South Fork Studio Landscape Architecture, Inc.

MIles is a brilliant and creative landscape designer. He recently designed and managed a pool and patio project at our house in Rock Hall that was gorgeous and and exactly what we were hoping for. The project was done on time and the contractors he used were top notch.. Miles knows all facets of landscaping design from proper drainage, where to put the lighting, and what native plants to use. Could not recommend more highly.

Miles Barnard is an incredibly talented landscape architect. A joy to team with – he is thoughtful, collaborative, and exceptionally knowledgeable of environmentally sensitive design – something of interest to many of our high-end, custom home clients. Specifically, his understanding of native species and habitats results in attractive and innovative landscape plans that also have the ability to recreate and/or rebuild natural habitats for local wildlife. He is able to think big picture as well as long term, allowing him to understand how a project’s landscaping may impact the architecture, and vice versa, for years to come. It is a great pleasure to be teaming with him on an exciting waterfront project.

South Fork brought a great grand design scheme to us, was open to questions & suggestions, and coordinated with the contractor who executed the work as if they were on one team. It all worked very well. Miles also had in-depth knowledge of possible trees, shrubs and plants, and his recommendations turned out to be great. We have many people who pass by and tell us how much they love our yard/garden.

We have enjoyed working with Miles and South Fork Studio for over 3 years on a complete landscape/hardscape master plan for our Bay front property. Miles utilized only native specimens for the planting plan and designed fencing, gates, hardware, a courtyard and fountain, pathways, pool deck, lighting plan, irrigation coordination, etc with confidence, enthusiasm, and expertise. The execution of the plan was seamless and we think it looks amazing. Miles is an absolute pleasure to work with and we highly recommend him for anyone's landscape plans.

Miles understood the type of native garden that we wanted and gave us a superb, creative landscape that capture the potential of our property. The design was so much better than that which we had imagined. He had excellent companies complete the irrigation system, plantings and masonry work.

As a photographer, I’ve been extremely fortunate to photograph a number of Miles’ projects. It is always a pleasure to photograph his projects and I always manage to find a lot of shots, which in my business, is a great indicator of a landscape architect’s skill. Out of the many things I like about his work, two standouts are: his attention to the details and his ability to utilize native plants in a luxurious way. As you look through his portfolio you will see a lot of gates, fences and stonework. It is clear to me that he puts a lot of thought and refinement into these elements. In addition to the aesthetics of these details, these elements always seem extremely well built which is a testament to his design, his subcontractors and his project management. As I mentioned, I think Miles’ use of native plants is impressive. Native plants can sometimes get overshadowed by their non-native counterparts, but I have seen Miles’ incorporate them into projects in ways that are luscious and luxurious. The end result is a seamless integration of architecture into the landscape.

For a number of years now, I have used South Fork Studio, and Miles Barnard for several projects, all of which have substantially improved my gardens. As a designer Miles has been creative while still paying attention to my own ideas for these various projects. He draws plans that are understandable. These have then been bid on by contractors he has recommended, who seem satisfied with the specs. Next, he is conscientious in oversight of their work. Not everything has been perfect (it's a garden, after all) but Miles' follow up or attention to new solutions for the occasional problem has been terrific. I recommend him highly.

We hired South Fork Studio in 2011 for services in the deign and construction of our new waterfront home in Kent County Maryland. Miles Barnard worked with us to do the conceptual site planning, critical area planning/ permitting, landscape architecture, installation oversight and warranty work on the planting one year later. Our experience with the firm was excellent. Miles worked very closely with our architect, Interior designer, construction contractors and county officials throughout the project. He is an excellent team player and always represented the client's landscape architectural interests superbly. South Fork's experience and deep knowledge of critical area planning and his ability to use that expertise at the earliest stages of design and planning made an important and positive impact on the timely execution of our project. Mr. Barnard's commitment to native plants and his skillful design of architectural elements such as walls, sculpture and hardscape into his design made a special and profound contribution to our project. Our project was on time and on budget and we continue to work with South Fork Studio on all our continuing site development. We recommend Miles Barnard very highly.

South Fork Studio did a major make-over of what was a very ordinary patio, minimalist gravel drive way, and two so-so brick walk ways. Miles Barnard, the owner and landscape architect, designed the hardscape and landscape, made fabulous recommendations for plantings, and over saw the entire job. The results were transformative for our late 1800's Victorian. Miles proposed ideas we could not have imagined--and they worked beautifully and efficiently. A low brick wall and iron fence and gate to accentuate the patio with tall Hornbeams for elegant privacy. A fully engineered drainage system for the patio and the driveway. All delivered through master knowledge of local and other resources. Miles had the right people--skill and quality-- to perform the work. We recently added a very nicely designed (by Miles) mid-rise brick base and iron fence around the corner property. Hand made and beautifully curved at the corner rather than simply squared off, and copper scuppers to facilitate drainage through the low brick wall. I've had several large scale remodeling jobs done at other properties. None were done better than South Fork and Miles Barnard. I'm happy to show his work any time and highly recommend South Fork Studio.

I have used the services of Miles Barnard of South Fork Studio Landscape Architecture for probably over ten years and multiple projects in different towns. Miles created a private oasis with pool and full landscaping in the rear yard of an historic house that I renovated in Chestertown, MD as well as doing full landscaping design services for a 5 1/2 acre property on Broad Creek in Annapolis, MD. Miles was especially helpful in working with the county government to get me through the extensive permitting process required to build a new house in the Critical Buffer Zone along a body of water in Annapolis. Miles is a total professional with great design skills, knowledge of the industry and ability to get the job done and work with contractors, engineers and architects.