Lisa and Tim Goodman were landscape design builders from 1986 - 2025. Prior to meeting and creating Goodman Landscape Design, Lisa was a distinguished photographer represented by numerous galleries. Tim, also a fine art photographer, having recently graduated from UC Berkeley in art History, was trying to make a go of it as an architectural photographer. Both were feeling increasingly stifled by their career choices: Lisa by the commercially driven, cut throat gallery scene and Tim by the lack of the creativity in his architectural work. Tim had developed an intense interest in gardens while living in England during his high school years and had helped put himself through Cal working as head gardener on a three acre Piedmont estate. Lisa, too, was very interested in gardens and had an exceptional sense of color, form, line and balance gleaned in part by her four years at CCAC. Determined to put their artistic acumens to better use, they quit their day jobs and started Goodman Landscape Design. Creating and building landscapes, though modest at first, quickly revealed itself an intensely satisfying endeavor that also allowed them the time and space to pursue their fine art photography without the constraints imposed by commercial considerations. 

The early years were filled with self-taught study - architecture and horticulture – in class instruction at Laney College’s outstanding horticulture program and further edified by more than a few “teachable moments” in the field.  

The Goodman’s 40 year liaison was most unusual.  Their artistic vision and expression wove seamlessly from their world of photography into the gardens they landscaped.  Pursuit of beauty, and creating spaces that felt good to be in anchored Tim and Lisa’s work. The gardens they designed and built are distinguished by their sensitivity to the site and the architecture of the home - flow, balance, scale and detail of its hardscape and sustainable beauty of its soft-scape. They are some of the most beautiful, finely crafted and timeless gardens built in the Bay Area.

2021 marked Goodman Landscape Design's 35th anniversary.  Tim and Lisa had the great fortune to celebrate their 30th by traveling to Japan in the Autumn of 2015 to relish in and absorb some of the most beautiful gardens in the world.  They hope to return in 2026.

                                         lisatoby.com                                                                     timgoodmanphotography.com

 HONORS & AWARDS

-San  Francisco Bay Area East  Sweepstakes  Award for the  Buchholz  Residence  (Rugby Ave,  Kensington)  California Landscape Contractors  Association(CLCA) 2009
-San  Francisco Bay Area East, First  Place  Award for large residential  design and  installation  for the  Anderson  Residence  (Yale Circle,  Kensington) California Landscape Contractors  Association(CLCA)  2009
-City of San Rafael design  award/honorable  mention for  landscaping and site enhancements  for 7 &11 Mark Drive, San Rafael - a  collaboration  with Rynerson &  O’Brien Architecture, 2007
-Masters of Design Award from Pool  & Spa News,  2006
-"Best Outdoor Living," Design Award, City of  Piedmont, CA, 2006      
-“Secret Gardens of the East  Bay" Selected by  the Park Day Garden Committee to be  represented  in the garden tour, 2009, 2005, 2002, and 1998.
-CLCA Statewide Trophy Awards, first place  award for large residential design and  installation, 2005
-Best Residential Architectural Remodel And  Landscaping Award, Berkeley Architectural  Historical Association (B.A.H.A.),  2004
-Best Residential Restorative Landscape Design    And Installation Award, Berkeley Architectural  Historical Association (B.A.H.A.),  2003
-Concrete Masonry Association's Honor Award,  private design category, co-winner with Radcliff  Architects, 2004
- CLCA First Place Award for Medium Residential  Design and Installation for The Bay Area, 1997
-Berkeley Horticultural Nursery's First Place  Award For Best Medium-Sized Garden, Bay Area,  1995
-Berkeley Horticultural Nursery's First Place  Award For Best Small Garden, Bay Area, 1992

 PUBLICATIONS
-LandscapeOnline
-Sunset Magazine
-Old House Journal
-Lawn and Landscape
-The San Francisco Chronicle
-Oakland Tribune
-Contra Costa Times Backyard Makeovers
-Taunton Press' Tile Idea Book
-Pool & Spa News
-Sunset's Curb Appeal
-House Colors by Susan Hershman of    STUDIO+ONE:DESIGN 2007
-Sunset's Western Landscaping Book
-HGTV's Home and Garden
-Berkeley Rocks - building with nature   by Jonathan  Chester
-Taunton Press' In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny  Flats by Michael Litchfield