If there’s anything the last year has taught us, it’s that home can be an oasis in itself. So when considering an outdoor redesign or upgrade, it’s important to have a space that works for your family and lifestyle.

The family behind CLC Landscape Design understands that all too well. Founder Richard Cording Sr. has been designing and executing outdoor living spaces in North Jersey for 45 years. Now joined by his three sons, Cording says that CLC Landscape Design operates under one simple motto:

“Great landscapes start with great ideas,” he says. “Those ideas inspire remarkable designs, and that kind of execution takes time and experience to develop. When you see our finished products, it’s easy to understand why.”

CLC Landscape is owned by Cording Sr.—a licensed landscape architect and certified horticulturist—and his sons: Rich Jr., James, and Eric. Rich was a former Navy officer with a master’s degree in landscape design from Columbia University, while both James and Eric hold certificates in landscape design from Rutgers University. Together, they oversee a team of nine landscape architects and 50 landscape construction employees, all of who have helped create award-winning designs across the area.

“Our work is a synthesis of ideas that come together to create a beautiful finished product,” says Cording Sr.

A recent customer photographed here came to CLC Landscape Design requesting what Cording calls the full package. “The owner had a small space, but really wanted the things that most homeowners want: a pool, outdoor kitchen, dining space, pergola, and fireplace,” says Cording. “We were able to build separate destination points in that space, and utilized an endless pool to allow for every element the customer wanted.”

Like every customer, the project started with a one-on-one meeting with either James or Eric at the customer’s home. “We go out to every clients’ home to meet them, discuss their needs, and present them with their design quote before moving forward,” explains Cording.

From there, a project moves over to Rich Sr.’s area of expertise. He manages their team of nine architects to develop ideas based on the customers’ price point and needs, and sources options to best fit their budget. Then it’s over to Rich Jr. to build the project.

Rich Jr. specializes in plant material with a focus on deer-resistant plants, which Cording calls a must-have in this area. “Rich [Jr.] has a wealth of knowledge around plant cultivars and can build outdoor landscape designs that fit into their exact space, whether it’s sunny or shady,” says Cording. “He also works with a team of 50 employees, and together they get on site and manage any changes that come up to produce a job that’s reliable and lasting.”

Cording says that it’s the knowledge across the family and the team that contributes to their success, and leads to the happiest customers you can find.

“There’s never been a backyard that we haven’t been able to meet the design goals we’ve worked on with our customers,” says Cording. “It’s my responsibility to marry our customers’ wish list to a price and budget that they’re comfortable with. And between my sons, James, Eric and Rich, our customers are always dealing with a member of the family and with a person who truly cares about what they do.”

CLC Landscape Design
Ringwood
(973) 839-6026
CLCDesign.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 21, Issue 10 (July/August 2021). 
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