Ray Morrow Design

Over the almost 18 years I've been working in the Landscape industry with 300 plus projects in my portfolio, I have developed a reputation in the industry as trustworthy, fair, and a Designer who views integrity as the cornerstone of my business philosophy.
Any potential clients who review my Houzz profile will see our firm has won multiple awards and had nothing short of 5 star reviews.

In a service oriented industry, I have had to develop a very comprehensive landscape design contract that clearly outlines the scope of services included for the design and planning stages of residential properties to protect our firm. Unfortunately as in many industries, you always have that one in a thousand Client that makes this contract worth its weight in gold. The Ades's were informed from the onset that my design package would be a comprehensive set of conceptual design plans which would be designed to pass the scrutiny of the acting Management Co. / HOA and the Architect who reviews landscape designs. I told the client from the beginning that after the design stage was completed and design plans approved, we would need the services of the following professionals to create support documentation for the completed/approved landscape plans : Architect, Engineer, and possibly a Soils Engineer considering the unique topography of their property and scope of multiple structural elements requested by Homeowner .

My design Contract clearly stated that in the event these additional services would be needed that there would be individual costs associated with all required plans and documentation for city review .

My initial design fees of $10,000 for the landscape plans for the Ades plans is actually a very fair if not a low cost based upon the scope of the project. The Architect and structural engineer I've worked with for the last 15 years provided a quote of approximately $10,000 for the architectural and engineering plans to correspond with my design plans.That cost based on my experience and what was entailed in preparing plans with the required level of detail was very fair.
I received a call from another Orange County Engineering firm (contacted by Kevin Ades) after I completed my landscape plans for Kevin and Chris Ades and his projected cost for the proper architectural details and corresponding engineering to coincide with my plans was more then double the quote I provided to the client from my Architect.

I went above and beyond the agreed upon services within my design contract. I personally went and met the architect who works with the HOA and Management Company for the Ades's Laguna Hills naighborhood on the Client’s behalf (not required in my contract) and I did about 6 revisions at no additional charge to the landscape plans (my contract stipulates 3 revisions only).

Fortunately I've never had an experience like the one I had with this client! I bent over backwards to accommodate their wishes and in the end felt that I was being taken advantage of! Unfortunate outcome all round.

The accusations levelled at me in the negative review from Kevin Ades are not only false but also very hurtful. No matter how accommodating I was for the this client I couldn't reach a positive end to the relationship.

The design theory for the Wu project necessitated a balanced approach, being that the client has a decidedly contemporary esthetic, which she favors over traditional themes . The final design and completed environment really melds with the the simple Mediterranean architectural style of the home with the elegant spare linear structures and subtle textures of limestone and other natural surfaces, creating a relaxed fluid outdoor space perfectly suited for any occasion .

At first glance the available space in the rear yard of the Schaffer home doesn't appear in scale with the clients desires which were : Outdoor Cabana , Custom Fountain, Outdoor Fire Pit, multiple planter spaces and imported pottery accents . The completed backyard space not only accommodated all of the above elements in a harmonious way but all features presented beautiful pairings of finish materials which lend distinctive nuances to the individual venues within the overall space.

The Chang home was built decades ago and was in need of a major makeover within a finite cost structure. The end product Is a testimony to creative use of timeless and architecturally appropriate embellishments to essentially reinvent the entire property while adhering to a definitive project budget . The property now presents as a clean contemporary environment with all the elements in balance, from the carefully selected plant groupings along with modest hardscape improvements to the overall color palette and use of subtle textures......... beautiful execution!

The Lomas property was basically a study in asymmetry! The Design challenge was to implement Major architectural pieces and create spaces unique unto themselves which would also invite specific uses and offer varied atmospheres . The ultra modern design / build home was already completed when RMD first arrived to discuss the improvements to the surrounding property which would include : Private gated motor court and front entry , Outdoor Cooking / Dining area , Expansive IPE wood deck and communal Fire Pit area and thematic minimalist planting venues , which feature sculptural shapes , contrasting textures and rich coloring. The completed project is pure ART and the juxtaposition of landscape architectural elements with the orientation of the home is amazing !

Thank you Rick. You are a super talented guy as well!