Terrassebygning i Waitsfield, VT.

“Distinctive Landscaping changed our lives! We had lived on the shores of Lake Champlain for a dozen years or so, and every spring we cut back brush, attempted a lawn, and planted our version of a perennial bed. In August we would leave for a week, only to return to an overgrown tangle of vines, brush, rocks and dust! Enter Charlie Proutt! He walked the property with us one afternoon, asking about our lifestyle and our visions for our homescape, and then sitting around our kitchen table, Charlie chatted with us and with our very involved 10-year-old son. When Charlie came back, he had amazing ideas that incorporated our thinking —and oh-so-much more! It was uncanny how he had sensed the subtleties of the land, the shapes and curvatures imposed by our mature trees, the lakeside, and the challenges of our steeply sloping land down to the lakeside cliff—as if our rough and rocky land had communicated directly to him. Preserving our stately shagbark hickory trees, cedars, oaks, and sugar maples, Distinctive Landscaping changed our dirt into soil, our scrub brush into verdant shrubs, our parched areas into lush oases, our heavily shaded areas into a mix of dancing green hues and textures, our steep slope into gradual, natural rock steps—all subtly lit at night to enjoy year-round. Charlie then brilliantly expanded our straight, narrow terrace into curved outdoor spaces for gazing at the lake, dining alfresco, playful children, and good conversation. It was nothing short of a miracle! Along the way, our dreamed-for perennial bed became an awe-inspiring arc of imaginative plantings, our haphazard home entrance sported a newly formed parking area, blue stone paths, and an amazing new driveway through our magical woodland. For the first time, we could enjoy all sides of our home in all four seasons! And still, twenty years later we arrive home after a busy day and breathe in the beauty, the welcoming sunshine and cool shadows of beckoning greenery, the lovely spaces to gather together with family and friends, or to sit quietly and renew ourselves. Yes, twenty years later it is still magical, and we will forever thank Charlie Proutt, Eileen Schilling, and the crew at Distinctive Landscaping for their vision, their work ethic, their artistry, and their expertise.”

“Excellent work, timely, professional, good follow-up, cleaned the job site after finishing. Good communication, good advice and suggestions on project design. Overall excellent work.”