We had the good fortune of connecting with Marisol Metcalfe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marisol, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success has been my ability to connect with people. I can find something that interests me about anyone and any place. My strength in being present with others allows them to feel seen and heard. I can find a shared appreciation for their home and a desire to connect with their outdoor spaces. I really enjoy collaborating with people and I think they can feel that.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think there are lots of ways to approach landscape design. For me, it is at the intersection of people, art, and science. My father was an architect and urban planner, so I watched him study how people used spaces and moved through them. He loved to see a conventional element surprise the viewer with an unconventional approach. He was also an artist, and we would love to pore over his art books together. Most of my art history education came from him. I am also most connected to myself when I am in nature. It grounds me and brings me joy. My mind instinctively notates what is happening in nature, what is growing, how water is moving, how the light moves, and what wildlife is being supported. I am charged by granite and oceans, humbled by trees, and love to observe the will and adaptability of nature.

I discovered I could combine these elements into a career in my late twenties. I got a certificate in Horticulture at UCLA and immediately applied to a couple of firms upon completion. I worked for Pam Palmer at Artecho for six years. That experience shaped me as a designer and gave me an understanding of running an office and building client relationships. In most cases, client relationships are decades-long as gardens evolve and change. When I had my second child, I decided it was time to go on my own. I was blessed with a steady flow of projects from the beginning. One client was willing to give me a chance with their new home, which was a substantial project. I am forever grateful to them. From that point on, work has always shown up.

For years, I was obsessed with perfectionism and had trouble deciding which direction to take a project. As my style started to take shape, I gained confidence and was willing to take risks. Then I had health issues for over a year and had to take a break from work. That was the greatest gift. That is really how I overcame sweating over every decision. Having my everyday life and a creative outlet taken from me helped me appreciate the freedom and great gift of expression I had through landscape design. I am grateful for every project, piece of land, and wildlife that uses that land. My goal is to create spaces that improve each client’s life by developing gardens and spaces that activate their senses and give them time to be immersed in natural elements. That’s what I’m here for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There would probably be lots of driving on the coast. I would take them to hike in the Santa Monica Mountains, watch whales at Point Dume, stroll through Huntington Gardens, and check out the latest work at LACMA, The Broad, The Getty, and Bergamont Station. We would eat at Gjelina, Mazal, Nobu, Funke, Ramenhood, and Yama Sushi Marketplace, and hopefully, one day, Cholada Malibu can rebuild for the best Thai food ever! Maybe grab a drink at The Daily Pint. Last, we would bring a picnic and take in some music at the Hollywood Bowl.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first job in landscape architecture was working for Pamela Palmer, principal at Artecho. Her work deeply inspired me, and I could not have been luckier to have landed in her office. She was generous and encouraging, teaching me to see landscape design as an art form, take risks, and be curious. I adore her, and we still have a great relationship.

Website: www.marisolmetcalfe@gmail.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/marisolmetcalfelandscape/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-metcalfe-718565164

Image Credits
Marisol Metcalfe

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