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Feeling Like a Kid Again: Exploring Nature-Based Playground Design Our founder, Ive Haugeland, recently returned from Toronto, Ontario, inspired by the power of play and feeling like a kid again. Invited by Dave Bang Associates, she joined a whirlwind playground tour showcasing the innovative work of Earthscape, a leader in nature-based playground design. Alongside a […]

USA Today Features Shades of Green Firm Profile Rooted in Place: How Shades of Green Designs Landscapes that Belong Ive Haugeland was barely tall enough to reach the bloom. A girl in Norway, peering into the wide mouth of a red tulip, studying the dark stamens and yellow center with the intensity only a child

Akiko Ono Becomes Partner at Shades of Green We are delighted to announce that Akiko Ono has become a Partner alongside Ive Haugeland at Shades of Green Landscape Architecture. Here the two are featured at the 2025 American Society of Landscape Architects Conference in New Orleans this past October. Akiko has been an integral part of

Summer Living Summer invites us outdoors—to gather, play, relax, and truly savor our gardens. Picture your family and furry friends lounging by the pool, while the grill sizzles in the outdoor kitchen. Children and adults alike enjoy garden games and playful amenities. A trellis brings both structure and shade, creating an elegant setting for open-air

Animal-Friendly Landscape Design At Shades of Green, we deeply value the role animals play in bringing landscapes to life—and as pet and livestock owners ourselves, we design with them in mind. In In the project above, we nestled a barn into the garden to create a charming “horse hello” moment while also providing a thoughtful

Podcast Interview: From Fjords to Foundations On this episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, we the podcast features Ive Haugeland, founder and principal of Shades of Green Landscape Architecture. Her journey is a powerful story of taking risks, following a passion, and staying true to her values while building a thriving business. 

The Benefits of Curb Appeal Investing in landscaping to enhance curb appeal not only elevates the visual charm of a home but also offers practical and economic advantages. These include increased property value, enhanced neighborhood appeal, positive first impressions for potential buyers or guests, and personal joy upon returning home. The journey to a home

BBQ Season Outdoor kitchens create a space to gather in your garden. Above, we created a well-equipped kitchen, including a sink, pizza oven, fridge, trash compactor and grill. The kitchen is made of white concrete and an L shape to maximize the corner and views.  Here we added plants of varying height behind the bar top.

Pool Design Inspiration Pools can make a statement, anchor a design and reflect the rest of your garden. At night pools transform, offering the chance to create a new atmosphere. For example, see the same pool featured at dusk (left), and at nightfall (below). Consider the surrounding architecture and materials when selecting your pool design. For example,