropânot in a good way. She said, âIâd love to do some of this myself, but I have no idea where to start or what would even look good together.â Thatâs when it hit meâtons of people want beautiful outdoor spaces and are willing to get their hands dirty, they just need someone to show them the way.â
What sets Gardenette apart?
âI design like you're actually the one holding the shovel. While other designers create pretty pictures that require a crew of professionals, I think about what you can find at your local garden center on a Saturday morning. I plan projects you can tackle in phasesâmaybe start with the patio area this spring, add the flower beds in fall. Real life, real budgets, real weekends.â
Favorite part of the job?
âNothing beats getting a photo from a client standing in their finished garden with dirt under their fingernails and the biggest smile on their face. Theyâll text me things like âI can't believe I actually did this!â or âMy kids helped me plant everything and now they check on "their" flowers every day.â I'm not just designing landscapesâIâm helping families create spaces where memories happen.â
She especially loves yard walk-throughs. âI come to your place, we stroll every inch, and you fire away with questions like, âWill this tree get too big?â âWhy does nothing grow here?â or âCan I really put a veggie garden there?â I love seeing faces light up when that weird slope turns from problem to opportunity. Weâll sketch on the back of an envelope and suddenly your whole vision clicks.â
Local faves: in East Aurora and Green Lake in Orchard Park for weekend kayaking with the kids.
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