About Karen Shreefter

My clients say I cherish each plant. It’s true. Plants are my palette, and each one has a unique role in the overall picture. But the real magic happens by collaborating with my clients when we bring the palette to life.

I am often asked what kind of gardens I like to create: cottage, formal, Japanese-style, native, shade, vegetable, wildlife, or woodland. The answer – whatever will make my clients feel more at home. I find all my clients, despite their protests, know what they like and want, and they have a keen eye. My job is to intuit this as we create a landscape design.

Through my work in the Berkshires in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, I have discovered that often improving a home’s appearance, beauty and welcoming feeling begins with simple steps. This discovery led to my starting the company, Welcome Home®, landscape consultations to boost home sales.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN LANDSCAPE & GARDEN DESIGN

The Research Center for Japanese Garden Art & Historical Heritage: Japanese Garden Intensive Seminar   Kyoto, Japan

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: Landscape Design Certificate
Millbrook, NY

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Satellite at Berkshire Botanical Garden: Horticulture Certificate
Stockbridge, MA

Naumkeag (The Trustees of Reservation property) I feel as if I studied with Fletcher Steele (b. 1885 – d. 1971), one of America’s first landscape architects, because I researched his life and work, studied his original blueprints, and created a tour of Mabel Choate’s Naumkeag gardens. Did you know Naumkeag’s world-famous path of white birches were not part of the original design?
Stockbridge, MA

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