Deborah's design methodology is guided by the simple yet profound belief that gardens should seamlessly integrate into the lives and lifestyles of the people who use them. She begins her projects by listening to her client's goals and then helps them explore their unspoken and underlying desires. Deborah guides her clients through a design process that emphasizes their collaboration and creative exploration every step of the way. The end result is a unique natural space that reflects the client's true nature, personality, and lifestyle.

Where It All Started

Deborah started her career at the San Francisco Flower Market selling interior plants and cut flowers from around the world.  Eventually the desire to know more about plants led her to pursue landscape design and installation. She became a student of the Horticulture Department at Merritt College in Oakland and focused not only on plants but entomology and construction too.

Eventually Deborah worked for Marriott Facilities Management, where she collaborated with Tom Bresson of the Urban Farmer Store on implementation installation of one of California's first water conservation irrigation systems that watered lawns from below the soil surface instead of sprinkling from the top.

Next up was working at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland renovating the grounds and installing drip systems. She was often told by the medical staff, patients, and visitors that her designs and plant selections made them feel more positive and upbeat, and that they promoted a sanctuary for healing among an otherwise very busy and chaotic place.

A result of that exposure led Deborah to craft many garden designs for coworkers and friends before her contractor buddies started asking her to design for their clients.  As a result, Deborah left Kaiser in 1999 to start her own company, and has been the running Green Alchemy ever since.  

Since starting her own design and landscaping company, Deborah has been featured on the Home & Garden Television (HGTV) channel, and was a keynote speaker at the Sacramento Home and Garden Show where she designed five gardens for sponsor OSH. Her drought-tolerant garden designs have won her clients rebates from EBMUD.

Deborah has been a member of the Renaissance Toastmasters and served as President, VP of Education, and Area Governor.  In 2007, Deborah traveled to Washington DC and donated her design services to the University of Santa Clara as they competed and took third place in the Solar House Decathlon, hosted by the Department of Energy.