Adam Baker is a man of vision – even at 8 years old. While his friends were off playing in the yard, he was busy knocking on his neighbors’ doors in Coral Springs, asking to tend theirs.

“They may have been doing me a favor by allowing me to cut their grass, but times have changed now,” says Baker. And indeed they have. With more than 50 employees and offices all over South Florida, his homegrown business, Broward Landscape, has flourished.

“Sixteen years later, I still maintain my original 10 customers and first two employees,” he says. Part of the reason for that amazing track record is his attention to detail. While others may see a perfectly livable backyard, he sees the potential for an outdoor living space that his clients fall in love with.

The Etters' backyard

Steve Etter, a resident of the Island at Boca West, originally wanted to hire Baker to simply add some outdoor lighting. But Baker found his yard lacking and convinced him that an overhaul was necessary.

The project was a collaborative effort with another local company based in Wilton Manors, Shuster Design Associates, who installed the outdoor kitchen and fireplace, as well as added the cypress wood detailing of their indoor/outdoor area.

Baker transformed their wide-open lawn with creative vignettes – from ponytail palm trees (one of which is over 100 years old!) to Sylvester palms he had craned in over the house.

“I own four different nurseries where I grow and collect exotic specimen trees,” says Baker. Many of his clients can find a one-stop shop for their landscaping needs with him.

The Bakers' pool and patio

Baker’s handiwork also included some hardscaping, adding a fire pit, and installing a gorgeous stone water feature that covered a plastic PVC pipe fountain. He created the Etter’s marble deck and redid the tiling of their pool, adding a “crystal surface finish” reminiscent of pristine island beaches.

“This guy is one in a million. I was looking for outdoor lighting and he saw the potential of making it into a showplace,” says Steve. “He truly is the best at what he does.”

For Mike Rearden, a resident of Fort Lauderdale, working with Baker was an experience he wished he’d had sooner. “Adam redid everything. My pool was 12 or 13 years old and weather beaten. I had an old limestone deck. He did my pergola, my outdoor kitchen and fire pit. I’ve lived here for 10 years and never did anything. Now I wish I had done this earlier.”

Baker’s vision and designs invite you to truly enjoy outdoor living. And what better place to take pleasure in that lifestyle than here in sunny South Florida?

 

Outdoor Design Trends in Sunny South Florida

Pergolas – What better way to beat the heat than a shady arbor? The Etters’ pergola provides a cool and calming seating area next to the hot tub.

Drought-Resistant Trees – Low maintenance plants like the Etters’ Ponytail Palm are a sustainable and growing trend in South Florida landscaping.

Fire Pits & Outdoor Kitchens - With perennial good weather, South Florida is the best place to sit or cook outside by the fire.

Decorative Water Features – Stone or rock water features accentuate a space with sound and movement.

Marble Decks – Stone or marble patios are the go-to choice for outdoor living spaces.

Crystal Surface Pools – These pool finishes use crystal pebbles to transform the color and texture of a pool.

Landscaping Vignettes – Well-placed trees and bushes create a pleasant backdrop, while strategically shielding ares for privacy.

Vegetable & Herb Gardens – In keeping with the growing sustainable trend, outdoor spaces frequently include a small vegetable and herb garden.

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