The Redbud Difference

Featured in Saratoga’s Best

After 20 years in business, Saratoga County’s Redbud Development is still going above and beyond to deliver the outdoor living spaces of their clients’ dreams.

If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably dreamed about elevating your outdoor living space. An in-ground pool, an outdoor kitchen, a new screened porch… the possibilities seem endless. But where to begin? A call to Redbud Development is a good place to start.

“We’re not selling a product, we’re providing an experience,” says Operations Manager Karen Redick, who runs the Wilton-based landscape design firm with her husband, Geff, who is a licensed landscape architect. To create the perfect outdoor living experiences, the Redicks prioritize getting to know their clients on a deeper level—their style, lifestyle, interests, hobbies, and how they love to entertain.

“For example, a client might tell us that a pool is at the top of their wish list,” Karen continues. “But is a pool really the best fit for their desires, their site, and their budget?” To find out, Geff or Matt Dennis, Redbud’s other landscape designer, will meet with the client at their home to assess the site and discuss their needs and wants. Are they a young family with kids? Or are they an older family with grandkids? Are they empty-nesters looking for a place to entertain their adult friends? Or are they sports enthusiasts looking for a space to swim laps? Often, the Redbud team will explain the maintenance a pool requires, and that, along with other factors, might help them realize that what they really want is not actually a full-on pool, but rather a swim spa, hot tub, or plunge pool.

Then comes the design phase and the inevitable question: Is this realistic? “The Redbud design process is very collaborative,” Geff explains. “We work with the client to prioritize what features they absolutely want, eliminate those that are not that important after all, and identify which ones might be phased in over time.”

Redbud also recognizes and respects that every client has a budget. Some are grand, and some are not. Through creativity and honest conversation, the firm helps clients create spaces that are truly buildable and not just pretty drawings that end up on the shelf in the closet. The goal is to create beautiful and functional spaces that clients will use and enjoy for years to come. If a client is cost-conscious, Redbud is more than willing to re-engineer and come up with creative solutions. And if a client is not as budget-conscious, the team utilizes the flexibility to develop ultra-tailored spaces aligning with the client’s style.

So, how does the Redbud team make it happen?

Once the custom design and budget are finalized, Redbud assembles a team of skilled professionals from their trusted network, including carpenters, stonemasons, pool contractors, electricians, and plumbers. When a project demands specialized expertise, they leverage their deep industry connections to find the perfect fit, as they did for a recent custom pool project. That job came with challenges on multiple fronts, including site conditions, material selection, custom finishes, and budget constraints. “Out of all the pool contractors in the area, we found Cypress Pools was most willing to take on the project and collaborate with us to work through the details,” Geff says. “It was a great team effort, and the client was very pleased with the outcome.”

“That’s how we approach every project that we work on, whether it is a pool project, an outdoor living space, or an interior renovation,” Geff continues. “We have a strong team of people that we work with regularly, and then if we need a new or uncommon trade, we’ll find that specialty contractor to get the job done.”

Geff and Karen have built their company on a hands-on approach that never cuts corners. “Twenty years ago, when we created our first brochure, we defined our core values as creativity, reliability, and integrity,” Karen recalls. Two decades later, those principles have cemented Redbud’s reputation as the region’s most trusted landscape design firm.