Celebrity landscape designer John Gidding offers some tips on how you can improve your outdoor space.
OH: How did you get started in interior and landscape design?
John Gidding: After getting my master’s degree in architecture in 2003, I started my own firm. Being on your own, people don’t give commissions to just build a building somewhere, but you do get a lot of interior commissions, so a lot of [my interior design experience] was in practice. My first job out of grad school was on the ABC Family TV show, Knock First, and with my connections from that, I did a bunch of celebrity homes, including the home of Carson Kressley from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
OH: You’ve lived in several countries, and you have a Turkish mother. How do these influence your aesthetic?
Gidding: In graduate school we were taught to restrict ourselves to an extremely contemporary and cutting-edge aesthetic, because that was pedagogy of the school. But having grown up in Turkey and Europe, where design takes many shapes, that was not my aesthetic. I tend to rely more on organic shapes and materials. Modernism is counter to ornamentation, but when I want to have a modern design, I still use ornamentation and detailing to take it to a warmer level.
OH: You’re on HGTV’s Designed to Sell and Curb Appeal: The Block. What do you like about being on these shows?
Gidding: It’s a fun intersection between high design and pop culture/mass media. When I was a designer in New York, I would spend too much money on things. Working on these shows has made me realize that good design does not have to mean high price tags; the things we bring to consumers are accessible. It’s also nice to have a fan base and to be recognized. We designers work really hard, and we’re often toiling unrecognized.
OH: What do you see as some of the biggest mistakes people make with their landscaping?
Gidding: The biggest mistake is a lack of maintenance. People think that because they don’t have any money to spend on exteriors, they’ll let their yard go to waste until they do have the money. But that makes the rest of the house look unappealing. People don’t realize that this mistake is easy to fix. Focus on the entry, from the street to the front door. Is the path clear? Is the house number visible? Is the door a nice color? House numbers are particularly important, because they’re the first things people see.
OH: What are some of the latest trends in landscaping or outdoor spaces?
Gidding: People will latch onto a style that they enjoy and put elements on their façade reminiscent of that style [regardless of what architectural style their home is]. For instance, if they have typical ranch, they’ll try to turn it into a hacienda or mid-century modern. It’s taking uninteresting architecture that is relatively forgettable, and turning it into something you’re proud of. But there needs to be a balance between style and a theme—you don’t want it to look like a theme park. People are also leaning toward porches and courtyards, creating a space within a landscape where they can gather and have friends over, either in the front or the backyard.
OH: Looking back on your career, is there a certain design project you’re most proud of?
Gidding: One of my proudest moments was working on the landscape plans for Union Square in New York City. I was designing the paving pattern, and now that it’s installed, it’s fantastic to see what I was drawing so long ago. I am also proud of the green roof I created for the American Society of Landscape Architects in Washington, D.C., which I spent a year creating. A green roof is covered with a very hardy plant in very shallow soil and can help with rainwater mitigation and help insulate the roof. It’s as eco-friendly as can be.
OH: When it comes to your own living space, how would you describe your style?
Gidding: My place in New York is extremely simple but approachable. A lot of my style is sculptural; I sculpt the space before I decorate it, using installations and wall sculptures that work with the same concept as built-ins. I also use a lot of familiar tactile materials like wood and stone.
OH: With summer coming, what tips can you offer readers on how to improve their outdoor space?
Gidding: I recommend that they think of their landscape as more square footage that they can inhabit, and to create a room outdoors. The front yard can be a great place to connect with your family and neighbors. Focus attention on your porch by putting furniture or a tablescape out there, and light the area with lanterns, lamps or candles. It makes the community safer when more people spend time in their front yards.
