World Landscape Architecture Month Spotlight - LML Estate Management

Luxury Estate Landscaping: Inside LML Estate Management’s Design Expertise

Estate landscaping requires a keen eye for detail, beauty, and functionality, and that’s exactly what LML Estate Management delivers across Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, IN. Their team specializes in high-end landscape and estate design, ensuring properties look breathtaking year-round.

Our third spotlight for World Landscape Architecture Month, we asked the LML Design team about their design influences, favorite projects, and the trends shaping luxury landscapes.

What inspired you to become a landscape architect/designer?
What really led me down this path was a deep passion for both drawing and golf. Originally, I wanted to merge those two loves by becoming a golf course architect. But along the way, I started residential design, and that’s when I realized how much I enjoyed the entire creative process. From setting up the drawing — taping the paper to the drafting table, sharpening a pencil, putting on headphones — to diving into sketching out ideas, I loved getting lost in that world.

Each design became a blend of past experiences, successes, and ideas that still needed exploring. Hand rendering quickly became another passion — taking a black and white layout and breathing life into it using vibrant, unmistakably scented markers.

For me, the real reward comes at the end — presenting a design to a client and walking them through something that’s been custom-built from their imagination. It’s an incredible feeling to take someone’s dream and turn it into a visual reality.

How would you describe your design philosophy in one sentence?
I believe in creating thoughtful, experience-driven spaces that blend functionality with emotion, using hand-crafted design to turn personal visions into tangible, immersive environments—always mindful of framing and enhancing views to connect people with their surroundings.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on and why?
One that really stands out to me was a project for a client living on one of the lakes in northern Indiana. They were both avid boaters, and we wanted to bring that passion into the design. On their large bluestone patio, we incorporated a mix of pavers and contrasting flagstone to create a custom-cut nautical compass as the focal point of the space. It wasn’t just about the materials — it was about reflecting who they are in a way that felt meaningful and unique to them. That kind of storytelling through design is what makes a project really special.

What elements or materials do you love incorporating into your designs?
I really enjoy incorporating functional dry creek beds into my designs. Using a mix of large and small boulders, I carve out water passages that mimic the look of natural streams, while also serving a practical purpose during the rainy season. It’s one of those elements that blends aesthetics with function, and it always adds a sense of movement and texture to the landscape.

What trends in landscape architecture/design excite you the most right now?
There are so many exciting things happening in landscape design right now, but one that really stands out to me is the use of 3D-generated design. It’s such a powerful, immersive tool — being able to build the design digitally, create a walk-through or flyover animation, and take the client on a visual journey through their future space. It bridges the gap between concept and reality in a way that’s both engaging and incredibly effective for communicating the vision.

Who has been a major influence or mentor in your career?
There are two gentlemen who stand out above the rest in shaping my career. The first is Greg Pierceall, one of my professors at Purdue University, who not only advocated for my place in the Landscape Architecture program but also left a lasting impression through his unique approach to design. He had a way of simplifying things — often asking whether a design was "cha" or "non-cha" — and that kind of clarity and conviction really stuck with me.

The other is Erik Jarkins, who I had the privilege of working with at HighGrove Partners in Atlanta, GA. To this day, he’s the most naturally gifted designer I’ve ever met. Watching him hand draw was mesmerizing — the speed, the accuracy, the effortless detail in his sketches was something truly special. His talent set the bar for me, and I still find myself striving toward that level of craftsmanship and creativity.

Anything else you’d like to share about your journey or the field of landscape architecture?
This occupation comes with a wide range of emotions and levels of stress that can, at times, feel overwhelming. There are long days — and even longer nights and early mornings — where nothing seems to go your way. Days when you just can’t find your groove, staring at a blank piece of paper. Nights where you wake up because you forgot to send that one email or finalize a design. There are disappointed clients, unexpected setbacks, and pressure that feels personal. Respect these feelings as they will help you grow as a designer.

But on the flip side, this field is also filled with overwhelming satisfaction and goose-bump moments — like walking through a garden you helped bring to life. Clients who become friends. An office that, more often than not, is outside in the sunshine, surrounded by blooming flowers.

It’s a career that demands passion, patience, and perseverance. You have to respect the emotions and accept that not every day will be smooth. But even on the tough days, there’s always the chance that tomorrow could be a game changer.

What inspired you to become a landscape architect/designer?
During my childhood, I spent considerable time on a developing estate, where I either assisted my father and grandfather in constructing the residence or tended to the gardens alongside my mother and grandmother. This upbringing fostered my passion and allowed me to hone my skills in creating spaces that enable individuals to connect with the natural world in their own distinctive manner.

How would you describe your design philosophy in one sentence?
Crafting uniquely functional and beautiful spaces, my design philosophy celebrates the individual, ensuring each environment resonates with its purpose and the soul of its inhabitants.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on and why?
One of my earliest residential commissions remains a favorite. While I find joy in every project, this one held a special resonance. It was a privilege to craft a haven for newly empty nesters, a space designed to draw their children home. The clients' desire for a vibrant, yet effortlessly manageable environment for their forever home was a delightful challenge. Their enthusiasm fueled the creative process, culminating in a truly astounding result. I invite you to experience the journey from vision to reality through a video showcase.

What elements or materials do you love incorporating into your designs?
When designing in the North I enjoy using Hakuro Nishiki Dappled Willows, Bluestone, and Bloodgood Japanese Maples. In south Florida I like to use Miami Supreme Gardenias, Ivory Shellock, and Montgomery Palms. As a designer I try not to get repetitive and keep my palette broad, but these materials are my personal favorites. Check out more his stunning designs here.

What trends in landscape architecture/design excite you the most right now?
As far as the career field goes, the emergence of 3D rendering technologies allow me to help clients visual their dreams and give a sense of surety that paper plans just can't provide. As far as the art of design is concerned, a focus on wellness design and creating spaces that bring a certain level of tranquility to the human experience. For me, getting out in my garden is essential for my mental clarity, even if it's to just sniff the roses. In the wake of medical and technological advancement I think it's imperative we stay true to where we come from... outside. It's amazing what watching miscanthus shimmer in a gentle breeze or the smell of a gardenia can do for you.

Who has been a major influence or mentor in your career?
My two biggest mentors in my career would be Andy Pappas, from Global Greenz in Brevard County Florida, and Scott Morris, from LML Estate Management in Indianapolis. Both of these gentlemen have contributed to my knowledge exponentially in different ways. Andy gave me my first opportunities and taught me to foster my creative intuition. It was under him I found my passion for this art. Scott Morris has shown me what a life dedicated to your art can become and has refined me as an artist, a contractor, and a person. It is under his discerning eye I now practice and succeed.

Anything else you’d like to share about your journey or the field of landscape architecture?
I went to university for Entreprenurial Management which is where I met Scott Morris.  I frankly didn't know this line of work existed and hadn't thought about it despite having a lot of experience in duties relevant. Granted that going to school for this field is a great option, but if it's not in the cards for you, trial by fire is a great method too. My first every project was with Andy on a Beachside Air BnB. Despite having a fraction of the technical knowledge I needed going into it, I learned, studied, and grinded my teeth until it came out stunning. I firmly believe that with a strong will and relentless drive you can make anything happen.

To see more projects and current designs, follow LML on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.