Allow me to introduce our Designer of the Year, Dawn Engel. Dawn is a highly acclaimed landscape designer with an impressive twenty-four years of experience in her field. Her expertise is impressive, and her specialties include pergolas, outdoor kitchens, fire features, water features, built-in seating, outdoor lighting, and stunning plant arrangements.

Dawn reached out to Pergolas By Julie with a clear vision for her client in Palo Alto. Her goal was to help establish a spacious outdoor entertainment area with three distinct sections. Firstly, she desired a covered space for a fully equipped L-shaped kitchen, ensuring her clients could cook comfortably throughout the year, shielded from both heat and rain. Secondly, she requested a covered dining area where her client’s children could do their homework outside, conveniently located next to the indoor kitchen. This arrangement allowed the parents to keep an eye on their kids while preparing dinner. Lastly, Dawn envisioned a covered lounge area where her clients could relax with friends and enjoy wine on weekends. This area would be situated close to the fire pit and pool, yet far enough to provide a peaceful spot for reading and unwinding.

Dawn and Julie collaborated on a design that involved a four-roof, L-shaped louvered pergola, elegantly wrapping around one corner of the house. This design also covered the main sliding door, ensuring seamless weather protection for the clients when transitioning between indoors and outdoors.

To enhance the pergola’s functionality and aesthetics, white LED pergola lights were installed along the inside of each roof, as well as within the louvers themselves. Screens and heaters were incorporated to maximize comfort during colder seasons. The end result is a technologically advanced family area that is perfect for year-round entertainment.

Whether you are a homeowner or a landscape designer, we are committed to working closely with you from the initial concept stage to the final installation, ensuring that your shade solution exceeds your expectations. Rest assured, you will be in the capable hands of experienced landscape design professionals and not just salespeople who often lack design training. Our ultimate goal is to transform every client’s outdo