Hali has a rare, almost a sculptor's-eye view of scale, line, light, color and texture. She feels joy in watching her clients revel in the gorgeous spaces she creates. This happens because the final results reflect the extent to which she's listened to you and what you want, processed and augmented by her creative approach and discerning eye. By the time you're done with your project, Hali will be a trusted partner - and your friend. Frankly there are many talented landscape architects/designers in our area...but there has to be a reason Hali is routinely recruited by clients who can afford anyone (Think Fortune 500 companies, building summer homes in Jamestown and Newport). We feel fortunate that, though we are not in that league, we began working with Hali so many years ago (20, in fact), that she still answers our calls and kindly agrees to help design the next modification of this property in which she apparently feels invested!
Before I describe her talent, I would say that Hali holds herself to the highest standards of integrity. She honors her word, prices fairly, and shows up on a job site when she says she will. If you've worked with other contractors, you know how exceptional and valuable this is.
We built our home on 30 acres in the Rhode Island woods in 1982 and moved in when our son was 3 months old. It was 10 years later before we could really pay attention (mentally and financially) to the landscaping. Our property has rolling hills, ridges, and tall stands of pines. We are keen on using native plantings to the greatest extent possible, and not adding plantings or designs that are overly "manicured-looking", as this would not be in keeping with the aesthetic of the property or our preferences.
At our request, Hali designed grading around the property, a clay tennis court, and an in-ground pool with a sunning area and a pool house. She hid the pool behind a tall row of arborvitae (so you wouldn't even know it was there when you pulled into the driveway), put the tennis court down the hill behind the house (so we could watch it from the ridge above), and worked to preserve and integrate the many tall native pines oaks around the property. I loved her concept of "rooms" outdoors, such that you walk around and are intrigued by a partial view you see around the corner, and are drawn to go explore. Later we brought Hali in to design a bluestone terrace with rock wall. a pergola attached to the house covered with vines (our go-to space outdoors when we sit outside with company), a fire pit terrace (overlooking the woods; it is a favorite spot), and have turned to her for high-level design concepts integrating a huge organic vegetable garden, fruit tree orchard, and a Moon gate. Hali's eye is unerring, and the property she has guided us to design over the years brings untold joy to us, our family and friends, and everyone who comes to visit.
I am away from my desktop as I write this, on a new laptop that does not have photos loaded (unfortunately)...but will share photos ASAP. In the meantime, I hope it's pretty clear I recommend and appreciate Hali Beckman with all the confidence and appreciation in the world.
