The Woman Behind Native State . . .
Hello! I’m Lauren — designer, plant lover, and garden daydreamer. I bring over 20 years of design and project management experience to the work I do. I’ve always had a strong eye for color, texture, and how spaces come together, and I love taking a project from the very first idea all the way through to reality. For me, the process should feel easy and collaborative. I want my clients to feel calm and cared for, knowing their home is becoming a place where they can truly relax.
My designs are also shaped by a deep love for California’s nature, plants, and wildlife. I’m constantly inspired by the scent of sage after the rain, the movement of grasses in the wind, and the way pollinators bring life into a space. Those connections show up in my work, where I try to create gardens that are not only beautiful but also alive, welcoming, and full of the small moments that make being outdoors so meaningful.
Here’s to more beauty, ease, and time outdoors!
- Lauren
Lauren Palm
Certified Garden Consultant + Lead Designer
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Get to know Lauren . . .
When did you first start a garden?
I was in my early twenties and had a drab outdoor patio with a small patch of dirt. I wanted to create a welcoming outdoor space to hang out and live life. I added fruits, veggies and pollinating flowers and the space sprung to life. While my roommates were sleeping off the night before, I was digging in the garden. The best hangover cure I know.
What is your favorite plant to incorporate into your designs?
It’s ever-changing and always tailored to your space. No one-size-fits-all planting here. That said, I have a soft spot for fragrant pitcher sage, those dreamy Matilija poppies, and a mix of medicinal herbs that bring both beauty and purpose to a garden.
What is the biggest mistake you’ve made in your yard?
Hands-down, adding landscaping fabric EVERYWHERE! We had just purchased our first home with two small children in tow, and wanted “minimalist, low-maintenance desert landscaping”. Little did we know that landscaping fabric is anything but low-maintenance. It looked good the first year, then came heavy rain. The second year, it was patchy, and little weeds started popping up. In the third year, big weeds emerged. In the fourth year, a gopher dug tunnels underneath, which made our yard look like it was sinking. The fifth year . . . we ripped it all out!
Why do you want everyone to have an edible garden?
They reconnect us to the rhythms of nature and the simple, grounding act of growing our food. Beyond nourishment, gardening supports our overall well-being. It encourages movement, mindfulness, and time spent outdoors. Tending a garden can be calming and restorative, offering a quiet pause in a busy day and a deeper connection to what we eat, how we feel, and the natural world around us. It’s a practice that feeds both body and mind.
What is your biggest piece of advice?
Before planting, make sure you’re envisioning how you use your space, how large plants and trees will grow, and please, STOP USING PESTICIDES! There are so many easy (and less expensive) ways to solve a problem without dousing your yard in chemicals. It’s harmful to our ecosystem, oceans, pets, and ourselves.
Who is that big black dog always by your side?
That’s Big Will! He’s our 100-pound rescue mutt and loves being in the garden and spending time with the whole family. We joke that he would have made an excellent farm dog, so now that he’s moving into his golden years, we’re doing our best to bring that dream to reality. Keep an eye out in our videos and pictures. You can usually find him there!
fighting global warming and restoring local eco-systems,
one yard at a time
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