We are a modern landscape and garden design studio located in Portland, OR. Our landscapes integrate with NW Regional, Mid-Century Modern, Contemporary and Traditional homes. We often work in collaboration with larger design teams and many of our landscapes are installed as part of extensive home restorations—we also work solo, with homeowners. We are passionate about architecture and creating connections between the home and landscape while also creating spaces that are meaningful and engaging.
As Principal Designer, Lauren Hall-Behrens leads all design projects. She is joined by Landscape Designer, Sheryl Eckrich as Project Lead and Designer Suzy Knutson. We have formed relationships with other design professionals with whom we contract as needed on a project-by-project basis.
LAUREN HALL-BEHRENS
Originally from Texas, Lauren arrived in Oregon in the mid-nineties after having completed a BA from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Armed with a Liberal Arts degree focused in Psychology and Art, Lauren actively engaged in finding an occupational match for her passionate interest in the affects of both the natural and built environments on human psyche, behavior and experience.
During a period of informational interviews, the field of Landscape Design presented itself and the match was made. Lauren gained a professional degree in Landscape Design and experience working as an intern with a prominent Portland area landscape design firm. It was through this internship that Lauren had the opportunity to develop her aesthetic and realize her priorities as a landscape designer—bringing intention, beauty, and emotional resonance to her work.
She continued her experiential studies while working in several public gardens in the US and Britain while also broadening her understanding and knowledge of gardens and landscapes through extensive regional garden touring and on-going education.
Over the last 20 years, Lilyvilla Gardens designs have appeared in numerous publications including Garden Design, Architectural Digest, Dwell and Gray.
—Lauren Hall-Behrens | Principal Designer
SHERYL ECKRICH
Sheryl received a BA from Portland State University where she studied international affairs, French, and art. After graduation she focused her energies on interior and exterior design, renovating five homes with her husband in Portland. The process of renovating structures had a natural evolution to the surrounding outdoor space, and through this, her interest in landscape design formed. Sheryl has complemented her real world training with courses in design, CAD, landscape construction, horticulture, landscape lighting, and irrigation. Sheryl has 12 years of experience in landscape design and construction, and loves helping people transform their gardens into beautiful places that work. She is a member of the ANLD, APLD, and the HPSO. Sheryl lives in NE Portland where she enjoys being active, gardening, and spending time with her family.
—Sheryl Eckrich | Designer
SUZY KNUTSON
Interested in form and order Suzy first started her design career as a means of improving her own garden. While in school, she discovered her true passion lies in drafting and 3D modeling. She enjoys the creative problem solving of working three-dimensionally in order to inform the design process and help clients visualize their spaces prior to construction. Suzy graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Utah. She taught computer aided design for a number of years professionally at a local college and continues to improve her garden.
—Suzy Knutson | Designer