Drew and Shannon Lester are a husband and wife landscape design team that have over 40 years combined experience in Central Oregon. Together, they promote sustainability and gardening for success, so homeowners can enjoy all the other activities Central Oregon has to offer. Drew and Shannon currently focus their efforts on landscape and low voltage lighting design, backflow assembly testing, custom paver installation, project management and hourly consultations for D.I.Y. homeowners.
Drew graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington where he studied economics and public policy. After graduating, he decided to move out west to become a mountaineer guide and get more in touch with the natural environment. Shortly after, Drew started working in the landscape industry and furthered his education at Central Oregon Community College in the green industry.
Shannon is a landscape designer who holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from Washington State University in Pullman. After a sojourn in Italy where she experienced landscape and design, Shannon returned to the Pacific Northwest to focus on custom residential and commercial landscape design, land use and city planning projects.
From 2012 to 2017, Drew and Shannon focused their efforts on starting up a mid-century, modern-inspired planter company, Steel Life. Steel Life planters have been recognized by many nationally accredited industry professionals and magazines including Martha Stewart, Sunset, Better Homes and Gardens, 1859 Oregon, and Dwell magazine. Drew and Shannon have also designed product for The Standard Hotel NYC and Miami.
Shannon has shared her product design experiences on a design panel moderated by OPB at the 2015’s Bend Design Con. She currently enjoys teaching seasonal workshops both locally and on her travels. Shannon focuses her teaching on design trends, plant selection, succulents, xeriscaping, living centerpieces, wreath making and other green D.I.Y. creations.
OUR HAPPY CLIENTS
Michelle Matanich Rispoli
Shannon has been wonderful to work with! I can't wait until we start the project in the Spring and it comes to life. She was always professional, listened to what I was looking for, was sensitive to our budget, and was always responsive when I reached out. I love the planting options that will fit in the desired color palette and appreciate all her ideas...I can't wait until I am sitting in our new backyard space enjoying the sounds of the fountain while reading a book or watching the stars in our hot tub!Read More
Houzz User
Blooming Desert designed and help us install a beautiful landscaped yard and outdoor space. They were easy to work with, responsive to our many, many questions and delays. They made billing painless and met all of our time and service requests. I highly recommend!Read More
Mikala Saccoman
Shannon assisted us with our design and in navigating our HOA approval process. She was thorough, timely, and accessible every step of the way and we highly recommend her.Read More
Houzz User
Shannon was very helpful in designing my landscape. I had a few ideas for what I wanted but Shannon gave me better ideas to create what will be a beautiful yard. She was thoughtful with her appointment times and was very understanding if I changed my mind about placement of shrubs and plants. I recommend Blooming Desert Design for any landscaping ideas.Read More
Cat
The Blooming Desert Design + Build team transformed our tiny, messy yard into a true outdoor living space. Shannon is a very careful listener and seamlessly incorporated our ideas and her expertise into a beautiful modern patio, literally every inch of our small lot was transformed - from 2 patio slabs, some rock and mulch into an serene, private outdoor living space. Her communication skills and contacts were invaluable to us through the many steps of the project, from concept to completion. Drew's expert paver installation is a showstopper, truly the envy of our neighborhood. We wholeheartedly have and will recommend Blooming Desert, without reservation, their work transformed and elevated our home and how we live in it.Read More
