Verified record
Typical your area range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Outdoor Design & Living. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Estimated range
$50 – $70
Typical landscaping service around $60
Outdoor Design & Living pairs landscaping with stonework and outdoor kitchens. A ctpost.com article has described Chris Palmer as the owner of Outdoor Design, a Fairfield landscaping firm, opening a Fairfield store for outdoor kitchens, fire pits, pergolas, furniture and lighting. A 2018 Houzz customer said the company expanded their stone patio, added an outdoor kitchen, an eating area and new stone stairs, then added more square footage and an outdoor fireplace the following year. A 2016 customer wrote that Chris and his crew demolished a crumbling brick patio and built the new one from the footings up. A 2016 customer described retaining walls, stairs, stone walls, a fire pit and landscaping around a new inground pool. A 2025 customer said the company had created their seasonal planters for three years. A 2026 customer said they spent over $16,000 on a redesign that replaced evergreen beds and a seven-foot holly with deciduous plants, and that several evergreens were left bare-rooted in the driveway until they questioned it. A 2025 customer of over 20 years said a spring clean-up estimate request went unanswered and Greg never showed for a confirmed August meeting. A 2025 customer said many plants died a year and 8 months after a planting and the nursery would not guarantee more than a year. A 2024 customer said the designer, Dave, missed 4 scheduled appointments, a design promised in two weeks took two months, and a 50% restocking fee was not waived. A 2024 customer said their mother was sold the wrong $132 shrub and the business refused to exchange it.
“Outdoor Design & Living in Fairfield hooked me up with some really good arborvitae for my backyard a couple years ago ago and all came in super healthy”
“Chris Palmer, owner of Outdoor Design, a Fairfield landscaping firm, has launched Outdoor Design & Living, a Fairfield store focusing on outdoor living products such as outdoor kitchens and appliances, fire pits, pergolas, furniture and lighting.”
I’m writing this review two years after the project was completed, prompted by what I’m seeing again this winter. The individual who came out to my property (X) was very pleasant, and we walked my entire one-acre property discussing the plan. I hired this company expecting professional design judgment rather than simple planting and mulching. Unfortunately, the end result shows fundamental design failures. Through the new design, the first two complete planting beds along my driveway are now entirely deciduous. Previously, those areas had evergreens that provided year-round structure and seasonal interest. I was charged to have those healthy plants removed and charged again to install deciduous replacements. As a result, when you pull into the driveway in winter, there is no structure or visual interest at all. Most telling was the decision to remove a healthy, seven-foot holly anchoring the corner of my house and replace it with a deciduous shrub. The purpose of an anchoring plant is basic landscaping knowledge: it should provide year-round structure. Replacing a mature evergreen anchor with a deciduous shrub contradicts that concept entirely. That single decision alone is enough to question the design judgment and any upsell recommendations. There was also discussion about discarding other healthy shrubs removed for the redesign. I declined, and those plants were relocated to other areas of the property, where they are now performing well—further evidence that removal was not necessary. And I had already paid to have them moved! I also had to point out that several evergreens were left bare-rooted in the driveway at the end of the day; they were only planted after I questioned it. In total, I spent over $16,000. My advice is to verify who is actually doing your design and be very cautious with upselling. It’s easy to get excited about a “new look,” but without sound design principles, the results can be disappointing
We couldn’t be happier with the design around our pool! He designed our patio beautifully and had the knowledge and experience to foresee and prevent any potential problems before they happened. He was reliable, responsible, and worked seamlessly with our pool company — they made such a great team and finished the job in record time. It was truly a pleasure working with him, and we highly recommend his services!
They did my fall planters and they look incredible!
Outdoor Design has created our seasonal planters for the past three years, and they never disappoint! Their arrangements are always creative, beautiful, and thoughtfully designed. We look forward to seeing what they come up with each season.
Our Fall planters are designed beautifully! Simple yet sophisticated, with stunning seasonal colors and textures. We have already gotten so many compliments!
Specializes in
Also offers
Service area
Languages
1 change recorded — last scanned Oct 13, 2026.