ABOUT THE STUDIO
Aren’t we all craving more beauty, more dedicated spaces to connect and enjoy each other, and more time in nature?
Using color, texture, shape and form, Melissa Gerstle and the MGD team bring their expertise to each landscape project. Balancing the requirements of the terrain and site with our client’s vision, we create custom solutions that include designing site plans, hardscapes, water features and fire features, planting plans and materials, and furnishings to achieve the agreed upon goals for the landscape.
MEET THE FOUNDER
Melissa Gerstle
Gardens are a wonderful analogy for our lives - of dreaming big, showing us what’s possible, and staying hopeful through the ever-changing seasons.
I love helping clients to see the potential in transforming their properties. When we are surrounded by nature’s beauty, it empowers us, brings us inner peace, and nurtures our souls. The ultimate result is that we are in flow with our lives.
The landscape is my canvas, and I am passionate about craftsmanship and combining elements in a thoughtful and creative way. The interaction of function and beauty, historic and cultural layers of the surrounding landscape, the architectural style of the home, and the ecological demands of the land are of paramount importance to me. By interpreting my client’s vision, reading the existing terrain, amplifying nature’s best qualities, and adding bespoke details, each project tells a unique story.
Among my inspirations is wanderlust; I love to travel to far off places, explore landscapes around the world and synthesize those experiences for my clients. Art fuels my imagination, whether I’m creating it or appreciating another artist’s work.
As someone who always delighted in nature, art, and design, studying landscape architecture was a thoughtful next career step after spending years in the business world. I earned a degree from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and then gained corporate experience in the travel and luxury goods industries, before earning a master’s degree in landscape architecture.
Along the way I became the mother of two extraordinary human beings (my best creations), and our miniature Poodle, Penny. I understand the demands of balancing a busy life, and the importance of always finding time for joy.
MEET THE TEAM
Bonnie & Lora
BONNIE NELSON
Bonnie Nelson is a landscape designer with more than seven years of experience in the architecture and design industry.
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She began her career working with an interior architecture firm in Paris, France with exterior garden projects such as the Jardin du Luxembourg. She lived in Europe for more than 6 months engaging in work for designers in both Paris and London, working in a garden shed for a time in Ruskin Park. She earned her Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Texas Arlington and for the last three years has been working on high-end residential gardens in the Dallas metroplex.
Bonnie has collaborated on countless projects for some of the most impressive private residences, estates and second homes in the Dallas area, including a number of award-winning projects. As a senior landscape designer for Melissa Gerstle Design, Bonnie is passionate about the MGD philosophy of crafting outdoor spaces and gardens that nurture the soul and enable families to connect and thrive.
In her spare time, she loves embarking on all kinds of outdoor adventures, from hiking to ski trips, and learning how to play golf from her husband Walker.
LORA GRABOWSKI
Lora is a business management professional with more than five years of experience working with local design firms.
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Her passion for homes and design coupled with strong administrative skills led her to our team.
Lora is a Dallas native and holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.
She loves the outdoors and spending time with her husband and two young daughters.
CLIENT SUCCESS STORY
"We recently completed a new pool and faced the challenge of completing the landscaping around the pool and beyond.
When we hired Melissa, we were in search of a fresh design perspective. She came in with a vast knowledge of landscape design and native plant varietals perfect for our space. Melissa not only gave us several great ideas, but also enlightened us on some important design fundamentals.
Melissa is so focused and obviously loves her craft. Her enthusiasm is very contagious and left us excited and much more confident about moving forward with our project.”
-JILL P.